The mastermind
The next day, the emperor learned that Xiao Lin was seriously ill, and specially dispatched an older doctor from the Imperial Hospital to treat Xiao Lin. He also sent his eunuch Sun to bring boxes of supplements and conveyed his hope that Xiao Lin would recover soon.
The imperial physician, leaving Solitary Moon Pavilion, headed straight for the imperial study, where he waited in trepidation. A moment later, the yellow-robed Emperor of the Southern Kingdom arrived. He was about forty years old, with sharp brows and eagle eyes. He possessed a commanding presence without anger, and a dignified imperial bearing. Crown Prince Xie Jingyuan bore a striking resemblance to him.
"Your Majesty." The diligent imperial physician immediately paid his respects. Seeing the emperor nod, he continued, "I have examined Xiao Lin's pulse, and strangely, I cannot tell what illness he has. However, his internal deficiency is not false. His pulse is disordered, and his internal energy is conflicting. Moreover, Xiao Lin's face is pale today, and there is swelling under his eyes..."
The imperial physician glanced up at the emperor's expression. Seeing that his face remained unchanged, he continued tremblingly, "...It looks like death. I'm afraid I'm powerless to save him."
For a moment, no one in the palace spoke. The emperor's thoughts were unfathomable, and the imperial physician wondered if his words had touched a nerve. After a long moment, so long that beads of sweat formed on the physician's forehead, the emperor finally spoke slowly, "My dear minister, you have worked hard. Life and death are determined by fate; there is no need to blame yourself. Now that things have come to this, let nature take its course. I imagine that Hu Guo would share the same sentiment."
The emperor wasn't in a bad mood; he could even be considered cheerful. But the imperial physician, upon hearing these soothing words, grew even more alarmed. Beads of sweat rolled down his face, and his throat seemed blocked by a stone, unable to utter a single word.
Human life was at stake. Although His Highness Xiao Lin was a hostage, he was still the son of a powerful nation. How could he be so easily dismissed? He was so worried about exposing the royal secrets that he even forgot to breathe.
The emperor twirled the long rosary beads in his hand. For a moment, the only sound in the hall was the rubbing of beads against his palm. He fixed his gaze on the round, bright yellow beads in his hand, and recalled the moment he first met Xiao Lin.
The South and the Hu peoples are constantly at odds, yet few are aware of the friendly relations they enjoyed decades ago. Perhaps the elderly still remember, but the pain of war between the two nations has long since numbed their hearts. People selectively forget the peaceful past, only remembering the bloody hatred that now lingers.
In the previous battle, the Hu Kingdom was defeated. He had watched with satisfaction as the Hu Kingdom presented Xiao Lin as a hostage, a prince of the utmost wisdom and courage, with the best potential to be crowned as the heir apparent. However, upon meeting Xiao Lin, the Southern Emperor caught a glimpse of the unyielding and resentful look in the eyes of the valiant and warlike King of Mobei. Looking at this face, he couldn't help but feel a surge of fear.
He was a king, how could he be afraid? But he still remembered the disasters recorded in the royal secret history, which were exactly the same as the scene before him...
So, he placed Xiao Lin in the cold palace, out of sight and out of mind, and let him linger on, knowing that he would not live long.
He was not surprised to receive the news that Xiao Lin was critically ill.
Because he was the one who poisoned her!
The backyard of Solitary Moon Pavilion had always been planted with blood-flowers. On the day Xiao Lin first arrived in the Southern Kingdom, he had noticed the jade pendant on Xiao Lin's body. He had not only seen it before, but was also familiar with it, having seen it among the dowry of the former empress who had shared his bed for many years.
So, he came up with this brilliant idea: to paint a picture with white mermaid tears and place it in Xiao Lin's study.
The three substances will become toxic if kept together for a long time. Without anyone noticing, Xiao Lin's body became weaker and weaker, and he was heading towards a desperate situation step by step.
"Forget it, it's alright, you can leave now."
The Southern Emperor's voice was a little tired. He rubbed his forehead and dismissed the imperial physician.
He thought that he might be cruel and ruthless, but only in this way could he get the best result.
Gu Yue Xuan, however, was peaceful, with everyone having a few days off. Xiao Lin had grown tired of taking the medicine, guzzling three bowls a day. He even cried, saying that even plain porridge tasted like herbs in his mouth.
The lady in the kitchen saw Xiao Lin frowning, waved her hand, and said that she would make some cold cakes for everyone to try today.
So when Su Manyan stepped into the cafeteria today, he saw a circle of people gathered around the table, happily eating the food in the middle of the table. It was very lively.
"Ayan, come here quickly." Yunque greeted enthusiastically.
"What's this?"
"The kitchen lady just made this delicious jelly cake." Thanks to Xiao Lin, the remaining jelly cakes were shared among the servants. While they weren't treated harshly on a daily basis, it was rare for them to get to enjoy such treats. The kitchen lady was from Shu, and her skill in making jelly cakes was unparalleled.
I happened to have some free time these days, so I made some to satisfy everyone's cravings.
Su Manyan looked at the square cakes on the table and was about to reach for them when she felt a dull pain in her lower abdomen. She was still menstruating, so it was best to avoid such cold foods.
She was about to withdraw her hand when Yan Zhao, standing beside her, looked over with a wary look in his eyes. Facing Su Manyan's hesitant expression, Yan Zhao curled his lips and smiled: "Does Ah Yan like lianggao?"
The two of them were not very close to each other, and Yan Zhao deliberately raised her voice, making it louder, attracting everyone in the room to look at her.
Su Manyan was at a loss for a moment, but Yan Zhao still did not let go: "These cold cakes are a reward from His Highness. How can I let His Highness down? What do you think, Ah Yan?"
"Of course, of course."
Su Manyan nodded in response, stuffed a few pieces into his mouth, and then left.
Looking at Su Manyan's hurriedly leaving figure, Yan Zhao was not in a good mood. He frowned and pondered this person's flaws, but it was very strange that he could not find any evidence that could defeat the enemy in one blow.
He was lost in thought when someone kicked his foot. Just as he was about to explode, he turned around and saw Yun Que glaring at him fiercely.
"What are you doing? Are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for Ah Yan? I've heard you used to be like this, too." A clear, female voice spoke quickly and urgently. Yun Que's round face flushed crimson, and she still chewed on some unfinished rice cake. Her words were slurred, but her anger was clear.
"How dare I? It's a misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding." Yan Zhao raised his hands in surrender, lying sheepishly. How could he have forgotten that Yun Que and A Yan were friends? He had just done this in front of this girl, so he wouldn't make her angry.
"You're just a smooth talker! Ah Yan has no grudge against you, why are you so unkind?"
"Aunt, stop kicking me. My calf was injured and bleeding two days ago. It hasn't healed yet and it hurts so much." The "Lord Yan Zhao" as everyone called him, actually became shameless and coaxed the little girl.
"Ah! Why didn't you tell me earlier? Let me take a look! Are you injured again? Didn't you just come back from recuperation? Let me take a look..."
The self-torture tactic was shameful, but it always worked. Yun Que was easy to coax, and even though she was angry, seeing him like this, she was worried about his injuries first. He had been injured at Fengya Slope and recuperated for so long, and she had been worried day and night.
Seeing Yun Que's frown, Yan Zhao regretted telling such a lie. He said, "It's nothing serious," but leaned weakly against Yun Que's small body. The two of them supported each other and left.
That evening, the emperor's gift of rare medicines and precious treasures arrived, boxes and crates packed with them, practically blocking the entrance to Solitary Moon Pavilion. Such a scene had never been seen in the cold palace before, and it was a bit unbelievable to watch.
Xiao Lin tried his best to pretend to be sick, and the servants only replied, "Your Highness is weak and almost unconscious, and often talks nonsense. I'm afraid you can't receive the order in person at the moment."
The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict understood it, put down a few loads of treasure chests, said some polite auspicious words, and left with his whisk.
No one had ever seen such a scene. There were boxes of rare treasures, and even with the lids on, the golden light shining from inside could not be concealed.
Yan Zhao ordered his servants to clean up the place, and the yard became noisy for a while.
Su Manyan was unable to join in the joy of the other servants because he was feeling unwell.
It was winter when she traveled through time. As a lowly eunuch, she hadn't had enough nutrition when she first arrived, her clothes were thin, and she had consumed a lot of ice water and cold rice. Naturally, the pain from her period was particularly severe.
I ate a few pieces of cold cakes during the day, and by the evening, my stomachache had intensified. In ancient times, there was no painkiller, so I had to endure it.
Su Manyan endured the discomfort and returned to Xiao Lin's main hall alone, and told him about the emperor's reward.
"Your Highness, the Emperor has sent many treasures, even faster than we expected. Has word of this spread throughout the capital? If the Hu Kingdom learns, will they be enraged and take action?" Su Manyan asked worriedly. The Emperor's actions clearly confirmed the rumors of Xiao Lin's impending death.
Xiao Lin sat back on the bed, closed the ancient book in his hand, and chuckled, "I think they're very happy. However, they might use this as an excuse to ask for some benefits from the Southern Kingdom."
During the few days he pretended to be ill, to prevent anyone from visiting him, he wore a plain white robe, and his long hair was half-tied up with a bluish-white ribbon. He had lost his usual sharp and cold demeanor, and instead had the cool and aloof temperament of a weak scholar.
Su Manyan couldn't help but take a few more glances. Even though she was "working while sick," she had to at least get some "eye-candy."
"It's not necessarily known to everyone in the capital. If the emperor was hoping for my death, he would have known about me earlier."
Xiao Lin spoke calmly, as if he had everything under control. There were so many people who wanted him dead, including some of the most powerful. How could the emperor escape suspicion? He was the first person to be suspected. How could Xiao Lin not have thought of this connection?
For example, when the imperial physician visited him this morning, he had put on a little makeup, and his face and lips were pale. Due to the suppression of the black lines, he only needed to use a little internal energy to make his pulse disordered, easily deceiving the imperial physician sent by the emperor.
"Don't worry, I'll spread the news of his recovery in a few days. Yan Zhao is a disciple of the Holy Medical Valley, and my mother is somewhat knowledgeable in sorcery. I think if I use these two to create some fuss, others will believe it."
Xiao Lin spoke of his plan in a clear and organized manner. He wanted to hear Su Manyan's opinion, but when he turned around, he saw her staring at him blankly with her mouth half open.
He couldn't help but laugh inwardly at the silly look on his face, as if he was easy to bully.
"Ayan?"
Xiao Lin raised his eyebrows, widened his eyes, and asked with an innocent look.
Su Manyan snapped back to his senses, met those radiant peach blossom eyes, and hurriedly replied, "Ah? Oh, oh... Ah Yan will follow your Highness's arrangements."
Xiao Lin chuckled and didn't ask any further questions.
His eyes fell on Su Manyan's hands. She was pressing her hands gently on her lower abdomen, rubbing it slightly. Looking closely, he could see that she was slightly hunched up, and her face was a little pale, obviously looking uncomfortable.
Xiao Lin frowned slightly and poured a cup of hot water: "A Yan, are you feeling unwell?"
Su Manyan was gritting her teeth to endure the pain, feeling her stomach churning. When she heard Xiao Lin's concerned words, she didn't expect him to be so attentive. She hurriedly said, "It's nothing. He must have had an upset stomach from what he ate during the day."
"Are you trying to stay cool again? Why didn't you tell me that you were not feeling well? I have nothing to do here, you can go back and rest." Xiao Lin said, ignoring Su Manyan's waving of her hand to refuse, and loudly called the servants to take her back to the house.
He stood up again and took out a cloak from the cabinet and put it on Su Manyan: "This cloak is too small. I have only worn it a few times. Now I give it to you. Wear it when the weather is cool. It is inconvenient for me to go out now, so I have to ask you to go back by yourself."
Su Manyan felt the man smoothing the cloak off her shoulders, undoing the wrinkles one by one, with a serious expression, although there was still a slight furrow between her brows.
But this wasn't out of impatience, it was out of worry.
Xiao Lin was a head taller than him, and the two stood very close. The cloak on his body was his, and above his head was his. Xiao Lin's aura lingered everywhere, giving Su Manyan the illusion of being surrounded.
Her heart warmed up, and she couldn't help but murmur: "Your Highness, you are really a soft-hearted person."
"Hmm? I didn't hear what you said."
Su Manyan spoke quietly. "Since ancient times, no one has ever said that Xiao Lin was soft-hearted." The Hu Kingdom's King of Mobei was a war god whose threats silenced children's nighttime cries. His face was cold and handsome, far from soft.
But Su Manyan knew this was a cold-faced but soft-hearted person. He had only done a small favor, and yet he treated him wholeheartedly. If the ruthless King of Mobei heard someone use these two words to describe him, he probably wouldn't be so calm.
Su Manyan shook her head. She didn't say anything. She had just said it casually. If the other party had really heard it, he would be furious.
She still stopped teasing him.
"Your Highness, you are too kind. Ah Yan thanks you for your concern. In that case, Ah Yan will take her leave." Su Manyan felt the warmth coming from her back, which gradually spread throughout her body, and her heart was also warm. Xiao Lin's words and actions made her feel soothed.
She nodded slightly to Xiao Lin, put on a cloak that carried his scent, and walked back home.
Return to the west wing, the room she called home.
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