Emperor Chu was angry because someone wanted to destabilize the foundations of the Great Qing. Whether or not Prince Min knew about the screen, he would still be charged with negligence if it came from his mansion.

Not to mention, if such a harmful object really harmed Emperor Chu, what chaos would befall Great Qing?

Innocence? Delivering such a harmful object as a birthday gift is akin to treason. How can one speak of innocence when this is clearly an attempt on the Emperor’s life?

Emperor Chu did not believe in innocence, nor in fraternal bonds; within the Heavenly Family, there was no true affection.

Song Zhiyuan pressed his lips together, cold sweat forming on his back.

If it weren’t for the coincidental arrival of Buhui, who spoke of such insights, who would have thought that the crystal stone had such effects?

And if he had concealed anything, Emperor Chu might never have remembered this screen. Learning about these connected items, he might still be in the dark.

After all, even now, the Imperial Physicians can’t determine the true cause of Empress Dowager and Song Ci’s frailty. If they had been continuously harmed by that object, they would have died unjustly and inexplicably, with the actual cause undetectable, assuming their weakness was simply due to old age.

As Emperor Chu mentioned, if not for his whim of sending the screen to the Empress Dowager, what would have been the consequence?

Despite the cold winter, Song Zhiyuan’s forehead was covered in a layer of dense sweat, not daring to think further.

Song Zhiyuan bowed to Emperor Chu: "As things stand, it’s a matter of coincidence that you are healthy and safe, which is truly fortunate."

Emperor Chu’s tense expression eased, and he sighed: "Only mother has suffered." As a son, it’s his unfilial duty for her to bear his grievances.

Song Zhiyuan pressed his lips again, not daring to say anything like ’Better it was the Empress Dowager than you,’ only remarked: "The monstrous spirits ultimately cannot evade justice, suggesting everything is divinely predetermined."

Emperor Chu opened his mouth, wanting to say that Madam Song’s illness also serendipitously became a fortunate event for their family; otherwise, how would they know that the object was harmful? 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

But saying so seemed somewhat inappropriate.

Never mind, he committed this sentiment to his heart.

"Emperor, Madam Song and her family have entered the palace."

Emperor Chu exchanged glances with Song Zhiyuan and said, "Proceed to Cining Palace."

...

Since Song Ci’s illness, she had been recuperating at home. Receiving word from the palace’s messenger was somewhat surprising.

She heard that Empress Dowager Wang’s health wasn’t well. Why would she suddenly summon her to the palace for a chat, especially when the person sent was Deputy Chief Eunuch Wang by the Emperor’s side? She could only quickly tidy herself up and proceed to the palace.

As for Buhui, he too was recommended to give a pulse diagnosis to the Empress Dowager, so they traveled together.

Their carriage entered through the East Gate, then they transferred to a sedan chair to head towards Cining Palace.

"Is that the Madam from the Song Family?"

Prince Min watched the sedan chair fade into the distance, his gaze falling on the bald monk in the sedan chair behind it.

"Yes. I heard the Empress Dowager missed Madam Song, so she was summoned to the palace for a conversation."

Prince Min’s eyes flickered, rubbing his fingertips as he mounted his carriage: "Return to the manor immediately."

Princess Consort was in the Plum Garden of the Prince Mansion with Wan Chun pruning winter plum blossoms, but saw Prince Min hurrying past the Plum Garden towards the North Garden. Her hand, supporting the plum branch, paused.

"Are there guests in the North Garden?"

Wan Chun, with a small basket on her elbow already containing several winter plums, replied, "I don’t know, but there seemed to be some commotion at midnight."

Princess Consort glanced at the North Garden, which had always been locked, wondering if it had been opened at midnight.