Chapter 148: Schemes in the Palace

“This concubine dares not,” they said together.

The emperor snorted at them coldly.

He did not allow either of them to rise.

Instead, he looked at Rong Qinglei lying on the bed with a heavy and sorrowful expression.

The emperor had few children to begin with.

Among them, Rong Qinglei had always been physically weak.

Because of this, the emperor cared for him even more than for his other sons.

Rong Qinglei’s birth mother had also passed away early, which added even more pity to the emperor’s concern.

Over the years, the emperor had spared no expense to treat Rong Qinglei’s illness.

He had even handed over financial authority to Rong Qinglei so that he could access funds freely for medical treatment at any time.

Yet even so, it seemed that he still could not keep him alive.

With the emperor’s anger hanging over the room, no one dared to breathe loudly.

The hall became terrifyingly quiet.

From afar, Yue Mingxuan looked at Rong Qinglei lying on the bed.

He could not connect the pale, lifeless man before him with the person who once spoke the words, “The bright moon shines clearly, as does my heart.” He also could not accept that a friend he had only just come to know might leave him like this.

Even though Yue Mingxuan was a doctor and had long been used to life and death, when such loss truly fell upon someone close to him, his heart still ached and tightened painfully.

At this moment, the emperor noticed Yue Mingxuan standing quietly in the corner.

From Yue Mingxuan’s eyes, he saw the same sorrow that filled his own heart.

The emperor raised his voice and said, “Yue Mingxuan, come here.”

Yue Mingxuan responded and walked over to Rong Qinglei’s sickbed.

Rong Qinglei’s face was deathly pale and only the faint rise and fall of his chest proved that he was still alive.

Seeing him in this state, Yue Mingxuan’s nose suddenly felt sore and tears fell uncontrollably from his eyes.

When the emperor saw Yue Mingxuan cry, his heart shook slightly.

Based on the investigations he had received, Yue Mingxuan had always held feelings for Shan’er.

After being framed that time, he had instead grown closer to Shang Qinghua. And now, he was reacting like this toward Qing’er… What exactly was Yue Mingxuan thinking in his heart?

With this thought, the emperor looked at Yue Mingxuan more closely and asked in a probing tone, “Yue Mingxuan, do you think Qing’er can survive this time?”

Although Yue Mingxuan did not understand why the emperor asked him this question, he still thought for a moment before answering honestly, “I don’t know.”

At this moment, the Imperial Consort Zhou suddenly raised her head and said, “Recently, I have heard that a new medical clinic has opened in the capital, and there is a miracle doctor there…” She paused slightly, then continued, “This miracle doctor is none other thn Prince Yue.”

When the emperor heard this, he looked Yue Mingxuan up and down.

He had already been informed that Yue Mingxuan had opened a medical clinic, but he had never heard that Yue Mingxuan knew medical skills.

“Yue Mingxuan,” the emperor asked, “is this true?”

Yue Mingxuan nodded.

Only now did he truly understand what it meant when people said that there were no secrets inside the palace and that one’s enemies could suddenly use those secrets to bite back fiercely at any moment.

The Imperial Consort Zhou secretly glanced at the emperor’s expression.

Seeing that he did not seem displeased, she gathered her courage and said, “Since Prince Yue’s medical skills are so remarkable, why not let him examine Prince Qing?”

Her words caused everyone’s eyes to fall on Yue Mingxuan at once.

Among them were looks of envy and jealousy.

Even the imperial physicians kneeling on the ground raised their heads to look at him.

Yue Mingxuan glanced at the Imperial Consort Zhou and thought coldly to himself: what a clever move.

The women of the palace were truly not simple.

The emperor turned to Yue Mingxuan and asked, “Yue Mingxuan, are you willing?”

For an emperor of a great nation to lower himself and ask the opinion of a prince from a small country was something rarely seen in Beirong.

When those present heard the emperor speak this way, many people felt even more envy toward Yue Mingxuan.

However, Yue Mingxuan’s answer shocked everyone.

“I am not willing.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the attendant shouted sharply, “How dare you!”

The emperor waved his hand again. It seemed he had already expected such an answer.

“Oh?” he said calmly. “Why are you unwilling?”

Yue Mingxuan’s next sentence instantly struck everyone’s nerves.

“Because,” he said slowly, “I am unwilling to be used and schemed against.”

The emperor did not speak right away.

He only smiled faintly as he looked at Yue Mingxuan waiting for him to continue.

Meanwhile, some of the lower-ranking consorts present had already turned pale with fear.

When kings fight, pawns suffer.

These women had no favor to rely on and if they accidentally saw or heard secrets belonging to those of higher rank, their days in the palace would surely become difficult.

After hearing Yue Mingxuan’s words, a trace of seriousness flashed across the emperor’s face, but it was soon replaced by a smile.

“So you mean,” the emperor said slowly, “that someone dares to play tricks right in front of me?”

The emperor’s words frightened the Imperial Consort Zhou so badly that she immediately dropped to her knees.

“Your Majesty, Yue Mingxuan is making false accusations and slandering this consort!”

Seeing this, a cold smile appeared at the corner of Concubine Hua’s lips.

What an impatient fool.

Yue Mingxuan had not even named anyone, yet she jumped out on her own.

The emperor waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of impatience.

“I didn’t say it was you. Why are you kneeling so eagerly?”

Although he said this, he did not order the Imperial Consort Zhou to rise.

Instead, he continued questioning, “Yue Mingxuan, tell me. How exactly did this person scheme against you?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep