Marrying a concubine to seduce him and lure him into the game

"Be sure to bring him back safely." Su Rao's voice was full of pleading.

"This not only depends on my ability, but also on his fate." Bai Ze's tone remained calm.

Afterwards, Mo Yi carefully helped Prince Yi board the long-awaited carriage. With a slight sound of horse hooves, the carriage gradually disappeared at the end of the night.

Su Rao stood there for a long time without moving, until the shadow of the carriage completely blended into the night. Then she slowly took out from her arms the item that Prince Yi had left for her - a white jade flute as white as snow and as thick as an index finger.

Is this flute a parting gift, or does it have some hidden meaning?

Is it a simple token of gratitude, or a key to salvation?

Su Rao couldn't help but smile bitterly in her heart. At such a life-and-death moment, why should she play these guessing games?

The next day, the whole capital was filled with the strange story of Prince Yi leaving the palace late at night to travel with Master Mingkong.

"It is said that Prince Yi dotes on his concubine, but I didn't expect that he would eventually choose to devote himself to Buddhism. It seems that the concubine's position in his heart is just so-so."

There were all kinds of discussions on the streets, which was undoubtedly a further blow to Su Rao.

Inside the imperial palace, the atmosphere in Shoukang Palace was particularly solemn.

The Queen Mother frowned, her dissatisfaction evident in her words: "Prince Yi's actions are really puzzling. My birthday is coming in a few days, but he chose to leave the palace quietly at this time. Could it be that he can't wait for a few days?"

The Queen Mother's displeasure made the people around her dare not even breathe.

Su Yi spoke at the right time, trying to ease the tense atmosphere: "Grandmother, the prince received an urgent letter from Master Mingkong. The master was leaving that night. The prince was worried about disturbing your rest, so he did not come to say goodbye in person. When the prince returns, he will come to apologize to you."

Su Yi's words were discussed with Su Rao in advance. Although she did not know the whole picture of the matter, she could feel the twists and turns in it, which undoubtedly made their situation more difficult.

The Queen Mother snorted coldly, with obvious reproach in her words: "Isn't your sister always good at winning people's hearts? How come she can't even keep her own husband?"

These words were directed at Su Rao and were full of accusation.

Although Su Rao felt a mixture of emotions, she remained calm on the surface. She carefully considered her words and slowly replied, "As a wife, I should understand and support my husband's decision, rather than becoming a stumbling block on his path forward. Rao knows this in her heart."

"Oh, this is her virtue?"

The Queen Mother sneered, her words full of sarcasm, "I don't mind, but I'm afraid your mother will feel bad when she hears this."

Prince Yi's sudden departure from the capital undoubtedly reignited discussions in the court about making Prince Qi the crown prince. This was undoubtedly good news for the Queen Mother, who had always favored Prince Qi.

Su Yi lowered her eyes and said no more. She knew that any words at this moment might touch her sensitive nerves. She could only bear it silently and act cautiously.

Seeing this, the Queen Mother felt bored and waved her hand, signaling everyone to leave.

She stood alone in the courtyard, looking at the blooming osmanthus trees, with an indescribable sadness in her eyes.

The fragrance of osmanthus brought back her memories of the past, especially her longing for the eldest sister of the Zhao family.

Outsiders thought that she preferred the elegance of peony, but few knew that deep in her heart, her favorite was actually the elegant osmanthus.

The various rules of the Zhao family forced her to be careful in everything and not dare to do anything beyond the rules. She could only plant a few osmanthus trees in her own little world as a solace.

At this time, an elderly nanny came quietly to the Queen Mother's side. She was the Queen Mother's confidant and had been loyal to her for many years.

"Is there any new information about the whereabouts of that child?" The Queen Mother's voice was filled with anxiety. What she was concerned about was the orphan left behind by the eldest sister of the Zhao family, the only hope of the Zhao family bloodline.

The nanny shook her head, her tone somewhat helpless: "According to my inquiries, the child was indeed born, but then disappeared. However, I also found some related clues..."

There was a barely perceptible gleam in the Queen Mother's eyes.

"Keep investigating. As long as he's still alive, I'll find him back no matter what." Her tone was firm and she brooked no room for argument.

"Yes, I obey your command." The nanny replied respectfully, turned and left, continuing the long and arduous journey of searching.

Meanwhile, in the residence of the King of Qi, the sudden departure of the King of Yi made the King of Qi and his followers ecstatic. They were secretly preparing to make a move...

Several important officials in the court were anxious and requested to meet the King of Qi.

However, what was surprising was that the King of Qi went against his usual behavior and refused to see visitors, even the court officials who were usually close to him. This included the King's Consort Qi, a woman who was always gentle and virtuous and held an important position in the palace. She was also turned away, which made people feel puzzled.

What is even more striking is that, amid the curious and speculative gazes of everyone, only two imperial doctors were hurriedly summoned into the King of Qi's bedroom, and have not come out since then.

Princess Qi frowned, her heart full of doubts. Could it be that the King of Qi was really ill?

It was just an ordinary ailment, how could it be so mysterious that even she, the one sleeping next to her, didn't know about it?

Moreover, why should this disease be covered up so closely?

In the magnificent yet extremely quiet palace, the King of Qi lay quietly on the bed. His face was no longer as handsome and upright as before. Instead, it was covered with shocking red spots. He looked weak and restless.

He used all his strength to ask coldly: "What on earth is going on with this king?"

The two imperial doctors stood by the bed. Facing the King of Qi's questioning, they looked embarrassed and looked at each other, their eyes full of helplessness and confusion.

"I have never seen such a pulse, and it is difficult to determine the cause of the disease for the time being." One of them finally plucked up the courage and answered tremblingly.

The anger of the King of Qi was boiling in his chest, but his reason told him that it was not appropriate to flare up at this time, especially when he remembered Su Rao's reminder. He suppressed his anger and said with a barely perceptible tremor in his voice: "Could it be that the King has contracted the plague?"

As soon as the word "epidemic" was mentioned, the faces of the two imperial doctors turned pale instantly, especially the younger one, who involuntarily took a step back and put some distance between himself and the King of Qi.

The King of Qi's eyes were sharp, piercing directly at the young imperial physician. Under that sharp gaze, the latter's knees weakened, and he fell to the ground with a thump, his voice trembling: "I...I have seen epidemics before, and the symptoms of your Highness are indeed very similar."

When the King of Qi heard this, the last glimmer of hope in his heart was shattered. His legs became weak and he slumped down on the chair beside him.

The word "epidemic" was like a mountain, weighing heavily on his heart.