Prince Xian panicked the moment he heard that.
The duck was already cooked, and yet it looked as though it was about to fly away.
How could he possibly allow that to happen?
“Grandmother, Mother Consort must have been framed!” Prince Xian immediately spoke up in Consort Shu’s defense. “Father placed Mother Consort under house arrest, and she hasn’t been able to leave her palace at all. How could she have had the chance to harm him?”
“Besides, what kind of poisoner would hide the poison in her own palace? Wouldn’t that be an obvious attempt to draw suspicion?”
“Grandmother, someone must be trying to frame Mother Consort. They deliberately arranged for someone to do this!”
As he spoke, Prince Xian cast a pointed glance at Prince Ling.
“Third Brother, are you saying that I framed your mother?” Prince Ling asked bluntly, without bothering to be polite.
Prince Xian shifted his gaze away. “Second Brother, whether it was you or not, you know that best!”
“The person who hid the poison was a personal maid your mother brought into the palace from her family home!”
“She wasn’t one of the palace maids!” Prince Ling’s face carried a cold smile.
Prince Xian hesitated for a moment before immediately striking back. “What if she was murdered?”
“The people sent to deal with her were yours!”
Regardless of the truth, Prince Xian’s priority was to distance himself and his mother from the matter.
Prince Ling stared at him for a long moment before cupping his hands toward the Empress Dowager.
“Grandmother, you can send someone to investigate this matter.”
“Since I am also under suspicion, I will not take part in overseeing the state. Once the truth comes to light, all I ask is that my name be cleared.”
Prince Ling’s words blocked Prince Xian’s only escape.
Prince Ling had already declined the position of regent. Now, because of Consort Shu’s involvement, Prince Xian had lost his qualification as well.
As a result, Prince Rui obtained the first opportunity to oversee the government.
The Empress Dowager made her decision without hesitation.
“Starting today, Prince Rui will oversee the state. We will change the person in charge after one month.”
“Enough. If there is nothing else, all of you may leave the palace.”
Weariness had settled across the Empress Dowager’s face.
She was advanced in age, and had long been accustomed to a life of comfort and privilege. Having dealt with so many matters at once, her body was beginning to feel the strain.
When the ministers heard that they could finally return home, relieved smiles appeared on their faces.
One after another, they bade the Empress Dowager farewell.
After taking his leave, Prince Ling cast a meaningful glance at Prince Rui before following the ministers out.
Prince Rui, meanwhile, followed a eunuch to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to handle the day’s affairs.
“Grandmother, I’ll be leaving too,” Xiao Yi said, preparing to depart.
Eunuch Li suddenly spoke up to stop him.
“Prince of Pingyang, please wait!”
Xiao Yi halted as Eunuch Li hurried over to him.
“Prince of Pingyang, I have a favor to ask.”
“I noticed that His Majesty really enjoys the sugar pills sent by Princess Changle.”
“May I ask whether Princess Changle could send some more sweets into the palace?”
Eunuch Li had searched through the places where the Emperor kept his medicine, but he could not find the sugar pills Princess Changle had given him. He had no idea where the Emperor had hidden them.
Eunuch Li remembered Princess Changle saying that her pills could neutralize any poison.
But if that was true, why had the Emperor still been poisoned?
He wanted Princess Changle to send the medicine into the palace so that he could use the opportunity to have her examine the Emperor’s pulse.
Perhaps Princess Changle could still save His Majesty’s life.
Xiao Yi stared steadily at Eunuch Li. Only after a long while did he speak.
“The Imperial Guards have sealed off the city, and Changle’s whereabouts are unknown. I am looking for her as well.”
Eunuch Li froze, disappointment spreading across his face.
“Changle has gone missing?” the Empress Dowager asked, her face filled with concern. “Yi’er, I’ll send people to help search for her immediately!”
“Grandmother, there’s no need.” Xiao Yi’s expression did not change in the slightest. “I’ve already sent out everyone I can. Sending too many people would only put Changle in greater danger.”
“Besides, don’t you still have to help oversee the state?”
“You should take care of your health as well, Grandmother. Don’t let yourself become anxious or upset.” A trace of worry appeared in Xiao Yi’s eyes.
The Empress Dowager walked over and took Xiao Yi’s hand.
“If we’re talking about overseeing the state, you are the best candidate!”
“Why did you refuse just now? If you were the one overseeing the state, I wouldn’t have to work so hard!”
“Besides, I believe your father will wake up soon.”
“You only need to oversee the state for one month. As long as you can win the ministers’ confidence, then...”
The Empress Dowager’s gaze swept quickly over Xiao Yi’s legs.
Since ancient times, not a single emperor had ever ruled from a wheelchair.
“Alas... Fate can be so cruel!” The Empress Dowager let out a long sigh, her face filled with regret.
Xiao Yi withdrew his hand from hers and placed it on his knee.
“Grandmother, I think my life is quite good.”
“Heaven has treated me well. I’m very satisfied with the life I have now.”
“Grandmother, I still have to search for Changle, so I’ll be leaving first.”
Xiao Yi nodded toward the Empress Dowager, then pushed his wheelchair and slowly left the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The Empress Dowager watched his lonely retreating figure and sighed.
“Let’s go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.” She held out her hand to a palace maid.
The Empress Dowager left as well.
On the bed, the Emperor lay unconscious, his eyes tightly shut and his face as pale as gold paper.
The moment Xiao Yi stepped out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Yunxiao hurried over from where he had been waiting outside.
“Return to the residence,” Xiao Yi said, speaking only two words.
“Yes,” Yunxiao answered softly, pushing the wheelchair toward the palace gates.
Yunxiao had faintly heard the conversation inside the hall.
He was not surprised that Xiao Yi had declined to oversee the state.
However, he was very surprised to hear Xiao Yi say that Princess Changle’s whereabouts were unknown.
Why had the Prince said that?
Could it be that the Prince did not intend to save the Emperor?
Yunxiao did not dare think any further.
The master and servant left the palace in silence, only to see Prince Ling standing outside, apparently waiting for someone.
Xiao Yi did not signal for them to stop. Yunxiao pushed the wheelchair around Prince Ling and prepared to leave.
“Big Brother, stop!”
Prince Ling suddenly called out.
Xiao Yi raised a hand, and Yunxiao came to a halt.
Prince Ling walked over and stopped in front of Xiao Yi. “Big Brother, I heard that Changle was attacked before.”
“The attackers used arrows like this.”
As he spoke, Prince Ling took a short arrow from his sleeve.
Xiao Yi glanced at it, then looked at Prince Ling without saying a word.
“Big Brother, do you know who sent those people?”
Seeing that Xiao Yi had no intention of answering, Prince Ling simply answered his own question.
“I was attacked in the same way. I had someone investigate, and they were people sent by Fifth Brother.”
Xiao Yi’s gaze shifted toward the road ahead.
“Oh?”
That was his only response.
“Big Brother, this really isn’t like you.” Prince Ling suddenly laughed.
“I remember that when you were younger, you were passionate and hot-blooded. You couldn’t tolerate even the slightest injustice.”
“Yet now, after hearing news about the masked men, you’re completely unmoved?”
“It seems Changle doesn’t matter as much to you as I thought.”
“Big Brother, I’ve always looked up to you. But the person you’ve become now is truly disappointing.”
As he spoke, Prince Ling shook his head in regret.
Suddenly, Prince Ling staggered and grabbed hold of Xiao Yi’s wheelchair.
The wheelchair immediately tilted to one side.
