The Culinary Chronicles of the Court Physician: The Disgraced Princess Consumes Poison to Create Medicine
In the Hall of the Imperial Phoenix (奉麒殿), there is the Emperor’s throne.
The Hall of the Imperial Phoenix is the most magnificent palace in the court. Above, a ceiling decorated with representations of all things in the universe stretches out. Dragons twist around the pillars, and the nine-step staircase leading to the throne is adorned with decorations that evoke the wings of a phoenix. Court ceremonies, including the Emperor’s enthronement, are always held inside this palace. A palace built by gathering wealth and craftsmanship is truly fitting for the ruler of all things.
With the passing of Emperor Diao, the golden throne stands vacant.
In the Emperor-less Hall of the Imperial Phoenix, officials such as the Right and Left Prime Ministers, the Three Teachers, the Three Dukes, the Nine Ministers, and other high-ranking officials have gathered. Although she was deposed, Fei Ling, being of imperial blood, was permitted to attend due to her previous duties as a palace doctor.
The gathering was called by Empress Xin Hua.
The courtiers sat tense, waiting for the Empress’s proclamation.
“The day before yesterday, in the early hours, Emperor Diao passed away,” began the Empress, who wore the mourning robes of the imperial family, known as “Xisui.”
“The Emperor’s soul has returned to the phoenix and merged with the wind. That is the way of things. However, the passing of the great Emperor is like the loss of the sun. Though the sun may be hidden by clouds, it continues to guide the stars, but the common people on the earth, deprived of the light, are lost. They wonder whether a new sun will rise.”
Emperor Diao had passed without leaving a will or naming an heir.
The doubt about who would become the new emperor weighed heavily on the minds of the senior officials gathered in the palace.
“For the time being, I, Xin Hua, will serve as regent,” the Empress declared.
A halo seemed to shine behind her. Empress Xin Hua had an innate aura of authority that compelled everyone to show respect. If she became the sun, all would be well. The courtiers cheered and raised their hands in agreement. No one voiced opposition.
“However,” the Empress continued, and the room fell silent.
“Emperor Diao does have a legitimate son.”
The officials stirred uneasily.
“Forgive me, but the crown prince disappeared six years ago.”
“Yes, it was believed that he had passed away, but the cycles of the stars are indeed mysterious. The crown prince has returned to the palace… Xu Zhen.”
The crowd parted suddenly, and without being prompted, people instinctively retreated in awe.
A path opened, and walking down it, calm yet imposing, was Xu Zhen.
Dressed in purple silk with silver embroidery, Xu Zhen wore his poison openly, spreading it with pride. A wicked poison. Those who had grown fat off wealth without experiencing death did not recognize it as poison. They could only stare at the splendid and terrifying man as he passed.
Some in the court knew that Xu Zhen was a palace feng shui master, but his oppressive presence made them freeze in fear, unable to speak.
Xu Zhen sneered as he looked down at everyone. He was like a storm of poison. Just as a typhoon slashes through trees and wind invades the body, with a glance, he seized control of the room.
Only Fei Ling was not affected by his toxic presence. She communicated through her gaze.
(Xu Zhen, why—?)
Had he lied when he said he had no interest in the Emperor’s throne? Or was he now seeking the throne to satisfy his hunger for resentment and unfulfilled desires?
Or perhaps…
Xu Zhen sensed her gaze and turned back.
(Does he have some other plan?)
The purple and green gazes crossed.
It was only a moment of confrontation.
Xu Zhen turned his back to Fei Ling and approached the Empress.
The beads of the jade pendant at his waist made a soft sound as he moved forward.
As the courtiers fell into a quiet panic, only Xu Zhen and the Empress exchanged a quiet, uneasy smile.
