Chapter 159: The Factional Struggle is Over

That is hard to say for sure.

After this matter was resolved, the Third Prince was immediately showered with generous rewards.

"You handled things with exceptional prudence this time, especially since you only pushed your imperial elder brother into the spotlight after gathering all the evidence."

The Emperor praised him directly and even commanded the other princes to learn from his example rather than listening to only one side of a story.

His current situation was indeed rising steadily, with some officials even directly proposing that the Third Prince be appointed as the Crown Prince.

However, the Emperor flatly refused.

To hastily establish someone as the Crown Prince right after quelling recent unrest was clearly somewhat imprudent and diverged from what they had previously imagined.

Moreover, these past few days happened to coincide with the Qixi Festival.

Han Qing had previously considered taking Xiuxiu out for this occasion to enjoy the splendid sights of Luojing, rather than confining her to a tiny courtyard where she sat like a frog at the bottom of a well, seemingly never stepping outside. Indeed, they had already spent a vast amount of time cooped up.

"Xiuxiu, would you like to go out together tonight?"

Ah?

The young woman before him was instantly startled, as she had never experienced such things before and even found it somewhat peculiar—not quite matching what she had previously envisioned.

"I still need to care for Mother. She is alone at home, and I am rather worried."

Han Qing comforted her, saying, "I have already arranged for the neighbor to come over. Mother Wang is quite adept at handling such matters, so nothing will be neglected."

In the end, Xiuxiu agreed to go out.

This place was vastly different from their former Northern Commandery city, as one could witness all sorts of different magic tricks, some of which she had never seen before. Seeing such spectacles filled her with extreme astonishment.

Walking along the lantern-lit street, Xiuxiu discovered countless novelties, her face full of wonder. She also purchased a few trinkets that young women favored. Catching sight of several delicate hairpins that he deemed quite lovely, Han Qing bought them on the spot.

Suddenly, a large number of soldiers rushed out, throwing the entire street into complete chaos. Neither of them had expected things to take such a turn.

Han Qing immediately pulled the young woman into his arms and escorted her back to the estate without delay. Such turmoil breaking out in the middle of the night portended grave trouble, especially since this was Luojing—right beneath the Emperor's very feet, yet assassins had still appeared.

Who on earth were they trying to assassinate?

No one could have anticipated that the target was Zhu Yunzhi!

He lay flat upon the couch, and the imperial physicians diagnosed that he had also fallen victim to the lethal poison of the Southern Frontier's toxic flora. Furthermore, this was distinct from what his mother had previously ingested; it was the Poison King itself.

There was no known cure, and within seven days, his existence would likely be completely eradicated.

The situation was perilous in the extreme, and the officials hurriedly entered the imperial palace to await further developments. None of them had imagined that what was supposed to be a harmonious and fulfilling evening would suddenly be marred by such a bizarre catastrophe.

Yet the true beneficiary of all this unexpectedly turned out to be the Third Prince.

This realization immediately began to spark panic among certain individuals.

The Emperor naturally harbored suspicions regarding this. Could his third son have truly orchestrated this move? Having already eliminated his imperial elder brother in his pursuit of the crown prince's seat, wouldn't victory now be within his grasp?

"Where were you tonight? Is there anyone who can vouch for you?" the Emperor asked with a stern expression.

Han Qing nodded with an air of detachment. "Your Imperial Majesty, this subject has remained entirely within the inner palace and has not stepped out for even a single step, knowing that Mother would be deeply sorrowful these past few days."

That explanation was plausible enough.

Then who could have perpetrated such a hazardous deed?

Yet after questioning everyone within the palace thoroughly, no truly suspicious individuals were uncovered.

There was also the Prince of Huai, but he was currently living the life of an idle prince devoid of direct authority; how could he possibly engage in such an undertaking? Moreover, having already lost any opportunity to contend for the succession of the Crown Prince, why would he launch such a ruthless assault against another imperial prince?

After a prolonged and exhaustive investigation, nothing had changed.

The Emperor summoned the Prince of Huai into the palace as well and questioned him regarding his actions over the past few days.

"Your Imperial Majesty, this subject has spent these past few days deeply devoted to scholarly study. Knowing that my own sins are too profound to make amends for, I have had no desire to venture outside."

He was quite candid, even acknowledging the various misdeeds he had committed during this period and stating that he was slowly seeking to make amends.

Then who could it be?

The entire Imperial Medical Academy was currently treading on thin ice, never expecting matters to escalate to such a pass. They had clearly devised numerous countermeasures beforehand, yet now those plans had suddenly vanished into thin air.

"Your Majesty, Prince Chen is failing fast. The Imperial Medical Academy has done all it could, but I fear he cannot hold on much longer."

The others did not dare to offer any counsel. The venomous flora he had ingested was indeed overwhelmingly virulent.

By the time the Emperor hurried over, he was met with the pale countenance of Zhu Yunzhi.

The events had unfolded with too much urgency. When Han Qing finally arrived at the imperial palace, he found that the poison had already penetrated deep into Zhu Yunzhi's internal organs.

"Your Imperial Majesty, this subject has a method that might be worth a try."

He spoke with directness. The others might have been reluctant to believe him, perhaps even viewing his words as absurd, but he had indeed resolved the affliction of the toxic flora once before. Perhaps he still held a solution now.

"Then give it a try."

Han Qing promptly instructed his men to prepare silver needles and the requisite medicinal ingredients.

Since toxic flora had been employed, there had to be corresponding antagonistic botanical remedies.

Through the use of silver needles, he sealed the major meridians to prevent the toxins from continuing to spread through the remaining blood vessels. Then, combining caterpillar fungus and honeysuckle, he dissolved them into a liquid.

Once the medicinal formulation was brewed, he swiftly administered it to Zhu Yunzhi.

After waiting for nearly half an hour, they finally observed slight movements from Zhu Yunzhi. Though devoid of vigor, he was at least able to utter a few coherent words.

"Reward him!"

Overjoyed that the imperial prince had been pulled back from the brink of death, the Emperor found the feat nothing short of miraculous. The imperial physicians standing nearby were equally struck dumb with astonishment.

"Brew these herbal prescriptions thoroughly several times a day, and he will recover his original state in two or three days," Han Qing stated calmly.

After this matter was settled, however, the Emperor's suspicions resurfaced.

A man of extreme paranoia, he speculated that Han Qing might have cured the poison simply to curry favor and feign loyalty to the royal family. Otherwise, how could an ordinary person possibly know how to treat the deadly toxins of the Southern Frontier?

"Where were you on the night in question?"

"This subject and my wife went together to stroll along Chunting Street. Since it was the Qixi Festival, I wished to accompany my wife out for leisure," he answered truthfully, while fully aware that the sovereign's heart remained clouded by doubt.

"Are you aware of what transpired at that time?"

"Your Imperial Majesty, this subject and my wife merely heard that a band of soldiers had suddenly arrived in pursuit of assassins."