Please call me Your Majesty!

Chapter 227: The Life-saving Prescription Hidden in the Medicine Box

He even personally participated in farming the fields, rolled up his trouser legs, walked barefoot on the muddy ridges, and sowed hope with the people.

"Your Highness, why do you have to do this..."

Hengyi advised from the side.

Chu Shizhao wiped his sweat and said with a smile: "Only by experiencing it yourself can you truly understand the needs of the people."

Thanks to Chu Shizhao's efforts, the border gradually regained its vitality.

The city walls are stronger, the farmlands are thriving, shops have reopened, and long-lost smiles are showing on the faces of the people.

However, just as the reconstruction work on the border was in full swing.

Suddenly, some false rumors about Chu Shizhao began to spread among the teahouses and restaurants in the capital.

"Have you heard? His Highness Chu Shizhao at the border has been recruiting soldiers in secret." Someone said in a low voice.

"Yes, my cousin who is a businessman said that the number of troops at the border is more than double than before," another person continued.

"Chu Shizhao is planning to rebel!" someone exclaimed.

The diners in the teahouse were discussing: "Is he trying to emulate the King of Yan back then?"

Meanwhile, in another restaurant, someone said mysteriously, "I heard that His Highness Chu Shizhao was seriously injured last time and is still bedridden."

"Really? Isn't that dangerous over there?"

"That's right. He can't even handle military affairs. He relies entirely on his subordinates to take care of it."

Such rumors spread more and more, from the streets to the high-ranking officials.

Some court officials even mentioned this matter in a veiled way in the court: "Border issues are of great importance and cannot be taken lightly."

These rumors were like willow catkins in spring, floating in the air and eventually reaching the ears of Emperor Yongjin.

"Your Majesty, I think that matters at the border do need to be verified," said the Minister of War.

Emperor Yongjin sat on the dragon throne with a frown on his face.

He and Chu Shizhao were king and subject, and he should have been the most trusted person.

But these days, the discussions within the government and the public have been so loud that even he has to have some doubts.

“This is something that really cannot be taken lightly.”

Emperor Yongjin pondered for a moment and raised his head.

"Send an order, ordering the Minister of Rites Wang Lin to set off immediately to the border to investigate the truth."

"Yes!" The eunuch took the order and left.

……

Following the issuance of an imperial edict by Emperor Yongjin.

The Minister of Rites Wang Lin immediately packed his bags and prepared to set off.

Don't be fooled by this guy's usual honest appearance. In fact, this Minister of Rites has long disliked Chu Shizhao.

You know, ever since the Fourth Prince returned to the capital, he has been causing trouble for me time and time again.

Especially when Chu Shizhao was carrying out policy reforms before, it was tantamount to slapping him in the face in public.

Now, he has finally got the chance. With his vengeful nature, this old guy will definitely not miss the opportunity easily when Emperor Yongjin sends him to the border.

In addition to these court officials who were scheming against each other in the court, even Concubine Xiao, who had lived in the deep palace for a long time, received messages from her spies.

……

On the border city wall.

At this moment, Chu Shizhao was standing on the city wall, looking at the team gradually approaching from a distance, feeling a little uneasy in his heart.

At this time, his injuries began to ache slightly, as if foreshadowing something.

He subconsciously pressed the wound on his shoulder, frowning.

Wang Lin's team slowly drove into the city gate and had a smooth journey.

He was riding on a tall horse, wearing gorgeous official clothes, with an arrogant look, like a king inspecting his territory.

After arriving at the government office, Wang Lin did not summon Chu Shizhao immediately, but first sent people to gather information and collect "evidence".

He secretly talked with several dissatisfied generals and asked them indirectly about Chu Shizhao's "improper" behavior.

Most of these generals were members of the prince's party. They were jealous of Chu Shizhao's achievements and exaggerated some groundless stories as "ironclad evidence" of Chu Shizhao's evil intentions.

"His Highness has been expanding his army and training new soldiers recently..."

A general said hesitantly.

"Oh? Why is he expanding the army?"

Wang Lin asked in pretended surprise.

"This... I don't know either. Maybe it's to strengthen border defense..."

The general's eyes flickered and he didn't dare to look directly at Wang Lin.

"Strengthen border defense? Humph!"

Wang Lin sneered, "I think he has other intentions than drinking!"

Another general quickly agreed, "Yes, the Tatars have been repelled. Why do we need to strengthen the border defense? I think he clearly wants to..."

"What are you thinking about?"

Wang Lin asked.

"Think...think..."

The general hesitated for a long time before he mustered up the courage to say, "You want to gain power and do something bad!"

Wang Lin nodded with satisfaction, secretly happy.

With these "testimonies", plus the rumors spread in the capital, it was enough to bring down Chu Shizhao.

At the same time, Chu Shizhao's injuries became more and more serious.

It had been just a dull pain at first, but now it had become an intense pain that was unbearable for him.

"Your Highness, you look very bad. You should take a rest first."

Hengyi said worriedly.

Chu Shizhao shook his head, and said while trying to hold back the pain: "No, Wang Lin is not here with good intentions, I must be alert and deal with it."

He knew in his heart that Wang Lin came with ill intentions.

If he fails to deal with it properly, he might fall into Concubine Xiao's trap.

That night, Chu Shizhao suddenly felt dizzy and weak all over.

He barely supported himself and walked to the table, wanting to drink some water.

"Your Highness!"

Seeing this, Hengyi hurried forward to support him.

Chu Shizhao waved his hands to indicate that he was fine.

He picked up the teacup and just took a sip when he suddenly felt a burning sensation in his throat and a fishy-sweet taste surged into his heart.

"puff!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood, staining the teacup in front of him red.

"Your Highness!"

Hengyi exclaimed and hurriedly supported Chu Shizhao's shaky body.

Chu Shizhao only felt a black screen before his eyes, and then he lost consciousness.

Hengyi frantically checked Chu Shizhao's condition and found that his pulse was weak and his breathing was rapid.

"Someone come! Someone come quickly! Call for the military doctor!"

Hengyi shouted loudly. …

A moment later, the military doctor rushed over and treated Chu Shizhao.

He checked Chu Shizhao's wound and felt his pulse, his expression becoming more and more solemn.

"Your Highness seems to have been poisoned more severely..."

The military doctor frowned, "We must find an antidote as soon as possible, otherwise..."

Hengyi was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, and he was running around in circles: "What should I do? Where can I find an antidote in this remote place?"

He suddenly remembered the soldiers he had captured who were communicating with the capital, and an idea occurred to him: "Maybe they know something!"

Hengyi immediately ordered the soldiers to be brought up for interrogation.

"Tell me! Who ordered you to poison His Highness?"

Heng Yi shouted sternly.

The soldiers were trembling with fear. One of them cried, "Please spare us, sir! We really didn't know! We were just ordered to add some... some slow-acting poison to your highness's medicine. We didn't know it would turn out like this!"

"Slow poison?"

Hengyi was shocked, "What kind of poison is it?" "It is...it is..."

The soldier hesitated and didn't dare to say it out loud.

"Say it!"

Hengyi roared.

"It's... it's 'Bone Erosion Powder'!"

The soldier finally revealed the name of the poison.

"Bone-eroding powder?"

The military doctor's face changed drastically: "This is an extremely vicious poison. Long-term use will make people's bones soft and eventually paralyzed and die!"

"Moreover, once this poison is mixed with other drugs, it will become highly toxic, with disastrous consequences!"

After hearing this, Hengyi became even more anxious.

She quickly asked, "Where's the antidote? Where is the antidote?"

The soldiers shook their heads: "We really don't know where the antidote is!"

"We are just following orders, we don't know anything else!"

Hengyi was extremely anxious, but she also knew that the most important thing now was to find the antidote and save Chu Shizhao.

However, when it comes to saving people, Hengyi suddenly thought of something.

"Quick! Go get the medicine box that His Highness's mother left behind!"

Hengyi ordered quickly.

The soldiers took the order and soon carried in an exquisite wooden box.

Hengyi opened the medicine box, and a faint scent of medicine wafted into his nose.

He searched carefully, hoping to find a glimmer of hope...

The medicine box was filled with various rare medicinal materials, some of which even the experienced military doctors could not name.

Hengyi was extremely anxious and checked everything, but he still couldn't find any records related to detoxification.

"Is there no hope?"

Hengyi sat on the ground dejectedly, feeling weak all over.

Just then, he accidentally touched a secret compartment at the bottom of the medicine box.

The secret compartment was opened, revealing a thin booklet.

Hengyi picked up the booklet, opened it, and saw that it was filled with various prescriptions, one of which was the antidote formula for "Bone-Eroding Powder"!

He was overjoyed and quickly handed the prescription to the military doctor: "Look! This is the antidote!"

The military doctor took the prescription and took a look at it: "Great! This is the antidote to the bone-eroding powder! Moreover, the necessary herbs are all here!"

The two did not dare to delay and immediately began to prepare the antidote according to the instructions on the prescription.

At the same time, Wang Lin was getting a little impatient waiting in the government office.

The person he sent to gather information has returned and brought back some "evidence" that is unfavorable to Chu Shizhao.

"Humph, Chu Shizhao, let's see if you have anything to say this time!"

Wang Lin sneered and immediately sent someone to invite Chu Shizhao over for "questioning".

However, the soldiers brought back a piece of news: Chu Shizhao was seriously ill and unable to get up.

Wang Lin was secretly delighted, and immediately took a few followers to Chu Shizhao's residence to "visit".

"Your Highness, what's wrong with you?"

Wang Lin asked hypocritically.

Hengyi stood beside the bed, looking at Wang Lin coldly without saying a word.

Wang Lin didn't care and continued, "I came to the border to inspect on the orders of the emperor, and I also visited Your Highness. I didn't expect Your Highness to be so seriously ill. It's really worrying!"

As he spoke, he secretly observed the situation in the room.

He noticed an empty teacup on the table with some white powder still remaining at the bottom.

Wang Lin's heart moved, and he walked to the table calmly, picked up the teacup and looked at it carefully.

"what is this?"

he asked, pointing at the white powder at the bottom of the teacup.

Hengyi's heart tightened, knowing that Wang Lin had discovered something.

She was about to explain when she heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

"Report! The military doctor wants to see you!"

Wang Lin turned his head and looked towards the door.

The military doctor walked in quickly, holding a bowl of black medicine in his hand, with a hint of excitement on his face: "General Heng, the antidote is ready!"

Hengyi was overjoyed, and quickly took the medicine bowl and walked to the bedside: "Your Highness, the antidote is here!"

When Wang Lin saw this, he secretly thought that something was wrong.

He originally wanted to take this opportunity to frame Chu Shizhao, but he didn't expect that the antidote would be prepared so quickly.

He rolled his eyes and figured it out.

"Wait!"

Wang Lin shouted, "This medicine is from an unknown source. Who knows what's inside? What if it's poison?"

Hengyi glared at Wang Lin: "Master Wang, what do you mean by this?"

Wang Lin sneered: "I am also concerned about your highness's safety. This medicine must be tested before it can be taken by your highness."

"Test? How?"

Hengyi questioned.

Wang Lin pointed at the medicine bowl and said, "It's very simple. Just find someone to test the medicine."

When Heng Yi heard this, he immediately flew into a rage: "Wang Lin, what are you thinking? His Highness is in danger now, and you are still wasting time!"

Wang Lin ignored Heng Yi's anger and continued, "I am also following the rules. If there is no problem with this medicine, it can be given to Your Highness. If there is a problem with this medicine..."

He paused deliberately and said meaningfully: "Then General Heng is the criminal who murdered Your Highness!"

Hengyi was so angry that he was shaking all over. He knew that Wang Lin was deliberately making things difficult for him.

But he had to admit that what Wang Lin said made sense.

After all, this medicine was prepared by them privately and has not undergone any official inspection. If something really goes wrong, he cannot bear the responsibility.

Just when Hengyi was in a dilemma, Chu Shizhao, who had been unconscious, suddenly coughed and slowly opened his eyes.

"Your Highness! You're awake!"

Hengyi shouted in surprise.

Chu Shizhao looked around weakly, then looked at the medicine bowl in Hengyi's hand, and asked, "What is this?"

Hengyi quickly explained: "Your Highness, this is the antidote, which was prepared by the military doctor according to the prescription left by your mother."

Chu Shizhao nodded and struggled to sit up.

Hengyi quickly helped him sit down.

"Your Highness, how do you feel now?"

Hengyi asked with concern.

Chu Shizhao frowned and said, "I feel weak all over and dizzy..."

As he spoke, he suddenly started coughing violently again, with a trace of blood oozing from the corner of his mouth.

"Your Highness!"

Hengyi and the military doctor both shouted anxiously.

Chu Shizhao waved his hand, signaling them not to worry.

"Master Wang, you just said you wanted to test the antidote?"

Wang Lin was startled by Chu Shizhao's look, but he still nodded.

"I am also concerned about your highness's safety..."