Li Xue was shocked. She had never imagined that the Crown Prince would be so heartless and cruel, treating human life so lightly.
"Does the Emperor know about this?" Li Xue asked.
The Fourth Prince nodded and continued:
"When the emperor learned of this, he was also very angry. To kill someone just because he couldn't cure their illness is nothing short of tyranny."
But the Emperor dared not punish the eldest prince, fearing it would damage the prince's prestige at court.
The Fourth Prince sighed repeatedly as he finished speaking.
"If only the little prince were still alive."
The Fourth Prince's words startled Li Xue; she hadn't expected her father to still care about the young prince.
Since Father is like this, it means that there are still some ministers in the court who, like Father, are also missing the little prince.
"Isn't the young prince suspected of treason? Why is Father still mentioning him?"
The Fourth Prince remained silent for a long while before speaking softly:
"There are too many suspicious points in this incident. No one knows whether the young prince colluded with the enemy. After the young prince committed suicide out of fear of punishment, the matter was dropped."
Some ministers in the court expressed doubts about the young prince's alleged treason, but unfortunately the young prince was already dead and could not be verified.
The eldest prince's behavior during this period has greatly disappointed the emperor. Sometimes, when I discuss family matters with the emperor, the emperor has inadvertently mentioned the younger prince.
The Fourth Prince's words stirred up a multitude of thoughts in Li Xue. Perhaps the current situation in the court was ordained by fate. Rather than letting Li Guang wait for an opportunity, it would be better to take the initiative.
We must find a way to create opportunities for Li Guang; the Northern Dynasty desperately needs Li Guang.
Just then, the butler walked over and asked:
"Your Highness, the gifts are ready. May we proceed now?"
The Fourth Prince nodded and said:
"Go there now. Lord Yao doesn't have many days left. When you see him, be sure to tell him that I am busy with affairs and cannot find the time to come."
"Yes, I'll go to Lord Yao's residence right away." After the steward finished speaking, he was about to leave when Li Xue stopped him.
"Wait a minute, which Lord Yao are you talking about?"
"It's Yao Sinong from the Ministry of Revenue. He fell ill a few months ago, and I recently heard that he's nearing his end."
Several high-ranking officials have visited him in the past few days, and the Prince has asked me to represent the Prince's residence to visit Lord Yao.
Li Xue remembered that Lord Yao was the Grand Minister of Agriculture of the Ministry of Revenue of the Great Northern Dynasty, in charge of agriculture throughout the country, and held the rank of second grade.
Yao Jian was Lord Yao's youngest son. A year ago, Lord Yao used Yao Jian's life to save Li Guang's life as a fugitive.
Lord Yao is seriously ill, which must be related to these matters. I should go and see him.
Lord Yao and his family risked their lives to save Li Guang, and so far, they do not know whether Li Guang is alive or dead. They want to tell Lord Yao about Li Guang so that he will have no regrets.
Thinking of this, Li Xue spoke up:
"Father, please allow me to go with the steward to visit Lord Yao."
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince immediately became pleased and said:
"Xue'er, it would be best if you went to visit Lord Yao on behalf of your father."
"Alright, then I'll go to the Yao residence with the steward now."
Before leaving, Li Xue thought for a moment and decided to take the packet of tea that Lin Xi had given her with her.
Before long, Li Xue and the steward arrived at the Yao residence, but the gates were tightly closed.
The butler went up and knocked on the door. A moment later, a servant opened the door.
The steward handed over the invitation, and the servants, seeing that they were from the Prince's residence, quickly ushered them inside.
In the main hall of the Yao residence, the steward received Li Xue.
"How is Lord Yao doing now?" Li Xue asked.
The housekeeper looked dejected and was very sad.
"Lord Yao fell ill several months ago and is now terminally ill. He has not had a drop of water for several days."
The Emperor arranged for several imperial physicians to treat Lord Yao, but to no avail. The physicians said Lord Yao was terminally ill and would likely die within the next day or two.
Li Xue felt bad that Lord Yao was so ill, and she said:
"My father is very busy, so he sent me to see Lord Yao. May I see Lord Yao now?"
The steward nodded and said, "Princess, please follow me."
Li Xue followed the steward toward Lord Yao's room.
Two maids stood at the door of the room, their faces filled with sorrow. When they saw Li Xue approaching, they bowed respectfully.
The maid opened the door, and Li Xue entered the room.
Lord Yao lay on the bed, his face gaunt and his breathing weak.
Madam Yao sat by the bedside, holding Lord Yao's hand with one hand and wiping away her tears with the other.
"This is Princess Li Xue," the steward introduced.
Upon seeing that it was the princess, Madam Yao quickly stood up and gave Li Xue a deep curtsy.
"Greetings, Princess."
"Madam Yao, there's no need for such formalities. I've come to visit Lord Yao on my father's orders."
Madam Yao nodded, then bent down and softly called out:
"My lord, the princess has come to see you."
Upon hearing Madam Yao's call, Lord Yao finally opened his eyes. He was breathing weakly and speaking in a very low voice.
"Greetings, Princess. Please offer her a seat."
Soon someone moved a chair over and placed it next to the bed.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness and Princess. Unfortunately, I am seriously ill and do not have much time left."
After finishing his speech, Lord Yao felt extremely tired. He closed his eyes, wanting to rest for a while.
Li Xue glanced at Madam Yao and asked:
"Wasn't Lord Yao perfectly fine a while ago? How did he suddenly become so ill?"
"For more than a year, the old man's health has not been very good, and this time the illness came on suddenly."
The Emperor arranged for several imperial physicians to examine the master, but none of them could find anything wrong with him.
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