Phoenix Cries Return to Court

But what Tao Qingqing didn't know was that all of this was Lin Xihe's meticulously planned scheme.

The seemingly dangerous smallpox symptoms were merely an illusion caused by ingesting a special herb.

It is an extremely rare wild herb with short-lived and mild medicinal effects. After taking it, the only symptoms are fever, fatigue, and a light red rash on the skin, which are very similar to the early stages of smallpox, but it will never be fatal or contagious.

This unorthodox method was known to very few people. Even the physicians who regularly treated patients in the mansion only knew about common smallpox symptoms and had never seen the illusion caused by this herb. Therefore, they were easily deceived.

The origin of this method can be traced back to when Lin Xihe was the Empress Dowager, when she accidentally learned about it from the head of the Imperial Medical Academy.

As for those shocking pustules, Chun Ge meticulously imitated them by using fresh animal liver mixed with a small amount of pigment and ointment, as instructed by Lin Xihe.

Even upon close inspection, it's difficult to distinguish between the real and the fake.

From the moment the prefectural physician confirmed that "Wen Shi" had contracted smallpox, the charade officially began. Chun Ge and Lin Xi took turns lying in bed, pretending to be the disfigured "Wen Shi".

To prevent Tao Qingqing from investigating, Lin Xihe specially prepared a prescription to delay the effects of the medicine, so that the fake "symptoms" would "twitch" at a fixed time every day, with fever and delirium during the day, and a slight relief at night. This not only conformed to the pattern of smallpox onset, but also avoided revealing any flaws.

Once Tao Qingqing's figure had completely disappeared at the end of the corridor, Chun Ge, who was guarding the door, breathed a sigh of relief, quickly lifted the curtain, and hurried into the inner room.

He whispered in Lin Xihe's ear, "Madam, Madam Tao has left, but she left Huan'er here to keep watch. But don't worry, everything has been arranged and everything is proceeding according to plan."

Lin Xihe nodded slightly. "Well done. Tao Qingqing is suspicious, and Huan'er is her confidante, so she's definitely keeping a close eye on her. We mustn't be careless. Also, have you made any progress on the matter I asked you to inquire about Huan'er?"

"Miss, we have found out."

Chun Ge quickly replied, "This servant is from the same hometown as An'er from Youlan Garden, and we have a good relationship. This servant found an opportunity to subtly inquire, and An'er secretly told this servant about Huan'er's background."

She paused, then lowered her voice and continued, "An'er said that Huan'er is addicted to gambling. She often sneaks out of the mansion to gamble when Madam Tao isn't looking, but she has bad luck and loses more than she wins. She already owes a full fifty taels of silver to gambling dens. The people at those gambling dens are pressing her hard, saying that if she doesn't pay back the debt in a few days, they will make a scene at the Minister's mansion. Huan'er has been as anxious as an ant on a hot pan these past few days, looking everywhere for a chance to raise the money."

"After learning of this, I specially gave the servants of Zhaohua Courtyard their monthly allowances in advance, and arranged for a few capable servants to set up a gambling game in the woodshed outside my courtyard at midnight tonight, deliberately making a lot of noise to lure Huan'er over. At that time, she will be focused on the gambling table, only concerned with winning money to pay off her debts, and will not have the mind to pay attention to the commotion inside the courtyard."

As Lin Xihe listened, a smile gradually appeared on her lips. "Chunge, you did very well. Tao Qingqing's move was originally intended to kill us, but unexpectedly, it gave us an opportunity instead."

Hearing her mistress praise her, Chun Ge was overjoyed and secretly vowed to do a good job and live up to her mistress's expectations.

……

As night fell, the Minister's residence was quiet.

Outside Zhaohua Courtyard, Huan'er remained by her side, but in her heart, she had already cursed Tao Qingqing many times over.

In the woodshed not far away, things gradually became lively. Several servants set up a gambling game, and the sounds of dice clashing and laughter could be faintly heard, which was particularly enticing.

Huan'er's ears perked up immediately, her eyes lit up, and her impatience was instantly replaced by greed and eagerness. She subconsciously stood on tiptoe and looked towards the woodshed, where she could vaguely see the faint light shining from inside.

"A gambling game?" A surge of excitement welled up inside her, her hands itching to play. "It's so late, and someone's running a gambling game in the woodshed? If I could gamble, maybe I could win back my money, pay off my gambling debts, and stop suffering here."

She hesitated for a moment, her gaze sweeping around the courtyard gate. The night was deep and the surroundings were silent.

It must be late by now, and Tao Qingqing will surely not look for her anymore. Huan'er made up her mind and walked briskly towards the woodshed.

……

The sky was gradually turning a pale white, and it was already dawn.

When Lin Xihe arrived at the East Palace study on time, Fu Chen was already sitting upright at the desk.

He was dressed in a black and red-patterned prince's everyday robe, trimmed with gold thread, and a jade belt with a coiled dragon around his waist.

Her black hair was tied up with a white jade hairpin, her face was as beautiful as jade, and her demeanor was imposing.

Upon seeing Lin Xihe enter, he was overjoyed and almost immediately stood up. "Master, you've finally arrived! Do you know that yesterday, Father actually praised me to my face for the first time, saying that my insights into matters of the court are quite insightful."

As he spoke, he reached for the neatly folded bright yellow memorials on the table, his smile widening. "Father Emperor specifically instructed the cabinet to send a copy of every memorial that has been reviewed to the Crown Prince's Palace so that I can study it carefully."

"Look, this was just delivered this morning. It includes information about seeds in Anxi, development matters in Liangzhou, and appointment requests from local officials."

Lin Xi nodded with a smile, took one of the memorials, flipped through it for a moment, and looked at Fu Chen. "Your Highness, His Majesty's actions are already a great recognition. But this is far from enough. I wonder if Your Highness wishes to truly secure your position as the Crown Prince and gain the sincere respect of the court and the people?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Chen nodded solemnly, his eyes filled with anticipation, and said eagerly, "Of course I want to! It's just that... I'm afraid I won't do well enough and will disappoint Father again."

Lin Xi smiled and said seriously, "Your Highness need not belittle yourself. Next month is the Autumn Hunting Ceremony, which is the best opportunity for Your Highness to make a name for yourself in front of His Majesty and the court officials. If you want to seize this opportunity, from today onwards, Your Highness must work hard every day and not slack off in the slightest."

She paused, looked at Fu Chen's slightly furrowed brows, and continued, "Not only must you immerse yourself in studying memorials and familiarize yourself with the affairs of the court, but Your Highness must also pick up the martial arts you haven't practiced for a long time and practice diligently every day, striving to show your prowess at the autumn hunting grounds."

Upon hearing this, Fu Chen was somewhat resistant. "Martial arts? But I've never been very strong since I was a child. Practicing martial arts is tedious and strenuous. Besides... I haven't practiced for a long time, so I'm afraid I've already become rusty. If I don't practice well, I'll just make myself a laughing stock."

Lin Xi patted Fu Chen on the shoulder and said firmly, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will personally accompany you in your practice. Today, we will start with the basics of horse stance and arm strength training, progressing step by step. As long as Your Highness is obedient and strictly follows my instructions, day after day, you will surely make a name for yourself at the autumn hunt."

Looking at the confident look on the woman in front of him, Fu Chen's inner conflict gradually dissipated. After thinking for a moment, he finally asked, "What if I do my best, but my father still doesn't approve of me?"