Chapter 52 "This concerns the true identity of Princess Cheng..."

Chapter 52: The Court in Anger ==

Thinking of this, the crown prince felt an urge to laugh out loud three times.

This couple is finally going to fall into his trap. Let's see if they dare to be so arrogant in front of him again.

"If Your Highness has no further instructions, this servant will take her leave." Seeing that she could not dissuade the Crown Prince, Granny Gui could only bow and say.

Since the outbreak of the epidemic in the capital, the Prince Cheng's mansion has been surrounded like an impregnable fortress. Apart from the people inside the mansion and Xie Cheng and others, no one else can even enter the gate of the Prince Cheng's mansion. Zhou Heng was greeted by Qin'er personally at the gate of the mansion.

Zhou Heng, a beautiful woman holding a fan, couldn't help but ask Qin'er, "Is the Princess Consort well?"

Although Zhou Heng lived in the capital, he hadn't met the girl many times in order to avoid causing her trouble. However, the fact that Prince Cheng and Princess Cheng had a good relationship was no secret in the capital.

Lord Zhou is the only person in Beili Capital who knows the Princess's true identity. Qin'er understands some things better than their princess. Qin'er smiled and nodded, "The Princess is doing well."

Zhou Heng concealed his expression and thoughts with a folding fan. He followed Qin'er to a pavilion as if taking a leisurely stroll. On the high platform, a graceful girl was brewing hot tea. The rising steam made her beautiful face look somewhat dreamlike. Zhou Heng paused in his fan-wielding motion. Even after a long time, he still clearly remembered the scene when he first met the girl.

Zhou Heng walked towards her and said, "I greet Princess Cheng."

"Please sit down, Lord Zhou." Su Wanyue smiled and poured him a cup of tea.

"Thank you." Zhou Heng set his folding fan aside. "On the way here, Qin'er already told me that Her Highness the Princess Consort has suspicions."

She wouldn't have invited him over if she hadn't suspected something was amiss with the epidemic in the capital.

Su Wanyue's face was gentle and graceful, but her voice and eyes were firm. She told Zhou Heng her thoughts and guesses. When she said that the epidemic might be caused by water that had been adulterated, Zhou Heng frowned. Epidemics are more likely to occur in cold and harsh places or when natural disasters occur. This epidemic in Beili Capital did come very suddenly. It is not impossible to say that someone is deliberately manipulating it. So who could this person be?

“The Princess Consort is suspicious of His Highness the Crown Prince.” Zhou Heng raised an eyebrow. He had been in Bei Li for over a year, and the Crown Prince of Bei Li was indeed “remarkable.” Every single thing he did could have led to his being deposed. However, the current Emperor was extremely lenient with the Crown Prince, and the greatest punishment he could receive was to spend half a year in the Eastern Palace reflecting on his mistakes. If he didn’t know the immensity of the world, it wouldn’t be impossible for him to do something like that.

Su Wanyue nodded slightly. Seeing this, Zhou Heng clasped his hands together, his expression serious. "Then what does Your Highness wish me to do?"

“To find out where the plague originated, we must first find out where it came from, then narrow down the scope and find out how the first person infected with the plague contracted it. Then everything will become clear,” Su Wanyue said softly. “However, this matter involves a very wide range of people…”

Prince Cheng truly did not tell her about what was happening outside, lest she worry. Zhou Heng raised an eyebrow and said, "Your Highness, you may not know this, but the epidemic broke out in the western part of the capital. The government has already registered the first people infected with the epidemic. If this matter is investigated, it will not be difficult. Your Highness can leave it to me."

Zhou Heng couldn't bear to see her working so hard; he hoped she would always be as carefree, pretty, and lively as when they first met.

Su Wanyue turned her head to look at Qin'er.

Qin'er, following Su Wanyue's signal, quickly took out the token. The token in her hand represented the identity of Princess Cheng. Su Wanyue handed the token to Zhou Heng, who accepted it without any ceremony. He was not from Nanqiong, so it was indeed inconvenient for him to investigate these matters, especially during this turbulent time.

Su Wanyue sighed, "I hope I'm just overthinking it."

Zhou Heng felt that what she thought might be true. As the saying goes, "The people have mouths, just as the land has mountains and rivers, from which wealth is produced; just as the land has wetlands and fertile fields, from which food and clothing are produced."[1] People use water every day, and if someone tampers with the water, it is indeed impossible to guard against.

Zhou Heng abruptly asked a completely unrelated question, "Your Highness doesn't know yet, does he?"

He suddenly said that, and Su Wanyue didn't quite react, but when she met his worried eyes, she understood. She gently shook her head.

Zhou Heng's heart sank. She was living well in the Prince Cheng's mansion because of her identity as Princess Weiyang. What if the Prince Cheng found out her true identity one day and treated her badly?

Zhou Heng dared not think about it further; the more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. Zhou Heng pressed his temples and said, "I shall take my leave now. If there is any news, I will send someone to inform the Princess."

Su Wanyue asked Qin'er to escort Zhou Heng out, but he refused, saying, "Miss Qin'er, you should take good care of the Princess."

Perhaps it was because of the cold weather, but Su Wanyue felt listless and sleepy after only being out for a short while.

She yawned lazily, her eyes clear and bright. Qin'er quickly helped her back to rest, and Chunzhi brought her a cup of ginger milk tea to warm her up.

Su Wanyue felt uncomfortable after smelling the odor. She frowned slightly and said she wanted to rest.

Qin'er noticed that Princess Consort had been looking unwell lately and had a poor appetite, so she was a little worried. "How about I ask Physician Zhang to take her pulse?"

Since the Lunar New Year, Physician Zhang has been staying at Prince Cheng's residence to help treat Su Wanyue's health. He takes her pulse every few days. However, due to the epidemic, Physician Zhang returned to the Imperial Hospital to discuss treatment methods with other imperial physicians. At present, the epidemic is definitely the most important thing. Su Wanyue understands this, and so does Qin'er.

Moreover, the princess has recently had a poor appetite and is not resting well, which may be because she is worried about the people and His Highness. Qin'er did not think too much about it and just asked the kitchen to prepare more of the princess's favorite dishes.

With His Highness absent, the Princess Consort was the only mistress in the palace. Naturally, the kitchen staff dared not be careless, and they prepared each dish with exquisite care, but to little avail.

===

As for the atmosphere in the palace, it was like a dark cloud looming overhead, making it hard to breathe. At dusk, Consort Qin arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation with her entourage. Eunuch Zhou hurriedly led his men to greet her, saying, "This servant greets Your Highness, Consort Qin."

"Please rise, Eunuch Zhou." Consort Qin waved her hand and glanced into the inner palace. "Has His Majesty not yet woken up?"

"The imperial physicians have tried several different prescriptions, but there's still no improvement," said Eunuch Zhou, shaking his head and lowering his voice.

"I wish to go in and see His Majesty." Consort Qin frowned slightly. She had a charming appearance, and at this moment, her eyes were filled with undisguised concern, which easily won people's favor.

"Your Highness, please come in." Eunuch Zhou stepped aside to let Consort Qin enter first.

His Majesty was unwell, and Prince Cheng came to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to attend to him immediately. The Imperial Concubine also came to visit His Majesty in person. It would be understandable if the unfavored concubines in the palace chose to protect themselves at this time, but why did the Empress and the Crown Prince only send someone to inquire and not come over? Isn't the difference in their behavior obvious?

The Empress and the Crown Prince believed that the Emperor was not going to make it and had already prepared to take his place. But if they really thought that way, then they were plotting a rebellion. Eunuch Zhou sighed.

"Imperial Physician Zhang, when will His Majesty wake up?" Consort Qin, dressed in a plain palace dress, walked in with a worried expression. At that moment, several imperial physicians were discussing prescriptions with Xiao Yu. A hint of relief flashed in Consort Qin's eyes as she asked.

"I can't guarantee anything. If things go quickly, His Majesty should wake up in the middle of the night." Physician Zhang was also very anxious, but His Majesty's illness was progressing rapidly, and he had no confidence at all. He clasped his hands in a fist and said.

Consort Qin then gave the imperial physician a few instructions before leaving.

"Your Highness has truly not disappointed me this time," said Consort Qin, as she was helped to sit down by Zhang Mama.

On ordinary days, the princes and princesses' filial piety is just for show. Only on these occasions will the emperor see their filial piety and they will gain a good reputation.

Since entering the palace, Consort Qin has been the most favored concubine. It is usually the Emperor who visits her, and she rarely takes the initiative to see the Emperor. But today she has already been to the Hall of Mental Cultivation three times. If she waits for the Emperor to summon her, it will be too late.

Zhang Mama massaged Consort Qin's back, saying, "Our His Highness always acts according to rules, so Your Highness need not worry."

"By the way, why didn't the Empress and the Crown Prince go over?" Consort Qin asked, rubbing her wrist in confusion.

The Empress and the Crown Prince always loved to show off. When His Majesty fell ill, the Empress was the first to know. Consort Qin thought they would rush over first, but to her surprise, neither did the Empress. It was one thing for the Empress to go, but why didn't His Highness the Crown Prince go? This really puzzled Consort Qin.

"I asked Eunuch Zhou, and he said that Her Majesty the Empress sent someone to ask if His Majesty had woken up, but there has been no movement from His Highness the Crown Prince."

"That's strange indeed." Consort Qin's lips twitched slightly.

"This servant thinks that Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince are trying to protect themselves."

After all, to be frank, epidemics can kill people. His Majesty's illness is spreading rapidly, and what if it is indeed an epidemic? The Crown Prince may want to protect himself, but if His Majesty awakens, he will surely be disheartened by the Crown Prince's actions. Not to mention that His Highness the Crown Prince has been frequently courting officials and ministers for the past month, as if he wants to replace His Majesty. His Majesty will certainly not tolerate such behavior.

Of course, the emperor remained unconscious and skipped court the following day.

The prescription from Abbess Jinghui was delivered to the capital the next day via carrier pigeon. After receiving the prescription, Su Wanyue handed it over to Xie Cheng, who immediately went to the palace to find the imperial physicians. The imperial physicians unanimously agreed that the prescription was feasible.

However, since His Majesty is still unconscious, the decision on whether to announce this prescription to the world rests with His Majesty.

Just as the imperial physician was consulting with the Imperial Concubine about whether to add the prescription for treating the epidemic to the Emperor's original prescription, a servant came to report that the Emperor had woken up.

His Majesty is in his prime, full of majesty, but due to an illness, his eyelids droop, he looks visibly old, and even his voice lacks strength. The first person he sees is Xiao Yu. Eunuch Zhou said from the side, "When His Highness Prince Cheng learned that His Majesty was unwell, he came to Yangxin Hall to take care of him immediately. Last night, His Highness discussed the prescription with the imperial physicians all night and did not sleep at all. Moreover, Abbess Jinghui just delivered a prescription for treating the epidemic to His Highness Prince Cheng."

The emperor's emotions were more complex than ever before. On the one hand, he was undoubtedly moved by his son's filial piety, especially since he was his own flesh and blood. On the other hand, he was getting old, while his son was showing his talent and brilliance. Even after a sleepless night, his son's brilliance could not be concealed, and the emperor could not help but feel wary.

"I understand. Submit the prescription to the Imperial Medical Academy for review. If there are no problems, announce it to the world." The Emperor's face turned pale, and he coughed violently. Eunuch Zhou stepped forward to feed the Emperor some water. The Emperor looked at Xiao Yu, "Aren't you afraid?"

Xiao Yu lifted his eyelids and said calmly, "Your Majesty and I are father and son. Your Majesty is unwell, so it is only right that I take care of you."

"Your Highness is very kind. I am fine now. You should go and rest in the side hall for a while."

"Your subject takes his leave."

"Why is it only Prince Cheng? Where is the Crown Prince?" After Xiao Yu's figure disappeared, the Emperor's expression clearly faded, and he asked.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is discussing the prescription for the plague with his ministers in the Eastern Palace," Eunuch Zhou said, trembling with fear.

The Emperor snorted coldly. The Crown Prince really thought he was a fool. He would be more willing to believe the Crown Prince if he discussed prescriptions with the imperial physicians, but when it came to discussing prescriptions for the epidemic with the ministers, very few of them knew medicine. The Crown Prince had truly disappointed him.

His father, the Emperor, is bedridden, and instead of going to the palace to care for him, the Crown Prince is instead trying to win over ministers and form cliques in the Eastern Palace. He shows no respect for his father. The Emperor clearly understands that the Crown Prince is no longer suitable to be the heir apparent.

Having served the Emperor for so many years, Eunuch Zhou could understand the Emperor's meaning with just a glance or a word. After this incident, the Emperor was truly and utterly disappointed in His Highness the Crown Prince, so he didn't even bother to ask the Empress a single question.

Given the slightest opportunity, the Crown Prince's position as heir apparent will become precarious.

But Zhou Gonggong never expected this opportunity to come so quickly.

After Zhou Heng left the Prince Cheng's mansion with Su Wanyue's token that day, he immediately went to the government office to investigate. The person in charge of the investigation was Xie Cheng, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. After hearing the speculation, Xie Cheng immediately ordered the area in the west of the city to be completely surrounded.

The first person to be infected with the plague was a commoner surnamed Feng. He fell ill after drinking water from the well he had dug. The next day, other members of the Feng family also fell ill. As soon as the matter became suspicious, Xie Cheng and Zhou Heng immediately led people from the Ministry of Works and the Imperial Hospital to the Feng family. They found that there was indeed a problem with the water. Then, they followed the direction of the water flow and found that the problem was upstream.

Further investigation through footprints and the floating corpse revealed that the water problem stemmed from the Crown Prince throwing something he shouldn't have into the upper reaches of the water.

Xie Cheng's face was indescribably pale, bruised and swollen. For the crown prince to do such a thing so brazenly, the crown prince must have really gone mad. Xie Cheng decided to go to the palace to report this matter to the emperor, while Zhou Heng decided to go to Prince Cheng's residence to tell Su Wanyue about it.

The Crown Prince was unaware of these matters, and Xiao Ruofei was still immersed in the joy of discovering a shocking secret.

"Your Highness, Young Master Yan was unable to bring back the Seventh Prince, but he did bring back Miss Bai Shuang."

Xiao Ruofei laughed loudly. It didn't matter that Xiao Yi wasn't there; Bai Shuang was enough.