Chapter 25: Poisoned Gu Buxu, you are slandering me
Jiang Yueying's voice startled everyone.
In full view of everyone, Xie Yuting spat out another mouthful of blood, staining the white jade wine glass beside him red. The aroma of wine mixed with the smell of blood spread. Jiang Yueying instinctively supported him, her lips trembling with fear, and she couldn't utter a word.
When Queen He Wanhong saw Xie Yuting vomiting blood, her face turned pale instantly and she rushed down the stairs.
"Imperial Physician, call the Imperial Physician!"
The eighth prince Xie Yubo also quickly left his seat, stumbled to Xie Yuting's side, and looked at him with a pale face.
The other ministers and the princes' concubines were all in a panic; some covered their eyes, and some looked dazed.
When the hall was in chaos, Emperor Liang stood up and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, withdraw."
The dancers and musicians trembled with fear and quickly stepped out of the hall. The bustling hall became quiet and no one dared to breathe.
Doctor Zhang came hurriedly with a suitcase and took Xie Yuting's pulse.
He held Xie Yuting's wrist, his brows furrowed deeper and deeper, tears streaming down his forehead like a stream of water. Several times, words were on the tip of his tongue, but he turned his head to look at the emperor and empress. His hesitant look made the empress furious.
What are you hesitating about, you quack!
He Wanhong was almost unable to control her temper and wanted to draw her sword and put it directly against the imperial physician's neck.
Xie Yuting took the handkerchief Yu Lang handed over, wiped the corner of his mouth, and said in a hoarse voice: "Doctor, what's with that expression on your face? I'm not suffering from an incurable disease, am I?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? You have no taboos!" He Wanhong scolded immediately.
Emperor Liang frowned and said, "The Imperial Physician, please speak frankly. There is no need to hesitate."
"May I ask what His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ate before the palace banquet?"
Xie Yuting hung his head, bewildered. "I've eaten so many things...how can I remember everything?"
"For breakfast, I had a bowl of almond tofu, king prawns, and duck with bird's nest. For lunch, I had half a cup of Biluochun soup and bird's nest soup with rock sugar..." Jiang Yueying replied to the imperial physician. "I also ate a lot of lychees from Lingnan before coming to the palace banquet."
Xie Yuting looked at Jiang Yueying with a little surprise, his eyes seemed to say: How come you know everything I have eaten?
Jiang Yueying noticed his gaze and gently avoided it.
It’s not that she paid special attention to Xie Yuting, but because the meals in the Eastern Palace were too expensive, she had to carefully record everything she ate, so that people wouldn’t find out that she was unworldly when she went out later.
Doctor Zhang pondered for a moment and turned to check the food on the table.
Emperor Liang's face darkened. Could it be that there was something wrong with the food at the palace banquet?
Everyone held their breath and waited silently.
Until the imperial physician suddenly knelt, bowed his head, and reported: "Your Majesty, someone has added something to this crystal pork elbow. Fortunately, His Royal Highness ate lychees today, which stimulates qi and blood circulation and can eliminate the drug's effects. However, His Royal Highness ate too many lychees, which is why he vomited blood."
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is now in good health."
All the officials were shocked and couldn't believe that someone had poisoned the palace banquet. Fortunately, the crystal elbow dish was only on the tables of the princes and would not affect them.
Emperor Liang was puzzled: "Why are the others okay?"
The imperial physician explained: "This poison is colorless and tasteless. If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had not eaten lychees, it might have passed unnoticed..." His voice became lower and lower as he spoke, and he almost didn't dare to look up.
After these words were spoken, everyone turned pale.
Doesn't that mean that everyone may have consumed poison, but they just don't know it?
In panic, all the doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau were called to the palace to check everyone's meals one by one.
After testing the poison, an unexpected result was obtained. It turned out that only the third prince Xie Yusui's meal was problematic, and the prince was accidentally injured because he tried to snatch his crystal elbow.
A scheme targeting only the third prince.
Xie Yusui couldn't believe it, his eyes dark and gloomy, staring at the doctor with a vicious look: "What kind of poison is this?!"
The imperial physician knelt down with a plop, trembling. "This poison isn't fatal, but it will kill people. Your Highness, don't worry. The antidote will be effective within a month!"
Xie Yusui's eyes were bloodshot.
Emperor Liang suddenly became furious: "Why don't you go and prepare the antidote!"
"As you wish!"
"Go and thoroughly investigate this matter for me and make sure to find the person who poisoned me!"
The emperor's birthday banquet had turned out to be such a mess that Emperor Liang had lost the mood to celebrate and walked away with a sullen face.
The white-feathered parrot flapped its wings and flew over to the emperor's shoulder.
The palace banquet ended early, and everyone left one after another with different thoughts in their minds.
Xie Yusui felt a surge of fear. Fortunately, Xie Yuting, the fool, was greedy for lychees, otherwise he would not have known that he was poisoned at the palace banquet, and his family line would have been extinct. How could a prince who could not have children inherit the throne?
This poison was so vicious that it was intended to make him have no descendants and completely lose the qualification to inherit the throne.
Who is it?
He narrowed his eyes, and his dark gaze swept over the princes in the hall.
The Guanglu Temple, which is responsible for organizing palace banquets, is affiliated with the Ministry of Rites. The fourth prince Xie Yufan was punished with house arrest due to tribute affairs. After the house arrest was lifted, he voluntarily resigned from his post and is now only responsible for palace affairs.
According to common sense, the fourth brother has been working in the Ministry of Rites for many years and is the most likely person to take the opportunity to poison the food at the banquet.
But would the fourth brother be so stupid?
If something happened to him, the first person to be investigated would definitely be him. Although Xie Yufan was arrogant, he was not stupid. There might be something else going on in this matter.
Xie Yusui clenched his palms and suddenly remembered something: his second brother's new concubine was the daughter of the Minister of Rites.
Could it be that...
His gaze passed through the hall and fixed on King Xuan who was at the farthest point. King Xuan and Xie Yutong were comforting his mother. No one knew what they were talking about, but the imperial concubine's panic was gradually calmed down.
Xie Yusui's face darkened completely, his eyes seemed to be filled with poison, and his voice was as low as a venomous snake. Could it be you, my dear brother?
He strode towards the two of them.
The other side.
Xie Yuting was still vomiting blood. He Wanhong was so anxious that she was sweating profusely. She desperately shook the imperial physician to ask him to treat her. The imperial physician was helpless and only said that all the poison had been stimulated and that she could just return to the palace and rest.
The eighth prince Xie Yubo wanted to come over to help him, but was pushed away by Xie Yuting without mercy. Xie Yubo felt embarrassed and withdrew his hand awkwardly.
"Don't worry, mother. I'll be fine with the Crown Princess taking care of me."
After he finished speaking, he tilted his body and fainted directly on Jiang Yueying's shoulder.
Don’t be dizzy, Jiang Yueying widened her eyes.
Jiang Yueying hugged the tall man tightly, fearing that she would not be able to hold on and throw him to the ground. Her cheeks turned red, but she did not let go.
He Wanhong looked at her deeply, with unpredictable emotions in her eyes.
She avoided the Queen's gaze, biting her lip, at a loss.
"Alas, it is inconvenient for me to leave the palace. I'll have to trouble you to take care of Ting'er."
"I understand."
Jiang Yueying answered absentmindedly, almost out of breath from holding the heavy man. Fortunately, Yu Lang came over to take her hand. Together, the two of them supported Xie Yuting, said goodbye to the Queen, and helped him onto the carriage to the East Palace.
After returning to the East Palace, everyone placed Xie Yuting on the couch. Yu Lang took the prescription given by the imperial physician to prepare the medicine, leaving Jiang Yueying alone to look after the unconscious Crown Prince.
The anxious palace banquet came to an end. Jiang Yueying lowered her head and touched her heart, still very panicked.
The battle for the throne was extremely dangerous. Someone was so bold as to poison the emperor at his birthday banquet. Her lips were bitten until they were pale and her fingertips were cold.
Xie Yuting had been in the spotlight at the birthday banquet today. Would he face more danger in the future? This man was completely devoid of scheming, as innocent as a jasmine flower, completely devoid of self-preservation. If I forced him to advance, would I end up harming him instead?
He glanced down and looked at Xie Yuting who was lying unconscious. It was rare for this guy to be quiet. The frivolous air that had lingered on him faded away, making his eyebrows look even more handsome and outstanding. It was not an exaggeration to describe His Royal Highness the Crown Prince at this moment as having a face as handsome as a jade.
This fool actually has good fortune.
Eating a lychee can save yourself inadvertently.
She pinched the handkerchief embroidered with a crescent moon and gently wiped away the traces of blood that remained at the corners of his lips. Suddenly, her eyes paused and she found that the frostbite marks on the back of her hand had almost disappeared.
The back of her hand was white and smooth, as if the wounds had never appeared.
Xie Yuting was not lying, the medicine was really effective.
"Thank you..." Jiang Yueying took advantage of the fact that Xie Yuting was unconscious and couldn't hear anything, so she spoke softly.
"Cough cough..." Xie Yuting suddenly started coughing violently.
Jiang Yueying quickly poured him a glass of water, but this guy showed no signs of waking up. How could she feed him?
Seeing the other person frowning and looking unhappy, her heart couldn't help but soften. Alas... Although he is a little bastard, he is quite pitiful.
Her eyelashes drooped slightly as she recalled the palace banquet when Crown Prince Xie Yuting suddenly vomited blood. Everyone present was panicked, even Grand Tutor Bai, who usually disliked the Crown Prince, looked worried. However, his biological father was as calm as a stone statue, without showing any sign of anxiety.
Instead, it was only after discovering that the Third Prince's food was poisonous that Emperor Liang became furious and ordered a thorough investigation of the matter.
It is clear at a glance which is more important.
Xie Yuting only holds the title of crown prince, but he carries no weight at all in the emperor's heart.
Jiang Yueying stood up for others, but why? They were both her own sons, so why didn't she care about him alone?
Holding the warm tea in her hand, her chest was filled with bitterness and her arms were shaking slightly.
"Little princess, do you want to give me some water?"
Jiang Yueying suddenly came back to her senses and found that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had opened his eyes and was looking at her with interest.
Being caught taking care of someone, she silently withdrew her hand, her movements a little awkward.
Xie Yuting smiled and said, "You can feed it mouth to mouth. I'm very happy with that."
"Shut up." Jiang Yueying glared at him unhappily.
This guy is more likable when he is unconscious.
Xie Yuting sat up from the couch, put his head next to her hand, stared at her eagerly, and opened his mouth to drink water.
"Drink it yourself." She pushed the furry head away and put the teacup in his hand.
"You're so heartless, little princess! I'm poisoned..." Xie Yuting acted like a rogue, leaning on Jiang Yueying's shoulder and arching his back in grievance, "I don't have any strength left in my body, my arms are so sore..."
“…”
Why are you pretending?
She thought for a moment and said, "The poison has been cured, but is he still weak?"
"..." Xie Yuting's face was full of resentment, "Gu Buxu, you are slandering me."
"Then don't lean on me."
"I'll just lean on it."
"Then don't mess around."
Hearing this, Xie Yuting rubbed even harder, making Jiang Yueying's neck itchy. She wanted to get up, but was afraid that Xie Yuting, this reckless guy, would fall off the bed, so she had to endure it.
"Xie Yuting, you still have the mind to make trouble, aren't you afraid?"
"The Crown Princess is so beautiful, why should I be afraid?"
Jiang Yueying said seriously, "Don't interrupt. The princes are fighting each other. Today you suffered for the Third Prince. Who will be the next victim?"
Xie Yuting lowered his head and took a sip of tea, saying, "Is fear of any use?"
She didn't speak.
You are right. What can you do if you are afraid? You can't just hide like a turtle and stay at home every day.
"So don't overthink it. Look, I lived a peaceful life until I got married, didn't I?" Xie Yuting said proudly. "I'm a blessed man, but there's only one bad thing..."
Jiang Yueying subconsciously asked back: "What's wrong with it?"
"The wife I married is too heartless. She won't even give me water."
“…”
Jiang Yueying turned a deaf ear, snatched the empty cup and was about to stand up.
Xie Yuting grabbed her sleeve, frowning, and whispered, "Don't go, I feel a little dizzy..."
After he finished speaking, he really leaned on her body in a sickly manner, and his breathing became heavy.
Feeling uncomfortable again?
Jiang Yueying was really worried, so she threw the cup aside and put her right hand on his forehead to test whether he had a fever.
I touched it for a long time and it was cold.
Suddenly, five slender fingers grabbed her delicate wrist and pulled her hand off.
Jiang Yueying was unable to react in time, and her vision suddenly darkened. Something warm touched her forehead, and the fresh fragrance of ginkgo trees filled her face, making her tremble all over.
She stared blankly at the handsome face that was magnified in front of her, and immediately held her breath.
Xie Yuting actually put his forehead against hers!
There was almost no distance between the two of them, their foreheads pressed against each other, their noses touching, their disordered breathing blending together, and the warm breath of the Gu man was only a few feet away.
It was too close, she wanted to turn her head away, but her head was held down and she had no way to avoid it.
In an instant, Jiang Yueying's face turned red, as rosy as a rosy cloud, and smoke was coming out of her head.
She was so embarrassed and angry: "Xie Yuting, you took the wrong medicine!"
"Don't you want to test whether I have a fever? Use your forehead to compare with your palm to tell for sure." Xie Yuting raised the corners of his lips, still insisting on it.
"You don't have a fever at all..." Jiang Yueying gritted her teeth, "Let me go quickly."
The man's fingertips were slightly cool, and they gently stroked the girl's white earlobe. His fingertips were like feathers, bringing a subtle tremor, and a tingling numbness like an electric shock spread throughout her body.
Jiang Yueying was frozen and dared not move, leaving clusters of red blushes wherever he touched her.
Xie Yuting smiled softly, put his ear close to hers, and said in a charming and seductive voice: "You are the one with a fever."
"Little princess, you're so hot."
The fire burned fiercely. Jiang Yueying's cheeks turned red and her eyelids burned with shame. She used all her strength to push Xie Yuting away, lifted up her skirt, and ran away in shame and anger.
The Crown Prince, who was pushed down on the couch, was not annoyed at all and sat up slowly.
Just then, Yu Lang pushed the door open and walked in, holding a bowl of medicine in his hand.
After entering the room, he walked close to the doorman, quickly rushed to the bedside, and handed the medicine to Xie Yuting with both hands.
The young man's cold eyes revealed a hint of anxiety, and his tone was unusually lively with complaints: "Your Highness, we agreed to put on a show, why did you really take the poison?"
Xie Yuting said with a guilty conscience, "Although Imperial Physician Zhang is one of our men, the Emperor's mind is unpredictable. If we send someone else to treat him, wouldn't all our efforts be wasted if something went wrong? Since we're putting on a show, we have to make it 90% authentic."
"Your Highness doesn't cherish his own body..." Yu Lang understood the reason, but still couldn't help feeling distressed.
Xie Yuting drank the medicine and raised the corner of his lip. "It's just a little medicine. My goal has been achieved. The third brother has always been suspicious. If I can create a rift between him and the second brother, we can just sit back and watch the fight."
Yu Lang curled her lips, put on a stern face, and handed him a bunch of sweet and sour grapes to ease the bitterness of the medicine.
"By the way, the Crown Princess's face turned red with anger just now. Were you guys arguing?"
Xie Yuting smiled and said, "Children should not ask about adult matters."
"snort."
…
After a period of recuperation, Xie Yuting recovered and became full of energy again.
Taking advantage of the Crown Prince's illness, Imperial Tutor Bai came to the Eastern Palace every day to give lectures. Xie Yuting was annoyed and fell asleep during the class. Jiang Yueying, on the other hand, was delighted and listened attentively, eager to learn more.
In addition, Jiang Yueying's calligraphy has also improved greatly, thanks to her hard practice in private. Although her handwriting is not exquisite, it is barely neat and beautiful, and it looks quite authentic at first glance.
In the blink of an eye, it was deep winter. Jiang Yueying sat on the soft couch in the warm room, with incense burners lit everywhere, filling her body with warmth. She looked out the window at the cold wind that bent the branches of the trees.
Sunlight shines into the warm room.
She opened her hands, revealing smooth, slender fingers with no trace of frostbite, and as smooth as tofu.
There was still half a packet of medicine Xie Yuting had given her, and her frostbite had already healed.
With such efficacy, Jiang Yueying even felt that this medicine was a bit of a waste for her.
Qing Ge pushed the door open and saw the Crown Princess sitting upright, staring blankly at her fingers.
Hearing the noise, Jiang Yueying turned her head and asked, "Have you asked?"
Qing Ge came up to her, placed the tray of tangerines on the table, and said calmly, "I've asked around, and it's true that there's this custom in Northern Liang. Every winter, the women go to the mountain temple to pray for blessings. Generally, they go once on the first, fifteenth, and last day of the month."
"Most of the women of the imperial family would choose Mingquan Temple."
Jiang Yueying frowned, vaguely remembering that Mingquan Temple was in the suburbs of Beijing, and she was afraid that the journey would be difficult.
"Okay, go pack your clothes and we'll leave tomorrow."
Qing Ge asked: "Should we ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince if he is willing to go with us?" Although it was the women who were praying, there was no rule that men could not go.
Jiang Yueying thought for a moment and shook her head slightly.
That guy is in good health, but he looks so weak and fake. If he goes to the mountain and makes a fuss, he might fall apart. It’s better to let him stay in the East Palace.
She can take this opportunity to go out and get some peace and quiet, which is a good thing.
Qingge was about to go out when he was suddenly stopped.
"Qingge, please stay."
"Does the Crown Princess have any further instructions?"
Jiang Yueying stood up, took out the remaining half packet of medicine from her bosom, handed it to her, and explained carefully: "This is what Xie Yuting gave me. Try it, maybe it can heal your injuries."
She had noticed that Qingge had a number of whip marks on his body. They looked quite old, likely from when he was a child. Not wanting to touch on his past, she said nothing more. After inserting the pills, she sat back on the couch.
Qing Ge was stunned, a slight change in his icy expression. His voice was cool and clear: "Crown Princess, this is an old injury. I'm afraid it won't be easy to heal."
"I know, that's why I let you try it. What if it works?" Jiang Yueying's round eyes sparkled as she spoke softly, "Although Xie Yuting isn't very good, the things he gave me are indeed treasures. Don't waste them."
"Thank you, Princess." Qing Ge seemed a little embarrassed.
Jiang Yueying smiled with her eyes curved: "I am just offering flowers to Buddha. If you want to thank someone, then thank His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
"Yes, I will go out and prepare the luggage."
"Go quickly."
Qingge pursed his lips, silently clenched the medicine bag, and walked out the door.
Light snow fell from the sky, and the distance was covered with white.
At the main gate of the East Palace, the carriage had been harnessed. The ground was covered with light snow, and the snow was particularly soft to step on.
Jiang Yueying was wearing a moon-white corseted silk skirt with a snow-white fox fur coat on the outside. She was holding a hot water bottle in her hand and standing facing the wind. Her neck was slender and smooth, and her figure was delicate and graceful.
A bit of snow fluttered on her eyelashes, and she blinked gently, shaking off the snowflakes.
She raised her cheeks and found that the weather was getting colder.
Someone patted her shoulder from behind, and she knew who it was without having to guess.
She turned her head slightly and met Xie Yuting's bright and sparkling peach blossom eyes, feeling a little helpless.
How could someone be so happy and carefree every day without any worries?
Jiang Yueying thought he was stupid, but couldn't help but envy his stupidity.
"Little princess, we are about to part, and you won't even say goodbye to me?" Xie Yuting said shamelessly.
"At most I'll be gone for two days. It's not like I won't be back forever."
"I can't bear to leave you. What if you suddenly decide to become a nun in a temple?"
"Then you will accompany me to become a monk."
Xie Yuting smiled and said, "Even after becoming a nun, she still remembered to take me with her. The little princess really cares about me."
"...You're dreaming." Jiang Yueying took a deep breath, "Don't cause any trouble in the next two days, or I'll come back and deal with you."
Xie Yuting said lazily: "Yes, yes, I respectfully send the Crown Princess off."
Jiang Yueying got on the carriage and found it was as warm as spring inside. The carriage was covered with thick tribute carpets, a small incense burner was lit in the corner, and smoke was curling out of a gilded incense burner. The curtains were tightly covered with several layers, and not a single cold wind could get in.
There was a silver bell hanging on the top of the carriage, and the tassels were shining brightly, which was made of gold.
The small table was filled with fruits and vegetables, the celadon fruit plate was exquisite, and even the teapot was a luxurious item inlaid with gems.
Such a luxurious carriage has a scent of Xie Yuting.
Qingge and Pu Ling got on the car and sat on both sides.
"Everything is prepared quite comprehensively," said Jiang Yueying.
"This carriage is specially used by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for travel. I heard that His Royal Highness specially replaced it with this one for the Crown Princess." Qing Ge said truthfully.
It really is Xie Yuting’s carriage.
"Didn't you ask him why?"
Qing Ge recalled: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that his carriage was magnificent and he wanted to show it off to the Crown Princess."
“…”
Jiang Yueying thought silently, is he really just trying to show off?
She always felt that Xie Yuting cared about her intentionally or unintentionally... Was she being too self-indulgent?
Maybe it's an illusion.
She hugged the hot water bottle tightly in her arms, leaned on the furry cushion, and slowly closed her eyes to rest.
The carriage swayed and sank into a warm dream.
A trail of horse hoof prints was left on the snow, and the carriage headed towards Mingquan Temple in the falling rain and snow.
The carriage stopped and Jiang Yueying just woke up.
I lifted the curtain and looked up, and happened to run into a group of familiar faces.
Jiang Yueying's face instantly fell.
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