The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

In the days that followed, a gloomy atmosphere hung over the palace. Baopu began to frequently visit Emperor Yingqian's bedchamber.

The hall was filled with calming incense, mixed with the putrid stench emanating from Emperor Yingqian; the smell was far from pleasant.

Emperor Yingqian was itchy and in pain all over his body and couldn't help but scratch. However, if he scratched too hard, his skin would break and ooze pus. Over time, the wounds showed no signs of healing and became even more red and swollen.

He's going crazy.

The imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy were in despair after the fire at the Hall of Mental Cultivation. They racked their brains and searched through medical books, but they could not find the root cause of Emperor Yingqian's illness. They said with trepidation, "Our medical skills are not good enough."

"Master Baopu".

The elderly imperial physician looked at Baopu: "Didn't you break the witchcraft? You also destroyed the box puppet, so why is His Majesty still not well?"

Bao Pu stood to the side, almost laughing in exasperation.

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

"His Majesty's condition has not worsened, and that is thanks to me. As for treatment, that is your business."

He muttered to himself, "Anyone who didn't know better would think the palace was full of useless people, or that you people were harboring selfish motives and didn't want the Emperor to be well."

The sound was very soft, but the hall was spacious, so it was just the right volume for everyone to hear.

Emperor Yingqian lay weakly on the couch, his hands bulging with veins, refraining from scratching.

The imperial physicians, however, looked terrified.

During this period, the Emperor was unwell and lost his temper several times, resulting in many people being dragged away and beheaded.

They were terrified of being implicated and suffering undeserved misfortune: "We dare not."

They had studied the doll before it was destroyed; the needles on it were poisoned.

They specifically found ten people to be exposed to the toxin, conducted human experiments, and then prescribed antidotes.

Only after the effects were significant and there were no adverse reactions were they administered to the Emperor.

But for some reason, the Emperor's wounds worsened after he ate it.

They had considered it, but there were other poisons they didn't know about.

We've checked everything inside and out. We've also inspected everything His Majesty usually comes into contact with, including his food and belongings, and there's nothing wrong with it.

Baopu stood there, looking at the sorrowful faces of these people.

Peace of mind.

Fortunately, he got on Wei Zhao's pirate ship.

Thinking of that person, Baopu couldn't help but exclaim "Absolutely amazing!"

He felt something was wrong when the Hall of Mental Cultivation caught fire.

The fire was too intense, and the medicinal powder was instantly activated by the heat, causing even the servants inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation to inhale it.

The powder is colorless and odorless; if the person comes into contact with specially made incense within three days, they will be affected.

The risk is too great.

After all, besides Emperor Yingqian, there would be other people who were unwell.

But...no.

Wei Zhao seemed to have predicted it. After Emperor Yingqian's incident, the shadowy figure would take over and take care of him in shifts for several days. Even the servants who had served him before would never be allowed into the inner palace.

Only Emperor Yingqian was infected.

Therefore, no one would have thought that the cause was the fire at the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Even if the imperial physicians had thought of it, the Hall of Mental Cultivation was already in ruins, so where would the evidence be?
And how do we find the right solution?
"Your Majesty."

At that moment, someone strode in, their footsteps light and silent.

"The three princes request an audience."

Emperor Yingqian had long been impatient.

I think all these imperial physicians kneeling on the ground deserve to die!
But his repeated killings were to no avail.

"Go down."

The imperial physicians, as if receiving an imperial edict, wiped the sweat from their faces and scrambled away.

"Zheng Xu, stay."

As Baopu stepped out, he glanced at the most inconspicuous of the imperial physicians. He then subtly withdrew his gaze.

After everyone left, Zheng Xu knelt tremblingly on the spot.

There was dead silence in the hall.

The intermittent panting from inside the curtains was even clearer.

The sickly expression on the dragon bed was unpredictable, and Emperor Yingqian's cold gaze was like a venomous snake as his withered fingers lightly tapped the jade pillow.

Do you think Baopu is reliable?

Zheng Xu was so frightened that he clasped his hands together and pressed them firmly to the ground, leaving two sweaty palm marks on the golden bricks in front of the emperor. He pressed his forehead down, his body forming a strange, submissive arc.

How could he not be afraid?

The incense burning for those three days was done by him.

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

"Your humble servant dares not presume to know."

Emperor Yingqian lifted the curtain, revealing a disheveled man whose slightly cloudy eyes shone with an alarming brightness.

“These past few days I have frequently dreamt of Wei Fengxing.”

"I can't help but think back to the time when I sent you to treat his cold."

Zheng Xu's breathing became slightly labored; he dared not breathe too heavily and tried his best to suppress his fear.

This isn't about treating a cold; it's clearly about getting him to tamper with things.

"His health was getting worse and worse with each treatment."

Emperor Yingqian never uttered the words "harming people".

"He is quite similar to me now."

Zheng Xu swallowed hard: "Your Majesty is the true Son of Heaven, who is ordained by Heaven to rule the four directions. This minor ailment will surely be protected by the Purple Star."

"Although the sacred vein is superficial, it contains vigorous vitality, just like a hidden dragon gathering its strength. It will recover soon. How can that short-lived Duke of Shun compare?"

Emperor Yingqian gave a cold laugh.

Baopu's earlier mention of keeping something private has taken him to heart.

Those who could freely enter and leave the emperor's bedchamber and take care of him personally were either the shadowy figures or the imperial physicians.

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

"Get out of here and let the three princes in."

After leaving his bedchamber, Zheng Xu bowed to the princes.

"How is Father Emperor feeling today?"

The Fifth Prince answered Yin's question.

Zheng Xu responded respectfully, his eyes darting around somewhat, but he didn't forget Wei Zhao's instructions and glanced at Ying Zhi discreetly before leaving.

His composure and hesitation were observed by the shadowy figure in the darkness.

Before the three princes entered the palace, Emperor Yingqian was informed in advance.

"Your Majesty, Zheng Xu has something to say about the Second Prince..."

After finishing, he didn't forget to continue.

"When the Taoist priest Baopu met the three princes, he was very enthusiastic towards the fifth prince."

Why the passion?
Is it dragon energy?
Emperor Yingqian's breathing gradually deepened.

None of them made him worry-free.

"Father."

The three of them came over.

Emperor Ying Qian remained silent.

"Fourth."

He agreed and was stopped.

"Go and pour me a glass of water."

He agreed and went, and was delivered to the emperor's bedside. But as he got closer, the putrid smell in the tent mixed with ambergris, like the smell of a newly opened coffin.

Under pressure, try to ignore it.

Emperor Yingqian had a splitting headache and patted the dragon bed next to him.

"Sit down and feed me."

You should know that Ying Zhi and Ying Yin were kneeling when they were feeding water.

This is already the greatest blessing.

During this period, Emperor Yingqian had been cultivating Yingcheng's ambition.

Ying Zhi lowered his head, concealing his displeasure.

Ying Yin's face was expressionless.

Emperor Yingqian didn't care what they were thinking: "You've found out?"

One person can report; respect should be shown to the elder. Ying Yin looked at Ying Zhi.

Ying Zhi stepped forward: "Yes."

"After receiving the news, the three of us brothers did not make it public, but hurriedly sought an audience with our father."

The five fingers with bulging veins on the bright yellow brocade quilt suddenly clenched together, like gnarled branches twisting and intertwining, tightly gripping the quilt.

Emperor Yingqian could not hide the murderous intent in his eyes.

"who!"

Ying Zhi said, word by word, "Yang Changzheng."

Emperor Ying Qian pushed away the bowl of water that Ying Cheng was holding.

He promised that he didn't want to feed her in the first place.

So he didn't hold it properly and the bowl of water fell to the ground.

With a loud crack, the bowl shattered into several pieces.

He acknowledged the order and took a few steps back in fear, moving away from the poisonous gas, and knelt on the ground.

"Your subject is guilty."

Ying Yin: ...

Ying Zhi: ...

Emperor Yingqian: ...Useless.

Emperor Yingqian did not want to see this good-for-nothing son.

His vision went black for a moment, and he took a deep breath to calm his anger.

"The evidence...is conclusive?" (End of Chapter)