SGEIRS -Chapter 465 The Crown Prince Severely Injured

Winter days are short and nights long. By the fourth quarter of the hour of You (around 6:45 PM), darkness had fully descended, yet the mansion was brightly lit.

Meng Jinyao went to the bathing chamber for a wash. Just as she was about to lie down and rest, she felt her husband’s absence more keenly. Coupled with the cold weather, she thought that instead of sitting around, it was better to get into bed early.

Suddenly, a sound came from outside. She focused her attention and realized it was her husband returning. Joy immediately lit up her features. Forgetting about rest for the moment, she turned to go out—only to see that familiar figure enter her view.

He was wearing a white fox fur coat, walking straight toward her.

A smile curved her lips, and her eyes shone with excitement. Half startled, half delighted, she called out with a smile, “Husband, you’re back!”

Gu Jingxi nodded with a smile. Seeing her reach out to hug him and lean into his chest, he quickly placed his hands on her shoulders, successfully preventing her from getting too close.

Seeing this, Meng Jinyao’s smile froze. She pressed her lips together and looked at him with a touch of sorrow in her eyes, asking plaintively, “Husband, it’s only been a few days. Has the affection between us cooled already? You weren’t like this before.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingxi couldn’t help but laugh, pinching her cheek. “Don’t overthink it. That’s not the case. I just came back from outside, still carrying the cold. I didn’t want to pass it onto you.”

Meng Jinyao’s smile returned, warm and gentle. “You probably haven’t eaten yet, have you? I’ll have someone prepare a meal for you.” She then moved to go out.

Gu Jingxi held her hand and spoke gently, “No need. I ate before returning. I’ll go take a bath first. We can talk afterward.”

Hearing this, Meng Jinyao instructed Qingqiu to prepare his clothes and Ningtong to fetch water.

After Gu Jingxi bathed, Meng Jinyao looked him over carefully. He seemed slightly fatigued—likely from the strain of accompanying the hunt. Curiously, she asked, “Husband, why did the winter hunt end so quickly? It’s two days earlier than scheduled.”

Gu Jingxi replied, “Something happened midway, so it ended early.”

Meng Jinyao’s heart tightened. “What happened?”

Gu Jingxi furrowed his brow, his tone heavy. “The Crown Prince was attacked and seriously injured. He is still unconscious.”

Meng Jinyao’s heart leapt in shock, her face pale. “Who dared! Who could be so bold as to attempt to assassinate the Crown Prince during the winter hunt?”

“Nothing concrete yet. The attacker left no useful clues and died without witnesses,” Gu Jingxi said, shaking his head slightly. Then he shifted the conversation. “As the princes grow older, their rivalry will only intensify.”

Meng Jinyao instinctively thought of the Second Prince. His mother was Noble Consort Xiao. Xiao’s direct elder brother’s youngest son had married the daughter of the Marquis of Zhen’nan, consolidating the Marquis’s power.

The Xiao family were civil officials, and the Qin family of the Marquis of Zhen’nan were military. Through this marriage, they united both civil and military influence. The Second Prince’s power was gradually rising, and he subtly seemed to have the potential to surpass the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince’s maternal grandfather was the Imperial Tutor, but the Grand Tutor had passed away. The Crown Prince’s maternal uncle was of little influence, offering limited support. Fortunately, the Emperor highly valued the Crown Prince, who was capable and had numerous supporting ministers.

Back when the Emperor himself was Crown Prince, he married the Imperial Tutor’s eldest legitimate daughter, his childhood companion. But later, to stabilize his position, he took Noble Consort Xiao as a secondary consort. After ascending the throne, he made his primary wife Empress and Consort Xiao a Noble Consort. To balance the Xiao family’s influence, he also took the eldest daughter of Xiao’s political rival, Elder Tao, as a Consort Shu.

Consort Shu bore a pair of children. The Third Princess was about to come of age, and the Seventh Prince was only a toddler of two. They were not yet in a position to threaten the Crown Prince, though they could help counterbalance the Xiao faction.

As for the Third Prince, his mother was of low birth and not favored; he was mediocre and had no supporters. The Fourth Prince was clever but frail, constantly ill and dependent on medicine, with almost no backers. The Fifth and Sixth Princes were still young, with the Sixth Prince being born of the Empress.

Meng Jinyao spoke softly, “Husband… do you think it might be…” She didn’t finish her sentence but held up two fingers in silent implication.

Gu Jingxi understood her meaning, grasped her fingers, and said gently, “Jinyao, some things cannot be spoken lightly, especially without evidence.”

Meng Jinyao nodded and asked again, “Husband, do you think the Crown Prince will survive this?”

Gu Jingxi’s expression was grave. “His injuries are severe. Even the imperial physicians cannot guarantee his recovery. Let us hope he pulls through.”

Meng Jinyao’s face tightened. Though she hadn’t met the Crown Prince, she had heard of his deeds: benevolent, talented, and farsighted in governance. If he were to ascend the throne in the future, he would surely be a wise ruler. Losing him now would be a tragedy.

Meng Jinyao asked, “The Sixth Prince is still young. If something happens to the Crown Prince, would the Second Prince have the greatest chance?”

Gu Jingxi waved the notion off. “Succession disputes are unpredictable. Sometimes the one closest to the throne never ascends, while the most unassuming ends up ruling the realm.”

“That’s true,” Meng Jinyao mused. “Even a Crown Prince isn’t guaranteed the throne.” She lifted her eyes to him, curious, “Husband, which side are you on? Are you supporting the Crown Prince?”

Gu Jingxi replied, “I am only a loyal minister. I serve the Emperor, not factions.”

Meng Jinyao nodded slightly.

Gu Jingxi continued, “Royal affairs are not ours to meddle in. As a minister, I only need to fulfill my duties. It’s late. Let’s rest; I must rise early for court tomorrow.”

Meng Jinyao agreed, “Alright, let’s sleep.”

But once in bed, she didn’t want to sleep just yet. She wanted to sit with him and continue talking, because the “sleep” he referred to was very different from what she had in mind.

After a while, Meng Jinyao leaned against him, slightly breathless, and pinched his waist, glaring. “Gu Jingxi, didn’t you say you’d get up early tomorrow and sleep early tonight? Is this what you mean by sleeping early?”

Gu Jingxi looked innocent. “Early resolution, early sleep. What’s the problem?”

Meng Jinyao pinched him again, irritated. “Then that’s resolved. Now go to sleep.”

Gu Jingxi held her hand, his eyes pleading. “Jinyao, I don’t feel it’s resolved yet. How about you help me a little more?”

Having learned from experience, Meng Jinyao instinctively withdrew her hand, decisively refusing. “No. It’s late, and you must rise early tomorrow. Let’s leave this for another time.”