Chapter 115
After finishing the medicinal meal at Gu Rushuang's palace and returning to the Prince of Dingbei's mansion, it was already xushi (7-9 PM) in the evening.
Wei Rong, who had been waiting for most of the day in the main hall that Li Jin was certain to pass through, saw him return and began to speak with a sarcastic, mocking tone, "Heir Li has finally deigned to return."
"Greetings, Grandmother."
Li Jin saluted Wei Rong neither submissively nor arrogantly.
"Oh, so now you remember to show respect to this old woman who is your grandmother." Li Jin's persistently calm and unhurried attitude immediately made Wei Rong, who had been stewing in anger all day, even more furious. "But do you have any idea how long this old woman has been waiting for you here? You're not even the Prince of Dingbei yet and this is how you behave, making this old woman wait for so long. If you truly were to become the Prince of Dingbei, this old woman fears she might be tormented to death by you."
Wei Rong's every word was a vicious stab, directly painting Li Jin as a malicious and wicked person, utterly unworthy of the title of heir, let alone of becoming the Prince of Dingbei. Moreover, Wei Rong did not dismiss the mansion's servants when she spoke these words, clearly intending for the matter to spread outside.
His Highness clearly doesn't mean that at all, how can the Dowager Lady say such things about him?
Ping'an was furious but dared not speak, only clenching his fists to suppress the rage that was about to burst forth.
Li Jin smiled slightly, "Grandmother worries too much. Upon arriving in the capital, your grandson immediately received His Majesty's command to first report on the crucial matters of the Zhuzhou mission, which delayed me until now."
Fully aware of the truth, Wei Rong persisted relentlessly, "Hmph, fine words indeed. With your condition, what important task could His Majesty possibly assign to you?"
Li Jin shook his head, "It concerns state secrets. Your grandson begs forgiveness but cannot speak of it."
"I demand that you tell me." Wei Rong pointed at Li Jin, saying through gritted teeth, "This old woman refuses to believe His Majesty would assign you anything important. You are clearly just making excuses."
Faced with Wei Rong's repeated provocations, Li Jin's expression remained unchanged from the start. "If Grandmother insists on knowing, then your grandson will immediately enter the palace to report to His Majesty. If His Majesty agrees, your grandson will naturally inform Grandmother in full detail."
"Li Jin, are you threatening this old woman?"
Bang!
Unable to contain her anger, Wei Rong slammed her hand heavily on the table beside her.
Li Jin met Wei Rong's gaze and replied calmly, "I beg Grandmother's forgiveness. Your grandson cannot, simply because Grandmother wishes him to speak, disregard the future of Da Xia."
Wei Rong suddenly felt as if a bone were stuck in her throat. "You…"
"Mother, why are you still here? Didn't you promise to accompany this consort to visit Shen'er?" Wei Shiwan approached at just the right moment. Pretending to have only just noticed Li Jin, she feigned surprise and said, "Oh, Jin'er, you're here too? Why didn't you inform this consort of your return? Now it's probably too late to prepare a welcome cleansing ceremony for you."
"No matter. I have already dined at His Majesty the Empress's palace, there is no need to trouble the Secondary Consort." Li Jin replied courteously without losing propriety, then took his leave. "Since Grandmother wishes to accompany the Secondary Consort to see younger brother Shen, your grandson will take his leave first."
This time Li Jin did not delay, turning and leaving directly.
Wei Rong said angrily, "Shiwan, look at him, just look at him. This old woman waited here for most of the day, and he just leaves like that?"
Wei Shiwan never missed an opportunity to disparage Li Jin. Pretending to comfort her, she said, "Mother, Jin'er has always been like this. Don't be angry, your health is what matters. Besides, we haven't gone to see Shen'er yet."
"Shen'er is such a pity."
Hearing Wei Shiwan mention Li Yanshen, Wei Rong couldn't help but sigh, her anger gradually subsiding.
Originally, Wei Rong had planned for Li Yanshen to become the Heir to the Prince of Dingbei after Li Jin died of illness. Who could have imagined that Li Yanshen would inexplicably contract a strange illness, his body now even weaker than Li Jin's, possibly succumbing any day if he couldn't hold on.
Wei Shiwan probed tentatively, "Mother, what do you think of Chen'er?"
By mentioning Li Yanchen to Wei Rong at this moment, Wei Shiwan had already resolved to support Li Yanchen.
Of course, Wei Shiwan's decision was a last resort.
Back then, in order to give birth to Li Ruoyan and Li Siyuan, Wei Shiwan's health had been damaged. She could no longer conceive. Therefore, as the second-born child, Li Siyuan naturally became the target of Wei Shiwan's resentment.
Wei Rong thought for a moment before saying, "Chen'er… is actually not bad…"
Having come this far, Wei Shiwan stopped speaking in riddles and got straight to the point. "This consort believes Chen'er can shoulder great responsibility. I wonder if Mother would be willing to have Chen'er become the Heir?"
Wei Rong hadn't expected Wei Shiwan to say this and couldn't help being surprised. "Shiwan, are you serious about this?"
"Yes." Wei Shiwan nodded gravely. "The Prince of Dingbei must have an heir. But now Shen'er's health is likely beyond recovery, and Jin'er's health is also poor. Chen'er is undoubtedly the best choice."
"Chen'er has been raised by your side since childhood. For the Wei family, him becoming the Heir is indeed a favorable choice, but Chen'er's birth mother will be an obstacle." Wei Rong had actually considered this point as well. Therefore, when Wei Shiwan actively broached the subject, Wei Rong did not object but instead raised another concern.
Wei Shiwan immediately leaned closer and whispered into Wei Rong's ear, "Dispose of the mother, keep the son."
"Good, that is an excellent method." Upon hearing this, Wei Rong immediately expressed her satisfaction. "Shiwan, to avoid complications from delay, I entrust this matter to you. You must handle it swiftly, do you understand?"
Wei Shiwan made a slight bow. "Yes, Mother."
...
Upon returning to the courtyard, Ping'an immediately reported the news he had gathered to Li Jin: "Your Highness, on my way back just now, I overheard the servants saying that the Second Young Master has contracted a strange illness and may not have long to live."
Li Jin raised an eyebrow. "A strange illness?"
Before departing, Li Jin had known that Li Yanshen was ill, but he had not expected it to be this severe—sick for a full three years.
"Yes, the Second Young Master's illness is..."
Ping'an hurriedly shared the news he had gathered with Li Jin.
The reason Li Yanshen’s condition was called a “strange illness” was not only because its cause was unknown, but also due to the unusual symptoms it presented.
His illness would flare up once each day. Whenever an episode struck, his complexion would instantly turn pallid, as though he might not last much longer. At the same time, his mind would become confused—to the point where he could no longer recognize even Wei Shiwan—and he would also develop symptoms such as sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and convulsions.
Yet when Li Yanshen was not in the midst of an episode, apart from general physical weakness, he appeared no different from an ordinary person and showed no sign of failing to recognize those around him.
Because of this strange illness, Wei Shiwan went to great lengths, even seeking the head of the Imperial Hospital, Wang Quande, to examine him, but no improvement was seen. She had no choice but to give up on curing it and instead focused on preserving Li Yanshen's life.
After hearing this, Li Jin fell silent for a long while before finally saying, "I understand. Ping'an, you may withdraw for now."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Ping'an assumed Lei Jin was tired, nodded, and withdrew.
Moments later, the spacious room held only Li Jin.
Li Jin walked over to the writing desk, picked up the charcoal pencil he always carried, and began sketching on a sheet of paper on the desk.
This charcoal pencil had been crafted for him by skilled artisans during his time in Zhuzhou. Though not as refined as the charcoal pencils of the modern era, it was more than sufficient for sketching.
After a short while, Li Jin completed the sketch and then suddenly called out, "Yunting."
Upon hearing Li Jin summon him, Zhou Yunting immediately emerged from the shadows, cupping his hands in salute. "Your subordinate is here. What are Your Highness's instructions?"
"You heard what Ping'an said just now. I want you to investigate whether the medicine Li Yanshen takes contains an herb called belladonna," said Li Jin, handing the completed sketch to Zhou Yunting.
The drawing Li Jin gave Zhou Yunting was a sketch of belladonna after it had been dried.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Zhou Yunting took the drawing, glanced at it, then folded it neatly and tucked it into his clothing before taking his leave from Li Jin.
...
Having just suffered an episode not long ago, when Wei Rong and Wei Shiwan arrived, Li Yanshen's complexion remained ghastly pale, and his speech was weak and feeble. "Cough, cough... Grandmother, please forgive your grandson for being unable to rise and pay respects."
"Shen'er, you're already so ill. What need is there for formalities? Lie back down properly and don't catch a chill," Wei Rong said, looking at Li Yanshen with heartache. "And you servants, what are you all standing there for? Can't you see Shen'er is unwell?"
"Yes, yes..."
Scolded by Wei Rong in this manner, already nervous servants attending to Li Yanshen became even more cautious, fearing that Wei Rong might become displeased and have them all sold off.
"Useless."
Wei Rong made no attempt to conceal her disgust toward these servants.
Were it not for fear that new servants would make Li Yanshen uncomfortable, Wei Rong would have long sold off all these useless servants, instead of wasting her breath scolding them like this now.
Li Yanshen managed a frail smile. "Grandmother, please don't be angry. Am I not alright as I am?"
"Alright, alright, Shen'er, don't try to get up. I'll listen to you."
Wei Rong, after all, couldn't bear to be angry with her favorite grandson and relented.
Li Yanshen spoke again, "By the way, Grandmother, how has your health been these days? Some time ago, I heard you had caught a slight chill. Are you completely recovered now?"
Mentioning this reminded Wei Rong of the anger she suffered at Li Jin's hands. "Hmm, much better. But that wretch has returned and nearly angered me to death."
"Wretch?"
Li Yanshen was confused, his mind slow to make the connection.
Wei Shiwan reminded him, "Your third brother."
"Shen'er, he is nothing but a wretch..." Given the chance to speak ill of Li Jin, Wei Rong did not hold back, proceeding to slander Li Jin in every way before Li Yanshen, painting him as a disloyal and unfilial villain.
Li Yanshen lowered his head. "It's all my fault for being unwell; otherwise, I could have gone to Grandmother's side to attend to you during your illness."
"Shen'er, don't say such things. It is all that wretch's fault."
In Wei Rong's mind, Li Yanshen had been thoughtful and well-mannered since he was a child. Thus, hearing him speak with such self-reproach only deepened her contempt for Li Jin.
Just as Li Yanshen, Wei Rong, and the others were exchanging pleasantries, Zhou Yunting silently infiltrated the rear courtyard of Li Yanshen's residence. He found the medicinal dregs that had not yet been disposed of and examined them carefully.
Before long, Zhou Yunting found an herb that closely resembled the belladonna in Li Jin's drawing. He discreetly took it with him.
No comments:
Post a Comment