"But even so, we canât just stand by and watch them slander Suisui!
She holds the title of Princess. Those people are so bold; if she were just an ordinary person, who knows what they would say about Suisui?"
Xie PanâEr was furious at the rumors spread by those people!
The Emperor saw her angry expression and suddenly felt pleased. Being able to show emotions in front of him meant she had let down her guard and no longer saw him as the lofty Emperor!
"Just wait and see for now; thereâs bound to be someone behind this pushing things along. As for who it is and what their motives are, the National Master will investigate.
Suisui is young and doesnât understand these things. Donât show anything in front of her."
"Of course I know sheâs young, and that mouth of hers is sharp. Iâm afraid sheâll blurt out something unexpected, so I havenât dared to talk to her alone these past two days!"
After saying this, Xie PanâEr blinked and pointed at the bowl of medicine the Emperor held, "Why donât you drink the medicine? What are you holding it for?"
The Emperor made a bitter face and reached a hand toward her.
"What?"
Xie PanâEr deliberately blinked, pretending not to understand.
"Syrup! Are you trying to make me suffer?"
Xie PanâEr helplessly waved to the young eunuchs.
A young Eunuch hurried over with a small dish of syrup, and Xie PanâEr picked up a piece and handed it to the Emperor.
The Emperor didnât take it; instead, he opened his mouth toward her, signaling for Xie PanâEr to feed him.
Xie PanâEr blushed red; for a moment, her mind went blank, and she didnât move, but the Emperor leaned in himself, catching the syrup and her fingers in his mouth.
"Ah..." Xie PanâEr gasped lightly and quickly withdrew her hand. For a moment, she felt like her hand was electrified, tingling and numb, her heart pounding!
The Emperor watched her reaction and smiled slightly. He opened his mouth to say something, but then he heard Eunuch Ling and Ji Youzhiâs voices outside.
"Divine Hunter Ji! You have arrived!"
"Is His Majesty awake? I come to report the case of Consort Xianâs untimely death!"
"He is awake, Miss Xie is inside, wait a moment, I will announce you!"
The Emperor sighed silently, swallowed the medicine with the syrup in one gulp, and instantly turned into a majestic Emperor!
"Your Majesty! Divine Hunter Ji is here!"
Eunuch Ling came in to report, and the Emperor handed the bowl to Xie PanâEr.
"Let him in!"
Xie PanâEr took the bowl and hurriedly left, as if deliberately avoiding Ji Youzhi, or shyly wanting to leave the scene immediately!
As Ji Youzhi entered, he sniffed, finding the strong smell of medicine somewhat unpleasant!
"Greetings to Your Majesty!"
"You may dispense with the formalities. Speak! What is the situation with Consort Xianâs case?"
The Emperor adjusted his reclining position and asked Ji Youzhi!
"Consort Xianâs case has other secrets, but I..."
"You mean to say youâre not sure how to tell my Imperial Sister?"
This was precisely what Ji Youzhi had in mind.
"Yes! I know Your Majesty has a special relationship with Princess Lianchun, and you surely donât want her to be hurt!"
"First, tell me. What did you find out in your interrogation?"
The expression on the Emperorâs face suddenly became very serious.
Ji Youzhi stared at the ground for quite a while before speaking, "I found out through questioning that Consort Xian was indeed pregnant back then, and Imperial Physician Lin can testify to this!"
The Emperorâs eyes widened, "Are you certain of this? But why did no one know about this back then?"
"Thatâs because the former Emperor ordered that no one know the truth about Consort Xianâs pregnancy!"
On hearing this, the Emperor frowned tightly, puzzled, and asked, "Was there more behind Consort Xianâs pregnancy?"
Ji Youzhi nodded.
"Yes, Consort Xianâs child was not the former Emperorâs!"
"Are you sure about this!"
The Emperor was so shocked he almost jumped out of bed, looking utterly incredulous!
"Thereâs no mistake! Consort Xian indeed had a child when she suddenly died back then, but that child wasnât His Majestyâs, because shortly after the Empress Dowager gave birth to you, the former Emperor was injured during the autumn hunt, and from then on, he lost his ability to father children!
The former Emperor ordered the Imperial Medical Bureau to conceal this.
Later, when Consort Xian was with child, it was discovered by Imperial Physician Lin during a pulse check for assurance. This matter was significant, and Imperial Physician Lin naturally didnât dare to hide it, so he secretly reported it to the former Emperor!"