Feng Yexuan had left.
Despite his anger, he personally carried the Emperor back to his chambers upon returning.
The imperial physician’s face was grave after examining the Emperor’s pulse.
“Your Majesty, forgive this humble minister’s boldness, but this illness… continuing to rely on medication to endure will only accelerate its progression.”
Imperial Physician Qin had served the Emperor for many years and was considered one of the few who dared to speak the truth in the Emperor’s presence.
The Emperor leaned against his headboard, his face still flushed with residual anger.
Eunuch Qing and Imperial Physician Qin exchanged a glance, and Eunuch Qing shook his head.
Imperial Physician Qin did not yet know what had transpired, so he could only bow and say, “This minister will take his leave to prepare the Emperor’s medicine. I bid you farewell.”
Eunuch Qing supported the Emperor and said, “Dawn is breaking, Your Majesty. Perhaps…”
“My decision is made. The imperial concubine selection banquet is imperative!” The Emperor’s face remained contorted with rage.
Eunuch Qing’s heart sank. This time, the Emperor was truly resolute, and no amount of persuasion would sway him!
“However… Prince Xuan has a strong will. I fear he will not compromise easily, Your Majesty…”
“Then eliminate Chu Qianli!” His words were imperial decree.
His decisions were the world’s decisions!
Never wrong!
“Your Majesty, must we resort to such drastic measures? What if Prince Xuan is consumed in the process…”
“He dares not!”
The Emperor’s anger caused him to gasp for breath again.
Eunuch Qing quickly soothed him, “Your Majesty, please calm yourself, calm yourself!”
It took some time for the Emperor to regain his composure.
He looked at Eunuch Qing, his expression gradually calming.
“Do you think I truly wish to sever ties with him? He is my son. Do I not know his character?”
“I am simply terrified that for the sake of a woman, he will abandon the empire and its future!”
“Your Majesty…” Eunuch Qing hesitated, then finally said, “Then, if Prince Xuan truly refuses to cooperate…”
“He dares not, unless he truly no longer cares for Chu Qianli’s life.”
“But Your Majesty, isn’t this situation rather contradictory?”
Eunuch Qing sighed deeply, a look of helplessness on his face. “Prince Xuan is naturally proud. Forcing him to compromise is immensely difficult! If he truly compromises for Chu Qianli, it only proves how much he cares for that woman!”
The Emperor coughed twice, his heart heavy with an indescribable burden.
This brat!
If he didn’t compromise, he would infuriate his old father!
If he did compromise, he would be even more infuriated!
Either way, it made him angry!
“Your Majesty, this old servant has an idea.” A flicker of light crossed Eunuch Qing’s eyes.
“Speak quickly!”
Eunuch Qing quickly said, “Your Majesty, Prince Xuan is a man of deep emotions. The reason Chu Qianli has captured his sole affection is perhaps because her temperament stands out amongst the daughters of noble families?”
“If this imperial concubine selection follows the traditional rules, I fear the ladies chosen will not be to the Prince’s liking.”
The Emperor frowned and pondered, seemingly finding merit in Eunuch Qing’s words.
“Then, your intention is…”
“This old servant believes Your Majesty should consider a different approach. For this selection, we should choose ladies who are outstanding in all aspects, not merely those who are accomplished in qin, go, calligraphy, painting, and poetry, and are demure.”
“Your Majesty, why not broaden the scope of the imperial decree? Regardless of background, allow ladies from all walks of life to participate.”
“When the ladies are chosen, if Your Majesty dislikes their background, they can be bestowed the title of concubine or secondary wife to the Prince.”
“As long as several women are chosen to serve him, the Prince’s attention will be divided, and he will certainly not focus all his affection on Chu Qianli. Your Majesty, what do you think?”
The Emperor’s gaze deepened. Although he remained resistant to ladies of lower birth,
he found it acceptable to bestow titles of concubine or secondary wife upon them based on their background.
If Xuan’er were to become Emperor in the future, and they entered the palace, bestowing upon them titles like noble lady or talented lady would suffice.
The most important thing now was to draw Xuan’er’s attention away from Chu Qianli.
That woman was cunning, proud, and stubborn; she was not someone he could control.
With a single misstep, she might one day bring disaster to their royal family.
He absolutely could not allow Xuan’er to remain infatuated with such a woman!
“Very well, it shall be as you say. Immediately issue a broad imperial decree to select imperial concubines for Prince Xuan. Regardless of background or temperament, any lady with outstanding appearance and talent may participate in the selection!”
…
Leng Ji knew the Prince was in a very bad mood.
After leaving the palace, the Prince’s face was ashen, and he remained silent.
No matter what Leng Ji said to him, the Prince offered no response.
Leng Ji was extremely curious, wanting to know what the Emperor had said to the Prince, but he dared not ask.
They returned to the Prince’s mansion in silence, and it was not yet dawn.
However, it was close to breaking.
Another night of arduous work.
“Your Highness, perhaps you should return to your chambers to rest?”
After returning, the Prince dismounted and walked through the front courtyard, proceeding into the back courtyard.
Was he not planning to rest?
The eastern sun was hidden behind thick clouds. At this hour, even the servants appeared to be just waking up.
The entire back courtyard was still quiet.
It was the coldest and most silent time of the day, between dawn and early morning.
The Prince merely walked along the path, showing no intention of returning to rest.
It seemed his mood was truly heavy…
“Your Highness…”
“Return and rest. Do not disturb me.” Feng Yexuan quickened his pace.
He walked along the lakeside.
Was this not the direction of Qianyun Pavilion?
Since the Prince was not resting, Leng Ji dared not go back to sleep alone.
He could only follow.
Feng Yexuan stopped at the entrance of Qianyun Pavilion.
There were no guards on duty today, and the main gate of Qianyun Pavilion was slightly ajar.
Feng Yexuan took a step forward, and Leng Ji, with quick reflexes, pushed the gate open.
In the courtyard, fallen leaves covered the ground, creating a desolate scene.
Without Chu Qianli, the entire courtyard had truly lost all semblance of vitality.
Leng Ji’s nose inexplicably stung again.
Qianyun Pavilion had become so desolate.
Was this truly a place for the living?
There wasn’t even a single servant.
Had the Prince been too harsh on Miss Li?
Feng Yexuan’s mood was complex as he slowly walked in.
The dead woman’s courtyard was indeed… rather desolate.
He walked through the corridor and headed straight for Chu Qianli’s bedchamber.
The bedchamber was still as it had been before. He had seen it when he came that day.
After Qian’er left, Chu Qianli must have cleaned it herself, though the cleaning seemed rather perfunctory.
He had been here the day before yesterday, but she was not in the room, so he had not examined the room closely before going to the back courtyard to find her.
He had not examined the room carefully.
This time, knowing that Chu Qianli was not present, he had come specifically to examine her bedchamber.
“Your Highness!”
Leng Ji suddenly discovered something and quickly stepped inside, his face filled with astonishment!
“Your Highness, you, look, on the ground… why is there so much blood on the ground?”
A pool of blood, though clearly wiped, appeared to have been hastily cleaned.
He hadn’t seen it clearly last time because he hadn’t entered!
Judging by the extent…
Good heavens, this was a significant amount of blood!
How could this be? Whose blood was it?