Chen Qing returned close to the hour of the ox.
"I have seen Lord Wei. It seemed... he was waiting for us to come."
Hua Zhi nodded. "Did he say anything?"
"Yes. He said although it was the Fourth Prince who ordered him to send assassins after you, the one who truly wanted your life was Consort Yue. Additionally, when he was still useful, he once saw the Fourth Prince bring a package of musk with him before entering the palace. He recognized it because of its distinctive scent. At the time, he thought the Fourth Prince intended it for Consort Yue, but after the assassination attempt on you occurred, he realized they were not enemies. This has troubled him for a long time. If it wasn't to harm the fetus in Consort Yue's womb, why would he bring musk into the palace? If it were for legitimate use, the palace wouldn't lack such medicine."
Musk? Hua Zhi had a strong reaction to this medicine. In TV dramas, it was always portrayed as a miraculous drug inevitably involved in harming others. To specifically bring musk from outside the palace—she didn't think this boded well.
"Was there anything else?"
Chen Qing shook his head.
"Alright. There's still some time—go rest. Tomorrow won't be easy."
"You should rest too."
No matter how dark the night, it would eventually pass. Hua Zhi stayed awake until dawn, her eyes bloodshot. Ying Chun wrung out a hot cloth and applied it to her eyes while chiding, "You mustn't endure like this—your body can't take it. You haven't stopped taking medicine for so long. If this continues, what will become of you?"
"You think I want to stay awake? I can't sleep." Hua Zhi sighed. Her mind was too full of matters, never resting for a moment, beyond her control.
Ying Chun muttered under her breath, "I truly wish the Heir would return quickly."
"It's better if he returns slowly." Hua Zhi removed the cloth and blinked—it seemed to feel a bit better. "Has the elder awakened?"
"Yes. When I came, Miraculous Doctor Yu had just gone to change his dressing."
Hua Zhi nodded, lowered her head to straighten her clothes, and said, "Summon Chen Qing."
Chen Qing was waiting outside the door. Hearing the call, he immediately entered, keeping his eyes downcast as he paid respects. "I've seen the young mistress."
Hua Zhi looked at him, her expression calm. "Proceed. Stir the waves until they grow larger."
Chen Qing bowed deeply. "I obey your command."
Stepping outside, Hua Zhi descended the stairs and looked up at the sky. It was overcast, the air heavy with moisture—likely more rain was coming.
"Young mistress."
Hearing the voice, Hua Zhi turned around. Miraculous Doctor Yu emerged from the room carrying his medicine chest. She stepped forward and bowed. "Is the elder any better?"
"Not so quickly." Miraculous Doctor Yu looked at her. "You don't look well, young mistress."
Hua Zhi knew she probably didn't look her best. She ascended the steps, changing the subject. "I was just about to consult you, Miraculous Doctor Yu. What evils can musk be used for?"
Miraculous Doctor Yu handed his medicine chest to his attendant, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked over to stand by the railing with her. "Medicine is all good medicine—it depends on the intentions of the user."
"My words were careless."
Miraculous Doctor Yu smiled. "What people remember most about it is probably its ability to cause miscarriages in pregnant women. Musk indeed has that effect, but when used for difficult labor, stillbirth, or retained placenta, it can also promote blood circulation, regulate menses, and induce delivery. Normally, it's remarkably effective for refreshing the mind, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. Moreover, it's precious—only wealthy families can afford it. Though the palace lacks for nothing."
"Since the palace lacks nothing, why would the Fourth Prince bring musk from outside?"Miraculous Doctor Yu's expression remained unchanged, as if he had merely heard ordinary words. "All musk in the palace is recorded—how much is used, where it's applied, and on whom is clearly documented. If someone wished to use it for unsavory purposes, they naturally wouldn't touch the palace's supply."
"Aside from inducing miscarriages, how else could it be misused?"
Doctor Yu turned to face her. "If the dosage is carefully controlled, it can overdraw the body to induce extreme mental agitation." Poisoning or delirium are both possible outcomes."
Mental agitation, poisoning, delirium... Hua Zhi's mind raced with countless possibilities.
"There's another lesser-known effect: musk clashes with garlic. Consuming them together for over three months can cause organ failure and death."
Clashing properties!
A thunderous realization struck Hua Zhi. The puzzle pieces finally clicked into place—the Emperor must be conscious. Even to preserve her own escape route, Haoyue wouldn't directly poison the Emperor, as that would be too easily traced. But what if she exploited conflicting food properties?
Hua Zhi bowed solemnly. "Thank you for the guidance. I now have a direction. May I ask—could you diagnose symptoms caused by consuming musk and garlic together?"
"Naturally."
"Understood. I may need to trouble you again when the time comes." Hua Zhi bowed once more before returning to her room to spread out paper and organize her thoughts with brush in hand.
Meanwhile, the capital had become like water hitting hot oil.
Early that morning, someone reported to authorities discovering a residence stockpiling weapons and grain, audaciously including imperial robes. When questioned how he'd seen this, the informant frankly admitted to being a burglar who'd intended to steal valuables but stumbled upon this earth-shattering discovery. Though no saint himself, he claimed to hope for Daqing's continued stability over centuries—hence reporting at dawn.
In nearly two hundred years of Daqing's history, this was the first incident smelling of rebellion. Citizens openly and covertly discussed the news, speculating about the mastermind. If commoners were this agitated, officials were in greater turmoil.
Prefect Wen Qing immediately led personnel to investigate. Seeing the actual imperial robes made his eyes widen in disbelief—such audacity, right under the Emperor's nose! Considering the current palace situation, his blood ran cold. He urgently dispatched messengers to veteran General Zhou Jing, commander of the Central Garrison.
When Zhou Jing arrived and saw the evidence, he gasped sharply. The two men exchanged glances—a storm was brewing.
"I leave this place to you, General Zhou. I must enter the palace immediately."
"But given His Majesty's current condition..."
Wen Qing dismissed others from the room and stepped closer. "Regardless of the palace situation, this must be reported upward. I'll simultaneously notify the Six Ministries and all ducal households."
Zhou Jing nodded. "Quite right. I'll secure this location. Proceed without concern."
Wen Qing cast another glance at the glaring imperial robes, thinking wistfully: If only the Heir were here. With him present, they wouldn't be trapped in this helpless predicament.
As expected, the palace remained unresponsive. Officials gathered once more, with Duke Dingguo—holding the highest authority among the dukes—naturally assuming leadership.
"Speak your minds freely, everyone."The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to speak. Though unvoiced, suspicions lingered in their minds that the Emperor might have met with misfortune. Counting the days, His Majesty hadn't been seen for nearly ten days, and now with imperial authority being coveted, not a single word had been uttered from him. The situation appeared increasingly ominous, yet however wrong it seemed, none dared step forward—they simply weren't qualified.
Almost simultaneously, all eyes turned toward the princes standing prominently at the forefront. Given the gravity of today's affairs, all four princes were present, including the Fifth Prince who seldom made public appearances.
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