“Xiao Yun has run away!”
Tang Xing hurriedly explained, “Recently, Xiao Yun has often sneaked out of the residence. Your Highness said she might be delivering messages to Consort Xian, so we didn’t interfere.”
“Every time she went out, she would return before sunset, but now it’s already deep into the night and she still hasn’t come back!”
A mocking curve appeared at the corner of Shangguan Jue’s lips.
“She won’t come back anymore.”
Tang Xing: “Huh?”
Shangguan Jue said coldly, “Send people to find her. If you find her, kill her directly. No need to report back.”
With that, he turned and walked toward the main courtyard.
Shangguan Jue pushed open the study door and locked himself inside.
The words of Marquis Zhenbei kept echoing in his mind.
He knew his own body best.
That feeling of life slowly draining away was growing stronger and stronger.
He might really not live much longer.
Master Yunxing might be able to save him.
But Yunxing was only a fabricated figure used to lure Marquis Zhenbei into a trap—no one knew where he actually was.
Perhaps… this was his fate.
Still, if he could help his father eliminate Marquis Zhenbei, a major hidden threat, then he had no regrets.
Shangguan Jue walked to the desk, picked up a brush, and began writing his final letter.
“Father, Mother, I am unable to fulfill my filial duties…”
As he wrote, his emotions grew heavier, his eyes gradually reddening.
At that moment, Tang Xing’s voice came again from outside.
“Your Highness! His Majesty and the Fifth Princess have arrived—and they brought a young lady with them!”
Then he heard a soft, childish voice:
【Big brother~ be good~ open the door~ open it quickly~ I want to come in~】
Shangguan Jue, who had been immersed in sorrow: …
Yes. That was definitely his little fifth sister.
He quickly rubbed his eyes to compose himself and walked to the door.
The moment he opened it, he saw a pair of big, dark grape-like eyes staring at him without blinking.
Shangguan Sui immediately broke into a bright smile.
The sight of her smile lifted his mood slightly.
And then he heard—
【Did my big brother cry? His eyes are all red~】
【Ohhh~ no wonder he took so long to open the door. He was secretly crying alone in his gloomy study corner!】
【Who would’ve thought my big brother, such a dignified man, is actually so sensitive~】
Shangguan Jue: …
Good thing you didn’t say that out loud.
But why did he feel like his father was now looking at him strangely?
He didn’t have time to think further and immediately bowed.
“This son greets Father Emperor.”
Shangguan Lin waved his hand. “No need for formalities.”
Then he led Shangguan Sui into the study.
Behind them followed a woman.
She wore a white veil covering her face, revealing only a pair of cool, calm eyes.
Shangguan Jue nodded slightly in greeting.
“May I ask why Father has come so late at night?”
Shangguan Lin shook his head. “You handled Marquis Zhenbei’s case very well. We are here for another matter.”
He stopped speaking after that.
Shangguan Sui immediately spoke up in her clear voice.
“Big brother, we’re here to treat your illness!”
Shangguan Jue raised his brows, looking somewhat doubtful.
Treat his illness?
But… wasn’t the poison in his body supposed to be incurable?
Shangguan Sui pulled Feng Aici beside her.
“This is Sister Feng, a divine doctor! She cured my throat!”
Seeing Shangguan Jue not reacting, Shangguan Sui grew anxious.
【My big brother wouldn’t be refusing just because Sister Feng looks young, right?! Nooo!】
Shangguan Jue: …
That wasn’t the case.
In fact, he had already heard that the Fifth Princess’s throat condition had been cured by a young woman.
He just hadn’t expected that it was this very girl.
“Miss Feng, please take a look at me,” Shangguan Jue said politely.
“You’re too kind, Your Highness.”
He rolled up his sleeve, revealing a wrist with faint veins, and placed it on the table.
Feng Aici placed her fingers on his pulse.
The others held their breath, watching her expression closely.
Her eyelashes lowered slightly, making her expression unreadable.
After a long moment, she finally opened her eyes.
“How is it, Sister Feng? Is my big brother serious?” Shangguan Sui asked anxiously.
Feng Aici pressed her lips lightly.
“It is somewhat serious. The poison has already penetrated deep into the bones of the First Prince…”
The hearts of all three tightened instantly.
Shangguan Sui shook her head in panic.
【Nooo, my big brother!!】
“However, it is not completely incurable. It will just take time—about half a year of treatment for full recovery.”
Feng Aici continued calmly.
Then she looked at Shangguan Jue.
“Also, Your Highness will need medicinal baths for one hour every day. Can you accept this?”
Shangguan Jue quickly nodded. “Yes, yes.”
All three immediately relaxed.
【Yesss! I knew Sister Feng could do it!】
【Sister Feng is the best!】
Shangguan Jue also curved his lips slightly into a faint smile.
Tonight was the most relaxed and peaceful he had felt in a long time.
..
The next day.
The downfall and confiscation of Marquis Zhenbei’s household, along with his sentencing to execution after the autumn, shocked the entire court.
Soon, the news spread to the harem.
Linqing Palace.
“Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!” Red Jade rushed in anxiously.
Consort Xian sneered.
“What could possibly be so terrible? Don’t tell me last night’s assassination failed?”
She said casually, “So it failed—it doesn’t matter.”
The people under her father were the most careful; they would never expose them.
What serious trouble could there be?
Red Jade panted heavily, her voice trembling.
“The Marquis… the Marquis has been arrested!”
Consort Xian shot up from her chair. “What?!”
Red Jade quickly relayed everything she had heard.
“The Marquis was stripped of his title and his residence searched… they found a dragon robe inside…”
“He is accused of three major crimes: embezzling military supplies, harming princes, and plotting rebellion.”
“He has been sentenced to execution after autumn, and his assets confiscated…”
Consort Xian felt as if her chest had been tightly bound—she could hardly breathe.
She collapsed back into her chair, eyes unfocused.
“How… how could he have been discovered…”
“My father always acted so cautiously… how could this happen…”
Red Jade cried uncontrollably.
“Your Highness, what do we do now?”
Consort Xian gave a miserable smile.
“What do we do? What else can we do? Wait for death…”
Red Jade widened her eyes.
“Your Highness, surely His Majesty won’t be that heartless…”
Consort Xian suddenly raised her voice.
“The Lu family has fallen! Do you think the Emperor will spare me?!”
“He has probably already suspected me! My death is only a matter of time!”
Looking at the empty hall, her beautiful face twisted.
“If I am going to die, I’ll drag someone down with me!”
Recently, the capital has been bustling.
Walking through the streets, everyone was discussing the same thing—