Chapter 241: The Emperor’s Memory

“But can this alone convict the murderer?” Wang Jian asked curiously. “It’s not like Yur Mingxuan couldn’t have accessed these poisons. What’s more, he’s well versed in medicine, so he’d be even more capable of concocting something like this.”

Wang Jian’s words plunged Gongsun Xing into deep thought.

He and Mingxuan had initially focused on the source of the poison, but even if they traced it, it wouldn’t prove that Yue Mingxuan wasn’t the one who administered it.

After pondering for a moment, he said, “It’s true there’s not enough evidence. But this is as far as I can go. What happens next will be up to him to figure out on his own.”

He could protect him, but he couldn’t shield him forever.

As the grand elder of Silver Needle Sect, he should have the wisdom to handle such matters; otherwise, how would he manage the sect in the future?

That afternoon in the imperial study, the Emperor looked at Rong Qinglei who is kneeling on the ground and couldn’t help but feel exasperated.

This son of his was perfect in every way except for being too emotionally invested.

Just because he had thrown Yue Mingxuan into prison, Rong Qinglei came to kneel for two hours every day.

“Qing’er, I’ve told you many times, Yue Mingxuan isn’t suffering much in the prison. You can rest assured.”

Rong Qinglei persisted, “The prison is damp and cold. Mingxuan is small and weak, he definitely won’t be able to bear it. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and release him. Even if it’s just house arrest in his courtyard, it’s better than being in prison.”

The emperor looked at him with some helplessness and said, “Qing’er, you should understand your father’s intentions very well. So why are you the one who finds them hardest to accept?”

This son of his was perfect in every way, except that whenever it came to Yue Mingxuan, he always lost his composure.

That was precisely why he had no choice but to target Yue Mingxuan.

When the Emperor addressed him in such a tone and called himself “your father,” Rong Qinglei felt a jolt in his heart.

He kowtowed and replied, “Your son understands Your Majesty’s good intentions, but Mingxuan’s aspirations do not lie with me, and I have no wish to force him.”

His words stirred a hint of anger in the Emperor.

After all these years of nurturing his son, did he lack even a trace of a ruler’s dominance?

“The person chosen by our Beirong imperial household, surely no one dares to contend for him. Say no more; you may take your leave.”

If Yue Mingxuan could pass this test he had set, he would one day become the mother of the nation in Beirong.

If he died in prison, it would at least sever Qing’er’s attachment once and for all.

Seeing the Emperor angered, Rong Qinglei dared not persist.

Clutching his slightly aching chest, he walked out.

No sooner had he stepped outside than he found Gongsun Xing standing at the door with an ambiguous smile.

He had no idea how much of their conversation Gongsun Xing had overheard.

Rong Qinglei took a deep breath and forcing a faint smile. “Miracle Doctor Gongsun, what brings you here?”

Gongsun Xing shook the bottle in his hand. “I’ve solved the mystery of Princess Xie’s poisoning, so I’ve come to see His Majesty.”

Rong Qinglei nodded. “Then I won’t keep you.”

Gongsun Xing nodded in return and as they passed each other at the entrance of the imperial study, he said softly, “Mingxuan is one of us at Silver Needle Sect. Anyone who wants to force her will have to contend with whether Silver Needle Sect agrees. Rong Qinglei, you’re a decent man.”

His words left Rong Qinglei frozen in place.

After a moment, a relieved smile spread across his face.

In this world, no one could have everything their way, not him, not Mingxuan, not even the exalted Emperor himself.

Gongsun Xing entered the imperial study and handed the bottle to the emperor’s attendant, saying, “Your Majesty, this is the poison that killed Princess Xie.”

The Emperor took the bottle from his attendant and gently swirled the liquid inside.

For reasons he couldn’t quite place, a strange sense of familiarity crept over him.

Gongsun Xing continued, “The formula for this poison is both complicated and simple at the same time. It’s a blend of three secret poisons from the Beirong court. In all my years of practicing medicine, this is the first time I’ve seen something achieve such an effect.”

The emperor raised an eyebrow. “Oh? By your account, this poison is quite remarkable.”

Gongsun Xing nodded. “It’s a combination of three poisons: Qianji, Chansi, and Taoyao. Colorless and odorless, aside from the visible symptoms it leaves on the body, there’s no trace to be found on any eating or drinking vessels. I imagine it’s also incurable.”

At these words, the Emperor’s expression shifted dramatically.

Even his hand holding the bottle trembled slightly.

So much time had passed, he’d actually forgotten about this poison.

This was her creation, her blessing.

He remembered her once joking that Qianji captured the heart, Chansi bewitched the soul, and Taoyao brought harmony to a home.

If a man was fortunate enough to possess three such women in his lifetime, he was truly blessed.

But if that blessing went too far, even the heavens would grow jealous…

Seeing the emperor remain silent for so long, Gongsun Xing tentatively spoke up. “Your Majesty, this poison is so cunning, so unusual, it’s simply beyond Yue Mingxuan’s capabilities. I beg Your Majesty to judge wisely and grant Yue Mingxuan justice.”

Memories from years ago came flooding back like an overturned sea.

The Emperor hadn’t heard a word Gongsun Xing said. He just waved his hand wearily. “You may go now. I’ll handle Yue Mingxuan’s matter myself.”

Though he’d expected this outcome, Gongsun Xing still felt a flicker of disappointment. “I beg Your Majesty to spare Yue Mingxuan’s life. The entire Silver Needle Sect would be deeply grateful.”

He hoped that words like these might give the Emperor pause when the time came to make his choice.

The emperor paid him no attention.

He simply stared blankly at the bottle, as though lost in distant memories.

The attendant politely escorted Gongsun Xing out and closed the doors to the study behind him.

Now no one could say what thoughts occupied the man behind those doors.

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