Zheng Yutang's tone was extremely impatient, and she waved her hand at the two of them with disgust, "I'll spare your lives for now since you're still somewhat useful. From today onwards, move to the dilapidated temple in the south of the city and await my further orders. Without my orders, neither of you is allowed to step out of the temple!"
After saying that, Zheng Yutang threw a silver ingot on the ground in front of the two of them: "This is the last time I'm giving you silver. You can't even handle this simple matter. It's outrageous. Take the silver and go live in seclusion. If you mess this up again, you can expect to go to a mass grave."
Upon hearing the words "mass burial ground," the two men trembled uncontrollably. The woman hurriedly picked up the silver, and the two men exchanged a glance before practically tumbling and crawling away, disappearing from Zheng Yutang's sight.
Zheng Yutang watched the two men's disheveled figures, convinced of the impending loss, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes. She walked to the window, gazing in the direction of the Minister's residence, and murmured to herself.
"Zheng Heyi, do you think you can rest easy now that you've become a princess? I'll show you that what belongs to me can't be taken away by anyone! And you are destined to be trampled under my feet."
[It really is Zheng Yutang! What a hypocrite! She's truly the strongest opponent for the villainous female supporting character.]
My heart aches for that poor couple! But they deserved it too, for doing something so heartless.
【Zheng Yutang is so vicious!】
[The villainous female supporting character, come here quickly to investigate! The mastermind behind everything is Zheng Yutang!]
Zheng Yutang left the mansion and got into a carriage that was already parked some distance away. The carriage sped towards the Minister's Mansion, and Ping An's figure disappeared from the rooftop like a ghost.
In fact, he had overheard the entire conversation inside the house. Now, he silently disappeared into the night and sped towards the Princess's residence.
That night, some were happy while others were sad. Zheng Yu tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Although Minister Zheng had reminded him to go to sleep, Zheng Yu was still extremely anxious.
Inside the main room, the candlelight flickered, its crimson glow creating a stark contrast with Minister Zheng's pale, paper-like face on the couch.
It was past midnight. Minister Zheng's eyes were tightly closed, and his breathing was so weak that it seemed like a thread that might disappear at any moment. The slight rise and fall of his chest was proof that the person lying on the bed, barely clinging to life, was still alive.
Zheng Yu sat nervously beside him, occasionally wiping the sweat from Minister Zheng's forehead with a handkerchief. The water in the copper basin had been changed countless times—"Father..."
Noticing that Minister Zheng's fingers seemed to twitch, Zheng Yu hurriedly called out in a low voice. Since Minister Zheng had fallen into a coma, Zheng Yu had been serving him almost every step of the way, fearing that some unauthorized person might sneak in if he wasn't careful.
Because of his tireless work day and night, Zheng Yu had obvious dark circles under his eyes and his lips were severely chapped, but he still managed to stay strong and stayed by his father's side.
Although he was said to be a stepson, the relationship between Zheng Yu and Minister Zheng had long been as deep as that between father and son. The doctor said that Minister Zheng's pulse was weak and scattered, which was extremely dangerous.
Zheng Yu also knew that this pulse, as weak as a candle in the wind, could break at any moment... In fact, his father had fallen ill from overwork, and the impeachment he had been accused of and some things that happened in the inner quarters had made him despondent.
Look at Zheng Yu's dark circles! I really feel sorry for him!
[The Minister's condition is not good; hearing his pulse makes my heart clench.]
[The villainous female supporting character is still waiting for news; please, nothing bad should happen to her.]
At the second watch of the night, the steward, Uncle Gong, cautiously entered. Suddenly, a polite knock came from outside, three short knocks followed by one long one. The steward outside held his breath and whispered a few words to the visitor. Then, Uncle Gong's expression changed, and he quickly turned and went back into the house.
After Gong Shu entered, he whispered in Zheng Yu's ear, "Young Master, someone from the Eastern Palace has arrived. His Highness has come in person." Zheng Yu's hand paused subconsciously. He looked up at the quiet night outside the window. "His Highness the Crown Prince? What brings him here at this hour?"
"His Highness said he has urgent business to discuss with the Master and does not wish to disturb others." Gong Shu lowered his voice mysteriously, clearly indicating that this was not the first time Gong Shu had conveyed a similar message.
Although he seemed quite at ease, his tone was full of trepidation. Zheng Yu remained silent for a moment before looking at Gong Shu: "Please wait in the study, Your Highness. I'll be right back." He straightened his robes and glanced back at his father, who still hadn't opened his eyes.
Only then did he step out of the main room. The chill of the late night seeped in through his sleeves, and Zheng Yu stood under the eaves, unable to stop himself from shivering.
The Crown Prince's secret visit late at night was no ordinary event, and Zheng Yu understood that he had to be careful and cautious to avoid any mishaps.
Inside the study, candlelight shone brightly. Crown Prince Li Heng, dressed in a light brown casual robe and a black cloak, stood with his hands behind his back by the window, as if looking at the chrysanthemums in the courtyard. Li Heng's brows were furrowed, and his face was filled with a listless expression of anxiety and pain.
Seeing Zheng Yu approach, Li Heng turned around, "Zheng Qing, you've finally arrived! Your father, he..."
Zheng Yu bowed respectfully, his gaze falling on the Crown Prince's clenched fist: "Your Highness is too kind to worry about me. My father is still unconscious. I just don't know why Your Highness has come to the Minister's residence in the dead of night?" Li Heng glanced at him before letting out a soft sigh.
He walked to the desk, quickly and decisively took out a small brocade box from his sleeve, and pushed it in front of Zheng Yu. "A little ginseng and deer antler, just to express my feelings. If it can cure your father, I will be happy too."
Zheng Yu remained noncommittal, neither daring to accept nor immediately refuse. Crown Prince Li Heng carefully placed the items on the table. Zheng Yu glanced at the deer antler and ginseng in the box, knowing they were priceless treasures.
The Crown Prince shifted his gaze, "Minister Zheng, to be honest, today someone from the Censorate submitted another memorial impeaching your father. This time, even I was not spared. They actually said that I... that I formed a clique for personal gain, had close ties with the Ministry of Personnel, and wanted to overthrow power, with treacherous intentions!"
Crown Prince Heng became increasingly indignant as he spoke, his voice trembling violently with emotion.
“Those memorials submitted to the Qiankun Hall were truly scathing, every word of them was like a knife to the heart. Although Father has not expressed his opinion, the way he looks at me is different from before!”
[The Crown Prince really is indecisive! He's already panicking?]
"Forming cliques for personal gain"? That's a pretty serious accusation!
[Zheng Yu, think of something quickly! Don't let the Crown Prince panic.]
Zheng Yu sat down, slowly reached out, and slowly opened the brocade box, looking at the brightly colored and plump medicinal herbs inside, but he did not say anything.
"Your Highness, please calm down. Censors are skilled at impeachment, and His Majesty, with his keen ears and discerning eyes, will not listen to or believe every rumor. Why should you take it to heart?"
"How could I not take it to heart!" Li Heng slammed his hand on the desk.
"There are undercurrents in the court now, and the Third Prince's faction is eyeing me covetously, just waiting to catch me in the act! If Father Emperor..." Crown Prince Heng didn't finish his sentence, but the fear in his eyes was obvious.
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