Empress Qiaomei falls deathly ill.
Her symptoms are striking and unusual to say the least. It doesn't take long for the imperial physicians to discover the odd substance that floats in her tea; a strange red fluid that only separates from liquids after it's cooled.
An investigation is called. Li Kang, who's received the name Li Kaihuang amid the ensuing chaos is at his wit's end. Not privy to his mother's insanity, the panicked young prince, fresh into adulthood, rouses a scene at the courts, undermining anyone that might challenge him, accusing them of conspiracies left and right.
And perhaps this young prince might have been the laughing stock in normal circumstances, if only several servants hadn't been found, seemingly in complete coincidence with the same poison that had Empress Qiaomei bedridden!
Two servants. And who did these servants belong to? It was none other than the renowned General Gao Silian.
