Chapter 202 Wait for Me

The hall was quiet for a few moments, which was considered an admission of this statement.

“What the Marquis of Yongjia said is not without reason. This matter is of great importance and requires a thorough investigation. The Imperial Clan Records, the medical records of the Imperial Medical Academy, and the archives of the Imperial Household Department all need to be checked. A hasty conclusion would be imprudent.”

The neutral ministers also nodded in agreement.

"Yes, yes, let's hand it over to the joint trial by the three judicial departments!"

"This matter concerns the vital interests of the nation and must not be handled carelessly!"

"What you say makes sense, Lord Marquis!"

Zhao Ke'er was furious, but she didn't want to appear guilty.

She forced a smile:

"Marquis Yongjia is indeed thoughtful. Very well, this matter is of great importance and requires thorough investigation. Let's leave it at that for today. I will have all the files and records gathered before I invite you all to discuss it further! Court adjourned!"

She spoke quickly and urgently, clearly not wanting to linger for even a moment longer.

Shen Yiqiu breathed a slight sigh of relief, knowing that this was just a delaying tactic and that Zhao Ke'er would never give up so easily.

Her eyes met Zhang Heze's, and then they looked away.

After the court session ended, Shen Yiqiu was stopped by Zhang Heze in the corridor leading out of the palace.

"My lord, wait!"

He dismissed his attendants, and even Bai Mei was politely asked to step aside by his men.

There was no one around for the time being.

Shen Yiqiu stared at him, her eyes revealing hatred:

"Why? Zhang Heze! Tell me why? Those three years before you returned to the capital from the frontier, sharing life and death together, were they all a lie? Have you forgotten the kindness of your grandmother's former subordinates in helping you?"

Zhang Heze's face was numb; he avoided Shen Yiqiu's gaze.

"My lord... there are some things that are beyond our control. The less you know, the better for you."

Shen Yiqiu stepped forward, staring intently at him, her hand gripping the sword she always carried:

"Helpless? What a fine excuse! What are you doing now? Helping Zhao Ke'er wreak havoc on the court and frame loyal officials. Is this your idea of ​​being powerless?"

Zhang Heze gazes into the distance:

“I won’t hurt you. Shen Yiqiu, leave the capital, stay away from all of this. Don’t investigate anymore, don’t get involved anymore. This is my... final advice to you.”

Shen Yiqiu sneered:

"Leave? Watch you kill Xiao Yongjing, watch the Great Jin dynasty fall into the hands of Zhao Ke'er and the remnants of the previous dynasty? Zhang Heze, I misjudged you."

"From this day forward, our friendship is severed. If we ever meet again, we will be enemies!"

After she finished speaking, she turned and left resolutely.

Zhang Heze stood there, gazing in the direction she had left. His outstretched hand hovered in the air before he lowered it, finally letting out a sigh.

...

Inside the imperial prison.

Xiao Yongjing's limbs were chained and he was hung on a wooden post.

Granny Sun walked in, followed by a jailer carrying a tray with a set of writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone on it.

She spoke with a forced smile:

"Your Highness, this place must be unpleasant. Out of consideration for our past relationship, the Imperial Noble Consort will offer you a way out. Simply sign this confession, admit that your identity is questionable, and voluntarily relinquish your position as Crown Prince. In return, the Imperial Noble Consort will guarantee you a life of wealth and comfort for the rest of your days."

Xiao Yongjing didn't even lift his eyelids:

"My identity needs no proof to a servant like you. If Zhao Ke'er wants to seize the throne, she may do as she pleases. Why resort to such underhanded tricks that only make her a laughingstock?"

Granny Sun's face darkened: "Is Your Highness refusing a polite offer and choosing to suffer the consequences?"

"A penalty drink? I'd like to see how you're going to punish me! Get out!"

Granny Sun was furious and wanted to take action, but was held back by the guards beside her.

"Her Majesty has instructed that it is forbidden..."

Granny Sun immediately lowered her hand and sneered:

"Grasshoppers in autumn... let's go!"

It was late at night.

When the jailer brought the meal, he slipped a small piece of paper into Xiao Yongjing's hand as he put down the bowl and chopsticks:

"Your Highness, take care."

Xiao Yongjing gripped his fist tightly without making a sound.

Unfold it when no one is around; it reveals handwriting familiar to Shen Yiqiu:

[Don't worry, things are already underway. His Majesty is likely under the influence of medication, not truly poisoned. Take care of yourself and wait for me.]

He quickly chewed up the note and swallowed it.

She knew that Shen Yiqiu's words were not unfounded and that she must be searching for evidence.

He discovered that the jailer who passed the note wasn't on duty regularly. The next day, when he brought Xiao Yongjing dinner, Xiao Yongjing spoke as he took the bowl:

Is it believable?

The jailer nodded slightly.

“This old servant was once a stable boy in the Eastern Palace and received favors from His Highness. The Marquis of Yongjia’s men have found this old servant’s son.”

Xiao Yongjing covered his mouth with his sleeve:

"Where is Father Emperor exactly? What is the situation with his guard?"

While pretending to tidy up, the jailer quickly said:

"The Cold Palace... is underground. It is heavily guarded, with black-armored guards on rotation. Food and drink are delivered by a specific nanny, and outsiders have difficulty getting close. All that is known is that His Majesty is in a deep sleep and has not woken up."

"The Marquis asked me to pass on a message: Has His Highness suspected anyone? The Marquis suspects that His Majesty may have been poisoned by the same poison. If we know the source, it might be a breakthrough."

Xiao Yongjing remained silent for a moment:

“Go and investigate… Yang Baicao, the former head of the Imperial Medical Academy. Because of his upright character, he was forced out of the Imperial Medical Academy about twelve or thirteen years ago. It is said that he later practiced medicine incognito in the suburbs of Beijing.”

“I saw him when I was searching for medicine for the Marquis. He may know the secrets of these medicines from the previous dynasty. My mother... Consort Jia seemed to have trusted him quite a bit when she was alive.”

"But we must be extremely careful. This person has an eccentric temperament and has been living in seclusion for a long time. Moreover, Zhao Ke'er is definitely keeping a close watch on everyone who may be related to him."

"Also... tell the Marquis to carefully investigate what the relationship was between Zhao Ke'er and Consort Jia back then. In my memory, their relationship was not that of ordinary concubines. It seemed that they had a past friendship, but also a very deep... grudge. Zhao Ke'er seems to know too much about my mother's affairs and has been too involved."

"When my mother passed away, was it truly just due to incurable chronic diarrhea? Are there any similarities between her symptoms during her final days, my father's current state of poisoning and coma, and the poison that the Marquis of Yongjia suffered from?"

If the mother was also poisoned... then Zhao Ke'er's scheme started much earlier than imagined.

The jailer silently made a note of it.

Xiao Yongjing tore off the inside of his inner garment, revealing a faint map sewn on it. "If... if necessary, we can use this to gain the trust of Elder Sun, or mobilize the last remaining secret agents in the Eastern Palace."

If he can't get out of this dungeon, these undercover agents can ensure Shen Yiqiu's safety for the time being.

"Your Highness, please take good care of yourself."

The urging voice came from the doorway.

"What are you dawdling about here when you're delivering food?"

The jailer looked around, pretended to kick Xiao Yongjing, spat, and responded towards the door:

"Useless! Still pretending to be the master!"

Xiao Yongjing exchanged a silent glance with him, and the two nodded to each other.

"Take care, Your Highness."

"Um."

The jailer withdrew immediately.

...

In the stillness of the night, Xiao Yongjing gazed at the moonlight streaming through the small window, silently pondering those few words:

Take care of yourself, and wait for me.

“Yiqiu,” he said softly, “you must also… take care.”