Ch 138: Adding Insult To Injury

“What is the cause of such panic?” Shen Yunheng’s gaze fell on the soldier who had rushed in, his dark eyes profound, as if able to discern the hearts of men.

The soldier hurriedly reported, “Reporting to His Highness, His Highness the Third Prince has suddenly fallen ill and has fainted.”

Upon hearing this news, Shen Yunheng’s gaze slightly narrowed, then he immediately stood up and strode out.

Meng Tingyue followed closely behind.

Meng Tingyue followed closely behind, secretly speculating in her heart. She guessed that Prince Qing, because of the Ningxiang Residence matter, was consumed by anger, which aggravated his illness.

To be so easily affected by anger, it seems that Prince Qing’s body is at the end of its rope, and his time is short.

Meng Tingyue pondered this in her heart, but her pace did not slow down in the slightest, following Shen Yunheng to Prince Qing’s Mansion.

After a thorough examination, Imperial Physician Wu slowly got up, and with a serious expression, reported Prince Qing’s condition to Shen Yunheng in detail: “Prince Qing has always been frail and sickly. This unexpected stimulation is like adding fuel to the fire, causing his already weak body to become even more precarious. If there is another similar blow, I fear…”

Although Imperial Physician Wu’s words were unfinished, the worry in them was clearly expressed, causing Shen Yunheng’s mood to sink to the bottom.

Shen Yunheng’s gaze suddenly became sharp as a knife, piercing the side of Mu Xia who was hanging his head. His voice was low and full of questions: “As Prince Qing’s personal guard, why did you fail to protect him? Why did he receive such a shock?”

Mu Xia knelt on his knees, after much hesitation, he told Shen Yunheng what had happened.

Prince Qing’s health is not good now, and this matter is urgent and cannot be delayed. He can only entrust this heavy burden to the Crown Prince and ask His Highness the Crown Prince to handle it.

Meng Tingyue heard that Meng Qingjiao had arbitrarily imprisoned those Madam who had come to seek justice, and waves of turbulent waves surged in her heart.

Should I say she is bold, or should I say she is foolish?

She arrested people without investigating the matter clearly. Doesn’t she think these people were sent by her to cause trouble?

A sneer quietly appeared in the depths of Meng Tingyue’s eyes.

Prince Qing’s painstaking efforts finally brought back such a “capable person,” I don’t know whether to lament his misfortune or laugh at his absurdity.

Shen Yunheng lowered his eyelids, his heart like a raging flame, yet he still managed to maintain his composure and dignity. He asked in a low voice, “Where is Princess Qing now?”

Mu Xia hesitated slightly, and finally spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of imperceptible hesitation: “The Princess should be resting in Bright Moon Courtyard.”

“Why is the Princess not by Prince Qing’s bedside at such a time?” Shen Yunheng’s tone already revealed a hint of displeasure.

Mu Xia looked embarrassed and explained, “His Highness… did not want the Princess to worry, so no one has yet informed her of the matter.”

Hearing this, Shen Yunheng frowned, as if he could squeeze out water, his expression full of seriousness and dissatisfaction.

“Go and invite Princess Qing here immediately,” he commanded, his tone brooking no refusal.

Mu Xia retreated, leaving the room silent.

At this time, Imperial Physician Wu, seeing this, quickly bowed and said with a hint of awe, “Reporting to His Highness, Prince Qing also has a high fever. This old minister must hurry and prepare herbal medicine for His Highness.”

After speaking, Imperial Physician Wu slowly withdrew.

Meng Tingyue lowered her eyelids, standing quietly to one side, like a silent statue. In her stillness, a sneer and undisguised delight flowed subtly in her eyes.

After Shen Yunheng gave his instructions, when he turned around, he happened to catch sight of Meng Tingyue’s waiting figure. His heart paused, his thoughts swirling for a moment, but he finally did not ask for her help.

Although he was not entirely clear about their complicated past, his intuition told him that even if he did ask, Meng Tingyue would not necessarily sincerely treat Prince Qing.

Meanwhile, Meng Qingjiao was at ease in her room, eating delicious and juicy fruit, listening to the storyteller’s vivid narration. Her thoughts had already drifted to the distance, her heart and eyes full of the beautiful vision of future prosperity and a bountiful return.

Once she successfully suppressed Meng Tingyue and cured Prince Qing’s illness, she would be able to return to the trajectory of her past life.

Ziqing stood quietly to one side. Her eyes were sharp, and she suddenly caught sight of a rapidly moving figure in the courtyard, and hurriedly whispered, “Madam, Mu Xia, who is by His Highness’s side, has arrived.”

Meng Qingjiao slowly opened her eyes, which held a profound meaning, a hint of curiosity appearing on her face. She gracefully adjusted her posture and gently opened her lips: “Oh? What is the reason for his visit?”

Before she finished speaking, Mu Xia burst into the room like a gust of wind, his expression anxious, his voice slightly panicked: “Madam, it’s a serious matter, His Highness… has fallen ill again!”

Hearing this, Meng Qingjiao’s fruit involuntarily fell, lightly bouncing on the wooden floor, rolling several circles before finally coming to rest in the dust.

On her way to the study, Meng Qingjiao also heard about the ins and outs of Prince Qing’s illness, and learned that his illness was related to the shop, and fear appeared in her heart.

What surprised her even more was that those who she thought were merely ordinary people making trouble, were actually the wives of officials who Prince Qing had intentionally befriended in the past.

Could it be that those disturbances were not caused by Meng Tingyue, but there is another hidden story?

Arriving at the study door, Meng Qingjiao took a deep breath, suppressed the panic in her heart, and gently pushed open the door.

Inside the study, Shen Yunheng sat at his desk, his face cold, his eyes like frost, the imposing manner that did not need anger to command awe, caused Meng Qingjiao’s heart to sink, almost causing her to lose composure and kneel on the ground.

“I… I greet… Imperial Brother,” her voice trembled slightly, trying to maintain the most basic courtesy.

Shen Yunheng stared at Meng Qingjiao, his eyes flashing with scrutiny and undisguised disappointment.

He couldn’t help but secretly speculate, how could Prince Qing be so fond of this reckless woman who lacked a sense of the overall situation? Was it simply because of her beautiful appearance?

His heart was surging, yet he still managed to remain calm and steady, slowly speaking, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority: “Do you know the identity of those who broke into Ningxiang Residence this morning? Did you investigate beforehand?”

Meng Qingjiao lowered her head, her hands clenched tightly, her nails almost embedded in her palms. She barely suppressed the fear in her heart, her voice trembling slightly: “I… I thought they were just troublemakers…”

“Without thorough investigation, you dared to arrest people. Even the Emperor, the most supreme ruler, would not dare to do so lightly. Where did you get the courage?” Shen Yunheng’s words were like sharp swords in a cold wind, sharp and icy.