Chapter 64: Volume 1, Chapter 64: You Cannot Judge a Person by Appearance

Rong Luoge had indeed been feigning unconsciousness, but she quickly felt dizzy and genuinely passed out—the blade was poisoned. This was Rong Luoge's last thought before losing consciousness.

"Eldest Brother, what is going on?" Han Yifeng asked with a dark expression, his eyes fixed intently on Rong Luoge.

Rong Luoge's martial skills were quite formidable—who would have thought she would appear here and even save the Crown Prince? Moreover, Prince Qi himself knew very well that the assassin's blade was poisoned.

So now Rong Luoge's unconsciousness was real, but precisely because it was real, he was all the more furious.

Did Rong Luoge absolutely have to oppose him at every turn?

Han Xinglan's face was pale, and he stumbled in his steps, looking as though he could barely hold onto Rong Luoge. With great effort he laid her on the bed inside, then said with a white face, "I was pursued by assassins to this place, and I never expected to be saved by Miss Rong. Third Brother, go see why the Imperial Physician still hasn't arrived. Miss Rong is my savior—nothing must happen to her."

The Prince of Shou saw that Prince Qi's face looked deathly ugly and immediately said, "Eldest Brother, I'll go take a look."

He figured he'd better oil his heels and slip away first—you can only watch the spectacle if you're still alive.

The Prince of Liang regretted being a step too slow and had no choice but to stand to one side with a worried expression, trying his best to minimize his presence. He never should have let Prince Qi bring him along to watch the excitement.

This young lady was truly bold—to actually dare save someone at knifepoint. An ordinary woman would likely have been scared to death at the sight of such a scene.

But come to think of it, of course—this was the person who dared to request a divorce before His Majesty in front of everyone. How could someone like that have a small heart?

It was just... this karma was truly wondrous.

Given the current situation, he couldn't help feeling it would be hard to resolve. The Crown Prince had burst into Miss Rong's room while fleeing for his life, causing her to be injured—and then Miss Rong had saved Eldest Brother's life. The two of them had already been holding each other... what was to be done?

The Prince of Liang clicked his tongue twice in his mind. My, my—Rong Luoge's fate really was terrible. She had just climbed out of the pit that was Prince Qi, only to step straight into the deep abyss of the Dong Gong.

Truly enough to make onlookers weep and hearers grieve—her fate was far too rough.

The Prince of Liang grumbled endlessly in his heart, but not a trace of it showed on his face; he maintained his look of worry and gravity.

Prince Qi took a deep breath, then another, but that fury still could not be suppressed.

Damn it!

How could things have ended up like this? Wasn't this practically volunteering to cuckold himself—and he had handed the Crown Prince this opportunity?

Anyone else would have been fine—why did it have to be the Crown Prince?

Even if the Crown Prince merely wanted to sicken him, he probably wouldn't let Rong Luoge go easily.

Prince Qi's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. Just as he was about to lose his composure and erupt, the Imperial Physician arrived!

The Imperial Physician was drenched in sweat. Seeing that all the lords were present, his legs went weak as he walked. Looking at the unconscious woman, he hurried over and, head bowed, took her pulse.

The Imperial Physician's expression shifted slightly. Looking at the Crown Prince, he said, "Your Highness, the wound is poisoned."

Han Xinglan's face stiffened. "What did you say? Poisoned?"

Prince Qi clenched his hands tightly. Looking at Rong Luoge lying unconscious, part of him hoped she would never wake again—then all his troubles would be gone.

But for some reason, the moment this thought arose, he felt somewhat uncomfortable.

The Imperial Physician nodded gravely. "I shall first prepare a detoxifying medicinal decoction, but the nature of this poison is somewhat unusual. I fear it cannot be fully neutralized—only temporarily suppress the toxicity and sustain her life."

Han Xinglan never expected things to develop this way. With a dark expression, he said, "Write the prescription." Then he looked at Shi An. "Pass my order: dispatch someone immediately to return to the city and report to Father Emperor, requesting that His Majesty send the Director of the Imperial Medical Academy." After speaking, he looked at the Imperial Physician again. "List whatever medicinal ingredients you need."

The Imperial Physician hastily agreed. Having the Director come would naturally be even better—his medical skills surpassed his own, giving greater confidence in saving her.

An assassination attempt on the Crown Prince was no small matter. Even though His Majesty had always favored Prince Qi, at this moment, everyone at the relay station felt their heads were no longer secure atop their necks, each one cowering like a quail.

Shi An left Yuan Bao behind and personally led the Dong Gong guards to keep watch over the dozen or so captured assassins—not a single one of them could be allowed to go wrong.

The relay station's conditions were crude and unsuitable for further medical treatment. Han Xinglan immediately decided to return to the Dong Gong.

Han Yifeng's brow twitched. With a dark face, he said, "Eldest Brother, perhaps we should wait a little longer. Father Emperor's edict will surely arrive soon."

If the Crown Prince left, he would certainly take Rong Luoge with him—how could that be allowed?

He knew his good eldest brother's temperament well. Once Rong Luoge entered the Dong Gong, getting her back out would be harder than reaching the sky.

Han Xinglan frowned and looked at Prince Qi, speaking with a grave expression. "Third Brother, I know you dislike Rong Luoge, but the two of you have already divorced and have nothing to do with each other anymore. Why must you obstruct the timing of her rescue? If Rong Luoge hadn't taken a blade for me today, it would be me lying there, life or death unknown. For the grace of saving my life, I will not let you have your way. Step aside!"

What?

Han Yifeng never expected the Crown Prince to turn around and pin a charge of plotting against his ex-wife on him. He trembled with rage and said angrily, "Eldest Brother, Rong Luoge cannot go back to the Dong Gong with you. Given her status..."

"What status? Third Brother, I don't care about the grievances between you and Rong Luoge, but she is my savior now, and I will not let you act recklessly." Han Xinglan said angrily, looking at Yuan Bao. "Prepare the carriage—we return to the palace."

"Yes," Yuan Bao answered loudly and immediately turned to pass the order.

Han Yifeng clenched both fists. Though he had clashed with the Crown Prince many times in secret, on the surface the man was the Crown Prince, the heir apparent, his eldest brother—and as a younger brother, he had to bow his head.

The Dong Gong's people arrived quickly, along with two maids and several rough-working women who helped carry Rong Luoge onto the carriage. Han Xinglan led his people and departed grandly; Han Yifeng, seething with anger, followed right on their heels.

He couldn't give up—he still had to go speak to Father Emperor and see if there was any room for maneuver.

In short, he could not let Han Xinglan keep Rong Luoge in the Dong Gong.

The Prince of Shou and the Prince of Liang, left behind, looked at each other in dismay—what were they to do?

The Prince of Shou had always preferred to enjoy himself and rarely got involved in such matters. If truth be told, his relationship with the Crown Prince was slightly better than with Prince Qi. He paused, then looked at the Prince of Liang. "Fourth Brother, let us return as well. I fear today's matter won't be easily settled—we need to think about how to respond when we get back."

Hearing the Prince of Shou subtly probing his stance, the Prince of Liang smiled and said, "What is there to think about? Naturally, we simply report whatever we saw."

Remaining impartial was the only way to stay alive.

The Prince of Shou agreed wholeheartedly, and the two formed an alliance.

The Prince of Liang recalled that his Princess Consort had once mentioned Rong Luoge to him. Truth be told, he had no real impression of this Princess Consort Qi—his deepest memory was only from the time she had asked His Majesty to preside over her divorce.

Who would have thought that the next time he saw her would be in such a dramatic scene—truly, you cannot judge a person by appearance.

It was just unclear whether the Rong family daughter saving the Crown Prince was an accident or a deliberate scheme.