Chapter 286: Vague Words (1/2)
The emperor could tell what Prince Duan was implying. Qi Yun had been the one preparing his medicine these days. He could easily tamper with it. The more he thought, the more paranoid he became.
He didn't want to die. No emperor ever wanted a premature death. Some even wished to defy death forever. He'd lead a luxurious life. It still scared him to think about his life being threatened.
Prince Duan's words made him doubt Qi Yun's intention, which was evident in the way his brows furrowed. Prince Duan hid a smile. He decided to take care of Qi Chen's issue as well.
“There's something else this official is debating if I should tell Your Majesty.” Prince Duan lowered his eyes and put on a harmless front. The emperor was already fearing for himself. He nodded to Prince Duan after some hesitation, silently urging him to continue.
“There's more to the second prince's attempt to stage a coup. This official has conducted an investigation myself. There are many unanswered questions. Your Majesty knows the second prince better than I do. You know what kind of a person he is. He couldn't have come up with such a treacherous plan himself.”
“Storming the palace was the worst thing he could do. He was already the crown prince. Why would he have taken the risk? Besides, hasn't Your Majesty doubted Nan Xun? Everything happened so suddenly. How was it possible for Nan Xun to make it to the palace in time? Besides, everyone he brought with him was his best fighters. They should have been at the training ground, which wasn't that far from the imperial city, but was still outside the city. If Nan Xun arranged for them to come after hearing about the second prince's action, they wouldn't have arrived so soon.”
“Everything came together too perfectly. Moreover, Feng Baiyu had been the second prince's strategist, but he showed up with Nan Xun that night. There was something fishy about that. I hope Your Majesty would investigate the matter again.”
Prince Duan laid out his points logically. He didn't try to absolve Qi Chen of his crime, but instead raise questions to the emperor from a different perspective.
He made it out as if the whole ordeal was a carefully constructed plan, which was a terrifying possibility. Being overloaded with information prevented the emperor from thinking critically. Prince Duan's a.n.a.lysis nudged the direction his thoughts went and made him come to the same conclusion.
“The second prince has made a mistake,” continued Prince Duan. “However, it's clear that someone deliberately set him up. He was tricked into committing the treacherous deed. The one who ends up benefiting isn't the second prince, is he?”
He deftly framed Qi Yun as the suspect like the cunning man he was. He knew what to say and what to leave unsaid. If he'd mentioned Qi Yun explicitly, his words would be less convincing. The emperor would come to the conclusion himself.
“This official has said everything I wanted to say. I won't bother Your Majesty further. Please excuse me.” Prince Duan left the room with a silent Qi Chen in tow, a smile tugging his lips. Qi Yun frowned when he saw his expression. Something was wrong.
The more the emperor thought, the more Prince Duan's speculation made sense to him. It suddenly struck him as odd that he still hadn't recovered even after being cured of his poison and treated with great care. He rose to his feet and summoned one of his confidantes, asking him to send for the royal doctor he most trusted.
The doctor came not long after. He bowed to Qi Yun when he pa.s.sed by him and rushed into the room. Qi Yun's eyes twitched. He had a bad feeling about this.
The emperor asked the doctor for a diagnosis. He grew nervous as the doctor's face grew tighter with fingers wrapped around his pulse point.
Finally, the doctor let go of the emperor's hand. “Your Majesty is inflicted with a potent poison. Why are you still taking supplements that do nothing to treat it? You've missed the best time to get cured.”
The emperor widened his eyes, immediately suspecting Qi Yun of being responsible. His son had been the one to get the royal doctors for the emperor, and he had been preparing the medicine.
The emperor hadn't realized how cunning a man Qi Yun was. His frown grew deeper as he contemplated the possibility.
The royal doctor left without a word. Accompanying the emperor was as dangerous as taming a tiger. He knew a quiet retreat was his best option.
Qi Yun's worries intensified when he saw the doctor leaving the palace. He stared at the shut door, then at the doctor walking away from him. After a brief hesitation, he caught up with the doctor.
He knew the man was the emperor's confidante. There were things he couldn't bring up openly. He thus smiled and exchanged pleasantries with the doctor, discreetly asking him what the emperor asked him here for.