As it currently stood, the Former Emperor’s worries were not unfounded.
The Emperor was now over twenty years old, yet the Regent Prince (攝政王) showed no sign of relinquishing power.
Instead, he was using the excuse of the Emperor’s frail health to seize control of the court.
Xiao Jing’s methods were ruthless, and his supporters were mostly the court’s old officials.
If the Emperor were to pass away and the Regent Prince harbored intentions to usurp power, the entire front court would likely suffer a bloodbath.
This was also why Jiang Ying, after discussing it with her father, chose to agree to marry Xiao Wuheng.
Although His Highness Prince Jin did not have a strong presence in court, he was benevolent and, should the Emperor pass, he was a more suitable candidate for the throne than the Regent Prince.
However, she naturally wouldn’t mention any of this to Jiang Yao. “Yao’er, why did you suddenly ask about this?”
Jiang Yao looked momentarily flustered. “Curiosity… just curiosity.”
Curiosity about how she would die later.
A white silk cord or a cup of poisoned wine would be considered an easy death.
“Then why would the Empress Dowager…”
“The Empress Dowager is not the Emperor’s birth mother. Three years ago, the Empress Dowager brought her niece into the Palace of Longevity and Health, ostensibly for companionship, but in reality, she wanted the Emperor to marry the Wang family’s daughter as Empress. But the Emperor was unwilling…”
Jiang Ying left the rest unsaid.
“Do not discuss matters concerning the court with others outside, do you understand?”
If heard by malicious parties, the consequences would be unimaginable.
“Elder Sister…” Jiang Yao lowered her head, her voice filled with longing. “I haven’t left the house for several days…”
A hint of realization flashed in Jiang Ying’s eyes.
Young Master Xie’s accidental memory loss was undoubtedly a huge blow to Yao’er.
Yao’er must want to go out and travel with Young Master Xie, hoping it would help him recover his memory sooner.
“Yao’er,” Jiang Ying spoke softly, her voice full of tenderness and sympathy. “Are you hoping to go on the spring outing with Young Master Xie?”
“Ah?”
Jiang Yao was briefly stunned, but quickly caught on.
She blinked her eyes, feigning shyness. “If Elder Sister could bring both Young Master Xie and me, that would be best. I just don’t know if His Highness Prince Jin would be willing…”
She decided to play along for now. Xie Yunian didn’t remember anything, so how could he agree to go on a spring outing with her?
It would be best if he didn’t go.
Jiang Ying said, “Why wouldn’t he be willing? You are my younger sister. What’s wrong with going on a spring outing together?”
Jiang Yao said innocently, “What if His Highness Prince Jin wants to have some private time with Elder Sister…”
Jiang Ying glanced at Jiang Yao, who was sitting beside her, and looked a little confused. “What is so private about a spring outing?”
“…”
Elder Sister, I think you’re getting the wrong idea.
“Then—then it’s settled! Elder Sister, I’ll go back now and send a visiting card to the Xie Estate!”
Seeing that her goal was achieved, Jiang Yao happily rose to take her leave.
Her steps were quick, and her figure soon disappeared around the corner of the courtyard.
Once past the corner and out of Jiang Ying’s sight, the smile on her face gradually faded.
She absolutely must go on this spring outing.
The original book stated that during this outing, Jiang Ying would accidentally fall into the water. Then the Male Lead (the Regent Prince) would risk himself to rescue her. This was a critical turning point for the Female Lead’s feelings for the Male Lead.
Originally, this was just a plot device to promote the relationship between the Male and Female Leads, but after Jiang Ying fell into the water, her health would decline, setting the stage for the later abusive relationship.
During the time Jiang Yao had been transmigrated, she felt that her Elder Sister genuinely cared for her.
The plot of the book was no longer cold, lifeless text. If she couldn’t stop the major events, couldn’t she at least stop these minor ones?
She was going to protect her Elder Sister.
After returning to her own courtyard, she handed the written visiting card to Chunlan and asked her to deliver it to the Xie Estate.
“Miss, will Young Master Xie go?” Chunlan merely thought her Miss wanted to take advantage of Young Master Xie’s amnesia to spend more time with him.
Jiang Yao casually waved her hand. “It’s fine. You just give it to the gatekeeper of the Xie Estate.”
She truly didn’t care whether Xie Yunian went or not.
Moreover, she was certain that Xie Yunian would not go.
The Xie Estate study.
Xie Yunian sat before a zitan wood desk, toying with a jade pendant in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed.
“How are things?”
Qiyin stood before the desk. “Reporting to Young Master, according to my investigation, that Zhao Quan goes to Mincui Mountain in the western suburbs of the capital once a month.”
A month ago, the current Emperor discovered that his food was being secretly laced with a slow-acting poison.
The poison was highly concealed, with an extremely small dosage each time, making it nearly undetectable. However, long-term consumption would gradually erode his health until he “died of illness.”
At that time, the front court and the imperial harem would only believe he died of natural causes, and no one would suspect an intentional plot to murder.
But merely catching the person who poisoned the meals was useless; the true mastermind had to be found.
The Emperor had no sons. Once he passed away…
“Mincui Mountain? I remember I granted my brother Heng a courtyard there two years ago, right on Mincui Mountain.” The Emperor slightly turned his body to look at Xie Yunian.
“My Lord, do you believe my poisoning could be related to the Prince of Jin?”
“Young Master?”
Xie Yunian snapped back to attention and looked at the map on the desk.
To fully expose the person behind the scenes, the Emperor kept the poisoning a secret, only ordering him to investigate the matter covertly.
However, as a young general, his every move in the capital was being watched by many.
This was what led him to devise the plan to stage an accident.
“Amnesia” would make everyone believe he was temporarily unable to handle military affairs and needed to recuperate at home.
During this period of “coma,” Xie Yunian first investigated the imperial kitchen.
The investigation did, indeed, uncover some clues.
After eliminating the Emperor’s trusted aides and the people placed by the imperial concubines, one eunuch caught Xie Yunian’s attention.
The ingredients sent to the palace were strictly screened and meticulously recorded.
The person who had the most contact with these ingredients, aside from the cooks, was the eunuch Zhao Quan, who was responsible for monthly outside procurement.
Xie Yunian discovered that every time Zhao Quan left the palace, he would linger outside for a period.
Looking at the current situation, he must have been going to Mincui Mountain…
“I will go to Mincui Mountain myself.”
“Young Master! You must not!” Qiyin’s face changed drastically, his voice full of obvious worry. “Your waist injury has not fully recovered. How can you personally take such a risk?”
To make the “accident” look convincing, Xie Yunian genuinely fell off his horse.
The old injury on his waist had flared up, which was why he now presented this “sickly” appearance.
Xie Yunian’s tone was calm. “Everyone outside believes I have ‘amnesia.’ This is the best opportunity.”
Qiyin’s brows were tightly furrowed. “But your sudden appearance at Mincui Mountain will also arouse suspicion…”
A faint knocking sound suddenly came from outside the door.
“Enter.”
The door was pulled open. Yuanzheng (元正) entered, holding a visiting card with trepidation. “Young Master… this is Miss Jiang’s visiting card…”
Miss Jiang?
Xie Yunian’s gaze slowly fell onto the card in his hand. He seemed to smell that sweet, cloying fragrance again.
He knitted his brows, recalling some unpleasant memories. Seeing Yuanzheng about to hand it to him, his hand subconsciously retreated half an inch.