An Lingrong's Rebirth: Red

Chapter 479 Poisoning

As the emperor fell completely ill, the court had not dealt with any important state affairs for several days.

The ministers were anxious, but the memorials they sent in like snowflakes only got the answer that the emperor was in good health, but the emperor never showed up in court.

If there is no one in charge of the court for a day, people's morale will be low. In desperation, Ling Rong had to write a letter to urge the Fifth Prince to deal with the affairs in Guizhou as soon as possible and return to the palace immediately.

At the same time, Lingrong also wrote a letter to the border to ask the third prince to return to Beijing. This move was to shut up everyone so that the ministers in the court would not think that she was trying to gain power and say something unpleasant.

However, judging from the distance, the Fifth Prince returned faster. Within a day, the Fifth Prince rushed back day and night. He did not return to his mansion to rest, but went directly to the Yangxin Palace to visit the emperor.

On this day, Concubine Wan and Concubine Qi were attending to the sick Emperor. Since the Fifth Prince was now considered their own son, Ling Rong also came to the Palace of Tranquil Longevity. Perhaps because of the medicine Concubine Wan had fed the Emperor, the Emperor was in surprisingly good spirits that day. He was able to sit up on the couch and chat about state affairs with the Fifth Prince.

This time, the Fifth Prince listened attentively, even showing a rare serious expression, and wrote down the Emperor's instructions bit by bit.

"During my absence, you will be involved in state affairs. If you encounter any difficult issues, please discuss them with the ministers in the court. I have already instructed Zhang Tingyu, and he will assist you. Don't worry."

"Yes, Huang Ama."

Hong Zhou agreed. Just as he was about to ask about the emperor's health, the emperor waved his hand to stop him, "You will take charge of state affairs for the next few days. You don't have to worry about my health. Go."

The Fifth Prince hesitated a little, but the Emperor waved his hand again, so he could only bow and go to deal with state affairs.

However, he was using the emperor's study in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity. He knew the emperor's every move, and if he really encountered any big problems, he could ask the emperor for advice at any time.

It was precisely because the patient would not continue to interfere with state affairs that the emperor was able to focus on treatment with peace of mind.

As soon as the Fifth Prince left, the Emperor collapsed again. Ling Rong hurriedly supported him and asked Zhaoshui to call He Anming over to diagnose the Emperor again.

But it was only an hour, and there was no change in the emperor's health. He was just forcing himself to talk to the Fifth Prince.

"Your humble servant will go down to prepare the medicine. Don't worry, Your Majesty. The Emperor is in good health."

"That's good, go down."

Ling Rong did not leave immediately. She helped the emperor turn over. "The emperor is in better spirits now that he has seen the Fifth Prince."

"I am really worried, but my body really can't take it anymore." The emperor sighed deeply. When he saw his son in the prime of his life and his concubines who were still as beautiful as flowers, the pain in his heart continued to come. It was a pity that he was already old.

Beauty is afraid of aging, and so are heroes.

"With so many ministers assisting him, the Fifth Prince will surely be able to handle the affairs of the court. Your Majesty should rest assured and recuperate, so that he can get better soon.

The court still needs the emperor to be in charge, so that people can feel at ease."

"Hong Zhou will have to be independent sooner or later and cannot rely on court officials all his life." The emperor said in a faint voice and looked like he was about to fall asleep.

Lingrong just responded. She didn't dare to say more, for fear of saying something wrong and causing the emperor to doubt her intentions again.

Gentle, taciturn, and only listening, Lingrong has always been like this when she is with the emperor. She will not relax even a bit until the last moment.

"Your Majesty is right, but I always think he is still young. Mothers are always extra indulgent to their children."

"A loving mother often spoils her child. You should be stricter."

"I understand. Strict father, kind mother, this saying is absolutely true." Ling Rong smiled, laid the emperor flat again, and then put on the armor. "I still have things to deal with. Your Majesty, please take care of your health. I will come to visit you often."

"Go ahead. I'm a little tired too." The emperor closed his eyes and his voice was a little hoarse, sounding particularly pitiful.

Lingrong didn't have any intention of feeling sorry for the emperor. She just told him to take care of his health and immediately got up and went back.

After all, Concubine Wan and Zhen Huan have been waiting for a long time. If I don't leave quickly and give them a chance to act, wouldn't their plan be wasted?

"Lady Qi, Lady Wan, the emperor just fell asleep. When he wakes up, you must make sure he has something to eat before taking the medicine, lest the medicine stimulates his internal organs and he vomits the medicine he just took, which would be counterproductive."

"I understand, Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Concubine Qi agreed the fastest. She glanced at Concubine Zhen Huan and Concubine Wan with pride and said, "Leave the affairs of the Yangxin Palace to me. There will definitely not be the slightest mistake."

"I believe you," Ling Rong did not stay for long, pretending to care about the two of them, "but you also need to pay attention to rest, don't overwork yourself."

"Yes, ma'am."

After sending Ling Rong away, Concubine Qi immediately became arrogant. She raised her hand and pointed at Zhen Huan, "What is this lowly maid doing here? The emperor hates her the most. Concubine Wan, don't you know that?"

“She won’t serve the emperor, so what does it matter whether she hates him or not?

I think it was Concubine Qi who took advantage of her status to deliberately humiliate the people around me.

But Noble Lady Qi, don't forget that both you and I are noble ladies, and we have the same titles. There is no distinction between who is higher and who is lower.

So please be careful with your words. If you really make me angry, you will be in trouble."

"One of you likes to mess around with men and women, and the other likes to poison children. How can you two sisters be good people?

Why should I give you face and let you live an easy life?

Not to mention that you are still a criminal, even if you are a favored concubine, so what? You are still two morally corrupt bitches.

People with such low character like you should be chased and beaten like rats crossing the street.

I am willing to give her a chance to reform, it is her blessing.

Look at her face, she is quite pretty. There are many eunuchs in the palace who are in need of a partner.

For example, Xiao Yunzi is not bad, and you know her well. If you cherish her, why not consider her?"

Just after she finished speaking, Concubine Qi covered her mouth in pretended surprise, "Oh, right, I forgot that the person now called Xiao Yunzi was the former Prince Guo.

Your adulterer is right beside you. I wonder if he is making love with you day and night, totally oblivious to what the world is like?"

"Lady Qi! Who gave you the courage to speak such foul language in the Yangxin Palace?

Be careful, I will tell the emperor right away, and I guess you won’t have to continue your position as a nobleman anymore.”

"Oh, you've become so anxious just because I revealed some of her dirty deeds.

Knowing that these things would not sound good if said out loud and would pollute the emperor's ears, why would you still do them?

Is there nothing else to do in this world besides this?

I read the books of sages every day, but I didn't learn anything about the word sages. Instead, I learned a lot about obscene things.

Let me tell you, if you don’t want others to know, then don’t do it. If you don’t want others to say anything, then you must be a truly upright person.

But everyone in your Zhen family, from the old to the young, likes to do shameful things. Like father, like daughter. I'm sure your final fate will be the same as your father and mother, starving to death in the cellar!"

When Concubine Qi said this, she was almost admitting that she was responsible for the death of Zhen Yuandao and his wife. Concubine Wan was furious and raised her hand to slap Concubine Qi.

However, just as she raised her hand, Zhen Huan grabbed it. Concubine Wan wanted to take action, but Zhen Huan added strength, "Concubine, don't lose the big picture for the small. The emperor's health is the most important thing right now.

When the emperor recovers, it won't be too late for you to argue about this matter with Concubine Qi."

Concubine Wan suppressed her anger and nodded after a while before taking back her hand. "I will never forget what Concubine Qi did. When the emperor gets better, I will definitely go to him and ask him to make the decision."

"It's all up to the Emperor. If the Emperor wanted to make the decision for you, he would have done it long ago.

I don't know whether to say you are naive or stupid for still holding on to those unrealistic fantasies."

Concubine Qi looked at Concubine Wan with disdain and said, "I am going to go in and serve the Emperor. You two should wait here in the outer room.

Especially cherish it and don't be lazy. Please clean this main hall for the emperor. If there is dust, you will be held responsible."

"Yes, Lady Qi," Zhen Huan said without any sign of anger, "It's just that when the Imperial Noble Consort left just now, she said that the Emperor had already gone to bed, and if we wake him up, he might be unhappy.

It would be better for Concubine Qi to take this opportunity to have a good rest, so that when the Emperor wakes up she can serve him wholeheartedly by his bedside.

This will not only make His Majesty feel that Concubine Qi is gentle and considerate, but it won't make you too tired, so why not do it?"

"I don't believe you have such good intentions," Concubine Qi ignored Zhen Huan and stood up and walked towards the emperor's bedroom, "You and your sister have no chance to gain the emperor's favor again, I will not be fooled by you.

You two sisters will be trampled under my feet for the rest of your lives. This is your fate with the surname Zhen. It is destined."

Neither Concubine Wan nor Zhen Huan said anything. They just watched Concubine Qi leave in a haughty manner. Then one of them kept watch while the other took the opportunity to sprinkle oleander powder into the water.

All the tea in the emperor's bedroom was collected by Zhen Huan. Whenever the emperor wanted to drink, he could only drink the pot of water with oleander in it.

They are determined to take the life of this dog emperor.

The powder was poured very cleanly, and there was no discoloration when it was mixed into the water.

Concubine Wan took a clean handkerchief and wiped Zhen Huan's fingers, fearing that the oleander powder would remain on her elder sister's hands.

"Sister, when can we leave this deep palace?"

"Yu Rao, I will find a way to send you out, don't worry."

Zhen Huan gently comforted Concubine Wan, "Originally, I captured Ye Lanyi because I wanted to use her to threaten An Lingrong, so that she would use her power as a concubine to release you from the palace.

But I didn't expect that An Lingrong was so well-connected. Even though we were far away in Jiangnan, she was still able to send someone to take Ye Lanyi away.

Prince Guo and I wasted our time and were eventually captured and brought back to the palace.

But don't worry, I have another way to get you out of the palace."

Concubine Wan was not worried about her own safety. Instead, she grabbed Zhen Huan's hand and said, "Sister, what about you? Will you leave the palace with me?"

"I will go out with you. You are still so young. You will suffer a lot if you make a living outside the palace alone. How can I bear it?"

"Then elder sister, tell me, do you have any way to send us out of the palace?"

"Prince Guo had already contacted Prince Shen privately before entering the palace for the second time. After we succeed, we will take medicine to fake our death. Prince Shen will help us get out of Ji'an."

"Prince Shen?" Concubine Wan hesitated for a moment. She held Zhen Huan's hand with a trembling voice. "Is it that Prince Shen?"

"It's her, the Prince Shen who loves you." Zhen Huan smiled and patted Concubine Wan's hand, "It is because he loves you that he is willing to help us.

But I won't force you to marry him. After you leave the palace, if you like him, there's nothing wrong in marrying him.

But if you don't like it, we will work like slaves for the rest of our lives and repay him slowly."

"I..." Hearing the words "I pledge my love to you", Concubine Wan blushed. "Sister, why are you talking nonsense like that? How can I be worthy of the Prince Shen in my current state?"

"You are worthy of any man in the world. You have suffered a lot during your time in the palace. If it were in the past...even when you were in Ningguta, you would not think that you were unworthy of him."

Concubine Wan smiled bitterly and shook her head, "After being in the palace for so long, I have grown extremely disgusted with the Emperor, and because of him, I am even more resistant to love between men and women.

Sister, I don’t want to be with any man anymore in my life.

If I could leave the palace, I would like to travel to Mobei and Jiangnan. I don’t want to be trapped in this world anymore.

Sister, can you understand me?

"After we leave the palace, you can do whatever you want, I will never stop you.

You are my only sister, your parents have passed away, and as an elder sister is like a mother, I will naturally consider everything for you."

"Eldest sister..." Zhen Huan and Concubine Wan hugged each other and cried. Thinking of their parents' tragic death, they cried even more pitifully and could not stop crying for a long time.

"Why are you crying here? The emperor is in good health. You two should stop crying here and make people upset."

Concubine Qi suddenly appeared, scaring the two of them. She frowned, walked closer and slapped Zhen Huan in the face.

The slap was so powerful that Zhen Huan fell onto the table and almost spilled the poisoned tea.

"What are you doing!" When Concubine Wan saw her sister being beaten, she immediately questioned Concubine Qi in a harsh voice, and even trembled her fingers, wanting to slap Concubine Qi back.

But Zhen Huan still stood in front of her. With a red slap mark on her face, she asked Concubine Qi what she wanted.

"How did you serve in the Yangxin Palace? The emperor woke up and wanted to drink tea, but there was no tea in the bedroom!

I came to the hall to get it and heard you two crying. Did you think the emperor was ill and didn't have time to punish you two bitches? "