“Did it merge?”
“Did the blood merge?”
Everyone was anxious, desperate to see the result with their own eyes.
As the two drops of blood slowly drew closer, Jiang Fusheng raised a smile, about to announce the outcome loudly, but suddenly his expression changed—he froze in place, disbelief etched across his face.
Those nearby sensed something was wrong. One person, seeing clearly, shouted out, “The blood didn’t merge! The two drops of blood haven’t merged!”
A gasp swept through the hall.
Those closest leaned in and saw with their own eyes: in the silver basin of clear water, the two drops of blood remained distinctly separate, their edges showing no sign of blending—like the clear divide of the Chu River and Han Boundary, stark and unmistakable.
The blood did not merge. Could this mean the two were not father and son by blood?
All eyes turned to Sui, their gazes heavy with meaning.
Could there really be two people in this world who looked so alike yet shared no blood relation?
The unexpected result stunned everyone. Some of the women present covered their faces, unable to bear looking on, fearing that the emperor’s anger might cause blood to spill on the spot.
Chen Jieyi, who had been mocked earlier, now spoke passionately: “Your Majesty! It is well known throughout the land that if the blood merges, it proves a true bloodline; if it does not, then there is no blood relation!”
Others joined in, their voices rising with indignation: “Your Majesty, this is obvious! You have been deceived! This child is not of your blood! You and he are not father and son!”
“Your Majesty, you have surely been tricked by Lady Yun! She is brazen beyond measure, attempting to confuse the royal bloodline with her wicked schemes—her ambition is unforgivable!”
“Perhaps Duke Lu Guo was involved too. Seeing the resemblance, he colluded with Lady Yun to deceive you!”
“......”
Looking closely, all these voices came from those usually allied with the Cui and Li families, each more agitated than the last.
Lu Yuanduo’s face darkened. He instinctively glanced toward Yun Wan, who was now staring intently at the silver basin.
Then he looked at Emperor Jingxuan, whose expression was cold and unreadable—not angry as expected.
Slowly, the emperor calmed, recalling this was not the court, nor was now the time to argue with the crowd.
He watched coldly from the sidelines.
Gradually, the atmosphere shifted; voices of accusation and doubt faded into silence.
The grand hall fell into a hush, broken only by the soft breathing and the faint crackle of candle flames.
Emperor Jingxuan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “Have you said enough?”
His face was indifferent—no fury, no shock—his tone as cold and sharp as frost.
Chen Jieyi and the others grew uneasy; this was not the reaction they had anticipated.
Despite witnessing the failed blood test with their own eyes, the emperor had not erupted in rage.
Princess Yongshou stepped forward after careful thought. “Brother, this matter seems strange. My sister and Consort Gui have a connection—they are not the kind of people the others accuse them to be.”
Lu Yuanduo added, “Your Majesty, it was Grand Tutor Li who proposed the blood test. If the young prince truly were not your blood, then Consort Gui and I would have spoken up to obstruct it.”
“Since neither did, it proves both she and I are clear of guilt.”
A voice of reason chimed in: “Your Majesty, there is no historical record proving that the blood test is an infallible method to determine parentage...”
Chen Jieyi sneered, “That’s just an excuse! Isn’t it obvious and clear as day now?”
Sui clenched his injured finger, pierced and bleeding, as he absorbed the adults’ words with a confused expression.
Could it be that His Majesty is not his father after all?
Grand Tutor Li, who had first proposed the blood test to verify parentage, now turned his accusation toward Yun Wan, his tone sharp: “Why does Consort Zhao remain silent? Is it because she has no defense?”
All eyes fixed on Yun Wan, waiting to see how she would respond.
But Yun Wan ignored them completely. She reached for the silver needle beside the basin and pricked her own fingertip—
“Consort!” Fuling exclaimed in alarm.
Emperor Jingxuan’s gaze narrowed sharply as he grasped her hand, inspecting it up and down with disapproval. “My dear, what are you doing?”
Yun Wan shook her head at him, whispering softly that it was nothing. Then she squeezed out a drop of blood into the silver basin.
One breath, two breaths... three drops of blood floated quietly on the water’s surface, each separate and unmixed.
A faint smile curved Yun Wan’s lips as she finally faced the crowd and spoke: “Have you all seen clearly?”
“I am Sui’s biological mother; our blood is connected by birth. Yet these drops do not mingle—does that mean I am not his mother?”
Her words instantly silenced those who had been questioning moments before.
The blood test was meant to prove lineage, but even the blood of a mother and her son failed to blend. Clearly, this method was flawed.
Unless the water was tampered with—but no one dared voice that suspicion, unwilling to be the first to speak out.
Hearing that he was not her son, Sui panicked. “Nonsense! You are my mother!”
Ignoring the cloth wrapped around his wounded finger, he rushed forward and clung to Yun Wan’s legs, shielding her protectively. He glared fiercely at Grand Tutor Li and the others. “You’re not allowed to bully my mother!”
Several people shot them reproachful looks.
Yun Wan’s heart ached sharply. She pulled Sui close and whispered soothingly, “Mother is only joking. Of course, we are mother and son.”
Though she harbored her own suspicions, Emperor Jingxuan spoke again: “Crown Prince, Chenghui, come here.”
“Fa-Father, Your Majesty.” The two approached, hesitant.
Emperor Jingxuan commanded: “Hold out your hands.”
Obediently, they stretched out their palms.
The Emperor picked up the silver needle and pricked their fingers, drawing blood swiftly, leaving no time for reaction.
Pei Qian, watching, seemed eager to join in.
Princess Yongshou slapped him sharply on the crown of his head. “Get lost. What’s it got to do with you?”
Pei Qian obediently quieted down.
Two drops of blood fell into the basin simultaneously—and the result was exactly the same: the blood did not mingle.
The Crown Prince and Third Prince paled in shock. Could it be that they were not the Emperor’s sons either?
The crowd gasped. “What on earth is going on?”
Emperor Jingxuan’s smile was enigmatic. “By this logic, these two are not my true sons either. Whom am I supposed to believe?”
Now, no one could sit still.
Imperial Concubine Li was aghast. “Your Majesty, you see clearly. The Crown Prince is definitely your biological son!”
Consort Lu added, “Your Majesty, though I am not the Third Prince’s birth mother, I know for certain he is truly your flesh and blood!”
Chen Jieyi and Grand Tutor Li both looked grim.
The others, standing aside, suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. This was no longer just about little Sui—now even the identities of the Crown Prince and Third Prince were in question.
After all, their blood hadn’t mingled with the Emperor’s either.
Princess Yongshou raised an eyebrow. Her elder brother’s move was brilliant—he had dragged everyone down with him. Now, the accusations were not just aimed at Yun Wan and Sui.
Yun Wan stared coldly at the changing expressions of the people, saying nothing.
“Your Majesty, it must be the water that’s at fault,” someone spoke up, breaking the silence.
Many others nodded in agreement. “Yes, it has to be the water. Otherwise, how could such a strange and baffling event have occurred?”
Emperor Jingxuan had been waiting for this very response. With an expressionless face, he said, “Zhou Rubing.”
The imperial physician Zhou Rubing stepped forward. “At your service!”
Emperor Jingxuan glanced at the silver basin in the center of the hall and calmly instructed, “Examine this water.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Zhou Rubing nodded and moved forward to inspect it. Suddenly, a sharp blow struck his back, causing him to lose his footing. At the same time, someone behind him cried out in pain.
“Ah—”
