On Our Wedding Night, I Discovered the Crown Prince's Hidden Illness-Chapter 225 - Murderous Intent and Suspicion

Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Murderous Intent and Suspicion

Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Murderous Intent and Suspicion

The royal departure banquet officially began.

The banquet was attended by senior civil and military officials of the first and second ranks, creating a lively atmosphere.

Lai Ran and Li Yuyue each expressed their views on the Turkic situation, eliciting continuous praise from the ministers.

Seeing Prince Zhenbei and his son so loyal and protective of the country, the Emperor felt a twinge of unwillingness to let them suffer.

However, upon reflection, how could he allow those whose merits overshadowed their sovereign to threaten his Ye Family’s domain?

The Emperor hardened his heart and raised his cup with enthusiasm. For a while, everyone drank merrily.

The departure banquet came to an end, and everyone stood up.

The Emperor ordered someone to bring the horses.

Today, the Emperor had graciously permitted Lai Ran and Li Yuyue to ride horses to Xiande Hall.

As the Leng Family father and son exited the hall, under everyone’s watchful eyes, they gallantly mounted their horses one second, only to fall from their backs to the ground the next.

They immediately fell and did not get up.

The crowd rushed forward, but no matter how they shouted or pinched the philtrum, the pair did not wake up.

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The Emperor could not believe what he was seeing and thought at first that the Leng father and son had detected his plot and were pretending to be ill to avoid the calamity.

His face darkened, his drowsy eyes filled with undisguised murderous intent, “Summon the Imperial Physician!”

The Imperial Physicians rushed over and examined the conditions of the fallen father and son on the spot.

“Reporting to the Emperor, Prince Zhenbei and the Princely Heir seem to have suffered a sudden acute illness.”

The Emperor’s piercing gaze swept over them as he asked in a cold voice, “When can they recover, and are they able to go to battle?”

The Imperial Physician shook his head, “Right now, they are as weak as a chicken, it will be difficult for them to join the battle. Even if they did go to battle, they would only be a burden to their soldiers.”

Beneath the wide sleeves of his Dragon Robe, the Emperor’s hand clenched tightly, his face dark and fearsome.

The ministers thought that he was just worried about the wellbeing of Prince Zhenbei and his son, and they rushed to comfort him.

“Emperor, Prince Zhenbei and the Princely Heir are protected by a divine fate!”

“Emperor, Prince Zhenbei and the Princely Heir are pillars of our dynasty. As for the matter with the Turkic, the Fan family father and son are also suitable.”

The Emperor glanced at the ministers who had spoken out and said coldly, “Conduct a thorough investigation of today’s wine, food, and drinks!”

Had Prince Zhenbei and his son ingested something unclean?

Or perhaps had they consumed something at the Prince Zhenbei Mansion?

Naturally understanding the Emperor’s intentions, the Imperial Physicians took turns re-examining the Leng father and son, while another group went to inspect the banquet food and drinks.

After several rounds of investigation, the Imperial Physicians all shook their heads, unable to find any indications of foul play.

“Emperor, your servants cannot find any trace of poisoning; Prince Zhenbei and the Princely Heir indeed seem to have suffered a sudden acute illness.”

The Emperor clearly did not believe it; what were the odds that both father and son would fall simultaneously?

“Move Lai Ran and his son to a side hall to rest, and you all go to the Prince Zhenbei Mansion at once to conduct a thorough investigation. What do I mean by investigation? That means everything that can be ingested, and examine all medications as well, do you understand?”

“Yes, your servants will comply with the decree!”

The Imperial Army escorted the Imperial Physicians away from Xiande Hall.

Watching this group leave, the Emperor lowered his gaze, hiding the intense murderous intent in his eyes.

If he found even a trace of evidence, the Prince Zhenbei Mansion would have to bear the stain of being cowardly and avoiding battle.

In such a case, he could take the military power and obliterate the Prince Mansion.

The ministers thought the Emperor was just worried that someone was trying to poison Prince Zhenbei and his son, so they continued to comfort him.

The Emperor stood motionless, brooding internally. Why would his realm need outsiders to protect it?

Once he found the Divine Doctor and commanded him to create the Elixir of Immortality, ruling over the Ye Family’s domain for another hundred or eighty years would be trivial.

The Divine Doctor was an old man, perhaps over a hundred years old, surely he possessed the secret to longevity.

Otherwise, how could he, at such an advanced age, traverse mountains and rivers to travel everywhere?

—

A formidable contingent of the Imperial Army arrived at the Prince Zhenbei Mansion, accompanied by the Imperial Physician.

Old Prince watched with furrowed brows as the Imperial Army conducted a thorough search and the Imperial Physician inspected everything, narrowing his eyes slightly. The Leng Family was loyal, but the Emperor from the Ye Family might not need the loyalty of the Leng Family.

At this moment, it seemed Yan’er’s worries were justified.

Old Princess Consort anxiously asked, “What has happened? Why have so many people come?”

An Imperial Physician bowed respectfully, “Old Princess Consort, Prince Zhenbei and the Princely Heir have suddenly fallen critically ill. The Emperor suspects that it might be due to tainted food. Since the banquet’s food and drink were found to be without issue, we’ve come to your mansion to inspect. The Emperor is doing this out of concern for the safety of the Prince and the Heir.”

Another Imperial Physician chimed in, “That’s right, Old Princess Consort. We must find out what caused this urgent illness so that we can save the Prince and the Heir.”

To them, it seemed that Prince Zhenbei and his son’s coma meant that their condition was grave.

Upon hearing this, the Old Princess Consort closed her eyes and immediately fainted.

Yun Family’s Lady Yun, who was just being supported to the front courtyard by Leng Yu Yan, also heard the news and fainted.

Seeing this, the Imperial Army and the Imperial Physicians were even more convinced that Prince Zhenbei and his son were truly suffering from an acute disease.

After inspecting all the food and supplies in the Prince Mansion, they quickly returned to the Imperial Palace to report back.

Leng Yuqing, Lai Yuxing, and Leng Yusheng were filled with righteous indignation.

Lai Yuxing burst out in anger, “Grandfather, the Ye Family is simply going too far! Father King and eldest brother met with misfortune in the palace, and they have the audacity to suspect us.”

Leng Yuqing spoke calmly, “The priority now is to bring Father King and elder brother home!”

Leng Yusheng voiced his concerns, “I fear the Emperor won’t release them, insisting that Father King and elder brother go to the battlefield.”

Lai Taihong pondered for a moment, then said, “It all depends on whether your Father King and elder brother return today. If they have not returned by dinner, I myself will go to the Imperial Palace, bringing with me the gold medals bestowed by previous emperors!”

After settling his grandmother and mother, Leng Yu Yan returned to the front courtyard and saw his grandfather discussing with his three brothers. He felt conflicted.

Should he reveal the truth about the drugging to his grandfather and brothers?

But it would be safest if only he knew about the matter.

Even when the Imperial Physician conducted the search, they found no trace. That was because he had his own methods of storing the medicine.

Now that the Imperial Army and Imperial Physician have found nothing, the Emperor can only send Father King and eldest brother back.

However, given the Emperor’s suspicious nature, he must have doubts about the Prince Zhenbei Mansion.

The search just now was proof enough.

Even if he does nothing in the short term, over time, his intent to kill could only intensify.

Two hours later, Ye Zhenyu, who had left the Prince Zhenbei Mansion at noon, appeared again.

Upon hearing that Prince Liang had arrived, Lai Taihong had Leng Yu Yan hide in the back room of the main hall.

“Old Prince, I’ve come to visit once again concerning the matter of Prince Zhenbei and the Heir.”

Prince Liang’s voice came from the main hall, followed by the voice of the grandfather.

“Prince Liang, please speak frankly!”

Lai Taihong gestured for Ye Zhenyu to take a seat.

Ye Zhenyu nodded in acknowledgment and sat down, lifting his robes.

“Old Prince, I’ll speak the truth. The ministers in court all believe Prince Zhenbei and the Princely Heir are loyal protectors of the nation. However, considering today’s events, Old Prince must understand how Father Emperor may feel. In my opinion, it’s imperative that the Ye Family and Leng Family arrange a marriage soon, so as to dispel Father Emperor’s suspicions.”

As he spoke, Ye Zhenyu stood and bowed deeply, “I am twenty-two and wish to take Princess Beilan as my official wife.”

Leng Yu Yan, hidden in the back room, was startled, stumbled backward and accidentally nudged a standing porcelain vase, causing a dull, trembling noise. She quickly steadied it.

Ye Zhenyu frowned and looked toward the source of the sound.

Leng Yuqing explained, “There’s a cat raised by our mother in the back. It’s quite mischievous and has disturbed Prince Liang, for which we apologize.”