CHAPTER 37

 

After dealing with Yu Ling, Song Yuanzhi felt refreshed. All the frustration she had accumulated since transmigrating into the book had finally been vented on the one responsible. Given the current situation, it seemed Yu Ling wouldn’t be having any good days ahead.

 

Historically, traitors have always been the most despised. The citizens of the Rong Dynasty hated Yu Ling with a passion, so staying in the kingdom would be no easy feat for her. And on top of that, she still wanted to marry Xuanyuan Yu?

 

Song Yuanzhi couldn’t comprehend Yu Ling’s thinking. Even after everything, she was still obsessed with a man—a man she had only met once! And with Xuanyuan Yu’s unpredictable temperament, wasn’t she afraid of domestic violence? With Yu Ling’s frail body, would she even survive one punch from Xuanyuan Yu?

 

However, Xuanyuan Yu was probably now desperately trying to distance himself from Yu Ling.

 

Song Yuanzhi relished the thought of Xuanyuan Yu facing misfortune. The grudge of being held captive by him was unforgivable. If she hadn’t been quick-witted, she might still be locked up by that lunatic in some secluded estate.

 

Lu Shaoyou also understood Song Yuanzhi’s thoughts and would update her daily after court on Xuanyuan Yu’s latest misfortunes. Today’s news was especially amusing—Yu Ling kept clinging to Xuanyuan Yu, and although he wanted to avoid her, he couldn’t. Emperor Yongkang had specifically appointed him to handle the envoy’s reception.

 

Xuanyuan Yu was in a bind. He couldn’t ignore Yu Ling, but if he engaged with her, Emperor Yongkang would take note and remember it later for settling scores.

 

How could anyone handle that?

 

A few days later, even more shocking news came from the palace—Xuanyuan Guifei had used a drug on Emperor Yongkang in a bid for his favor. Furious, Emperor Yongkang stormed out, almost demoting her from her rank. If Xuanyuan Guifei hadn’t tearfully begged for mercy, she would have lost her title as consort. Even so, she was placed under house arrest for six months.

 

Anyone could sense that Prince Wu had already lost most of the emperor’s favor. Even within his faction, some members were now wavering and considering other options.

 

Enraged, Prince Wu trashed his study, smashing everything in sight. Grabbing Xuanyuan Yu by the throat, he roared, “This is all your doing! You’ve ruined me!”

 

Xuanyuan Yu, not one to suffer in silence, retorted sarcastically, “When my aunt lost favor, the envoy had not even arrived in the capital yet!”

 

His meaning was clear: Xuanyuan Guifei and Prince Wu were responsible for their own downfall, and he wouldn’t take the blame.

 

Prince Wu was so furious that he almost ordered Xuanyuan Yu to be beaten to death. But after repeatedly reminding himself that Xuanyuan Yu had the backing of the Nan’an Marquis Mansion, he swallowed his anger. He resolved to deal with him once he ascended to the throne.

 

Xuanyuan Yu wasn’t just sharp with words; he was ruthless in action as well. Seeing Prince Wu like a cornered beast, his eyes flashed with a cold gleam. Calmly, he said, “Don’t panic, Your Highness. Things haven’t reached the point of no return. We haven’t lost yet.”

 

“That’s easy for you to say! Right now, my father is disgusted with me, and my mother can barely survive in the palace. Tell me, How am I supposed to turn this around?”

 

Xuanyuan Yu pointed toward the direction of the Taiji Hall and raised an eyebrow. “Have you forgotten? Changqing Daoist was sent to the palace by you. After enjoying the benefits for so long, it’s about time he repaid the favor.”

 

Prince Wu was startled. “What are you planning to do?”

 

“What are you thinking?” Xuanyuan Yu chuckled nonchalantly, casually fiddling with the jade thumb ring on his left hand. Coldly, he added, “Your father now trusts Changqing Daoist and is obsessed with alchemy. If you want to regain favor, why not indulge his interests?”

 

“You’re telling me to cater to a Daoist?!” Prince Wu exclaimed in disbelief.

 

Xuanyuan Yu inwardly cursed him as a fool. He then mockingly reminded her, “Father seeks immortality. As a filial son, shouldn’t you ease his burdens? Since he’s eager for Changqing Daoist to create an elixir of immortality, why not suggest taking the elixir with him out of concern for his health?”

 

“But those Daoists can’t possibly create an elixir of immortality,” Prince Wu immediately shook his head. “What if something goes wrong with the medicine?”

 

“If something goes wrong, isn’t that perfect?” A cruel glint flashed in Xuanyuan Yu’s eyes. “Father’s health has already been declining. The imperial physicians are tight-lipped, but I’m not stupid—I can guess what’s going on. You’re young and strong. Do you dare to gamble on this?”

 

Prince Wu took a deep breath, his gaze flickering as he looked at Xuanyuan Yu, his chest heaving and his breathing quickening. His fingers trembled as he pointed at Xuanyuan Yu, unable to speak for a long moment.

 

Xuanyuan Yu, unfazed by the shocking nature of his suggestion, calmly asked, “If you win this gamble, the world will be yours. If you lose, your situation won’t be any worse than it is now. Do you have the courage to take this risk?”

 

Prince Wu’s expression flickered, and in an instant, his mind raced. He quickly calculated how, if Emperor Yongkang were to die, he could use the trust Emperor Yongkang still had in him to rally the court in his favor and secure the throne.

 

Xuanyuan Yu’s sharp gaze pierced Prince Wu’s heart. Prince Wu could almost see a blood-soaked version of himself reflected in Xuanyuan Yu’s eyes.

 

With a faint smirk, Xuanyuan Yu continued to tempt him. “Your Highness, opportunities like this don’t come twice. Changqing Daoist’s elixirs aren’t guaranteed to work. But if you slip something extra into the mix…”

 

Prince Wu understood instantly, mentally completing Xuanyuan Yu’s unspoken thought: The elixir wouldn’t cause immediate death, but it could worsen Emperor Yongkang’s condition and further weaken his body.

 

—

 

The next day.

 

When Lu Shaoyou returned from court looking grim, Song Yuanzhi blinked and brought him a cup of tea, snuggling up beside him as she asked, “What’s wrong? Why do you look so upset?”

 

“Don’t even ask. Prince Wu has lost his mind—he requested to try the elixir! And under the guise of filial piety, no less. What a load of nonsense!”

 

Song Yuanzhi was equally shocked. “Is he tired of living? What did the emperor say?”

 

Lu Shaoyou’s expression was one of utter disdain. “The Emperor was quite pleased. He praised Prince Wu’s filial devotion on the spot and generously announced that Changqing Daoist’s elixirs were treasures. He said that since he had recently accumulated a few more, he would reward us with some as well. And in the future, we’ll surely be given more.”

 

What the heck!

 

“That stuff is no good!” Song Yuanzhi jumped up in alarm, grabbing Lu Shaoyou’s arm as she urgently asked, “You didn’t take it, did you?”

 

Lu Shaoyou smirked triumphantly, pulling out the pill from a hidden pocket in his sleeve. “Do you think I’m that foolish? I snuck it away when no one was looking.”

 

“That’s a relief!” Song Yuanzhi let out a long sigh of relief, patting her chest in fear. “You scared me!”

 

Lu Shaoyou stood up, wrapping his arms around her, and playfully tapped her nose. “You were that worried about me?”

 

Song Yuanzhi wrinkled her nose, still concerned. “But what if the Emperor gives you more elixirs in the future? You can’t keep hiding them every time. What if the emperor watches you take one himself?”

 

Lu Shaoyou sighed heavily. “I might manage, but Prince Ning and the others won’t be so lucky.”

 

“Isn’t it just Prince Wu who’s testing the elixir?”

 

“The emperor truly believes the elixir is a treasure. He’s already rewarded all the ministers with it. How could he forget his own sons?”

 

Song Yuanzhi was dumbfounded by Emperor Yongkang’s behavior. Was he planning a mass extermination of his sons? Did he want to reunite the whole family in the underworld after his death?

 

Prince Wu could go die for all she cared, but what had Prince Ning and the others done wrong?

 

Lu Shaoyou was also astounded by Prince Wu’s antics. “Whoever gave him that terrible idea—now all the ministers who received the elixir are surely cursing Prince Wu in their hearts.”

 

That plan was so bad it seemed like it had come from a mole planted by the opposition.

 

But Prince Ning and the others were truly in a tough spot. With Emperor Yongkang personally watching and an eager-to-please Prince Wu at the forefront, they had no choice but to swallow the elixir with feigned gratitude, no matter how much they wanted to throw Prince Wu into a boiling pot of oil.

 

Just thinking about it made Song Yuanzhi feel second-hand embarrassment for Prince Ning and the rest.

 

And this was only the beginning. Prince Wu’s flattery skills were improving by the day. Emperor Yongkang, already in poor health and weakened from constantly taking elixirs, was so pleased with Prince Wu’s flattery that he even allowed him to handle the imperial edicts. The court was in an uproar.

 

Empress Lu watched as a palace maid delivered yet another elixir. A cold, fierce glint flashed in her eyes. The emperor was getting more and more excessive. What had once been a gift every three to five days was now happening daily!

 

“Did they also send elixirs to the other princes?”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty. The Emperor had them delivered long ago. I imagine the princes have already taken the elixir by now.”

 

Empress Lu’s smile remained unchanged as she gracefully dismissed the messenger. After examining the pill for a moment, she let out an enigmatic laugh and ordered someone to summon Emperor Yongkang.

 

Emperor Yongkang had been in high spirits lately. With court matters being handled by Prince Wu and Prince Ning, he spent his days indulgent in pleasures with his younger consorts. When he heard that Empress Lu had requested his presence, he hesitated for a moment before pushing aside the beauty in his arms and immediately getting up. “Prepare my carriage for Fengyi Palace.”

 

When he arrived at Fengyi Palace, Emperor Yongkang was in such a good mood that he joked with Empress Lu, “It’s rare for you to summon me.”

 

Empress Lu smiled faintly, signaling for the tea to be served. Offering him his favorite pre-rain Dragon Well tea, she gently brought up her suggestion. “Since Prince Wu has shown such filial piety, why not lift the house arrest of the Xuanyuan Guifei? It would save face for Prince Wu.”

 

Emperor Yongkang was taken aback before realizing what she meant. “Ah, you’re right. I’ve been so busy lately that I forgot about her punishment. It’s time to lift it.”

 

Empress Lu’s expression didn’t change as she continued smoothly, “You’re always so busy, handling the affairs of the state. Naturally, you can’t remember everything. But Xuanyuan Guifei has been by your side for many years and gave birth to Prince Wu. After so many years of favor, it must have been difficult for her to endure such punishment. She must be feeling very wronged.”

 

“What’s there for her to feel wronged about? Are you saying I was wrong to punish her?”

 

“Of course not. You’re never wrong. But Prince Wu is all grown up now. Humiliating his mother in front of all your new concubines—it’s hard not to feel some pity for her.”

 

Emperor Yongkang sighed, “You’re still the most magnanimous!”

 

Moved by her words, he decided to visit Xuanyuan Guifei.

 

When Song Yuanzhi received an unexpected message from Empress Lu summoning her to the palace for a chat, she was quite surprised. It seemed the palace and she weren’t destined to get along well. The first time she visited, she clashed with Xuanyuan Guifei; the second time, she ran into Yu Ling. She wondered what strange encounters awaited her this time.

 

Translator’s Note: Next week will be last week of this novel. We have 7 chapters left till the end. If you want all chapters at once then let me know or we will go with regular schedule. Thank you! Enjoy your weekend!!