The Emperor poured some tea for the Prince and spoke, "I'm sorry I wasn't able to offer my condolences in person sooner."

Prince Lu Wei accepted the tea from the Emperor, twisted his body to his side, and took a sip. "I have received your prayers and thought through one of your ministers," Prince Lu Wei said. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"You must be upset as you're injured and was not able to return to Qian Rong to show your filial piety to your father."

Prince Lu Wei continued to listen to the Emperor's words and replied to him with a faint smile. Even if he wanted to return to attend his father's funeral, the Crown Prince would not allow him to do so.

Right now, he can only hide in Da Cheng, under the Emperor's protection while nursing his health.

The meeting with the Emperor lasted for almost an hour, and they mostly conversed about his deceased father, and the Emperor's plan to collaborate with Qian Rong.

After the meeting, a servant escorted the Prince to the gate. He walked under a moon gate and paused when he saw the Crown Princess and her entourage walking pa.s.sed him. As a thought come to his mind, Prince Lu Wei turned to chase after the Princess.

"Your Highness," the servant spoke anxiously. "Where are you going?"

"I have something to talk to the Crown Princess," Prince Lu Wei said. "It will only take a while."

The servant lowered his head as he followed the Prince obediently.

However, before Prince Lu Wei could call out after the Princess, Prince Lu Wei saw a familiar face walked towards the Princess. Prince Lu Wei instantly recognized the man as Prince Jing. He had seen the Prince a few times during the Spring Hunt. He waited as the two exchanged a few words. After a while, Prince Jing walked away with a haughty expression.

When Prince Lu Wei approached the Princess, her servants quickly bowed. However, Princess Lingchen did not seem to notice his presence. Prince Lu Wei forced a cough before he called "Princess Lingchen."

Princess Lingchen snapped out of her thought as she heard someone called out her name. She loosened her clenched fist and turned around. "Prince Lu Wei?" she blinked a few times. "When did you get here?"

"Just now," the Prince smiled. "I was on my way out when I saw you here."

The Crown Princess' expression softened. "You met my father?"

Prince Lu Wei nodded. "His Majesty wanted to convey his condolences."

Hearing his answer, Princess Lingchen studied the Prince's face. "I heard that Qian Rong's Emperor pa.s.sed away. I'm sorry to hear about your father's pa.s.sing."

"Thank you," Prince Lu Wei smiled.

There was a brief silence between them before Princess Lingchen spoke again. "Did you come to see me for something?"

Prince Lu Wei hesitated for a while and said, "Have you found any other clues to find Physician Jiang?"

Princess Lingchen shook her head slowly. "I haven't. But I believe that I will find some clues to bring her back home." She cast her eyes down as she thought about Mingyue. Princess Lingchen believed that she owed Mingyue a lot.

Mingyue was supposed to live happily after marrying Yang Yun. But not only did she ruined the newlyweds wedding night, but Princess Lingchen also thought that it was because of her that the couple was separated.

As the Crown Princess thought dwelt on Mingyue, she could felt something slowly changed in her body. Instinctively, Princess Lingchen turned around. "Ah Zhen!"

Ah Zhen saw sweat began to form on the Princess' forehead and began to panic. She went beside the Princess and held her arm to support her body. Then, she turned to another maidservant and instructed her to summon Ying Yi from the Imperial Infirmary.

"I'm sorry, Prince Lu Wei," Princess Lingchen forced a smile. "But I don't think I can continue to chat with you. I have an urgent matter to attend to."

Prince Lu Wei frowned at the Princess' sudden change. Just as the Princess turned around, he spontaneously grabbed the Princess' wrist.

"You insolence!" A few guards stepped forward with their weapon in their hands to stop the Prince's from harming their Crown Princess.

Princess Lingchen tugged on her hand. When Prince Lu Wei did not let her go, Princess Lingchen gave a threatening gaze to the Prince. "Prince Lu Wei, I have to ask you to let go of me."

"No. Wait!" Prince Lu Wei tightened his grip on the Princess' wrist. He pressed his fingers on the Princess' wrist and frowned.

When the Crown Princess noticed what the Prince was doing, she began to panic. She tried to wriggle her hand away and failed. Princess Lingchen silently cursed herself as she was unable to notice that the binding around her wrist has loosened.

Prince Lu Wei lifted his head and inched closer to the Princess. Then he whispered, "You're poisoned?"