That day, Xiao Jingheng accompanied Zhao Hua to have dinner at Chang Le Palace, then hurried back to Chaoyang Palace at night to review memorials.
On the way, Jiang Deshun said to him, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Zhang Imperial Physician returned to the palace two hours ago. But he caught a cold in the Capital City, so I just went to check on him. His illness seems quite severe, so I was afraid he would pass the sickness to Your Majesty. Does Your Majesty want to postpone the meeting with him for now?"
Xiao Jingheng was eager to summon Zhang Imperial Physician, because he had doubts about Zhao Hua's belly child being beaten and miscarried.
But now that Zhao Hua had already clearly stated that she was the one who beat and miscarried the imperial heir, Xiao Jingheng's suspicions about her had already dissipated by more than half.
Therefore, he was no longer in such a hurry to summon Zhang Imperial Physician.
So he waved his hand and said, "Forget it. Since he is sick, let him recuperate properly."
Then he ordered Jiang Deshun, "Go to Prince An's manor early tomorrow morning and ask Prince An to come to the palace for an audience."
"Your servant obeys the order."
*
Chang Le Palace.
Late at night, Xiao Fuzi brought a unfamiliar eunuch into the palace.
The man followed behind Xiao Fuzi with his head down all the way until he entered the main hall and saw Zhao Hua, before he finally dared to lift up his head.
Seeing Zhang Imperial Physician dressed in eunuch robes, Zhao Hua felt a little apologetic and said,
"Asking you to disguise yourself like this to see Us is quite unfair to you."
Unexpectedly, Zhang Imperial Physician suddenly knelt down and saluted Zhao Hua, "This humble official thanks Empress Dowager's life-saving grace!"
"What are you doing, Zhang Imperial Physician? Get up quickly." Zhao Hua promptly signaled Xiao Fuzi, who immediately helped Zhang Imperial Physician off the icy floor.
After granting the two brothers seats, Zhao Hua said,
"The new imperial physician who replaced you might find out that you have been deliberately delaying Madam Marquis Jing'an's treatment?"
Zhang Imperial Physician calmly said, "Slowing down the medication just makes the recovery slower. Now she is almost fully recovered, there are no visible signs of anything wrong."
Zhao Hua's uneasy feelings stabilized as she nodded lightly.
Then Zhang Imperial Physician added in a low voice, "My younger brother has already informed me of Your Majesty's plan when he came. But... this matter is extremely dangerous. Is Your Majesty determined to do this?"
Zhao Hua gave a faint, cold smile. She slowly sipped from the teacup in her hand and said, "Wealth and rank got by peril, our lives are also at stake. Moreover, I must bring Cheng Yu back to the palace, so I have to take this step no matter what."
As she spoke, she lowered her eyes and sighed imperceptibly,
"No matter how great the risk, as long as I can get my child back safely, I fear nothing. As a mother, I have failed to protect him, which is what I owe him..."
Hearing this, Zhang Imperial Physician stopped trying to dissuade her. He simply saluted with folded hands and said firmly, "Since Your Majesty is determined, this humble official will do his utmost to assist!"
*
The next day after the morning court, when Xiao Jingheng returned to Chaoyang Palace, he saw that Xiao Jingyan was already waiting outside the hall.
Seeing him, Xiao Jingyan waved and called out loudly, "Eldest Imperial Brother, good morning~"
After that, he did not forget to yawn, completely disregarding the proper etiquette a prince should observe.
Xiao Jingheng was used to his ways, so he never reprimanded him. Instead, he affectionately put his arm around Xiao Jingyan's shoulder as they walked into the hall together.
"Whose daughter did you sneak away to be with last night?"
"Eldest Imperial Brother, stop joking around. Recently, a new gambling house opened in the Capital City with many fun games. I've been spending my days there immersed in gambling, when would I have time to think about matters between men and women?"
"You are hopeless." Xiao Jingheng shook his head with a broad smile. "You're not young anymore. It's time to settle down, start a family."
Xiao Jingyan just laughed awkwardly, choosing not to respond.
After sitting down, the palace servants brought new tea and placed it in front of Xiao Jingyan. Xiao Jingheng said,
"Try this new tea."
Xiao Jingyan took a sip from the teacup, and his brows instantly wrinkled. "The flavor is insipid, and there's a sort of indescribable fishy smell. This doesn't seem like something from our Central Plains."
"This is a tribute from Zhu Yin, called 'Cloud Tail'. " Xiao Jingheng sighed meaningfully, "I can no longer stand drinking it, so this tea supplier can be dismissed."
Although Xiao Jingyan was debauched, he was no fool when it came to worldly affairs.
Hearing Xiao Jingheng's words, he immediately became serious.
"If Eldest Imperial Brother has anything that requires my assistance, please just say so."
Xiao Jingheng patted his shoulder approvingly and spoke in a deep voice,
"I want you to go to Zhu Yin and bring back the head of its emperor, Jiang Muye."
"Jiang Muye?" Xiao Jingyan could not conceal his astonishment. "After he succeeded as the Emperor of Zhu Yin, he immediately submitted to Qi Dynasty. Among all foreign lands, Zhu Yin is the most obedient and tamed. Besides, hasn't Eldest Imperial Brother always treated Zhu Yin exceptionally well? Why suddenly..."
With Prince Rui confined at the Prince's manor and Prince Qi imprisoned at the Censorate, Xiao Jingyan was the only brother Xiao Jingheng still trusted.
Taking Jiang Muye's head had to be done in secret, not brought out into the open. Keeping Xiao Jingyan completely in the dark would not be good.
Thus, Xiao Jingheng simply gave Xiao Jingyan a condensed account of the twists and turns behind this matter.
After some self-mockery and confession, he rubbed his temples and smiled bitterly,
"I thought I was a wise ruler, yet I was schemed against by him for so many years without realizing it. How laughable."
Xiao Jingyan's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
"I was wondering what crime second brother could have committed. I didn't expect him to be a traitor who colludes with enemies and sells out his country! And Imperial Consort Hui..."
A thought seemed to occur to him as his gaze fixed. He said in a low voice,
"Back then, when the Second Prince was told by evil Daoists to plant a life base, Eldest Imperial Brother endured the pain and instructed me to handle the matter. I remember Imperial Consort Hui was at your side comforting you then... Could this matter also involve Zhu Yin's scheming?"
Xiao Jingheng had always felt guilty about Cheng Yu. At this moment, his eyes also reddened as he nodded lightly.
But then, Xiao Jingyan suddenly knelt before him, unusually solemn as he said,
"Eldest Imperial Brother, your younger brother deserves death. I beg you to reduce my punishment."
Xiao Jingheng was startled, not understanding his intention for a moment. "Get up and explain yourself."
But Xiao Jingyan remained kneeling as he declared in a deep voice,
"Actually, when I received the order to take Second Prince's life to plant the life base back then, I felt merciful. I knew how much Eldest Imperial Brother treasured Second Prince, and understood the pain in your heart.
For the sake of the country, Eldest Imperial Brother had no choice but to do this. But I was afraid you would regret it one day.
So... I disobeyed the imperial edict and took matters into my own hands. What is buried in the imperial tomb now is not the Second Prince. As for the Second Prince, I handed him over to trusted subordinates to take good care of him. I was humane but betrayed Eldest Imperial Brother's trust. Please punish me for this crime!"
