Disease rights policy

Si Ziyu and Si Ziyan are twins from the same mother, Consort Lian, who has been by the Emperor's side since the time he was a prince. She is an old servant in the harem and has always been known for her virtuous reputation of being respectful, frugal, gentle, and kind. It is a mystery how she raised such fools as Si Ziyu and Si Ziyan.

Qiao Ran followed Xiao Zhuo to the guest room. The guards that Qin Huai brought were all standing guard at the door. There was also a palace man with a pale complexion and very light beard. Qiao Ran guessed that he was the eunuch by Consort Lian's side. There was also a palace maid in a plain pink dress.

When the head guard saw Qiao Ran approaching, he said in a low voice, "Young Master told the young lady to come in as soon as she arrives."

Qiao Ran nodded. Qin Huaishao was not good at dealing with women and probably wouldn't be able to handle Consort Lian. She asked, "Where is the Crown Prince?"

"The young master told the young master to stay inside and recuperate."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Ran understood. She entered with a smile. The guest room was incredibly spacious. After passing through three green curtains, she saw Qin Huai drinking tea with Consort Lian.

She was indeed a dignified woman. She did not wear palace attire when leaving the palace, but the dress she wore was clearly made in the palace. The embroidery was exquisite and the pattern was unique. The dark green color made her look younger. Her skin was well-maintained, and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes were not obvious. She wore a gold hairpin in her hair.

Qiao Ran walked over. In front of this woman who had been well-educated since childhood, she also restrained her rascality and affected manner. However, she still had to play the role of Helian Huai's thirty-ninth study maid, so she had to play the role of a petty person.

Therefore, when Consort Lian turned to look at her, Qiao Ran just smiled symbolically, sat down next to Qin Huai, and began her performance, "Didn't you say you'd be back today? You've broken your promise again."

Before Qin Huai could speak, Consort Lian smiled gently. Her almond-shaped eyes held a questioning look as she first said, "This must be Miss Qiao," and then politely asked, "Young Master Huai, are you planning to return to Pingjing today?"

Qiao Ran looked at her and, considering the appearances of the Third and Fifth Princes, thought to herself that these two didn't resemble Consort Lian at all. They probably both followed their Emperor father. Consort Lian's presence was probably to clean up the mess her two sons had made.

Qin Huai took a sip of tea. "Your Majesty, we originally planned to return today. We are not used to the local customs and culture of Jin and Chu, and seeing the young master in such a miserable state, we have no desire to stay any longer."

Consort Lian frowned slightly. "I really don't know anything about the Crown Prince's affairs. I've been in the inner palace for many years and haven't inquired about Ziyu and Ziyan. I didn't expect that they had some unpleasantness with the Crown Prince."

A life was on the line, yet in Consort Lian's mouth, a mere "unpleasant" was all it took to replace it. It's unclear whether she was truly unaware or feigning ignorance.

Fortunately, Qin Huai didn't hold back. He said bluntly, "Your Majesty makes it sound so easy. Last night, I had a physician examine the Crown Prince. When the Crown Prince took off his clothes, his body was so thin and bony that not a single inch of his skin was intact. He was even worse off than someone who had been tortured in the Imperial Prison. The physician said that he would need to rest for two years to regain some vitality, but I don't think the Crown Prince can last two years. That's why I'm preparing to return to Pingjing to tell His Majesty the truth and make a decision."

Consort Lian's face suddenly turned deathly pale, and wrinkles appeared at the corners of her eyes, as if she had been quite frightened, but her tone remained calm, "Is what Young Master Huai said about the Crown Prince's condition true?"

Qin Huai said gloomily, "Of course it's true. If Your Majesty doesn't believe me, you can go and see for yourself."

Consort Lian patted her chest lightly, “This… I asked Ziyu and Ziyan, and they did have a little conflict with the Crown Prince, but they never harmed him. The Crown Prince traveled a long way to Yedu, and we treated him with courtesy. At first, considering the Crown Prince's youth, we even kept him in the palace to raise him. How could we dare to treat him poorly? There must be some misunderstanding.”

"Since the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince have said this to Her Majesty, then I can only go back and report the truth to His Majesty."

Qin Huai remained unmoved by reason, but Consort Lian seemed genuinely anxious and protective of her son. She immediately rose and gave Qin Huai a slight bow, saying, "Young Master Huai, I apologize to the Crown Prince on behalf of Ziyu and Ziyan. But please believe me, I will definitely find out who harmed the Crown Prince and give you an explanation. Please do not easily believe what others say."

Qin Huai didn't move, but Qiao Ran stood up as well. "What is Your Highness doing? My young master saw and heard everything with his own eyes and ears. As for misunderstandings, it's not something we can interfere with. The hostage is seriously injured and in danger. This is a major event for Pingjing and Jinchu. Naturally, we must report everything clearly and without any deception. Don't you agree, Your Highness?"

A fleeting, almost imperceptible, glint of fierceness flashed in Consort Lian's eyes. She had heard from Ziyu in the palace that Helian Huai was someone who couldn't understand human speech, and that the maidservant in his study was a troublemaker who twisted the truth and was difficult to deal with. It seemed that this was indeed the case.

Today, however, she absolutely cannot let Helian Huai leave Yedu and return to Pingjing. She must know that once news of the bullying of the hostage reaches Pingjing, and Pingjing comes to question them, her and Ziyu's reputations will be affected, and they will lose their initial advantage in the struggle for the throne. This is something she absolutely cannot allow.

Consort Lian asked with concern, "How is the Crown Prince doing now?"

"Your Highness, my young master just told the truth, the young master's life is in danger," Qiao Ran sighed softly, feigning sadness.

“In that case, I will arrange accommodations in the palace, and Young Master Huai and the Crown Prince will recuperate together in the palace. I will send the imperial physicians to treat the Crown Prince with all their might,” Consort Lian said sincerely. “The most important thing right now is to take good care of the Crown Prince. It would also be good if Young Master Huai could be given some more time to return to Pingjing. After I have investigated the matter, I can give Young Master Huai an explanation.”

Qin Huai said, "The palace is an important place. The Crown Prince and I are outsiders, so it may be inconvenient for us."

Consort Lian was now only focused on keeping Helian Huai under her watchful eye and making further plans. She didn't care about these things and simply said, "The young master has lived in the palace for several years and still has his old residence. He's just moving back. There's no need to be so formal."

"Then let me ask the young master and consider it further."

Qin Huai didn't give Consort Lian a definite answer before letting her leave. Consort Lian's composure crumbled the moment she got into the carriage and there were no outsiders around. Her face was gloomy, and she ordered the eunuch beside her, "Send a message to the city gate: none of Helian Huai's men are allowed to leave Yedu without permission."

The eunuch obeyed and went to carry out the order. A palace maid poured tea for Consort Lian, saying, "Your Highness, please calm down. In any case, the actions of Prince Baili and Helian Huai are not beyond Your Highness's notice."

Consort Lian said coldly, "I kept this a secret from everyone, and I didn't dare let anyone know at all. I reminded Ziyu and Ziyan before not to go too far with Baili You. If someone died, and the Emperor found out, they would be punished. Now look what happened, they have directly offended Baili You and Helian Huai to death."

What to do? Yesterday, after Si Ziyu returned to the palace, she hurriedly sought her out and told her everything without missing a single word. Consort Lian almost fainted from anger when she heard it. She had repeatedly warned her not to make any mistakes that would give others leverage before the Crown Prince was chosen. How could the two of them cause such a huge mess at this critical juncture?

She went to great lengths to sound out Helian Huai today, hoping to resolve the matter amicably in private. She would then have Ziyu and Ziyan stay away from Baili You. After all, a hostage sent by Pingjing wouldn't affect them much.

But as soon as she opened her mouth, Helian Huai either pretended not to understand or refused to back down at all. She finally realized that these two were determined to get an explanation.

Consort Lian gritted her teeth, "Give them an explanation. I want to see just how much trouble Helian Huai can cause!"