Free Web NovelChapter 369: Chapter 370: Suicide by Poison
As usual, Prince Zhao’s name was on the list of personnel accompanying the Emperor to the summer retreat.
Originally, Hua Zhaorong was also on the list, but because the Seventh Prince was still young and had recently been suffering from diarrhea, she couldn’t bear to leave him. She politely declined the Emperor’s kind offer and decided to remain in the palace to care for her son.
Surprisingly, Prince Dongyang, who had been in the spotlight recently, was not on the list.
At first, everyone assumed the Emperor had accidentally omitted him, until an imperial edict announced that Prince Dongyang would serve as regent during the Emperor’s absence from Shangjing.
Only then did everyone realize that the Emperor intended to use this opportunity to hone Prince Dongyang’s skills in handling state affairs.
It was clear the Emperor was intentionally grooming Prince Dongyang as a candidate for Crown Prince.
When Xianfei learned of this, she grew increasingly uneasy.
She knew her son’s capabilities all too well. He was fine on the battlefield, but if he had to contend with the old foxes of the court, he was bound to be taken advantage of.
Thus, Xianfei also requested to stay in the palace so she could watch over Prince Dongyang and prevent him from being utterly duped.
Hua Manman was quite looking forward to this summer retreat.
Yuqing Mountain was lush with trees, like a natural oxygen bar. Not only was the temperature pleasant, but the air was also fresh, making it an excellent place for a summer vacation.
Her only hope was that no more drama would stir up during this trip.
’Just let me have a nice, relaxing summer vacation!’
「The night before their departure.」
The gates of the Prince Zhao Mansion were suddenly knocked upon.
The visitor was a steward from the Duke Zhen Country Mansion.
The moment he saw Prince Zhao and his wife, he dropped to his knees with a THUD.
"Something has happened to the Commandery Princess! I beg you, Prince and Princess Consort, please help save her!"
Li Ji frowned. "What’s wrong with her?"
The steward said, his eyes red-rimmed.
"The Commandery Princess hasn’t stepped out of her room since last night.
At first, we thought she was just in a bad mood and didn’t want to see anyone.
This has happened before. Whenever she’s upset, she hides in her room and refuses to see people.
But this time was different. Even after the sun set today, the Commandery Princess still hadn’t shown her face.
We sensed something was wrong, so we broke down the door. When we rushed in, we found that she had... she had taken poison to kill herself!"
Hua Manman’s heart skipped a beat. "How is the Commandery Princess now?"
The steward wiped his eyes and continued.
"The household doctor has already examined her. He said the poison has already gone deep.
He can only barely keep her breathing; he can’t completely neutralize the poison.
We’re at our wits’ end. We had no choice but to come and beg you, Prince and Princess Consort. Please, please save the Commandery Princess!"
As he spoke, he kowtowed forcefully twice, his forehead hitting the ground with loud THUDS.
Hua Manman quickly had someone help the steward up.
Li Ji said, "Go and bring Feihua Zhenren here."
Soon, Feihua Zhenren was brought before Prince Zhao.
Before he could even process what was happening, he was unceremoniously shoved into a carriage, completely bewildered.
Li Ji had originally wanted Hua Manman to stay home and wait for news, but she refused.
She insisted on going with Prince Zhao.
’How could I possibly let him face such troubles alone at a time like this? We’re husband and wife; we should stand together and support each other!’
Li Ji heard her inner thoughts and said nothing more.
This was his way of compromising.
The carriage sped along the road.
Along the way, Hua Manman told Feihua Zhenren about Princess Rouwan’s suicide attempt.
Feihua Zhenren knew a little about the affairs of the Duke Zhen Country Mansion.
He stroked his beard with a chubby hand and sighed deeply.
"Back when Duke Zhen and Princess Rouwan married, they were so deeply in love. To think they would now be separated by death... Fate truly plays tricks on people!"
Soon, the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Duke Zhen Country Mansion.
People were already waiting at the gate.
When they saw Prince Zhao and his wife arrive, they quickly opened the gates and respectfully ushered them inside.
The group headed straight for the rear courtyard.
When Hua Manman saw Princess Rouwan, she found the woman on the verge of death, her breath as faint as a silken thread.
She truly looked like she wasn’t going to make it.
Without a word, Feihua Zhenren rolled up his sleeves and began his life-saving work.
Hua Manman and Li Ji stood to the side, watching.
Li Ji’s face was taut the entire time, devoid of any expression.
He only showed a flicker of reaction when he felt his right hand being held.
He glanced down at the hand holding his, then followed the arm up to the woman standing beside him.
Hua Manman squeezed his hand tightly and whispered to him.
"It’s going to be okay."
Although she didn’t know exactly what had happened between the mother and son, Prince Zhao and Princess Rouwan, she could tell that he actually cared a great deal about her.
Seeing Princess Rouwan in this state must have been incredibly painful for him.
Li Ji didn’t speak.
He just silently squeezed Manman’s hand a little tighter.
After a period of emergency treatment, Feihua Zhenren finally neutralized the poison in Princess Rouwan’s system.
He wiped the sweat from his brow. "Fortunately, the poison the Commandery Princess used wasn’t particularly rare. This humble Taoist happened to have the antidote."
Hua Manman quickly asked, "How is the Commandery Princess now?"
Feihua Zhenren replied, "The poison is neutralized, so she won’t die for now. But her constitution is extremely weak. If she isn’t properly cared for, I’m afraid she won’t live long."
Since they were all familiar with each other, he spoke bluntly.
His words made everyone present tense up.
Li Ji walked to the bedside, just in time to meet Princess Rouwan’s newly opened eyes.
Mother and son stared at each other.
Just as Li Ji was about to call her "Mother," he saw Princess Rouwan’s mouth open, releasing an extremely faint, hoarse sound.
"Get out..."
It was as if a basin of cold water had been dumped over Li Ji’s head, snapping him to his senses.
He averted his gaze, turned around, and walked out without a word.
Hua Manman hurried after him.
"Prince, where are you going?"
Li Ji said coldly, "Home."
Hua Manman asked, "Aren’t you going to stay and check on the Commandery Princess?"
Li Ji stopped, turned his head to look at her, and asked icily, "Didn’t you hear her? She told me to get out."
Hua Manman didn’t know what to say.
The relationship between this mother and son could no longer be described with a simple word like "terrible."
It was something far more complicated.
Hua Manman said in a small voice.
"In the Commandery Princess’s current condition, she can’t be left without care. Why don’t I stay behind..."
Li Ji cut her off. "That’s not necessary. Are all the people in the Duke Zhen Country Mansion not enough to care for one person?
There’s no need for you to try and cozy up to her cold shoulder."
Hua Manman argued, "But none of those people are her family. What she needs now is the company of her family."
Li Ji retorted, "She doesn’t need family like us."
Hua Manman looked at him steadily and said in earnest.
"The Commandery Princess is suffering from a severe sickness of the heart. Medicine alone cannot cure it.
She needs companionship and care.
If you truly believe it doesn’t matter whether she lives or dies, then pretend I said nothing, and I’ll go back with you right now.
But search your heart and ask yourself, do you truly not care at all?"
