CHAPTER 479: CHAPTER 479: USING HUMAN FLESH AS BAIT

Back then, during the dragon boat race, Lady Chu’s brother was determined to make a name for himself.

But he deviated from the path due to his narrow-mindedness, leading to his eventual obscurity.

After all this time, if the Emperor hadn’t mentioned him, she might not have remembered this person.

"He was taken away by people of Hui Xian and given to that demon path, used as bait, becoming a pile of bones to extend the Prince Consort’s life."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanyi could immediately picture the scene.

She couldn’t help but retch.

A perfectly healthy person, gone just like that.

Used as bait—a terrifying thought.

Once, due to the Dong Family’s penchant for traveling to the Southwest in search of medicine,

Lin Wanyi had some knowledge of peculiar medical practices.

But using human flesh as bait was something she had never heard of.

"The Prince Consort must have a strong stomach."

"Perhaps he was still in the dark, deceived by Hui Xian."

Lin Wanyi patted her chest, sipping tea to quell the discomfort.

The chill on her body had not yet dissipated.

Princess Hui Xian seemed so serene and well-mannered, but to think she was such a person in the shadows was truly shocking.

For some reason, Lin Wanyi suddenly thought of the missing Consort Mu.

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she asked a question.

"Could the disappearance of Consort Mu also be related to this?"

The Emperor nodded.

"That demon path somehow convinced Hui Xian that the nobler the bait, the more effective the medicine made from it would be, leading her to scheme relentlessly."

Lin Wanyi listened in growing disbelief.

Could every notable figure in Shengjing City become her target?

Wouldn’t that throw the entire realm into chaos?

"Even Ming Pin’s death is not unrelated. She bribed a maid next to He Changzai, intending to drug Ming Pin and secretly take her out of the palace to be used as bait. But the drugs countered each other, resulting in Ming Pin’s poisoning and death."

"Being poisoned to death, her body was naturally of no use. So, Hui Xian set her sights on Consort Mu. After all, besides her, there was no other noble she could easily touch in the palace."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanyi suddenly understood.

No wonder incidents kept occurring in the palace. She had thought it was solely due to inner struggles within the harem, but there was indeed more to these events.

To be honest, the infatuation persona of Princess Hui Xian was rather toxic.

Why should so many lives be sacrificed for her passion and unwillingness to let go?

Suddenly, she thought of her own situation.

A shiver ran down her spine.

Were it not for the Emperor’s protection, she might now be under Princess Hui Xian’s watchful eye.

As would Consort Qian.

Considering this, she was indeed a fortunate person.

Having climbed the high branch of the Empress Dowager provided her some protection, safeguarding her life to some extent.

For a moment, she felt a deep sense of empathy.

Those of them in the harem without strong family support were truly as insignificant as grass.

Unlike Liu Xu’er, who once had the Northwest Liu Family as backing.

No one dared to touch her!

Lin Wanyi softly added.

"The Empress Dowager has always been a broad-minded and enlightened person. If she knew of her daughter’s actions, she would surely be furious."

The Emperor sighed.

"After I discovered this matter, I had the Fourth Prince Uncle keep all traces under wrap, afraid that Mother’s people might uncover something and alarm her. Hui Yue and Hui Xian are both madwomen; such matters weigh heavily on whoever bears them."

This is why the Emperor suppressed his urge to publicly resolve matters with Hui Xian.

Instead, only had the Hidden Guard discreetly make some moves.

In a few days, there should be results.

She has been obsessively fixated on crafting an elixir for the Prince Consort’s longevity.

But if the Prince Consort were to die, would that break her obsession?

Lin Wanyi looked at the Emperor, thinking about the Empress Dowager’s two daughters.

She silently reminded herself to treat all children equally.

Otherwise, like the Empress Dowager, ’favoring some over others’

and placing all her energy on the Emperor while neglecting the two daughters.

Now, hoping to correct them might be impossible.

"If in the future, Princess Hui Xian comes again, I will make sure not to let her enter Yihua Palace."

Seeing her, Lin Wanyi felt a lingering dread.

Especially with so many children in the palace.

Any slight oversight and becoming her target would indeed be troublesome.

"Do not worry, I will issue orders. When Mother goes to the traveling palace, she will accompany her, so she may not have time to bother you here."

Lin Wanyi nodded; that was best.

Yet, she suddenly recalled a terrifying thought.

And blurted it out immediately.

"Princess Hui Xian wouldn’t go so far as to threaten the safety of the Empress Dowager, would she?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"The Hidden Guard carefully investigated, and those taken by the Eldest Princess for medicine were all young adults or children. Perhaps the younger they are, the more effective the medicine, right?"

"Humph! That demon path truly is inhumane. If Your Majesty gets hold of him, he must be severely punished."

"Yes, I have that in mind."

At this point, Lin Wanyi’s good spirits were mostly dispelled.

The Emperor spoke words of comfort.

"You are still in confinement; do not think too much. Take care of yourself, understand?"

"I understand, Your Majesty. Rest assured."

Lin Wanyi leaned against the Emperor’s chest, not feeling the heat anymore.

A coldness surged from her back.

At this moment, she did not notice the hint of coldness in the Emperor’s eyes.

The heart of an Emperor is not fully knowable.

The Emperor did not intentionally hide things from Lin Wanyi, but he feared she would worry.

These insights were all brought out at great risk by Lin Xingzhi.

Since the Dong Family’s incident and Consort Mu’s disappearance, he had been secretly investigating.

Following the trail, he found some flaws.

Then he even risked himself, deliberately becoming a target chosen by the Eldest Princess.

Following, he pretended to be captured, acted faint, and was sent to the demon path.

This led the Hidden Guard to find where the demon path was hidden.

Despite this, Lin Xingzhi was still cruelly ripped of chunks of flesh by that demon.

If not for the Hidden Guard’s protection, life might have been lost.

He is currently recovering under the Hidden Guard’s protection.

So, neither the Lin Family nor the Dong Family is aware of this matter.

He is presumed to be on an imperial mission.

Yet, his daring action brought clarity to the Emperor regarding Princess Hui Xian’s affairs.

The search for the Prince Consort’s longevity potion was merely her public excuse.

The demon path was truly making the so-called Elixir of Immortality.

What use does a princess have for such things?

Is it not for her future plot to seize power?