Qin Zhao put down the iron rod and said, "Go bathe and change."
"Here you are."
Ling Long called several maids to go and make arrangements.
It had been two months since Qin Zheng last summoned Princess Zhao Yang.
Recalling what Qin Hong had said about Qin Zheng's health condition, she could confirm that he was calling her to test medicine.
After bathing, Qin Zhao changed into palace attire and sat in the luxurious carriage of a princess, heading to the imperial palace.
She encountered no obstacles along the way.
Because the Emperor had permitted Princess Zhao Yang's carriage to go directly inside the third gate.
When she arrived at Jingyang Palace, the chief eunuch Zhou Quande who served beside the Emperor was already waiting at the stairs.
Seeing Qin Zhao get out of the carriage, he immediately welcomed her with a smile, "Your Highness, you look even more radiant than a few months ago."
Qin Zhao smiled and said, "Thanks to Father Emperor."
"His Majesty has been waiting for a long time. This servant will take Your Highness up," Zhou said.
"Thank you, Chief Eunuch Zhou," Qin Zhao replied.
The two walked up the ninety-nine steps, Zhou Quande signaled to the four eunuchs guarding the door to push open the heavy palace door.
"Your Highness, please."
Qin Zhao stepped into Jingyang Palace, and the door behind her closed slowly.
She walked along the two rows of long palace lanterns towards the main hall. She faintly heard people talking and stopped.
The Emperor was very suspicious by nature. If he heard something he shouldn't, it would displease him and who knows what consequences that would bring.
Before her own power was established, she had to be extra careful.
After looking at the dome for a while, Qin Zhao suddenly heard Qin Zheng call out, "Has the imperial son arrived yet? Come to Father quickly."
Qin Zhao really wanted to roll her eyes. Qin Zheng's amiable voice and familial words were just an act!
Entering the main hall, she saw Qin Zheng sitting on the dragon throne.
An old man with white hair and beard stood upright to his left.
Ordinary officials would have to bow and scrape before the Emperor, so for this man to stand so straight, either he was of high status and power, not fearing imperial might, or he had a close relationship with the Emperor and enjoyed certain privileges.
Qin Zhao cast what seemed like an inadvertent glance and withdrew her gaze. She knelt in greeting, "Your filial daughter pays respects to Father Emperor."
"Rise," Qin Zheng beckoned to Qin Zhao, "Come, stand by Father's side. I've missed you somewhat these past few months."
Qin Zhao suppressed her discomfort and rose to stand beside Qin Zheng.
Qin Zheng's gaze lingered on Qin Zhao's face for a moment. "Your complexion looks rosier than when I last saw you."
Qin Zhao glanced at Qin Zheng. She realized he was looking at her with complicated eyes. Unbelievably, there was even jealousy in them!
What was he jealous about?
This question lingered in her mind, making her very curious about the answer!
Qin Zhao lowered her eyes and replied, "Perhaps it's because the medicine Father Emperor gave me worked."
Qin Zheng's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Is that so? Does the imperial daughter like the medicine I bestowed?"
Qin Zhao nodded. "Replying to Father Emperor, your daughter likes it very much."
Bang!
Qin Zheng slammed his palm heavily on the low table and shouted, "How dare you lie to me in my presence! Zhao Yang, do you know you have committed the crime of deceiving the ruler! I can chop off your head for this!"
Qin Zhao immediately knelt down, stammering, "Father Emperor, spare me. Your daughter only wanted to make you happy!"
Qin Zheng reached out and lifted Qin Zhao's chin, looking down at her condescendingly. He spoke in a low voice, "My dear daughter, do you know what would make me happiest?"
Without waiting for Qin Zhao to respond, Qin Zheng continued, "It's your death. I want you to die!"
"Your Majesty!" The old man watching the show suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty, don't be impulsive!"
"I know restraint," Qin Zheng said.
He changed his gesture, gripping Qin Zhao's chin instead, feeling her tremble in fear. He smiled satisfactorily.
Qin Zhao forced out a few tears, which delighted Qin Zheng even more.
He released Qin Zhao and picked up a box from the low table, handing it to her. "This is a new medicine I've concocted. Take it."
Qin Zhao accepted it and opened the box.
She thought to herself: This grievance would be repaid to Qin Zheng sooner or later!
Qin Zhao put the medicine in her mouth.
Watching her swallow it, Qin Zheng said, "These medicines are all good things. If I could gain immortality, you would be the only child qualified to stay by my side."
"My dear daughter, it's true I wanted to kill you, but my fondness for you is also genuine."
Qin Zhao kowtowed. "Thank you for Father Emperor's grace."
Qin Zheng half-reclined on the dragon throne. "I'm tired now, you're all dismissed."
After backing up a few steps, Qin Zhao turned and left.
She also spit out the medicine and hid it in her sleeve.
Exiting the palace gate and walking down the stairs, Qin Zhao heard an elderly voice ask, "Your Highness, may this old man have the honor of accompanying you for a stretch?"
Qin Zhao stopped and asked 502, "Who is this old man?"
502: "The Chief of the Imperial Observatory, Wei Chen."
Qin Zhao turned around and said to Wei Chen, "It would be my pleasure to have Chief Wei's company."
Qin Zhao told the carriage driver to wait at the southern gate of the palace.
She walked out of the palace with Wei Chen.
After a while, Wei Chen spoke first, "Does Your Highness have many questions about what His Majesty said today?"
Qin Zhao replied, "I wouldn't presume to guess at Father Emperor's thoughts. Father Emperor has his own reasons."
Stroking his beard, Wei Chen smiled and said, "Your Highness is disguising yourself well, but you can't fool these old eyes of mine. You need not be so guarded before me."
Qin Zhao remained silent.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Wei Chen continued on his own, "Last night as I observed the heavens, I discovered a star that had long extinguished was shining once again. Its radiance was even brighter than before. Does Your Highness know why?"
Qin Zhao was shocked!
So this old man really had the ability to observe the stars!
Then did he also see that the Princess had passed on and she was just a soul occupying the Princess's body?
Qin Zhao calmly said, "I don't understand Chief Wei's meaning."
Wei Chen looked at Qin Zhao as if at a child and said, "If Your Highness wishes to resolve your doubts, come to the Imperial Observatory on the fifteenth of the fifth month. At that time, I will tell you everything."
As they spoke, the two arrived at the southern gate.
Wei Chen said, "Then I shall take my leave first."
After he finished speaking, he boarded the carriage of the Imperial Observatory.
Pondering his words, Qin Zhao boarded her own carriage, deep in thought.
From Wei Chen's words, Qin Zhao reached this conclusion - Qin Zheng had deeper reasons for using her to test medicine!
It wasn't as she had speculated, just because Princess Zhao Yang was helpless without support.
It seemed she really should pay the Imperial Observatory a visit on the fifteenth of the fifth month!
Returning to the manor, Qin Zhao changed out of her palace attire and took off the golden mask, replacing it with a black eye patch that concealed the original red spots.
502: "Host, you look like a bandit."
Qin Zhao: "You're asking for a beating."
502 shuddered in fright and immediately changed the topic: "Host, why don't you take off the mask?"
Qin Zhao: "Maintaining Princess Zhao Yang's original appearance and keeping a low profile. A towering tree invites the wind, after all."
502 suddenly understood: "Brilliant, Host!"
502: "So where are we going now?"
Qin Zhao: "My physical strength has mostly recovered. It's time to go see Nangong Ling.
Now that the matter of appointing an heir has surfaced, those eight adult princes must be getting restless.
The more far-sighted princes likely already wield massive power.
If I don't hurry, I might fall behind."
Qin Zhao put on dark blue men's clothing and turned in front of the bronze mirror. Feeling satisfied, she went out.
Ling Long, who was walking over from not far away, saw the Princess leaving in a rush and asked, "Where are you going, Your Highness? Do you need me to accompany you?"
Qin Zhao said, "No need, I'll be back soon."
Arriving at the main gate, she heard a commotion!
