Chapter 54 Concubine Liu Chihua must not be allowed to stay!

The Sixth Prince meticulously and swiftly disseminated news of Xiao Wangshu's "death" in the Heavenly Prison, using the most detailed and authentic information possible. He specifically instructed the Eastern Palace to ensure the news could penetrate the numerous blockades and reach the imprisoned Crown Prince.

Inside the Eastern Palace, Xie Xuanhui mechanically ate his meal, his food tasteless. His mind was consumed by worry about Xiao Wangshu, anxiety about how to break the impasse, and a vague sense of unease that had been building since yesterday. Eunuch Wei stood trembling beside him.

Suddenly, a young eunuch rushed in, his face as pale as paper, and his voice trembling:

"Your Highness... It's being rumored outside... that Master Xiao... died in the Heavenly Prison last night!"

“Bang—!”

The jade bowl in Xie Xuanhui's hand suddenly fell to the ground and shattered into pieces. The soup splashed all over him, but he was unaware of it.

He seemed to have his soul sucked out of him in an instant, and he froze in place. His face was an almost transparent white, and his pupils shrank sharply, yet they were terribly empty.

"……What did you say?"

His voice was light, as if coming from far away, with an extreme, unbelievable trance.

"Master Xiao...is gone..."

The young eunuch was so frightened that he almost fainted.

"Nonsense!!!" Xie Xuanhui erupted suddenly, his voice hoarse and frantic, like a trapped beast with a pierced heart. "How could he die?! How could he possibly die?! He was fine yesterday! I know! You guys are lying to me! You're all lying to me!!!"

He flipped the entire dining table over, shattering the cups and plates to the floor. Xie Xuanhui seemed completely mad, laughing wildly, tears streaming down his face. His eyes were vacant and desperate, and he began to frantically smash everything in sight! Tables, chairs, screens, porcelain, books... everything was shattered in his rage and despair.

"Ah Shu... Ah Shu... You lied to me... You lied to me again... You said you wouldn't die..."

He repeated the name over and over, sometimes crying bitterly, sometimes cursing loudly, and sometimes letting out a creepy laugh.

Several times, he grabbed the sharp fragments and slashed them at his wrists and neck, but was stopped by Eunuch Young Wei who rushed over desperately and Eunuch Old Wei who came after hearing the news.

Old Eunuch Wei hugged his legs and cried bitterly:

"Your Highness! Your Highness, you can't do that! Your Highness! If anything happens to you, Lord Xiao will have died in vain... in vain..." He didn't even dare to utter the word "die".

The Eastern Palace was in shambles, like a hurricane, a living hell. Xie Xuanhui collapsed in the ruins, exhausted, staring blankly at the rooftops, as if only a shell remained, all hope of life extinguished with the news.

Eunuch Xiao Wei and Eunuch Wei stood by in fear, afraid that the prince would do something bad to them again.

Just when Xie Xuanhui was on the verge of complete collapse and almost losing consciousness, the figure of the National Master Chi Hua appeared silently in the hall without anyone noticing.

"Your Highness."

Chihua's voice was still calm, but it had a strange penetrating power.

Xie Xuanhui, who was slumped on the ground, showed no reaction.

"Your Highness, Lord Xiao asked me to bring you a message."

Chihua said slowly.

It was not until he heard the three words "Lord Xiao" that Xie Xuanhui's eyes moved extremely slowly, as if some mechanism was triggered. His empty gaze finally focused on Chi Hua, staring at him intently, like a dying man grasping at the last straw.

Chi Hua remained calm and told the lie he had prepared long ago:

"Your Highness should know that Master Xiao and I have a long-standing agreement. You two are both inoculated with the 'Shared Life Gu'. The Gu insects live and die together. If one dies, the other cannot possibly survive. Your Highness is safe and sound now, which is the greatest proof that Master Xiao is still alive."

The sudden rapid breathing showed Xie Xuanhui's inner restlessness, and a terrifying light burst out from his eyes:

"Same-Life Gu...! Yes! There's still a Same-Life Gu!! He's still alive! Where is he?! I want to see him!"

Xie Xuanhui pounced forward and grabbed Chihua's arm tightly with such force that it almost broke his bones, his voice full of earnest desire.

Chi Hua let him hold her, and continued calmly:

"Lord Xiao isn't truly dead, but is faking his own death to escape a near-fatal situation. However, his 'awakening' requires extremely rare medicinal herbs to sustain his life, and he cannot be disturbed in any way. The only person in the universe who can gather these herbs and protect him is the Supreme Emperor."

He paused, looking at the flame of madness and hope that had rekindled in the prince's eyes, and slowly said:

"Lord Xiao asked you to wait for him. But before that, you must stay alive and... make those who deserve to pay pay. Only if you ascend to the throne with just cause can you secure a chance for him to live, and make those who framed him and forced him to death pay with blood!"

"Revenge... Yes! Revenge!"

Almost instantly, the despair and pain in Xie Xuanhui's eyes were replaced by a colder, more paranoid, and more insane flame of revenge! Ah Shu wasn't dead! He just needed him to save him! And before that, he wanted everyone who had hurt Wang Shu to go to hell!

"Sixth Prince... Prince Liang... Father... and those who are taking advantage of others' misfortunes..."

He muttered to himself, each name filled with deep hatred.

"No one can escape!"

The crazy despair was temporarily replaced by a madness that was extremely calm.

Their biggest enemy now is the Sixth Prince!

"Your Highness, do you know that the Sixth Prince... is not His Majesty's biological son?" Chi Hua delivered the most crucial blow.

Suddenly looking up, a flash of surprise flashed across Xie Xuanhui's eyes, which then turned into cold understanding and calculation:

“…As expected.”

He had suspected it in his previous life, but lacked evidence. Later, when the Sixth Prince ascended the throne, he rushed into the hall and the Sixth Prince's background was no longer important.

"His biological father is Prince Liang. Someone in Noble Concubine Liu's palace might know about this. Miss Nianyue in the palace might be able to help Your Highness."

Seeing that he listened carefully, Chihua reminded him in time.

On the other side, the Sixth Prince’s residence was decorated with lights and was celebrating grandly.

"Congratulations, Your Highness, for removing this most pressing threat! Xiao Wangshu is dead, and the Crown Prince is effectively useless. The position of Crown Prince must belong to Your Highness!"

The followers all flattered and toasted him.

The Sixth Prince Xie Jingrong was very proud and drank heartily with laughter:

"Xiao Wangshu is ungrateful and deserves death! As for my good brother... he's like a grasshopper in autumn, he won't be able to jump for many more days! When I ascend the throne, I will not forget all your contributions today!"

They clinked glasses and celebrated the impending victory.

However, they were completely unaware that a deadly net was quietly tightening against the Sixth Prince's party.

The remnants of the Prince's party secretly connected with the help of Chi Hua. After receiving the secret letter, the old general led the elite troops to secretly arrive in the capital area and lay in ambush. The life experience of the Sixth Prince will be a sharp blade that will defeat him!

The death of a second-rank official who had just made great contributions in the Tianlao Prison was a matter of great importance.

At the court meeting the next day, the emperor, despite his illness, asked about the matter with a gloomy face.

The Sixth Prince's followers had already made preparations. The coroner they controlled presented an "autopsy report" that confidently stated that Xiao Wangshu died of a sudden heart attack due to "anxiety and fear, coupled with the severe physical deterioration caused by the epidemic in Hezhou."

At the same time, they cleverly directed some "clues" to the Eastern Palace - suggesting that the prince was angry at Xiao Wangshu because his "private affair" was exposed, and may have exerted "pressure" or sent "something that should not have been sent" to Xiao Wangshu during his imprisonment, which led to his sudden death.

The emperor already disliked the prince to the extreme, and felt that the royal family had lost face because of the "affair". Now he was more willing to believe that this "accident" was caused by the prince.

In his rage, he did not give the Crown Prince any chance to defend himself. In fact, the Crown Prince was not even allowed to attend court. The most important thing was that he had already intended to abolish the Crown Prince's position, so he immediately issued an edict:

"Crown Prince Xie Xuanhui is lacking in moral integrity and is incapable of managing his subordinates. First, his misconduct sparked controversy both within the court and the public, and now he has indirectly caused a meritorious official to die in prison. He is truly unworthy of the position of Crown Prince!

From this day forward, he will be deposed from his position as Crown Prince, demoted to the rank of King Xian, and relocated to the Imperial Clan Hall. He may not leave without an imperial decree!"

The imperial edict fell into a deep silence. Royalists and some neutral officials felt that the emperor was furious, and the evidence seemed unfavorable to the crown prince, so it was not appropriate to force his remonstration at this time. The aristocratic families, on the other hand, were hesitant and secretly weighing their options.

Xie Xuanhui, the deposed ruler, was surprisingly calm upon receiving the imperial edict. He showed no anger, no excuses, not even a hint of emotion. He simply accepted the edict indifferently, thanked the emperor, and then, escorted by the guards, quietly left the Eastern Palace and headed for the clan hall, where he was effectively under house arrest.

This unusual calmness made the Sixth Prince Xie Jingrong feel a little uneasy. He said to Prince Liang in the palace:

"Uncle Wang, Xie Xuanhui's reaction is so strange. Why is he so submissive? This is unlike him."

King Liang, however, twirled his beard and chuckled, disagreeing:

"Rong'er is worrying too much. He has lost the emperor's favor. Xiao Wangshu is dead, and his greatest support is gone. What kind of waves can he make? He has simply faced reality and is disheartened.

The most urgent task now is for you to perform well, stabilize the court, and let your father see your ability, so that he can establish you as the crown prince as soon as possible."

The Sixth Prince thought about it and felt that what King Liang said made sense, so he suppressed his uneasiness and concentrated on building his own power, waiting for the moment when his father would completely fall.

One night a few days later, Prince Liang secretly sneaked into the palace of Concubine Liu, who was already terminally ill, with the help of his trusted palace maid.

Concubine Liu, once the most beautiful concubine in the harem, was now emaciated, her face pale, and she lay on her sickbed, barely breathing. Upon seeing Prince Liang, tears welled up in her cloudy eyes, and she struggled to grab his hand.

"...You...you're here...I...I'm afraid I can't make it..."

King Liang looked at the woman before him, the only one he had ever loved in his life, who was forcibly taken into the palace by his brother. His heart was torn as if by a knife, and tears streamed down his face.

"Han'er...don't talk nonsense...you will get better..."

"Well...it won't get better..."

Concubine Liu smiled sadly.

"That... that Taoist priest said the day is coming... I know it... I know it in my heart... but... I'm worried about our Rong'er..."

She panted and tightly grasped the King of Liang's hand:

"Promise me...you must...you must protect Rong'er...help him ascend the throne...that's...that's our only flesh and blood..."

King Liang nodded heavily, his voice choked with sobs:

"I promise you! I will protect Rong'er and push him to the supreme position! Han'er, I'm sorry... If I had..."

"I don't blame you...it's fate..." Concubine Liu interrupted him, her eyes filled with attachment and resentment, "I only hate...I only hate that God is blind...and couldn't let our family of three..."

Before she could finish her words, she started coughing violently and could hardly breathe.

Prince Liang hurriedly patted her back. His hatred for the emperor reached its peak, and at the same time, he felt a huge sense of powerlessness and sadness.

He and Han'er had known each other since childhood and had fallen in love with each other. It seemed they were a match made in heaven, but the emperor intervened and, against his and Qinghan's will, forced her into the palace. He retreated, even fleeing the capital. When he returned, Han'er had already given birth to Duan Yang.

He originally thought that Han'er must have been heartbroken by him and would never love him again, and even hated him. He never expected that Han'er was so devoted to him and never forgot him. Their old love rekindled while they were at the Summer Palace, and Han'er became pregnant with his child, who was now the Sixth Prince Xie Jingrong.

Over the years, he had plotted many things for their child, and he was smug that the emperor's women only loved him. Now, at the final moment, Han'er's health was getting worse day by day. He hated the emperor who was so high and mighty, so he had someone smear poison on the arrow when he assassinated her.

He was happy that the emperor would soon die, but was heartbroken that his lover was terminally ill.

"Han'er, that Taoist is just a fraud. He's a swindler. Just take your medicine and you'll get better!"

A few days later, the date predicted by Mr. Chihua arrived, but what no one expected was that Concubine Liu actually passed away in the palace.

When the news came out, the government and the public were shocked!

Those who had previously been skeptical of Chihua's prophecy no longer had any doubts! To be able to predict the death of a noble concubine with such accuracy was truly extraordinary! For a time, Imperial Master Chihua became mysterious and revered in everyone's hearts, even taking on a certain divine aura. Even the ordinary ministers discussed him with awe.

The happiest were undoubtedly the Sixth Prince's party—the biggest obstacle, the Crown Prince, had been deposed. Although the Imperial Concubine was dead, Mr. Chihua possessed "supernatural powers." Perhaps this could prove that the Sixth Prince had a "mandate of Heaven." After all, His Majesty's health had been steadily declining over the past few days.

Upon learning of this on his sickbed, the emperor was first shocked, then filled with unprecedented fear! If Chihua could accurately predict the imperial concubine's death, could he also predict his own? The feeling of having his life controlled by someone else terrified him! But at the same time, a strong desire arose in him - if Chihua had such magical powers, could he save him?

He immediately ignored his illness and invited Chihua with the highest courtesy, and even conferred the title of national teacher on him immediately.

He had originally prepared himself for the cold shoulder, but he didn't expect Chi Hua to refuse him this time. When he saw someone, he almost pleaded:

"National Master! The National Master truly possesses omniscience! I beg you to save me! I am willing to pay any price! I wish to honor the National Master as the National Pilgrimage Master, and rule the country with me!"

Chi Hua still had that calm and composed look on his face, and simply said:

"Your Majesty's fate is determined by heaven. I can only do my best to pray for your Majesty's blessing and longevity, but the final outcome will depend on heaven's will."

These words seemed modest, but in fact they were even more profound, causing the emperor to worship him as a god and give him supreme honor and power.

Unlike the emperor's utmost admiration, the sixth prince Xie Jingrong, after his initial sadness (for his mother) and joy (over the crown prince's downfall), developed a strong fear and murderous intent towards Chihua.

"This evil Taoist!" he cursed angrily in the mansion, "He pretends to be a god! He even dares to curse my mother! Now he is bewitching my father! Keeping him here will be a disaster!" He just felt that Chihua's existence was a huge variable and he must be eliminated as soon as possible.

Unlike the Sixth Prince, Prince Liang fell into a deeper panic. Chi Hua had previously mentioned the "otherworldly soul," and now he had accurately predicted the Imperial Concubine's death! He was almost certain that Chi Hua knew his secret! And was likely investigating him! He just didn't know how much Chi Hua already knew!

"No! We can't let him find the evidence first! Expose my identity!" King Liang was sweating profusely.

At this moment, Prince Liang and the Sixth Prince reached some subtle consensus.

Chihua must not be allowed to stay!

However, they did not know that a huge net targeting the secrets of their life experiences was being quietly spread under the covert manipulation of the Prince and Chihua.