Chapter 198: How Could He Not Know?

That scream yanked the Shunhe Emperor out of his nightmare and back to reality in an instant.

His flailing hands stopped, his body gave a violent shudder, and he opened his eyes.

He met the Empress's gaze head-on.

Seeing he had woken, the Empress hastily lowered her head, clutching her hand—back which was streaming with blood, hissing through the pain, and complained.

"Xiyue Emperor, what are you doing? Why did you suddenly slash this concubine with a dagger out of nowhere?"

The Shunhe Emperor glanced at the bloodstained dagger in his hand.

"Why were you leaning in so close?"

"This concubine was helping Your Majesty with the covers."

"Quick, quick, quick—someone come!"

Hearing the commotion, Shi Gui hurried in with his men.

"Oh! Xiyue Emperor! Imperial Consort (Gongzhu)!"

"Are you two alright?"

At the sight of this swarming crowd, the Shunhe Emperor felt a sudden headache coming on, and he waved them off impatiently.

"Quickly summon the imperial physician to look at the Empress's wound."

"All of you, go out and wait. Let Us have a moment of peace."

"Yes."

Shi Gui was just about to lead the other palace servants out when he heard:

"Little Gui Zi, stay."

After leaving the Emperor's sleeping chambers, looking at the wound on her hand, the Empress's face instantly darkened.

So close—so close—her face had nearly been slashed!

And in the sleeping chambers, the Shunhe Emperor took out a handkerchief and unhurriedly wiped the bloodstained dagger clean.

Thinking of that flash of killing intent in the Empress's eyes the moment he opened his, his expression darkened several shades.

That look—absolutely not the kind an ordinarily ruthless person would have.

It was someone who had seen blood firsthand—no!

More precisely, someone who had personally killed many people, to have such a cold, bloodthirsty gaze!

Yet before entering the palace, the Empress was merely a delicate young lady raised in the inner chambers.

Even after entering the palace, with her honored status and the power she had accumulated over the years—even if she had done some harmful things—she should not have such a terrifying look.

"Where did you go just now? How did the Empress end up alone by Our side?"

Shi Gui lowered his head respectfully and replied.

"It was the Empress Dowager who said she wished to speak with Your Majesty alone. The Imperial Consort (Gongzhu) also said that if she whispered in your ear, you might hear it and wake up sooner."

The more the Shunhe Emperor thought about it, the more something felt off.

He gestured for Shi Gui to lean in close.

"Go find someone to secretly investigate…"

The more he listened, the wider Shi Gui's eyes grew.

No way?

No way?!

Your Majesty actually suspects the Empress Dowager has a problem?!

"This matter must never reach anyone's ears."

"This Servant understands."

Shi Gui accepted the order and withdrew.

Half a shichen later, having finished his errand, he was walking back. He reached out to rub his stomach where he had been kicked earlier, and the moment his hand touched it, he sharply hissed in a breath of cold air.

"Hsss!"

Looks like he needed to hurry to the imperial physician and get two bottles of bruise-dispersing medicinal oil.

Thinking this, he raised his sleeve, wiped the cold sweat of pain from his forehead, took a deep breath, and continued toward the sleeping chambers.

The Emperor couldn't be left unattended—he still had to go back and keep watch.

"Stone Chief Steward, please stay a moment."

Hearing the voice, Shi Gui turned his head and looked back, a smile in his eyes as he regarded the newcomer.

"Ah, Hua Ru."

"Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager has already returned to Fengyi Palace."

Hua Ru stepped forward two paces, watching him with a smiling face.

"I, on the other hand, feel I've come at just the right time."

Saying so, she held up the two medicine bottles in her hand for him to see.

"I heard the Stone Chief Steward was injured at Taiji Hall, and that Your Majesty's side cannot be left unattended. I figured the Stone Chief Steward surely had no time to see the imperial physician, so I went to the Imperial Medical Bureau and got two bottles of bruise-dispersing medicinal oil."

Shi Gui was stunned, his face flushing hot, and he began to stammer.

"Th-this, how could I accept this?"

"How much silver? I'll pay you."

Hua Ru deliberately put on a stern face.

"It's just two bottles of medicinal oil—if the Stone Chief Steward says that, does it mean you look down on me?"

Seeing her angry, Shi Gui grew flustered and began babbling even more incoherently.

"No, I didn't, I absolutely didn't mean that."

If I told anyone, no one would believe it.

On any normal day, Stone Chief Steward could read the Xiyue Emperor's mind — which twisted like a mountain road with a hundred and eighty bends — perfectly, yet now he couldn't tell the other's anger was put on.

Seeing him so anxious his face had flushed bright red, Hua Ru let out a snort of laughter.

"Alright, take it quickly. I still need to get back to attend our Imperial Consort (Gongzhu)."

Saying that, she stuffed the medicine bottle into his hand and turned to leave.

The warmth of her palm still lingered on the bottle; holding it, Shi Gui's face burned even hotter.

He held the medicine bottle, staring at Hua Ru's retreating back and grinning foolishly without stop.

As she walked, Hua Ru suddenly turned around and smiled at him.

Caught red-handed, Shi Gui hurriedly looked away, his nervous gaze darting wildly about.

Hua Ru was amused by his appearance again. She pointed at the medicinal oil in his hand and said softly,

"Don't forget to apply the medicine."

Shi Gui nodded heavily.

"I know."

Hua Ru turned her head and continued walking. Thinking of his reaction just now, she smiled and gave a slight shake of her head.

What an interesting person.

It's just a pity…

Not knowing what she thought of, the curve of her lips gradually flattened, her expression cooling. She quickened her pace toward Fengyi Palace.

……

Meanwhile, upon hearing that the Shunhe Emperor had woken, the Crown Prince, as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, handed the mess back and came to Fengyi Palace.

"Father Emperor really — waking up is one thing, but why brandish a knife while sleeping so soundly?"

"Empress, does it still hurt?"

The Sixth Princess carefully helped the Empress apply the medicine.

Mentioning the matter, the Empress was so angry her stomach nearly ached.

The Crown Prince sat to the side, eating pastries and drinking tea, and cast a glance their way.

Seeing the long, deep, vicious wound on the back of the Empress's hand, his appetite instantly vanished.

"Exactly, Father Emperor really went too far. Empress, don't worry — later your son will bring the Scar-Removing Cream from my residence. That formula took me ages and many Imperial Physicians to develop; it's extremely effective at removing scars."

Hearing this, the Empress looked at him and smiled, gratified.

"You're always the most thoughtful one."

Hearing that, the Sixth Princess's hands paused for a beat, and she secretly rolled her eyes.

Yes, yes, yes — your precious big son is the best, of course!

"Empress, there's still tonic simmering in the small Chu Fang. I'll go check on it."

Saying that, the Sixth Princess quickly stepped out of the hall.

Go find your precious big son to apply your medicine — this Princess is done serving!

Once only the Empress and the Crown Prince — mother and son — remained in the room, the Empress studied the Crown Prince's expression and ventured to speak.

"Hao'er, you've seen it these past few times — your Father Emperor's health is getting worse and worse."

"I was thinking, if there were some happy news to lift the Xiyue Emperor's spirits, his health might improve as well."

A flash of impatience crossed the Crown Prince's eyes.

"Empress, if you have something to say, just say it."

The Empress sighed.

"You are the Crown Prince of a nation, and the future Emperor of Da Yin. The matter of heirs concerns the stability of the realm."

The Crown Prince clicked his tongue.

"Doesn't your son already have a daughter?"

"But I want to hold a grandson."

On this topic, the Crown Prince's face grew even more impatient.

"If that's what you're going to say, your son will head back first."

Sons, sons — always going on about that.

What good is having a son? Besides than spending all day scheming against him, plotting to seize his power and silver, what else are they good for?

He's been a Prince and a Crown Prince for over twenty years — would he not know?

Besides, can he just have a child whenever he wants now?