Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince-Chapter 39 - Could it be pretending to be sick
39: Chapter 39 Could it be pretending to be sick?
39 -39 Could it be pretending to be sick?
On the day before the autumn hunt began, Prince Qiu, who had been bedridden, suddenly recovered.
At the early morning court, civil and military officials looked at Li Mingjue, who was somewhat pale, and surrounded him with varying expressions to greet him.
“Prince Qiu, are you feeling any better?”
“Your Highness, could it be that you have overexerted yourself, for your complexion does not look good!”
“Yes, Your Highness, there is no need to force yourself, better to rest for a few more days!”
“…”
Li Mingjue looked at this group of fair-weather friends with an expressionless face and replied courteously, “Thank you all for your concern, I am no longer seriously ill.”
Li Ming’an beside him scoffed and looked at him with a sinister gaze.
“Didn’t the Imperial Physician visit younger brother a few days ago?
How come he is suddenly well today?
Could it be that he was feigning illness?”
Li Mingjue sneered softly, retorting sarcastically, “Whether my illness is real or feigned, shouldn’t elder brother know very well?”
Li Ming’an squinted his eyes slightly, feeling that there was a deeper meaning in his words.
Could it be that the occasion when Heifeng stealthily infiltrated Prince Qiu Residence was discovered?
Seeing the two princes start to confront each other, everyone wisely shut their mouths.
Only Shen Xiheng, who arrived precisely on time for the morning court and yawning, stepped forward and deliberately looked at Li Ming’an with a mischievous smile on his lips.
“It has been several days, surely Prince Ming’an’s stomach isn’t aching anymore?”
In front of civil and military officials, he intentionally raised his voice, ensuring everyone heard him loud and clear.
Li Ming’an glared at him furiously, “You are so concerned about me, could it be you who administered the drug?”
That day, he returned to his residence and immediately summoned a renowned doctor from the capital, who after an examination confirmed he had indeed been drugged.
Li Ming’an, dragging his weakened body, had his Hidden Guard investigate the people in Zuichun Building that day, but they could never find the person who had drugged him.
But he was certain that person was hiding in Zuichun Building and surely bore him malice.
In the end, he could only fixate on Shen Xiheng, who had repeatedly made sarcastic remarks towards him that day.
Now, seeing this man brazenly bring up the incident again in front of everyone, Li Ming’an’s gaze towards him was so ferocious it seemed as if he wanted to tear a piece of flesh from him.
Shen Xiheng took his anger in stride, casually flicking his sleeve, “If Prince Ming’an wishes to think that way, there’s nothing I can do.”
He stood there unabashedly and fearlessly under Li Ming’an’s scrutiny.
So much time had passed; if Li Ming’an truly had any evidence, he would have already gone to Prince Qiu Residence to arrest someone.
Even now, he was still shouting at him in court, clearly indicating he couldn’t find out who the real poisoner was.
“His Majesty arrives——”
Chief Eunuch Zhou Fu shouted, prompting everyone to stand in their designated places.
Li Tianze saw Li Mingjue and did not forget to first ask about his health, “My son, are you feeling well now?”
Li Mingjue bowed and replied, “Thank you, Father Emperor, for your concern, your son is much better now.”
“That is good.” Li Tianze nodded, “Tomorrow is the grand ceremony of the autumn hunt, and there are still many tasks for you, now that you are well, I can rest assured letting you handle them.”
Li Mingjue replied earnestly, “Your son shall do his utmost.”
Hearing the back and forth conversation between these two, Li Ming’an’s expression was extremely ugly.
During the days Li Mingjue was bedridden, he had been managing all the affairs.
Now, without doing anything, his brother could take all the credit for himself.
Li Ming’an clenched his fists silently and gave Qi Wei a meaningful glance.
Qi Wei promptly stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, Prince Ming’an has been managing the preparations for the autumn hunt these past few days.
He is quite familiar with its statutes and various matters.
I suggest that His Highness continue to oversee this event.”
Li Tianze listened with a displeased expression, but in order to show impartiality towards his two sons, he restrained himself from commenting.
The Duke of Qin had already decided to oppose Prince Ming’an and promptly stepped forward to speak, “Your Majesty, I believe the Prime Minister’s proposal is inappropriate.”
“What is inappropriate about it?” Li Tianze asked.
The Duke of Qin glanced at Li Ming’an, his tone indifferent.
“Your Majesty had already said early on that the task would be overseen by Prince Qiu.
If we change hands midway, wouldn’t that make people believe that the autumn hunt is nothing but a trifling matter?”
Li Tianze nodded, “The Duke of Qin makes a valid point.
The autumn hunt is of national importance, and we cannot allow the people to think that I am a man who does not keep his word.”
He looked at Li Mingjue, “This task shall remain with you.
If any mishaps occur, I will hold you accountable.”
Li Mingjue lowered his gaze and responded, “Father, rest assured.”
He paused, then glanced at the utterly dark-faced Li Ming’an and slightly curled his lips.
“With the help of Third Brother, I believe this autumn hunt will definitely proceed smoothly.”
“Everyone get out!”
As soon as he entered Jingren Palace, Li Ming’an dismissed all the palace maids with a cold face.
Seeing his bad mood, Noble Consort An guessed what might be bothering him.
“Is there more trouble from Prince Qiu’s side?”
Li Ming’an slammed a pillar fiercely, infuriated, “Why is Father so biased towards that sickly Li Mingjue!”
Noble Consort An’s heart sank, and her expression darkened, “His Majesty has always favored Li Mingjue and Li Huaixi, those siblings.”
Li Ming’an gritted his teeth and said word by word, “These days, I have been tirelessly running around, yet Father doesn’t seem to remember any of my contributions!”
“How can I not resent this!”
Though both were princes, Li Mingjue always received more favor than he did.
The autumn hunt had always been a thorn in Noble Consort An’s side.
Her beautiful eyes brimmed with malice, her fingernails digging into her palms.
“If it weren’t for that idiot, how could Li Mingjue have survived?
How could my schemes have failed?”
After venting his frustrations, Li Ming’an’s mood stabilized somewhat.
He looked at Noble Consort An, full of vengeance, and a hint of ruthlessness flickered in his eyes.
“Mother, rest assured, I have laid a net of heaven and earth.
This time, neither Li Mingjue nor that fool will escape!”
Upon hearing this, Noble Consort An immediately asked, “Do you have a plan, my son?”
Li Ming’an smirked sinisterly, “Mother, do not worry.
Tomorrow, Li Mingjue and that idiot will meet their end!”
Mother and son exchanged smiles, each seeing the distorted expression caused by hatred in the other’s eyes.
At Prince Qiu Residence, Qi Yu found an excuse to avoid everyone’s eyes.
The autumn hunt was the next day, and Li Ming’an and Noble Consort An were bound to cause trouble.
She had to prepare in advance.
She found a secluded spot and quietly slipped into a space.
It was her first time seriously inspecting the space, which was laid out similarly to her family’s Medical Hall back home, filled with rows of various herbs.
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There were also the special medicines she had painstakingly developed, which could be life-saving in critical moments.
She checked her stock of herbs, making sure she was well-prepared, so she wouldn’t be flustered if the need arose.
After the count, she slightly headache thinking that the autumn hunt site was located in the deep forests on the outskirts of the capital.
Not only were there various wild animals lurking in the forest, but there was also a cliff in the depths of the mountain.
If Li Ming’an really resorted to any underhanded tactics, could Li Mingjue, with his frail body, truly withstand it?