My father ordered me to kill the emperor, but His Majesty bestowed a princess upon me instead.

The act of entering the palace to express gratitude sounds like a joyous occasion.

Newlyweds, dressed in formal attire, enter the palace to pay homage to the emperor and empress dowager, receive a few auspicious words, and are then given gifts.

When outsiders hear this, they'll definitely think I'm living a very prestigious life as the prince consort.

But as I stood in front of the princess's mansion, looking at the crimson robe sent by the Imperial Wardrobe, I felt as if I were going to the execution ground in my burial clothes.

It was custom-made in the palace.

Ah Liu held the clothes, his face scrunched up like a steamed bun scalded by hot water.

"Young master, would you like me to dress you?"

I glanced at him.

"Will you go to the palace to express my gratitude on my behalf?"

Ah Liu thought about it seriously for a moment, then stuffed the clothes into my arms again.

"My life is too fragile to bear such a blessing."

Yan Xiaoyi leaned against a pillar and yawned.

"He wasn't unlucky, he was cowardly."

Ah Liu retorted, "Guard Yan is so bold, why aren't you wearing any?"

Yan Xiaoyi said lazily, "I don't look like a prince consort in this outfit."

"Like what?"

"Like they've come to steal a bride."

I can't be bothered with them.

Qiu Tang had already sewed the cuffs that she had taken apart last night back together, the stitches were so fine that there was no trace of them being touched. The "Wind Shelter Ritual" that had been hidden in the sleeve was also put back exactly as it was.

When Xiao Lingyi came out from the inner room, she had already changed into her princess court dress.

She was dressed very formally today.

They were so upright that it didn't look like they were expressing gratitude, but rather like they were going to conduct a trial.

She glanced at me: "Nervous?"

I said, "I am not nervous."

Ah Liu whispered from the side, "Young Master counted the antidote pills three times last night."

I looked at him.

He immediately lowered his head.

"Counting while sleepwalking."

Xiao Lingyi didn't laugh, but walked up to me and straightened my collar.

Her movements were very light; when her fingertips touched her collar, I could smell a faint, cool fragrance from her sleeves.

It's not the kind of benzoin used by the Imperial Clothing Bureau.

The fragrance emanating from her was faint, like snow falling on old plum branches.

"Remember," she whispered, "Don't drink the tea, don't touch the medicine, and don't stay in the side hall for long."

I nodded.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I value my life."

She looked up at me.

"Every time you say this, something bad is bound to happen."

I thought about it and realized she was right.

So I changed my answer to: "I will cherish my life as much as possible."

Xiao Lingyi's expression grew even colder.

"Shen An".

"Your subject is here."

"If you die in the palace, I will carry your body into the Golden Hall."

Ah Liu almost burst into tears upon hearing this.

"Your Highness, this doesn't sound like a blessing."

Xiao Lingyi said calmly, "As long as he can understand it, that's fine."

I did understand.

She wasn't trying to scare me.

She was telling me that even if I die, I shouldn't die in vain.

well.

If the husband and wife are of one mind, the profit will be cut off.

The idea of ​​"working together" is somewhat like discussing funeral arrangements in advance.

Bai Zhi delivered several sheets of paper before the carriage left the mansion.

She hadn't slept all night, her eyes were a little dark, and she was still clutching half an abacus bead in her hand, as if she wanted to whack someone's head a couple of times.

"Found it."

I took the paper.

The first document is the medical retirement pension record of Aunt Sun from the Shangyi Bureau.

Aunt Sun resigned three years ago due to an eye ailment and was entitled to receive half a month's salary as per regulations. However, since her resignation, she has never missed a single day receiving her salary.

The second document is the handprint of the person receiving the money.

Over three years, the hand seal was changed seven times.

There are two instances where the handwriting resembles that of Han Shangfu, three instances where it appears to be a signature by a minor official from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau, and two instances where only the seal of the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau is affixed.

Bai Zhi sneered: "An old palace maid who has retired due to illness is making a scene more lively than the fake disaster victims from the Ministry of Revenue."

I'm looking at the third one.

The Changning side hall has been using lamp oil, charcoal, tea, and incense for the past three months.

The amount of lamp oil is three times more than in the same period of previous years.

The spices were twice as much.

There wasn't much tea, but I had four extra doses of calming herbal tea.

The most ingenious part is that these entries don't go through the Imperial Food Bureau, but are instead attributed to the Imperial Clothing Bureau's "Adjusting Crowns and Avoiding the Wind" department.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"The Imperial Wardrobe manages clothes, but also tea?"

Bai Zhi said, "As long as the account is written, the Imperial Wardrobe can still manage the reincarnation."

Ah Liu shuddered slightly: "Miss Bai, let's not talk about this today."

Bai Zhi handed me the paper.

"The Changning Side Hall was not set up temporarily. They prepared for it for at least a month."

One month.

At that time, Xiao Lingyi and I were not yet married.

In other words, this arrangement of "newlyweds expressing gratitude while ill" was not something that was conceived just yesterday.

From the moment the emperor announced the wedding date would be moved up, or even earlier, they were already preparing to portray me as a patient.

I folded the paper and tucked it away close to my body.

When the imperial carriage entered the palace, it was just dawn.

The stone lions in front of the palace gate were shrouded in the morning mist, resembling two old beasts crouching in the fog. The palace walls were ridiculously high, cutting the sky into a narrow strip.

Every time I enter the palace, I have a strange feeling.

It's as if once someone enters, their life is no longer their own.

The last time I entered the palace, it was because the emperor called my name during the court session.

I was summoned to the palace this time because I was specifically requested by the sick.

The treatment is different, but the danger is about the same.

As soon as the carriage passed the first palace gate, the people from the Imperial Wardrobe came to greet it.

The leader was a female official who was around forty years old.

She wore a blue official robe, her hair was neatly combed, and her face was expressionless. She was neither cold nor hot, like a piece of silk that had been ironed flat.

I guessed it without anyone telling me.

Qin Shangyi.

She bowed to Xiao Lingyi: "This servant, Qin, greets Your Highness Zhaoning and Lord Shen."

She didn't call me Prince Consort.

Call him Lord Shen.

well.

This means she knew that today was not a joyous occasion, but rather official business.

Xiao Lingyi looked at her: "Xie Enyi Cheng, you just sent it last night?"

Qin Shangyi lowered her eyes: "Lord Shen has been overworked lately, and the Imperial Hospital has suggested that he seek refuge there. This servant dares not delay, and can only change my plans tonight."

That's a beautiful statement.

The fault does not lie with her.

At the Imperial Medical Academy.

I asked, "Has Dr. Liu received his verdict?"

Qin Shangyi looked at me.

"Physician Liu's old ailment flared up this morning, and Physician Huang will temporarily take over his care."

I'm sick again.

In the capital, officials were claiming illness faster than the disaster relief funds were being withdrawn.

I laughed and said, "It's quite a coincidence that Dr. Liu fell ill."

Qin Shangyi remained expressionless.

"In the palace, life and death are not determined by trickery, but by rules."

I nodded.

"Qin Shangyi is right."

Ah Liu kept his head down behind him.

I know what he wants to say.

Young master, the rules are here, you'd better run!

Unfortunately, I can't run.

Qin Shangyi stepped aside to make way for him: "The Empress Dowager is already waiting for Your Highness at Shou Kang Palace. Lord Shen, according to the proper etiquette for avoiding the wind, will first go to the Changning Side Hall to have his pulse checked and drink calming tea. After adjusting his hat and belt, he will then enter the hall to express his gratitude."

Xiao Lingyi said calmly, "Since I have entered the palace with the Prince Consort, I should go together to express my gratitude."

Qin Shangyi lowered her head: "Your Highness, there is an orderly system for expressing gratitude in the palace. Lord Shen's condition is still unclear, and it would be even more inappropriate for him to behave improperly in front of the Empress Dowager."

That sounds like you're thinking of me.

But every word seemed to be pulling me away from Xiao Lingyi.

Just as Xiao Lingyi was about to speak, I laughed first.

"Your Highness, I will go."

She looked at me.

His eyes were cold.

I said in a low voice, "Their doors are already open. If I don't go in, wouldn't I be letting down Lady Qin's hard work?"

Qin Shangyi glanced at me for a moment.

His gaze was quick, yet indifferent.

Like a needle gliding across the fabric.

Xiao Lingyi remained silent for a moment before finally saying, "Qiutang, come with me to Shou Kang Palace."

Qiu Tang responded softly.

As she passed by me, she slipped a tiny silver needle into my sleeve.

My heart warmed.

The people in the princess's residence also expressed their concern in a very practical way.

Someone gave me a peace charm.

They sent the poison needles for testing.

I followed Qin Shangyi toward the Changning side hall.

Yan Xiaoyi wanted to follow, but was stopped by two eunuchs.

Qin Shangyi said gently, "It is inconvenient for guards to enter the side hall for pulse diagnosis."

Yan Xiaoyi lifted his eyelids slightly.

"I don't see doctors."

"That's how the palace rules are."

Yan Xiaoyi looked at me.

I waved my hand.

"Guard Yan is waiting outside."

Ah Liu grew anxious: "Young master, what about me?"

Qin Shangyi said, "It is not convenient for servants to enter."

Ah Liu's face turned pale.

"Young master..."

I said, "You stay outside and keep watch."

He gritted his teeth and nodded.

"The junior guards."

He spoke softly, but with a more composed tone than before.

Perhaps being scared too much won't make a person braver, but it will make their legs weak a little later.

The Changning Side Hall is located to the side and behind the Shou Kang Palace.

I've never been here before.

Two old cypress trees stood before the palace gate, their branches drooping low. Morning mist clung to their trunks, making them look as damp as old mourning cloth.

Qin Shangyi stopped at the door: "Lord Shen, please."

I looked up at the name of the hall.

Changning.

That's a great name.

The more a place in the capital is called Changning, the less peaceful it is.

I stepped through the palace gate.

The hall was indeed very dark.

The windowpanes were partially obscured by a half-drawn gauze curtain, and only two lamps were lit, their flames pitifully small. An incense burner sat behind a screen, its fragrance faint yet lingering.

Seek shelter from the wind.

Silence.

Dim lights.

The six characters on the old prescription came together at this moment.

Huang Yicheng was already seated behind the side table.

He was about thirty years old, with a pale face. When he saw me come in, he quickly stood up and bowed.

"Your humble servant Huang Shen greets Lord Shen."

Shin.

I glanced at his name.

There are quite a few people named Shen in the capital.

There aren't many people who are truly cautious in their actions.

I sat down.

Physician Huang extended his hand: "Please take my pulse, sir."

I put my hand over.

He placed two fingers on top of me; his fingertips were a little cool.

After examining him for a moment, he said in a low voice, "Lord Shen's pulse is rapid and shallow, indicating that he is indeed in shock."

I laughed and said, "Physician Huang, you're already alarmed before I've even spoken?"

His fingers froze.

Standing beside him, Qin Shangyi said gently, "Lord Shen has been investigating cases for days, and with his recent marriage, it's normal for him to be restless. The Imperial Hospital has prescribed calming tea; after you drink it, you can express your gratitude and you'll be fine."

A palace maid brought over a teacup.

The tea soup is clear and bright, with a very faint aroma.

I looked down at it.

This doesn't look like poison.

If all poisons looked like poison, the capital would have been peaceful long ago.

I reached out and took the teacup.

Qin Shangyi looked at me.

Huang Yicheng was also looking at me.

The two palace maids in the hall had their heads down, but their shoulders were very tense.

I brought the teacup to my lips.

Then my hand trembled.

The teacup tipped over.

Tea spilled onto my sleeve and trickled down my red dress.

If Ah Liu were here, he would probably have already shouted it out.

I just hissed softly.

"The fabric of this dress is so smooth."

Qin Shangyi finally frowned.

It's very light.

But I saw it.

Physician Huang hurriedly asked, "Sir, are you burned?"

"no."

I lifted my sleeve and watched the tea soak through the gold thread.

The small patch of fabric inside the cuff gradually darkens.

What's even more alarming is that a familiar fragrance faintly emanates from the places where the tea has flowed.

Albizia julibrissin.

I looked down, smelled it, and smiled.

"Imperial Physician Huang, is this tea also used to treat palpitations?"

Physician Huang's face paled slightly: "That's right."

"The dosage is quite sufficient."

Qin Shangyi said, "How can Lord Shen know the dosage if he hasn't even taken a sip?"

I looked up at her.

"Because I value my life, my nose is still healthy."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Just then, a cry of surprise came from outside.

That's not Ah Liu's voice.

She was a palace maid.

Immediately afterwards, the footsteps became disordered.

Someone shouted from outside the palace: "Consort Qin, something terrible has happened!"

Qin Shangyi frowned: "What kind of decorum is this, with all this commotion in the palace?"

The palace maid knelt down outside the door with a thud, her voice trembling violently.

"Han Shangfu...Han Shangfu is dead!"

Huang Yicheng suddenly stood up.

Qin Shangyi's face finally changed.

I looked down at my sleeves, which were soaked with tea, and then looked out of the hall.

Lan Bugui said that someone in the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau would die.

He died as expected.

But this person died at the perfect moment.

It was as accurate as if it had been written in the procedure beforehand.

I put down my teacup and said softly, "Qin Shangyi."

She turned to look at me.

I smiled.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who's sick today."