In another part of the kingdom, Xiang Ren gritted his teeth and threw a glass on the floor, shattering it into tiny pieces.
"How? How can this be?! He was supposed to die in a couple of days, and I was supposed to ascend the throne when he dies. How could such a doctor come here in this kingdom?" he clenched his fist. He could never understand how such despicable people received such luck.
As he pondered, an idea sparked in his mind.
"Could it be? Did the Crown Prince find out about me? Impossible! No. I have always made sure to not leave any clues behind. I have killed everyone involved with his predicament and even regarding the Empress' death."
"I must have missed something." But no matter how he thought about it, he could never pinpoint the mistakes he made. He was in denial; he always planned and acted perfectly.
"What could it be? Is someone backing up the Crown Prince? Is it that doctor? Or someone else? I don't think my brother can do this. He always doted on me." A headache began to build, and he slammed his fist on the table.
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Yi Ling was enjoying her tea in the Crown Prince's garden. In front of her, the Crown Prince was dressed regally, and Elder Zhen stood by his side. Behind Yi Ling stood Linyu and the Viridis.
"Do you think he'll show up?" Xiang He couldn't help but ask. He was nervous, and his blood was boiling. He had been waiting for this day for so long.
"Anytime soon, the emperor will arrive. Surely, Xiang Ren wouldn't miss it," Elder Zhen replied. They had already sent a message to the Imperial Palace about the Crown Prince.
Yi Ling smirked behind her mask. The rat was about to be lured out of his hole. Suddenly, a servant came running towards the garden.
"Your highness! The Emperor has arrived!" the servant panted, having run as fast as he could to deliver the news.
"You may go." Elder Zhen nodded towards the servant and waved him away.
"It's showtime," Yi Ling spoke softly.
Xiang He clenched his fist. He didn't hate his father, but he had lost respect for him over time. Instead of finding a cure for him, his father had followed the ministers' suggestions. Instead of finding the truth about what happened to him, his father did his best to replace him. This, he could never forgive.
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A middle-aged man dressed in a red Imperial robe came walking towards the garden. When he arrived, only Elder Zhen bowed to him. He saw three young men in masks along with his son. They must be the people from the high-ranked kingdom, he thought.
"Father, you're here," Xiang He greeted the Emperor but didn't stand up.
The Emperor looked at his son. His son's face wasn't pale anymore, nor was his body as thin. The last time he saw him was two weeks ago. At that time, he thought his son was about to die. He had even begun to arrange his funeral. He pursed his lips.
"What's the meaning of this? I heard that you were healed? Is this true, Xiang He?" If this was true, his problems would be solved. He would have a heir again to ascend his throne.
Xiang He didn't reply and stood up instead.
"This... " The Emperor was speechless. The son he thought was dying was now brimming with life. He couldn't help but take a step back.
"How did this happen? Are the rumors true? I heard on my way over that a doctor from a high-ranked kingdom helped you." The Emperor was excited! This would be a big help to the kingdom. He couldn't help but show it on his face. Yi Ling, on the other hand, was observing everything.