Her Power and Favor Span the World

Chapter 42

Xiaoyue Pavilion was plunged into prolonged silence.

Yuwen Hao thought long and hard, then looked up at Tang Yang and said, "Go find out what poison the Retired Emperor was given."

"My lord, I'm afraid it won't be easy to investigate."

"Gu Si would know!" said Yuwen Hao.

"Gu Si should be on duty in the imperial court right now. He can't get away, and besides, Gu Si came with us earlier. If he knew anything, he would have found a way to let us know already," replied Tang Yang.

A flash of ruthlessness appeared in Yuwen Hao's eyes. "Go to the palace and report that I plead guilty."

"My Lord!" Xu Yi and Tang Yang both cried out in shock. Was the lord out of his mind to actually plead guilty?

"I confess that everything Imperial Concubine Ling did was under my orders," said Yuwen Hao with an expressionless face.

Xu Yi heaved a sigh of relief. For a moment he thought the lord was going to admit that he himself had hired the assassin to injure him.

But it was still inappropriate to admit to ordering the imperial concubine to treat the Retired Emperor.

"That won't do, My Lord. You are already in a precarious position as it is," said Xu Yi.

After some thought, Tang Yang said, "Does My Lord believe in the imperial concubine?"

"This is the only plan!" said Yuwen Hao coldly.

Tang Yang looked at Yuwen Hao and said, "If My Lord is determined to do this, then you and the imperial concubine's fates will be tied together. If she is unable to turn things around, My Lord's situation will only get worse. Has My Lord thought this through carefully?"

"Is there any other way besides this?" Yuwen Hao's heart was filled with indignation, and the blood in his throat churned again. He forcefully suppressed it, but he could still smell the sweet tang.

Prince Ji's machinations were air-tight and left no loose ends.

Since the assassin had already taken his own life, he certainly wouldn't have left any evidence behind. On this matter, he was destined to suffer this injustice in silence.

Therefore, there was no point in plotting and scheming here. His only hope lay in Imperial Concubine Ling successfully curing the Retired Emperor again. Then he might have a chance to redeem himself of this crime.

He was very clear on how ruthless his father the Emperor could be.

Xu Yi did not understand. "What is this approach exactly?"

Tang Yang explained, "The Retired Emperor was already at death's door, but Imperial Concubine Ling managed to treat and save him. If the Retired Emperor's poisoning had nothing to do with her, then she should be credited for saving his life. And if it was all done under My Lord's orders, then My Lord ought to be rewarded for this."

Xu Yi was shocked. "Then what if the imperial concubine is unable to prove her own innocence?"

After a moment of silence, Tang Yang said in a low voice, "Then, Xu Yi, you and I will have to die with My Lord."

A sense of valor rose in Xu Yi's chest. "Fine, if death it is, then so be it. Waiting around like this was a dead end anyway, we might as well take a gamble."

Tang Yang nodded. Looking at Yuwen Hao, he said, "Since My Lord can't enter the palace right now, the only plan for the moment is to find Prince Rui."

"Correct!" Yuwen Hao slowly stood up, and the movement tore at his wounds. Every inch was agony, but pain was a good feeling - it would keep his fighting spirit strong.

Imperial Concubine Ling could drag her injured body into the palace to treat the Retired Emperor. Why couldn't he?

The sedan chair arrived at Prince Rui's residence.

Prince Rui was just about to head to the palace when he encountered Yuwen Hao's sedan chair at the entrance.

Knowing that Yuwen Hao was gravely injured, Prince Rui was very shocked to see him arrive. Tang Yang stepped forward to report, "Prince Rui, please come over for a moment. Prince Chu is too injured to dismount. Please grant an audience."

Prince Rui walked over leading his horse. Tang Yang lifted the sedan curtain, revealing Yuwen Hao's ashen face.

"Uncle, treating the Retired Emperor was done under my orders. Please bring me into the palace," said Yuwen Hao.

Prince Rui nodded. "Let's go!"

He ordered his horse to be switched for a sedan chair and entered the palace together with Yuwen Hao.

The sedan chairs passed through the East Gate without any obstruction, with Prince Rui accompanying them.

Only when they reached the entrance of the Imperial Study did the sedan chairs stop.

Prince Rui said to Tang Yang, "Wait here with your lord. I will go in and see His Majesty first."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

With a swish of his robes, Prince Rui entered the hall of the Imperial Study.

Tang Yang saw Jing Hou trembling as he stood unsteadily outside the hall.

He walked over and called, "My Lord?"

Jing Hou was badly startled, and only came back to his senses when he saw it was Tang Yang. He craned his neck to look around and said, "Oh, it's you, Sir Tang!"

"What brings My Lord here?" asked Tang Yang.

Jing Hou looked miserable as he said, "Waiting for the Emperor to summon me, though I don't know what for. His Majesty ordered me to come, but he hasn't seen me. He only asked me a few questions about Imperial Concubine Lin... I mean, the imperial concubine, then told me to wait here."

Just then, the eunuch Mu Ru came out and announced, "Prince Chu, enter to pay your respects."

Tang Yang and Xu Yi quickly supported Yuwen Hao out. Seeing Yuwen Hao's condition shocked Jing Hou, who took several steps back for fear of touching him accidentally.

The man looked no sturdier than a paper cutout, as if a gust of wind could blow him over.

"Only Prince Chu is summoned!" Mu Ru declared as he stood between Xu Yi, Tang Yang, and Yuwen Hao.

Xu Yi and Tang Yang looked at Yuwen Hao worriedly before he slowly steadied himself and said, "Lead the way, eunuch."

It was only twenty steps into the hall of the Imperial Study.

Yuwen Hao slowly dragged himself forward. Each step was excruciating, and the wounds on his legs had all torn open. A trail of blood followed behind him, presenting a ghastly sight.

Mu Ru was taken aback, not expecting Prince Chu to be so gravely wounded. He had thought the injuries were limited to the prince's face and ears.

Emperor Ming Yuan's brows furrowed as he watched the trail of blood behind Yuwen Hao, his expression ominous.

The wounds were two days old and still bleeding profusely. Did the prince take him for a fool?

This son of his was too clever for his own good.

Yuwen Hao's forehead was beaded with fine sweat. The walk here had already drained every ounce of his strength, yet he still had to kneel.

His body slowly lowered with great effort. As his leg gave out, he crashed to the ground with a thud. The wound on his abdomen tore open and blood sprayed out. Yuwen Hao instantly felt the world spin as his vision went black, but he still managed to choke out, "Father... Imperial Concubine Ling treating the Retired Emperor was under my orders..."

Having uttered those words, he collapsed unconscious on the ground.

Yuwen Hao was carried to the nearest annex where Imperial Concubine Ling was staying. She watched as the bloodstained Yuwen Hao was brought in, with Emperor Ming Yuan and Prince Rui following behind. The imperial doctor had not yet arrived.

"How could he have entered the palace? He couldn't even get out of bed! His wounds must all be torn open," said Imperial Concubine Ling, aghast.

Prince Rui zoomed in on the key point. "Were you the one who treated his wounds?"

"Yes. He suffered eighteen stab wounds and was still in mortal danger when I entered the palace. He hadn't gotten through the critical period yet," Imperial Concubine Ling replied, her eyes drifting constantly to Yuwen Hao. She was extremely anxious - if the wounds weren't treated promptly, he could die.

The emperor's gaze shifted subtly, but he said nothing. He only looked deeply at Imperial Concubine Ling.

Imperial Concubine Ling paid him no heed. She rushed over to apply pressure on the bleeding abdominal wound that she had meticulously stitched up. Had he gone mad to enter the palace in this state?

"Yuwen Hao, Yuwen Hao, wake up!" Imperial Concubine Ling pressed on the wound with one hand and slapped his face with the other. "Don't sleep, or you'll never wake up again."

With so much blood loss, he really could die.

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