The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 365 - National and Personal Grievances

"Achieving victory and having the army return are great news," Fang Yun smiled softly, rolling up her sleeves to reveal a fair wrist as she used a silver fork to handle the roasted sweet potatoes. "Next year, the Emperor will have two more heirs, especially a legitimate son. Double blessings foretell a prosperous future."

Pei Yao, in good spirits, added, "I only wish for the war to end soon, so the soldiers and people suffer less."

Speaking sincerely, he knew that despite his worries, his life remained stable. The real hardships were endured by the soldiers and civilians affected by the war.

"The Emperor loves his soldiers and people as his own children. Once peace is restored, prosperity will quickly return," Fang Yun said gently.

As they spoke, Fuxi hurriedly ran in, looking anxious.

"Your Majesty, King Dun's messenger reports that the Sixth Prince of Shangyang has been poisoned in prison and is now critically ill!"

"Poisoned?!" Pei Yao's brows furrowed as he stood abruptly. "With so many guards, how could he be poisoned? How did the poison get into the prison?"

Fuxi shook his head, "Your Majesty should go see for yourself. The messenger is waiting in Jingqian Palace."

Fang Yun, equally surprised, stood up. "You should go, Your Majesty. State affairs are urgent."

Pei Yao nodded and quickly left Yuzhang Palace.

Once he was out of sight, Fang Yun's expression grew more serious.

"How did poison get in? Who wants to kill the Sixth Prince? With peace talks approaching, his death could cause trouble."

"Indeed, Shangyang declared war because of his capture, showing their ruler's affection for him," Qingrong said, frowning.

Fang Yun returned indoors, contemplating. "Getting poison into the Ministry of Justice prison, with the Sixth Prince in solitary confinement, would require significant influence."

"Who could be behind this?" Yanwei wondered.

Fang Yun shook her head. "I can't guess yet. Have someone keep an ear on Jingqian Palace. This feels suspicious."

The maids nodded, equally concerned.

In the imperial study, the Minister of Justice, King Dun, and Prime Minister Lu were present.

The four men had grave expressions.

"How is he now?"

"His condition is temporarily stabilized, but the poison is severe. The outside physicians lack the skills of the imperial doctors," King Dun reported.

"Summon Guo Miaochun. Hong Zheng, fetch him," Pei Yao ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Hong Zheng replied, hurrying to the imperial medical office for Chief Physician Guo.

Pei Yao clearly intended to save the Sixth Prince.

The Minister of Justice stepped forward. "We investigated Ling Cong's food, finding no issues. His food is prepared separately in the prison. Besides this, he consumed nothing else."

Ling Cong was the Sixth Prince of Shangyang.

Prime Minister Lu frowned. "Could the poison be split between the rice and dishes, harmless individually but toxic when combined?"

"We considered that and found no issues at delivery," the Minister of Justice replied.

"If the food was tampered with, it happened in the prison," Pei Yao said coldly. "Have the guards delivering the food been interrogated?"

King Dun nodded. "They're being questioned, but no results yet."

"Ensure he survives. Investigate everyone who contacted him and the cell thoroughly. Leave no stone unturned," Pei Yao ordered sternly.

With the war stabilizing and our army gaining the upper hand, a hostage's death couldn't jeopardize the peace.

This incident, ruining Pei Yao's good mood, left him slightly agitated, awaiting results.

Meanwhile, more bad news emerged from the northern army.

Huo Mingxu, Duke Qin's eldest son who fought to retrieve his father's body, succumbed to his severe injuries.

With limited medical supplies and no match for the capital's imperial doctors, Huo Mingxu's arrow wounds were too severe. Despite his golden silk armor protecting his vitals, the numerous wounds and blood loss in the freezing north were fatal.

As Duke Qin's body began its journey to the capital for burial, Huo Mingxuan, barely having time to mourn his father, now knelt by his elder brother's deathbed.

Huo Mingxu, in a moment of clarity before dying, held his younger brother's hand, detailing the northern defenses and military affairs. Only at the end did he mention the family.

"Making mother bury her children is my greatest failure. When you return, kneel and apologize on my behalf. Your sister-in-law is strong, but raising two children alone will be hard. Please take care of them. Bring her this lock of hair. I couldn't grow old with her in this life. I'll make it up to her in the next."

"Brother!"

Huo Mingxuan pressed his forehead to his brother's hand, tears streaming down.

Moments later, the hand gripping his loosened.

Liu Qin, standing by, remained silent but his eyes were also red with emotion.

Huo Mingxuan knew that, during this great battle, his eldest brother, though not heavily decorated for killing enemies, had been the backbone of the entire army.

Without a stable rear, how could the front line hold?

Setting aside his grief, Huo Mingxuan immediately arranged for his eldest brother's trusted aides to escort the body back to the capital.

The frigid wind cut like a knife, stinging their faces.

Huo Mingxuan stood shoulder to shoulder with Liu Qin, watching the distant lights of the Shangyang army camp.

"With both national and personal grievances, I will win this battle," he said calmly, though his eyes blazed with anger, like a fire ready to engulf the battlefield.

Liu Qin remained silent, taking a swig from a flask of strong liquor before passing it to Huo Mingxuan.

Huo Mingxuan drank deeply, as if consuming the enemy's blood rather than alcohol.

Meanwhile, in the capital, some sought to destabilize the situation won through blood and sacrifice.

Pei Yao, sleepless, finally received news from the Ministry of Justice in the early hours.

The guard delivering food to Ling Cong had confessed.

The poison wasn't in the food but was applied to Ling Cong's wounds.

Beating and roughing up such prisoners was common, unnoticed by others.

The guard had intentionally pressed Ling Cong's arm wound, transferring poison hidden under his fingernails to the wound.

When asked why, he claimed to be a former servant of Duke Qin's household who, upon hearing of Duke Qin's death, sought to avenge him by killing the Sixth Prince.

Pei Yao didn't believe him.

However, the guard, seizing an opportunity, used a tool to take his own life before further questions could be asked.