The Dramatic Crown Princess Wants to Poison Me!-Chapter 22: Phoenix Pond

No one understood this sentence at the time.

Everyone thought Xia Wenjin was certain to die, watching the little figure on the bed with a face pale as paper, Xia Sichen wished the illness was his instead.

The village was already preparing for the sister’s funeral. The mother was already weak, and during that time, she cried every day, worsening her condition. The entire village was shrouded in sorrow and gloom.

That day, as the sister was fading, a white-bearded, white-haired old man suddenly arrived in the village...

Xia Sichen recalled the events of those years. Being young, many memories had blurred, yet he still remembered his parents’ joy at regaining what they thought was lost, and his mother shedding joyful tears.

He was also happy.

The old man soon left, and the sister was cured.

But he noticed after that, his mother’s gaze towards his sister was filled with affection yet tinged with melancholy. A year later, the mother passed away.

The Holy Doctor said, weakness of body, excessive worry, accumulating grief into illness, hard to cure!

The sister was clearly healed, why was the mother still excessively worried, leading to illness?

Could it be that what father is about to say is related to this matter? He looked up at Xia Wanqing, and in that brief moment, he felt his father seemed even older, he frowned and said, "Father, was sister’s illness actually not cured at that time? Mother was worried, hence fell ill from grief?"

Xia Wanqing nodded heavily, sighed, and said, "Indeed, at that time, both your mother and sister had little time left. That white-haired old gentleman said that with his strength back then, he could only save one person. Your mother pleaded him to save your sister. So, the old man used extraordinary power to extend Wenjin’s life, and as he was leaving, he quietly told me your mother’s fate had reached its end. But out of compassion for a loving mother willing to sacrifice herself to save her daughter, he was willing to give a pill that could prolong life by a year. On Wenjin’s fate, he also mentioned early demise, even though life was extended temporarily, longevity was still beyond reach. Such is destiny, without a change, human power cannot alter it!"

Xia Sichen’s pupils contracted abruptly, feeling as if something sharp had struck him, causing a moment of pain. No wonder his mother never truly smiled again since then. He hurriedly asked, "Father, is that trustworthy? Before ten years old, Wenjin was often sick but always fine, after ten, her health improved, controlling martial arts, horse riding, thriving vigorously! How could she be destined for early demise?"

"What do you know?" Xia Wanqing sighed heavily and said, "This happened several times, confirming every word the white-haired old gentleman said without deviation. He additionally mentioned, unless fortune changes, Wenjin’s fate is sealed at sixteen!"

Xia Sichen staggered, nearly losing his balance, life ending at sixteen, she was two months past her fifteenth birthday, leaving just ten months?

Neither father nor mother were people easily fooled, that white-haired old gentleman wanted nothing, asked for nothing, nor desired gain, mother’s illness from worry, and although father had an imposing presence, it seemed his heart bore a heavy burden. This situation was evidently real.

"Is there no other way?" Xia Sichen, typically of a lively disposition, held a serious expression at this moment.

Xia Wanqing said, "There is! That white-haired old gentleman left a poem!"

"What poem?"

Xia Wanqing slowly said:

"Wen Hua Chen Jin Xu Tianji,

Two eight fair age unachievable.

Western falling sun one line stored,

Eastern rising purple aura mutually suitable.

Golden spears tear azure sky,

Iron horse rides through bitter cold passages.

If asking the world for life prolonging method,

In deep morning splendor lies a Phoenix Pond!"

Xia Sichen considered himself not unlearned, yet at this moment felt bewildered, "What does this mean?"

Xia Wanqing glared at him, "Ignoramus!"

Xia Sichen: "..."

He politely said, "Yes, yes, your son is indeed ignorant, please enlighten me, father! What is this poem? What does it talk about?"

Xia Wanqing said, "As for the precise meaning, your mother and I discussed it at that time, without reaching a conclusion. But this is the life-extending poem left for Wenjin, surely there are aspects of it we haven’t deciphered!"

Xia Sichen: "..." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Same lack of understanding, yet why is he ignorant?

Xia Wanqing said, "I discussed it with the brothers in the village, your Uncle Bai and your mother guessed it similarly back then, the poem refers to a person!"

"So, father and Uncle Bai both think that person is Huangfu Yuxuan?"

"It can only be Huangfu Yuxuan; otherwise, it wouldn’t be such a coincidence!" Xia Wanqing answered firmly.

Xia Sichen reflected on the poem, contemplated for a moment, and said, "Two eight fair age unachievable refers to Wenjin not living to sixteen? Eastern purple aura rising is emperor’s aura. In the current world, the one who sits the throne carries the surname Huangfu. So, you believe Huangfu Yuxuan is the one?"

"Consider, Huangfu Yuxuan indeed comes from the east?" Xia Wanqing said, "Therefore, even if Wenjin is unwilling, but for her to live well, we must persuade her earnestly!"

Xia Sichen skeptically said, "But we’ve only decoded one sentence. Maybe the white-haired old gentleman has other meanings."

Xia Wanqing smacked his head with a slap, scolded, "Are you foolish? Wenjin fell from her horse and was comatose, couldn’t wake, coincidentally Huangfu Yuxuan came to the village, Wenjin woke. Isn’t this enough to prove Huangfu Yuxuan is Wenjin’s benefactor?"

Xia Sichen fell silent.

Indeed, back then Wenjin was comatose for so long, tried all sorts of medicine, all to no avail. But as soon as Huangfu Yuxuan reached the mountain, the sister woke up. Could he not believe?

He wanted not to believe, but if what the white-haired old gentleman said is true, Wenjin only has ten months left.

Xia Sichen just felt a deep and depressing pressure, like Mount Tai pressing down, threatening to suffocate him. Ten months, ten months, disappearing in a blink.

If Huangfu Yuxuan is indeed the one, Wenjin willing to marry him, it would be a joyous conclusion.

If even though he is the one, Wenjin unwilling, as her brother, should he defy her wishes just to ensure her survival; or honor her wish, letting her happily spend the remaining ten months?

Xia Sichen had no answer.

However, Xia Sichen still pondered many doubts.

Within the poem left by the old gentleman, there should still be much undeciphered.

Western falling sun how to interpret? One line stored? Why use the word stored?

Golden spears and iron horses, referring to war? What relevance does that hold to Wenjin?

In deep morning splendor lies a Phoenix Pond.

Phoenix Pond? Is it a pool in the forbidden garden, or the chancellor’s position? Another interpretation is palace related!

Wenjin born in Jinzhou, grown in Jinzhou, the Xia family are Jianghu people, what connection do they have with the Imperial Palace?

"Fragrant paths amidst grass return with jade bit, Phoenix Pond beside sparkling gold cup." Or perhaps it means this?

Immortal Pond? Suggesting sister is immortal?

Then, the method to extend life, is it about people, or a place?