Chu Tan'er stopped in her tracks, her confusion dispelling the anger in her mind.
She turned around and said, "What do you mean... um."
The emperor's face was already right in front of her.
His eyes were filled with nothing but coldness and ruthlessness.
She was unable to comprehend the meaning behind the emperor's expression, as the pain in her abdomen temporarily impaired her ability to think.
"you……"
Chu Tan'er had just uttered a single word when she suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Blood dripped from her chin, landing directly on the back of the emperor's hand holding the dagger.
The warm blood made the emperor draw his dagger, and the spurting blood once again sprayed onto the emperor's black robe.
Chu Tan'er winced in pain and let out another muffled groan.
"You...you're insane..."
Her body became weak and she was about to slip uncontrollably.
But the emperor grabbed her shoulder tightly with one hand, allowing Chu Tan'er to stand and talk to him.
"I've gone mad. I should have gone mad sooner. I should have gone mad the moment you encouraged Lan Hui'er to send me yam and lotus seed soup. Do you think I didn't kill you then because I had no evidence?"
"Your Majesty...Brother...I am...your own sister..." Chu Tan'er's voice trembled uncontrollably. She struggled to grasp the emperor's hand holding the dagger, and fear finally showed in her eyes.
"Chu Tan'er, listen to me, I don't need evidence to kill you." With that, he raised his hand and stabbed again.
This time, he didn't stab her in the abdomen, but aimed for her heart.
Chu Tan'er opened her mouth wide, but no sound came out.
The emperor loosened his grip on her shoulder, and she collapsed like a lifeless puppet.
Her eyes were still open, blood was still dripping from her mouth, and her eyes seemed to hold a great deal of resentment.
"To prevent you from going mad and seeking revenge on my Imperial Noble Consort because of your son's death, I have no choice but to send you on your way."
"But you don't need to worry, there will definitely be plenty of people to accompany you along the way."
The emperor took a step back, coldly stared at her corpse, and then threw the dagger on the ground.
"The eldest princess was overcome with grief and indignation at the death of the young prince and committed suicide."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for everyone in the quiet prison to hear clearly.
The jailers lowered their heads, indicating that they understood the emperor's words.
The emperor glanced at the two corpses on the ground, then said to Liu Feng, "Clean them up."
"yes."
————
Jinghe Palace.
Physician Lü waited quietly with a man of similar age to him.
Gu Jiangli came from the side hall, but upon entering the room, she found that the emperor, who should have been lying on the bed, was nowhere to be found.
"Physician Lü, you're back. And who is this?"
Physician Lü explained, "This is Dr. Wu, whom I found outside the palace. In fact, we are from the same school. Dr. Wu is an expert in treating heart ailments. Many heart diseases that were difficult to treat outside the palace have been completely cured under his care."
Gu Jiangli was overjoyed. "Is that so? That's good. His Majesty's illness will have to be examined by Doctor Wu."
Doctor Wu, with an extraordinary air, said, "Treating patients is a doctor's duty. Before entering the palace, Imperial Physician Lü said that His Majesty's illness was quite serious. Logically, His Majesty should be resting in bed. Why is no one else here?"
Gu Jiangli glanced at the bed again.
She was also puzzled, but she didn't show it on her face. "Doctor Wu and Physician Lü, please rest for a while. I'll go and ask His Majesty where he is. Given His Majesty's personality, he probably just felt too stuffy in the room and went for a stroll in the Imperial Garden."
She bid farewell to the two men and asked Xiao Anzi from outside the door, "Where is His Majesty? Why isn't he here?"
Xiao Anzi stammered, looking like he wanted to say something but didn't dare to.
"Just speak frankly, neither His Majesty nor I will blame you."
Xiao Anzi seemed to have gone through a mental struggle before finally saying, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has gone to the Imperial Prison."
"The Heavenly Prison?" Gu Jiangli had never imagined that the emperor would go there. "What was he doing in the Heavenly Prison?"
Fang Xun is already dead, so what need is there for the emperor to go to the imperial prison?
Xiao Anzi shook his head, "This servant doesn't know either. Master just said that if we don't have to tell you, we shouldn't."
Xiao Anzi's master is Liu Feng.
Liu Feng was the emperor's closest confidant, so if he wanted to conceal something, it must mean that the emperor also intended to do so.
Gu Jiangli felt a pounding in her chest, inexplicably nervous.
"Your Majesty, please don't worry. His Majesty looked quite well when he left, and he had his tutor with him, so he should be fine. You are pregnant now, so please don't be too anxious."
Xiao Anzi anxiously tried to comfort him.
Gu Jiangli wanted to ask more, but when she looked up, she saw the emperor walking towards her.
He was dressed in casual black clothes and was not wearing a crown, indicating that he left in a hurry.
As the emperor approached, he naturally took her hand, saying, "Why are you standing at the door? It's windy outside, don't catch a cold."
After saying that, he pulled her into the house.
Gu Jiangli frowned.
Not for any other reason than its irresistible aroma.
She had been to the imperial prison, and the sour, stench there was indeed unforgettable. But at this moment, the emperor was not only covered by the musty smell of the prison, but also by the metallic stench of rust.
Her gaze shifted downwards, landing on the emperor's hand that was holding hers.
There were still faint red marks on the back of my hand.
Bloodstains are not so easy to wash off the skin. If they are not completely washed off, they will leave a faint red mark.
And the emperor's gaze just now...
That calmness and composure was completely different from usual.
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