Chapter 497: Questioning
Xiao Wu looked back, a little confused.
Seeing her big sister staring at the booklet, she tilted her head.
’Looks like this booklet is really worth reading?’
Ye Chutang flipped to the next page.
Xiao Wu waited obediently by her side.
Ye Chutang read quickly, her pace accelerating until she had finished the thin booklet in no time.
By the final page, she had confirmed her suspicions.
’Someone had indeed been secretly poisoning Emperor Muwu’s meals, causing his heart condition to relapse.’
The perpetrator’s methods were subtle. They had simply increased the quantity of a few different food items. On the surface, nothing seemed amiss, but when considered together, it became clear that these items counteracted each other, causing severe damage to the heart.
Such an exquisitely crafted poisoning method...
Ye Chutang narrowed her eyes slightly—it was remarkably similar to how Xiao Chengqi had been poisoned.
The difference was that Emperor Muwu was being given a slow-acting poison that would only take effect over many years, whereas Xiao Chengqi had been given a fast-acting poison with a swift and violent onset.
What was the same was that both poisons were extremely rare, and both were intended to be fatal!
’Perhaps... the same mastermind is truly behind this?’
If that were true, it would be a truly chilling thought.
It proved that the enemy’s influence had silently infiltrated the Imperial Palace!
Ye Chutang fetched a bronze basin, lit the booklet on fire, and tossed it inside.
Flames leaped up, dancing against the doors and windows, casting faint shadows.
Only when the booklet had been reduced to ashes did Ye Chutang pour a cup of tea over them.
The smell of something burning wafted through the air, leaving behind only wisps of white smoke.
Once everything was cleaned up, Ye Chutang finally rose.
Xiao Wu was already used to this. Her big sister would burn things from time to time—sometimes letters, sometimes books. She had grown accustomed to it.
Ye Chutang pushed open the door. The night wind rushed in, instantly dispelling the stuffy air inside the room.
It was as if nothing had ever happened.
Ye Chutang took Xiao Wu’s hand.
"Let’s go eat."
...
「Imperial Palace.」
Limping on one leg, Xiao Chenglin walked step by step to Qianyuan Hall.
Inside the hall, Emperor Muwu sat high on his throne. The ministers from the Cabinet and the Ministries of Justice stood arranged on either side.
Xiao Chengxuan knelt in the center of the great hall, his face ashen.
Consort Ru was by his side, the tear tracks on her face still wet.
Hearing footsteps, everyone turned to look, their expressions complex.
Ever since Xiao Chenglin had injured his leg, he had never appeared at such an occasion.
Many people present had not seen him for several years.
Seeing him again now, the frail, young Prince had clearly grown up a great deal.
He was handsome, refined, and courteous, just a bit too introverted, and his clothes were excessively plain.
If not for his crippled leg, his life would have been much better than it was now.
Xiao Chenglin knelt to pay his respects. "Your son pays his respects to Father Emperor. Long live the Emperor."
Emperor Muwu gazed at this son he had almost forgotten, his eyes dark, and waved his hand.
"Your leg is inconvenient, so there is no need for ceremony. Someone, bring him a seat."
Xiao Chenglin lowered his head in thanks.
Once he was seated, he looked properly for the first time at Xiao Chengxuan, who was kneeling in the center of the hall.
He hesitated for a moment before asking, "May I ask why Father Emperor summoned your son to the palace so urgently?"
Emperor Muwu did not answer his question immediately, instead saying, "Where is Huang Kun?"
Eunuch Li flicked his horsetail whisk. "Bring Huang Kun in!"
Xiao Chenglin froze for a moment.
When he saw the blood-soaked figure being dragged in, it took him a long moment to recognize the man before he spoke in disbelief:
"...Little Kunzi?"
Emperor Muwu asked in a heavy voice, "Huang Kun, We ask you, was Prince Jing’s leg injury an accident, or was it a deliberate plot by someone!?"