Ch 264: Poisoning

Shi Xiangsui was taught from a young age that family honor was above all else.

Her marriage to the Second Prince, becoming an Imperial Relative, was also for family honor.

But unfortunately, the Second Prince was incompetent.

When her father first told her about the rebellion plan, she was shocked.

But later, she was persuaded by her father.

She didn’t want to spend her life with a mediocre man; she wanted to go higher and further, and she also wanted to elevate their Shi family to a higher level.

Her child would be the future Emperor!

While father and daughter were talking, Shen Xingyao returned to the mansion.

Father and daughter quickly went out to greet him and pay their respects.

Shen Xingyao looked at the two in front of him, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

If he hadn’t heard Biluo’s inner voice, he never would have imagined that his wife and his father-in-law were so audacious, and would harm him like this!

Several people entered the guest hall.

Seeing Shen Xingyao’s displeasure, Shi Jia smiled and said, “Your Highness, why the worried look? Did something unpleasant happen?”

Shen Xingyao’s heart trembled; he thought to himself, what unpleasant things happened? You two really have no clue.

While managing his expression, he sighed, “Today at court, Father Emperor scolded me again.” He waved his hand, his wide sleeves swaying, “Never mind, let’s not talk about it.”

Shi Jia grew even more contemptuous of his son-in-law.

Truly a useless fool. But being able to serve as a stepping stone for the rise of their Shi family was his honor!

Shi Xiangsui appeared nervous, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.

Shi Xiangsui was trying hard to conceal it, but Shen Xingyao could still see her nervousness.

He felt another bucket of cold water poured on his heart.

Today, they were going to poison him.

Could Shi Xiangsui be the one doing this?!

Shi Xiangsui smiled, picked up a bowl from the table, and with small steps, presented it to Shen Xingyao. “Husband, forget about court matters. Here, I made you some bird’s nest soup. Eat it while it’s hot.”

Shen Xingyao managed his expression so hard he didn’t write the words “this is poison” on his face.

Although he’d been prepared, when his wife really presented that bowl of poisoned soup, icy despair surged in his heart.

Shi Xiangsui and Shi Jia involuntarily held their breath. Their attention was focused on the bowl of bird’s nest soup.

Once Shen Xingyao drank the soup, their plan would be half-successful.

Shen Xingyao forced a smile, didn’t take the soup, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, “Father-in-law, you should have this; you came all this way.”

Shi Xiangsui’s face changed slightly; her hand holding the bowl hung in mid-air. Before she could speak, Shi Jia said with a smile, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I already had some. My daughter prepared this specially for you. Please drink it.”

Shi Xiangsui’s hand holding the bowl trembled slightly.

She was increasingly hesitant, struggling to control her trembling lips. She softly said, “Husband just got back, he probably can’t eat it. I’ll have someone take it away and have the kitchen reheat it later.”

She didn’t know what she was thinking.

Perhaps it was fear, perhaps she didn’t want to use the person before her, she didn’t know. Anyway, she didn’t want to do this anymore.

Shen Xingyao was slightly taken aback, looking at Shi Xiangsui; he didn’t expect her to say that.

Shi Jia, aside, panicked and said, “That won’t do! This bird’s nest soup, if left and reheated, loses its nutrients. It’s hot now; Your Highness should drink it while it’s hot!”

Hearing this, Shi Xiangsui stopped her turning movement, frozen in place, unsure whether to present the soup or take it away.

Shen Xingyao looked into her eyes, his lips pale. “What does my wife think? Now or later? I’ll listen to my wife.” He tried to remain calm, but his voice trembled slightly.

Shi Xiangsui swallowed, looking at her father, then at Shen Xingyao.

Shi Jia was frantic: “Of course now! If it’s put away, the soup loses its flavor, all the previous preparations will have been for naught!”

Shi Xiangsui knew what her father meant by “all the previous preparations will have been for naught”.

Their family had been preparing for rebellion for so long; they couldn’t fail at this point.

So she steeled herself, forced a smile, turned around, and brought the bird’s nest soup to Shen Xingyao.

“Father’s right, I wasn’t thinking clearly. Husband, drink it now!”

Shen Xingyao paused, lowered his eyelashes, concealing the turbulent emotions in his eyes, and stiffly took the bowl.

He took the bird’s nest soup. There was a delicate silver spoon in the bowl, but he didn’t use it. Instead, he covered his mouth with his wide sleeve and pretended to drink it all, then put the bowl, now only half-full, back on the table.

Shi Jia saw the half-bowl of bird’s nest soup, breathed a sigh of relief, and relaxed his tense shoulders.

Shi Xiangsui stood there blankly, her mind empty, lost in thought.

Shi Jia looked at his daughter, frowned, and said, “Xiangsui, what are you doing? Get back to your seat!”

Shi Xiangsui, as if waking from a dream, hurriedly returned to her seat.

After that, Shen Xingyao and Shi Xiangsui didn’t speak.

Shi Jia led the conversation, chatting about various topics.

After a long chat, Shi Jia felt the poison had reached his stomach and looked at Shen Xingyao with a smile.

“Your Highness, actually, my trip to Kyoto isn’t just for my official duties. There is something important I need to discuss with Your Highness.”

Shi Xiangsui swallowed, even more nervous.

Were they finally getting to the point?

Shen Xingyao’s face became even paler; he looked up at Shi Jia.

A calculating glint flashed in Shi Jia’s eyes: “Your Highness is a prince, yet you’ve been frustrated, not favored by His Majesty. Are you content?”

Shen Xingyao coldly looked at Shi Jia, “What if I am? What if I’m not?”

Shi Jia gave a mysterious smile, “In my opinion, Your Highness is very capable. The Emperor doesn’t use you because he hasn’t discovered your abilities.”

Shen Xingyao was speechless.

Do you even believe that yourself?

His younger sister’s assessment of him was accurate; he wasn’t particularly capable, but he had self-awareness.

He wouldn’t be easily misled by others.

“Your Highness’s abilities are not inferior to the Crown Prince’s. If you are willing to take his place, I will go through fire and water to help you!” Shi Jia became more and more excited, even standing up from his seat.

Shen Xingyao was speechless.

So blunt and straightforward, no preamble at all?