MCSCPM -Chapter 324 Anger

Meanwhile, on the other side—

As soon as Yin Qingyue returned to the inn, she went straight to the front hall, only to hear almost everyone in the inn talking about the Yi Prince’s residence—about how Prince Yi had been beaten inside his own mansion.

“Have you heard? Something big happened at Prince Yi’s residence last night.”

“I heard about it early this morning. They say Prince Yi was beaten.”

“Yeah. Who knows who did it—actually dared to break into Prince Yi’s residence and even attack the prince.”

“It probably wasn’t an assassination. Prince Yi was just knocked unconscious and wasn’t seriously hurt.”

“Then what were the guards of Prince Yi’s residence doing? How could they let the prince get knocked out?”

“I bet Prince Yi doesn’t even dare to go out now. How embarrassing.”

…

The news of Prince Yi being beaten was spreading like wildfire. A prince who still hadn’t taken a consort was already the subject of gossip; now he had even been beaten inside his own residence—what a disgrace. He was now far worse off than Prince Jing.

Sure enough, there is no such thing as a wall that doesn’t leak. This matter was far too serious. Most likely, a servant from Prince Yi’s residence had sold the news, which was why it had spread all over the streets and alleys.

When Yin Qingyue heard this, she laughed quietly to herself. This was entirely Chu Yifeng’s own doing. She had already shown him mercy by not using deadly poison powder on him.

Chu Yifeng deserved what he got.

However, as everyone discussed the incident, the news soon reached Prince Yi’s residence.

Chu Yifeng had only just woken up. The moment he opened his eyes, he asked the guard beside him, “Where is Hai Qingshuang?”

His personal guard replied, “Your Highness, when we found you unconscious, Hai Qingshuang was nowhere to be seen. She probably left after you fainted.”

“Bastard!” Chu Yifeng cursed fiercely.

“Your Highness, what exactly happened last night? Who knocked you unconscious? Could it have been Hai Qingshuang?”

“I don’t know,” Chu Yifeng said coldly. “I didn’t even see that person’s face. But whoever it was—if I find out, I’ll tear her to pieces.”

The guard asked, “Then, Your Highness, what about Hai Qingshuang? Should we send people to capture her again?”

“No need. I don’t believe she’d dare to spread nonsense. Without evidence, how could she accuse me?”

“What Your Highness says is true.”

Chu Yifeng got out of bed. Just then, another guard came in and reported, “Your Highness, everyone in the capital already knows about what happened last night.”

Hearing this, Chu Yifeng flew into a rage. His face turned green as he glared at his personal guard and slapped him hard, scolding, “Was it you who spread the news about my injury? You worthless dog!”

The guard immediately knelt down. “Your Highness, please see clearly—I didn’t say a word and even sealed off the news. I don’t know who leaked it, but it definitely wasn’t me. I beg Your Highness to see the truth!”

The more Chu Yifeng thought about it, the angrier he became. Suddenly, his body started itching violently—far worse than before. He frowned, his body twisting involuntarily.

Noticing something was wrong, the guard asked, “Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

“Quick—call the physician,” Chu Yifeng ordered.

The guard realized that the prince’s condition had flared up again and hurriedly summoned the physician.

The physician arrived quickly and examined Chu Yifeng, but then shook his head. “Why has the condition worsened? It’s much more severe than before. Your Highness, have you eaten anything you shouldn’t have?”

“No,” Chu Yifeng replied in confusion. “Physician, you said my condition has worsened? Why is that?”

“That, this humble one does not know. In any case, Your Highness must not get angry, or the condition will worsen further. And for the time being, it’s best that you stay in the residence and not go out.”

Although the itching had temporarily subsided, Chu Yifeng was deeply uneasy. When would this endless torment finally end?

After seeing the physician off, Chu Yifeng ordered his guards, “I want you to find the Divine Physician as soon as possible. I don’t want to be tortured like this anymore.”

“Your Highness, we’ve been searching for so long and still haven’t found any trace of the Divine Physician. Could it be that she has already—”

“Even if she’s dead, bring her corpse back to me.”

“Yes. This subordinate will go at once.”

Chu Yifeng was not only furious now, but also restless. His body and his mind were both being tortured without respite.

If he ever found out that the itching powder on him had been applied by the Divine Physician herself, he would probably collapse completely.

Eventually, the news of Prince Yi being beaten could no longer be contained and reached the imperial palace.

When Chu Helian heard it, instead of worry, he felt anger and disappointment—a bellyful of rage.

“As Prince Yi, he was knocked unconscious for no reason—inside his own residence, no less! Are the guards of his residence useless, or is he himself so incompetent? A dignified prince reduced to being beaten—utterly disgraceful. He has brought shame upon me!”

Eunuch Sun said, “Your Majesty, Prince Yi has been injured. Should you send someone to inquire after him?”

“Inquire about what?” Chu Helian snapped. “He’s incompetent himself—should I clean up after him as well?”

“But—”

“That’s enough. I don’t want to hear another word about this matter,” Chu Helian said harshly.

He was in no mood to attend to state affairs. One son after another was like this—it was as if they wouldn’t be satisfied until they angered him to death.

Eunuch Sun dared not say another word. The emperor was in a fury, and he didn’t want to be caught in it.

But the news also reached Consort Shu’s palace.

When He Ningxiang heard it, the teacup in her hand fell to the ground and shattered.

“Yi’er? How could something like this happen to Yi’er?” she murmured in disbelief.

A palace maid stepped forward to pick up the shards and asked worriedly, “Your Ladyship, are you all right?”

He Ningxiang’s face was full of concern, her eyes urgent. “I’m going to see His Majesty,” she said, turning to head for the imperial study.

“Your Ladyship, have you forgotten before? You begged His Majesty to let you leave the palace to see Prince Yi, and he didn’t agree. It’s better if you don’t go.”

“No. This time, I must go.”

With that, she hurried out, anxiously heading for the imperial study.

At the imperial study, she was stopped outside by Eunuch Sun. He said, “Your Ladyship, it’s better not to go in right now. His Majesty is furious over Prince Yi’s matter.”

“Eunuch Sun, please go in and report immediately—tell His Majesty that I wish to see him.”

“This… Your Ladyship, you’d better go back first.”

“I’ve come today—if I can’t leave the palace to see Yi’er, I absolutely will not go back,” He Ningxiang said firmly.

Eunuch Sun was in a difficult position. Chu Helian was still angry, and anyone connected to Prince Yi would surely suffer.

“Your Ladyship, it’s not that this old servant is unwilling—it’s just that this matter should be delayed a little.”

“It can’t be delayed anymore. Eunuch Sun, please help me this once. Just go in and report.”

After her repeated insistence, Eunuch Sun had no choice. He thought for a moment, then nodded and went inside.

Chu Helian was holding his head, seated on the dragon throne, troubled by Prince Yi’s affair.

“Your Majesty,” Eunuch Sun said carefully, “Consort Shu is outside, requesting an audience. Should we let her in?”

“I don’t want to see anyone right now,” Chu Helian said angrily. “She must be here because of Prince Yi. I’ve already said I don’t want to hear anything about Prince Yi. Send her back to her palace.”

So Eunuch Sun came back out. He Ningxiang was waiting anxiously and hurriedly asked, “Eunuch Sun, how is it?”

“Your Ladyship, His Majesty is unwilling to see you. He told this servant to have you return to your palace.”

“No. I must see His Majesty today. I beg His Majesty to let me leave the palace to see Prince Yi.”

“But His Majesty doesn’t want to hear anything about Prince Yi right now, so Your Ladyship, you should—”

“If His Majesty doesn’t agree, I will kneel outside the imperial study and not rise,” He Ningxiang said, and immediately knelt down.

Eunuch Sun wasn’t surprised, but he didn’t know what to do. The emperor had already ordered her to leave, but her kneeling was clearly a form of pressure.

“If His Majesty refuses to see me,” He Ningxiang said firmly, “then today I will kneel here outside this hall and not rise.”

Eunuch Sun shook his head. “Your Ladyship, why must you suffer like this?”

“I’m doing this only for Prince Yi.”

With a sigh, Eunuch Sun had no choice but to enter the imperial study again and report, “Your Majesty, Consort Shu refuses to leave. She says that if Your Majesty does not allow her to leave the palace to see Prince Yi, she will kneel outside and not rise.”

Bang!

Chu Helian swept everything off the table with one motion. All his restraint was gone.

“So now no one intends to take my words seriously anymore,” he said coldly.

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”

“My own son is like this, and now even my consort is like this. Are they not satisfied until they anger me to death?”

“Your Majesty, you must take care of your health,” Eunuch Sun said anxiously.

After a moment, Chu Helian said, “Go—let Consort Shu come in.”

“Yes.”

Eunuch Sun went out to summon her. Consort Shu was still kneeling.

“Your Ladyship, His Majesty has agreed to see you. Please get up,” Eunuch Sun said as he helped her to her feet.

“Thank you, Eunuch,” He Ningxiang said gratefully.

She hurried into the imperial study. As soon as she entered, she saw memorials scattered all over the floor. She knew the emperor must be angry—though more precisely, angry because of Prince Yi.

“Your Majesty,” she said bitterly, “I know you are angry about Yi’er, but I only wish to leave the palace to see him. I beg Your Majesty to grant this request.”

Chu Helian looked at her, his expression resolute. “How many times have I said this? As a consort, you should remain in the inner palace.”

“But I am truly worried about Yi’er.”

“No matter what you say, I will not allow you to leave the palace,” Chu Helian replied firmly. “Prince Yi is already grown. Does he still need you to worry about everything for him?”