Tianliangyuan

Chapter 481 Ending

A year later, the struggle between the Crown Prince and the faction of the Loyal Prince intensified.

The old lady of the Xie family suddenly fell seriously ill and passed away in less than half a month.

Both Xie Xiaolin and Xie Zheng requested permission to observe the mourning period, leaving only a few old servants to guard the Duke of Huguo's mansion.

Less than a month after Madam Xie passed away, Madam Xu also fell seriously ill. Fortunately, she survived thanks to the imperial physician's efforts. However, she could not be left alone at her bedside from then on, so Xu Han requested permission to stay home and serve his mother.

However, Xu Jun'an and the others were still serving as officials in the court.

Xie Zheng was a grandson, so he only needed to observe a year of mourning. However, considering the uncertain situation in the court, he never took the initiative to request to return to his post.

A year later, Prince Li Guang moved into Yunqi Manor with Xu Zhaozhao.

In the blink of an eye, the twins have grown to five years old, and the young prince is now of marriageable age.

The Duke of Huguo's mansion had already become lively again. Xie Xiaolin was in no hurry to have his two younger brothers move out. As long as he was alive, there was nothing wrong with taking care of his two younger brothers.

However, without the old lady in charge, Madam Yu's attitude became noticeably more assertive, all in an effort to suppress Madam Lin and prevent her from causing any more trouble.

This year marks the wedding of the youngest child of the fourth branch of the family. After his marriage, both the second and fourth branches of the family will move out of the Duke of Huguo's mansion.

This was agreed upon long ago.

Ms. Kobayashi was unwilling to accept this, but she was helpless because no one was on her side.

In October of the same year, Prince Zhong was exposed for secretly possessing weapons and a dragon robe. His Majesty was furious and, after an investigation, directly imprisoned his son in the imperial mausoleum.

From then on, the Loyal King was completely deposed.

Princess Zhao Yue, along with several children, also went to guard the imperial tombs, while Madam Jiang, who had been there earlier, had already been tortured beyond recognition and died halfway there.

Jiang Ning's previous actions against Xu Zhaozhao led to a scandal involving the haunting of the Prince Zhong's residence, which thoroughly enraged His Majesty.

Therefore, no one dared to speak up for Jiang Ning, not even Consort Jiang in the palace.

Now, times have changed. Jiang Ning died on the way, and it is said that he only got a tattered mat to roll up and then threw it into the mountains. As for whether he was eaten by wolves and tigers, it is still unknown.

Consort Jiang's status in the palace is no longer what it used to be.

Besides the Empress, who wields absolute power, there are also two newly appointed favored concubines, each beautiful and sweet-voiced, who bring the Emperor joy every day.

Consort Jiang knew that without a son, her future would not be easy.

But she couldn't give up, because her daughter still needed to choose a husband, and that was her only concern.

However, a concubine's opinion is not enough to influence a princess's marriage.

Even the Empress wouldn't dare say she could make the decision directly.

The situation in the imperial court is constantly changing.

The inner palace was also fraught with danger.

The Crown Prince believed that he had secured his position by eliminating the Prince of Zhong, and his behavior became increasingly arrogant.

Ultimately, they still made a big mistake!

The Crown Prince had repeatedly harassed a newly appointed concubine last year. When this was reported to His Majesty, he was naturally furious.

"It's so presumptuous!"

Although His Majesty is no longer young, ever since he ate the gourd, he felt as if he had returned to his youth.

However, five years have passed, and His Majesty has been surrounded by beauties these past few years, which has inevitably depleted a lot of his energy.

The white hair on his head reappeared, and Emperor Yong'an became somewhat anxious.

Whether it was good fortune or bad luck, the sagacious king of yesteryear ultimately led this wise emperor astray.

He wanted to achieve immortality, to regain his youth, and to forever control supreme power.

Several Taoist priests were invited into the palace to perform rituals and refine elixirs, and no amount of persuasion could dissuade them.

Xu Zhaozhao had known for a long time that the Crown Prince had bribed two of the Taoist priests, but she had not taken any action and had simply watched quietly.

Indeed, power drives people mad, and immortality drives them to utter madness.

Xu Zhaozhao thought of how good Emperor Yong'an had been to her in the past, and her heart softened a little.

"Your Majesty, Princess Anle is requesting an audience outside."

Over the years, even Princess Ning Shuo has found it difficult to come to the Taiji Hall to request an audience with the Emperor.

But Xu Zhaozhao is different; she has His Majesty's special permission.

"pass."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xu Zhaozhao brought a small bottle of spirit wine into the palace.

It's called a spirit wine, but it's really just that Xu Zhaozhao added some supernatural abilities to it.

"Your Majesty, my wife is guilty!"

As soon as Xu Zhaozhao entered, she immediately apologized.

Seeing his serious expression, Emperor Yong'an gave him a signal, and the Grand Steward immediately cleared the area.

"Don't rush, sit down and talk."

Xu Zhaozhao looked apprehensive: "Your Majesty, Anle dreamed twice of someone wielding a whisk to slay a dragon. The first time, Anle didn't pay attention and thought it was just a coincidence. But the second time, Anle didn't see their faces, but she saw the Taiji Palace."

Emperor Yong'an's eyes turned cold: "You said you saw the Taiji Palace?"

"Yes, I was terrified. After waking up, I felt uneasy. But this time, when I woke up, I found something in my hand that I had never seen before. After waking up, I recalled it again and again, and suddenly remembered that in the first dream, it seemed that the dragon was desperately trying to get the thing in this jade bottle."

Emperor Yong'an was not easily convinced, but seeing such an exquisite jade vase, he was indeed somewhat tempted.

As for the contents inside, Emperor Yong'an was certainly not stupid and would not use them directly.

"Have you seen the faces of the two men you mentioned who wielded whisks and slew dragons?"

"Your Majesty, I did not see them. I only vaguely knew that they were wearing Taoist robes. One of them had a completely white beard and looked like a Taoist immortal, but in fact his eyes were full of ferocity. The other one was younger but slightly overweight. I did not see their faces."

"I understand. So this is why you came to the palace?"

"I dare not conceal this from Your Majesty."

"Okay, let's go down."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Emperor Yong'an ordered the Imperial Physician to be summoned to inspect the contents of the room. At the same time, he sent men to search the residences of the Taoist priests immediately.

No one should be left behind.

The people who went to search were Fang Liang and Zheng Tuo. His Majesty could not allow Cui Chong or Cui Shu to conduct the search, because he knew very well that these people were now on the side of the Crown Prince.

Since he's going to investigate, he needs to use people who are only loyal to him.

Sure enough, after a thorough search, the Taoist priests were stripped bare.

"Your Majesty, this substance contains a potent poison. However, if only a tiny amount is added each time, it will not only not cause you any discomfort, but will also make you look radiant. But if you take too much, the toxins will accumulate in your body, and once they erupt, even a god would be powerless to save you."

Emperor Yong'an was furious and immediately ordered the Imperial Physician to take his pulse.

This time, the Imperial Physician was also quite frightened. After a few breaths, he said with a hint of fear, "Your Majesty, there are indeed toxins in your body. However, it seems that there is more than one type of toxin. Therefore, please forgive me for being unable to detoxify you."