"Is there even a need to think about it, Father? My martial arts skills are not strong at all. Compared to the Crown Prince, I am nothing. I think I should withdraw from this election."
Li Yu spoke frankly,
The implication is that it would be better to give military power directly to the crown prince.
But Li Shengyuan clearly didn't think that way; his face darkened when he heard him say that.
"You spineless coward! You've already given up before you've even started. If your martial arts skills aren't good enough, can't you practice? I've been so kind to you all this time! And yet you say such unambitious things."
Upon hearing this, Li Yu scratched his head in displeasure.
"I'd like to too, but how can I catch up if I only practice for a short while?"
Li Changyu remained silent, knowing that Li Shengyuan had always been biased.
He could have directly handed over military power to Li Xuanche, but perhaps he deliberately took this roundabout approach because Li Xuanche was ill recently, or because he didn't want to give others cause for gossip.
"I wonder which aspects Father Emperor intends to assess us from?"
"What? Your Highness, do you really want this military power?"
"Your Majesty, I just want to do my best and not disappoint you."
"Alright." Li Shengyuan could find no fault with the answer he gave. "I have considered it carefully. You can just continue as usual."
"If there's nothing else, you may leave."
After Li Changyu and Li Yu left,
Li Shengyuan strode outside, came to the kneeling Empress Ru, lifted her face, examined her for a moment, and then helped her up with both hands.
"My beloved concubine, please get up. Seeing you like this breaks my heart."
"Your Majesty, if you do not grant my request, I will kneel here and not rise again," Consort Ru said with tears in her eyes.
"You're so foolish. Your brother made a mistake, why punish yourself for it? Listen to me, get up, go back and wash your face. I'll come find you tonight."
Li Shengyuan comforted her by wiping away her tears, "Look at you, your face is all wet with tears. As for your brother, I won't make things difficult for him. As long as he behaves himself and hands over the tiger tally, I will spare his life."
"Go and think of a way to persuade him."
"Yes. Your Majesty understands." Empress Ru bowed and withdrew.
-
Jingren Palace.
When Mi Shan paid her respects, all the sisters had arrived, but the Empress did not come out.
Granny Shen came out with an apologetic expression to explain:
"I am so sorry, Your Highnesses, the Empress did not sleep or rest all night to take care of the First Prince, but his condition has not improved at all. She was only able to rest for a while at dawn and is now suffering from a terrible headache. She really cannot find the time to see you."
"Please, all of you ladies, return to your respective palaces."
In fact, when Mi Shan came, she had already guessed that the Empress had been doing this frequently these past few days.
When we do manage to meet, he always looks worried and exhausted.
"Has the Crown Prince's condition not improved yet?"
"What exactly is the illness? Does the Imperial Hospital have no solution at all?"
"Alas," sighed Granny Shen, "The eldest prince is covered in rashes and boils, and his consciousness is still blurred. He is rarely lucid throughout the day."
Before she could finish speaking, a eunuch rushed out and called out.
"The Crown Prince has woken up! Granny, quickly, go and fetch the Empress!"
"It's rare for the Crown Prince to wake up, let the Empress speak with him!"
Granny Shen hurriedly turned around and went inside. A moment later, she heard the Empress's voice coming from the inner hall, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps as she entered a side room.
Mi Shan and the other concubines turned to leave.
Suddenly, Granny Shen hurriedly chased after her again.
"Your Highness, Consort Mi Hui, please wait!"
"Wait! The Empress has ordered you to come in and be seen!"
Did the Empress specifically invite Mi Shan in?
Everyone turned their gaze toward her.
At this critical juncture, it doesn't seem like a good thing. Mi Shan felt a slight chill, and Xia Ranxue quietly took her hand.
"Are you alright? Could it be related to the First Prince?"
"Perhaps, it's alright, you guys go back first." Mi Shan gave Xia Ranxue a reassuring look.
She turned around and followed Granny Shen inside.
The aroma of medicine filled the dimly lit room.
The Empress sat by the bed, holding the eldest prince's hand tightly. He was covered in ointments, looking both comical and pitiful. He was in unbearable pain and itching but couldn't scratch, and was practically driven mad by the torment.
"Mi Shan, I want to see Mi Shan!"
He mumbled something under his breath.
Lying in bed in a daze for the past few days, Li Xuanche gradually realized that the reason he had become so unlucky was because he had offended Mi Shan.
That woman must be connected to that woman.
"Alright, child, Mi Shan is here! Quickly, Consort Mi Hui, what are you standing there for? Come here to me!"
The Empress turned around, her fierce gaze fixed on her, her tone so hateful it was as if she wanted to transform into a monstrous demon with a blue face and fangs, and tear her to pieces.
Mi Shan took a deep breath, not wanting to get into a fight with her, and silently walked inside to the bedside.
"Greetings, Empress. Greetings, Crown Prince."
"Mother, you, leave. Have everyone leave. I want to speak with her alone."
After Li Xuanche finished speaking, the Empress hesitated for a moment, her gaze towards Mi Shan filled with suspicion.
"Don't worry, I won't do anything to the eldest prince. If you don't trust the empress, then I'll leave now," Mi Shan said coldly.
She was still unwilling to be alone in a room with Lee Hyunche.
The Empress's face darkened, and she coldly snorted through her nostrils before leading her entourage past her and leaving: "I doubt you'd dare do anything. If anything happens to my son, you won't leave this room alive."
After the person left, the room returned to a deathly silence.
"Hey, come closer."
The eldest prince raised his arm and beckoned to her.
Mi Shan frowned and took two steps forward.
Unexpectedly, the next moment, Li Xuanche rolled off the bed, grabbed her arms, and pulled her onto the bed.
Hold her down firmly.
Gritting his teeth.
"Mi Shan, it's all your doing! Tell me, what did you do to me? What poison did you give me that caused me so much pain!"
"The antidote! Hand over the antidote now!"
Mi Shan's shoulders ached from the pressure, and his brows furrowed deeply. Seeing his once handsome and arrogant face now covered in sores, plastered with ointments, disheveled and tortured beyond recognition, he couldn't help but want to laugh.
"hehe."
"It seems the Crown Prince isn't completely hopeless. You've finally figured it out?"
"It's not my fault. It was the First Prince who had evil thoughts and tried to do something unethical to me. That's why I got this just desserts."
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