Many of Qi Wang's confidants actually knew more inside information. Even if the secret realm hadn't collapsed, the crown prince should have died inside. How did he manage to get out?
Although his face was covered in dust and his clothes were tattered, indicating that he had suffered many injuries, he was clearly not in any danger. In fact, he was even complaining that he was hungry and wanted to eat pastries from Sanhezhai in the capital.
Unlike the Qi King's faction, who were grieving as if their parents had died, the Crown Prince's faction was practically beaming with joy.
Bi Qi, the head of the Bi family, hurriedly went to his daughter: "Linglong, are you hurt...wait, your hair?"
If the Crown Prince lives, but the Crown Princess dies, then all the hard work the Bi family has put in over the years will have been for nothing.
Bi Linglong shook her head: "It's alright, I'll explain to Father later."
Before Bi Qi could ask again, Chu Youzhao squeezed through the crowd: "Where's my brother-in-law? Crown Princess, where's my brother-in-law?"
Seeing her anxious expression, Bi Linglong thought that their relationship was quite good, but for some reason, the words "brother-in-law" sounded strangely jarring.
Before she could even consider whether to answer, Chu Youzhao had already seen Zu An being carried out on a stretcher behind her.
"Brother-in-law!" Chu Youzhao ran over crying. The other person was lying motionless on the stretcher. Was he dead?
While pretending to faint, Zuan secretly sighed, thinking that his sisters-in-law seemed to be quite nice, and that they were crying so sadly.
He originally wanted to secretly tell her that he was alright, but considering that she was not a good actress and could not hide her true feelings, he could only apologize inwardly and give up the idea.
On the other side, Jiang Luofu and Xie Daoyun also came over, but they were much more reserved and did not cry and wail like her. They just waited quietly for a response.
At this moment, Zhu Xie Chixin came over and stopped everyone: "Now I am taking them back to the palace. The Emperor will personally summon them. Before that, no unauthorized personnel are allowed to approach."
Chu Youzhao was taken aback, then realized the subtext of his words, and immediately burst into laughter through her tears: "My brother-in-law isn't dead?"
Zhu Xie Chixin was unwilling to answer. He had duties to perform, and many things needed to be kept secret until the emperor gave him explicit instructions.
Bi Linglong stepped forward to explain, "Don't worry, he's not in any danger. He was just seriously injured while saving the Crown Prince and me."
Now the eyes of the entire capital are on this, and in front of so many people, Zu'an's behavior is being judged once again.
Having spent most of her time in the palace, she could lie without batting an eye, and no one around her realized anything was amiss.
Hearing her say that, Chu Youzhao finally felt relieved, but she immediately realized: "My brother-in-law is so badly injured, and instead of treating him, you want to take him to the palace for questioning. Do you have no humanity?"
Zhu Xie Chixin sneered: "This is an imperial decree personally issued by the Emperor. Do you have a problem with it?"
Chu Youzhao wanted to say something more, but Murong Qinghe quickly stopped her: "Brother Chu, you don't need to worry. The imperial physicians in the palace are even more skilled."
If the other party says something disrespectful without thinking, then things could get really messed up.
During this period, everyone in the capital knew that the emperor was in a bad mood. Several ministers made some minor mistakes that would normally be insignificant, but they angered the emperor so much that he imposed the most severe punishment.
If Brother Chu were to anger the emperor at this point, the outcome would obviously be dire.
Fortunately, her reasons were very convincing, and Chu Youzhao, considering the level of expertise of the people in the Imperial Hospital, did not insist any further.
Jiang Luofu, Xie Daoyun, and the others breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. In the current situation, it was not appropriate for them to go over and say anything.
At that moment, the roar of King Liang, Zhao Yi, came from the side: "Where is my son, Zhao Xi?"
"I didn't see Xian'er either." This was the voice of General Wei, Liu Yao.
"And my Meng Pan isn't here either," exclaimed Meng Yi, the Grand Secretary.
...
They watched as people emerged from the secret realm one after another, but they still couldn't find their loved ones, and they finally lost their composure.
Bi Linglong opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. Too much had happened inside to explain in a few words, and many things couldn't be revealed here.
Fortunately, Zhu Xie Chixin came out and stopped them, and then he and his confidants escorted the Crown Princess and her entourage back to the palace.
Upon arriving at the palace, Zu'an and Bi Linglong parted ways. After all, as the only conscious survivor—excluding that silly fat Zhao Ruizhi—the emperor would definitely ask her about the matter immediately.
Bi Linglong was initially a little uneasy, but when she passed by Zu An and heard his spiritual transmission, she gradually calmed down.
Not long after Bi Linglong left, someone came to check on the situation in Zu'an.
The man sat down beside him and gently placed his hand on his pulse; he was clearly a physician or someone of the highest rank.
"How is he?" asked one of the guards left behind by Zhu Xie Chixin.
The imperial physician ignored him and took a while before speaking: "His internal energy is in a complete mess, and his injuries are very serious. He needs long-term recuperation. Moreover, even if he recovers, such a severe injury will affect his cultivation level, and he will most likely never be able to return to his peak."
Zuan breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed he had successfully kept it a secret.
With his current cultivation level, simulating a serious injury within his body wouldn't be difficult. However, he was still somewhat worried because the medical skills of the Imperial Hospital staff were too high, and they might be able to detect anything amiss.
"That serious?" The guard was startled. You must know that in this world, cultivation level is a person's lifeline. Being unable to return to the peak also means that he will have no room for further advancement in the future.
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