Chapter 109

No matter how chaotic it was outside, everything remained the same in the Crown Prince's Manor.

When Qi Xiao escorted Bairen back to the manor, Jiang Deqing was already waiting at the steps below the outer ceremonial gate. Upon seeing the two return, the old eunuch, who had already heard the news of Empress Feng's suicide, hurried to greet them. After being overjoyed and then crying for a while, his turbid old eyes were still red.

Seeing Qi Xiao return from outside, Jiang Deqing understood most of it and said in a hoarse voice, "Your Highness... you went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, right?"

Qi Xiao smiled faintly. Jiang Deqing shed tears, "Once all these matters are settled, this old servant will also go outside the Imperial Ancestral Temple to kowtow a few times. Finally, finally..."

No matter what, Qi Xiao had not yet ascended the throne, so there were some things Jiang Deqing did not dare to say.

He could only turn to talk about official matters, "Several groups of people have already come from the palace, urgently looking for Your Highness. They said there is no one in charge inside now, and it's very chaotic. They beg Your Highness to go and take a look... Empress Feng's death is not good. We need to discuss and come up with an explanation to give to the people. Also, the Second Prince is still unconscious, and no one has the time to take care of him for now. The imperial clan members are very anxious and beg Your Highness to enter the palace and make decisions."

Qi Xiao nodded and instructed Jiang Deqing to stay with Bairen as usual. He also transferred two more squads of his personal guards to protect the manor. Only after arranging everything did he lead his men into the palace.

By the time Qi Xiao arrived, the imperial clan elders had already gathered. The Fenghua Palace was draped in black gauze everywhere, and the red candles on the wax stands had all been replaced with white candles. Due to the previous thorough investigation of Empress Feng's palace maids, there were not many people left in the Fenghua Palace.

With the addition of these white cloths and black gauze, it appeared even more desolate. Old Prince Chun was already bedridden and naturally did not come. Among the few old kings, Old Prince Hui had the highest seniority and the most noble status.

Everyone asked Old Prince Hui about everything, but Old Prince Hui had been cautious all his life and was reluctant to speak up easily, fearing to invite trouble. Now, these people were pressing him hard with questions, and he wished he could also feign illness and take leave. Just as he was at his wit's end, he saw Qi Xiao arrive.

Old Prince Hui greeted him as if seeing a savior, "The Crown Prince is finally here. You've heard about it, right? The Empress, she..."

Qi Xiao slightly nodded his head, which counted as a greeting, and said in a low voice, "I just heard about it, but I don't know the details. Is it really... or is there another hidden truth?"

Old Prince Hui's heart trembled. Another hidden truth? Everyone knew that Qi Xiao left the palace very late last night, and it was said that he went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple afterward. If there was indeed a hidden truth, only Qi Xiao would know it best.

Of course, Old Prince Hui was not a fool. He would only think about such things in his mind. There was no doubt that Empress Feng had indeed hanged herself. Even if someone had forced her, where would they find evidence? Even if there was evidence... Old Prince Hui wiped the sweat from his forehead. Now that the Emperor was unconscious, Qi Xiao's ascension to the throne was inevitable. Even if there was any evidence, no one would dare to bring it up at this juncture.

As soon as the incident occurred, the palace sent someone to deliver a message to the Feng family. It was said that Old Master Feng immediately fainted upon hearing the news. The eldest son of the Feng family, filled with both great sorrow and urgency, hurriedly sought physicians and medicine to treat his elderly father. How could he have time to enter the palace to inquire?

Old Prince Hui's heart darkened. Perhaps it was not that he could not find the time, but rather, Empress Feng had committed an unforgivable crime before her death, and the Feng family must be furious. Now with this incident, the eldest son of the Feng family was probably pretending to be worried about Old Master Feng's health, but in reality, he was using this excuse to avoid disaster.

Old Prince Hui carefully glanced at Qi Xiao, feeling distressed. If the Feng family members really entered the palace, with this fierce deity present, they might not be able to return alive.

As a member of the imperial clan, Old Prince Hui truly wanted to uphold justice, but he was more concerned about protecting his own family. Now, even the Feng family did not care about their own daughter. Why should he worry about it? Moreover... Old Prince Hui looked at Qi Xiao's eyes, which closely resembled those of Emperor Wu, and sighed deeply in his heart. In the imperial family, where was there any justice? Empress Feng did not die a good death. When Empress Xiaoxian passed away back then, were there no hidden truths?

The imperial clan members were all looking at Old Prince Hui. Gritting his teeth, Old Prince Hui said in a low voice, "The clan decree has been reviewed... and there is nothing else. It seems... she committed suicide out of guilt."

Qi Xiao responded with a faint "hmm" and said unhurriedly, "Now that the Emperor is still unconscious, it is inconvenient to handle the funeral affairs. Moreover, you all know that the court is not very stable at present. Why don't we... postpone the funeral for now? Without the Emperor's decree, even the posthumous title cannot be decided. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other. Qi Xiao lowered his eyes, "Otherwise... shall we follow the opinions of the elders and uncles?"

Old Prince Hui did not know what Qi Xiao had in mind, but since he had already spoken, he could only continue down this path. He hesitantly nodded.

Qi Xiao acknowledged with a "hmm" and turned to the palace servants, "The princes have been exhausted all night and are tired. Arrange for them to rest in my palace. Have the Imperial Kitchen prepare the finest tea and snacks and serve them well. Understand?"

The princes hurriedly expressed their gratitude, but the hearts of the old princes tightened... What did Qi Xiao mean by this? Was he afraid that someone would secretly report to the Chengqian Palace, or... or was he not allowing them to leave the palace?

Qi Xiao understood what everyone was thinking and spoke softly again, "The road is not good to travel at night, and the elders are all advanced in age. It may be inconvenient to return now. If you are tired and weary, just rest. When dawn comes... if there are no issues, you can return to your manors then."

Old Prince Hui let out a long sigh of relief and nodded, "That would be very good."

Qi Xiao laughed mockingly in his heart. He kept everyone here merely to serve as witnesses. As for what they were witnessing... Qi Xiao turned to Fuzi and asked, "Are the imperial physicians attending to the Second Prince still here?"

Upon hearing this, Fuzi hurriedly called for a palace servant to inquire. However, the palace servant stammered and could not give a clear answer.

Fuzi slapped him, and the palace servant fell to his knees, crying, "Your Highness... after nightfall, Concubine Xue said she had a headache and asked for an imperial physician. In the middle of the night, with the Empress... how could we summon an imperial physician? Concubine Xue then called for the two imperial physicians attending to the Second Prince. Only one of them has been released back now. Everything... everything is in chaos..."

Qi Xiao slightly frowned and said in a low voice, "Forget it. Lead the way. I'll go to the Zhaoyang Palace to take a look."

Before leaving, Qi Xiao also summoned the head of the Internal Affairs Department, Xi Xiang. Although Xi Xiang was Qi Xiao's subordinate, this was the first time the two of them spoke in broad daylight.

Qi Xiao gave a series of instructions regarding the palace affairs and said solemnly, "Since the funeral will not be held now, everything should proceed as usual. The sky has not fallen yet. If anyone takes advantage of the situation to seek personal gain or harbors ill intentions amidst the chaos, they will be severely punished immediately! To serve as a warning to others."

Xi Xiang bowed and answered respectfully. Qi Xiao paused for a moment and said softly, "If only... His Majesty could wake up now, there are so many matters that require his decree to proceed."

A glint flashed in Xi Xiang's eyes as he looked up at Qi Xiao, who gazed steadily back at him and repeated as if sighing unintentionally, "If only His Majesty could wake up now."

Xi Xiang understood and nodded, "Your Highness's pure filial piety has moved Heaven and Earth. The Heavens know and will surely allow His Majesty to recover as before."

It was convenient to speak with intelligent people. Qi Xiao smiled faintly and led everyone to Zhaoyang Palace.

Outside Zhaoyang Palace, a senior palace maid was squatting on the ground, tending to a pot of medicine and fanning the fire incessantly. The pungent medicinal smell could be detected from afar.

Fuzi frowned and scolded, "Foolish thing! Can't you even boil a pot of medicine properly? You had to do it here in the windy spot! If you choke the Crown Prince, do you have enough heads to compensate?!"

This palace maid was from Qi Hua's palace and was used to bullying other junior maids and eunuchs, even Fuzi and the other young eunuchs had suffered under her before. How could she tolerate such words?

Just as she was about to lash out, she looked up and saw Qi Xiao. Instantly, she couldn't even speak properly and knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly, "This servant deserves to die, this servant deserves to die. It was too dark... with barely any lamps. This servant truly didn't know Your Highness was coming, this servant really didn't know..."

Qi Xiao had no intention of quarreling with women. He frowned and said softly, "Bring the medicine in when it's ready..." With that, he ignored her and walked straight into Qi Hua's bedchamber.

In the spacious bedchamber, only Qi Hua lay on the bed. Qi Xiao walked over and laughed coldly upon seeing him. That ashen complexion... was no different from a ghost.

Perhaps it was due to the commotion outside or sensing someone beside him, but before long, Qi Hua woke up. Qi Xiao sat on a nearby imperial consort couch and said casually, "Awake?"

Seeing that it was Qi Xiao who had come, Qi Hua was so frightened that he started wailing. Qi Xiao was impatient with his clamoring and frowned, waving his hand, "Shut him up..."

Fuzi had been waiting for this command. He immediately took out a handkerchief from his bosom and stuffed Qi Hua's mouth tightly in a few moves. Qi Xiao looked at Qi Hua indifferently for a long while before suddenly sneering and shaking his head, "You and I... really have nothing to say to each other."

Qi Hua looked at Qi Xiao in terror. Qi Xiao mocked lightly, "Forget it, since I'm here... let me tell you a few things, so you understand..."

Qi Xiao's slender fingers tapped lightly on the rosewood armrest of the imperial consort couch as he said slowly, "I won't mention the past events, you're well aware of them yourself. I know those matters had nothing to do with you..."

Hearing this, Qi Hua hurriedly nodded in agreement, almost wagging his tail and begging for mercy. Qi Xiao ridiculed, "Like mother, like son. In the end, you show the same face... Yes, it has nothing to do with you, but so what? Just being Qi Jing's son is enough reason for me to kill you a hundred times over."

Qi Xiao's words were spoken gently, but Qi Hua broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing them. He had already been poisoned and his body was extremely weak. Now, seeing Qi Xiao, he became even more feeble, as if he would stop breathing at any moment. Qi Xiao paid him no heed and continued slowly, "But that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is..."

Qi Xiao looked at Qi Hua, who widened his bloodshot eyes and stared at Qi Xiao nervously. Qi Xiao sneered, "The most important thing is... in the first year Bairen came to the imperial city, you cornered him in a side hall of Chengqian Palace out of jealousy and hatred because Aunt had betrothed the Lingnan Princess to me. You scolded him harshly and even injured him in the end!"

Qi Hua looked at Qi Xiao in disbelief. He had heard some rumors about Qi Xiao and Bairen before, especially since Qi Xiao had let Bairen go previously. But those were just unsubstantiated rumors after all. No one believed Qi Xiao would take on such a heinous crime just because he liked someone. Now it seemed... it was true!

Qi Hua kept shaking his head, making muffled sounds in his throat. Qi Xiao knew he was begging for mercy but was even more unwilling to listen. He continued, "There's no need for me to mention other matters one by one. Neither of us has held back in harming each other before. Let's not pretend to be innocent, it's just a matter of the winner taking all. I came to find you today just to tell you something..."

Qi Xiao approached Qi Hua and smiled faintly, saying softly, "I went to see your mother earlier in the evening... I told her that if she obediently took her own life, I would spare you. If she didn't do it before dawn, I would come and end you."

Qi Hua was stunned for a moment, then immediately started struggling violently, making muffled sounds from his throat. Qi Xiao laughed cruelly, "Guess... did she listen?"

Qi Hua's eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Qi Xiao fiercely, as if he wanted to pounce on him. Qi Xiao shook his head and laughed, "You guessed right, or perhaps you heard the commotion outside earlier? Empress Feng is already dead."

Qi Hua let out a painful howl, and Fuzi could barely restrain him. However, Qi Xiao's smile became even more contented, "Don't worry, I know you can't bear to part with Empress Feng... I'll send you on your way right now."

Upon hearing these words, Qi Hua froze as if someone had immobilized him. Qi Xiao mocked lightly, "Remove the gag from his mouth..."

Fuzi complied, and as soon as the handkerchief was removed, Qi Hua started screaming at the top of his lungs, "You beast!! My Imperial Mother died as you said, yet you still won't spare me! My Imperial Mother's spirit in Heaven will surely..."

Qi Xiao slapped Qi Hua, interrupting his words, and laughed coldly, "Will surely what? I'll be afraid of her?! I'm afraid it's her who should be afraid now."

Qi Xiao's gaze was intimidating, "When she meets my Imperial Father and Mother on the path to the underworld, how will she explain herself?"

Qi Hua was so frightened by Qi Xiao that he kept gasping for breath and trembling as he retreated. Qi Xiao sneered and took a step back, his tone chilling, "The medicine outside should be ready by now. Go and bring it... to send off the Second Prince."

Fuzi was stunned for a moment but still followed the order and poured out the medicine from the pot outside and brought it in. The palace servants who had accompanied Qi Xiao also entered. Qi Xiao said indifferently, "The Second Prince is so grief-stricken upon hearing the news of the Empress's passing that he refuses to take his medicine properly. You all... know what to do, right?"

The group acknowledged and, regardless of Qi Hua's howls and struggles, they subdued him and force-fed him the medicine. After giving the orders, Qi Xiao left the bedchamber and waited quietly outside. Before long, it became silent inside, and Fuzi walked out with a complex expression, "Your Highness... the Second Prince has passed away..."

Qi Xiao made a sound of acknowledgment. Fuzi was puzzled, "That medicine was clearly prescribed by the imperial physician, how could it..."

"He was scared to death by his own imagination," Qi Xiao said coldly, looking at the burning stove outside the hall. "His body was already ravaged by poison, and then he heard the news of Empress Feng's death. He thought I was really going to force-feed him poison... Heh, if I had actually given him the drug, and people came to investigate later, wouldn't I be unable to explain myself?"

Fu Zi instantly understood and laughed, shaking his head. "Your Highness is a master strategist!"

Qi Xiao quietly gazed at the whitening sky and smiled faintly. Qi Hua was also gone. The next one would be the Emperor.