67 3.27
Soon, the news of the sudden awakening of the Emperor spread like a wildfire.
The Emperor's face was pale and weak, far from his usually imposing and intimidated aura. His vision and consciousness was blurry and hazy, like there is something blocking him from recovering. His healthy body became thin and malnourished, just for a week of losing consciousness, and his insides seems have been trampled by elephant, everytime he moves, it will be followed by excruciating pain.
Although, he was temporarily incapacitated, he was able to perceive the people watching him.
One was his royal physician, examining him, the other was the second prince, calmly watching his agony, and the remaining were his sparrows.
His room was big and spacious, despite several individuals around him, it did not mostly occupy the space. His vision couldn't been better, he become fearful and irritated. He wants to yell and shouts, he was the Emperor and this poisoning couldn't take his life too lightly and let them retract their eyes full of pity like he couldn't recover!
"Your majesty, the tonics will help you recover for a while. Please endure a bit." The physician distracts him from flashing his burning eyes.
He tried to give a replied, yet only a low breath came out in his pale mouth.
The physician observed his physical aspects, finding odds and peculiarity, and once again examined his pulse. His brows wrinkled and his face distorted. How could it be?
The poison was already draining out of the Emperor's body. However, there is a strong force restricting him from recovering. It was strange. He turned his eyes to the second prince.
"Your highness, it is true that the culprit have been found? Why is the Emperor's body still couldn't recover?" His blunt suspicion was not coated.
An hour ago, the second prince with his subordinates unexpectedly found the culprit of this incident. It was a servant. The physician didn't believe it at first, but later on, the Emperor suddenly woke up! Thus, he concluded that the second prince really found and killed the criminal.
But looking at this situation right now, he couldn't but feel doubtful. He threw a skeptical look on the second prince once more and observe the changes in his expression.
The second prince put on his calm and worried look, "This prince indeed found the culprit while investigating the case, afterwards, this prince accidentally kill the servant who wanted to run away, and according to the rumors, the poison will wipe out once one of the taker die. Emperor father wouldn't wake up right now because of the damage to his mental constitution, however, as everyone can see, albeit weak, Emperor father still woke up, precisely, this prince did not deceive the physician, this prince really killed the culprit."
The onlookers did not discover any faults in his reasoning, furthermore, his explanation was accurate to those experts.
The physician gulped and reorganize his mind. He was frank a while ago, he let his curiosity and suspicious mind gradually take over him.
He bowed, "I-I apologize, I did not dare to be wary of his highness..."
The second prince nodded and stifled the cold glint in his eyes, secretly flashing a wicked grin at the Emperor, who received his provocation.
The Emperor's body trembled violently, his eyes blazing with fury, wanted to come out and blow magma at the surrounding, indicating all his grievances and vexation.
This bastard actually dare threaten him!
If it wouldn't for the frail condition of his body, he was ready to strangle the neck of that ungrateful bastard and took his breath on the spot. Howbeit, in the end, he closed his eyes and swallowed his frustration. He had fixed knowledge about the poison that was used against him. He knew that the second prince consistently trigger his mental health just for him not to properly recover. Therefore, he quickly empty his mind and followed the request of the physician obediently.
It didn't take long for the physician to discover and identify the odds of the Emperor's body, his mouth widely opened and his face paled.
This...
There is actually another poison on the Emperor's body!
He turned around and saw all the uniform countenances of the sparrow, all anxious and disturbed. He frowned and turned again to the Emperor.
"Y-Your majesty, is there someone accompanying you that time when you lost your consciousness?" He asked.
The Emperor's blurry eyes look around and saw the beautiful face of Qiao Chen. The sudden betrayal was simply an inexplicable agony to him, making the fire on his chest ignited severely, then again he calm down.
If Qiao Chen indeed poison him, it couldn't be that fast and quick. He remembers after approaching the residence of Qiao Chen, he felt hot and weak all over his body. Then...
Did he misunderstand something?
Before meeting Qiao Chen, he stayed with... Wen Yang.
Wen Yang!
He angrily looks around and surely... there is no Wen Yang in present.
His breath become distorted and his face paled more. He couldn't believe that the Shu kingdom's tribute will be the end of him! How many wolf did he allowed to get close to him? But, he couldn't say anything right now. He couldn't even pronounce any syllables, and only low hummed and groans can his mouth create.
The physician noticed his discomfort and supported him, asking gently, "Your majesty, is there something you want to tell us?"
The Emperor let out a few grunts and nodded fiercely. 'Wenyang! That ungrateful wench was the one who poisoned me!'
However, he couldn't voice out his thoughts. He can only look fiercely on midair, full of frustrated air.
His eyes turned red from anger, this situation really challenge his mental condition. The burning pain from his body seem less compare to the despair of his mentality. He knew that the poison was eating his life force through this chaotic sensation, he wanted to prevent that, but he couldn't. His title as a wise and cunning ruler sounded like a joke right now.
Qiao Chen... the second prince and actually Wen Yang!
Those snakes!
He sighed and force himself to adjust his thoughts. If he wanted to settle scores with those scoundrels, he first needed to recuperate his body. Time and patience was the best solution at this point.
While debating of his plans in the future, the sweet and divine voice of a sparrow abruptly voice out his thoughts.
"Maybe, his majesty knew the culprit all along?" The worried face of Qiao Chen seems real and sincere.
This only added fuel to the fiery anger on the Emperor.
He wanted to rip that gorgeous facade that caused misfortune and despair to him rapidly. That pale and translucent eyes that hid a thousand of poisonous vipers. The Emperor didn't want to own this sparrow anymore, if he could change the timeline, the first thing he wants to do was to cut this creature into pieces and feed it to wolves.
He didn't think anymore about the possibility that maybe the three scoundrels was working together. He just hopes that heavens will pity him and give a small chance of hope to change these circumstances.
The physician turned his gaze to Qiao Chen then back again to the Emperor, and seeing the distorted expression of the latter, maybe the sparrow's words was true.
"Your majesty, can you move your finger or maybe gesture something for us to find out what his majesty's wanted to say?" The old physician commanded some servants to get some things possibly can be use in communication.
The Emperor let out a low hummed and nodded his head forcibly. He tried to move his finger but then again, it was no avail. This made him frustrated more and strived to use his remaining force in attempt to move. This resulted a sudden backlash, coughing blood severely, which alarmed the physician and the sparrows.
"Your majesty! Don't try to use so much energy!"
The royal physician immediately panicked, and supported the Emperor. The transparent faces of sparrows, deliberately broken, couldn't restrain themselves and let out a loud cries and sobs.
Qiao Chen pretended to put his concern countenance on the surface, though his heart was beating wildly because of the intense mixed feelings overflowing into his system. He tried to hide the crazy glint in his eyes and released pellucid tears, appearing anxious and sad.
The Emperor urgently calmed down as he let the old physician wiped the blood on his pale lips. He closed his eyes angrily. It seems like the side effect of the poison constantly poking his mentality, making it fragile and delicate. He couldn't get angrier than this.
Watching the ambience settle down, Qiao Chen flashed a meaningful gaze on Bai Menxiang, who abruptly nodded and signalled some servants nearby.
The second prince mischievously watched the silent interaction between the two and couldn't help himself chuckled secretly.
"Your majesty." Bai Menxiang stepped forward and gesture something to the servant. "Menxiang couldn't sleep properly thinking of the worsening condition of his majesty, in result, Menxiang help the investigation and found a servant who was at that time saw the whole scenario. The servant went into hiding, scared that he will be disposed of as he saw the whole thing."
Their attentions turned to him and saw a trembling young man who was full covered with black robe. His steps were messy and couldn't prevent his legs to stop shaking.
The Emperor's eyes widened, unexpected joy reconstruct in his eyes. He locked his gaze on Bai Menxiang, seeing a new hope in this endless misery.
Yes! Bai Menxiang was still under his palms! He can use this lovely spawn to kick those three traitors!
The trembling servant kneeled, face still covered with fabric, and gave a salute to the Emperor. "Y-Your majesty... this servant named is Xiao Lin. This servant was a working in... young master Wen Yang's residence."
Good! Though, the Emperor's body was paralyzed, his burning eyes cooled down and was replaced by a severe elation.
Noticing the lack of response, the servant continued, "I was there when the Emperor went to young master's residence. Before the Emperor arrived, I witness the young master was hysterical, like he was thinking of doing immoral. T-Then..." He sobbed and paused. His body trembled violently, recalling unpleasant memories in the past, "The young master commanded me to put something in the Emperor's drink!"
Silence.
There is a defeaning silence in the room.
The royal physician's face was full of unexpected surprise. He remembers that Wen Yang was the one who summoned him in the trial court. How could possibly this happen? He turned his eyes on the Emperor and surprisingly saw him forcibly nodded his head.
Could it be?
No. This is very suspicious. He explored his eyes in the room and examine some familiar and unfamiliar faces.
No matter how much he thinks of it, this situation was very skeptical. Like there was someone orchestrated the whole scenario. It was suspicious enough when this servant show up uninvited.
He pierces his eyes on the servant, "You... words wouldn't provide enough evidence, you know..."
"Then how about this?" The servant angrily pulled off his hood and his face was revealed in the small crowd. "How about this? Is this enough proof?"
There were few gasps and inhalation all around. The physician's eyes widened. His suspicion cleared down instantly.
In the face of the servant, there were bare flesh flashing in red color, blood marks and rotten skins on the surface. Not only his face was in damage, even the skin on his hands and neck. It wasn't just an ordinary skin disease.
It was a side effect of touching a specific poison.
The old physician knew this. This poison was especially used for someone who was on the verge of death, preventing the cells on the body to recuperate. And lastly... this poison couldn't be found easily. This poison... can only be found in the Shu Kingdom!
Sure enough! This servant was telling the truth.
The physician turned his eyes on the Emperor and saw the latter nodding weakly in approval.
The second prince's eyes darkened and his calm countenance collapsed. He roared loudly, "Guards! Find Wen Yang and drag him here!"
The physician and sparrows firmly nodded.
Only the Emperor was clenching his teeth. Flashing his murderous eyes on both Qiao Chen and Yong An.
This bunch of snakes can really discard their subordinate just to achieve their goals!
It only took a couple of minutes before the guards came back empty-handed.
"Your majesty, your highness, young master Wen Yang has run away!"
This time, it was Qiao Chen's face that collapsed.
----
Wen Yang gritted his teeth while fiercely whipping the horse. His usually luxurious robe was changed into servant uniform, making him more irritated and frustrated. His black hair slapped his back as he continues riding the black horse.
He couldn't actually believe it. All his plans had been sabotaged, even his secret army couldn't be contacted. He knew that once the Emperor woke up, he will become the primary suspect! He knew he couldn't avoid that, so the only way was to run away and hide for the mean time.
He gnashed his teeth one more time. If he were to stay in that disgusting place, he wouldn't be able to escape and avenge himself. Right now, he doesn't even have any clue about the person who was particularly targeting him.
Then, he laughed crazily. It will be the second prince and Bai Menxiang's responsibility for his departure. He could only wish that those two can escape in the involvement around him.
---
The Emperor's room was empty, only Qiao Chen and Bai Menxiang was left, to accompany the Emperor.
Although, the Emperor had deep anger towards Qiao Chen, he couldn't do anything at all and can only watch this wench serving him. He closed his eyes for a brief moment. This day really exhausted him, and almost cost his life! Being in comatose state was simply indescribable. He thought he will die on the spot, but maybe the heaven and gods favor him, and choose to give him another chance.
Just as his train of thoughts travel, he noticed that there is something wrong. He opened his eyes and saw his two sparrows staring at him. There were cold flames on their eyes, different perspectives of uses of fire. One was deep fury of anger and the other was only pure amusement. He was confused and mostly... scared.
Qiao Chen leaned down, "His majesty is really naive." He chuckled, "How does his majesty feel when he was the one getting played at?"
The Emperor's eyes trembled violently and confusingly tried to shift his gaze to Bai Menxiang.
Noticing the latter turning his eyes, Qiao Chen wickedly let out a sinister guffaw. "His majesty does think that Menxiang will help him?" He moved his mouth closer to his ears, "Actually, all this time, Menxiang had the greatest and deepest hatred towards his majesty."
Qiao Chen doesn't understand this kind of psychotic mind in the past, but seeing the Emperor's funny reactions, it made him almost reach in peak.
He continued, "The witness... is a fake one." His lips lifted, tapping the pale face of the Emperor, "We just hired that one just to justify your assumptions. His majesty thought Wen Yang was the one who poisoned his majesty, right? You are not wrong."
"At first, he wanted that but knowing that his plans will go backlash, he threw it off."
"Me, his majesty's most favored sparrow, who was pampered the most, is actually the one who put his majesty's life in fatal state." He paused, recalling something, "Well, not only me, Menxiang also participated in this."
This time, it was Bai Menxiang who moved forward. He coldly glanced at the Emperor, seeing him at this state, the grievance in his heart ease slowly. He calmly asked, "Does his majesty remember the time when Menxiang was tricked to become your sparrow?"
The Emperor wanted to shout and yelled. He started coughing violently and yet, this two sparrow only watched him silently.
Bai Menxiang added, "How about the time when my mother was mercilessly violated and getting played by? Isn't it his majesty's all doings?!" His voice turned louder, remembering his mother's helpless appearance. His mother painful cries and sobs.
Unexpectedly, tears started to flowed down on his cheeks. But this time, this will be the last time. All those grievances and anger will end now.
He wiped his tears and coldly smile at the paralyzed Emperor, "How does it feel being played by your toy?" He bent down, chuckled deeply, "Actually, death was a painless retribution. Do you know what's more painful than death? Isn't living the life that was worse than death?"
Qiao Chen elegantly smiled, "We tricked the royal physician into thinking that the poison that was used against his majesty was found in the Shu Kingdom just to add fuel into the framing Wen Yang, thanks to the appearance of the hired witness, of course. When, in fact, that poison in your body... had no antidote."
Bai Menxiang also added, "First, his majesty will be paralyzed. Then, your heartbeat will stop beating, however, your consciousness will remain. You will feel the pain of losing vision, hearing, smell and organs that was slowly being swallow by that toxics. In the outside word, you were dead, will be buried, but you will remain alive, until every skin and flesh of your body will disappear leaving you only bones."
The two shared a sinister laughter as they slowly walked away from the helpless Emperor.
The Emperor could only watch them disappear and felt extremely terrified by his new miserable fate.
--
Qiao Chen only took three steps when he was pushed into the wall by the protagonist.
His brows furrowed and let out a low hissed, glaring directly at the second prince. His hands were above his head, completely restrain by the prince who was much stronger and taller than him.
"Why is his highness doing this?" He asked in a plain tone.
Yong An coldly smirked, "When the lovely sparrow suggested cooperating with this prince, does that include removing my other subordinate?"
Qiao Chen gave him a blank look.
In fact, when the second prince found out that he was the one who poisoned the Emperor, he was left with no choice but to agree to this prince's condition. And that is cooperation. Change his side to the second prince and help him ascend the throne.
Although, the watcher had been eliminated, the force of the plot will put all pieces together. And Qiao Chen had no choice but to follow the plot correctly, and that is to help this bastard to become the Emperor. Of course, that doesn't include actual cooperation.
He smiled provocatively, "Is his highness playing with me? Xiao Chen already knew that even if the second prince loses Wen Yang, his highness already held the Shu Kingdom in his hand."
Yong An froze. Then he laughed crazily that even his shoulders were trembling from excitement.
Qiao Chen flinched and tried to escape from this restriction, but Yong An seems noticed his movements, applying more force into pressing him into the wall.
"This prince couldn't hide anything from the young master." He complimented with deep enthusiasm in his voice, "The fourth prince's biggest supporter wasn't father Emperor? What would happen if he loses his life? I know Xiao Chen agreed to this cooperation, but I also knew that Xiao Chen doesn't mean what he said, Xiao Chen will still try to aid that bastard prince." As he stated this, his other hand suddenly gripped the slender neck of the sparrow, making Qiao Chen's face red from the lack of air. Only releasing him when the latter was almost at his limit.
Qiao Chen instantly fell down and coughed violently. Taking few deep breaths from the surrounding, flashing a cold glare to the protagonist.
Yong An licked the corner of his teeth, perceiving the marks on the sparrow's neck, arousing the sadistic beast inside the cage of his body, like a predator, willing to swim in the deepest ocean, or travel bare feet in the deserted place just to enjoy and catch this lovely prey.
He bends down and whispered in his ears, "That made me like you more." With that, he left in satisfaction.
The anger on Qiao Chen's eyes turned tranquil and his serene countenance manifest.
[Host! Host! Are you alright?] The system worriedly asked.
Lie Yuan nodded, "Do you understand what's my point now?"
[...] The system was silent.
At first, he really couldn't understand his host agreeing to the cooperation of the protagonist. But now, all those things make sense.
Lie Yuan knew that his little system was able to perceived his thoughts.
He never wanted to involve himself into the original plot, like helping the protagonist ascending the throne, even if the second prince killed his two servants and unveiled his schemes, he had many methods to escape his accusations if ever the protagonist would really tell the public about his deeds. But thinking deeply, Lie Yuan realized the benefits of the cooperation.
One, he could eliminate the joining forces of the protagonist and darling of fate. Two, he can separate the two of them and lastly, he can demolish the possibility of the two falling for each other. Lie Yuan couldn't underestimate the power of red strings of fate, and the nature of the plot.
But he encounters a bigger problem. He didn't expect that the darling of fate would be so wise and actually escape.
However, it was a blessing in disguise. Wen Yang's hate value wasn't full yet, and his hate was only irritation and frustration, and not full resentment.
His only worries right now was how counter the protagonist. He already obtained the Shu Kingdom's support even without the help of darling of fate, and he actually killed Qi Lan and Qi Ran.
Precisely, Lie Yuan instantly eliminated his feelings' involvement for the two of them, by using them as his first spawn. He knew that there is a possibility that the two would die. Lie Yuan didn't put his emotions on control because in the end, it will only cause him pain. Although, he was expecting that Qi Lan and Qi Ran will be safe from the temple, he really underestimated the protagonist.
Nevertheless, all the pieces had been settled.
Three days passed, all individuals was greeted by the news of the Emperor's death.
The whole kingdom was in riot and the court was in chaos. The sudden death of the Emperor was unexpected, and there was still no one appointed to become the next Emperor.
Minister Zhao's expression was ugly. He, the Emperor and few of the officials was only the supporters of the fourth prince. Now that the Emperor had passed away, without leaving a decree, this whole situation was in favor of the second prince.
He was the most qualified existence to become the next ruler. Even the higher noble agree about this.
Not until...
The news of the Empress adopting the fourth prince spread like a storm.
Qiao Chen slyly smiled from afar.
