Princess and the General

This Sort of Scheme (Part Four)

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In QingHua Palace, Imperial Consort Xian had already used sickness to avoid going out for two days.

On the second day, the eldest prince visited.

He claimed to have come to pay respects to his imperial consort mother; however, Imperial Consort Xian wanted to refuse, as she did not really want to see him.

But just keeping him outside the palace was not any way to act.

“Mu Jin, go and bring the eldest prince in.”

The eldest prince entered the hall and saw that all of the servants aside from Mu Jin had already been dismissed.

Through a thin gauze curtain, he could vaguely see Imperial Consort Xian lying in bed with a pitch-black headcloth wrapped around her head.

Just as he was about to walk in to speak, Mu Jin brought in a chair and set it outside of the curtain.

The eldest prince’s heart chilled and understood Imperial Consort Xian’s thoughts.

She was afraid.

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“Son pays respects to imperial consort mother.
I heard that imperial consort mother has not been feeling well, so son specially came to visit.
To let imperial consort mother work so hard for such a long time is a result of son’s negligence.”

The eldest prince’s attitude was sincere, and he did not bring up anything that would shock her.
Imperial Consort Xian’s expression faintly improved.

She quietly said: “Taking care of His Majesty is the responsibility of the consorts and concubines.
It can’t be considered hard work.
Imperial son working hard in court to share your father Emperor’s burdens is the same.
It can’t be considered negligence.”

The eldest prince looked up then quickly looked back down, “Supporting father Emperor is something that a prince should do.
Since imperial consort mother has fallen ill and cannot take care of father Emperor, it will fall to son to take your place.”

Whoosh-

Imperial Consort Xian forcefully pulled the curtain open.

She leaned forward, her complexion ashen, and there were tear marks in her eyes, “Are you trying to force your imperial consort mother to do this?”

Thunk-

The eldest prince dropped to his knees and advanced toward her on his knees, “Imperial consort mother, it’s you who is forcing son to do this! Didn’t we already agree before this? How could you abandon your task halfway? If you don’t continue, not only will our previous efforts be wasted, but once Ning ChengZhi is appointed as crown prince, there will be nothing but death left for the two of us! Since you won’t do it, son has no choice but to continue for you!”

Imperial Consort Xian stood up from the bed and casually put on some slippers to help the eldest prince up.

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“What are you doing? Stand up first.
How could imperial consort mother force you to do such a dangerous task? You are imperial consort mother’s last hope.
Rather than allow you to do it, it would be better to just leave it to me! But imperial consort mother has been truly terrified these past few days.
Have you not noticed that your father Emperor’s condition has started improving?”

The eldest prince loudly cut her off, “That’s because imperial consort mother hasn’t continued giving him the drug that father Emperor’s condition has not deteriorated as we planned!”

He suddenly realized something and glanced toward the entrance of the hall.
Fortunately, Imperial Consort Xian had already arranged for the gates to be shut.

Imperial Consort Xian’s face had turned pale from fear.
Looking carefully, her hands were shaking, and the eldest prince hastily grabbed her hands.

“Imperial consort mother, son isn’t blaming you.
Son is just too impatient! Imperial consort mother, please endure a little longer.
As long as you continue with the poisoning, we will quickly be able to succeed! Haven’t you always wanted to be the empress?”

The word “empress” stirred Imperial Consort Xian’s interest.

She had spent all of these years compromising and being cautious, yet Emperor Ning was unwilling to even give her the title of noble imperial consort.

Being the empress was her dream.
It was an unattainable dream.

The eldest prince saw the look of longing in her eyes.
He continued and used an enticing tone: “Imperial consort Xian, once son defeats Ning ChengZhi and becomes the emperor, you would be the most venerated empress dowager.
When that time comes, son’s empress will need to respectfully support you.
Is that not nice?”

Imperial Consort Xian took a deep breath and reached up to brush away her fringe, trying to look a little more dignified.

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The eldest prince knew that the ambitious Imperial Consort Xian had returned once more.

Imperial Consort Xian said: “Alright, then we’ll do it as you planned.
I will return to taking care of His Majesty tomorrow.
But His Majesty’s condition has been improving in the past few days, and I keep feeling that it’s not just because I stopped poisoning him.
I heard that Yu Fu from Marquis Gu’s Manor came into the palace and gave His Majesty a talisman.
Could that be related to it?”

Marquis Gu’s Manor…

The eldest prince squinted his eyes.
Thinking of how Yu Fu was an immortal practitioner of poison from Immortals Valley, a rush of fear filled his heart.

It then quickly dissipated.

He comforted Imperial Consort Xian: “Imperial consort mother, when have you ever believed in religion? Although Yu Fu is an immortal practitioner of poison, father Emperor’s imperial physicians are always present.
She doesn’t have any chance to check father Emperor’s situation, nor can she find the existence of the poison.
I believe it’s father believing in the power of the talisman.
It’s probably some psychological effect that is the cause of this improvement.”

Imperial Consort Xian nodded, “You’re right.
I heard that His Majesty has been talking about how Yu Fu is filial and obedient.
Her sincere feelings must have made His Majesty feel a little better.
Even if Yu Fu is filial, it would only affect Marquis Gu’s Manor.
How could it have any effect on His Majesty?”

Mother and son chatted for a little while longer, and the two felt at peace.

Since they already decided to take action, there was no room to retreat.

The eldest prince thought of the second prince’s delighted expression over the past few days, and a feeling of displeasure filled his heart.

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Was someone of Ning ChengZhi’s temperament worthy of competing with him?

If he had not been born from the late empress’ belly, he might have secretly died in the palace long ago…

He suddenly thought of something, and a scheming smile appeared on his face, “Imperial consort mother, there’s still something that I must trouble you with.”

“What is it?”

“Have some people go to the Western Palace to spread some rumors.
You must ensure that DanYang hears them.
Just say that once His Majesty passes away, and the Eastern Palace remains unoccupied, the court will become a chaotic mess from the fight for the throne.”

Imperial Consort Xian was extremely shocked, “Are you crazy? Isn’t this reminding Ning ChengZhi to quickly go and ask His Majesty to appoint a crown prince?!”

If His Majesty appointed a crown prince before he passed away, his death would be too pointless…

Hold on…

Imperial Consort Xian suddenly thought of something and looked at the eldest prince with this grand revelation.

This son of hers had truly grown up and matured.

He was even able to think of this sort of scheme.