Initially, Ma Haihu did not believe him. However, he started to grow suspicious when he thought about it further. His leader was the one who informed him the two times that Lian Yan’er had disappeared. Now that he had personally overheard his leader and Fu Shui’s conversation, Ma Haihu finally believed that Fu Shui had killed Lian Yan’er and his leader had known about it.
He did not read much and was more or less illiterate. He could not speak of principles but all he knew was that his leader, who had always been loyal, was now going down Fu Shui’s evil path. As a brother, they only had this life. He had to get rid of Fu Shui!
Ma Haihu waited for Yan Zifang to leave before stealthily following Fu Shui back to the city. When he saw Fu Shui enter a house, he immediately jumped over the wall and snuck in. Unexpectedly, even before he could steady himself, he got attacked from all four directions and was stabbed to death.
Ma Haihu’s blood flowed all the way to the front of Fu Shui’s shoes.
“A woman had given up her life to help you fight for a bright future. You only had to wait to enjoy the blessings. But you chose to bring yourself to death’s door.”
Fu Shui suddenly saw a comb drop from Ma Haihu’s side. It was a poorly made comb. He could not help but pick it up as a lonely look flashed across his eyes. His tone remained cold. “Those with a heart are more likely to get hurt and lose their lives, just like you.” He casually threw the comb back on the corpse.
Chapter 92.1: Sorrowful Fate
Under the plea of Fang Xuanling and other important ministers, Concubine Yan had no choice but to allow Imperial Physician He to give acupuncture to the Emperor. After the acupuncture, the Emperor’s finger twitched. Concubine Yan immediately sat beside the bed. She looked as if she wanted to grab his hand in excitement but actually she was frantic.
“Your Majesty!” Fang Xuanling and Linghu Deguan called urgently.
Imperial Physician He reminded, “Although His Majesty is awake, he is still weak. Please slow down the things you want to say.”
Concubine Yan heard him but her expression did not change. Her gaze remained fixed on the Emperor.
The Emperor’s eyes opened and his slackened gaze slowly focused. When he saw Chief Cao standing behind Concubine Yan, he opened his mouth. His voice was weak and trembling. “Cao...Cao Yangde…”
Fang Xuanling frowned as he looked at Chief Cao.
Chief Cao froze before he walked and leaned on the bedside. He pretended to be moved. “Your Majesty! Your Majesty is finally awake. There is hope for Prince Qin!”
The Emperor’s mouth gaped open and he looked shocked.
Chief Cao continued to whine and cry. “Prince Qin has gone missing and Concubine Yan has searched the entire palace but failed to find him. All is well as long as you are awake. What do you want to do?”
“Chief Cao, His Majesty has just awoke, you…” Fang Xuanling did not know what was going on and turned to comfort the Emperor. “Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will definitely find Prince Qin.”
When the Emperor saw Concubine Yan, he wanted to lift his hand. Concubine Yan gritted her teeth and held the Emperor’s hand down. She cried, “Your Majesty, please do not be agitated, your health is the most important!”
The Emperor’s shoulder twitched but no one noticed.
The Emperor looked at Fang Xuanling and struggled, “Enact...enact Prince Qin…” His eyes rolled backwards.
Concubine Yan finished his sentence. “Prince Qin will be safe! General Linghu has already sent people to look for him. Your Majesty, please do not worry. Prince Zhou will manage the country according to your decree. Everything is under control.”
The Emperor looked at Concubine Yan with pain and disappointment in his eyes. His head tilted and he fainted. Concubine Yan cried out, “Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
Imperial Physician He hurried to check. It was only then did Concubine Yan let go of the Emperor’s hand and moved away from the bed. She was expressionless.
Imperial Physician He sighed, “It’s okay, it's okay. He has just fainted.”
Fang Xuanling looked at Chief Cao. He was extremely displeased.
Seeing this, Concubine Yan immediately spoke, “Cao Yangde, how can you bring up Prince Qin’s situation and agitate His Majesty? His Majesty has fainted again as soon as he woke up. What shall we do now?”
Chief Cao kneeled down. “I deserve to die. When I saw His Majesty open his eyes today, I was too excited...I deserve to die! Please punish me, Your Highness!”
Concubine Yan snorted, “I won’t take it out on you for now. When His Majesty wakes up, we will let His Majesty decide.” She looked worried as she turned to face Fang Xuanling. “As you all can see, His Majesty needs a lot of undisturbed rest. More haste, less speed.”
Fang Xuanling and Linghu Deguan glanced at each other and had no choice but to leave.
After they left, Concubine Yan fell in a daze as she subconsciously touched the ring on her finger. However, Yu He caught her hand.
“Your Highness, be careful!” It was rare that he was forceful as he flipped Concubine Yan’s hand over.
Inside he ring, there was a small glint. Thankfully, there was medicine on this small thorn that could make the Emperor faint once again.
Concubine Yan suddenly refocused and allowed Yu He to take off the ring. “This medicine won’t hurt the Emperor too badly, right?”
Yu He did not seem to care as he answered, “The amount of medicine given was just enough to make him faint. The ending has yet to be set, so he has to continue living.”
Concubine Yan could hear the murderous intent in his voice and was startled. However, she did not show it as she instructed calmly, “When Prince Zhou inherits the throne as the Crown Prince and makes him the Grand Emperor, he has to wake up. Understood?”
Chief Cao could not help but say, “Your Highness, situations in the palace changes very quickly. There are a lot of things that cannot be confirmed.”
Concubine Yan’s eyes turned sharp. “My son will be the most powerful and perfect Emperor in history, how can I let the history books record him as someone who had stolen the throne from his father! His Majesty has to continue living after he gives up the throne. Moreover, he has to live comfortably, enjoy the riches and his grandchildren. Do you all understand?”
Yu He and Chief Cao kneeled at the same time. “Yes.”
Prince Zhou returned to the palace and saw that Fu Rou was arguing with the guards. It was the first time he saw her so agitated.
“What’s the problem?” He walked up to them. Only she could easily make him concerned.
“I want to leave the palace. What right do they have to keep me here!” Not only was Fu Rou agitated, she was furious.
“Prince Qin has gone missing and Mother has increased the security around the palace. No one can enter or leave easily. You need her permission.” He pulled her hand towards the palace. “You should know that there is no point making things difficult for the guards.”
“Let me go!” She wanted to pull her hand back. “I want to see my parents!”
He did not let go nor slow down. “Imperial Father has fainted and Prince Qin is missing. Do you think this is the right time to visit your parents?”
“It is all thanks to your mother!” She blurted out in anger.
At that moment, he stopped and turned to look at her. He knew in his heart that his mother did something to her family.
She did not want to seem weak and stared straight back at him. How she wished that he would not join the struggle for the throne, maintain his noble and pure heart and continue smiling under the sun. Although she had no romantic feelings for him, there was friendship and she cherished the purity of it.
“Answer one question and I will help you.” Prince Zhou could not understand her gaze. “Where is Prince Qin?”
Fu Rou’s eyes darkened. “Out of everyone, I’m most upset you asked me this.” In the end, was he going to step on the path of no return?
Prince Zhou’s eyes were filled with pain. “If I don’t become the Crown Prince and inherit the throne, you should know what will happen to my mother and me.”