Chapter 18 Palace Incident
Xuexin's condition worsened, and her two sisters were heartbroken.
Now the second sister has left the city and is missing, Lu Xuan has been imprisoned in a dungeon and never sees the light of day. Of the five princesses, only Lu Rongshi and Xue Xi are left.
On this day, Xue Xi came personally to deliver food to Lu Xuan. After all, she was her younger sister, and as an older sister she should show some concern for her.
The cell was bright and clean, with warm yellow lights and even a row of bookshelves. Xue Xi put the lunch tray on the table. Lu Xuan was dressed neatly and didn't look like she was in prison at all.
Xue Xi said, "Lu Xuan, this place was arranged by Rong Shi for you, right?"
Without even looking up, Lu Xuan picked up the bowl and chopsticks and said, "So what if it is? So what if it isn't?"
Xue Xi sighed and said with emotion, "Ah~ I still remember when we were little, you loved to stick to Rong Shi the most. Back then, the five of us sisters were so happy together. I never thought it would get to this point today."
Lu Xuan sneered, "People change, don't you understand this, Big Sister?"
Xue Xi closed her eyes and said, "Of course I don't understand. I just feel sad that things and people have changed."
Lu Xuan was impatient. She put down her bowl and chopsticks, stared at Xue Xi and said, "You didn't come here just to reminisce about the past, did you?"
Xue Xi looked back at Lu Xuan and noticed something was missing in her eyes. Without giving it much thought, she simply said, "Rong Shi has taken my military power."
Lu Xuan was silent, waiting for what was to come.
Sure enough, Xue Xi raised her head, her eyes showing a rare determination. She said, "I need your help. For the future of Daqi, I don't believe that someone who flees when faced with difficulties is fit to be the ruler of a country."
Lu Xuan understood that she had seen through her elder sister since she was a child. Her elder sister was never the type to accept things passively. She had a strong character. Even if she temporarily admitted defeat, she would still accumulate strength behind the scenes in order to turn things around.
Lu Xuan stared at her. Xue Xi saw that Lu Xuan's eyes gradually became warmer, and then she suddenly realized that what was missing in her eyes was hope.
Lu Xuan said softly, "Let me think about it."
On the second day, Xue Xin's condition still did not improve. When Lu Rongshi had time, he went to visit Xue Xin.
Xue Xin was seriously ill and had to stay in bed. Lu Rongshi came to her bedside, put down some nourishing herbs, and whispered, "Xue Xin, are you feeling better?"
Xue Xin's face was rosy, but it was a sickly red. She lifted her heavy eyelids and called out, "Sister Rong Shi."
Lu Rongshi was extremely distressed. He stroked her soft hair and repeated softly, "People are not as good as they used to be. How could they bear to hurt someone as kind as you?"
Xue Xin coughed a few times and said in a breath, "Sister Rong Shi, cough cough cough, I have to tell you something, cough cough, my eldest sister has a special relationship with Sister Lu Xuan."
Lu Rongshi's heart moved. Even though his body was already in such a state, he still didn't forget to help him. The pitiful Xue Xin had to suffer such a great punishment.
Lu Rongshi came out of the room, and the doctor came to deliver medicine to Xue Xin. Lu Rongshi took a look and saw that there were some cold herbs in it, which made him puzzled.
Then he asked, "Are these herbs for the Fifth Prince?"
The doctor said respectfully, "That's right."
Lu Rongshi had a bad feeling and continued to ask, "Then do you know that the proportion of cold herbs in these herbs exceeds the standard?"
The doctor remained silent. Lu Rongshi shouted, "Answer me!"
The doctor hesitated and said, "I don't know. This medicine was prescribed by His Majesty the Fourth Prince, who said it was a tonic. His Majesty is knowledgeable and experienced, so I dare not refute it."
Lu Rongshi knocked the medicine over with a palm. Fortunately, he had learned some knowledge about medicinal materials in China, otherwise, Xue Xin would be in danger. She gritted her teeth and said, "Lu Xuan!"
Another day, Xue Xi came to see Lu Xuan again. Xue Xi said straight to the point: "The medicine was discovered by Rong Shi. You are in a very dangerous situation."
Lu Xuan chuckled and said, "I'm already in the dungeon. Where can I go? Rong Shi, she won't dare to kill me."
Xue Xi nodded noncommittally and said, "That being said, although Rong Shi is tough, he doesn't dare to do anything too extreme. But that doesn't mean he won't do it."
Lu Xuan's face darkened and she asked, "The one next to Lu Rongshi?"
Xue Xi said, "That's right."
Lu Xuan: ""
Xue Xi stood up and said, "You'll have to take care of yourself." She was about to go out.
Lu Xuan suddenly said, "I still have a trump card!"
Xue Xi was startled, turned around and asked, "What?"
Lu Xuan said, "Eighty percent of the people in the court are my people. They can launch an impeachment and prevent Lu Rongshi from succeeding to the throne."
Xue Xi never expected that the betrayal in the court was actually arranged by Lu Xuan. She was secretly scared, but also a little happy.
Then he said, "Then I will wait for your news. Since we can't get my little sister, we want the entire court to submit to us."
After Xue Xi left, Lu Xuan's face darkened. She thought to herself, "Oh, she's pretending to be so thoughtful, thinking only of me, like a kindhearted person. Now, she's trying to murder me for power. My freedom has been restricted because of this, so why can she do whatever she wants? This isn't fair!"
As soon as Xue Xi left, Lu Rongshi and Di Qing arrived. Lu Xuan had already prepared a message. Before Lu Rongshi could open her mouth, she said with a tearful look on her face, "Sister Rongshi, I feel so uncomfortable here. I want to go out for a walk."
Lu Rongshi was impatient and before she could finish, he said sternly, "Do you know what's going on with the medicine I gave you?"
Lu Xuan pretended to think for a moment before saying, "A few days ago, my eldest sister came to me and told me she had a tonic prescription and wanted to discuss whether I should give it to my younger sister. I've looked at the medicine and it's indeed a tonic, but what's wrong with it?"
In just a few words, he pushed the responsibility ambiguously onto Xue Xi. Lu Rongshi sneered, "Whether it was you, or my eldest sister, or you two conspired together, I don't intend to let this matter go!
That pharmacy has excessive amounts of cold-natured medicine. While it's certainly a great tonic for normal people, it could be life-threatening for someone with a cold!"
Lu Xuan pretended to be pitiful and said, "Sister Rongshi is very perceptive. Ever since you locked me up here, Xuan'er has sincerely repented and is unable to do such things. Xuan'er really doesn't know about this."
Lu Rongshi felt a headache. He knew his sister best. If her acting skills were good, no one would be able to tell whether what she said was true or false.
I had no choice but to call Xue Xi over for a confrontation.
After they left, Lu Xuan wiped away her tears and said through gritted teeth, "If I hadn't avenged my mother's murder, how could I have stayed by your side for so many years? How could I have been so humble and servile to you and act like a spoiled child? Lu Rongshi, I will never reconcile with you in this life!"
At night, the moon was above the willows, and the cool breeze of the summer night blew on his cheeks. A cool feeling spread to his limbs and bones. Lu Rongshi shivered. He didn't know if it was because there was no warmth in the palace, or if it was because people's hearts were cold. In this late summer, Lu Rongshi actually felt a little cold.
Di Qing flew up to the rooftop, and when he found Lu Rong, he stopped and said, "I knew you were here. Coincidentally, Li An also likes to go up to the rooftop when he's in a bad mood."
There was no one around, so Lu Rongshi said respectfully, "Uncle Master."
Di Qing waved his hand, "Hey, didn't I tell you? Just call me Di Qing."
Then he continued to ask, "Is Rong Shi worried about something?"
Lu Rongshi closed his eyes and said, "The deceptions and deceptions in this palace have exhausted me. I think I am really not fit to be an emperor."
Emperor Qing understood, looked at the bright moon in the sky, and said: "Rong Shi, you must know that there are always some things in this world that are shameful, and these things need a bad person to do them."
Lu Rongshi turned to look at Di Qing, and saw the bright moonlight reflected on Di Qing's charming face, reflecting his words, "And I will be the bad guy."
The next day, Violet returned and the entire army had entered the city. Violet was exhausted and needed to recuperate for a while.
Lu Rongshi brought Xue Xi and Lu Xuan to the main hall, and summoned the ministers to the court. In front of everyone, Lu Rongshi questioned Xue Xi and Lu Xuan.
Last night, Di Qing went out after saying those words. Lu Rongshi understood Di Qing's sense of propriety and did not stop him.
Today we will see whether Di Qing’s efforts are useful.
"You two, now that the world is at peace and the four seas are stable, the issue of the throne should be put on the agenda." Lu Rongshi said in a solemn voice.
Lu Xuan sat in the first seat on the left, and Xue Xi sat in the first seat on the right. After hearing this, they just frowned and said nothing.
Lu Rongshi continued, "The late emperor's will has appointed me as the crown prince. This is universally recognized and approved by the late emperor. I am the first choice for the throne. I believe you all agree."
At this time, Xue Xi cleared his throat and said, "Ahem, I beg to differ. I think this matter should be dealt with separately. The Crown Prince has been away from home for many years and does not understand the national conditions. Now he wants to usurp the throne with outsiders. If this plan succeeds, the future of Daqi will be bleak!"
Lu Xuan just glanced at her, took a sip of tea, and thought: Oh, orthodoxy? Whoever can sit on the dragon throne is the orthodoxy, but she didn't say anything.
Di Qing frowned and grasped the hilt of the sword with his left hand, but was stopped by Lu Rongshi. Di Qing had no choice but to let go.
Xue Xi continued, "I have a plan. I will serve as regent, and the Crown Prince will postpone her ascension to the throne. Once she understands the state of the country, it won't be too late to ascend the throne."
Lu Xuan frowned at this time, staring at Xue Xi, still without saying a word.
After hearing this, Lu Rongshi just narrowed his eyes and did not answer.
Xue Xi added, "I ask all the ministers in this room to bear witness. If I have done anything inappropriate, I will be hacked into pieces, even if it means death!"
Soon, one of the ministers came out and said, "I second the motion!"
As more and more people said, "I second the motion!"
Lu Rongshi had a headache. She rubbed her temples and said, "Put this matter on hold for now. Let's talk about the next thing!"
Then, she regained her serious expression and asked, "Do you two know that my little sister's medicine has been replaced?"
Lu Xuan feigned innocence and looked at Xue Xi. Xue Xi was helpless and could not admit it, so she said with a stiff upper lip, "I only remember that the person who delivered the medicine was arranged by His Majesty the Fourth Prince. It is impossible for me to poison my own sister."
Lu Xuan said anxiously, "Nonsense! Sister Rong Shi knows that I can't do anything in prison! How could it be me? Maybe it was done by someone else."
Xue Xi walked down the stairs and replied, "Yes, it must have been done by an outsider! They saw that there was discord within our royal family and took the opportunity to add fuel to the fire."
Lu Rongshi rolled his eyes so much that they almost reached the ceiling. What a dog-eat-dog show.
At her wit's end, Lu Rongshi suddenly remembered that her second sister had given her a lucky bag, asking her to open it when she lost control of the situation. She took out the bag and opened it. On it were four large characters and a line of small characters: "Take it slow" and "Xin'er is seriously ill, please call a witch!"
Lu Rongshi suddenly understood and agreed to Xue Xi's conditions on the spot, becoming a puppet emperor himself.
As for Xue Xin’s illness, she actually forgot about Violet’s presence.
She left court early and went straight to the side hall where Violet lived. Due to the urgency of the situation, she forgot to knock on the door, but she ran into a sexy scene: Violet was entangled in bed with a palace maid.
The maid hurriedly saluted upon seeing the visitor, but Lu Rongshi ignored her. Suppressing his racing heartbeat, he saluted and said, "Miss Violet, the Fifth Prince is gravely ill. I beg for your assistance."
Violet was not in a hurry. She pulled a piece of clothing over and put it on. After comforting the palace maid, she went to Xue Xin's villa with Lu Rongshi.
The author has something to say:
Orthodoxy? Only power reigns supreme!
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