Chapter 326 Shen Ci'an's Choice
Back at the East Palace, Jiang Zhi and the palace maid who had impersonated her switched identities again.
Xiao Xuanyou was away on business, but he instructed that dinner be prepared for her and kept warm so that she could use it whenever she returned.
Jiang Zhi was exhausted that day, and soon turned off the lights and went to rest.
A few days later, Xiao Xuanyou brought her news that Shen Ci'an had been released from the imperial prison by Lu Yuan, and that she did not need to worry too much.
"Very well, thank you, Your Highness."
Xiao Xuanyou looked at her, his phoenix eyes revealing no emotion. "However, I will be staying at Qingfang Palace for the next few days."
Jiang Zhi's heart skipped a beat. "What's wrong?"
"With Lord Shen released, Xiao Yunheng should be making a move soon. Your surveillance will only intensify, making sure we're more certain of the trail, which will also help my cousin make up his mind."
After all, this was the Eastern Palace. No matter how much Xiao Yunheng relied on his father's favor, he couldn't openly search the palace. He had to be prepared for anything.
Jiang Zhi thought about it for a moment, and since things had already come to this point, there was no need to be reserved.
So he agreed.
But she soon regretted it.
The weather is getting hotter and hotter these days. Jiang Zhi has always liked to stay cool at night and doesn't wear much, but ever since Xiao Xuanyou stayed at Qingfang Palace, she has had to wrap herself up tightly.
Xiao Xuanyou was sleeping right next to her. Even if he did nothing, he was like a constant source of heat. Even though there was ice from the Imperial Household Department by the bed, Jiang Zhi still broke out in a light sweat.
Seeing that she was not sleeping well at night, Xiao Xuanyou dismissed the palace maids and fanned her himself until she fell asleep.
But when Jiang Zhi woke up the next day, she found herself with her hands and feet on Xiao Xuanyou's body...
Seeing that Xiao Xuanyou was still asleep, she was about to secretly withdraw her gaze when she met his open eyes.
His eyes still held a hint of lingering sleepiness, like dark jade covered with a thin layer of dew.
Just as Jiang Zhi was about to pull her hand away from his chest, he grabbed it instantly.
"You've been holding me captive all night, and now you think you can just run away?" His voice was hoarse, as if he had just woken up.
Her dark hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her usual noble and dignified demeanor faded somewhat, replaced by a lazy and leisurely air of imperial nobility.
Jiang Zhi felt even more ashamed. She tried to pull her hand away but couldn't, so she gave up. "Your Highness is awake. Let me help you change your clothes."
He then got up.
Xiao Xuanyou pulled her back, saying, "It's still early, stay and lie down with me a little longer."
Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, his warm chest pressed against her back, and his chin gently rubbed against the top of her head, showing an unconscious intimacy and indulgence.
He had done this kind of thing many times in his past life.
After each time, he would hold her like this, smoothing the flush on her body and calming her restless heartbeat.
Jiang Zhi struggled a few times but found she couldn't break free, so she had to give up.
His deep, pleasant voice came from behind, "I may suffer a minor injury in a couple of days. If you receive news of this, do not panic."
Jiang Zhi was somewhat puzzled.
But just a few days later, a palace maid rushed over to report that His Highness the Crown Prince had fallen off his horse while riding in the Imperial Horse Park and was seriously injured. He had already been carried back to the East Palace.
Jiang Zhi then realized that this was the "minor injury" that Xiao Xuanyou had mentioned.
Inside Chengguang Hall, Xiao Xuanyou lay half-reclined on a couch, while the imperial physician, covered in sweat, treated him.
The rest were minor injuries, but he fractured his right leg. At that moment, the imperial physician applied the Black Jade Broken Leg Plaster, fixed it with a splint, and wrapped it with gauze.
"How is the Crown Prince's injury?" the Empress asked the imperial physician, frowning.
The imperial physician said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured that although the Crown Prince's injuries are not minor, he is young and in good health. With daily external and internal medication, he will recover in less than three months."
The Empress was finally relieved.
"Take good care of them all. If anything happens to the Crown Prince, I will not let him off lightly!"
The people kneeling below, trembling with fear, immediately obeyed.
She then said coldly, "How do you serve the Crown Prince? How could he be so badly injured? If you can't serve your master, send them all to the Imperial Laundry."
“Mother, it was my own carelessness,” Xiao Xuanyou stopped her. “I did not listen to my subordinates’ advice and went my own way. I have no reason to blame them. Please do not be angry, Mother, and do not harm your health.”
His forehead was still covered in cold sweat, and his jade-like face was smeared with a little dust.
The Empress, not wanting to offend the Crown Prince, simply said coldly, "Dispose of your own subordinates as you see fit, but you must send someone to report to me daily on your diet and injuries for the next few days, and also—"
She stared at him. "You can't go there anymore, understand?"
"Your subject obeys the decree." Xiao Xuanyou's eyes flickered, and he complied.
*
Inside the Prince Xiang's residence.
"Has Lord Shen recovered enough?" Xiao Yunheng looked at Shen Ci'an below him with a gentle expression. "After being released from the imperial prison, I couldn't visit in person, so I sent someone to help him recover. Did he receive all the medicines I sent?"
"I thank Your Highness for your concern, but I am all better now," Shen Ci'an said, bowing in thanks.
After briefly inquiring about his injuries, Xiao Yunheng got to the point, "I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince fell from his horse and was injured, and has not attended court for several days. There should be progress on the matter that Lord Shen is concerned about."
Shen Ci'an immediately bowed respectfully, "This humble official is entirely at the behest of the Crown Prince."
It seems that Xiao Yunheng has finally made up his mind.
In his eyes, the Crown Prince is now at his weakest point.
He has turned against his most loyal friend Xie Qi, developed a rift with the Empress, and forcibly abducted a minister's wife and placed her in the Eastern Palace. The Crown Princess and the Li family must have been dissatisfied with this long ago. Now he has also been injured and broken his leg.
On the other hand, let's look at Xiao Yunheng's side.
With Yan Wenhong's remaining Imperial Guards, the assistance of Prince Su, the influence of his mother's side, Shen Ci'an, and the Emperor's favor, he was able to achieve his goal.
With one side gaining and the other losing, this can be considered the best opportunity.
The thought that one day Xiao Xuanyou would be trampled under his feet filled him with excitement.
“No rush. Before we take action, I need a safeguard,” Xiao Yunheng smiled and pushed a small brocade box in front of Shen Ci’an. “Please take this, Lord Shen.”
Shen Ci'an took the brocade box and opened it.
Inside lay a brown medicine bowl, about the size of a pea, carrying a faint, bitter medicinal smell.
"What is this?" Shen Ci'an frowned and looked at Xiao Yunheng.
“I hope Lord Shen will forgive me,” Xiao Yunheng said apologetically. “It is a very serious matter to lead people to break into the East Palace to rescue people. The risks I have taken are not small. If we succeed, it will be fine, but if we fail, not only me, but the entire Xiangwang Mansion will be destroyed.”
"I am timid by nature, and Lord Shen is aware of all my plans. Just to be on the safe side—"
He tilted his head to look at Shen Ci'an, his eyes filled with a scrutinizing and probing gaze. "If Lord Shen truly wishes to rescue Princess Qinghe, then take this. It was developed by Doctor Xue. As long as the antidote is taken within seven days, all will be well. Otherwise, the poison will take effect and the poison will be incurable."
"I ask Lord Shen to make the decision himself."
After he finished speaking, he fell silent, waiting for Shen Ci'an's decision.
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