Chapter 125 Blood Test for Kinship She heard the noise, turned around, and hugged the blanket tightly…
*
The white ward was filled with the smell of medicine and disinfectant.
The person in the hospital bed slowly opened their eyes. Their weak and somewhat bewildered gaze met the family of three who were keeping watch over them. Their pale and dry lips tried to curve upwards, but the smile was weak and feeble.
"Azhu, you're awake." The gentle and beautiful woman lovingly stroked her face and hair, her voice extremely tender.
Another critical condition notice was issued; another brush with death.
Looking at the people in front of her, she felt both afraid and reluctant to leave them. She feared that she would be critically ill and never wake up, never to breathe the air of life again, and she was reluctant to part with the warmth they brought her.
"Mom, Dad, Brother."
“We’re all here.” The woman’s voice softened. “You’ll be alright. Mom and Dad are waiting for you to be like other children, able to work when you want, get married when you want, and have children when you want.”
“Mom is right. You’re still young. You have a long life ahead of you, and there are many things you can do.” The refined man looked at her with a smile, his eyes full of gentleness.
Her gaze slowly rose and landed on the young man who had remained silent.
The young man was slender and gentle, but his eyes were extremely deep. "Azhu, when you get better, whether you want to work or get married and have children, your brother will be with you."
No one thought what she said was wrong, including herself at the time.
Shen Qinglu slowly opened her eyes, and what she saw was a red embroidered brocade bed curtain.
The room was quiet, with only her own breathing as a sound. The warm yellow candlelight cast a festive and cozy glow, making it especially comforting in the dead of night.
She turned around gently and carefully examined the person beside her. His face was like that of a jade carving, with extremely long eyelashes, a high nose bridge, and a superior jawline.
elder brother……
How did he end up here?
Five years after moving to her new home, she learned by chance that it was his request that her adoptive parents go to the orphanage to adopt a child. He had a heart condition and was afraid that he wouldn't be able to accompany his parents in their old age, so he insisted that his parents raise another healthy child.
Unfortunately, because of her appearance, her adoptive parents not only did not get a healthy child, but instead gained an unhealthy one.
She suddenly felt very guilty and sad.
If she dies, and her brother also dies, what will her adoptive parents do?
She found herself unable to face the cruelest answer. Like a turtle that had just poked its head out, it immediately retreated back into its shell, pretending to know nothing.
In the quiet of the night, even a sigh seems exceptionally heavy.
When she turned her back again, facing the bed, the person who should have been sleeping soundly rolled over and hugged her from behind, his limbs like tentacles, holding her firmly in place.
She felt the man's body temperature, and neither struggled nor cried out.
Such confinement should have been uncomfortable, but she inexplicably felt safe. She drifted off to sleep and woke up again in a daze, only to find no one beside her when she did.
Xia Chan said that Mu Han left home before dawn, and it was already three quarters past Chen Shi (7:45 AM).
For the next few days, he returned home late at night and left again before dawn. If she hadn't known he was genuinely busy, she would have thought he was avoiding her.
On the fourth day, there was finally some progress on Yu Liuzhu's matter.
That's a blood test for kinship!
The blood test for kinship was suggested by Prince Xin. He had been secluded for many days, and when he finally appeared, it wasn't to return the besieged Anyuan Marquis's Mansion and Xingyi Earl's Mansion.
The matters concerning the Marquis of Anyuan's residence and the Earl of Xingyi's residence are still under investigation. The Shenwu Guard is stationed outside, and no one is allowed to enter or leave. Naturally, people are in a state of panic, and many who are close to them are secretly making moves, like ants on a hot pan.
Under such circumstances, it is puzzling that Prince Xin, who is their greatest support and backer, did not go out of his way for them but instead stood up for an illegitimate son.
When the news reached Prince Chen's residence, Shen Qinglu saw the person she hadn't seen for four days.
Their eyes met. She stood rooted to the spot, watching the tall, slender figure approach step by step. His cool, handsome features gradually became clear in her pupils, switching back and forth between his face and another.
Her breathing quickened, and her heart pounded wildly.
The faint scent of bamboo grew closer, and she seemed to only then see the other person clearly. She was dazed and lost in thought. "Prince Xin proposed a blood test for kinship, not only in front of all the civil and military officials, but also requiring us noblewomen to enter the palace. Is something big about to happen?"
Her first reaction upon hearing this was: Prince Xin is going to rebel!
Her hand was grasped by the man's large hand, and her wandering heart instantly returned to its original place.
“The Heavenly Martial Guard has indeed been making unusual moves these past few days.” Mu Hanshi held her hand, his thumb stroking the delicate skin on the back of her hand. “He has been planning this for many years, as have we. We are about to face each other.”
really!
Although she knew this day would come, she still gasped, "So, what are your chances of success?"
She didn't want to die, nor did she want him to die; she wanted them both to live.
He tightened his grip on her hand, his deep eyes losing their usual calm. "I won't let anything happen to you."
*
The palace walls of the Forbidden Court stand tall and majestic, and the guards are solemn and disciplined, with the Changming Guard patrolling back and forth from time to time.
Civil and military officials entered the palace through the west gate, while noblewomen entered through the east gate.
Shen Qinglu walked ahead of the noblewomen with Gu Ruxu and Meng Shi. Behind them came a cacophony of gossip, speculating about Yu Qingxue's romantic affairs and whether Yu Liuzhu was the offspring of the Demon King.
They were in high spirits, as if they were attending a grand and lively event.
Once everyone had arrived, the eunuch's shrill voice announced, "His Majesty has arrived."
The crowd greeted him respectfully, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
The Emperor was in front, followed by Consort Dou on the left and Feng Chengying on the right.
The Changming Guards stood ready. Not far from the Phoenix Emperor stood a middle-aged man in golden armor, presumably the commander of the Imperial Guards, while the deputy commander, Mu Miaohua, stood beside Feng Chengying.
Standing before the officials were Mu Hanshi and Prince Xin, while Princess Xin and Shen Qinglu were the heads of the noblewomen.
Mu Wei gave his subordinates a wink, and soon Su Qihe and Yu Liuzhu were brought up.
This was the first time Yu Liuzhu had seen Su Qihe. Su Qihe only glanced at her once and then looked away.
In her previous life, she was the niece of the Shen family and later the wife of the heir of a marquis's mansion. Naturally, she had been to the palace and was quite respectable. Now, after being confined for several days, even though she was allowed to freshen up, she had lost all her pride.
Overwhelmed by a strong sense of humiliation and resentment, she felt utterly ashamed. Her eyes, filled with hatred, glared at Shen Qinglu, but then narrowed immediately at the sight of Shen Qinglu's imperial robes and cap.
The eunuch stepped forward carrying a bowl of water and a dagger. Mu Wei took blood from both her and Su Qihe. Their blood clumped together in the water and failed to mix.
"She really isn't a member of the Su family!"
"It seems the rumors are true; she must be a descendant of the Demon King."
As the crowd whispered among themselves, Prince Xin stepped forward.
Since the Demon King was dead, if a blood test was to be conducted to determine kinship, the blood of a close relative could be used, and this was something he had suggested himself. When his blood dripped into the bowl, everyone instinctively held their breath, staring intently without daring to blink.
"It won't even melt?"
"Could it be that she is not the offspring of the Demon King, but rather the child of his mother's affair with another man?"
Yu Liuzhu was overjoyed and pointed at Shen Qinglu, "You've all been deceived. There was no child swapping at all. I am a member of the Shen family. She is the illegitimate child!"
An uproar ensued, and everyone was shocked.
A pair of surprised and suspicious gazes were directed not only at Shen Qinglu, but also at Mu Hanshi.
If there's a mistake, then they are uncle and nephew!
A courtier exclaimed in alarm, "Your Majesty, this... what should we do? Could it be that the Princess Consort of Chen is the one who..."
"Shut up!" The Phoenix Emperor's eyes flashed with fierce light, his aura blazing.
Shen Qinglu felt the various gazes, but her beautiful face remained completely calm.
Gu Ruxu was deeply gratified upon seeing this.
"Your Majesty, Princess Consort Chen is the true child of Yu Qingxue. The so-called child swap is a lie fabricated by Yu Qingxue and her daughter to secure a better future for her. I am innocent! I am the true heir of the Shen family! I beg Your Majesty to do justice for me!"
Yu Liuzhu felt wronged, and her voice was slightly shrill due to her excitement.
Amidst the clamor and discussion, Mu Hanshi stepped forward and said to the Phoenix Emperor, "Your Majesty, the fact that Prince Xin and this woman's blood is incompatible only proves that they are not related by blood, and does not prove anything else."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qinglu's heart stirred slightly.
Blood tests for kinship are completely unreliable and can be manipulated. She and her brother both understand this, so today's scheme, which seems to be set up by Prince Xin, is actually a scheme within a scheme.
Mu Hanshi's words puzzled many people and gave those with ulterior motives a bad feeling.
Before anyone could react, he added, "Since Brother Xin can't keep his word, then I'm willing to give it a try."
Mu Wei acted extremely quickly, almost as soon as the Phoenix Emperor finished saying "I grant your permission," he immediately drew blood from him and Yu Liuzhu.
"It's melted! It's melted!"
What's going on?
What a brilliant move to strike at the heart of the problem!
Shen Qinglu looked at the man with his lowered eyes and marveled at the brilliance of the plan and the deep cunning of the person who had devised it. She thought to herself that he, like herself, must have been living behind a mask in the past.
In that sense, they really are a match made in heaven.
"Ah Li, what are you laughing at?" Gu Ruxu asked her softly.
She covered her face with her sleeve and winked at Gu Ruxu, "This is going to be interesting."
It's not just a good show, it's a grand show.
Because the Phoenix Emperor himself had to participate in the blood test to verify their kinship with Yu Liuzhu.
As a result, even those who didn't understand before now vaguely sensed that something was wrong.
When the blood of the Phoenix Emperor and the blood of Yu Liuzhu were mixed, many people looked at Prince Xin with a somewhat subtle expression.
"So that's how it is." The Phoenix Emperor gazed at the sky and murmured.
"Your Majesty, what exactly is going on?" Mu Wei asked hastily, then his expression changed drastically as if he had remembered something. "Could it be that the rumors that Prince Xin was not the late Emperor's son are true?"
These words caused another uproar.
The birth mother of Prince Xin was quite favored, especially after giving birth to him, when she enjoyed a period of great prestige in the palace. However, she unexpectedly died of a sudden illness without warning.
At that time, there were rumors in the palace that she had been given a death sentence because she had an affair.
The imperial family's reputation could not be damaged, and the rumors were quickly suppressed by the late emperor. Anyone who dared to criticize them would be killed. Over time, no one dared to mention it.
"Your Majesty, this water has definitely been tampered with!" Prince Xin said angrily, pointing at the eunuch with a dark face. "This servant must have been bribed. I implore you to re-examine the water!"
"Brother, do you really want to test again?" The Phoenix Emperor sighed softly. "Father told me before he died that as long as you are devoted to the Feng family's rule, you are a descendant of the Feng family."
Conversely, if one harbors selfish motives, they will not be tolerated by the Feng family.
Prince Xin's expression changed as he turned to look at his sons.
"ah!"
A scream rang out, and an unexpected turn of events occurred.
No one saw when Liu rushed over, holding a hairpin in her hand, the sharp tip dripping blood, which fell onto the person lying on the ground.
Yu Liu's red pupils were wide open, blood gushing from his neck where someone had pierced it.
"Help me...help me..."
"My husband, Chun'er, I've avenged you... The Demon King is utterly depraved, and the sins of the father must be visited upon the son. You deserve to die! The blood feud of my Dou family... I was able to personally kill the daughter of my enemy. Heaven has eyes! Heaven has eyes! Whether it's true or not, they all deserve to die!"
Yu Liuzhu convulsed and breathed her last in a few moments.
This turn of events was too sudden and greatly took Shen Qinglu by surprise. She was momentarily stunned and suddenly felt Liu Shi rush towards her, push Gu Ruxu away, and then press the mechanism on the bracelet.
As the hidden needle was fired, a sharp arrow whistled through the air toward the back of her head.
"careful!"
"Your Highness!"
Hearing the noise, she turned around and hugged the person who had been shot by an arrow.
"elder brother!"
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