Chapter 24

"Lady!" Bi Zhu reminded.

Upon hearing that Ying Fusheng had arrived, Consort Ning was momentarily dazed, but she remembered she had an image to maintain in the palace and had to let him in. "Let him in."

The palace attendant quickly summoned him. Consort Ning saw Ying Fusheng approaching from a distance. He had been coming several times a day lately, and looking at him now, she noticed that his complexion was much better than before.

That little bastard who couldn't even get out of bed before could now leave the palace.

"Mother, I have come to pay my respects." Ying Fusheng bowed.

Consort Ning heard his greeting but said nothing.

Ying Fusheng looked up at her, his gaze noticing the water stains on the floor. Even though they had been cleaned up, traces could still be seen.

Seeing Consort Ning in her current state, it seemed that today's morning court had brought her "good" news.

After paying respects, he wanted to step closer, but Bi Zhu followed him and said, "Your Highness, the Lady is unwell and doesn't want to risk infecting you. Please don't come near. The imperial physician said she needs rest."

On the couch, Consort Ning wrapped her robe tightly. Her face was gaunt, with dark circles around her eyes, as if she were truly severely ill.

"Mother, rest well. I'll come again tomorrow." Ying Fusheng watched Consort Ning feign illness from a distance. He sneered inwardly. His purpose had been achieved. He had Song An bring over the items he had brought from outside the palace and then said, "Mother, take care of yourself. Your son takes his leave."

Consort Ning watched Ying Fusheng's retreating back, staring at his profile.

After Ying Fusheng left, Consort Ning's pretense of illness did not fade. Her face darkened as she stared at the gifts he had sent for a long time. Why... her own son was still under house arrest, while he could come and go freely. She stared for a long time, almost reaching out to knock them over. Bi Zhu saw this and quickly stopped her. When she looked up, she saw Consort Ning's terrifying expression: "Your Highness!"

The incense burner in the hall filled the room with calming incense. Consort Ning's face was haggard, and she looked somewhat strange in the smoke.

Ever since returning from the Temple of National Protection, Consort Ning had been acting a bit off, often staring at something, muttering about wanting to destroy something.

That eerie, muttering behavior frightened Bi Zhu. In recent days, Consort Ning had been sleeping poorly, often waking up in the night and breaking many things. They had called the imperial physician, who only told her to rest well. Fortunately, Consort Ning acted normal in front of outsiders, but just now, when the attendants from Cining Palace who had come with the Sixth Prince hadn't even left, she almost lost her composure.

"His face... it's getting more and more similar." Consort Ning said.

Bi Zhu's heart tightened. "Your Highness, it's your imagination... There are so many people in the palace, no one has noticed that the Sixth Prince resembles the Empress."

"Getting more similar... No, why is it getting more similar?" Consort Ning murmured, her tone and expression both strange.

Bi Zhu quickly whispered to calm her, "Your Highness, calm down. The Crown Prince is just under house arrest. Why must you torment yourself over this?"

Consort Ning didn't answer. The gloom in her eyes seemed not to fade but instead grew heavier. She slowly closed her eyes. "Did you spread the message I asked you to?"

Seeing Consort Ning return to normal, Bi Zhu breathed a sigh of relief. "I have handled it. Some of the palace attendants have taken favors from you before, so it was easy..."

"Good." Consort Ning's expression was unreadable. Thinking of how the Emperor had summoned Ying Fusheng to the Qianqing Palace a few days ago, while the Crown Prince was still under house arrest, that bastard had been favored by His Majesty several times. In a daze, Consort Ning's mind conjured the image of the night at the Temple of National Protection, the face of Empress Xu gradually overlapping with Ying Fusheng's. Seeing that face repeatedly in her mind, her eyes turned fierce.

"When that's done, send a message to my father to go before His Majesty..."

Half a month later, the Sixth Prince went to Weiyang Palace several times, each time leaving because Consort Ning was unwell. Gradually, rumors spread in the palace that Consort Ning was so worried about her son that she was mentally disturbed, even the imperial physician had been called several times, saying she was longing for the Sixth Prince.

-*

After all, the Sixth Prince was a prince. Consort Ning was still alive. It was good that the Empress Dowager cared for her young grandson and kept him in the palace to nurse him back to health. But as time went on, he couldn't stay in Cining Palace forever.

There were many princes and princesses in the palace. The Ning family was favored by the Emperor, and the Sixth Prince was beloved by the Empress Dowager. Previously, the consorts had been scheming, quietly pleased when Consort Ning was confined by the Empress Dowager. But then news came from the court that the Emperor greatly valued Vice Minister Ning.

The consorts were sharp-eyed; who couldn't see that this was a combination of a carrot and a stick? Now, with rumors circulating that the Sixth Prince had been living in Cining Palace and Consort Ning was longing for him, they couldn't let the Sixth Prince stay under the Empress Dowager's care any longer. Otherwise, what would become of the other princes and princesses?

Word spread, and soon it reached the Emperor's ears.

Vice Minister of Rites, Lord Ning, had been performing excellently in court affairs recently. After the Shrine of Generals project, he had completed two more tasks well and was deeply trusted by the Emperor. As a result, Vice Minister Ning had brought up the issue of the Sixth Prince several times, pleading on behalf of Consort Ning, saying that the Sixth Prince was still young and needed his mother's care.

The Emperor heard this but didn't respond.

The Emperor rarely involved himself in harem affairs, only sending someone to inform the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace.

These days, Ying Fusheng had been going through the motions with Consort Ning—a sick mother and a filial son, a scene everyone liked to see.

When he went to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, he saw several consorts there, talking in her presence.

"This little Xiaoqing has grown a lot in a few days," the consorts praised the Empress Dowager's pet.

"And gained some weight too."

"A bit of fat is a blessing." The consorts chatted, occasionally glancing at Ying Fusheng, who had come to pay respects. One of them had brought a princess, who was now sitting beside the Empress Dowager. She shifted the conversation slightly, insinuating, "I heard that the Sixth Prince has been walking outside the palace recently. Vice Minister Ning did a good job with the Shrine of Generals. Now the capital is praising His Majesty and Your Majesty."

"Vice Minister Ning did handle this matter well," the Empress Dowager said.

Ying Fusheng could tell that although the Empress Dowager's tone was praising, there was a hint of displeasure.

The consort didn't notice and continued, "Yes, people are saying that Vice Minister Ning is handling all the matters of the Ministry of Rites now. That's good; it sets His Majesty and Your Majesty at ease. Isn't that right, Sixth Prince?"

"You are well-informed," Ying Fusheng said with a smile, looking a little bashful. "I've been out for a few days and haven't heard much about my maternal grandfather."

The consort's expression flickered, about to explain, "How could that be? It's all over the streets..."

"Enough." The Empress Dowager's voice grew heavy. "I'm tired."

The consort was reluctant, but with the Empress Dowager having spoken, she had to leave.

Ying Fusheng saw the princess looking reluctantly at the Empress Dowager, her gaze occasionally in his direction. He took a piece of pastry and gave it to her.

The princess whispered a thank you to her elder brother and quickly followed the consort away.

The Empress Dowager noticed Ying Fusheng's gesture. She could see that these people were hinting at something, even bringing a princess, all with their own schemes, no doubt related to the recent rumors in the palace. Seeing Ying Fusheng beside her, she thought for a moment and asked, "Do you want to go back to your mother?"

Ying Fusheng's gaze shifted slightly. "Grandmother, I should be filial and attend to her bedside."

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager frowned slightly. If Consort Ning truly loved the child, she would have spared him the daily visits. Every time he went to Weiyang Palace, the cold wind on the way was a burden for Ying Fusheng's health. By allowing it, Consort Ning was making a statement.

Her gaze darkened. Seeing Ying Fusheng's expression, she sighed softly. "You are a filial child."

Ying Fusheng paused. Though he showed it outwardly, the word "filial" had nothing to do with him.

In two lifetimes, his acts of filial piety had never ended well.

"We'll discuss this later. Go and rest." The Empress Dowager waved her hand for Ying Fusheng to leave. He stood up and saw the Empress Dowager cover her mouth with a handkerchief.

He paused mid-turn, turned back slightly, and said, "Grandmother, it's cold. I'll have Song An make some pear soup and send it to you."

After Ying Fusheng left, the Empress Dowager coughed lightly.

Lady Yu said worriedly, "I'll call the imperial physician."

The Empress Dowager shook her head helplessly. "It's an old problem. I want to taste that pear soup."

When Ying Fusheng returned to his residence, he gave the task to Song An.

Song An hadn't noticed the Empress Dowager's discomfort. There had been no medicine brewing in the little pharmacy lately. He quickly went to arrange it. After finishing, he saw that the Prince was lost in thought, his gaze seemingly fixed out the window, towards the direction of the Empress Dowager's chambers. He seized the moment to ask, "Will Your Highness send the pear soup later?"

Ying Fusheng paused briefly, then snapped back to attention and looked at Song An: "You go."

Seeing that His Highness had no intention of discussing this further, Song An turned to another important matter: "There have been messages from Weiyang Palace these past few days."

Ying Fusheng walked to the desk, where a set of chess pieces, sent by the Grand Empress Dowager, lay in front of him.

Ever since he started studying at Wenhua Hall, the Grand Empress Dowager had sent him many gifts.

The black and white stones scattered across the board. Ying Fusheng lowered his eyes, fiddling with them as he listened to Song An's report. "Then it's about time. The Crown Prince is under house arrest, and the Eldest Prince is riding high—his flame burns too bright; he's made himself a target."

Song An looked at Ying Fusheng with slight confusion, watching him gently set down a chess piece and say softly, "Next, we'll see what Hu Buyu does."

Since His Highness had helped the Hu family, Lord Hu had become Vice Minister of War. But His Highness had never had any contact with Lord Hu, nor had he sent any letters like he had previously done with Shen Changcun. It was as if he had no connection with Lord Hu at all.

Song An asked, "Shall we send a message to Lord Hu?"

"If everything requires a message to be sent, that's a dead move." Ying Fusheng flicked a black stone casually, sending it wobbling to another position. "A smart person moves on their own."

-*

A few days later, the Emperor frequently summoned officials to the palace for discussions. The military pay case had exposed many hidden dangers. After Hu Buyu took office as Vice Minister of War, the Emperor essentially implicitly endorsed his actions. So he took drastic measures to clear away threats, unearthing several long-buried cases, one of which involved the Eldest Prince. Hu Buyu reported it during the morning court session, and the Emperor was delighted, praising the Eldest Prince in front of all the officials.

Hu Buyu had been close to the Eldest Prince since entering court, but there was little interaction between them in official matters.

After this morning session report and the Emperor's praise, many officials were deep in thought.

As soon as court ended, Vice Minister Ning was stopped by someone.

"Vice Minister Ning has been greatly favored lately. Several major tasks have been handled beautifully, and His Majesty has praised you more than once."

Vice Minister Ning always relished the adulation of others, and hearing a colleague's appreciation was especially satisfying. "Not at all, not at all! It's all thanks to the help of my fellow officials."

"I heard that a few days ago, Lord Ning visited Grand Secretary Xu's residence?" a colleague probed. "Grand Secretary Xu has rarely entertained fellow officials in recent years. You're the exception, my lord."

Hearing this, Vice Minister Ning felt a surge of satisfaction. He had been sending visiting cards to Grand Secretary Xu for a while, hoping to curry favor first, and had even prepared himself for rejection. But two days ago, when he sent another card, he was granted an audience. Though he only had a few cups of tea with Grand Secretary Xu, it was enough to bring them closer.

"Perhaps Lord Ning's opportunity has come," the colleague said.

"How so?" asked Vice Minister Ning.

"Lord Ning may not know this, but the Minister of Rites has displeased His Majesty with several of his recent tasks. During this time, His Majesty has entrusted all tasks to you. Isn't that a sign of His Majesty's regard?" the colleague hinted. "Some even say His Majesty intends to promote you!"

Vice Minister Ning laughed and humored him, not directly acknowledging the colleague's hint, but he heeded the words.

He didn't need a colleague to spell it out; he was fully aware. Such tasks would never have fallen to him before. After the matter of the Temple of Generals, his situation had changed drastically. The most important factor was the Emperor. With the Emperor's favor, his status naturally shifted. The battle between the Eldest Prince Faction and the Crown Prince Faction in court was fierce. His superior, the Minister of Rites, was closely connected to Prince Yongjia. Everyone knew that the Eldest Prince's maternal clan, the Yun family, had tight ties with Prince Yongjia!

At this time, Grand Secretary Xu's softened stance was essentially a subtle attempt to win him over.

He suppressed his excitement. But the very next day at court, the Minister of Rites was accused.

In that instant, Vice Minister Ning felt that once a person's luck turns, everything changes completely. The Minister of Rites was accused of corruption and bribery, and the accuser was one of his trusted aides. This was enough to stir up a storm in the seemingly balanced court.

But just as he was buried in government affairs, Consort Ning sent him letter after letter.

"Tell her to keep quiet about palace matters!" Vice Minister Ning was busy with court affairs. "I'll naturally handle the matter with His Majesty on my own."

The messenger reported, "Bi Zhu said the Consort has been in very low spirits recently..."

Vice Minister Ning was focused on climbing the ranks and had no time for Consort Ning. He realized his tone was a bit harsh. Knowing his daughter was never one to suffer grievances quietly, and that she had endured many humiliations in the palace over the years, her personality was also extreme—otherwise, she wouldn't have... orchestrated the baby swap back then. "If she's in low spirits, tell her to summon a physician. Remind her not to stir up trouble during this time. She's endured years of hardship; she can bear a little more."

When the messenger reached the palace, Consort Ning heard the reply and smashed quite a few things again.

Bi Zhu hurriedly had the palace physician prescribe some calming medicine, then handed Consort Ning a cup of herbal tea to soothe her nerves, coaxing her to rest at noon. Consort Ning was calm for half a day, but suddenly jolted awake from her sleep. With disheveled hair, she stared at Bi Zhu.

Bi Zhu was startled by her state and called out twice, "Your Highness, another nightmare?"

Consort Ning seemed to wake from the nightmare. Her gaze was dark, and her expression gradually turned venomous. "Where is that bastard?"

"Your Highness, the Sixth Prince is at Cining Palace!" said Bi Zhu.

Consort Ning came to her senses, freed from the nightmare, and remembered she was under house arrest. The nightmare at Huguo Temple haunted her relentlessly. Day and night, she dreamed that someone would notice the prince's increasingly familiar face. "Since the Sixth Prince is not fully recovered, send him some tonic medicine."

Bi Zhu froze, understanding what she meant. "Your Highness!"

"A small dose won't be noticed by the palace physicians, but it will make him suffer. What's the harm?" Consort Ning muttered, her tone growing fiercer. "It would be even better to have medicine that ruins his face. That face cannot be kept."

Bi Zhu wanted to dissuade her, but Consort Ning's eyes were like a demon's. "Now, go!"

...

In the dim and flickering light, heavy curtains concealed everything.

A thick medicinal odor lingered, as if someone was approaching. Consort Ning entered, followed by several palace attendants. Ying Fusheng looked up. An attendant carried a bowl of medicine toward him. He took the bowl, in which some dregs floated, slowly transforming into something else.

As Consort Ning feigned concern, Ying Fusheng watched the medicine come closer and closer. Finally, his own hand accepted the bowl. The pungent liquid passed through his throat, and he swallowed it mouthful after mouthful, as if unaware...

At Cining Palace, Ying Fusheng jolted awake from a start, leaning over the edge of the bed, dry-heaving uncontrollably, as if trying to claw something from his throat. But after a moment, he instinctively felt for the acupuncture kit hidden in the bed's secret compartment. Finding nothing, he snapped back to reality and saw his own young hands.

He first steadied himself for a long while, then stared blankly at Song An resting nearby on a small bed, and then snapped fully awake.

A nightmare... He was regressing, actually having such a dream.

Dreaming of the past, when he trusted Consort Ning and mistook the deadly poison for medicine.

Ying Fusheng lowered his sleeves, glanced at the calming incense in the distance, and muttered to himself, "It doesn't matter."

"Someone is about to go mad."