Chapter 6 He Is Unharmed

Chapter 6: He's Fine

Su Zheng didn't bother the imperial physician. Only after the physician finished his work and started packing up his stuff did he ask, "How is he? What's his condition?"

The physician immediately stopped what he was doing and bowed with his hands clasped: "To answer Your Highness, the wound is deep, but fortunately it didn't damage the kidneys. However, he's lost a lot of blood and needs bed rest to recover and build up his blood and energy."

Su Zheng nodded: "So he's out of danger now?"

The physician bent at the waist: "To answer Your Highness, if he doesn't run a fever tonight, he won't be in danger."

"Good, I understand. Go get his medicine ready."

The physician quickly packed up his kit, bowed, and was about to take his leave when he heard the Crown Prince's icy voice: "If the Empress asks, you can tell her exactly what happened. But as for others, you know what to say and what not to say, right?"

The physician was startled and quickly clasped his hands: "I saw nothing. I just came to check Your Highness's pulse."

Su Zheng waved the physician off.

After the physician left, Su Zheng picked up the shirt covering Luo Yunchen and slowly helped him into it.

Luo Yunchen didn't move, either passed out or asleep.

Su Zheng gently pulled the quilt over him, tucking it in casually. Seeing he was okay, he let the bed curtains down and got up to leave.

Su Zheng: "System, isn't it about time to eat?"

"...Going by the original owner's schedule, it's almost time to eat."

Su Zheng: "Excellent."

Opening the palace doors, the people waiting outside immediately looked over.

Nanny Chen curtsied: "How are you feeling, Your Highness? Are you feeling better?"

Su Zheng looked around, frowning to show he was annoyed: "I'm fine. Take your people and get on with your stuff. Don't hang around in front of me! Also, I'm hungry. Get the food served now."

Nanny Chen didn't dare say more and just complied, leading her people away.

Su Zheng then looked at the captain of the guards: "You too, get on with your stuff."

Finally, he looked around, pointed at Xu Mo, and asked, "You, what's your name again?"

"Your Highness, I'm Xu Mo."

"Oh, Guard Xu. From now on, you stand guard here. No one comes near here without my orders."

"Yes!"

After giving his orders, Su Zheng was about to close the door.

Just then, a eunuch rushed over, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, the Empress sent someone to call you to Zhongkun Palace."

Su Zheng wasn't surprised Empress Shen wanted to see him, but it had to be now, right at mealtime!

So annoying.

Telling Xu Mo to guard the palace door, Su Zheng waved at Xiaoyunzi: "Xiaoyunzi, come with me."

Zhongkun Palace.

Sitting in the main seat was a young woman wearing pearl hairpins and jade ornaments, dressed in luxurious clothes.

Empress Shen was over thirty, but her skin was so well-maintained she looked at most twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

She was just as beautiful as the younger palace women, with an extra charm—no wonder Emperor Yuanjing had always favored her.

Su Zheng dropped all his moody and impatient expressions, and obediently and smartly bowed to the Empress: "Your son greets Mother Empress. Is Mother Empress well?"

Empress Shen smiled warmly and gestured for Su Zheng to sit: "Good, good. This child, how many times have I told you? No need for all these formalities with me. Just relax."

Su Zheng obediently didn't overdo it and sat down naturally and casually: "Has Mother Empress eaten? Nothing's more important than your health. Your lunch can't be skipped."

"I know you're filial. Don't worry, Aunt Cuifen handles all that. I called you here today to ask you something."

"What does Mother Empress want to ask?" Su Zheng said, then as if remembering something, he quickly added, "Is Mother Empress asking about..."

Empress Shen quickly pressed her hand down to interrupt Su Zheng, then glanced at the nanny beside her.

The nanny understood and led the attendants in the hall to bow and retreat outside to stand guard.

Only then did Empress Shen speak: "I ask you, do you know what exactly happened between your tenth brother and the Heir of the Shen family? Why did you cover up their martial arts contest and bring Heir Luo to the Eastern Palace to summon a physician yourself?"

She knew her own child well.

Wang'er was extraordinary for his age, proud and arrogant.

Empress Shen saw nothing wrong with this; her son was the legitimate son of the Empress, destined to be the most noble and supreme.

But she had also hinted to Wang'er not to join the other princes in harassing Heir Luo.

On the contrary, when the time was right, he could offer some help to Heir Luo and bestow a few favors.

However, she also knew that Wang'er looked down on Heir Luo and had never actually helped him.

Empress Shen did not force the matter, as long as Wang'er did not participate in the other princes' bullying of Heir Luo.

Wang'er had always done well in this regard, but this time, why had he suddenly wanted to compete in martial arts with Heir Luo and even injured him?

Empress Shen had also asked the Tenth Prince, Su Wang, but Su Wang only replied disdainfully: "Just a lowly hostage, unskilled in martial arts. So what if this prince injured him?"

Knowing she would get nothing out of Su Wang, Empress Shen wanted to ask the Crown Prince if he knew anything more, which was why he had covered up the matter.

Su Zheng's expression turned slightly serious: "Mother Empress, your son did this for the sake of Tenth Brother's reputation.

Today, Tenth Brother wanted to compete in martial arts with Heir Luo. Tenth Brother couldn't match Heir Luo, who defeated him with a single move while his hands were tied behind his back.

Tenth Brother couldn't accept it, so he had his guards restrain Heir Luo, and while Heir Luo was immobilized, he stabbed him with a sword.

If this got out, Tenth Brother's reputation would be ruined!

I am the Crown Prince and Tenth Brother's elder brother, so naturally I had to plan for him.

That's why I brought Heir Luo to the Eastern Palace for treatment, so that he could recover under my watch, and this matter could be treated as if it never happened."

Upon hearing Su Zheng's words, Empress Shen's beautiful face twisted for a moment. She struggled to suppress her anger and scoffed: "Nonsense! It was clearly a martial arts contest between Heir Luo and your tenth brother, and Heir Luo was injured due to his lack of skill."

Su Zheng looked puzzled for a moment, then as if he had figured something out, he put on a look of sudden realization: "Right, right. Mother Empress's thinking is more thorough. Your son will say the same from now on."

Empress Shen nearly choked on her anger, silently cursing him an idiot. After calming herself, she said, "Your tenth brother is usually the most gentle and obedient. Do you know why he suddenly wanted to compete in martial arts with Heir Luo?"

Empress Shen also summoned the other princes who were present at the time for questioning, and the answers she received were all the same: the Tenth Prince had suddenly arrived at the Imperial Martial Arts Ground to challenge Heir Luo to a sparring match.

Su Zheng frowned, hesitated and stammered, as if he wanted to speak but held back.

Empress Shen pressed further: "Have you thought of something?"

Su Zheng stammered, "There's one thing I remember, but I'm not sure if it's related to this matter."

"Tell your mother."

"Well, these past couple of days, there have been some rumors in the palace. I've heard a few of them."

"What rumors?"