Chapter 163 Prince Ye’s Impending Death, Consort Li’s Delight

Chapter 163: Prince Ye Is Not Long for This World, Consort Li Rejoices

"In my humble opinion, he probably won't make it past this month."

It was already October 21st, and there were only nine days left in the month.

That meant Luo Junhe was really going to die?

This news filled Consort Li's heart with ecstasy, and she couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth turn up.

Twenty-two years—she had endured him for twenty-two whole years.

That deadweight Luo Junhe was finally going to die!

As for that fool Ji Yuntang, she would tolerate her for a few more days. Once Luo Junhe was dead, she would have her buried alive with him.

Consort Li's face showed visible joy, and even Imperial Physician Zhu looked much more favorable in her eyes.

"Imperial Physician Zhu, you have done well in this matter. Once Prince Ye is laid to rest, I will ask His Majesty to recommend your son for an official post."

Imperial Physician Zhu's heart leaped with joy. He knew that Consort Li had recently regained Emperor Jingyang's attention and would surely be favored again soon. He quickly knelt down to thank her.

"I thank Consort Li for her grace. As long as my son can enter officialdom, I will serve you well, even if it costs me my life."

Consort Li's charming face broke into a gentle smile again. She said calmly, "Very good. You have worked hard today; go back early and rest!"

"I know you usually enjoy tea. I recently acquired a batch of fine Longjing spring tea. Take some back with you as well."

Consort Li had always been a scheming woman. To those who were still useful to her, she would use both kindness and intimidation, making them truly grateful to her.

Imperial Physician Zhu was still useful to her, so she had to treat him well.

"Thank you so much, Consort Li."

After thanking her profusely, Imperial Physician Zhu picked up the Longjing spring tea and left, filled with gratitude.

He had originally thought that since he hadn't completed the task Consort Li had assigned, he would surely be punished. He had even come prepared for it.

Unexpectedly, not only did Consort Li not blame him, but she also promised to help his son enter officialdom and gifted him such fine tea. This made Imperial Physician Zhu feel more important in her eyes.

After he left, Consort Li's beautiful eyes gleamed, and with an indifferent expression, she glanced at her senior palace maid, Jian Lan.

"Go report to His Majesty that after Imperial Physician Zhu examined Prince Ye at the Prince Ye's Mansion, he said the prince doesn't have much time left. Upon hearing this news, I fainted from grief."

"When you speak, look sad. Don't let His Majesty realize you're lying to him. Also, have someone spread this news outside the palace."

"Yes, this servant obeys."

Jian Lan agreed softly. She knew Consort Li was about to put on her act of deep concern for Luo Junhe again, making others think she was truly worried about him.

Luo Junhe was already on the verge of death. After this performance, he would likely die soon. This was the greatest benefit Consort Li got from Luo Junhe's existence.

Over the years, Consort Li had often used Luo Junhe to boost her own reputation, building an image of a devoted, loving mother. Jian Lan of course had to cooperate with Consort Li to put on this charade.

Emperor Jingyang had been in the study discussing state affairs with his ministers and had ordered not to be disturbed. When Jian Lan arrived, she couldn't see him.

After a moment's thought, she turned and went first to the Empress's Fengyi Palace.

"Your Majesty the Empress, this servant has urgent news to report."

Jian Lan knelt on the ground, crying uncontrollably.

"Imperial Physician Zhu went to Prince Ye's Mansion today to check the prince's pulse. After returning, he said Prince Ye doesn't have much time left and probably won't make it past the end of this month. When Consort Li heard the news, she fainted from grief."

"Crash." The Empress's hand trembled as she held her tea cup, causing it to slip from her grasp and shatter on the ground.

Her face was filled with shock, her eyes wide with disbelief.

How could this be?

Ji Yuntang had told her not long ago that Luo Junhe was on the verge of recovery. How could he suddenly become so seriously ill?

The Empress's heart pounded like a drum. She felt a tightness in her chest, a strange anxiety and unease.

She wished she could fly to Prince Ye's Mansion right away to see for herself.

Nanny Shen, who had seen much of the world, leaned in close to the Empress's ear and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Your Majesty, we both know Princess Ye's medical skills. She cured the Seventeenth Prince and this servant's illness—how could she be an ordinary healer?"

"We can't just believe this maid's one-sided story. We should send a reliable person to Prince Ye's Mansion to check."

Nanny Shen's words were like a wake-up call, calming the Empress and easing her mind.

Once she came to her senses, she too sensed something off about the news.

If Luo Junhe was truly in such a dire state, why hadn't Prince Ye's Mansion made any move? And why hadn't Ji Yuntang sent news to the palace?

These two points didn't add up.

After thinking it over, she sent Jian Lan away and decided to send Luo Qingge herself to Prince Ye's Mansion to see what was going on.

The news that Prince Ye was critically ill and wouldn't survive the month spread like a tidal wave. In just one midday, it caused an uproar throughout the Dongchen Kingdom.

People couldn't believe that their beloved War God Prince was on the brink of death, with only a few days left.

But the one who had taken Prince Ye's pulse was Imperial Physician Zhu, the best physician in the Imperial Hospital. They couldn't ignore his verdict.

Thus, many commoners began cursing Ji Yuntang behind her back.

"If I remember correctly, when Princess Ye married Prince Ye, it was to chase away bad luck, wasn't it? Before she came, Prince Ye was doing fine. In less than three months, Prince Ye is on the verge of death. Could she be a jinx?"

"Doesn't Princess Ye practice medicine herself? Why doesn't she treat Prince Ye? Could she have really married him for the wealth and status of Prince Ye's Mansion?"

"She's a daughter of a concubine, raised in the countryside. Marrying Prince Ye and becoming princess is already an incredible stroke of luck. Prince Ye's face is so scarred—which noble lady would want to marry him?"

"I bet she doesn't truly love Prince Ye either. If she didn't marry him, she would die. Princess Ye was forced into this marriage by the Yongning Marquis's household. Sigh, what a tragedy!"

"..."

Most of the commoners were just there for the spectacle, gossiping and arguing about the affairs of Prince Ye's Mansion.

Xie Liuzheng sat in a tavern on the second floor facing the street, listening to the crowd slandering Ji Yuntang. The more he heard, the angrier he got!

Finally, unable to contain himself, he pounded the table, stood up menacingly, and strode toward the staircase.

Xie Liuzheng shed his usual carefree demeanor, sweeping his cold gaze over the tavern patrons as he shouted, "You gossiping busybodies, shut up! I, the heir, command it!"

"Did Princess Ye eat your food or drink your water? She doesn't even know you! You catch wind of something—just a rumor from who knows where—and you slander her like this? Do your families know you're kicking her when she's down?"

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