MCSCPM -Chapter 133 Rushing Over

Meanwhile, Nangong Lin still felt uneasy. After all, this matter involved palace secrets, and if anything went wrong, all efforts could be undone.

“Eunuch Li, summon the Crown Prince,” Nangong Lin said. No sooner had he spoken than Eunuch Li hurried toward the door.

At the same time, in the Imperial Study, Nangong Xiao’s vermilion brush moved constantly over the papers, which were stacked neatly on the desk.

In recent days, the court had seemed calm—but appearances were deceiving. Beneath the still surface, currents ran deep. Eliminating Nangong Chen’s supporters required careful, precise action; one misstep could affect everything.

Just thinking about it gave him a headache. Nangong Chen had been in Jiangnan for a long time, and no news had come back. Perhaps it was best if he stayed there longer—the journey was arduous and offered little reward.

“Your Highness, Eunuch Li requests an audience outside,” a servant reported.

Nangong Xiao put down his brush, frowning slightly. “Could it be something happening at Longwen Hall again?”

“Let him in.”

“Your Highness,” Eunuch Li entered, sweat pouring down his face.

“Eunuch Li seems anxious. Has something happened with Father Emperor?”

“Last night, His Majesty’s chronic illness suddenly flared,” Eunuch Li said quickly, explaining the events of the previous evening.

“Has the imperial physician examined him?” Nangong Xiao interrupted, his concern immediately heightened.

“The physicians could not help. Later, the Divine Physician was called, and she discovered that the Emperor’s chronic illness was caused by a plant in the room,” Eunuch Li reported respectfully.

“The Divine Physician has examined him… is Father Emperor better?” Nangong Xiao asked verbally, but inwardly he worried for Yin Qingyue’s safety.

“Your Highness, the Emperor is waiting for you,” Eunuch Li reminded him.

“I will go at once. Lead the way, Eunuch Li,” Nangong Xiao said, setting down his brush, straightening his clothes, and hurrying toward Longwen Hall.

“Father Emperor, your son greets you,” Nangong Xiao said, noticing Yin Qingyue standing quietly behind him.

“I have heard about Father Emperor’s illness from Eunuch Li. How are you feeling now?” Nangong Xiao asked with concern.

“The Divine Physician has treated me. I am much better now,” Nangong Lin replied.

“Please punish me if I have been neglectful, Father Emperor. I have been busy with affairs of state and did not properly care for you,” Nangong Xiao said, apologetic.

“My ailment is but a chronic flare-up. It is good that you are busy with state affairs, so I can entrust the kingdom to you with peace of mind,” Nangong Lin smiled, showing no thought of disobedience. On the one hand, he had intended to conceal matters temporarily; on the other, the court was unstable, and he could not simply act above the people.

“Father Emperor is too kind. Why have you summoned me?” Nangong Xiao asked, worried.

Yin Qingyue quickly scanned the surroundings: besides himself and the Emperor, a few imperial physicians were present, along with Prince Jing and the guard captain. The plant in front of Nangong Lin was strikingly prominent. She allowed herself a fleeting thought, then hid it.

“Xiao’er, Father Emperor’s chronic ailment all these years has been caused by this plant,” Nangong Lin said, gesturing to it. His tone was calm, but the weight of his words was unmistakable.

“Isn’t this…” Nangong Xiao immediately recognized the plant. If his memory served, it had been gifted by Empress He Minmin. Now it had become the reason for his father’s serious illness. The matter was serious indeed.

On a smaller scale, it was palace intrigue; on a larger one, it could be construed as an attempt on the Emperor’s life—a grave accusation. The Empress lay unconscious. While it might not have been her fault, she could hardly escape suspicion. Nangong Xiao wondered what his father was thinking.

He turned his gaze to Yin Qingyue, hoping she would explain. “Divine Physician, please explain to me what is going on.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Yin Qingyue said calmly. Her heart felt a chill; the palace was treacherous, full of traps.

“The Emperor’s coughing is due to the environment. The room contains stagnant, unhealthy air, and the root cause is this plant. Though its leaves appear healthy, its roots are already rotting,” Yin Qingyue said, opening the leaves. A foul stench wafted out.

Nangong Xiao quickly covered his nose. “It seems this plant cannot remain here.”

“I have asked you to lead the guard captain to investigate this matter and find out who tampered with this plant,” Nangong Lin explained his purpose.

Though the guard captain was loyal, the presence of a palace insider was needed. Nangong Xiao, now managing affairs of state, had earned ministers’ praise. While he was competent, his father wanted to remind him of his place. At the same time, Nangong Lin valued his son’s abilities; with his help, the investigation would be much easier.

“I understand,” Nangong Xiao said, realizing the matter was delicate. He immediately grasped the Emperor’s intent.

Nangong Lin relaxed. “Then investigate thoroughly and unmask the person behind this.”

He looked at Yin Qingyue, growing more optimistic. If she could detect abnormalities in the plant, she likely understood the method used—valuable for uncovering the culprit.

“I will need the Divine Physician’s help,” Nangong Xiao said, looking at her with resolve.

“What can the Divine Physician do to help you?” Nangong Lin asked, smiling. His son was sharp, immediately understanding where the key lay.

“Father Emperor, though the Divine Physician cannot solve the case directly, the plant is a clue. She can determine how it was poisoned, which will allow me to quickly find the culprit,” Nangong Xiao said firmly.

Prince Jing watched closely. Since entering, he had observed Yin Qingyue. Now, with her aiding Nangong Xiao, the two would have a chance to be alone—a prospect that irritated him. He soon disappeared.

“Very well. Let the Divine Physician assist,” Nangong Lin said. He saw this as both a test of Nangong Xiao’s ability and a warning. With the objective achieved, other matters were irrelevant; asking the Divine Physician’s help was reasonable.

“Yes, as the Emperor commands,” Yin Qingyue said lightly. She was intrigued by the plant; this was an opportunity she would not waste.

“Thank you, Father Emperor,” Nangong Xiao said, gaining confidence. He valued not just Yin Qingyue’s medical skill, but her intelligence. If he could utilize her, finding the culprit—even needle-in-a-haystack difficult—would be possible.

“In that case, I will go at once,” Nangong Xiao said, preparing to leave with Yin Qingyue.

“I still need to develop an antidote for the Emperor to treat his chronic ailment. Please consider carefully, Your Highness,” Yin Qingyue said.

She understood the Crown Prince’s intentions. If she went with him, it might provoke the Emperor’s displeasure.

“Very well. The Divine Physician will remain to prepare the antidote. I will go first. Should anything arise, I will send word,” Nangong Xiao said, smiling, showing no irritation.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Yin Qingyue lowered her head slightly.

“Father Emperor, your son takes his leave.”

“Go,” Nangong Lin said, finally feeling a measure of relief.

“Your Highness, wait! I will accompany you,” the guard captain said, following Nangong Xiao.

Nangong Xiao frowned. Though the captain appeared incompetent, he was actually his father’s confidant, cunning and dangerous—handling unsavory tasks. Superficially aiding Nangong Xiao, he was really observing him for his father.

“Captain Zhang, since the Emperor has entrusted this matter to you, I will assist,” Nangong Xiao said calmly, but his tone carried authority. He wanted the captain to know who was truly in charge.

Zhang quickly waved his hands. “I am incompetent. I will follow the Crown Prince as a messenger.”

The captain sensed the hidden meaning, his heart trembling. This Crown Prince was not to be trifled with.

“Earlier, I heard the Divine Physician mention preparing an antidote for me. Why did she not go with the Crown Prince?” Nangong Lin asked Yin Qingyue. If not for his son speaking, she would not even be here.

“Your Majesty, it is not that I am unwilling to uncover the truth. But your illness cannot wait. If anything like last night happens again, it will worsen, and even Hua Tuo could not save you,” Yin Qingyue said calmly.

“Is that true?” Nangong Lin asked, skeptical.

“I would not deceive Your Majesty,” Yin Qingyue said. She did not intend to be manipulated, and the Emperor still required her help—he would not harm her.

“Then quickly prepare the antidote,” Nangong Lin commanded.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“As for this matter, there is not a single lead yet,” Nangong Xiao muttered once outside the Emperor’s chambers, frowning.

“Your Highness, are you confident about this matter?” the guard captain asked. After all, it concerned his own position, and he had made promises to the Emperor.

“What’s the matter? Do you not trust me?” Nangong Xiao asked, slightly annoyed, though he himself had little certainty.