Chapter 374: Giving In
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
When Yu Yunxi arrived, Chu Ruishi, the Emperor Emeritus, was holding the rabbit and stroking its fur. When he saw her, he said lightly, “You’re here. Sit down.”
Only then did Yu Yunxi see the two cups of hot tea on the table at the side. It was unlikely for Chu Ruishi to use two teacups so the other one was likely prepared for her. She raised an eyebrow as realization dawned on her.
‘As expected, he did not really want to punish me.’
Yu Yunxi was not pretentious and quickly took a seat.
Chu Ruishi glanced at Yu Yunxi and asked stiffly, “Is there really something wrong with the tea leaves earlier?”
“It’s not a direct poison. It’s harmful to the body, and it’ll only take effect after a long time of constant consumption. Ordinary people will probably feel the effects after about half a year, but for an old man like you, you’ll probably die inexplicably in a month,” Yu Yunxi said casually. At the same time, she picked the teacup up and sniffed the tea.
‘It seems like the old man still believes me. He’s already changed the tea leaves.’
Chu Ruishi’s expression darkened when he heard Yu Yunxi refer to him as an ‘old man’.
‘She’s really bold. Even her mother didn’t dare to be so arrogant to me back then…’
However, Chu Ruishi quickly calmed down. After all, he was indeed an old man. Although other people treated him respectfully, they probably called him worse names behind his back. Moreover, considering the past three months and his actions earlier, it was only natural that Yu Yunxi was unhappy.
At this time, Li Xu asked anxiously, “Eldest Princess, the Emperor Emeritus has been drinking that tea for half a month. What should we do?”
On the contrary, Chu Ruishi, who was poisoned, was very calm. It was as though he was not the one who was poisoned.
“I’ll have to check his pulse first, ” Yu Yunxi replied.
Li Xu’s eyes were red as he exhorted, “Emperor Emeritus, hurry up and let the Eldest Princess check your pulse.”
Chu Ruishi snorted softly, but he still stretched his hand out.
Yu Yunxi did not waste time and quickly checked Chu Ruishi’s pulse. Her brows were knitted initially, but they slowly relaxed.
Seeing that Yu Yunxi did not speak for a long time, Li Xu was extremely worried. He asked, “Eldest Princess, how’s the Emperor Emeritus?”
Yu Yunxi looked at Li Xu.
‘It seems like he’s quite loyal.’
After a moment, Yu Yunxi replied, “It seems like Grandfather has already taken precautions. The effect doesn’t seem like someone who has drunk the tea for half a month.’
Based on Chu Ruishi’s pulse, Yu Yunxi could tell that he was only slightly poisoned.
Chu Ruishi sneered. “I’m not an idiot. If I was so easily schemed against, would I be able to sit firmly on the dragon throne back then?”
After saying that, Chu Ruishi’s eyes shone with anger. If there was a knot in his life, it would likely be the matter regarding Chu Changning. To this day, he still could not find the real culprit who attempted to murder him back then, and he could not return Chu Changning’s innocence to her.
When Li Xu saw Chu Ruishi’s expression, he knew that Chu Ruishi must have thought about Chu Changning and was sad. He hurriedly changed the topic, saying, “Emperor Emeritus, as it turns out, you were already suspicious. But why didn’t you investigate the matter? Moreover, the imperial doctors check your pulse every day, but why is it that they didn’t discover anything?”
Li Xu was puzzled.
Due to Chu Ruishi’s advanced age, he paid more attention to his health. Every day, an imperial doctor would check his pulse. However, none of them had discovered a problem.
Chu Ruishi raised an eyebrow as he said to Li Xu, “Li Xu, you’ve been by my side for so many years, you should be able to think for yourself, right? Why do you think the imperial doctors didn’t find anything wrong?”
Li Xu broke out in cold sweat and did not dare to speak.
Instead, Yu Yunxi replied on Li Xu’s behalf, “There are only two possibilities.
One, the imperial doctors weren’t skilled enough so they didn’t discover it.
However, this is very unlikely. How could those capable of joining the Imperial Hospital be unable to discover such a small problem? Hence, the only possibility is that someone ordered them to keep quiet.”
Everyone, including Li Xu, trembled as soon as they heard Yu Yunxi’s words. After all, in the palace, very few people had the ability to silence the imperial doctors.
Chu Ruishi’s eyes burned with flames of fury, but they disappeared very quickly.
‘Indeed, people change after sitting on the dragon throne… Or perhaps I’ve never fully understood my son…’
Chu Ruishi exhaled. He looked tired and seemed to age a lot in just an instant. After a long time, he said expressionlessly, “You’re more arrogant than your mother, but you have to remember your wings are not fully grown yet. I can’t always protect you.”
Yu Yunxi’s hand that was holding the teacup paused briefly as a complicated expression flashed on her face.
‘It seems like Grandfather punished me to kneel today for my own good…’
The situation in Xichu was extremely complicated, and Yu Yunxi’s foundation
was still unstable. In such a short time, she had already offended so many
princes and ministers, making a lot of enemies for herself. She was indeed in a
precarious situation. Moreover, after she obtained the military power from Chu
Ruishi, some people began to grow restless and could no longer sit still. For
these reasons, Chu Ruishi deliberately made things difficult for her today. He
wanted those people to see that he was not biased toward her and that she was
no threat to them.
Chu Ruishi said in a grave tone, “I’d left the capital for many years. It may seem like I still hold a lot of power, but the country has long changed hands. It’s not convenient for me to interfere too much. If I continue to protect you, you’ll definitely die.”
Chu Ruishi brought Yu Yunxi back to Xichu, and he deliberately neglected her for three months. However, he also gave her military power in front of the others. He did these things because he did not want her to suffer and make her everyone’s target.
Yu Yunxi pursed her lips and did not say anything. Although she had already vaguely guessed Chu Ruishi’s intentions, she was still very moved when she heard him say these words.
‘In fact, Grandfather still loves me, right?’
After a while, Yu Yunxi looked up and asked tentatively, “Grandfather, do you…
do you believe that Mother tried to murder you back then?”
Chu Ruishi sneered upon hearing this. He said, “I watched your mother grow up. How could I not know what her character was like?”
Yu Yunxi sighed in relief inwardly when she heard these words. It was good that her grandfather trusted her mother.
Chu Ruishi suddenly asked, “Do you know why I voluntarily abdicated back then?”
Yu Yunxi’s heart skipped a beat. She asked tentatively, “Was it because of my mother?”
Perhaps because some things had been made clear, Chu Ruishi was too lazy to hide it. He nodded before he said with a sneer, “Isn’t it ironic? I was the
Emperor of Xichu back then. However, after I regained consciousness, I, as the Emperor, still failed to find the person who framed your mother. Hence, I decided to abdicate and secretly investigate the matter. Alas, after more than twenty years, I still haven’t found the culprit..”
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