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- Chapter 129 - - 129 128 a huge favor
Chapter 129: Chapter 128: A Huge Favor Chapter 129: Chapter 128: A Huge Favor Guided by the faint light of the lantern, the two made their way to the entrance of the rockery.
Shen Chuwei stopped and said to Xiao Jinyan behind her, “Your Highness, please wait here for a moment, Concubine will go in and get the item.”
As Shen Chuwei turned to enter, Xiao Jinyan grabbed her wrist, “It’s pitch-black here, one cannot even see the path clearly, what if you fall and hurt yourself?”
Shen Chuwei turned her head towards Xiao Jinyan with a reassuring smile, although in the darkness Xiao Jinyan could not see it.
“Your Highness, the item is just nearby, I will not fall.”
Xiao Jinyan still hesitated, “This palace will accompany you to take a look inside.”
“Your Highness, the entrance to the rockery is too small for two people to enter.
It is better if you wait here.”
With those words, Shen Chuwei, carrying the lantern, walked inside.
However, she only took three steps to reach the spot, bent down to pick up a flower pot with one hand, and turned to walk out.
Xiao Jinyan stood guard at the entrance, occasionally peering inside, but the darkness was so thick that he saw nothing.
It was not until a petite figure emerged from the rockery that he breathed a sigh of relief.
Shen Chuwei approached happily, “Your Highness, I got it.”
“Let this palace take it.”
Shen Chuwei did not resist, allowing Xiao Jinyan to take the item from her hands.
The two returned the way they came.
Back in the inner room, Xiao Jinyan saw clearly that the item he was holding was a flower pot, inside which was planted a white chrysanthemum, and his eyebrows furrowed deeply.
White chrysanthemums were forbidden in the inner court of the Imperial Palace, only appearing during mourning.
With the end of the year approaching, white chrysanthemums were even more taboo.
Shen Chuwei explained, “Your Highness, when Concubine planted it, I did not know it would be white.
It was only after it blossomed that I found out, and Chun Xi then placed it inside the rockery.”
Xiao Jinyan looked up at Shen Chuwei, knowing it was an oversight, “This palace understands, destroy the white chrysanthemum.”
Shen Chuwei pointed out to him the Mandala plant that had not bloomed yet underneath the chrysanthemum, “Your Highness, look at this.”
Xiao Jinyan followed the direction of Shen Chuwei’s finger and saw a very green plant that greatly resembled the leaves of Mandala.
He looked at Shen Chuwei in surprise, “This is…”
Shen Chuwei said, “Your Highness, this is Mandala.”
Delight flickered in Xiao Jinyan’s cold eyes, there was hope for his mother now.
He stared at the Mandala in disbelief for a while, “Chuwei, how did you come by this?”
Shen Chuwei started making excuses, “Concubine originally intended to plant chrysanthemums, but I did not expect that a Mandala would be mixed in with them.
Because it is poisonous, I had Chun Xi place it inside the rockery as well.”
This time, once again, it proved that Shen Chuwei was his lucky star; without leaving home, he had obtained Mandala for his mother’s cure.
What kind of fortune was this?
“Chuwei, you’ve rendered a great service to this palace, mother will be saved.”
Shen Chuwei’s eyes curved, “To be able to help Your Highness is Concubine’s honor.”
Xiao Jinyan now felt that having Shen Chuwei by his side was indeed a lucky affair.
“However, this palace still needs to make a trip out tomorrow.
If the origins of the Mandala are unclear, Father Emperor will become suspicious.”
Shen Chuwei nodded, “Concubine understands.
Concubine has only mentioned this to Your Highness and not to anyone else.”
Xiao Jinyan looked at her approvingly, “You did well; if others knew you had Mandala here, you might be accused of being a poisoner.”
“Within these palace walls, dangers lurk at every turn, a moment’s carelessness could lead to imprisonment, and one’s life hangs by a thread.” Xiao Jinyan’s tone was particularly earnest when he said this, making sure that Shen Chuwei knew to be extra cautious within the palace.
Shen Chuwei obediently responded, “Concubine understands.”
Only then did Xiao Jinyan leave with the Mandala, departing Xiyun Pavilion for the resting palace.
Xiao Jinyu had already been waiting in the study.
Seeing Xiao Jinyan enter, he raised his folding fan to cover his face.
“Brother, what’s so urgent that you called for me?”
“Of course, it’s an important matter.” Xiao Jinyan took off the Fox Fur, which Liu Xi held for him, and then sat down at the writing desk.
After placing the Fox Fur, Liu Xi turned to brew tea.
Soon, two steaming cups of tea were served, placed before the Crown Prince and Jinyu.
Xiao Jinyan picked up the teacup and took two sips before speaking, “Mother has been poisoned with a slow-acting venom.”
“What?” Xiao Jinyu, hearing this, disregarded the flush on his face, rose up abruptly, and said in disbelief, “When did this happen?
How come I didn’t know?”
Xiao Jinyan, seeing Xiao Jinyu’s flushed face, knew it was because of the Fragrant Powder.
In his rush to return, he had forgotten to ask Shen Chuwei for some cream.
Fortunately, the issue was not serious, and it would subside naturally in two days.
He asked as though he did not know, “Your face?”
Xiao Jinyu, preoccupied now, cared little for his own appearance, “Never mind my face, tell me what happened to Mother.”
Xiao Jinyan revealed, “Mother was poisoned with a slow-acting venom.
Luckily, it was discovered in time.
Tomorrow this palace must venture out in search of medicinal herbs.”
“How come I haven’t heard anything about it?
I want to see Mother.” At this moment, Xiao Jinyu became frantic, folding up his fan and rushing out, only for Xiao Jinyan to press down on his shoulder.
“Don’t panic just yet.
Mother didn’t want to worry you, so she instructed no one to tell you.
You rushing over now is pointless.”
Xiao Jinyu felt even more worried and guilty upon hearing this.
“But surely I must visit Mother, right?”
Xiao Jinyan said pointedly, “What’s most important now is to catch the poisoner.”
Xiao Jinyu paused, “You’re right, Brother.
Where do we start?”
Xiao Jinyan, “Come closer.”
Xiao Jinyu obediently leaned in.
Xiao Jinyan whispered a few instructions to him.
Xiao Jinyu looked up to his brother in admiration, “Brother, I’ve got it.”
After Xiao Jinyu left, Xiao Jinyan gave the order to set out the next day.
Entering his own bedroom, Xiao Jinyu saw Lady Han sipping tea at the table, appearing as if she had been waiting for him.
He hurriedly opened his folding fan to hide his flushed face.
“Lady Han, why are you here again?”
Han Yan set down her teacup and looked up at Xiao Jinyu, her eyebrows carrying a cool tenderness, “Your servant came to see if Prince Jinyu had retired for the night.”
“I was just about to rest.” Xiao Jinyu approached the round table and sat down, facing Lady Han.
Han Yan observed Xiao Jinyu for a moment, noticing his persistent use of the fan to shield his face.
Out of curiosity, she asked, “Why is Prince Jinyu hiding his face?”
Xiao Jinyu laughed awkwardly, “Your servant is feeling unwell, not fit to reveal my face for the time being.”
Han Yan rose, approaching Xiao Jinyu, and gently suggested, “Then let your servant assist Prince Jinyu in undressing.”
Xiao Jinyu immediately refused, “There’s no need, I can manage on my own.”
Han Yan’s hand paused in mid-air, her voice tinged with sadness, “Does Prince Jinyu disdain me?”
Forgetting the flush on his face, Xiao Jinyu quickly reassured, “No, Lady Han, don’t think too much.”
As he lowered the fan, Han Yan saw Xiao Jinyu’s red face, touched his cheek with confusion, “Why is Prince Jinyu’s face so red?”
Xiao Jinyu felt a cool touch on his cheeks, which wasn’t unpleasant, probably because they were mildly feverish.
“Exposed to the cold wind for too long, it’s nothing serious.”
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