SWNOVELXO Chapter 20 - The Deposed Crown Prince (3)
The next day, the young eunuch indeed went out and bought a batch of medicinal herbs. He also brought back some news. For instance, the shops had already been divided among others, and the whereabouts of the servants were unknown. Additionally, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Wu’an’s household was so heartbroken that she fell seriously ill and had been sent to the countryside to recuperate.
He Dongchen sneered. “Recuperating in the countryside? More like having an affair with the Prince of Huainan.”
The entire Marquis Wu’an household was known for spoiling their daughter and sister. When the Marquis of Wu’an discovered his daughter had gotten involved with Prince Huainan, he turned his back on his nephew, the Crown Prince. The Marquis’s three sons, who had always been overprotective of their sister, even daring to warn the Crown Prince not to bully her, helped cover up the affair once they found out.
The whole family was foolishly running around for Tian Weirong’s love as if they had lost their minds.
The system munched on melon seeds nearby. [I heard that the cannon fodder reversal team next door took on the task involving the Marquis of Wu’an.]
He Dongchen frowned. “Will that affect us?”
[Not at all. There are countless parallel worlds. Only one tasker per world, so there won’t be any mix-ups.]
He Dongchen understood and didn’t ask further.
He processed the medicinal herbs and pretended to refine some pills.
***
2 days later, an imperial physician came to examine him.
Now that He Dongchen had fallen from grace, most people avoided him. This time, Imperial Physician Ge, who had previously benefited from He Dongchen, took the risk of being sidelined to come and see him.
“Your Highness, your body is no longer in serious trouble. I’ll prescribe some herbs to nourish your body. Remember to stay calm and patient, for there is still a long road ahead,” said Physician Ge, carefully writing a prescription after some thought. He Dongchen took it and handed it to the young eunuch, then dismissed everyone else.
Physician Ge, sensing that Prince Jing had something important to discuss, instinctively sat up straight, looking as if he was ready to face any challenge.
He Dongchen pulled a small white jade bottle from his sleeve, looking forlorn. “This is a Nourishing Pill I crafted. I originally planned to present it to the Emperor, but then this happened…”
Imperial Physician Ge sighed. Prince Jing was genuinely filial. At the age of 8 or 9, he was already worrying about the ailing Empress and frequented the Imperial Hospital daily, diligently studying medicine for over a decade. How could such a person commit such a heinous act?
Regardless, he didn’t believe it.
But what did his disbelief matter? The Emperor believed it.
“Prince Jing, take heart. The Emperor is temporarily misled by vile people. The truth will soon come to light, and your innocence will be restored.”
He Dongchen shook his head with a bitter smile, mustering the strength to say, “I dare not resent my Emperor Father’s judgment. However, this Nourishing Pill is highly beneficial. Please, Imperial Physician Ge, find a way to present it to the Emperor without mentioning me.”
Imperial Physician Ge accepted the bottle, his mind heavy with thoughts as he left with his medical case. His small frame soon disappeared from sight.
[Aren’t you afraid he won’t do it or won’t mention you?] The system asked curiously.
“Then I’ll find another way,” He Dongchen replied nonchalantly.
Fortunately, Imperial Physician Ge was a loyal man. After verifying the efficacy of the Nourishing Pill, he was ecstatic. Controlling his excitement, he first entered the palace under the pretense of treating Concubine Wan, then persuaded her to present the medicine together.
“Imperial Physician Ge, you’re not fooling me, are you?” Concubine Wan’s expression was doubtful, though she couldn’t deny her inner excitement. She had long lost the Emperor’s favor due to her age, and though her daughter was a princess, she had been born mentally slow due to an attempt on Concubine Wan’s life during childbirth. This had made her a subject of ridicule.
Over the years, Concubine Wan had been deeply worried about her daughter’s future. If the medicine succeeded, even if the Emperor didn’t reward us, once the deposed Crown Prince regained his status, our future prosperity…
Thinking that, Concubine Wan inquired in detail about the pill’s effects. After Imperial Physician Ge’s assurances, she gritted her teeth and decided to do it.
***
The Third Princess, despite her slow reactions, inherited Concubine Wan’s good looks; red lips, white teeth, and a fair, tender complexion that made her very endearing. The old Emperor had a soft spot for this daughter. Hearing she was ill, he made an effort to visit her.
Due to the dragon robe incident, the old Emperor had been deeply distressed. Now, seeing the frail Third Princess lying on the bed, speaking childishly and looking at him with complete dependence, his furrowed brow relaxed slightly.
Concubine Wan observed the Emperor’s reaction closely. Seeing the opportune moment, she immediately called for Imperial Physician Ge, who was waiting outside the door.
“Your servant greets Your Majesty,” Imperial Physician Ge said, entering the room and bowing deeply.
The old Emperor recognized him, aware of his close relationship with the deposed Crown Prince. His expression was unreadable as he played with the walnut in his hand.
“What is it?” he asked curtly.
Imperial Physician Ge, not daring to harbor any sly thoughts, truthfully reported Prince Jing’s situation. Finally, he carefully took out the medicine bottle and spoke with excitement, “Your servant has verified that this medicine indeed nourishes the body and prolongs life. Prince Jing devoted 10 years to developing it, even amidst recent calamities, without ceasing his efforts. Prince Jing also urged me not to mention his name. But how could I dare to take credit for this?”
Upon hearing this, the old Emperor’s expression softened. Yes, the Crown Prince had always been genuinely filial.
Seeing this, Concubine Wan gently added, “Such an effective medicine couldn’t be made overnight. Prince Jing was truly dedicated.”
The Third Princess, in her innocent manner, asked, “Then why do they say Brother Crown Prince is rebelling?”
“Hua’er! Watch your words,” Concubine Wan’s face turned pale as she quickly covered her daughter’s mouth and apologized to the Emperor.
The old Emperor, feeling a mix of emotions, waved his hand dismissively. He then left with the bottle of Nourishing Pills, visibly walking with a lighter step.
Wasn’t it easier to accept that his beloved son was wronged rather than having betrayed him?
Concubine Wan and Imperial Physician Ge exchanged excited glances.
***
The old Emperor, carrying the medicine, immediately summoned a few trusted imperial physicians for further examination. The physicians exerted all their skills, conducting various tests and analyses. Ultimately, they concluded that the medicine was highly effective and exceptionally gentle, posing no harm to the body.
The imperial physicians were ecstatic, exclaiming, “This is a miraculous medicine! Your Majesty, who created this? It’s as if a divine doctor has returned to life!”
The old Emperor’s lips curled into a smile as he watched the previously lifeless test rabbit become lively. The anger that had been accumulating over recent days dissipated, leaving him feeling entirely refreshed and a few years younger.
The old Emperor, in high spirits, waved his hand and declared, “Reward!”
Upon leaving the Imperial Hospital, the cautious head eunuch, Wen Xianliang, carefully said, “Prince Jing’s offering of this excellent medicine shows his filial piety. About the matter of the dragon robe…”
The Emperor’s face immediately darkened, his expression stormy. “What a cunning man, that Marquis Wu’an. I want to see what he’s plotting!”
Marquis Wu’an, being the Empress’s family and the Crown Prince’s maternal family member, was a natural ally. When he suddenly came forward to expose the Crown Prince’s secret possession of the dragon robe, everyone believed it to be true. Otherwise, why would Marquis Wu’an accuse his own nephew? He must have feared being implicated if the matter was revealed.
Coupled with the discovery of the dragon robe in the Eastern Palace, the old emperor, in his fury, directly deposed the Crown Prince.
Marquis Wu’an, credited for his revelation and perceived loyalty, received numerous rewards.
Now, it seemed clear that the Crown Prince’s loyalty was genuine, and Marquis Wu’an must have been scheming behind the scenes.
What shocked the Emperor even more was wondering what kind of person or benefits could have convinced Marquis Wu’an to abandon his own nephew! Considering that Marquis Wu’an’s daughter was the future Crown Princess and potentially the next Empress, ensuring the Marquis’s family’s prosperity for three generations.
With these thoughts, the Emperor’s face turned even more grim. “Issue a secret order to thoroughly investigate the Marquis Wu’an’s household. Do not overlook any clues!”
“Yes,” Wen Xianliang responded.
***
Meanwhile, unaware of the impending disaster, Tian Weirong was soaking in a hot spring at a country estate.
Suddenly, there was a loud splash, and an intruder entered the hot spring. Tian Weirong, frightened, was about to scream when a strong arm pulled her into an embrace. She was dressed in a thin gauze dress, her delicate figure clearly visible.
“Don’t scream, it’s me,” Prince Huainan said, his gaze lingering on Tian Weirong’s body, his entire being filled with unbearable heat.
Recognizing his voice, Tian Weirong sighed in relief and stopped struggling. Instead, she coquettishly scolded, “You always appear so suddenly, scaring me to death.”
“It’s a critical time now, with so many eyes watching. It’s better to be cautious,” Prince Huainan replied, turning the woman in his arms to face him. He looked down at her charming face and promised, “I assure you, once the time is right, I’ll marry you with great honor.”
“Humph, that’s necessary,” Tian Weirong said in a coquettish voice. “I’ve even toppled the Crown Prince for you. If you’re not good to me…”
“How could that be? Wei Rong is my cherished treasure. I can’t bear to see her hurt,” Prince Huainan replied affectionately.
After flirting with each other for a while, Tian Weirong finally laid in the arms of Prince Huainan, panting slightly, and spoke with concern, “I wonder how the Crown Prince is doing now.”
“Don’t worry, I promised you I’d spare his life,” Prince Huainan said, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.
Feeling justified, Tian Weirong immediately regained her composure. Yes, I had made the Crown Prince step down first, and only then would Prince Huainan show mercy.
Not far away, two maids waited nervously outside the door, blushing and anxious, afraid of being silenced at any moment.
No one could have imagined that the intended Crown Princess would end up being involved with Prince Huainan.
Prince Huainan stayed at the estate until sunset before quietly leaving.
Meanwhile, at Prince Jing’s Mansion, a disguised guest arrived.
***
The old emperor discreetly left the palace with a few eunuchs, ensuring no one knew of their departure. Upon entering the mansion’s inner courtyard, he saw his son holding a medical book, dressed lightly with a pale complexion and coughing occasionally. The old Emperor felt guilty.
He Dongchen had known of the old Emperor’s visit beforehand. He pretended to be frail, and as he acted surprised upon seeing the old Emperor, he accidentally knocked over a teacup, burning his fair skin.
“Why are you so careless!” the old Emperor exclaimed, rushing forward. Seeing the glaring burn, he shouted, “Someone, quickly attend to the Crown Prince’s injury!”
In his urgency, the old Emperor called his son by his former title.
Everyone present was stunned upon hearing that. He Dongchen was the first to react, unable to hide his disappointment as he said, “Your son is no longer the Crown Prince.”
The old Emperor felt even more guilty and immediately said, “Tomorrow, I’ll issue an edict to reinstate you as the Crown Prince!”
“No, you can’t, Emperor Father!” He Dongchen quickly declined, his face sincere, “Emperor Father, you just deposed me as the Crown Prince a few days ago. How can we change our decision so abruptly? It would be undignified.”
Upon hearing that, the old Emperor felt his heart warm even more. His son was still concerned about his reputation at this moment. He sighed with relief and said, “My son, you are truly filial.”
Father and son embraced each other, shedding tears and sharing their heartfelt thoughts.
Finally, the Emperor wiped his eyes and spoke sternly, “The Marquis of Wu’an committed a great injustice by daring to slander the Crown Prince. Dongchen, do you know why the Marquis of Wu’an would do such a thing?”
He Dongchen didn’t hesitate to deceive him, pretending to hesitate before sighing, “Father, as you know, I have been betrothed to my cousin since childhood.”
Upon hearing this, the old Emperor immediately remembered what Wen Xianliang had said earlier; after the incident, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Wu’an fell seriously ill and went to recuperate in the countryside.