Jiang Luo and Yan An sat in the carriage. "An Yi, is there anything going on at the morning court?"
Just as some had guessed, the morning court session was filled with unease and hidden dangers, with everyone harboring their own agendas.
"Your Highness, Yue Zhixiao also attended the morning court session this day. Upon hearing that His Majesty was unwell, Yue Zhixiao's faction wanted him to take power. The Prince was furious and punished several leading ministers on the spot for disrupting the court. The others were afraid of the Prince's reputation and dared not make any further moves. Yue Zhixiao had no choice but to temporarily take charge of the court as the Regent. He should be in the Imperial Study dealing with memorials now."
This time, it was thanks to Yue Xiyuan's reputation for ruthlessness and cruelty over the years that he was more like the King of Hell than the King of Hell. If it were that idle prince, he really wouldn't be able to control those cunning courtiers.
“An Yi, go and take my mother to Shou Kang Palace in a while. Let my mother look after my aunt. I’m afraid An Si won’t be able to stop the Empress Dowager. You don’t need to come with me.”
Yan An wanted to go find Yue Xiyuan first. Although her father and other ministers were there to help her at the morning court, she still wanted to see him and keep him company.
"Yes, Your Highness."
In the palace, Yan An made his way to the Imperial Study without any trouble, and saw Eunuch Wang waiting outside the door. "Eunuch Wang, is Yue Xiyuan inside?"
"Your Highness, the Regent is inside, reviewing memorials. Should I inform him?" If the eunuch's attitude towards Yan An was considered good before, it was even worse today.
"No need, I'll go in myself." Yan An pushed open the door and went in.
The imperial study was filled with the fragrance of ambergris, which was exquisite at first whiff and had a calming effect. "Truly worthy of being the incense used by the royal family!"
Yan An sniffed it carefully again, "Something's not right!" He immediately flew to Yue Xiyuan's side and fed him an antidote pill.
"What's wrong, An'an?" I knew Yan An had arrived from her conversation with Eunuch Wang. I was just thinking of teasing her when she was fed an antidote.
Yan An carefully examined the imperial study but found nothing unusual. Finally, his gaze fell on a dragon-patterned incense burner. He stepped forward and sniffed it closely, saying, "Found it!"
Yue Xiyuan was very annoyed; this was the second time someone had used incense to harm him...
Yan An extinguished the incense in the incense burner, pinched some and smelled it carefully. He frowned and said, "There's a bloody smell."
“This ambergris is my brother’s favorite fragrance. It is the incense that was presented as tribute on the occasion of the Empress Dowager’s birthday. The book once said that the blood of the person who planted the mother Gu of the God-Eating Gu could control people’s minds and make them lose their minds. Could it be that the poisoner infused his blood into this incense?”
"Hmm, very likely, but ordinary blood from that poisonous person probably wouldn't have such a potent effect, enough to poison the Emperor so quickly that he fell into a deep sleep within a day and a half. I think it's very likely the poisonous person's heart blood," Yan An boldly speculated, since heart blood is different from ordinary blood for that poisonous person.
Yan An took Yue Xiyuan's pulse and then felt relieved. "Fortunately, you inhaled very little. Taking the antidote pill should be fine."
"With An'an here, I'll be fine." Yue Xiyuan's lips curved slightly, his eyes filled with laughter.
Yan An fell for him without realizing it, thinking to herself, "He's so handsome, I love him to death!" "Hmph, you're such a smooth talker."
"I'm going to see the Emperor, would you like to come with me?" Yan An raised her small hand, and Yue Xiyuan took it. "An'an invited me, how could I not go!"
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened! The Empress Dowager has rushed to Chengqian Palace in a panic after learning that the Emperor is unwell and has not attended the morning court session."
Just as An Yi was about to escort Jiang Luo to Shou Kang Palace, they encountered the Empress Dowager and her entourage, along with An Si. Since his ascension to the throne, the Emperor had never missed the morning court session, determined to be a wise ruler. He was certain he wouldn't be able to attend today's session, and even An Si couldn't possibly stop the Empress Dowager. Seeing this, Jiang Luo immediately gave An Yi a meaningful look, and An Yi then hurried towards the Imperial Study without stopping.
"Oh no, let's go!" Yan An grabbed Yue Xiyuan's hand and ran towards Chengqian Palace.
"I have met the Regent and the Regent's Wife."
No need for formalities.
The Emperor remained lying motionless on the couch, while the Empress Dowager sat beside him, holding his hand tightly without saying a word, as if she had aged several years in an instant.
"Mother." "Aunt."
When the Empress Dowager heard Yan An calling her, she turned around and grasped Yan An's hand, as if grasping Yan An was grasping a lifeline.
"Aunt, don't worry. Although the Emperor's poison can't be cured for now, his life isn't in immediate danger. I've already sent the Dark Pavilion to find my master. He'll definitely have a solution. Don't forget, my master is Seventh Granny's. Or should we have Granny Rong help you go and rest? An'an will be the first to tell you if there's any news," Yan An comforted her softly.
"I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying here with Feng'er." At this moment, there was no longer any mention of an empress dowager or a ruler; there was only a mother longing for her child's well-being.
"If Auntie feels unwell, please let us know immediately." Yan An helped the Empress Dowager sit down on the edge of the couch.
The Empress Dowager remained silent, continuing to hold the Emperor's hand, never leaving his side.
"Mother, is it alright if you stay here with Aunt? Yue Xiyuan and I have some things to do." The matter of the jade pendant still needs to be resolved.
"Okay, you guys go ahead and get busy, I'll take care of this."
After leaving Chengqian Palace, the group went to the Imperial Study. "Eunuch Wang, go to Huayi Palace and ask Yuexi to come to the Imperial Study to see me."
"Yes, Your Highness."
After leaving Zianyuan yesterday, Yue Xiyuan learned that the jade pendant was one of the reasons for the Emperor's poisoning, so he went to the palace overnight to retrieve the jade pendant and put it in a sealed container.
"Xiyuan, did you discover something?" Yesterday, Yue Xiyuan rushed over and took the jade pendant; he had seen it too.
“Last night, An’an discovered that the jade pendant had been soaked in the God-Eating Grass, which has a drowsy effect. Today, when I was reviewing memorials, An’an happened to come in and found that the ambergris burning in the Imperial Study contained the heart blood of that poisoner. An’an and I guess that the ambergris and the jade pendant are the reason why my brother was poisoned.”
Yue Xiyuan really does keep public and private matters separate. He never uses the term "this king" when talking to Yan An, and he never uses "I" when talking to others. What a sweet display of affection.
“That girl Yuexi showed me the jade pendant beforehand. She told me that she wanted to give it to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor as a birthday gift. I also checked it carefully. It was made with herbs that help calm the nerves and promote sleep.” Su Jingzhan explained, afraid that Yue Xiyuan would blame Yuexi.
"Am I really as unreasonable as you think?" Yue Xiyuan said calmly, wondering when he had ever been that kind of person...
"Princess Xi has arrived."
Yan An had met Yue Xi at the Empress Dowager's birthday celebration. She had a pair of bright, clear eyes, sparkling like stars, with her eyes curved like crescent moons, as if her spirit was overflowing. With every smile and frown, her noble demeanor was naturally revealed, radiating a refined and elegant light.
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