Chapter 344 Suspicion Arose

After Li Nanke left, Shen Cong held the jade pendant and examined it for a long time.

Even when Erfeng came in, he didn't notice.

"Your Highness, is there something wrong with this jade pendant? You've been looking at it for almost the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

Shen Cong snapped out of his daze, shook his head, and put the jade pendant back around his neck.

"No, I was just wondering if the Empress Dowager or my brother had ever taken this jade pendant. Do you remember?"

Erfeng was very certain.

"This jade pendant and the one in His Majesty's hand were carved together by His Majesty when the prince was born."

I remember that there was also a ring-shaped jade pendant that came with the jade jue. Both the jade jue and the jade pendant were worn close to my body since I was a child and were never separated from me.

It's a pity that the jade pendant was lost after the Rebellion of the Five Princes. The Empress Dowager was heartbroken for a long time and instructed her subordinates to take good care of the jade pendant.

Therefore, I can say with certainty that the jade pendant has never been taken by anyone.

Shen Cong rubbed his temples.

Yes, what is he thinking? He has worn the jade pendant since he was a child. How could it have anything to do with a ring?

Besides, the ring was just a guess by that little girl, Li Nanke.

He slowly rose and asked Erfeng, "What did you call me for just now?"

"Oh, someone from the palace has come and said that His Majesty has woken up and wants to see the Prince."

Nifudo.

Shen Cong gently rubbed his fingers together, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded.

"Very well, I'll change my clothes and go."

Inside the Daqing Hall.

The emperor lay on the bed in his undergarments, in a daze for half a month. He had lost a lot of weight, his cheeks were sunken, and his cheekbones were prominent.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Shen Cong knelt down to pay his respects.

Upon hearing Shen Cong's voice, the emperor slowly turned his head and looked over with difficulty. His gaze swept over Shen Cong, and his deep-set eyes twitched as if he had just realized what was happening.

"Oh, it's A-Cong. Why are you kneeling? I told you you don't need to bow."

Shen Cong smiled and stood up.

"The proper etiquette must not be abandoned. When my mother was alive, she always taught me to respect and trust my elder brother wholeheartedly."

Upon hearing him mention the Empress Dowager, the Emperor seemed momentarily lost in thought, then chuckled softly.

"I didn't expect you to remember what your mother taught you."

"I have always kept Mother's teachings in mind."

The emperor's short beard trembled, and he propped himself up on the bed with his elbow, trying to sit up.

Shen Cong stepped forward, bent down, and supported his elbows to help him up.

The emperor paused, then gave him a deep look.

Shen Cong seemed unaware, and placed a pillow behind the emperor, making him half-lie on it.

"How is Your Majesty feeling? What did the imperial physician say?"

"Alas, the imperial physicians' diagnoses all boil down to one thing: excessive grief, requiring only rest and recuperation."

The emperor sighed.

Shen Cong remained silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up and stared straight at the emperor.

"Besides being overwhelmed with grief over the Consort's matter, is your sudden fainting related to the poison that Prince Chen used on you?"

"Brother, I want to hear the truth."

The emperor's eyes flickered slightly, and a bitter smile crept across his lips.

"I knew I couldn't hide anything from you. That's right, it is indeed related to the Gu poison used by Prince Chen."

"Didn't Your Majesty send people to study the Miao Jiang Gu poison? Haven't they found a solution?"

The emperor shook his head.

"The Gu poison used by Prince Chen is extremely vicious. Those who are poisoned by it appear to be no different from normal people on the surface, but their bodies will become weaker and weaker."

After becoming completely immobile, they gradually lose their five senses and eventually die.

I have sent many people to the Miao region, but none of them have found a solution.

A hint of sadness flashed in the emperor's eyes, and he suddenly stood up and took Shen Cong's hand.

However, because he was extremely thin, the veins on the back of his hands were bulging, and his face turned flushed and his breathing became rapid due to the exertion.

"Brother, what do you want to say? Speak slowly."

Shen Cong bent down slightly and gently patted his back.

The emperor took a deep breath before speaking, "I summoned you here today because of my health."

The imperial physician said that my body needs rest and recuperation, so I plan to go to the imperial palace to recuperate.

Shen Cong was slightly taken aback.

"An imperial palace? But it's almost the twelfth lunar month. Going to the imperial palace in Luoyang now would be too late for the New Year..."

The emperor waved his hand, "It's alright. I won't be returning during the holidays. I'll leave all the affairs of the capital to you."

Shen Cong said, "Leave it to me? Isn't there the eldest prince? My brother is in the palace, and it would be presumptuous of me to help manage things for two days."

Now that my elder brother has gone to the temporary palace, the affairs of state should be handed over to the eldest prince.

The emperor shook his head.

"Alas, Ah Xu is still young and has no experience in handling state affairs. Matters concerning state affairs still need to be discussed jointly by you, the Left Prime Minister, and the Right Prime Minister."

As for Ah-Xu, as his uncle, why don't you take him under your wing and teach him step by step?

"But Ah-Xu is only four years younger than me, he..."

The emperor exerted a little force and tightened his grip on Chen Cong's hand.

"There are no buts. Ah Xu has only been back for half a year. The court officials will not be convinced."

"Acong, you are the person I trust most. Only by entrusting the affairs of state to you can I go to the palace to recuperate with peace of mind."

Can you bear to see me unable to rest peacefully even in the imperial palace? Cough cough cough…

As the emperor spoke, he suddenly coughed a series of coughs.

Shen Cong quickly turned around, poured a cup of tea himself, and handed it to him.

"Your Majesty, please have some tea."

The emperor took the teacup, sipped it, but coughed even more violently.

"Cough cough cough..."

The emperor coughed so hard he almost convulsed, and the teacup in his hand fell onto the bed, spilling tea onto the couch, leaving a damp patch.

"Someone, summon the imperial physician."

Shen Cong loudly instructed the eunuchs outside.

"No, no need."

The emperor patted his chest, trying to calm his rapid breathing, and stopped the eunuch.

"Summoning the imperial physicians only brings the same old medicines; I'm already tired of them."

"Acong, I entrust the affairs of state to you. Only if you promise me this can I go to the palace to recuperate in peace."

The emperor held Shen Cong's hand tightly.

Shen Cong pursed his lips, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded.

"Very well, I agree."

As he emerged from the palace, Shen Cong waved to stop the approaching sedan chair bearers.

"Let the sedan chair go back first. Erfeng, you accompany me for a walk."

"yes."

Erfeng glanced at Shen Cong's expression and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, where are we going?"

Shen Cong looked up at the bustling crowd on the street without saying a word.

Erfeng said, "It's already past noon, how about we go to Yunxi Tower for lunch?"

Shen Cong remained silent for a moment, then hummed in agreement.

Let's go.

Inside Yunqi Tower, Li Nanke had just finished settling accounts with Huang Sheng when he heard that Shen Cong had arrived. He was surprised for a moment, then got up and went to Shen Cong's private room.

"Ninth Brother, are you here for dinner? Eating so late?"

Shen Cong pointed with his chin at the spot opposite him.

"Have you eaten? Want to eat something with me?"

Li Nanke had already eaten, but when she heard Erfeng say that Shen Cong had just come out of the palace, she sat down opposite him, poured herself a glass of water, and slowly drank it.

"What did Ninth Brother discover on this trip to the palace?"

Snap.

The piece of meat that Shen Cong was holding fell onto the table.

He sullenly put down the piece of food, lowered his eyes, and said, "His Majesty has become suspicious of me!"

Li Nanke was startled.