The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 127

Chapter 127: Rebellion （3）

For Xiao Jinyu’s safety, this time, Gao Changgong insisted on personally escorting her back to the “Xiao Residence” in Jianxi Alley with his guards.

At that time, everyone in the residence was worried sick. Fenghuang, after escaping from Miaofa Temple with Xiao Xian, had returned to search for Xiao Jinyu everywhere.

Until this moment, seeing Xiao Jinyu appear safe and sound with Prince of Lanling, everyone’s anxious hearts finally settled down.

The events that took place at Miaofa Temple this day were indeed thrilling and alarming, but fortunately, they did not cause a major disturbance. The rebellious monk soldiers were quickly controlled and arrested by the Imperial Guards, and then handed over to the Ministry of Justice for interrogation.

After experiencing this upheaval, the ministers and scholars who came to participate in the debate were all frightened out of their wits and would probably not dare to leave their homes for a while.

Because they knew that this turmoil would not truly end. Prince of Shixing would not give up. He actually…escaped on his own before His Majesty could issue a decree to convict him. From now on, he would only launch a rebellion even more recklessly!

The momentary tranquility in Jiankang City was probably just a brief period of calm before the storm.

There were no pedestrians on the streets!

✿✿✿

Prince of Shixing, Chen Shuling, did not dare to return to his residence but fled to the Eastern Palace City in the southeast corner of Jiankang City. This was also a private residence he had secretly purchased, specifically for storing troops and provisions. Years of extorting the people’s wealth had allowed him to accumulate a considerable fortune—soldiers, horses, land, houses, women, he had it all!

No matter where he was, he never forgot to indulge himself.

At this moment, he still had fine wine and beautiful women in his arms. Although his mood was extremely bad, it did not affect his pursuit of pleasure!

After venting his frustration on a beautiful woman, Chen Shuling realized that it was still not enough. He actually drew his sword and directly slit the woman’s throat.

“Your Highness—”

Dai Wen, who had just returned to report, was startled to see the woman lying dead on the ground with her eyes wide open.

“If this Prince loses, dies, what’s the point of all this wealth and women? Unless this Prince wins, sits on that throne, all these women will be buried with this Prince!”

“And you…”

Chen Shuling turned around, his fierce gaze falling on Dai Wen.

“Well? Did you find that Xie Zhen?”

Dai Wen lowered his head, feeling somewhat apprehensive.

“No, Your Highness. I searched the entire Miaofa Temple, as well as the embassy where Prince of Lanling resides, but I did not see the person in Your Highness’s painting, that Xie Zhen!”

“Not seen?” Chen Shuling was furious, his hand gripping the sword trembling. He really couldn’t understand what grudge this Xie Zhen had against him. He actually used the debate as an excuse to force his father to convict him in front of all the ministers, scholars, and the people. And he even said something about princes being subject to the same law as commoners!

Absolutely ridiculous! Delusional!

But it also forced him to this point, never to gain his father’s trust again!

Chen Shuling thought for a moment and asked, “Maybe this person was disguised. Didn’t you see any suspicious people?”

Dai Wen shook his head, hesitated for a long time, and then stammered:

“However, Prince of Lanling has acquired a new beauty, as beautiful as an immortal. This subordinate has never seen such a beautiful person, and couldn’t bear to hurt her!”

Talking about beauties in front of him at this time was like stabbing him in the heart. No matter how beautiful a woman was placed before him now, he was powerless!

So, was this mocking him?

“As beautiful as an immortal? How beautiful is that?” he asked with a sneer.

Dai Wen had already sensed a hint of danger.

“Your Highness, this subordinate has not seen many women in his life, so upon seeing such a one, he lost his soul. This subordinate misspoke!” Dai Wen quickly corrected himself.

Chen Shuling abruptly plunged the still dripping sword into the ground, gritting his teeth as if making a vow:

“This Prince doesn’t care what method you use, you must capture that Xie Zhen. This Prince will personally cut him into a thousand pieces and avenge today’s humiliation!”

“Yes!”

Dai Wen was about to leave after receiving the order, but Chen Shuling called him back.

“By the way, how is my father? Have you heard any news?”

Dai Wen hesitated for a moment again and replied:

“His Majesty seems to be ill and bedridden. Her Majesty the Empress is summoning imperial physicians for treatment!”

Ill? Could it be…really going to…

“Then there’s even less time to wait. Send word to those princes and generals. This Prince wants to mobilize all the troops in the capital region, kill the Crown Prince, and directly seize the Jiankang Tai City!”

“Yes!”

Dai Wen left in a panic, his legs trembling even after walking a long distance.

Would following such a tyrannical prince really bring him endless wealth and a future?

How many troops could he muster now? How many princes and generals would respond to his call?

Dai Wen had no confidence in his heart and was very apprehensive.

The money and goods that Prince of Shixing had given him were indeed substantial, enough to support his entire family, but his life was also hanging by a thread, and he could lose his head at any moment.

✿✿✿

Not long after Xiao Jinyu returned to the Xiao Residence, an imperial edict from the Empress arrived, summoning her to the palace immediately.

The Empress’s words were sincere yet implicitly threatening, brooking no delay!

Before this, another incident had occurred in the residence. Two elderly *buqu* had fled to the residence and revealed their identities to Xiao Xian. They were private soldiers under the control of Princess Yunyin of the Xiao family.

✿✿✿

“Princess Yunyin actually colluded with Prince of Shixing. This time, Prince of Shixing intends to rebel and usurp the throne. Princess Yunyin forced us to join Prince of Shixing’s army and rebel with him!”

“We were originally controlled by the poison she administered. Over the years, many elderly *buqu* generals have been replaced by her people. The personal guard that the Crown Prince left behind has completely changed.”

“However, there are still *buqu* generals loyal to the true head of the Xiao family. The two of us do not want to be controlled by that vicious woman anymore. Even if we die from the poison, we must escape with the *buqu* who have not yet been harmed!”

“Seventh Young Master Xiao has the demeanor of the Crown Prince back then. We are willing to serve Seventh Young Master Xiao to the death!”

After he finished speaking, there was a rumble of orderly footsteps from outside the courtyard. Ling Ye and Fenghuang immediately became alert and prepared for battle. However, they saw dozens of *buqu* lined up outside the courtyard, shouting in unison, “We are willing to serve Seventh Young Master Xiao to the death!”

These *buqu* all had injuries on their bodies. It seemed that they had gone through a bloody battle before fleeing here!

Xiao Jinyu walked out and looked at the two elderly *buqu* generals, extending her hand.

“Come here, let me have a look!”

The two *buqu*, seeing her resemblance to Xiao Luan, were both surprised and delighted, “Are you Lady Luan? Has Lady Luan returned?”

“I’m not.” Xiao Jinyu denied directly.

Disappointment flashed across the faces of the two *buqu* generals. Then they seemed to think of something and asked, “Is she your daughter?”

Xiao Jinyu nodded.

“Yes, I am her daughter. However, this is not my true appearance!” As she spoke, she tore off the artificial skin from her face and looked at the two *buqu* generals and the *buqu* behind them, “This is my true face!”

The courtyard suddenly fell silent. While everyone was puzzled as to why Xiao Jinyu would reveal her true face at this moment, Xiao Xian also stepped forward and said, “That’s right, she is the daughter of my elder sister, Xiao Luan, and General Han, so she resembles General Han. You don’t have to be confused!”

“Her name is Xiao Jinyu. Everyone should remember this name. Moreover, she has also inherited her mother Xiao Luan’s medical skills!”

After a pause, Xiao Xian continued:

“She can detoxify and treat you two so that you will no longer be controlled by others!”

The last sentence made the two elderly *buqu* generals look at Xiao Jinyu with great joy and surprise.

“Is she Lady Luan’s daughter, our little mistress?”

“We pay our respects to Little Mistress!”

Loud cheers erupted from outside the courtyard once again!

Xiao Jinyu called out to A’yuan, “A’yuan, how is your medicine coming along?”

“Hmm, it’s done. Following Elder Sister’s instructions, A’yuan has been diligent under Uncle Xian’s guidance, and hasn’t made any mistakes!”

“Good, bring me one to try!”

“Okay!”

A’yuan went to fetch the medicine, but Xiao Xian became nervous.

“No, this medicine has just been made, and no one has tried it. How can you try it?”

“Precisely because no one has tried it, I have to try it!” Xiao Jinyu replied, then smiled gently, “Don’t worry, Uncle Xian. I have been practicing medicine and tasting medicine with my mother since I was a child. I am experienced. If there’s anything wrong, A’yu can immediately save herself!”

Moreover, Xiao Luan had already made her daughter’s body immune to all poisons, except for that aphrodisiac that didn’t count as poison!

A’yuan handed the pill to Xiao Jinyu, and everyone in the courtyard became tense.

As Xiao Jinyu was about to put the pill into her mouth, Xiao Xian, still worried, grabbed her hand. Then, catching her off guard, he snatched the pill and swallowed it himself.

“Uncle Xian!”

“Seventh Young Master Xiao!”

The two *buqu* generals were moved to tears.

“I have tasted the poison that Princess Yunyin administered, so it’s most appropriate for me to try this antidote. Even if there’s something wrong, isn’t there you, the divine physician, here?”

Xiao Xian said to Xiao Jinyu with a smile.

Xiao Jinyu was speechless, but warmth surged in her heart.

After a while, Xiao Jinyu took Xiao Xian’s pulse. Amidst everyone’s anxious waiting, she suddenly smiled and nodded at Xiao Xian.

“A’yuan, give the medicine to these two uncles!”

“Okay!”

A’yuan happily handed the refined pills to the two *buqu* generals, letting them take them themselves.

At this time, Xiao Jinyu said, “The antidote that Princess Yunyin gave you was never an antidote. On the contrary, if you hadn’t taken this so-called antidote, the poison would have been cured long ago. It is precisely because you have been taking this antidote for many years that you have been severely poisoned, with no cure!”

The two *buqu* generals were astonished, but then they heard her tone change,

“However, the medicine I gave you is a newly refined antidote pill. It can cure any poison!”