Chapter 88 Feeding Medicine

"Have you heard? The Emperor has finally had a child."

"Have you heard? This child isn't his."

Several people inside the teahouse chuckled.

If we talk about other things, people might not be interested.

But when it comes to gossip, there's plenty to it.

Especially royal secrets.

However, this matter can hardly be considered a secret.

Everyone in the capital knows this.

Consort Liu's child is not the Emperor's biological child!

He seems to be a classmate of Consort Liu's brother, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the sixth year of Yongsheng. I heard he ranked quite high and was also good-looking.

"The Emperor has no children, and not only is he anxious, but the concubines are anxious too."

Having children immediately sets them apart from others.

It's inevitable that Consort Liu would have designs on the Liu family.

How was it discovered?

It was all because of Consort Liu that Consort Zhong was harmed.

It caused the family to fall ill and lose their child.

Zhong Guiren was furious and heartbroken for her child, so she decided to die with him.

The palace at this moment.

In the early hours of the morning, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were still overjoyed that Consort Liu had given birth to a prince.

The emperor, who was about to turn thirty-six, finally gave birth to his first child.

In ancient times, this would definitely be considered late.

Instead, her first child was a prince, and the Empress Dowager and the Emperor even put aside their past grievances and were almost ready to make peace.

The emperor was still holding the child and wanted to name him himself. In his excitement, he even took a Qi-boosting and spirit-nourishing pill to calm himself down.

How lively it is here, Consort Liu.

It was very quiet at Consort Qin's place, but she listened to Lord Su and ignored these things, sleeping peacefully and taking care of her pregnancy.

Liu Qin was able to hold back.

Consort Zhong, who suffered a miscarriage due to the harm done to her, was simply unable to sit still.

She couldn't help but go crazy when she thought about her six or seven-month-old baby.

Upon hearing Consort Liu's good news, Consort Zhong was so shocked that she truly went mad.

Despite the Zhong family's objections, he insisted on telling the truth.

The Zhong family tried to stop them again and again, and finally said directly, "It's not that we don't want you to speak, but we have no evidence."

Everyone did this.

There's no reason why they should be the ones to suffer losses.

But you can't present evidence if you don't have it.

To their surprise...

The evidence actually did emerge.

The rest of the Zhong family still need to discuss it.

But her cousin, who was having an affair with Consort Zhong, couldn't stand it.

He will make the person who harmed his child pay the price.

Just as the Liu family was getting excited.

The letters between Consort Liu and the scholar who had an affair were brought out.

That person was able to pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), and he could also compose poems off the cuff.

Lady Liu came from a family of scholars and was also quite talented in literature.

The two were of similar age and were a handsome couple.

After several secret meetings, feelings inevitably developed, which he expressed through poetry.

Looking at the tender and affectionate verses above.

The emperor only regretted that he could read, and even more so that he could remember the two men's handwriting.

I had to take several pills before I could finally sit up straight.

What a magnificent phoenix!

There's also a pair of mandarin ducks.

And later, the joy of having a son was evident on her face.

The emperor was so angry that his face turned green.

I already had doubts in my mind.

Now that the evidence is irrefutable, he is so angry that he coughs uncontrollably.

He knew it.

He knew it!

Everyone's talking about him!

Looking at the child again, the emperor felt a surge of murderous intent.

Seeing this, the Liu family knew that if they didn't defend themselves, they would be finished, so they kept pleading for mercy.

Since the love poem was irrefutable, they said it was written before Consort Liu entered the palace.

In any case, the two have had no connection recently.

As for the so-called Lin'er, it was simply that the scholar was deeply in love with Consort Liu and was happy for her.

How could they possibly admit to such a capital offense?

The emperor was so angry that his head ached.

The Empress Dowager was so angered that she fell ill.

Knowing that the whole city already knew about it, he became even angrier.

The Liu family, on the contrary, took this opportunity to try to persuade the emperor to temporarily refrain from doing so for the sake of his reputation.

After all, this is the time to deal with Consort Liu.

Wouldn't that be telling the whole world that he'd been cuckolded?

The emperor's concern for his image.

Su Qing wasn't the only one who knew this.

Su Qing is currently at the Ministry of Revenue, eating melons with his colleagues.

No wonder everyone is enjoying the gossip.

The story has taken too many turns.

Of course, some people began to suspect that Consort Qin's child might also have problems.

However, Consort Qin was in the capital, a place where she knew no one.

Who would help her plan these things?

Consort Liu belongs to the Liu family.

Consort Zhong has a family.

She was merely bought; her family lived in the Tongmin Prefecture.

From this perspective...

There's absolutely no problem.

"His Majesty is already investigating," an official said. "There's nothing new yet."

"What is certain now is that Consort Liu's child definitely has a problem; the only question is whether she will cover it up for the sake of the royal family's reputation."

"Consort Zhong's child is gone, and there is no way to find out anything."

"Only Consort Qin remains as our sole heir."

Someone remarked meaningfully, "Even the Emperor is willing to believe that the only surviving child is his."

Su Qing listened with great interest.

Everyone's guesses were quite correct.

Regardless of whose child Liu Guiren is.

Given the current situation, most people would presume innocence if they doubt the innocence of the accused.

No need to explain Consort Zhong.

The fact that his family dared to produce evidence means they've cleaned up the mess.

Only the powerless and insignificant Consort Qin remained.

The Emperor knows best how she was sold to the capital.

The Emperor knows whether she has powerful backers or not.

They even felt that Liu Qin didn't need to do that.

She doesn't have any powerful family backing her.

However, the Emperor overlooked one point.

Liu Qin is a person, and as a person, she will have thoughts.

It's impossible to be completely controlled.

The Emperor was right next to Liu Qin at that moment. He seemed quite gentle, but he was staring intently at Consort Qin's belly, as if trying to find out something.

But in the end, he had no choice but to give up.

Let's not even talk about the fact that the baby hasn't been born yet.

Even if he gets out, what can he do?

In this eerie silence.

He couldn't bring himself to say anything about the punishment Liu Guiren received.

The happiest I was in the early hours of the morning is now the most hateful.

They wished they could tear the Liu family to pieces.

In fact, he would do just that.

It's not possible right now.

Wait until things calm down.

Consort Liu, that was her birth.

The so-called Jinshi (进士).

And the entire Liu family must not be spared.

Even the Zhong family.

In cases like this, they should just submit the evidence and let it go.

Why did it become the talk of the town?

Everyone knows he's been cuckolded.

Even the content of love poems.

The Emperor slowly spoke: "Liu Qin, can I trust you?"

Liu Qin touched her nearly nine-month pregnant belly, her eyes filled with tears: "Your Majesty, I truly do not understand what you are saying."

"Since I came to the capital, Your Majesty has been my only support."

"Your eunuchs and palace maids are quite diligent."

Liu Qin looked at the gloomy middle-aged man, whose face was even paler than before, as if he could collapse at any moment, yet a single word from him could take everyone's lives.

"Your Majesty, I have bestowed many gifts upon you, all for your safety."

"Otherwise, the tragedy that befell Consort Zhong will also happen to me."

It means that the people around her were attentive, and that she spent money to support them.

The Emperor looked at Eunuch Sun and Eunuch Liang.

The two immediately began searching themselves.

We need to see Consort Qin's jewelry box.

They dug them all out, but there were very few.

She gave away the emperor's endless stream of gifts to those around her.

The house was ransacked and left in a mess.

Apart from the books he usually reads, there is not a single extra mark.

The Emperor still felt it wasn't enough, so he ordered his men to search the residences of Liu Qin's palace maids and eunuchs.

However, they found quite a lot of gold and silver treasures from them.

Unsurprisingly, they were all gifts from the emperor.

From this perspective, there seems to be no problem.

Only one of the guards in charge of the search clenched his fist.

The investigation was thorough and comprehensive.

They showed Consort Qin absolutely no respect.

Fortunately, nothing was found.

Even the fact that Consort Qin's current safety is the result of her carefulness and caution was discovered.

If she hadn't given most of the money to her subordinates, they wouldn't have worked so diligently.

The Emperor said coldly, "A bunch of dog slaves actually embezzled most of Consort Qin's wealth and took it into their own hands."

Before the Emperor could announce the punishment, Liu Qin immediately pleaded for mercy in every possible way.

After some back and forth, the matter was finally dropped.

After leaving Liu Qin's residence, the Emperor breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief and said to the guards nearby, "Strengthen patrols and do not allow any suspicious persons to enter."

Everyone immediately answered yes.

Eunuch Liang whispered, "Your Majesty, where is Consort Liu?"

"Put her under house arrest and leave her alone." The Emperor coughed violently, clearly furious. "All rewards and honors are to be suspended for now."

Is this how they try to suppress the matter?

This approach was a nightmare for the Liu family.

Only by investigating thoroughly, like Consort Qin, can one prove innocence.

The most dangerous thing is that Consort Liu doesn't care or ask questions.

Your Majesty, Your Majesty will not stand idly by.

Once the storm has passed, the Liu family will be wiped out!

The Liu family understands this principle.

The whole family was like headless flies.

The once-friendly families are now all staying away, waiting for news from them.

The scholar who had an affair with Consort Liu had already been dismembered and fed to the dogs.

"The Emperor is only temporarily refusing to touch us because he still has face to save."

"Once Consort Qin's child is born, and once the gossip stops, we're finished."

The Zhong family also perished.

In order to quell the incident, the Prince of Qinzheng issued an order.

It was said that Consort Zhong lost her child and went insane, which is why she slandered others.

Zhong's father was dismissed from his post, and Zhong Guiren was placed under house arrest.

This order did stop some of the rumors.

"I've already said that the palace is heavily guarded. How could Consort Liu possibly have given birth to someone else's child?"

"So it was a power struggle among the concubines. That makes sense."

Only a fool would believe that!

"The emperor insisted on wearing this hat just to save face."

"Retribution may be delayed, but it will come."

For the Zhong and Liu families...

It was almost a catastrophe.

They almost simultaneously came up with the same idea.

So, is that dragging Consort Qin down with him?

Let's forget about it.

They all prayed that Consort Qin's child would be the emperor's.

Otherwise, the emperor would be furious, and there would be no hope of survival.

Of course.

They are doomed.

Even in death, I'll drag Consort Qin down with me.

Both companies were frantically searching for a way out, like headless flies, each hoping for a glimmer of hope!

The Zhong family is doing well.

But as for the Liu family, everyone with eyes could see what the Emperor was thinking.

I'll say it again.

His mother, his younger brother, and his teacher, Grand Tutor Zhou.

There are also veteran officials in the court, such as General Lian, and Su Qing, who has recently made contributions.

Who has the Emperor spared?

Most of these people did not provoke him, but were punished repeatedly simply because of their excessive merits.

Besides, given the situation of your Liu family.

For the Liu family.

It seems that waiting to die is the only way out.

die.

Or the whole family should die together.

No, absolutely not.

Then escape?

Some of the Liu family's peripheral relatives immediately fled with their valuables.

However, most people were stopped inside the capital and prevented from leaving.

The reason given was that Consort Liu had just given birth to a prince, and the emperor could not bear to separate them from their child, so they could not leave the capital.

Who would believe that reason?

The Liu family panicked even more.

Just as Master Liu was about to drag Consort Qin into the mess.

Someone came looking for us.

The Zhong family.

These two families stared intently at each other, regarding each other as mortal enemies.

First, the Liu family caused Consort Zhong's child to miscarry.

Then the Zhong family produced evidence of the Liu family's crimes.

But now, we can only sit down and talk in detail.

Lord Zhong said, "If we don't join forces, our entire families will really be wiped out."

Join forces?

How can we join forces?

Lord Zhong, with a do-or-die attitude, said, "Do you remember what happened in April of the third year of Yongsheng?"

How could Mr. Liu not remember?

However, the rebels entered the city.

The emperor fled south.

etc? !

After calming down, I realized that this was the only way to take a gamble.

They knew their whole family was going to die.

Why don't we find an opportunity?

But thanks to those two families.

How could it possibly succeed?

Lord Zhong gritted his teeth and said, "Come with me to a place."

Late at night on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month.

One day has passed since the incident.

The imperial court underwent a complete upheaval.

They forgot one thing.

That means Haiwanzhou's ships have already been launched.

The message is currently being kept in the Hanlin Academy.

Lord Liu followed Lord Zhong to a small courtyard.

This is?

After the two entered, they went straight to the study.

The owner of the study was Su Qing.

Although Lord Liu and Su Qing had met, they hadn't exchanged many words.

Su Qing said, "It is only because I built a new ship that the Emperor intends to kill me."

"This kind of emperor is truly a foolish ruler."

These words struck a chord with Lord Liu.

He finally understood.

The Liu family, the Zhong family, and even Lord Su in front of us have all been forced to rebel by the Emperor!

Su Qing said, "I originally thought I could only wait to die."

"But the birth of Consort Liu's child gave me an idea."

Regardless of what's being said outside.

But the prince born to Consort Liu was the emperor's only son.

If the emperor dies.

Who is the sole heir?!

Lord Liu was breathing rapidly.

It's as if a broad and prosperous road lies right before my eyes.

When the child is young, it will be necessary to have a close confidant in charge.

Who is more suitable to be a grandfather than myself?!

Whether he is the emperor's son or not is unimportant; he is indeed his grandson.

Everyone says Lord Su is clever, and it's true!

However, the palace was heavily guarded.

The emperor was always surrounded by three hundred guards.

Who can get close to him?

Su Qing looked at the anxious Lord Liu, and then at the equally flustered Lord Zhong.

Lord Liu said, "Don't you guys even think of a solution!"

Before even sitting down, he started giving orders.

But in Lord Liu's view, this was the solution.

The two of them depend on him to survive!

These two need to figure something out.

Lord Zhong frowned.

He only met Su Qing today.

Su Qing must have hesitated when he suggested supporting Lord Liu's grandson.

But compared to simply dying, this method is better.

But this Lord Liu doesn't seem to be so easy to get along with.

“This medicine looks very similar to the one His Majesty often takes.” Su Qing took out a small bottle.

Lord Zhong's thoughts were interrupted, and he and Lord Liu recognized the bottle at the same time.

Yiqi Yangshen Pills.

The kind that the emperor often ate.

If it weren't for this medicine, the Emperor's health would be even worse.

Many senior officials wanted it, but the emperor was very stingy and only gave out a small amount.

This matter also aroused dissatisfaction among many veteran officials.

Lord Liu scoffed: "Every time the Emperor takes medicine, he has someone around him randomly pick out a pill and feed it to a dog to test the medicine."

"I will only eat it after I've confirmed that everything is correct."

"Your method simply won't work."

Su Qing smiled: "It all depends on human effort."

Su Qing continued, "This medicine is a life-saving medicine. If His Majesty is short of breath and urgently needs the medicine, will there be time to test it?"

Lord Liu's heart was pounding wildly.

yes.

This medicine is life-saving.

Several times the emperor had difficulty breathing, and he immediately took medicine to relieve the symptoms.

In such an emergency, there is no time to wait for drug trials.

It's a quick-acting heart medicine.

It must be something bad that caused this, so eat it immediately.

Let's eat later, the corpse will get cold.

Lord Liu tucked the pills into his robes.

Just waiting for an opportunity.

It seems that only Eunuch Sun can handle this now.

The illusion of a deeply entrenched relationship between North Korea and China.

Consort Liu's rise to the position of a favored concubine was due to both her own efforts and the influence of her connections with superiors and subordinates.

Grandpa Sun was a frequent guest of the Liu family.

He amassed countless gold and silver treasures.

At this point, it should be of some use, right?

When Eunuch Sun met with Lord Liu in secret, his face was extremely grim. He said, "Lord Liu, do you want to die sooner? I've already told you we can't meet for now. I'll plead for you when I find an opportunity."

If the Emperor finds out that they met after the incident, given the Emperor's suspicious nature, I'm completely finished.

Eunuch Liang hates him to the core and will definitely kick him while he's down.

Lord Liu sneered, "Our whole family is about to be finished, what else can we care about?"

"By the way, I also owe my daughter's matter a lot to Grandpa Sun's help."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have a grandson yet."

Enraged, Eunuch Sun slammed his fist on the table and stood up, shouting, "Don't talk nonsense!"

“How can you say that’s nonsense?” Lord Liu threatened. “I’ll say it again: my whole family will be executed; it’s just a matter of time.”

"No, I said I would plead for him."

"Plead for mercy? You? The Empress Dowager, Prince Zheng, General Lian from a few days ago, Su Qing."

"Who did he spare?!"

Grandpa Sun remained silent.

They all understand what the Emperor does.

There was absolutely no room for maneuver.

Once the Emperor finds out that Consort Liu's affair is somehow connected to him...

He's finished.

"Tell me, what do you want me to do?"

Lord Liu put down a bottle of medicine, which made Eunuch Sun's face turn ugly.

After Lord Liu explained in detail, he gritted his teeth and asked, "And then?"

Grandpa Sun sat up straight and then helped Lord Liu's grandson.

The Empress Dowager, Consort Liu, and the Liu family in power.

As for him...

That's the most important achievement.

People gather for profit, and naturally disperse for the same reason.

The emperor used fame, fortune, and wealth as bait to attract people like this.

Is he truly considering the Emperor's best interests?

Isn't this a joke?

This mean-spirited and ungrateful man, when has he ever considered the needs of his subordinates?

After taking the poison, Eunuch Sun was preoccupied with how to proceed.

Furthermore, one must avoid Eunuch Liang and Palace Attendant Qi.

Coincidentally, both of them have been busy lately and haven't been in the Hall of Diligent Governance much.

The task of serving the emperor his medicine was entrusted to him alone.

Taking the medicine is no problem.

But after what happened with Consort Liu, the Emperor seemed to have nothing to worry about.

At that very moment.

Lord Liu requests an audience.

The Emperor simply said, "I will not see you."

It's obvious what he's up to.

They simply wanted to plead for mercy.

But he hated these people so much that he would never let them plead for him!

They'd be better off dead!

Looking at the memorial announcing the launch of the new ship, the emperor showed a rare hint of a smile.

The eunuch came in and reported again: "Your Majesty, Lord Su requests an audience, saying he has important matters to report."

Su Qing.

The emperor, who was already in a very bad mood, felt his hatred for Su Qing only increase.

If it weren't for this woman's audacity, which led other women to be frivolous and dissolute.

Perhaps there wouldn't have been any harem issues.

Indeed, women should stay in the inner quarters.

Entering officialdom is a sure way to corrupt social morals!

"See her."

“What kind of behavior is it for a woman to show her face in public all day long?”

"They're all women like this, making them neither women nor men."

The Emperor further declared: "From now on, all women must learn the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. If any woman shows her face in public, she should be beaten to death! And the women's provincial examinations should never be mentioned again!"

As he spoke, he coughed violently again.

Upon entering the Hall of Diligent Governance, Su Qing heard the last sentence and knew it was deliberately said to her.

It seems he wanted to tell her.

Don't you want women to hold official positions and receive an education?

Keep dreaming.

I will not only strip them of their academic titles, but also imprison them at home, never to rise again!

The Emperor seemed to want to see Su Qing angry and upset.

But Su Qing wasn't angry. He simply held a letter in his hand and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I have something important to report."

"What's up."

Su Qing continued to smile: "It's related to Consort Qin."

"It turns out that Consort Qin's mother was related to the Su family. In fact, I am Consort Qin's cousin."

Therefore, he wished to meet Consort Qin to renew their kinship.

The emperor frowned deeply.

He naturally knew that Su Qing and Consort Qin were distant relatives.

However, Su Qing has been in the capital for over a year and has never tried to establish a family connection.

Why did you suddenly bring this up?

Was it brought up suddenly, or had they been in contact privately for a while?

If they have contact in private.

The reason for the tight security surrounding Consort Qin's palace seems to have been found.

The person behind Consort Qin.

It's Su Qing?!

If that's the case.

Wasn't Consort Qin's child also her own?!

Upon considering this possibility, the emperor's breathing quickened, and he clutched his chest.

This time, it was Su Qing's turn to observe the Emperor.

Actually, she didn't say anything.

But some people's paranoia will get them killed.

Su Qing chuckled, his eyes full of mockery: "Consort Qin doesn't have any family members. With me as her family, many things will be much easier."

The emperor swallowed a qi-boosting and spirit-nourishing pill from his pocket, finally calming his breathing. He said coldly, "How dare you, a mere official, try to claim kinship with my concubine?"

"Are you still trying to form cliques for personal gain?"

"You, Su Qing, haven't you been forming factions for a while now?!"

Just as the Emperor was about to state Su Qing's crime, she said in surprise, "This humble subject has not formed a faction with Prince Zheng."

After saying that, an embarrassed smile appeared on her face: "This humble subject is close to Prince Zheng because I am in love with him."

"However, His Majesty decides on the prince's marriage, so we cannot speak on our own."

What? !

Su Qing and Yan Zhengzhou?!

Su Qing stepped forward and said with a smile, "We already knew each other when we were at Guangyue Mansion."

"I thought we were destined to be apart in this life, but I never expected the Emperor to summon me to the capital."

"Prince Zheng is tall and handsome, with a voice that is rare in the world. Not to mention his title of God of War, he is truly one of a kind."

"Since this has been brought up today, we humbly request Your Majesty to grant us this marriage."

"Is it alright?"

Every word of praise from Su Qing felt like a blow to the emperor's heart.

When I invited you to the palace, you made such a big scene and refused to come.

Now, for the sake of my brother, he actually took the initiative to speak up.

On what grounds?!

In what way am I inferior to Yan Zhengzhou!

In every way, he's inferior to his younger brother!

Whether it was Su Qing or the silent eunuch Sun beside her.

It was clear to everyone that the emperor's jealousy of Yan Zhengzhou was about to burst from his heart.

"Su Qing!"

"After you get married, will you still be able to hold an official position?!"

The emperor's question wasn't, "Can you still hold an official position?"

The question is, would someone as fond of being an official as you give up your position for Yan Zhengzhou?!

He didn't believe it.

Why would a woman like Su Qing give up her official position for Yan Zhengzhou?

Why does Yan Zhengzhou deserve it?

"Whether he becomes an official or not won't affect my desire to have his child." Su Qing smiled dismissively, seemingly implying something. "He should be able to have children, right?"

"Your Majesty, what do you say?"

The emperor's vision went black, and he nearly fainted.

That last sentence struck a chord with him.

That is, none of the three pregnant concubines in the harem carried his child.

Not a single one!

Su Qing looked at Eunuch Sun and stared at his cuffs.

Eunuch Sun immediately stepped forward to feed the emperor the medicine.

The familiar medicine bottle, the familiar medicine—it's too late to find someone to try it.

But Grandpa Sun was trembling all over and couldn't feed him at all.

Su Qing stepped forward gracefully, took the medicine bottle, and fed the emperor the pills under his expectant gaze.

What awaited the emperor was not the familiar calm breathing and slowing heartbeat.

It was not a feeling of suffocation, but an indescribable sense of being suffocated.

I can't spit it out, and I can't swallow it down.

Is this medicine?

What are you feeding me?

The Emperor stared at Eunuch Sun, noticing his unusual panic. He opened his eyes wide and collapsed onto the dragon throne, completely ceasing to breathe.

Su Qing returned the medicine bottle to the other party and said, "Why don't you summon the imperial physician?"

Imperial Physician Xuan?

Is this even necessary?!