Even the crown prince is getting a marriage of convenience? Why are you in such a hurry to stop bein

That makes it difficult to refuse.

Princess Yuhua really didn't know how to turn the imperial physician away.

Sixteen, however, spoke calmly and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but we don't need the imperial physicians. The family physicians are already treating the young master."

Physician Zhao had also witnessed Elder He's skills and echoed, "This Elder He from the Prince's residence is indeed more skilled in medicine than I am."

"Since Elder He is personally treating the Crown Prince, I will not presume to teach him anything more." Physician Zhao was having second thoughts and wanted to return to the Imperial Hospital.

De Shun stopped Physician Zhao, and only Xiao Lie was unharmed, thus sparing the Third Prince from physical pain.

Now, with both witnesses and physical evidence in hand, the Third Prince has been imprisoned in the Imperial Prison.

As long as Xiao Lie is alright, the Third Prince will be released after being imprisoned for a while.

Conversely, they would have to suffer torture.

"Imperial Physician Zhao, His Majesty has summoned you. Regardless of the true state of the Crown Prince's health, you must be examined."

"We can't have come all this way for nothing."

De Shun's words were essentially the emperor's decree.

No one dared to disobey the imperial decree.

Jiang Yueyao and Sixteen had no choice but to let the person in.

Fortunately, Old Master He arrived in a hurry and specially ordered someone to lower the curtain.

"Imperial Physician Zhao, this is truly a last resort. The young master has suffered a relapse of an old illness, which has weakened his body, and he cannot have any contact with outsiders."

"Otherwise, no matter how advanced my medical knowledge is, it won't be enough to prolong the prince's life."

Physician Zhao did not question whether Old He's words were false, but nodded and then used a red thread to take the prince's pulse through the curtain.

Since entering, De Shun had been trying to see clearly through the curtain.

Behind the curtain, only a blurry shadow could be seen rising high beneath the brocade quilt.

Even the faces of the people cannot be seen.

Old Master He slightly lifted the curtain and went inside, tying the red thread to the "Prince's" wrist, and then pulling the other end into Physician Zhao's hand.

"This..." The pulse was weak and feeble; Imperial Physician Zhao's face was filled with alarm. "How could the young master be even more seriously ill than last time?"

"Is it really possible to save him?"

Old Master He sighed deeply, "For now, he's still clinging to life. As for whether the young master can be saved, that depends on fate."

Physician Zhao quickly stood up, his face grave, and said, "Old He is truly skilled. If it were me, I'm afraid the young master wouldn't even last these few days."

Old Master He hurriedly led Physician Zhao and Deshun outside, saying, "There is really no one left in the house. If you stay any longer, the young master's life may be in danger."

Before De Shun arrived, the emperor had also harbored suspicions. Xiao Lie's decision to close his doors to guests might have been suspicious.

But even if you were to find a substitute, you couldn't possibly find someone who was about to die.

It seems that Xiao Lie is really dying this time.

You must go to the palace as soon as possible to report this.

After seeing them off, Princess Yuhua hurriedly ordered Sixteen to send people to close the gate tightly.

She slumped onto the stone bench in the courtyard, her hands trembling uncontrollably with panic.

They almost gave themselves away.

Old He was also sweating profusely. "Thank goodness, we've gotten through another close call."

"Judging by the time, the young master should be back in three more days." Sixteen looked troubled. "Hopefully, we can hold on for another three days."

Meanwhile, De Shun brought the news back to the palace.

The emperor was stunned for a long time, never expecting that Xiao Lie was really dying.

He couldn't help but curse, "The Third Prince is utterly hopeless. I used to think he was capable of handling things calmly and with brilliant ideas, and that I could pass the throne to him."

"I gave him so many chances, yet he repeatedly stumbled on Xiao Lie's head."

"De Shun, tell me, among my sons, who is fit to be the crown prince?"

De Shun turned pale with fright and immediately knelt on the ground.

This is not something he can presume to discuss. "Your Majesty, please don't make things difficult for this old servant."

The emperor glanced at him intently and ordered him to immediately summon all his trusted ministers to the palace.

They needed to discuss contingency plans, in case something really happened to Xiao Lie and Xiao Tianze attacked with his men.

"Go and summon the head guard." The emperor already had a contingency plan in mind; he would send his own secret guards to secretly surround the Duke's mansion.

That night, Sixteen first noticed the unusual activity outside the Duke's mansion.

He also secretly deployed some people to disrupt those people.

But the truth will eventually come out, and they probably won't be able to keep it a secret any longer.

He sighed and went inside, intending to stay and watch over the place.

Upon entering, he was startled by a dark shadow.

Unable to contain herself, Sixteen cried out in surprise.

Xiao Lie covered his mouth in an annoyed tone, "What are you yelling about? It's your young master who's back."

Sixteen was overjoyed and hugged Xiao Lie tightly. "Your Highness, you're finally back! You have no idea how many people have come to find out what's going on these past few days."

"We stopped wave after wave."

He said with a solemn expression, "Our mansion is surrounded by people. According to reliable sources, they should be sent by the Emperor."

Xiao Lie understood perfectly; the emperor was afraid he was really dead and wanted to keep the news of his death from his grandfather for the time being.

"The Emperor both wants me dead and fears my death."

"He wants to use my death to force my grandfather to commit a crime while he is ill, so that he can cure my grandfather."

"I'm also afraid that his bunch of useless men can't beat my grandfather, and in the end they won't even be able to keep the throne."

Xiao Lie walked to the table, first taking a sip of tea to moisten his throat. He had been traveling day and night and hadn't even had time to drink water.

We're all so thirsty right now.

"Your Highness, what should we do?" Now that everyone is back, there's no need to pretend to be sick anymore.

After a moment's thought, Xiao Lie decided that he would be fully awake by tomorrow.

Recently, only Princess Yuhua has been allowed to enter and leave his courtyard.

Then let's invite Jiang Yueyao over to chat with him in the house.

Sixteen received the order and went to deliver the message.

The next day at noon, Xiao Lie had a good sleep, and when he opened his eyes, he heard a commotion outside the door.

Jiang Yueyao arrived, but Lin Wan'er also insisted on coming in to visit her.

Xiao Lie feigned a cough and weakly called out to the outside, "Don't let that bitch in. She almost drove me crazy by cheating on me with someone outside, and now she's coming right up to me. What kind of nonsense is this?"

"Do you really want to drive me to my death before you're satisfied?"

Sixteen picked up a broom and swung it at Lin Wan'er, "Get out of here, get out of here! The young master has been awake for a long time, don't come here to bring bad luck."

Lin Wan'er blushed and said guiltily, "I came to see the young master with good intentions."

"Your Highness, I can explain to you clearly what happened at the pavilion in the middle of the lake that day."

Instead of hearing Xiao Lie's voice from inside, all that could be heard was a violent coughing fit.

Jiang Yueyao knew it was time for her to step in. "Lin Wan'er, are you done yet? Get out of here! Young Master Xiao doesn't want to see you, you harbinger of doom."

Lin Wan'er stumbled and fell to the ground after being pushed by her.