Chapter 316: Unconscious

Chapter 316: Unconscious

The Jinlin Guard dismounted and quickly approached He Qingxiao: "Lord He, something happened last night."

He Qingxiao kept his cool, taking a few steps forward and gestured for the Jinlin Guard to report.

The Jinlin Guard leaned in to whisper.

Xin You silently observed the change in He Qingxiao's expression, and she grew curious.

As for the tomb overseer accompanying them, he also listened intently, eager to hear clearly.

After the Jinlin Guard finished reporting, He Qingxiao calmed down and turned back to Xin You.

"Lord He, with your busy schedule, you’d better head back." Though curious about what had happened, Xin You did not ask.

If it could be told, Lord He would surely inform her. If not, there was no need to ask and make things awkward for him.

"Lady Xin, can we talk?"

As the tomb overseer watched enviously, Xin You followed He Qingxiao to the side.

He Qingxiao said in a low voice about the news he had just heard: "Last night, His Majesty accompanied the Empress Dowager to a high place to enjoy the moon. Unexpectedly, a stone rolled down and hit a wooden beam. Fortunately, Prince Xiu protected the Empress Dowager, or she would have been hit by the falling beam."

Xin You's expression changed slightly: "And Prince Xiu?"

"Prince Xiu was hit in the head by the beam and is currently still unconscious."

They both went quiet for a moment, and He Qingxiao said, "There were many people present last night, so it will likely spread today. I will return to check things out and will contact you if there are any surprises."

This matter, in itself, had nothing to do with He Qingxiao and Xin You.

If the falling beam was a deliberate act, it might cause a lot of trouble; if it was just an accident, some people would still be punished. But in any case, it had no connection to the two of them who were spending the Mid-Autumn Festival at the imperial tomb.

However, the long-term effects were tricky.

If Prince Xiu does not wake up, "young master Xin" will be more important in the eyes of many, as the merits of the deceased are just words, and the chances of the younger princes will increase.

If Prince Xiu is unharmed, the eldest prince who saved the Empress Dowager will undoubtedly win her over. Given His Majesty's filial piety towards the Empress Dowager, her stance will inevitably influence His Majesty's attitude.

These thoughts swirled in He Qingxiao's mind, and he looked at Xin You with a hint of pity.

If the latter scenario unfolds, it will undoubtedly make things harder for Lady Xin, who wishes to establish herself in the court as young master Xin.

Moreover, Prince Xiu himself is somewhat inscrutable even to He Qingxiao.

"Lord He, do you think it was more likely an accident or a deliberate act?"

Given the imperial family's involvement, such a question should never be asked in the presence of others. But with the conversation not reaching a third party, Xin You asked directly.

This trust was built through their shared journey south and their life-and-death experiences.

"That can only be determined after investigation. I have a feeling it was more likely an accident."

The greatest beneficiary of this incident is Prince Xiu, provided he wakes up safe and sound. The incident occurred within the palace, and for an unfavored prince living outside the palace to have such reach would be quite extraordinary.

"Lord He, you should return quickly." Xin You had considerable faith in He Qingxiao's intuition.

This had nothing to do with seeing a lover through rose-tinted glasses, but rather, given the number of unexpected incidents Lord He had encountered, if his intuition were not strong, they might not have had the chance to meet.

He Qingxiao nodded, "Then I'll head back to the city."

Taking the reins from Xiao Ba, He Qingxiao mounted his horse, gave a respectful nod to Xin You, and then galloped away.

Xin You stood for a moment, then silently turned and walked back.

The tomb overseer followed closely, keeping pace.

"Qin Overseer, please attend to your tasks," Xin You said politely.

The tomb overseers were almost lifelong positions, typically passed down from father to son. In some ways, it was a relatively simple life.

The light in the overseer's eyes faded, "Yes."

He had been hoping that Young Master Xin would share something with him.

Clearly, he had thought too much.

Xiao Ba was not quite as reserved as the overseer. He stepped up to Xin You and asked curiously, "Young Master, what happened in the city? Will it affect us?"

"Something happened in the palace, but it won't affect us—" Xin You paused, her expression thoughtful.

Even if Prince Xiu gained the support of the Empress Dowager and then the Emperor's attention, it shouldn't affect her in the short term. But for some reason, as she said this, she felt a sense of unease.

Well, she wasn't Lord He after all; her intuition wasn't as sharp.

Xin You looked up at the vast, clear blue sky, and her heart gradually calmed.

Life at the tomb was monotonous for many, but for her, who had been constantly on the move since her mother's incident, it was a rare period of peace.

She needed to pause, to find the strength to continue on the thorny path ahead.

He Qingxiao returned to the Northern Pacification Office, where he learned more details.

Most incidents in the palace were handled by the palace's own investigators, but last night's event involved many people and almost hit the Empress Dowager. Emperor Xingyuan couldn't ignore it. Officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Works, along with palace eunuchs, conducted a thorough inspection of the scene.

At this moment, Emperor Xingyuan was listening to the report from the official in charge: "Your Majesty, after our inspection and discussion, we believe that the stone's loosening and rolling were caused by the heavy rains this summer."

"So, it was simply an accident?"

Facing the Emperor's stern gaze, the official lowered his head slightly, "Currently, we have found no signs of human intervention."

Emperor Xingyuan pondered for a long time, then let out a deep breath, "You've worked hard."

For a stone to hit a beam, and the beam to fall—if it were controlled by human hands, it would be utterly unbelievable.

Accidents, on the other hand, are never reasonable. They just happen, they strike, they just bring misfortune.

Emotionally, Emperor Xingyuan undoubtedly hoped it was an accident. The ruthlessness of the royal family is a truth observed throughout history, and while the ruler can be ruthless, they don't wish for others to be the same.

"Investigate further without delay," Emperor Xingyuan said, then stood and headed towards the side hall where Prince Xiu was resting.

Even if it was an accident, those in charge, those who failed in maintenance, and those who organized the Mid-Autumn Festival would undoubtedly face consequences, but Emperor Xingyuan's mindset was different.

The room was permeated by the scent of medicine. Prince Xiu lay on the bed with his eyes closed, his head wrapped in layers of soft cloth.

Blood seeped through the white cloth, making the young man on the bed appear even more frail and pitiful.

Emperor Xingyuan stared at Prince Xiu's youthful face, suddenly realizing that his eldest son was only nineteen, not yet of age.

He is indeed still just a boy.

Realizing this, Emperor Xingyuan's long-standing coldness towards his eldest son softened somewhat.

There was a sound from behind, and Emperor Xingyuan turned to see the Dowager Empress supported by a palace servant.

"Mom, why aren't you taking it easy?"

"I'm not injured, what's there to rest for?" The Dowager Empress glanced inside with a concerned expression, "Why isn't Prince Xiu awake yet?"