Chapter 32

"Chen Shaobei noticed that since leaving the palace, Mo Lingwei's brows had been slightly raised in a contented manner."

"Having grown up together, Chen Shaobei knew well that this expression meant Mo Lingwei was in a good mood."

"'If we really find Miss Shen, how do you plan to reward her?' Chen Shaobei asked curiously."

"Mo Lingwei smiled."

"'I'll give her some silver.'"

"Chen Shaobei nodded; this response from the Crown Prince seemed quite normal."

"Mo Lingwei then added, 'Also, grant her a residence so she has a place to live.'"

"After all, living in a cave with a pack of wolves was surely hard."

"Chen Shaobei felt that although the reward was generous, it was acceptable."

"After all, the girl had saved the life of the Crown Prince."

"Mo Lingwei, resting his head on one hand, thought for a moment and then added, 'She mentioned that she was driven out by her aunt.'"

"'So, I’ll ask her if she wants me to cripple or kill her aunt, to resolve this issue for her.'"

"Chen Shaobei suddenly sat up straight."

"He knew the naturally bloodthirsty Crown Prince would not settle for just giving some silver."

"Chen Shaobei advised, 'The Emperor disapproves of Your Highness killing people.'"

"Mo Lingwei's lips curled slightly, 'There are many things he dislikes, why should I care?'"

"Chen Shaobei slightly furrowed his brow."

"The relationship between the Emperor and the Crown Prince had been strained since the Queen's death."

"The Emperor had already been quite displeased when the Sixth Prince’s tendons were severed last time."

"Even so, the Emperor only made Mo Lingwei kneel before the late Queen’s memorial tablet to reflect on his mistakes."

"But the next day, the Emperor softened and released him."

"Chen Shaobei felt that at this moment, Mo Lingwei should avoid further angering the Emperor to prevent exacerbating their already strained relationship."

"Just as Chen Shaobei was about to earnestly persuade him,"

"Mo Lingwei spoke again in a calm tone: 'What if your aunt beat you brutally, lied to you about only being able to eat eggshells,'"

"'Not only that, she tied your only supportive grandmother with a heavy stone and left her in a pit to fend for herself.'"

"'Such an aunt, do you think she deserves to die?'"

"Chen Shaobei was stunned: 'Is this what Miss Shen experienced?'"

"Mo Lingwei coldly nodded."

"After a moment of silence, Chen Shaobei said two words: 'Deserves death.'"

"Mo Lingwei smiled faintly and patted his friend’s shoulder."

"The carriage stopped at the entrance to Xiangyun Village."

"However, as Mo Lingwei stepped out of the carriage, his heart and pupils suddenly tightened."

"His long hand braced against the carriage door, steadying himself!"

"Chen Shaobei exclaimed in alarm, 'Your Highness!?'"

"Mo Lingwei's eyes turned cold, his gaze fixed ahead, teeth clenched."

"His brows were frosted over, his lips turned pale, and even his fingertips showed faint traces of frost."

"His legs, as if filled with lead, were unbearably heavy."

"He couldn’t take a step forward."

"Eventually, he collapsed thunderously inside the carriage."

"Before losing consciousness, he only heard Chen Shaobei's stern command, 'Quickly, back to the palace, summon the royal physician! The Crown Prince’s old ailment has relapsed!'"

"The guard leading the way, the carriage turned around."

"Almost as soon as the carriage left, Shen Ningning appeared, bounding down the mountain with the pack of wolves, entering Xiangyun Village."

"Half an hour later."

"Inside the Purple Chen Palace, eminent royal physicians stood in silence, like cicadas in winter."

"The Emperor, dressed in a dragon robe, sat beside the bed, looking at the unconscious Mo Lingwei."

"His stern and imposing face showed a hint of a father’s worry."

"Mo Lingwei has been suffering from sporadic episodes of illness since childhood."

"His condition is extremely peculiar and rare."

"Whenever an episode occurs, his hair and eyebrows would be coated with a layer of thin frost."

"His body becomes as cold as ice."

"Although the frost would melt after a while and Mo Lingwei would gradually regain consciousness,"

"the Emperor has been tirelessly seeking a miraculous cure for many years, to no avail."

"The royal physicians are at their wits' end."

"Some even say that the current severe drought is due to the Crown Prince Mo Lingwei's strange illness."

"The state astrologer once divined,"

"that Crown Prince Mo Lingwei is the reincarnation of an evil spirit for nine lives."

"This life is his last."

"If his strange illness is not cured, he will not enter the cycle of reincarnation and will be doomed to become an evil spirit after death."

"The astrologer also said that when the day comes that the drought ends, and the people live in peace and happiness, no longer tormented by natural disasters,"

"then the accumulated sins of the Crown Prince's past lives will slowly be resolved."

"On the night the astrologer's predicted 'blessed girl' was born, it rained throughout the night."

The Emperor was almost ecstatic.

He believed his son would surely be saved.

Unfortunately, since that night, the land had been suffering from severe drought for four years.

The Emperor, with a solemn and worried face, sat for a while, noticing Mo Lingwei's frosty brows gradually thawing.

He knew that there was no serious issue left, and that Mo Lingwei would soon wake up.

The Emperor instructed the attendants to take good care of him and then stood up to leave, followed hastily by the imperial physicians.

"Is the Crown Prince taking his medicine on time every day?" the Emperor asked while standing in the corridor.

To treat Mo Lingwei's unusual cold disease, the Imperial Medical Bureau prescribed medicine made entirely of highly potent, yang-enhancing ingredients.

Although unsure of its effectiveness, the Emperor was not willing to give up any opportunity for treatment.

The head of the Imperial Medical Bureau, Lord Fang, hurried forward: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Medical Bureau was previously lacking the herb aconite, but my brother managed to procure it from a reclusive expert."

"The Crown Prince's medicine will no longer be interrupted, please rest assured, Your Majesty."

The Emperor nodded solemnly, "You have done well. Go to the Bureau of Palace Affairs to receive your reward."

Lord Fang knelt in gratitude for the Emperor's generosity.

The Emperor was about to leave.

Suddenly, he thought of something and turned to ask Chen Shaobei standing beside him.

"What has the Crown Prince been busy with lately? I’ve noticed frequent comings and goings of guards in Zichen Palace."

"Chen Shaobei bowed respectfully: 'Recently, the Crown Prince has been searching for someone. He was saved by a young girl during an attack, and since returning to the palace, he has been trying to find this benefactor.'"

"The Emperor raised his eyebrows in surprise: 'Oh? Has she been found yet?'"

"Chen Shaobei paused, about to answer."

"But out of the corner of his eye, he saw a graceful figure hurrying over."

"'Your Majesty, how is Lingwei’s condition?' Li Fei, the Sixth Prince's mother and the current power-holder of the six palaces, approached."

"She was dressed in fine silk and adorned with jade, her hair decorated with pearls and jade."

"Her well-maintained face showed deep concern, her eyebrows furrowed, all for the welfare of Mo Lingwei."

"The Emperor gently held her hand in reassurance: 'He's fine now, just a recurrence of his old ailment, needing more rest.'"

"Li Fei immediately responded: 'I will ensure the imperial kitchen pays special attention to Lingwei’s diet, preparing some nourishing soups for him.'"

"As she spoke, tears began to flow."

"'Lingwei’s sudden illness must have been caused by Changgong's harsh words, but they are brothers, why would they turn against each other? Surely, there is a malicious force at play here.'"

"'Once Lingwei recovers, I will have Changgong come to apologize.'"

"Hearing this, the Emperor let go of Li Fei’s hand."

"'Let Lingwei rest well, and Changgong needs to recover from his injuries too. Don’t let them agitate each other anymore.'"

"Li Fei paused her crying and nodded silently: 'I understand.'"

"The Emperor turned back to Chen Shaobei: 'About the benefactor you were mentioning...'"

"Chen Shaobei immediately bowed and responded, subtly interrupting the Emperor: 'Your humble servant will pay extra attention on behalf of the Crown Prince.'"

Only then did the Emperor nod and depart.

Empress Li watched Chen Shaobei suspiciously before following the Emperor.

Chen Shaobei's gaze was cold.

If Empress Li learned about this matter, there's no telling what she might do to further complicate things for Mo Lingwei.