Chapter 474: Chapter 471: Evidence... Conclusive?

In the days that followed, an oppressive gloom settled over the Imperial Palace. Daoist Bao Pu began frequenting Emperor Ying’s sleeping quarters.

The hall was filled with Calming Incense, mixed with a putrid smell emanating from Emperor Ying’s body, an unpleasant odor.

Emperor Ying itched and ached all over, unable to resist scratching himself, but even a slight touch broke the skin and caused pus to flow. Over time, the wounds showed no signs of healing and were instead severely inflamed.

He was on the verge of madness.

After the fire at Yangxin Hall, the Imperial Physicians were in despair, exhausting themselves to search through medical texts but failing to identify the root of Emperor Ying’s illness, nervously admitting, "Our medical skills are lacking."

"Daoist Bao Pu."

The elderly Imperial Physician gazed at Daoist Bao Pu, "Did you not break the witchcraft? The box and dolls were destroyed, but why is His Majesty still not recovering?"

Standing to the side, Daoist Bao Pu almost laughed out of anger.

"I am a Daoist, I only know how to break spells."

"The fact that His Majesty’s condition hasn’t worsened is my merit. As for the treatment, that is your responsibility."

He muttered softly, "One might think that the Imperial Palace is filled with useless individuals, or perhaps that you harbor selfish intentions and don’t wish for His Majesty to recover."

His voice was low, but in the empty hall, it was perfectly audible to everyone.

Emperor Ying lay weakly on the bed, veins bulging on his hands, resisting the urge to scratch.

The group of Imperial Physicians wore expressions of terror.

During these recent days, His Majesty’s discomfort caused several outbursts, leading to quite a few being taken away for execution.

They feared being implicated and suffering unjustly: "We dare not."

Before the doll was destroyed, they had studied it, finding the needles on it to be laced with poison.

They specifically found ten people to expose to the poison, conducting human experiments and prescribing antidotes.

Once they were sure of the efficacy and safety, only then did they administer it to His Majesty.

Yet for some reason, after taking it, His Majesty’s wounds worsened.

They considered every possibility, but what if there were other poisons unknown to them?

But they scrutinized everything inside and out. Everything His Majesty came in contact with, including the food and utensils, had been checked thoroughly, without any irregularities.

Daoist Bao Pu stood in place, observing the mournful expressions of these people.

He felt reassured.

Fortunately, he was aboard Wei Zhao’s treacherous ship.

Thinking of that person, Daoist Bao Pu couldn’t help but exclaim it was brilliant.

When Yangxin Hall caught fire, he sensed something was amiss.

The blaze was too great, causing the medicinal powder to activate instantly with heat, and the servants in the hall would inhale it.

The powder was colorless and odorless, and if exposed to the special incense within three days, one would be trapped.

The risk was too high.

After all, besides Emperor Ying, others would also become unwell.

But... no one did.

It seemed that Wei Zhao had foreseen it, knowing that when Emperor Ying was afflicted, the Black Shadow would take over. During those days, those watching over him were rotated, and even the previous servants were not allowed into the inner hall.

Emperor Ying was the only one affected.

Therefore, no one would think the cause was the fire at Yangxin Hall.

Even if the Imperial Physicians had thought of it, Yangxin Hall had become a ruin; where would they find evidence?

Moreover, how would they treat it?

"Your Majesty."

At this moment, someone strode inside, their steps light, making no sound.

"The three Princes request an audience."

Emperor Ying had long grown impatient. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

He felt that all these kneeling Imperial Physicians deserved death!

But despite executions, it was to no avail.

"Everyone, leave."

The Imperial Physicians, as if received a decree, wiped the sweat from their faces, scrambling to leave.

"Zheng Xu, stay."

While Daoist Bao Pu stepped out, he glanced at the most inconspicuous Imperial Physician among them, retracting his gaze without a sound.

Once everyone had left, Zheng Xu trembled, kneeling where he was.

The hall was deathly silent.

The intermittent breathing from the curtain was all the more pronounced.

On the Dragon Couch, Emperor Ying’s sickly face alternated between light and dark, his cold gaze like a venomous serpent, with skeletal fingers tapping lightly on the jade pillow.

"Do you think Daoist Bao Pu reliable?"

Terrified, Zheng Xu pressed his palms tightly to the gold bricks before him, staining them with sweat marks. Pressing his forehead against the ground, his body formed an awkward arc of submission.

How could he not be afraid?

The incense during those three days had been his doing.

But he had no choice; his wife and children were in Wei Zhao’s clutches.

"This humble subject dares not speculate."

Emperor Ying lifted the curtain, looking disheveled, yet his slightly cloudy eyes shone frighteningly bright.

"These past few days, I keep dreaming of Wei Fengxing."

"I cannot help but remember, it was you I sent to treat his cold back then."

Zheng Xu’s breathing hitched, not daring to take a deep breath, desperately suppressing his fear.

How could it have been to treat a cold?

It was clearly to tamper with things.

"His condition also worsened with treatment at that time."

Emperor Ying never once uttered the word for harm.

"It’s strikingly similar to how I am now."

Zheng Xu swallowed hard: "Your Majesty is a true dragon, ordained by heaven to rule the four corners, a mere minor ailment has the protection of the Purple Star."

"While the royal pulse seems faint, it is brimming with life force, like a dormant dragon gathering strength. You will recover soon, incomparable to that short-lived Duke Shun."

Emperor Ying let out a cold laugh.

The words Bao Pu previously uttered about harboring selfish intentions piqued his interest.

Among those coming and going freely in the Emperor’s quarters, attending to him closely, apart from the Black Shadow, were these Imperial Physicians.

He scrutinized Zheng Xu for a moment, then lay back down.

"Get out, and let the three Princes come in."

After Zheng Xu left the sleeping quarters, he saluted the Princes.

"How is Father’s health today?"

It was the Fifth Prince, Ying Yin, who asked.

Zheng Xu responded respectfully, his gaze a bit evasive, not forgetting Wei Zhao’s instructions, stealing a look at Ying Zhi before quietly departing.

His discreetness and hesitance were noticed by the Black Shadow hidden in the darkness.

As the three Princes entered the hall, he informed Emperor Ying first.

"Your Majesty, Zheng Xu with regard to the Second Prince..."

After speaking, he added.

"Previously, Daoist Bao Pu showed great warmth towards the Fifth Prince when meeting the three Princes."

Why such warmth?

Dragon Energy?

Emperor Ying’s breathing grew heavy.

Not one of them gave him peace of mind.

"Father."

The three approached.

Emperor Ying remained silent.

"Number Four."

Ying Cheng was called.

"Go pour me a cup of water."

Ying Cheng went, pouring water and bringing it to the Dragon Couch, but as he got closer, the putrid odor mixed with ambergris from the curtains resembled the scent of an opened coffin.

Ying Cheng bowed his head, trying his best to ignore it.

Emperor Ying’s head throbbed, tapping the side of the Dragon Couch.

"Sit and feed me."

Note that Ying Zhi and Ying Yin had to kneel when feeding water.

This was the utmost grace.

These days, Emperor Ying was nurturing Ying Cheng’s ambition.

Ying Zhi kept his head down, hiding his displeasure.

Ying Yin’s face, however, was expressionless.

Emperor Ying cared little for what they thought: "Have you found anything out?"

One person reporting would suffice, respecting the elder. Ying Yin looked at Ying Zhi.

Ying Zhi stepped forward: "Yes."

"Once we got the news, the three of us brothers did not spread it but hurried to request an audience with Father."

The five fingers clenched suddenly around the yellow silk quilt, intertwining like gnarled branches, tightly twisting the quilt.

The murderous intent in Emperor Ying’s eyes could not be concealed.

"Who!"

Word by word, Ying Zhi declared: "Yang Changzheng."

Emperor Ying pushed the bowl Ying Cheng held, sending it flying.

Ying Cheng didn’t really want to feed him anyway.

Thus, without holding it steady, the bowl crashed to the floor.

With a clatter, the bowl shattered into several pieces.

Terrified, Ying Cheng backed away a few steps, away from the toxic air, kneeling to the ground.

"This son is guilty."

Ying Yin: ...

Ying Zhi: ...

Emperor Ying: ...Useless.

Emperor Ying didn’t want to look at this disappointing son.

His vision darkened, taking a deep breath to quell his anger.

"Is the evidence... conclusive?"