“Father…” Yun Hao looked troubled.
Huang Gonggong glanced at Emperor Kangwen's expression, then waved his hand knowingly and led the other palace servants away.
Seeing this, Consort Qing was about to leave when Emperor Kangwen stopped her, saying, "My beloved consort, please stay."
Soon, only Emperor Kangwen and two others remained in the imperial study.
"Speak."
"Father, have your headaches gotten worse lately, or have you even felt nauseous and wanted to vomit?"
Emperor Kangwen looked at Yun Hao with an unchanged expression, "Did the imperial physician tell you?"
He has indeed been experiencing these symptoms frequently lately. The imperial physician said it was due to overwork and that he just needed more rest.
It's not surprising that Yun Hao knew.
"If you're here to inquire about my health, there's no need. I'm perfectly fine. You may leave." Emperor Kangwen was even more impatient.
He didn't have much of an impression of this second prince, only vaguely remembering that the empress had told him that the second prince had a missing little finger and had been sent out of the palace to gain experience.
Emperor Kangwen would not waste any effort on a crippled and useless prince.
She's suddenly coming to see him now, probably trying to curry favor with him by showing concern for his health.
Regardless of what Emperor Kangwen thought, Yun Hao continued unhurriedly, "Your Majesty, I have come today to tell you that these symptoms are not due to overwork, but because of poisoning! This poison comes from the elixir that my third brother gave you!"
Poisoning by the elixir of immortality?!
Emperor Kangwen was taken aback at first, then stared at Yun Hao without saying a word, his eyes filled with resentment.
Yun Hao was the second person to dare say that the Immortal Pill was poisonous in front of him.
The first one is the former head of the council; I reckon the grass on his grave is almost as tall as a person by now.
Emperor Kangwen spoke coldly, "Yun Hao, it's not too late for you to step down now. I'll pretend you were never here today. But if you insist, that's the crime of deceiving the emperor, and I will not let you off lightly!"
Yun Hao knelt on the ground, straightened his back, and looked directly at Emperor Kangwen, saying each word clearly:
“Father, my mother taught me to be filial since I was a child. Father is not only the ruler of Yunqi, but also my father. Knowing that you are poisoned, if I sit idly by and do nothing, wouldn’t I be an unfaithful and unfilial person?”
"Your Majesty's safety is tied to the well-being of all the people of Yunqi. Even if Your Majesty were to take my life today, I would never back down. Your Majesty, the elixir of immortality is poisonous!"
Enraged, Emperor Kangwen grabbed an inkstone from his desk and threw it at Yun Hao, shouting, "Utter nonsense!"
Yun Hao knelt motionless, letting the inkstone smash into his forehead. Blood mixed with ink stained half his face, making him look extremely gruesome.
Blood dripped down, but Yun Hao didn't wipe it away. He repeated, word by word, "Father, the Immortal Pill is poisonous. Please don't take it anymore."
Consort Qing looked anxiously at Yun Hao. Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. As the most favored concubine of Emperor Kangwen, she naturally knew Emperor Kangwen's temper. If he got angry, he might really kill the Second Prince.
But she dared not speak up now, otherwise she would only harm the Second Prince.
"Bring me a sword! I'm going to kill this bastard who's spouting nonsense!"
Emperor Kangwen had been taking the elixir of immortality for so long, he knew better than anyone how effective it was.
The former abbot had said that the elixir was poisonous, and Emperor Kangwen had stopped taking it due to doubt.
But as soon as he stopped taking the medicine, he became dizzy and nauseous, with runny nose and tears streaming down his face. Every part of his body ached, and he aged considerably overnight.
Later, Consort Xian, along with the Third Prince and a group of imperial physicians, knelt before him, swearing that the medicine was concocted by a highly accomplished Taoist master and had only benefits, with absolutely no harm. They claimed that the Imperial Physician was merely spreading falsehoods.
With so many imperial physicians vouching for him, Emperor Kangwen resumed taking the medicine and instantly felt young again. From then on, he could never give it up, and no one ever said that the elixir was poisonous again.
Yun Hao's words are merely a result of jealousy of the Third Prince's merit in offering medicine, and an attempt to slander Yun Shao.
Fratricide within the same household was a grave taboo for Emperor Kangwen, and naturally he could not tolerate Yun Hao's slander of the Third Prince.
"Where is my sword? Bring me my sword!" Emperor Kangwen gasped for breath as he searched for his sword.
Consort Qing hurriedly stepped forward and held his chest. "Your Majesty, the imperial physician said you should not get angry. Calm down. The Second Prince must have his reasons for saying that. Why not listen to what he has to say first, and then punish him? It would also show Your Majesty's fairness."
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