Chapter 106: A Fine Performance

Liu Zhong blinked, moved slightly, and feigning a half-conscious state, looked at those around him.

“You… you all…”

“Second Prince, you’re awake?”

Liu Zhong swallowed nervously, looking at the Empress Dowager with a puzzled expression. “Your Majesty, what happened to me?”

“You’re fine. But there are some suspicious points now that require you to get up and clarify!” The Empress Dowager stood and approached Liu Li, deliberately casting a glance at the Virtuous Consort.

The Virtuous Consort dared not raise her head, nervously staring at the floor. She was shaken by her own earlier actions. Fortunately, Liu Li defended her, never allowing the Empress Dowager a chance to reprimand her.

Liu Zhong sat up slowly, got off the bed with care, and faced everyone.

“I remember just now I was at the sacrificial ceremony. What time is it now...?”

Liu Li replied, “Mother, the ceremony has concluded. We all rushed here to seek the truth. Do you remember anything, Second Brother?”

“I…” Liu Zhong hesitated, looking at the Empress Dowager in confusion. “Your Majesty, what exactly has happened?”

The Empress Dowager cleared her throat softly, avoiding any mention of supernatural antics, and positioned herself in front of Liu Li to silence him.

“After you fainted, we indeed found heavy poison in the wine you prepared. The imperial doctors confirmed that the poison in the wine and that in the noodle soup are different substances—one is a rare medicine, the other is arsenic. The palace servants say you personally prepared everything. Now that such a thing has happened, how do you explain it?”

Liu Zhong’s face turned pale with terror as he immediately knelt. “Please, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Emperor, believe me. Although I prepared everything, I did not poison anyone. I bear great hatred toward the Emperor, but I would never commit such a foul deed at my mother’s memorial…”

“But all the noodle bowls contained poison. Only the Emperor’s cup had this rare medicine, which is lethal even to cats and dogs in small amounts. How do you explain that?”

“I have never possessed either poison and would never harm the Emperor tonight. I, Liu Zhong, am straightforward and decisive. If I wanted to kill the Emperor, I would have chosen assassination, not such a cruel, underhanded method!”

The Empress Dowager smiled faintly, attempting to shift the blame with just a few words. “Even if I believe you, this matter involves too many people. We must consult the Emperor’s opinion!”

All eyes turned to Liu Li. The Empress Dowager’s face bore only the amusement of an onlooker, free of suspicion or displeasure, as if none of this concerned her.

Liu Li smiled as he helped Liu Zhong up, brushing the dust from his clothes until Liu Zhong, overwhelmed by the favor, stopped him.

“Second Brother, you are still my second brother! I will never doubt you. This scene is reminiscent of that night—every event has its cause and every detail is strange. But with evidence and witnesses, suspicion cannot be dismissed. I have endured enough humiliation and doubt, and I will never allow these things to harm you!”

Liu Li’s gaze locked on Liu Zhong as he spoke. At this moment, his heart mirrored Liu Zhong’s expression: clearly sensing something, yet forcing himself to endure and show the opposite.

Liu Zhong smiled joyfully, looking at Liu Li with excitement. “Third Brother, I was wrong about you! Last time the culprit framed you, and now they have framed me, leaving us no room to argue. Such a ruthless hand almost sowed discord between us brothers. Thankfully…”

“You both faced danger and thus understand the pain of being framed. Surely this will strengthen your unity against our common enemy. From now on, brothers must unite to uncover the truth and rebuild governance together. No more unnecessary misunderstandings!”

The Empress Dowager’s smile was half-pleased, half-contemptuous. She felt deeply uneasy: these two seemed inseparable brothers, wasting her well-laid scheme and threatening to leave her with a broken game. Hmph, I still have ways to win hearts and sow discord!

“Yes, your servant will obey your Majesty’s orders.”

“We shall follow the Empress Dowager’s command!”

The Empress Dowager nodded, then summoned the eunuch Li.

“Announce to the world that a murderer has appeared again in the palace. This time, the culprit lacks the overwhelming power and exquisite skills of the last, but is cunning and well-informed. They have not only killed the Virtuous Consort but also attempted to harm the two princes of Beihua. Their motives are sinister and methods cruel. Let the public know and the culprit be sought!”

With that, the Empress Dowager dismissed the onlookers, leaving only Liu Li and Liu Zhong in the room.

“My son, lately your mother has been overly worried, seeing you as she did before… I was disappointed when I saw you, which is why I and the Second Prince deliberately kept our distance. But now that the truth is known, it’s good. Our royal family is so small; we must not harbor resentment. You have suffered greatly these days!”

Liu Li smiled. “It does not matter as long as Mother and Second Brother know the truth. Before, you were all deceived by the culprit; I can forgive what was done. Now, let us rebuild hope and catch the real criminal together!”

“That is the right spirit!” The Empress Dowager smiled again and looked at Liu Zhong. “Second Prince, you have overexerted yourself recently. We all care for you deeply. You must take good care of your health. Only with a sound body can you have the wisdom to catch the real culprit and not be harmed by their secret weapons. Since you now understand what it means to be wronged and comprehend your third brother’s intentions, stay in the palace until the truth is found!”

“Yes, I will act calmly and speak cautiously. Together with my third brother, I will solve this case quickly, find the true culprit, avenge my mother, bring peace to the realm, and restore Beihua’s glory!”

Liu Li smiled silently. He knew the Empress Dowager was anxious to pull him closer and use this opportunity to keep Liu Zhong. For now, he could not change the circumstances, but seeing people’s true hearts was always beneficial.

The Empress Dowager nodded. “Speaking of our royal family, it is rather lonely. You are both grown men now; when will I see grandchildren?”

“The Emperor is not in a hurry, nor am I!” Liu Li smiled. “Second Brother, when it’s just us, you need not call me Emperor. The continuation of the lineage has always been the elders’ priority throughout history. Since both elder brothers are not rushing, naturally the younger one prioritizes more important matters. Besides, the harem has been replenished extensively by Mother. You should focus more on yourself!”

“Though I am the second, I respect your position as Emperor. Birth order must be observed. Moreover, since elder brother has not married or taken consorts, I dare not be the first to have children!”

The Empress Dowager laughed warmly. “No more excuses. You are both over twenty and still passing the buck? Marriage and childbirth are major affairs, not lighter than state matters. The Emperor cannot delay further. Second Prince, since the Virtuous Consort’s passing, I am your mother. Your personal matters are within my care.”

“Of course, but…”

“But what?” The Empress Dowager turned to Liu Zhong. “This matter must be decided decisively and without delay. I heard from the Western Sea Prefecture of a young lady who is quite exceptional. She even brought you something today. Such a good opportunity should not be missed. She is beautiful, well-built, outstanding among women, well-bred, certainly a lady of quality. Should I arrange a match for you?”

Liu Zhong glanced at Liu Li, feigning confusion as he stared at the Empress Dowager. “Which young lady? I recently returned to the palace with nothing on me, so I instructed servants to arrange gifts from several girls. Though they are from Western Sea Prefecture, I have no dealings with them. I’m not sure whom Your Majesty means.”

The Empress Dowager ignored Liu Zhong’s expression and continued cheerfully, “I have met her once and felt some affinity. She seems knowledgeable in medicine. The Emperor knows her as well. She even treated the Virtuous Consort.”

Liu Li was surprised and mimicked their artificial manner. “Could it be the medical attendant He Yu from Western Sea Prefecture? Weren’t they all musicians? Why is she here? I have been preoccupied with worries and have not seen her recently.”

“Oh? Third Brother remembers clearly? Could it be…” Liu Zhong looked at the Empress Dowager and smiled. “Since Third Brother knows this fine lady first, why not grant her to him? Such a marriage would bind Western Sea Prefecture to us and strengthen the court’s influence in the martial world.”

The Empress Dowager sneered quietly but restrained herself before speaking. “That is indeed a good matter. However, the Emperor has always been particular, never casting more than a glance at any woman in the harem. I wonder if Lady He Yu is fated with him?”

Liu Li sighed, nervous. “This concerns not only me but also Lady He Yu and Western Sea Prefecture. It could be a minor or major matter. We cannot decide based solely on our own wishes. Please allow me to handle this myself, Mother.”

The Empress Dowager smiled coldly, thinking: Though I have not achieved my goal, I have at least succeeded in sowing discord between my sons. He Yu seems no ordinary woman; I will keep an eye on her.

“Very well! To foster affection, I shall keep He Yu in the palace for a while. I have some chronic ailments to inquire about with her. Now, I will write to the main hall of Western Sea Prefecture. You may take your time with matters of the heart, but be sure to consider carefully!”