Chapter 49 Complaint Before the Emperor

The next day, outside the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Lou Jin was still sitting in a wheelchair, pushed by Ye Xunyang. His face was even paler than a few days ago, and he even coughed occasionally, looking weak as if his old illness had relapsed.

Ye Xunyang looked worried and carefully served her from the side.

Many officials waiting to attend court cast sympathetic or inquisitive glances at them.

The Fifth Prince, Lou Yi, also arrived. He looked radiant today. Upon seeing Lou Jin and his wife, he stepped forward and greeted them warmly: "Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, what brings you to the palace today? Is your health improving?"

Lou Jin coughed twice, his voice weak: "Thank you for your concern, Fifth Prince... cough cough... but there are some important matters that require my audience with Father."

Lou Yi's eyes flickered slightly, and he smiled, "I see. Third Brother, please take good care of yourself."

Just then, Eunuch Gao came out to announce the imperial decree, summoning Prince Jin, Princess Jin, and the Fifth Prince to an audience.

Inside the Hall of Diligent Governance, the charcoal fire was warm, and the emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, his expression majestic.

After the three bowed, the emperor looked at Lou Jin and asked with some concern, "Jin'er, you are not fully recovered. What is the matter that is so urgent?"

Lou Jin gestured for Ye Xunyang to present a blood-stained ledger and several copies of secret letters.

"Father," Lou Jin's voice was hoarse, yet filled with sorrow and resentment.

"Your Majesty, I was ambushed recently, my villa was robbed by bandits, and last night, assassins broke into the palace to kill me! Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I almost never saw you again!"

The emperor's brows furrowed suddenly as he took the account books and letters presented by the eunuch, his expression growing increasingly grim as he read them.

The accounts recorded the flow of medicinal herbs and financial transactions, though not explicitly stated, but they were vaguely connected to the palace and certain princes! And the contents of the secret letter involved the secret poison of the Southern Frontier and old stories from that year!

"Outrageous!" The emperor slammed his fist on the imperial desk, making the teacups rattle. "How dare someone be so audacious right under the nose of the capital! Investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me!"

His gaze was sharp as a knife, sweeping over Lou Yi, who stood below with his hands hanging down.

Lou Yi was shocked, but forced himself to remain calm: "Father, please calm down! How dare someone lay such a hand on my third brother! They deserve to die! Your son begs you to investigate thoroughly and find the mastermind behind this!"

He spoke with righteous indignation, as if he had nothing to do with the matter at all.

Lou Jin sneered inwardly, but his face grew increasingly pale and fragile. He coughed violently, as if he were about to cough up his heart and lungs. Ye Xunyang quickly stepped forward to pat his back, looking anxious.

"Father..." Lou Jin gasped, looking at the emperor with just the right amount of sorrow and a hint that was hard to detect.

"Your subject... Your subject only desires peace and tranquility. Why are there always people who refuse to let you go? Could it be that I have gotten in someone's way...?"

These words struck the emperor's heart like a heavy hammer.

Looking at his emaciated son, who seemed on the verge of death, and recalling the spirited Lou Jin from three years ago, a complex mix of emotions welled up within him.

The emperor's gaze fell on Lou Yi again, with an unprecedented scrutiny and coldness.

Lou Yi felt as if that gaze was tangible, pressing down on him so much that he could hardly breathe, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

"I will make my own decision on this matter." The emperor's voice revealed no emotion, but carried an undeniable authority.

"Jin'er, you should return to your residence and rest well. I will increase the number of guards to protect the safety of the Jin Prince's residence. As for these..." He waved the account books and letters in his hand, "I will have someone carefully check them."

"Your subject... thanks Your Majesty." Lou Jin bowed weakly, and Ye Xunyang pushed him slowly out of the Hall of Diligent Governance.

As he left, Lou Jin brushed past Lou Yi, whose face was ashen. Lou Jin could even sense the uncontrollable shock, anger, and murderous intent emanating from the other man for that instant.

The objective has been achieved. The seed has been planted; it now awaits to take root and sprout in the emperor's heart.

On the carriage back to the manor, Ye Xunyang looked at Lou Jin's eyes, which had instantly regained their clarity, and couldn't help but laugh, "Your Highness, you acted so well just now, I almost believed you."

Lou Jin grasped his hand, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. After this incident, Lou Yi will certainly not dare to act rashly again in the short term."

"Your Highness, why don't we take the medicine during this time? It will help you recover as soon as possible." Ye Xunyang felt that this matter could not be delayed any longer. Looking at Lou Jin's sickly appearance, although he knew that he was faking it, he still felt bad.

Lou Jin touched the back of his hand but did not answer.

Although they had confirmed their feelings for each other, whether they could truly take that final step was still uncertain...

The carriage soon came to a stop in front of the Jinwang Mansion. Ye Xunyang turned around and prepared to help Lou Jin down.

Suddenly, his body swayed, his face turned ashen, and he fell straight forward from his wheelchair!

"Your Highness!" Ye Xunyang was terrified and cried out in alarm. He rushed over and caught the person, only to find him icy cold to the touch.

Lou Jin's eyes were closed, and he had lost consciousness.

"Quick! Summon the royal physician! Quick!" Ye Xunyang's voice changed, and he didn't care about anything else. He picked up Lou Jin and almost staggered as he rushed back to the main courtyard.

The Prince's residence was instantly thrown into chaos.

The royal physician rushed over and, after taking the prince's pulse, frowned deeply: "Your Highness's pulse is disordered, the remaining toxins have not been cleared, and have even worsened. In addition, you have been overworking and straining yourself recently, causing your qi and blood to surge. You need to rest well and absolutely cannot exhaust yourself any further."

Ye Xunyang stayed by the bedside, his heart aching as he looked at Lou Jin's furrowed brows even in his unconscious state. He personally wrung out a damp towel to wipe the cold sweat from Lou Jin's forehead, fed him medicine, and changed his clothes, barely taking off his clothes to help him.

In the stillness of the night, the candlelight flickered.

Ye Xunyang held Lou Jin's slightly cool hand, his heart filled with confusion and anxiety.

Why is it that your body has already improved a lot? The Imperial Advisor said that as long as you use that elixir and I help you with your internal energy, you will be completely cured.

Why do you always avoid talking about elixirs whenever they are mentioned?

He remembered the brocade box the Imperial Advisor had given him last time; besides the letter, there seemed to be a book inside. The prince had put it away, and he had never seen it again.

He had searched the study secretly, but found nothing.

"What exactly... is it that's putting you in such a difficult position, making you prefer to endure it yourself rather than use it?" Ye Xunyang felt increasingly uneasy as he thought about it, a nameless unease lingering in his heart.

The following morning, Lou Jin's high fever finally subsided, his pulse stabilized, and he fell into a deep sleep.

Looking at his tired sleeping face, Ye Xunyang instructed Wang Quan and the maid to take good care of him, while he himself mounted a fast horse and headed straight for the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

The Imperial Preceptor Xuan Yunzi was somewhat surprised to see Ye Xunyang arrive alone.

When Ye Xunyang urgently explained that Lou Jin had suddenly fainted last night and that his condition seemed to be relapsed, and asked why Lou Jin had not used the pills for so long, Xuan Yunzi's face showed an extremely shocked expression.

"What? His Highness King Jin... he hasn't told you the truth yet?"

Xuan Yunzi stroked his beard, his eyes filled with disbelief.

He originally thought that the prince wouldn't care about so much. Over the years, the prince had asked him about the progress almost every month in order to find a way to cure the poison. He never expected that at the last moment, the prince would be so indecisive, which was really unlike his character.

Upon hearing that Lou Jin's condition had changed and that this attack was not as quick to stabilize as before, Xuan Yunzi's expression became solemn.

He calculated with his fingers, his brows furrowing: "The residual poison in the prince's body may seem dormant, but it is actually in a tug-of-war with the restored yang energy. If it cannot be removed with swift and decisive measures as soon as possible, it may recur and damage the foundation next time..."

He looked at Ye Xunyang, who was anxious and bewildered, and sighed: "Alright, we must act expediently in this emergency. Your Highness, the Crimson Sun Pill and the Snow Soul Pill are not for oral consumption."

"Its medicinal properties are potent and require the harmonious interaction of Yin and Yang as a guide to fully dissolve it. The so-called 'medicine administration' requires the two of you to engage in spiritual and physical union, to allow the medicinal power to reach every part of your body, cleanse your marrow and revitalize your meridians."

Ye Xunyang was struck dumb, frozen in place, his face drained of color in an instant, then quickly flushed red.

Husband and wife in reality? Two men? So that's how they "helped" in the first place!