Chapter 6: A Fool Like No Other

Chapter 6: A Fool Like No Other

According to Ye Jiangbai's original plan, he should have dug a pit silently, luring the Seventh Prince into it with a devastating fall. Then, with her desperate little face lifted, she would roar at him - You liar!

Pathetic, helpless, and furious.

At that moment, Ye Jiangbai would stand tall and elegant, holding his sleeves aloft, and say, "Since ancient times, one can never truly know another's heart. Remember this lesson, Your Highness."

With a compassionate tone and a cold glance, how perfect, fascinating, and domineering it would be!

But this fool on the bed didn't give him any chance to perform.

The inner chamber was quiet. Poisoned Chang Nian lay unconscious on the soft couch, her face purplish-blue. Beside her, Ye Jiangbai, unharmed, looked down at her with a similar hue.

He had done everything he was supposed to do, smoothly. As long as the imperial physician examined the Seventh Prince's injuries, reported them to the emperor, and combined the news of the prison warden's death, there would be a high chance that the military pay supervisor position would go to someone else, no longer feeding the crown prince.

Yet, he couldn't feel any joy, only a hint of irritability.

"The Duke, the imperial physician is on his way here," a palace attendant whispered from behind the gauze screen.

Ye Jiangbai acknowledged and gently wiped away the remaining powder on Chang Nian's body with a handkerchief. He then casually helped her adjust her robe. After some thought, he turned his head to ask, "Has anyone here paid attention to the Seventh Prince?"

The palace attendant was taken aback, seemingly not expecting this question. But after a moment, they replied swiftly, "The Seventh Prince rarely appears in public, so there isn't much information about him. However, a few officials who have interacted with him mentioned that His Highness has an innocent and trusting nature."

This was far from being innocent; it was more like recklessly foolish. If he truly had murderous intentions, she would already be six feet under, without the slightest clue.

It was a miracle she had survived until now.

Chuckling softly, Ye Jiangbai waved his hand. "Forget about him. Get back to your duties."

"Yes, Your Highness." The attendant bowed and retreated.

Zhao Chang Nian felt as if she had just woken up from a nightmare. In her dream, she was trapped amidst a sea of blades and a cauldron of boiling oil, with no escape. Every part of her body screamed in agony. Eventually, she spotted a clear spring in the distance and leaped into it, only to drown and struggle for air.

"Pain..."

A moan escaped her lips, and suddenly, sensation returned to her limbs. Chang Nian moved her fingers slightly and faintly heard voices nearby.

"I am guilty, Your Majesty. Please mete out punishment."

"What crime do you, my dear subject, commit? It's Nian'er whose constitution is too frail. It's natural for the child to be born premature and weak."

To her surprise, it was the Emperor's voice. Chang Nian froze for a moment before struggling to open her eyes and turn her head.

On the tea couch outside the partition, a figure sat, vaguely visible through the latticed flower stand, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe.

"Hong Ti, Your Highness has awakened?" The servant girl standing by the bed gasped, delightfully squeezing Chang Nian's hand before hurrying to lift her skirt and report the news.

In no time, palace attendants came to assist her in paying respects.

Though her bottom had gone numb from the pain, Chang Nian's eyes sparkled. Letting the servants support her, she dug the tips of her toes into the ground, rushing eagerly toward the tea couch.

"Your Majesty, your humble son pays her respects!"

Bowing down on both knees, the sharp pain made Chang Nian grit her teeth. Drawing two deep breaths, she prostrated herself on the floor.

Ye Jiangbai stood aside, watching her with a glance from the corner of his eye, pressing his lips together.

All the other princes had been granted the privilege of a simple bow, except for the Seventh Prince. Yet, Chang Nian didn't feel the slightest bit aggrieved; instead, she knelt down promptly. Had there not been a rug on the floor, the thud would have echoed loudly.

Indeed, apart from formal group audiences, the Seventh Prince had not seen the Emperor for almost half a year.

What a pitiful creature.

With too many royal sons, the Emperor had little impression of this Seventh Prince and, thus, not much affection for him. If not for Ye Jiangbai's suggestion to pay a visit, he would not be sitting here today. But the royal family was adept at putting on a facade. Even if it had been a long time since he last saw his son, he still spoke kindly:

"If you're feeling unwell, there's no need to kneel. Rise."

"Thank you, Father!"

Chang Nian stood up, unable to sit down and could only be supported by the palace attendants. However, she was genuinely happy, and her pale cheeks flushed with a rosy glow. Her eyes shimmered like they were filled with crushed glass.

Ye Jiangbai cast a casual glance and secretly cursed her as an idiot.

In the royal family, emotions held no sway, and the Emperor was never one to be swayed by familial feelings. No matter how delighted she appeared, it would make no difference.

"The Crown Prince was a bit too harsh this time. I've already sent word to him, and he will come to apologize later," the Emperor said, half scolding, half consoling. "But you, too, why provoke him for no reason?"

Chang Nian blinked and whispered, "I know my mistake, Father."

What mistake did she make? The Crown Prince was narrow-minded first, then he was framed afterwards. Does this person really think it's her fault? Ye Jiangbai could only roll his eyes in his heart, and couldn't help but say, "Princess Qi's straightforward nature does indeed tend to offend people."

The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted it.

What is this about? Helping out Chang Nian wouldn't do him any good; why would he even suggest it? He was here to whisper into the emperor's ear, not to provide charity for fools.

The Emperor, upon hearing this, was somewhat taken aback. He cast a glance at the official, stroking his beard as he said, "Your words also hold merit, my dear minister."

Listening to Ye Jiangbai, Chang Nian didn't perceive his words as support; instead, she felt he was reprimanding her. Her little face fell, and she opened her mouth, ready to defend herself.

Ye Jiangbai felt a flutter in his brows; he knew what the fool was planning and quickly spoke up before her, "Your Highness is severely injured, it would be best to rest first."

"I'm fine!" Chang Nian immediately shook her head at the suggestion of leaving.

Ye Jiangbai gritted his teeth, maintaining the smile on his face, "The imperial physician said your injuries were severe, nearly costing you your life. There's no need to push yourself."

"I... I can still hold on for a while." Chang Nian looked at him pitifully.

After all, it wasn't often that her father would come and sit with her; could she not savor these moments a little longer?

Impossible!

Ye Jiangbai narrowed his eyes slightly. With her ashen face and trembling body, it was clear that his medicine had taken effect well enough to evoke the emperor's sympathy. So why was she insisting that everything was fine? Was she trying to undermine him?

He turned his head and glanced at Hong Ti.

This palace maid was much cleverer than the Seventh Prince. She promptly tugged on the hem of Chang Nian's sleeve.

Chang Nian hung her head, pouted, and croaked out a farewell to the emperor in a hoarse voice, "Your subject will take her leave now."

"Go rest," the emperor waved his hand, not sparing her another glance.

From the corner of his eye, Ye Jiangbai observed as the Seventh Prince seemed to lose all strength, wilting like a flower. He was carried into an inner chamber, laid down on a bed, and wrapped up tightly, forming a small bundle.

From this distance, he could only catch a glimpse of the shape of the bedding on the bed. Nevertheless, for some reason, Ye Jiangbai had a hunch.

That fool must be crying with red-rimmed eyes.