CHAPTER 486: CHAPTER 486: REFINING ELIXIRS

The Daoist’s elixir crafting was reaching its final stage.

What was still missing was the most crucial item—the Divine Woman’s Blood.

However, now she could not even see the face of the Third Princess, let alone speak of obtaining the Divine Woman’s Blood.

She had the mind to replicate her method, to stage another act of kidnapping the Third Princess.

Just as she did when she abducted Consort Mu.

But she understood all too well how many hidden and open guards were lurking in Yihua Palace.

As the opportunity seemed to slip away quietly, how could she not be anxious?

That day, she was accompanying the Empress Dowager in a game of chess again.

Mother and son now lived days no different than those at Wutai Mountain.

Only, with the Empress Dowager’s meticulous mind, she naturally noticed Princess Hui Xian’s some anxiety.

After some thought, she opened her mouth to speak.

"I am living well here, you should pack up and return to the Princess Mansion tomorrow. The Prince Consort also needs care there, you’ve been away too long, it’s not proper."

The Empress Dowager’s intention was for Hui Xian’s good, but little did she know of the dark thoughts behind her.

Hui Xian’s hand holding the chess piece paused for a moment.

She then replied.

"Mother, you misunderstood, the people from the Princess Mansion sent news yesterday. They said the Prince Consort is feeling better. Knowing mother suffers in the summer, he wants your son to accompany you more. It’s no bother, after all, July has begun; I’ll return by Mid-Autumn in August."

Her refusal was indeed decisive.

The Empress Dowager looked at her once more.

Within that gaze was probing, puzzlement, and doubt.

The Empress Dowager, however, didn’t express these emotions.

Thus, Princess Hui Xian remained unaware.

After playing chess for a little over half an hour, the Empress Dowager felt somewhat tired.

Hui Xian glanced and found it was indeed time for the Empress Dowager’s noon rest, and she spoke to her.

"Mother, please rest, I will go check on the small kitchen and see how the tonic for you is doing."

"Alright, go. There’s no need to run here constantly if you have nothing to do; rest more in the strong sunlight."

"I’m not tired, thank you for your concern, mother."

Her gentle smile reminded the Empress Dowager of her childhood self.

In an instant, memories from more than thirty years ago surged forth.

When the Emperor was still in his infancy, he was brought here.

As the only prince of Da Wei, the responsibilities he would bear in the future encompassed the entire realm.

Consequently, the Empress Dowager had to devote all her attention to him.

Neglecting her two grown daughters significantly.

Now, taking care of Ming Ruo was a task that occupied much of her mind.

It was also a way to make up for the shortcomings back then.

Watching her gradually departing figure, the Empress Dowager sighed deeply and asked Nanny Wen.

"How’s the investigation going?"

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, nothing has been found."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s heart sank.

She never believed there was someone in this world who was entirely pure and good, no matter how noble, surely they must have some hidden secrets.

Thus, upon hearing Nanny Wen’s report of no findings, the Empress Dowager was displeased.

This indicated either Hui Xian’s skills were too formidable, causing her people to find nothing,

or someone else was involved, deliberately suppressing all information, leaving her clueless.

No matter which it was, the Empress Dowager’s heart was filled with bad omens.

Her mind, seasoned by years of plotting, was now engaged.

She quickly began analyzing the current situation.

The only possible explanation was that the Emperor had intervened.

But why would he clean up Hui Xian’s matters entirely?

Comparing it with Hui Xian’s recent actions,

The Empress Dowager slowly understood.

She must have committed something unforgivable, and the Emperor feared she couldn’t handle it, so he deliberately kept it hidden.

Thinking of this, warmth welled in her heart.

But it quickly turned cold.

After all, the trouble caused by Hui Xian couldn’t be minor.

Thus, the Empress Dowager pondered, then spoke to Nanny Wen.

"Have them keep an eye on both the Fourth Prince and the Dong Family. I feel this matter is inseparable from them."

"Yes!"

With this directive from the Empress Dowager, Nanny Wen had a direction.

Thus she gave the subordinates more focused targets.

The Fourth Prince Mansion was guarded by Hidden Guards, and they might not find anything there.

But starting with the Dong Family, would be much easier.

Soon, the Empress Dowager received the news.

The Fourth Prince’s incident of breaking into the Dong Family and seizing secret medicine was widely spread.

In which Princess Hui Xian also took part.

So, by the time the investigation reached here, the Empress Dowager understood.

It was likely that the Dong Family possessed something valuable, capable of saving the Prince Consort, so Hui Xian wished to act.

But hadn’t she already had the Dong Family diagnose the Prince Consort?

And was it useless?

Nanny Wen, having served the Empress Dowager for decades, could surmise the cause even from her frown.

Thus she spoke.

"The people from the Dong Family entered the Princess Mansion but never saw the Prince Consort, let alone pulse diagnosis and medication."

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s mind was full of doubts.

The Prince Consort had been ill for many years, and Hui Xian had searched across the realm for renowned doctors to treat him.

Why block Dong Family’s people outside?

The only reason seems to be that she found the medicine to cure the Prince Consort.

And then she remembered her deliberate closeness to the Imperial Consort.

The Empress Dowager realized that the medicine must be linked to the Imperial Consort, or someone in Yihua Palace.

Therefore, Hui Xian had been staying in the traveling palace, using accompanying as an excuse, refusing to leave.

Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager sighed deeply.

It must be that her children fate is shallow, just as the great master said back then, her son distant and estranged.

Couldn’t help but smile in mockery.

In her lifetime, she was loyal to the nation and its people, loyal to the Da Wei Royal Family, but she owed much to her two daughters.

Now at an old age, she thinks of disciplining them, which is perhaps impossible.

"Empress Dowager, don’t be saddened, each person has their own destiny."

Nanny Wen, having spent more time with her than anyone, consoled.

The Empress Dowager turned back to look at her, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Then, looking up, her gaze clear.

"Send the message to the Emperor, tell him that I want to know the whole truth."

"Yes, Empress Dowager."

Soon, the Emperor in the Imperial Palace received the message from the Empress Dowager.

He stood silently by the window, saying nothing.

Under the moonlight, his face appeared even more profound and unfathomable.

His eyes carried a bit of irritation.

Dong Yuzhong stood quietly beside him, not daring to breathe loudly.

He wondered why the Emperor seemed to have such an attitude from the received message.

After a long time, Dong Yuzhong finally heard the Emperor speak with determination.

"Send someone to inform Fourth Prince Uncle, tell him the Empress Dowager wants to know about everything."

"Yes, servant obeys."

What exactly it was, Dong Yuzhong had no idea.

But seeing the Emperor’s serious expression, Dong Yuzhong felt ignorance might be a blessing.

The moon hung high in the dark night, already nearing full.