Chapter 17 Lantern Festival Drama

Chapter 17: The Lantern Festival Scheme

Once the plan targeting Wuzi was set, Xiao Yunlang secretly dispatched people to search for medicine from the Western Regions.

The Crown Prince's household was always highly efficient.

The guards searched overnight, and by the next day, they had results.

As always, Jiang Yanzhou was the last one up in the household. He lazily got up, ate a meal that could no longer really be called breakfast, and heard the sound of things being moved in the courtyard.

Bundled in his robes, Jiang Yanzhou stepped over the threshold and glanced curiously outside.

"Has the medicine been found?"

But isn't it a bit too much?

It was supposed to be just a small pinch of powder, so why were so many boxes being brought?

Feng Lan and Feng Yi came over, answering "Yes." Noticing Jiang Yanzhou's gaze falling on the boxes behind, Feng Yi explained: "Those are medicinal herbs sent by Commissioner Sui. The physician has already checked them; they're all high-quality. His Highness ordered them all to be delivered to Yan Gui Xuan."

Jiang Yanzhou had missed the earlier bulk purchase of medicine for the residence. He stared at the many boxes being carried one by one. After a dazed moment, he thought: Do I really need to take this much medicine?

I've truly become a medicine jar.

After speaking, Feng Yi took out a packet of medicinal powder along with a bracelet.

The powder was ground from a Western Regions herb. After ingestion, it would cause severe abdominal pain within two or three hours.

It fit the criteria Jiang Yanzhou and Xiao Yunlang had set: non-lethal but tormenting.

Thanks to Wuli's self-sabotaging image, he genuinely seemed like someone who would administer such medicine out of revenge.

Even the Uz people themselves wouldn't doubt it.

The bracelet beside it was adorned with a small hollow sphere. Its exterior was carved with flowers and landscapes, looking like a pretty little ornament, but surprisingly, it could be opened.

Jiang Yanzhou's eyes lit up: Isn't this like the sachet from the museum!

Upon closer inspection, it was somewhat different. The one in the museum had a larger, openwork sphere that let fragrance out. This metal sphere was smaller and perfectly sealed before opening.

Perhaps it wasn't a sachet.

Though Jiang Yanzhou didn't know its proper name, he immediately understood its purpose upon seeing it.

Jiang Yanzhou examined the object appreciatively and said: "The medicinal powder goes inside here, right?"

Feng Yi and Feng Lan shared a surprised look but quickly recovered, lowering their eyes. Feng Yi said: "Yes."

Jiang Yanzhou: "What if the powder is discovered inside afterwards?"

Feng Yi replied: "The small sphere is inlaid with wood, all pre-treated with special oils. Unless the substance placed inside is particularly viscous, it won't leave any residue."

As he spoke, his head lowered further.

This type of bracelet with a small sphere was a commonly used medicine pouch among wealthy families. Though small, it was designed to hold one or two small medicinal pills while also serving as an ornament.

Jiang Yanzhou was from a prominent family and often fell ill... logically, he shouldn't be unfamiliar with such medicine pouches.

Feng Yi felt suspicious but said nothing aloud.

After delivering the items, he left. Feng Lan also had matters to attend to and walked out with him.

Once outside Yan Gui Xuan, the two were silent for a moment before Feng Yi spoke: "How could the Young Master not recognize a medicine pouch?"

Feng Lan also found it strange, but after thinking, he offered a plausible explanation: "The Young Master hardly ever left the Jiang residence in the past, so he wouldn't have needed an outdoor medicine pouch. It's possible he simply doesn't know it."

That actually made some sense.

Feng Yi was about to nod when Feng Lan added: "Actually, it's not just the medicine pouch. I always feel the Young Master looks at many things as if seeing them for the first time—curious, delighted. And the way he looks at some objects is very..."

Feng Lan carefully chose his words: "...very reverent, almost as if encountering some priceless treasure worthy of being enshrined in a temple with incense."

Yet those things were quite common in the homes of high officials and nobles.

Feng Lan and Feng Yi looked at each other, feeling Jiang Yanzhou's past life had become even more enigmatic.

However, these were not matters for subordinates like them to inquire about.

The Crown Prince's residence was fully prepared for the Lantern Festival banquet plan, awaiting only the right moment.

In the blink of an eye, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month arrived.

Just as the Dali Temple official had said earlier, the capital was hit by a spring cold snap.

A biting cold permeated the air, distant mountains shrouded in misty haze. Stepping outside was enough to make one shiver and understand the bite of the spring cold.

The Lantern Festival palace banquet was an evening feast, held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Outside the palace gates, carriages arrived in an endless, bustling stream. Although the relief fund case and the downfall of the Shangguan family had left many secretly uneasy, the capital's surface display of jade trees and jeweled flowers remained utterly unaffected.

Ministers arrived early, taking their seats according to protocol and conversing with acquaintances.

Foreign envoys who had come to offer congratulations also had their designated seats, sizing each other up or probing cautiously.

When the eunuch announced the arrival of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, the noise in the hall momentarily hushed.

People pretended nonchalance but actually lifted their heads to look.

The incident between the Crown Princess and the Uz envoy a few days prior was already known to everyone at court. The name Jiang Yanzhou, after the widely watched yet peculiar wedding, once again reached everyone's ears.

Many among them had only heard of him, never seen his face.

When a figure of exceptional grace and brilliance came into view, the great hall suddenly grew even quieter.

This time, even breaths seemed to lighten.

They saw a young gentleman, elegant as orchids and jade trees, graceful and charming, like pine and snow illuminating green mountains.

He wore a snow-white cloak, beneath which was a round-collared robe with wide sleeves embroidered with four phoenixes and flying flowers. As he walked, the lustrous pearls adorning his hair gently swayed, reminiscent of stars condensed in an inkstone pool.

Where he passed, even his shadow seemed to unfurl more slowly than others', the hem of his robe blossoming like a flower. Even the lamplight in the hall treated him with care, slowly caressing him before softly revealing, from his porcelain-white cheeks, a beauty like dew-laden branches.

Jiang Yanzhou held a hand warmer, paying no heed to the scrutinizing gazes of everyone.

He was long accustomed to it and indifferent to the stares of irrelevant people.

When he stepped down from the sedan chair, he felt somewhat drowsy because it was too warm.

Everyone in the residence treated the weather as a formidable enemy, including Xiao Yunlang, all fearing he might catch a chill.

Jiang Yanzhou was swaddled like a fluffy rabbit in his snow-white cloak, its lining radiating warmth.

The biting wind couldn’t reach him at all—yet walking just a few steps sharpened his senses slightly.

He cast only a fleeting glance toward Jiang Linque.

At that very moment, Chancellor Jiang was also looking at him.

Their gazes met for but an instant—neither could read the other’s thoughts.

Jiang Yanzhou lowered his eyes and took his seat beside Xiao Yunlang; their tables stood close together.

When a eunuch approached to pour wine for Jiang Yanzhou, Xiao Yunlang spoke first—in a tone utterly neutral: “The Crown Princess is still on medication and cannot drink wine.”

The eunuch immediately apologized, removed the wine cup, and left only the teacup.

Xiao Yunlang could say this today without fear of arousing the emperor’s suspicion—because earlier, the emperor himself had sent a messenger to deliver a clear directive:

Family scandals must not be aired publicly. Before foreign envoys and neighboring states, even if Xiao Yunlang and Jiang Yanzhou were not close, they must not appear cold.

Even if it meant feigning affection, royal decorum had to be upheld.

Just as the emperor and Empress Jiang did—everyone knew they were estranged, yet on grand occasions, they never faltered, presenting themselves as a harmonious, respectful couple.

The emperor was overthinking it. While he and the empress strained to simulate affection, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were straining just as hard—to pretend they *weren’t* getting along.

Jiang Yanzhou watched the wine being removed, cradling his hand warmer, a warmth spreading through his chest. An almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.

Xiao Yunlang truly treated him well.

In his understanding, for Xiao Yunlang—a future paragon of wise rulers—to grant him opportunity, employ his strategies, and allow him to leave his mark upon the annals of the Qi Dynasty—was already fortune accrued over eight lifetimes.

To live like this was already extravagance enough—yet Xiao Yunlang still treated him with such care.

Having received so much, Jiang Yanzhou had nothing to repay him with.

All he could do was give his all—to smooth Xiao Yunlang’s path as thoroughly as possible.

He lifted his teacup, calculating silently: it was around six or seven—the Hour of You—and Bujianyue had yet to take effect.

If the poison struck precisely as the Wuzi envoy raised his toast, that would be most convenient indeed.

Xiao Yunlang engaged in no idle chatter. His gaze swept the hall until it settled on his target—the Young Miracle Doctor, seated far away in an unobtrusive corner.

The Young Miracle Doctor caught his eye and gave a subtle nod from afar—assuring him that tonight’s affairs were under his control.

Xiao Yunlang felt relief—but showed none, calmly withdrawing his gaze.

His eyes drifted to the dark hair of Jiang Yanzhou beside him.

He didn’t know which attendant had first thought to adorn Jiang Yanzhou’s hair with pearls—but it was perfectly fitting.

Xiao Yunlang thought that, were it his own, he wouldn’t wish to remove them either.

Pearls and jade complemented beauty.

A moment later, Emperor Yonghe and Empress Jiang arrived.

Indeed, the emperor and empress played the part of a harmonious couple—ascending to their thrones hand in hand, betraying no sign of discord.

Yet the emperor had brought Imperial Concubine Wei to attend.

It revealed that even their feigned affection was purely performative.

Empress Jiang was dignified and graceful, wearing nine phoenixes—unlike Jiang Yanzhou’s four. Imperial Concubine Wei was stunningly beautiful: though she could not surpass the empress in rank, she excelled in makeup and color, her elegance losing not a whit.

With the Jiang family recently suppressed, the Wei family grew smug—believing that, following the cabinet reforms, perhaps the position of Chief Minister ought to fall to them.

What should have been a splendid banquet was stirred by human ambition—charged with undercurrents of tension.

Emperor Yonghe had recently resolved the relief fund case and was in high spirits. Even the furrows between his brows seemed shallower, and his opening remarks were genuinely calm and composed.

First, the royal family exchanged greetings among themselves. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess toasted the emperor and empress.

Of course, Jiang Yanzhou was the exception—using tea instead.

According to Qi Dynasty etiquette, at the start of a banquet, when the Crown Prince and Crown Princess offered their first toast to the emperor and empress, they were required to approach closely.

This was Jiang Yanzhou’s first time seeing Empress Jiang. Her eyes held the same ambition as Chancellor Jiang’s—filled with the Jiang family’s hunger for power.

Her gaze swept over them, then settled on Jiang Yanzhou. Noting the phoenix motifs on his robes, she smiled. “Dear child, I missed you last time at court. I only heard you’d accidentally fallen into the water—I’ve worried about you for so long.”

That gentle remark made Emperor Yonghe’s relaxed brows tense once more.

The Crown Princess’s fall had never been publicized—yet Empress Jiang mentioned it so casually that even Imperial Concubine Wei beside her looked uneasy.

Indeed, a royal banquet was no easy thing to endure.

Fortunately, the residence had fed Jiang Yanzhou before his departure—so he wasn’t hungry, and still had energy to converse.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. I am quite recovered.”

Empress Jiang’s smile deepened. “I am your aunt—and now, by ritual, your mother. As family, of course I care.”

…A confusing yet technically accurate lineage.

“Outer attendants may not enter the palace. It boils down to having no suitable people around you when you fell,” Empress Jiang revealed her true intent. Her greeting had not been without purpose. “I shall select two eunuchs for you—you may bring them to the palace henceforth. How does that sound?”

She said “how does that sound,” but her meaning was unequivocal: he must accept.

Before Jiang Yanzhou could reply, the emperor interjected.

He set down his cup. “The Crown Prince’s residence has many attendants. Can they not serve the Crown Princess well? Empress, you labor tirelessly—spare your strength and take better care of yourself.”

“Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your concern,” Empress Jiang replied, her smile not reaching her eyes. “A small matter—not taxing.”

Xiao Yunlang, who had been reluctant to speak much, suddenly laughed.

“I wonder if the Empress has heard the rumors spreading like wildfire—that I mistreat servants, regard life as worthless, and kill slaves on a whim.”

Empress Jiang had certainly heard—this was a rumor jointly circulated by the noble families—but she feigned ignorance, replying amiably, “Whoever gossips thus must be lying—”

Xiao Yunlang: “It’s all true.”

Empress Jiang: “…”

Jiang Yanzhou desperately wanted to glance at Xiao Yunlang—but restrained himself.

Xiao Yunlang feared nothing—and dared claim anything: “For instance, a clumsy servant once broke a flower branch in my study. I had him buried as flower fertilizer. The potted plant that grew from it was even sent to the palace. Have you seen it, Empress?”

The Empress's face turned green, unable to speak for a long while.

The Emperor's face also turned green, because the servant who had been made into flower fertilizer was one of his informants.

That servant was bold and eager to prove himself, sneaking into the Crown Prince's study to search for letters, only to be caught red-handed.

He probably only realized at the moment of his death—how could he have so easily slipped into such an important place as the study?

Of course, it was intentional.

Otherwise, what pretext would there be to execute him?

Xiao Yunlang took pleasure in their discomfort. He had originally intended to mention a few more things to needle them, but then he remembered Jiang Yanzhou was beside him.

Last time, when the Emperor had a eunuch beaten to death, Jiang Yanzhou had been visibly disturbed.

Little Young Master Jiang might have been witnessing bloodshed for the first time—after all, it was a living human life.

...Later, he would have to explain to Jiang Yanzhou that he wasn’t indiscriminately killing innocent people; that man deserved to die.

For the first time ever, the usually unruly and arrogant Crown Prince actually learned to know when to stop and held back his words.

"So," Xiao Yunlang's eyelids lowered heavily, "if the Empress is truly kind and benevolent, don’t send the people under your command to the Crown Prince's residence."

If she did send them, would that make her cruel and ruthless? The Empress gave a bitter, angry laugh.

Xiao Yunlang threw down these words, turned on his heel, and left, with Jiang Yanzhou, of course, following.

Unfortunately, amidst the sounds of music and dance, the ministers in the distance didn’t hear the Crown Prince’s rebellious words.

Because of Xiao Yunlang’s earlier words, Jiang Yanzhou’s originally bright eyes flickered with amusement, but soon, that hint of amusement faded.

Because although Xiao Yunlang had vented his anger and felt momentarily satisfied, upon second thought, why did the noble families dare to slander Xiao Yunlang so brazenly?

Although future achievements would eventually overshadow this, some of the slanderous rumors might still be passed down in unofficial histories.

Xiao Yunlang probably didn’t care about his reputation at all, but Jiang Yanzhou was not willing to accept that.

The help he was now providing to the Eastern Palace was for the sake of Daqi’s Crown Prince. Shouldn’t he also consider whether he could do something for Xiao Yunlang’s reputation?

It had nothing to do with state affairs; it was simply for Xiao Yunlang as a person.

Yes, Jiang Yanzhou realized belatedly, with sudden clarity—this was repayment.

Apart from being the Crown Prince, Xiao Yunlang was, first and foremost, a living person—not just in history books, but right here in front of Jiang Yanzhou.

Treating him merely as a symbol of an emperor was unfair to him.

...I actually only realized this now.

Jiang Yanzhou realized he was truly slow on the uptake and couldn’t help but reflect on himself.

So, what should he do? The noble families had many followers and many writers. Many rumors were described so vividly that they had already spread far and wide...

Jiang Yanzhou’s train of thought suddenly came to a halt.

He was forced to pause.

Because he felt his heart miss a beat.

For a moment, it felt as if a piece had been carved out of his chest, his breathing seemed to stop, and his entire body was abruptly tightened and lifted.

Then, his internal organs were violently torn apart as if plummeting from a great height and crashing hard onto the ground.

Shattered into pieces, in excruciating pain.

A heart-wrenching, bone-piercing pain tore open a bloody gash, instantly swallowing Jiang Yanzhou whole.

—Bujianyue had activated.

And before the Wuzi envoy’s toast, there was still a whole street’s worth of ministers lined up, waiting to greet the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

*

Jiang Linque had once said that when Bujianyue took effect, it felt like being devoured by ten thousand ants. Jiang Yanzhou had held onto a sliver of hope, thinking this might be an exaggeration and that it wouldn’t be that painful.

Now he knew—it was no exaggeration at all.

Jiang Yanzhou was instantly in so much pain that his vision went dark. His body lurched forward violently, nearly collapsing onto the table right then and there.

But his waist only bent forward slightly before he wrenched himself back, slowly steadying himself.

No matter how chaotic the turmoil inside him was, the external disturbance was so slight that no one noticed.

His internal organs felt as if they were being shattered and repeatedly crushed. The pain seeped out from between his bones, from the inside out, as if thousands of needles were piercing through his flesh, tearing him apart from the inside.

The most terrifying part was that this agony was unmistakably real—being dismembered alive would probably feel similar.

The pain was unbearable.

Jiang Yanzhou clenched his hands until his knuckles turned white. He bit down hard on his lips, swallowing the sudden cry of pain along with the taste of blood.

His lips, originally pale due to illness, were now bitten crimson, like red plum blossoms scattered on snow—strikingly beautiful.

But beneath the red plum blossoms lay a bloody mess.

Chancellor Jiang had already raised his wine cup toward the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

He’s watching me.

Jiang Yanzhou realized this clearly amidst the splitting pain.

He slowly, with great difficulty, unclenched his tightly balled fingers inside his sleeve, stiffly but steadily placing them on his cup.

Amidst Chancellor Jiang’s Lantern Festival greetings, Jiang Yanzhou looked up and met his gaze.

Jiang Linque was indeed observing him. Theoretically, Bujianyue should have activated around this time.

As soon as Jiang Yanzhou collapsed from the pain, palace attendants would immediately step forward to attend to the Crown Princess, and amidst the chaos, the poison could be administered.

Everything was ready, waiting only for Jiang Yanzhou’s reaction.

But Jiang Yanzhou hadn’t reacted yet.

A slight discrepancy in the drug’s onset time—by the duration of a cup of tea or an incense stick—was normal.

Thinking this, Jiang Linque remained calm for the moment, maintaining a steady and solemn demeanor while toasting.

But as Jiang Yanzhou held his teacup and met his gaze, he suddenly smiled at him.

The smile was faint yet dazzling. In the over ten years Jiang Linque had raised him, he had never seen such a smile on his face.

The wine-serving attendant behind Jiang Yanzhou seemed grazed by his smile, immediately letting out a soft gasp, her face turning beet red in an instant.

Only Jiang Linque’s eye twitched slightly, a sense of foreboding rising inexplicably in his heart.

Even though Chancellor Jiang and the Crown Princess Consort were father and son, he couldn’t keep staring at his son, or it would draw attention.

Thus, seeing Jiang Yanzhou appear normal and not showing signs of poisoning, Chancellor Jiang averted his gaze first.

As Jiang Yanzhou set down his teacup, his hand involuntarily trembled.

When pain reaches a peak, muscles spasm on their own, with little control.

Jiang Linque didn’t look at him again, but a faint smile still lingered at the corner of Jiang Yanzhou’s lips.

Jiang Yanzhou’s gaze was somewhat dazed. He hated pain, truly—he felt he was about to die from it. He had always been able to endure anything, but pain was his weakest point.

Yet he never spoke of it.

As a child, when he fought with bullies, taking a hit or two hurt, but he never said a word.

When the volatile elder of the household he was staying with took out his unreasonable anger on him, caning his palm, it hurt, but he still didn’t speak.

Because crying out in pain would only make others laugh at him.

After all, no one cared how he was.

He would endure for a moment in front of others, and if he couldn’t hold on, he’d find a secluded corner to crouch in, hissing through gritted teeth and letting out soft groans of pain.

His longest record so far was five minutes, when a certain elder broke a branch on his palm.

The blow was so vicious that even the elder himself was shocked and found it unnerving, stepping back.

Because Jiang Yanzhou neither cried nor made a fuss.

They looked at him as if he were a monster: Did this child not feel pain?

He knew. He knew it all too well.

Jiang Yanzhou had smiled at Jiang Linque earlier because he felt… today he could set a new record for enduring pain.

The smile slowly settled in his eyes, turning into a sharp, cold line.

—He simply refused to let these people have their way.

At the grand banquet, those seated nearby could offer toasts from their own tables, while those farther away would come to the front.

Of course, not just anyone could toast the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort—only high-ranking officials or foreign envoys were permitted.

When subordinates offered toasts, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort could simply remain seated and acknowledge the toast, which was a small mercy.

Because Jiang Yanzhou could no longer stand properly.

As people came before him one by one, Jiang Yanzhou initially tried to distract himself and alleviate the pain by listening to their names and matching them with historical records in his mind.

But later, he simply didn’t have the energy for it anymore.

It hurt so much.

His shoulders and hands began to tremble uncontrollably. To hide his condition, Jiang Yanzhou had no choice but to tilt his head and cough lightly twice.

As if his movements were merely due to the coughing.

As soon as he coughed, Xiao Yunlang and the official offering the toast snapped their attention to him. The official asked, “Has the Crown Princess Consort taken a chill? Why are you coughing?”

Because Jiang Yanzhou was struggling to endure the pain, he appeared reticent. When others delivered lengthy toasts, he would politely respond with a soft “mm,” leaving the rest to Xiao Yunlang.

Xiao Yunlang, also preoccupied with the evening’s plans and eager to reach Wuzi, didn’t engage much in small talk with the officials. He kept the pace brisk, as fast as possible without arousing suspicion.

But no matter how fast, to Jiang Yanzhou, it felt as if centuries had passed.

When the official asked him this, he could no longer remain silent.

“Cough… just a minor ailment,” Jiang Yanzhou’s voice was exceptionally soft, his shoulders trembling slightly at the end of the cough as he tried to sound normal. “It’s always been this way. I’m used to it.”

The official, aware of his frail health, offered some words of concern before leaving with his empty wine cup.

Jiang Yanzhou tilted his head and coughed lightly twice more, then abruptly clamped his teeth on his lip.

He realized he couldn’t use the coughing ploy too often. Coughing involved exhaling, and if he coughed too much, he feared he might accidentally let out the suppressed groans of pain stuck in his throat.

Though the coughs were very soft, Xiao Yunlang frowned upon hearing them.

Feng Lan had said that Jiang Yanzhou’s health had been quite good these past few days, with hardly any coughing day or night.

Why was he coughing again today? Could it be he caught a chill from the wind?

They had been very careful from the residence to the palace, but it seemed… they hadn’t been careful enough.

They should prepare a veil for Jiang Yanzhou, to be worn as soon as he stepped out of the sedan chair to shield him from the wind, and removed only at the palace gate.

Although wearing a veil in the palace was against protocol—

What did it matter? How many protocols had Xiao Yunlang ever followed in front of the Emperor?

As Xiao Yunlang pondered this, the wine-serving eunuch beside him stole a glance at his frosty expression, mistakenly thinking the Crown Prince was displeased with the Jiang family’s lack of decorum.

The eunuch shook his head inwardly. Royal marriages were indeed all pretense, as fragile as paper.

Jiang Yanzhou was struggling to hold on.

He was barely holding himself together with sheer will, knowing he couldn’t let go—once he did, he would never be able to pick himself up again.

He was almost numb to everything around him, yet strangely, he could keenly sense Jiang Linque’s increasingly frequent glances in his direction.

Every time Jiang Linque looked over, Jiang Yanzhou’s back would straighten just a little more.

Jiang Linque had gone from calm and unhurried to suspicious, and now to quietly anxious.

He was very familiar with the drug Bujianyue and was certain of its onset time. Even if there were slight variations depending on the person, it shouldn’t have shown no effect by now.

He had personally witnessed many people in agony when the drug took effect. Even those who initially claimed they weren’t afraid of death would eventually succumb to the torment of the drug’s effects.

After all, death was instantaneous, but the torment of Bujianyue was relentless and repetitive.

Given Jiang Yanzhou’s temperament, Jiang Linque had never considered the possibility that he could endure it.

So why? Could it be that Jiang Yanzhou had found a way to suppress the poison, or even cured it entirely!?

Jiang Linque was startled. Who had the ability to cure Bujianyue?

Jiang Yanzhou couldn't possibly know such a capable person.

So then... was it Xiao Yunlang?

But what would Xiao Yunlang get out of it?

Saving someone who's supposed to be an enemy, unless there was some benefit to be gained. But Jiang Yanzhou had no real abilities. Xiao Yunlang was a smart man; he should know that capturing Jiang Yanzhou wouldn't matter to the Jiang family.

Jiang Yanzhou had spent over a decade in the Chancellor's residence, wallowing in self-pity due to illness or taking out his frustrations on those around him. He knew nothing of the important plans the Jiang family was scheming.

That's why Jiang Linque wasn't worried at all; he had never taken Jiang Yanzhou seriously.

He frowned, unable to figure it out. When Jiang Yinhan also looked at him nervously, he shook his head at his eldest son:

Don't act, wait and see.

Jiang Yanzhou still sat upright at the table; no one could tell he was in so much pain he was nearly losing consciousness.

The last bit of his willpower was spent counting heads.

Counting when it would be the Wuzi envoy's turn.

The rest was just steadying his breath whenever Jiang Linque looked his way.

Jiang Yanzhou felt he should even thank Chancellor Jiang. If he didn't keep glancing over from time to time, Jiang Yanzhou might have truly given up.

But his muddled mind sifted through the thought and realized it was wrong—the poison was his doing, so why thank him?

All expression had faded from Jiang Yanzhou's face, like a jade doll. Beautiful, yes, but his eyes were lowered, making people marvel one moment and shiver the next.

...Because he didn't look alive.

For a couple of moments, Jiang Yanzhou thought he had grown numb to the pain, accustomed to it. But the needle-like stabs seemed to change tune, becoming knife cuts—one slash after another, no longer hacking at bones, this time it was just his heart being gouged out.

Jiang Yanzhou's gaze wandered dully across the table, stopping on a porcelain plate.

His thoughts were muddled; he had the impulse to pick up the plate, smash it, and stab himself.

It was too unbearable. At least death would end the pain.

But as soon as the sound of wine cups clinking reached him, he snapped back to attention, forcing himself to pick up his teacup again, reminding himself where he was and what he had to do.

Finally, it was time for the foreign envoys to offer their toasts.

Now approaching was the prince of the White Wolf Tribe of the Northern Barbarians, who would later become the Great Khan of the steppes and die at Xiao Yunlang's hands—Tieguluo.

Such an important historical figure. Under normal circumstances, Jiang Yanzhou would have studied him closely. But now, he just kept his eyes downcast. Without even waiting for Tieguluo to speak, he quickly took a sip of tea and set the cup down.

This was really rude, but Jiang Yanzhou couldn't afford to care.

He couldn't cough too much; his trembling body was becoming harder to conceal. He couldn't hold the cup up for long periods anymore.

Otherwise, if he dropped the cup he couldn't steady, Jiang Linque would definitely act immediately.

Tieguluo was tall and powerfully built, with a rough-hewn, bold face, brownish hair tied into small braids in the grassland style and gathered at the back of his head. He paused, then said, "The Crown Princess of Daqi seems not to like me."

Xiao Yunlang still held his wine cup. He didn't respond to that, deflecting it for Jiang Yanzhou: "Tieguluo of the White Wolf Tribe, I know you."

Tieguluo then turned his burning gaze over: "I know you too."

His Daqi court language was surprisingly good. As he stared at Xiao Yunlang, his eyes held unconcealed admiration and intense battle lust.

Xiao Yunlang was made a prince and given a fief at fourteen, sent from the capital to his territories. He wasn't assigned a prosperous region; his fiefdoms of Shuozhou and Yizhou were in the northwest.

Especially Yizhou, which bordered both the western regions and the Northern Barbarians, making it unlucky enough to suffer harassment from both western mounted bandits and northern tribal cavalry.

Xiao Yunlang's princely residence was originally designated in Xuanzhou. This place couldn't compare to the rich lands of the south, but it wasn't bad either. Yet he insisted on personally stationing himself in Yizhou.

During his time in Yizhou, he reorganized the garrison, petitioned the court, and at fifteen, personally led troops into battle, sweeping out Yizhou's foreign enemies.

The elite Xuanyun Cavalry he established was the precursor to the later Xuanyun Army, which would awe the world.

However, Xiao Yunlang couldn't launch attacks outward. First, his military strength was insufficient. Second, the court didn't provide enough grain and funds.

Daqi had no military farming colonies. Yizhou's grain supply was already tight every year. Unless Xiao Yunlang could command all four borders, he couldn't conjure grain out of thin air.

Xiao Yunlang carved out a small, stable area along Yizhou's border, establishing a trading market with troops stationed there. All countries could trade at the market, with strict inspections for all comings and goings.

The market was prosperous but small because if it were any larger, that bit of military strength wouldn't be enough.

Xiao Yunlang was recalled to the capital at seventeen, but his valor was still known on the borders.

And Tieguluo, the son the White Wolf Tribe chieftain was proud of, had married a daughter of the Fierce Eagle Tribe, seized much land for the Wolf Tribe, and subdued another tribe through force.

He was a strong contender for the next chieftain.

Now, within the grand hall, golden incense burners exhaled fragrance, performers' water sleeves fluttered, amber wine filled luminous cups. Amidst this scene of prosperous splendor, Xiao Yunlang and Tieguluo locked eyes, but it was a clash of armored horses and iron weapons.

Enemy, opponent, prey—their gazes collided, neither yielding, even as they drank, they stared directly at each other.

—Fight him, and then, win!

Both thought simultaneously.

Xiao Yunlang drained his cup.

He had a great capacity for alcohol, never getting drunk even after a thousand cups. The fighting spirit stirred by Tieguluo hadn't subsided, but his mind already wanted to check on Jiang Yanzhou.

He had also noticed Jiang Yanzhou's unusual behavior.

It seemed that starting from the last few people, Jiang Yanzhou's tea-drinking actions had become very quick.

Occasionally with one person, you could say maybe he disliked them and wasn't planning to be polite. But consecutively like this was not right.

However, when the Northern Barbarian tribes came to toast, they came in a group. After toasting one, the next would follow immediately. With so many people gathered around, Xiao Yunlang simply couldn't find a gap.

Jiang Yanzhou only felt the sounds in his ears sometimes buzzing deafeningly loud, sometimes fading to the distant horizon. His body swayed almost imperceptibly; he was truly about to give up.

Definitely a record.

How long had he held on?

...So it turns out, if you just force yourself, I can actually endure pain this well.

Figures came and went before the table. Finally, Jiang Yanzhou heard: "Wuzi greets the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of the Qi Dynasty."

Jiang Yanzhou's eyes, dead for half the day, trembled violently: It's here!

He bit the tip of his tongue hard, forcing his sluggish self to become alert.

The eldest prince of Wuzi, along with Wuli and the elderly man, approached.

Since Wuli had previously offended the Crown Princess, it was best to offer another apology on such an occasion. Though he seemed reluctant, he still raised his wine cup and offered a separate, half-hearted apology to Jiang Yanzhou.

Everyone then heard the Crown Princess, who hadn't spoken for a while, suddenly speak again.

“It’s alright,” Jiang Yanzhou said.

The muscles in Wuli’s face twitched slightly.

What was with this Crown Princess? Was this really the same person who'd called him a dog?

Perhaps Wuli was holding back because of the guests present.

Wuli grumbled inwardly and drank the wine in his hand.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yanzhou used the act of drinking tea as cover, gently flicking open the small spherical medicine pouch on his wrist.

Pale powder instantly dusted into the teacup, blending seamlessly with the tea—completely undetectable.

After closing the pouch, Jiang Yanzhou adjusted his posture slightly. Having done all this, he couldn't hold on any longer.

The next moment, just as the Wuzi delegation was turning away, Jiang Yanzhou’s hand went slack. The teacup crashed onto the table with a *clatter*, spilling tea all over.

Under the bewildered and startled gazes of the Wuzi delegation, Jiang Yanzhou went limp and slumped sideways.

Xiao Yunlang immediately reached out to catch him.

Jiang Yanzhou trembled as he clutched Xiao Yunlang’s sleeve, barely squeezing out a single word: “Tea…”

He had managed to deliver the prearranged line. With that, Jiang Yanzhou finally let go of his composure.

Xiao Yunlang had been ready to play his part, but the moment he caught Jiang Yanzhou, his eyes narrowed sharply.

Jiang Yanzhou’s face was pale, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, and his entire body was wracked with tremors. As Xiao Yunlang held him, he could feel involuntary twitching in his shoulders and back.

Like spasms.

A slight tremble could be faked, but cold sweat and spasms?

If this was all an act, then nothing in the world was real.

Though the music played on, a disturbance of that magnitude immediately drew the attention of everyone else.

Originally, they were supposed to wait for the Emperor to tear his attention from the song and dance and speak, but Jiang Yanzhou was clearly in distress. Xiao Yunlang decided on the spot and shouted, “The tea is poisoned! Guards, summon the imperial physician at once!”

The music and dancing came to an abrupt halt, and the entire hall erupted in uproar!

Jiang Linque shot to his feet. A eunuch hurriedly approached the table, reaching out to assist: “Crown Princess!”

But he never made contact.

Because Xiao Yunlang suddenly narrowed his eyes. Holding Jiang Yanzhou, he turned sideways, blocking him, his arm intercepting the eunuch’s outstretched hand.

This wasn’t the eunuch who had been serving wine and tea tonight. No one knew where he had come from.

Though Xiao Yunlang was seated, his gaze bore down on the eunuch so fiercely that the man shuddered, nearly dropping to his knees.

“I don’t recognize you,” Xiao Yunlang said coldly.

The eunuch stammered, “Your Highness has been away from the palace for so long, this servant is…”

Xiao Yunlang: “Get lost.”

No matter which palace or bureau you’re from—Xiao Yunlang was in a foul mood, his chilling aura instantly sweeping through the immediate area.

The eunuch had no choice but to retreat. He cast an almost imperceptible glance toward Chancellor Jiang.

—He had been sent by Chancellor Jiang to poison the Crown Princess tonight.

Unfortunately, after Xiao Yunlang’s rebuke, the task remained unaccomplished.

Jiang Linque, however, hadn’t panicked yet. Originally, having a palace servant administer the poison was just for added security; failing to do so wouldn’t hinder the overall plan. Playing the part of a concerned father, he also exclaimed urgently, “Where is the imperial physician? How could he be poisoned!”

The faces of the Wuzi delegation also changed—Jiang Yanzhou had collapsed right after drinking with them!

The chief eunuch, Shuang Quan, shielded the Emperor’s table and cried out in alarm, “Protect His Majesty!”

Imperial guards flooded in, some holding blades to shield the Emperor’s table, others surrounding the Wuzi delegation. After a moment of shock and suspicion, the Emperor’s expression darkened.

Who dared to attempt an assassination right before his eyes?

His gaze slowly swept over several groups—the Crown Prince, the Jiang family, the Prince of Jin, the Wei family, and others…

The Emperor calmly suppressed all his doubts for now: “Guards, take the Crown Princess to the side hall. Has the imperial physician been summoned? Hurry them along.”

Jiang Linque had been waiting for this moment and was about to speak when a voice suddenly cut through the crowd: “Why wait for the imperial physician? Saving a life is urgent—I’ll do it!”

Everyone turned to see someone striding over, robes fluttering like the wind. Though young, his presence was formidable, and as he moved, he carried the faint scent of medicinal herbs.

Who else could it be but the Young Miracle Doctor, Mu Baicao?

Jiang Linque’s jaw tightened.

The Young Miracle Doctor was a master physician of their time. Once he stepped forward, all other imperial physicians would have to defer to him.

Coupled with the Emperor’s silent consent—he did not object—Mu Baicao was permitted to examine the patient.

Under Jiang Linque’s shifting expressions, Mu Baicao frowned, took Jiang Yanzhou’s wrist, and felt his pulse.

Mu Baicao had originally been leisurely drinking tea and enjoying the banquet, thinking tonight would just involve lending a small hand.

He had memorized the lines Xiao Yunlang gave him, ready to watch the show unfold.

As he walked over from afar, his mood had been light and eager.

But now, as he drew closer and saw Jiang Yanzhou’s complexion, he knew something was wrong.

Wasn’t this supposed to be a fake poisoning? Why had the person actually collapsed?

With such a wretched pallor, even if it wasn’t poison, it must be…

Mu Baicao’s hand paused.

He pressed down again.

He withdrew his hand, his expression grave. He reached out to pry open Jiang Yanzhou’s mouth, wanting to examine his tongue, but Jiang Yanzhou’s jaw was clenched tightly shut.

Unable to force it open, Mu Baicao could only call for help: “Help me pry his mouth open. I need to see inside.”

Xiao Yunlang had gotten the hang of it from feeding medicine to the unconscious Jiang Yanzhou before—practice makes perfect. With two fingers lifting Jiang Yanzhou’s chin and a thumb pressing down, he made Jiang Yanzhou open his mouth.

Only then did he see the teeth marks Jiang Yanzhou had bitten into his own lips.

Xiao Yunlang felt a pang in his chest.

Once the lips were forced apart, Jiang Yanzhou could no longer hold back his voice. Groans and low moans spilled from his throat, one after another, suppressed and broken.

Mu Baicao examined carefully and confirmed: He's definitely been poisoned by some kind of slow-acting toxin.

The effects must have flared up today, causing unbearable pain. To determine the exact poison, I'd need to know more about his usual symptoms.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the place to talk openly.

But fortunately, he still had some mild restorative he had prepared himself in his medicine chest, which could help alleviate the pain for now.

Thanks to the emperor's favor, Mu Baicao was the only one allowed to bring his medicine chest into the banquet. He retrieved a pill from it and fed one to Jiang Yanzhou.

After giving him the pill, he exchanged a glance with Xiao Yunlang before speaking up for all to hear: “It’s Qingpeng Grass from Wuzi. Dried and ground into powder, if someone takes it, it causes severe stomach cramps after two hours. It’s not fatal.”

“But the Crown Princess must have taken tonics to build up his vitality earlier today. The two drugs clashed, and coupled with his inherent weakness, the abdominal pain was triggered prematurely.”

The tension in Jiang Linque's face eased a little upon hearing that the Young Miracle Doctor hadn’t diagnosed Bujianyue. But when he mentioned the Western medicine, Jiang Linque’s thoughts raced.

Tonight, besides himself, there was clearly someone else making Jiang Yanzhou a pawn in their scheme!

Had this person truly administered Qingpeng Grass, or did they know Jiang Yanzhou was poisoned with Bujianyue?

And why shift the blame to Wuzi? Who would care about Wuzi…

Jiang Linque paused.

The emperor. The crown prince.

Aside from them, he couldn't see who else would benefit.

What, was the royal family looking for an excuse to cause trouble on the border?

The hall had been silent except for Jiang Yanzhou’s pained moans, with everyone holding their breath and waiting quietly. As soon as Mu Baicao delivered his diagnosis, the Uz people could no longer hold their tongues.

“Your Majesty!” the Uz crown prince said. “The Crown Princess just drank with us, and the poison is also from Uz. I understand why anyone would suspect us, but this matter absolutely has nothing to do with us. We implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and find out who truly intended to harm the Crown Princess!”

His words were undeniably well-spoken, and his reaction was swift—worthy of someone chosen as an envoy.

Unfortunately, the Uz delegation was in a bind they couldn't get out of, and Xiao Yunlang had no mood to listen.

After Jiang Yanzhou took the medicine, Mu Baicao checked his pulse again, nodded, and withdrew his hand. “He needs rest.”

Chief Steward Shuang Quan approached and bowed. “Your Highness.”

“The side hall is prepared. Please follow this old servant.”

Shuang Quan spoke softly, with implied meaning: “The attendants there have all been carefully selected by this servant. Your Highness can rest assured.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yunlang swept a glance over him before raising his eyes to meet the emperor’s gaze.

Xiao Yunlang stood up, scooped Jiang Yanzhou up into his arms, and strode toward the side hall.

Jiang Yanzhou’s breathing remained heavy, but his body felt light, nestled in his arms like a feather drifting on the wind.

As if it could be swept away by the wind at any moment.