"Your Majesty, this old servant does not know much about this matter," Eunuch Li said, deflecting.
Although he knew how Prince Qing died, the cause of Prince Qing's death absolutely could not be leaked from his mouth. He did not want to bring trouble to the Cold King and the Cold King's Consort.
Because the Cold King's Consort had been kind to him, a while ago, his old leg ailment flared up, causing him so much pain that he could barely stand. Thus, he had requested two days of sick leave from the Emperor, allowing his disciple to temporarily attend to the Emperor.
However, on that day, it happened that the Cold King's Consort came to the palace to charge the Emperor's massage device. She did not see him attending to the Emperor, so she inquired about him from his disciple. Unexpectedly, his foolish disciple actually told the Cold King's Consort the truth and also informed her that his old leg ailment had flared up again.
Upon learning of this, the Cold King's Consort had a young eunuch lead her to his residence. To his surprise, a Consort of such high status would come to treat him, a lowly old eunuch.
Later, after her examination, the Cold King's Consort immediately prescribed him some medicated plasters to apply to the affected area. He was able to walk that very day.
After he finished one course of the plasters, the Cold King's Consort arranged for someone to send him another course. After using several courses of the plasters sent by the Cold King's Consort, his old leg ailment had greatly improved, and he no longer suffered from the excruciating pain that prevented him from standing.
Moreover, the Cold King's Consort had never discriminated against him for being an eunuch. She was very respectful of the servants and he had never seen her lose her temper with them.
Therefore, for the kindness shown by the Cold King's Consort, he had to repay her for the rest of his life.
"You serve by the Emperor's side, how could you possibly not know?" the Empress pressed him.
"If Your Majesty wishes to know, you can ask the Emperor yourself."
Having been in the palace for so many years, Eunuch Li was not inexperienced. He had encountered many such situations.
"You... If the Emperor were willing to see me, would I still be asking you?" the Empress retorted angrily.
"Then this old servant has nothing to say at this moment. However, the Emperor instructed this old servant to inform Your Majesty that due to Prince Qing's matter, the Emperor has specifically lifted your restriction for three days to handle Prince Qing's funeral arrangements. Additionally, Your Majesty may consult the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to select a date for Prince Qing's burial, but Prince Qing cannot be buried in the Jun family imperial mausoleum."
Eunuch Li's words struck the Empress's heart like a massive boulder.
"Why? Prince Qing is a descendant of the Jun family royalty, why won't the Emperor allow him to be buried in the Jun family imperial mausoleum?"
Upon hearing this, the Empress immediately roared at Eunuch Li, throwing a teacup from the small table at his forehead.
Eunuch Li did not dodge. He took the Empress's blow directly, and blood soon overflowed from his forehead, flowing down his cheeks and onto his collar. 138 Reading Network
This Empress was truly too arrogant. No wonder the Emperor had never truly cared for her.
Who could tolerate her temper? It served her right!
Eunuch Li felt contempt for her in his heart. He then took his leave from the Empress.
"Your Majesty, this old servant has conveyed everything the Emperor instructed, word for word. I shall take my leave now."
But as Eunuch Li turned to leave, the Empress called him back.
"Tonight, you must make it clear to me why the Emperor does not allow Prince Qing to be buried in the Jun family imperial mausoleum?" the Empress asked, still confused.
"Your Majesty, if you truly wish to know, then this old servant will tell you the truth. Prince Qing died an unnatural death, which is why he cannot be buried in the Jun family imperial mausoleum. This is an ancient rule."
When Eunuch Li uttered the words "unnatural death," he deliberately slowed his speech, enunciating each syllable.
Upon hearing the words "unnatural death," the Empress fell from her couch. Little Anzi and the two palace maids attending her immediately helped the Empress back onto the couch.
"Died an unnatural death? So, Prince Qing was murdered?" the Empress muttered to herself.
She truly could not accept that her son, whom she had spent half her life cultivating, had died such a tragic death.
"I have nothing left. I have nothing... Wuwu..." the Empress murmured tearfully.
With Prince Qing dead and Prince Shou hating her, she truly had nothing left.
Eunuch Li took advantage of the Empress's distraction to quickly lead his people away from Fengqi Palace to report back to the Emperor.
Lin State Duke's Mansion.
Today was the first night after Madam Lin State Duke's burial. The mansion was deathly silent. Lin Zhenfei was in a melancholy mood, walking alone in the back garden, gazing up at the dark night sky. His heart felt as if it were being pressed by a heavy stone, making it difficult to breathe.
At this moment, Lin Zhenfan was pushed before him by a guard.
"Eldest Brother, the dead cannot be brought back to life. You shouldn't be too sad," Lin Zhenfan consoled him.
"Second Brother, Eldest Brother is not sad because of Qin Shi's death, but because with Qin Shi gone, I fear that Qin Zhihong will break ties with us. You have seen Qin Zhihong's attitude towards us these past few days. He first caused a disturbance at Qin Shi's funeral, and today he made a scene again during her funeral procession. I worry that he will defect to our opponents, as he knows too many secrets about our brothers."
Lin Zhenfei was feeling anxious at this moment.
"Eldest Brother, don't worry. Qin Zhihong will not defect to our opponents."
After Lin Zhenfan said this, the corners of his lips curved into a faint, malicious smile, and a flash of cold light flickered in his dark, elongated eyes.
"Second Brother, why are you so certain?" Lin Zhenfei asked, confused.
"Eldest Brother has been preoccupied with Qin Shi's affairs these past few days, so he hasn't paid much attention to external news. I heard from informants in the Qin mansion that a few days ago, Miss Qin Xixue's face was disfigured. Furthermore, when Qin Zhihong was indulging with his concubine, a potent aphrodisiac was administered to him, causing him to have intercourse with his concubine forcefully for a night, resulting in her death. The next day, the concubine's maid also suffered the same fate. Fortunately, Madam Qin arrived in time and saved the young maid, otherwise, Qin Zhihong would have taken two lives. If this matter were to reach the Emperor's ears, Prime Minister Qin's official position would be in jeopardy."
Lin Zhenfan said slowly.
"But this has nothing to do with him defecting to our opponents?" Lin Zhenfei said, feeling a bit speechless.
"It does. Because Prince Ning heard about the incident in the Qin mansion and went to visit the Qin family father and daughter that very night. Prince Ning also expressed his affection for the disfigured Qin Xixue. They spent time together in the garden for the duration of an incense stick, and Qin Xixue did not reject Prince Ning... Prince Ning also made assurances to Qin Xixue... Anyone with eyes can see that Prince Ning intends to win over Qin Zhihong. If Prince Ning wins over Qin Zhihong, and we choose to support Prince Ning as our puppet, it would be exactly as we wish."
Lin Zhenfan meaningfully revealed Prince Ning's recent actions.
But as they were engrossed in their conversation, a guard suddenly rushed towards them.
"My Lord, Second Master, there is news from the palace. They say, they say Prince Qing has passed away."