Chapter 189: Poisoned in the Palace

The shopkeeper peered carefully at Yue Mingxuan and Shang Qinghua through the door crack.

Seeing that neither looked like a troublemaker, he finally opened the door and let them in. “I’ve never heard of any bandits around here.”

Shang Qinghua said, “There’s been a severe drought in the north recently. Maybe some refugees came from there.”

If it hadn’t been for being trapped together in the Piaoxiang Courtyard last night, Yue Mingxuan might almost have believed Shang Qinghua’s words.

He lied so smoothly, never needing to plan a story.

Although the shopkeeper was still suspicious, he accepted the silver and provided them with two sets of ready made garments.

The craftsmanship in the small town was simple; when Yue Mingxuan put his clothes on, the material felt scratchy all over. But it was better than wearing only his undergarment, he reassured himself.

In contrast, Shang Qinghua who is shirtless wore the male outfit with complete ease, showing no signs of discomfort.

After paying, the two left the shop and ride Chi Tu toward the capital.

An hour later, they reached the city gates.

As soon as Yue Mingxuan dismounted, he was immediately surrounded by the Imperial Guard.

Lately, thousands of soldiers had been searching for him without rest, placing his portrait around the city seven or eight times.

One guard recognizing him instantly and he exclaimed, “Prince Yue, you—”

Yue Mingxuan had disappeared for several days and now appeared in low-quality clothing, with Prince Shang dressed the same.

The commanding officer of the Imperial Guard glanced at Yue Mingxuan and wisely chose not to dwell on it.

The royal household’s matters were complicated, but at least he had returned.

He hope there are no more suffering for them.

Yue Mingxuan smiled.

He had no idea how to explain his past few days.

Could he really tell others that a prince had been laboring in a brothel this few days?

Moreover, the items he had obtained in the Piaoxiang Courtyard would make others envious enough if they existed in the present world.

Seeing that Yue Mingxuan remained silent, the commander of the Imperial Guard politely refrained from pressing further. “The Emperor has said, as soon as you return, go to the Imperial Study to see him.”

Yue Mingxuan nodded.

As the court physician, disappearing for a while was normal, and it was understandable that his family was concerned.

Inside the Imperial Study, the Emperor was reviewing memorials when a eunuch reported Yue Mingxuan’s return.

“Bring him in,” the Emperor said.

Yue Mingxuan entered the study and, without waiting for the eunuch, he obediently bowed his head.

He had skipped appointments with the Emperor, and likely, he was the only person in the realm bold enough to do so.

Seeing him kneel of his own accord, the Emperor did not scold him. “Tell me, where have you been all this time?”

Yue Mingxuan thought for a moment and replied, “I was taken by others to do hard labor.”

He was not lying, he truly had been forced into labor.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Although you were held in Beirong as a hostage, you were still essentially a guest of our kingdom. Who had the audacity to kidnap you?”

“In response to the Emperor, Yue Mingxuan does not know,” he said.

If he had known, he would have reported it to the authorities as soon as he emerged.

The Emperor, seeing that Yue Mingxuan’s expression did not suggest deceit, wore a more serious look.

To dare openly kidnap someone within the Imperial City was to openly challenge Beirong’s authority. He asked, “Then how did you manage to escape?”

Yue Mingxuan answered honestly, “It was Prince Shang who rescued me.”

His reply aligned with the facts the Emperor already knew, though he omitted the part about the mechanisms in the Piaoxiang Courtyard.

Seeing that Yue Mingxuan had not lied to him, the Emperor’s expression lightened considerably. “Qing’er has been thinking about you constantly these past few days. Once you return, go to him and see how he is.”

Yue Mingxuan nodded.

Even if the Emperor hadn’t said so, he intended to go.

After being away for so long, he had no idea how Rong Qinglei’s condition had progressed.

At that moment, an eunuch suddenly burst in panicked. “Your Majesty! Prince Qing has been poisoned! His life hangs by a thread. The imperial physicians request that Your Majesty come immediately!”

“What?” Yue Mingxuan reacted even faster than the Emperor. He stepped forward and grabbed the eunuch by the collar. “What do you mean Prince Qing has been poisoned? He’s been under medical care this whole time, how could he have been poisoned?”

The eunuch who is trapped in Yue Mingxuan’s grip struggled to breathe. Finally after freeing himself, he grimaced and stammered, “I-I don’t know! I’m only here to deliver messages!”

“Bring the carriage, head to Chengqian Hall!” Upon hearing that Prince Rong Qinglei’s life was in imminent danger, the Emperor could no longer sit still. “Yue Mingxuan, you come as well.”

The group moved swiftly to Chengqian Hall.

Yue Mingxuan charged ahead and bursting into the room.

On the bed lay Rong Qinglei who is already unconscious.

Yue Mingxuan checked his pulse, it was faint and flickering, signaling he was almost died.

Furious and anxious, he confronted Pan Lutong, the lead imperial physician. “How could this happen? He was fine when I left. Did you follow my prescriptions properly?”

Pan Lutong gave a bitter smile. “Prince Yue, your prescriptions are so brilliant. How could we dare alter them on our own?”

When Yue Mingxuan heard this, he rushed back to Rong Qinglei’s bedside.

The young man’s lips were turning bluish-purple, it’s a classic sign of fatal poisoning.

“Pan Lutong, besides you, who else has handled his medicine?” If the prescription wasn’t the issue, then someone must have poisoned him deliberately.

Pan Lutong quickly replied, “Prince Qing’s medicine has always been under my strict supervision. There is no way anyone else could have poisoned him.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep