Chapter 199 Secretly Taking Action...

"No, Your Highness has recovered well. This old minister just couldn't help but think a little too much. If the previous medicine had been effective in any way, it would be good to find the key points for future treatment." Physician Feng apologized with shame.

"Go and take a look. The original dregs and prescription have been kept." Qi Chengming became alert, but his face remained expressionless.

Physician Feng responded and went to the corner to examine the dregs of the medicine. Qi Chengming quietly held a book, watching him out of the corner of his eye. Even after the original physician returned to report, Physician Feng hadn't found anything wrong, and he was deep in thought, his face showing utter confusion.

"This eunuch's pulse is weak and feeble, indicating a disorder in his internal organs... but there's nothing seriously wrong. I'll prescribe a calming formula for him to take for a couple of days." The imperial physician lowered his head, reporting in a proper and respectful manner, without trying to show off his knowledge in front of the prince.

Qi Chengming knew perfectly well what was going on.

After these princes fell ill, most of the eunuchs, except those who contracted the illness themselves, were filled with anxiety and worry, and worked tirelessly day and night. Their illnesses weren't serious, but they weren't exactly well either; the imperial physicians could only prescribe simple remedies.

That's just an excuse.

"Understood," he replied, then turned to Physician Feng and deliberately said to him, "Since my condition is recovering well, you should also go and take a look. Perhaps discussing it will help us figure out which medicine is right for my condition."

The imperial physician paused for a moment, then obediently called over Physician Xu. Since the shifts began these past few days, they hadn't gathered together like this to discuss things, especially taking out the dregs and prescriptions from each day and discussing them repeatedly.

This made him sense something unusual.

Xiao Chengzi cleverly brought over the various medicine pots he'd been using to brew the medicine these past few days: a silver pot with leopard print and two handles, a Tongfu engraved porcelain pot, and several other pots made of wood, sand, and stone. He'd brought them all to help him determine which was most beneficial to his condition. Xiao Chengzi smiled obediently and said:

"These cookwares might have come in some use, so why don't you gentlemen take a look together?"

Not to mention pots and pans, he even brought over the spoons used for decocting medicine and the scales for weighing medicine, his face full of uncouth, reckless enthusiasm and ingratiation.

Qi Chengming secretly praised Xiao Chengzi in his heart.

Well done!

The imperial physician frowned, reluctant to increase his workload, but with the prince watching, he dared not say anything. Fine, let him examine him. This little eunuch's attempt to curry favor backfired spectacularly; he was truly dim-witted! It was said that Prince Rui had a difficult childhood, and the eunuchs around him were only sent there because they were useless elsewhere. Now it seemed the rumors were true.

Qi Chengming stared intently at the expressions of the three men, but was surprised to find a fleeting look of panic in Physician Feng's eyes after Xiao Chengzi did what he did.

His heart sank, and he slowly went over what the two imperial physicians had said several times.

After he secretly took extra of his own pills, his condition should have improved rapidly, but instead, there was no improvement. The attending physician, Zhao, who was on duty for the past two days, also said that his condition remained stable and unchanged.

Later, Physician Feng diagnosed his condition as being alright and then went to investigate the cause.

At first glance, it seemed as if Physician Zhao harbored ill intentions towards him, which was also Qi Chengming's suspicion. But upon closer reflection, it was clear that someone was playing tricks, ensuring his body remained as if he hadn't taken the pills at all. If Qi Chengming didn't have the pills, and someone had secretly tampered with them, what would happen to his health?

The pulse should be worse than usual!

How could someone secretly plotting not have something to hide? Looking at it this way, it makes sense that Physician Feng went to check the dregs of the medicine and the prescription.

—In fact, if he hadn't been keeping a close eye on the expressions of the three imperial physicians and noticed the unusual look in Physician Feng's eyes for a moment, he probably wouldn't have realized who the real problem was.

Qi Chengming gave Xiao Chengzi another wink.

Xiao Chengzi nodded solemnly, subtly moving closer, his gaze following Physician Feng closely, focusing on his hands, cuffs, and hem.

After a while, Xiao Chengzi suddenly asked curiously, "Doctor Feng, what are you touching on the spout of the medicine pot?"

Physician Feng was startled and withdrew his hand, replying naturally, "I was examining the differences between several medicine jars. Perhaps His Highness Prince Rui's improved condition is due to the materials used..."

But Physician Zhao sensed something was wrong.

The imperial physicians, who frequented the palace, had the keenest sense of smell. From the moment they started, their actions had been shrouded in an eerie atmosphere. Physician Feng's reaction was unusual, and his behavior was superfluous... They were treating the prince together, and if something went wrong, they would all be implicated!

Doctor Zhao, no longer willing to play it safe, snatched the medicine pot, carefully sniffed the spout for a while, then licked a tiny bit off with his fingertip to examine it. His face stiffened, and he handed the pot to Doctor Xu for a look before searching for other medicine pots and utensils to examine.

"What's going on?" Qi Chengming's voice turned cold.

Before long, the medicine pot was inspected. The two imperial physicians exchanged a glance and then knelt down on the ground to beg for forgiveness. Physician Feng's expression also turned pale, and he nervously followed suit, kneeling down as well.

"Your Highness, there is ginger juice on the spouts of two medicine jars. Only the flavor remains. Judging from the time, it was applied in the last two days."

Before Qi Chengming could ask any questions, Physician Zhao said in a stiff voice, "Although it's just ginger juice, it clashes with plantain, one of the ingredients in the prescriptions I've been writing these past two days. Taking them together will actually reduce the medicinal effect and further disrupt the balance of heat and cold in the body..."

The meaning is self-evident.

If Qi Chengming hadn't had the pills sold in the system shop, taking the medicine these past two days would have been a waste, and his health would only have deteriorated further. Everyone knows the Second Prince isn't very strong; how could he possibly survive smallpox on his own?

Xiao Chengzi was furious. He took two steps forward and questioned Physician Feng: "You dare to plot against my prince! Tell me, who ordered you?! I just saw you smear your hand on the spout!"

"I'm innocent! I did detect something unusual, but I hadn't had time to figure it out..." Physician Feng knelt on the ground, crying out his injustice.

The stuff on the spout wasn't applied just now; he wanted to secretly check the unusual contents of the medicine dregs from the past few days, and then, when no one was around, check if the problem with the medicine pot was still there. Who knew that little eunuch was so clever, watching everything?

These were not caught on the spot, so Physician Feng had some room to protest his innocence. He tried his best to remain calm, kowtowing repeatedly and putting on a wronged appearance.

Qi Chengming then ordered Xiao Chengzi and the two imperial physicians who were furious: "Grab him! Gag him, search him, and put him in jail. Take him out and send someone to inform the Emperor so he can be handed over to the Emperor for punishment."

Although he didn't know if people in ancient times actually had poison in their teeth like in novels, or if they accidentally bumped into a wall and bit their tongues when no one was looking, Qi Chengming cautiously planned to block all avenues.

He didn't intend to leave the person here. If he stayed, the person would likely die before there was any way to prove anything—he had no choice but to send him out now.

Qi Chengming was also quite angry and still felt lingering fear.

To commit such a heinous act when they were at their weakest is incredibly cruel!

That day, this floor became turbulent.

The officials from the Court of Judicial Review took Physician Feng away, followed by officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate. Under Emperor Hongren's stern orders, the three courts held a joint trial, treating this matter as the most urgent task.

Not only were three more imperial physicians assigned to Qi Chengming's room, but they were so crowded that there was hardly any room to stand. They examined every part of the room, and even Qi Chengming was respectfully invited to lie down on the small couch in front of the window for a while.

The other rooms quickly erupted in commotion, likely following the same pattern. A faint, indignant accusation and a frantic plea for mercy could be heard, followed by silence after the chaos, only the sound of heavy, disordered footsteps descending the stairs could be heard.

Qi Chengming and Xiao Chengzi looked at each other, puzzled: "Where did things go wrong?"

Xiao Chengzi was terrified by the commotion. He barely managed to calm himself down and whispered, "They probably noticed something was wrong in other people's houses too."

Qi Chengming had some speculations in his mind, but he calmed down, keeping one eye on the surveillance footage projected by the system, waiting for the results of Emperor Hongren's interrogation, while staring out the window with the other eye.

He wasn't sure if he was seeing things, but a bright red figure was sitting on a building far away, while on the system map it appeared as a small green dot.

This means that his men are under his command...

"Wen Zhongnan?" Qi Chengming murmured, feeling it was somewhat impossible, yet subconsciously thinking it seemed plausible. Only Wen Er, that young master from Jiangnan, had so many refined manners, always carrying a fan and dressed in bright and dashing clothes.

Although he changed all of these things after joining the army, when he came back to the grand assembly this time, he looked so rough that I almost didn't recognize him... But, someone who can wear this style of clothing in this kind of place, it's possible that Wen Zhongnan was worried about him and specially changed back to his original style of clothing so that he could look out and feel at ease.

—The other end.

Wen Zhongnan had sharp eyes. He looked up and saw that Wuyou himself had appeared at the window today, staring blankly in his direction, seemingly lost in thought, glancing around frequently.

He felt a surge of joy, and most of his anxiety and suffocation eased. He happily waved in that direction: "...!"

Good, now you have the energy to stand up and enjoy the scenery. Don't let your dull mind get all muddled.

Look at him! He definitely didn't wear that outfit for nothing!

By the afternoon, Wen Zhongnan had heard rumors circulating in the court, and his smile vanished.

His family were all civil officials in the court, and they also had connections among the officials in the capital. Although they couldn't usually help him, news spread the fastest in times like these. Wen Zhongnan knew from the conversation that things had gotten serious.

...The imperial physician murdered the ailing prince. Although the case is still under investigation, the inside story has already been revealed. There were two princes who were murdered: the eldest prince and the second prince.

Is Wuyou really alright?

...

Those who remain outside are tossing and turning in worry, but it's all in vain.

In Prince Rui's residence, the two newly arrived palace maids heard another piece of bad news. Shi Shuang, who had been struggling with this for days, finally made up her mind. With a determined look on her face, she asked to go and serve him closely. She told Gan Tang, "The only person serving the Prince is Eunuch Cheng. It's too tiring for him. If I go, we can take turns and serve the Prince more energetically."

Chestnut stood to the side, gritting her teeth, wanting to go first, but really not daring to actually do it.

This is a matter of life and death.

Even though she usually enjoys taking risks, she doesn't want to risk her life in the most dangerous situation. Even if Prince Rui doesn't return this time, they, the former palace servants of Prince Rui, will still have somewhere to go. Even if things don't go well afterward, it's better than losing their lives.

Shishuang is just too naive! How dare she go now? Did she think that by serving the prince through this crisis she could gain an important position?

Chestnut felt both envious and jealous, yet she herself dared not do it, and finally slowly lowered her head, admitting defeat.

Gan Tang was also pondering. She and Nanny Liu had long wanted to go and serve him, but no matter what Steward Song said, the Prince coldly sent them back, forbidding them to go. Before, they could rely on Xiao Chengzi to keep things going, but now His Highness had suffered such a serious injury, and it was very dangerous. If they didn't go and take care of him, how could they sleep at night?

Gan Tang then made up her mind: "Shi Shuang will come with me."

Regardless, they are staying this time.

This time, Qi Chengming wanted to object but felt it was inappropriate. Emperor Hongren was in a bad mood, and he didn't want to let the anger spread to Prince Rui's residence, which wouldn't be good for them. He also planned to take his medicine and get better soon, and this was the end of the matter. So he acquiesced to letting Gantang and Shishuang stay.

Who knew that only the day after the imperial physician's incident—

Suddenly, a desperate cry, as if the sky had fallen, came from the other side: "Your Highness!!" "—My lord! My lord, please come and see His Highness again!" "This is impossible?! Waaah..."

Qi Chengming had just fallen asleep when he groggily sat up, instantly becoming fully awake, his heart pounding: "Gan Tang, go and find out what happened?"

He let Shishuang come in to serve him personally, but left Gantang outside the door to look after each other.

The imperial physician Zhao, who was still inside, was also awakened and peered out with a grave expression. Gan Tang responded from outside, and a few moments later, her panicked voice came from the crack in the door: "Your Highness...! It's...it's bad in the First Prince's room."

Gan Tang's voice was so soft and low that she could barely speak.

Qi Chengming initially thought he had misheard. He stood there for a few seconds before realizing that this was neither a dream nor a mishearing, muttering repeatedly, "...Something's wrong?"

The eldest prince, gone?

Qi Chengming felt utterly absurd; his heart sank as if it were sinking from the clouds to the bottom of an unfathomable sea.

This scene wasn't in the original story at all... Ha!

The eldest prince, who had been vying for power for so long, is now gone!

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Author's Note: First Update