Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity

Chapter 1142 - 978: Escaped

Liao Wu stared at Qin Yingyuan, then suddenly smiled."What is the Commandery Princess doing? The Crown Prince is in good health; how could he be nearing the end of his life? Commandery Princess, please refrain from speaking carelessly, lest someone with ill intentions hears."

Liao Wu calmly continued collecting the chess pieces, unmoved by Qin Yingyuan’s words.

In truth, his heart was already in turmoil, but he couldn’t let Qin Yingyuan notice.

"Whether I’m speaking carelessly or not, Third Uncle knows in his heart. I’ve said before, until the final move, who can predict the outcome? In past games, you always won easily. This time, it’s my turn to win you, just as effortlessly."

Qin Yingyuan helped to collect the white pieces, scoffing internally. Third Uncle appeared unmoved on the surface, as if he didn’t believe her words at all, but she had noticed that his heart was certainly not at peace.

She’s not a child; she wouldn’t shoot arrows in the dark. Especially with such words, how could they be careless?

Isn’t this Third Uncle’s way of concealing his own shock? She never thought Third Uncle would be so deeply calculating now.

Liao Wu gestured for another round, and Qin Yingyuan did not refuse.

"Why does the Commandery Princess again seek to disturb this monk’s mind? This monk has already left worldly affairs behind, accustomed to daily teachings and chants, unwilling to return to the past. The court’s intrigue and daily schemes hold no appeal for this monk."

Liao Wu shook his head and spoke softly to Qin Yingyuan.

Qin Yingyuan glanced at his move. This time, he played very steadily, his placements revealing no disorder, calmly setting up his strategy.

In contrast to his previous sharp moves, this time he had hidden his edge. There were no killings on the board, only peace.

Qin Yingyuan looked up at Liao Wu, seeing his face full of smiles, she couldn’t help but frown.

"Isn’t Third Uncle even a bit curious? Are you not curious why Crown Prince Uncle is nearing the end of his life? And what about Hong? He thinks about Father every day, truly pitiful."

Qin Yingyuan was unwilling to accept that Buddhist Law could truly let people abandon their inner obsessions and leave behind worldly worries.

"Life and death are destined; everyone will die, it’s just a matter of time. Since becoming a monk, past distractions are no concern of mine."

Liao Wu didn’t ask why the Crown Prince was nearing the end of his life, nor did he mention his young child, as if he truly devoted himself to Buddhism, no longer caring for worldly affairs.

The Commandery Princess carefully observed his expression, her heart sinking with despair. Suppressing the disappointment, she picked up a white piece and casually placed it on the board.

"Commandery Princess, you lost!" Liao Wu chuckled, pointing at the Commandery Princess’s white piece, shaking his head helplessly.

Qin Yingyuan looked at the board, seeing her white pieces cornered by the black pieces, no escape.

The entire board hid a scheme of assassination; she should have played cautiously, as if walking on thin ice. Yet distracted, she placed her moves carelessly, surprisingly lasting this long.

Suddenly she laughed, then said, "Third Uncle’s chess skills have leapt forward; Rong Jia is far behind now."

The two looked at each other and smiled, everything understood without saying.

...

"Emperor, the Crown Prince requests an audience!"

De’an handed the medicine bottle to the Emperor, watching as the Emperor poured out a pill, quickly offering tea.

Xiao Quanzi entered Chengqian Palace humbly, reporting to the weary Emperor.

The Emperor’s spirit had improved somewhat recently; he nodded, "Let him in!"

The Crown Prince hurried into Chengqian Palace, his expression grim and anxious.

"Son pays respects to Father Emperor!"

"Rise! What is so urgent that you need to enter the palace at this time?" The Emperor lazily leaned back against the pillow.

He looked into the Crown Prince’s eyes, seeming to hide some unplaceable emotion, but the Crown Prince didn’t notice.

"Father Emperor! Son has received news that Tianji Taoist is missing." The Crown Prince glanced at the Emperor, then lowered his head again.

Though reporting this matter would make Father Emperor displeased with him, doubting his decisions since he had secretly monitored Tianji Taoist, he could no longer worry about that.

The previously agreed period was five days, but now it’s been three days since.

This timeframe had been carefully considered; from here to Tianji Taoist’s sect, a carrier pigeon would take only five days, even with unexpected delays.

Urgent, he sent another group to follow the secret signals left by the Hidden Guard. But now, three days later, the people sent out early this morning returned unsuccessfully.

They reached halfway when the signals disappeared, lingering a day at that point to no avail, having to return the same way.

The Emperor sat up from the couch, his brow furrowed, his mind in a panic. "How did you learn that Tianji Taoist is missing? Did you have them followed?"

The Emperor was somewhat displeased with the Crown Prince’s actions, but this was not the time to argue.

Right now, the most crucial thing was whether Tianji Taoist had really returned to his sect or, as the Crown Prince said, had fled?

Yet he had received communication from the guard not long ago, the seal was unmistakable. It said everything was going smoothly, within three days he would return to the sect.

"Son was uneasy about Tianji Taoist’s trip, so dispatched two Hidden Guards for precaution. Agreed upon a five-day report, but now eight days have passed without any news. Moreover, Son sent others to investigate, and they reported losing the trail, even of the Hidden Guards originally sent for tracking."

Fearing the worst for the Hidden Guards, the Crown Prince was deeply concerned. If Tianji Taoist had indeed fled, then the pills given to Father Emperor would surely be problematic.

Even the Imperial Physicians and expert healers found the substance intractable, deeming it not poison, proving its rarity.

Tianji Taoist fleeing this urgently, could it be that Father Emperor’s body’s poison is about to escape control?

Thinking this, the Crown Prince looked at Father Emperor with a gaze filled with worry.

The Emperor’s expression changed, seeming to realize something, "De’an! Quickly, send people to trace the signal."

What the Crown Prince could think of, the Emperor could also deduce. More panicked than the Crown Prince now, perhaps it was a delusion, but he felt a chill through his body.

De’an was also terrified, quickly accepting the command, immediately going out to instruct.

The Emperor suddenly felt an itch in his throat, as if something was obstructing it.

"Cough!" A mouthful of blood spurted out, the Emperor’s right hand gripping the bed revealed bulging veins, then his eyes closed, and collapsed.

The Crown Prince and De’an’s eyes widened, followed by screams echoing in the hall.

"Father Emperor!" "Emperor!"

Xiao Quanzi and the guards stationed outside rushed in, seeing the Emperor lying on the bed, eyes shut, blood at the corner of his mouth.

The Dragon and Phoenix Brocade Quilt on the bed bore a dark red stain, causing him immense shock.