Chapter 1158: Chapter 994: Imperial Edict

"Little Uncle! Please don’t kill us, we’re begging you." The second son no longer cared about his dignity, only thinking about staying alive.

With Gao Yingying present, Gu Chengyu couldn’t kill both of them. After all, Gao Yingying was merely an unrelated person and had not offended him, so he decided to spare them today.

However, simply letting them go was impossible. Gu Chengyu brought out his magic treasure, poison.

He retrieved a porcelain bottle from his space and poured out two pills.

"Swallow these, and I’ll spare you today. These pills are called Intestine-breaking Pills, and without the antidote, they will take effect within three days, leading to a painful death. Just take these, and you can get an antidote from Ming Mo every two days, until you return to Jingyuan Prefecture, where you will receive the final antidote."

After speaking, Gu Chengyu tossed the porcelain bottle to Ming Mo.

The second son and Gao Yingying felt a chill in their hearts. How could this be? If Gu Chengyu did not provide the antidote, wouldn’t they die of poison?

Gao Yingying was extremely frightened at this moment, knowing she was implicated because of the second son. Previously, she merely thought the second son was not favored by his little uncle, but her father believed that given the family ties, even if they weren’t close, there would still be benefits to gain.

Who could have expected that the second son’s little uncle would want to kill him, just because he saw something he shouldn’t have? This completely disregarded familial bonds.

Had they known things would be like this, they would not have arranged this marriage for her. Perhaps choosing a down-and-out yet diligent scholar would have been more promising.

The second son didn’t have a good reputation in the town and county, and everyone knew he was from that high-ranking Gu Family, which was very wealthy.

Ordinarily, the second son loved frequenting brothels and sometimes gambling in casinos. Later, she learned that the second son’s family gave him a lot of silver every year, yet he saved none of it, spending it all in such ways.

If it weren’t for the connection to Gu Chengyu, her father wouldn’t have considered the second son. But now, it was too late for regrets; her purity had already been given to the second son.

"Remember! Even the famous doctors in the Capital cannot diagnose this pill, so don’t blame me for not warning you."

After saying this, Gu Chengyu turned and grabbed the black-clad person on the ground and left the room. He only had two hours to rest and couldn’t waste them on such people.

As for the poison, it was naturally nonexistent. Even if the second son spoke of this matter, it wouldn’t matter since he had no evidence.

However, the Empress was somewhat troublesome and might suspect he had obtained something he shouldn’t have, even without evidence.

After all, only upon discovery would there be a silencing intent.

On his way back, he encountered Ming Yan rushing towards him. After handing over the body to Ming Yan, he hurried to his own bedroom.

Wintergreen had already ironed a mourning garment for Gu Chengyu and was waiting inside.

"You go out first!" Gu Chengyu said as he entered the room, sending Wintergreen out.

He took a deep breath and pulled out a brocade box from his space. This was the most urgent matter; everything else had to wait.

Placing the brocade box on the table, he eagerly opened it and saw the envelope placed on top.

He pushed the envelope aside; the silk scroll was the Emperor’s final decree, and the envelope might not be as important. But why were there two?

Gu Chengyu carefully took out the silk scroll and opened one.

After a brief look, he skipped to focusing on the most prominent characters.

Succession to Prince Gong—Zhao Xian!

Gu Chengyu stared blankly at those words; even though the Emperor had told him this on his deathbed, seeing the decree, he still found it hard to accept.

Oh, Emperor! What kind of play is this? If you intended Prince Gong, why choose Zhao Dun as the Crown Prince before?

Could it be, like rumors said, the Emperor was influenced by the Li Family’s Red Book Iron Certificate?

But the Crown Prince is the heir to the throne; how could it be so frivolous? Even if not preferring Zhao Dun, once the Crown Prince is set, how can it be changed?

If this decree is proclaimed, it will surely cause an uproar.

Zhao Dun, as the Central Palace Legitimate Son, is kind, loyal, and filial, without lack of strategy. Becoming the Eastern Palace is rightful and proper.

Especially since after becoming the Crown Prince, he has been diligent and tried to improve. How could the Emperor bear to nullify Zhao Dun’s efforts just like this?

Even if the Crown Prince has flaws, who in this world is perfect? Doesn’t Prince Gong also have character flaws?

If he is violent by nature, can he really treat the people kindly if he ascends? If the Crown Prince is deposed and Prince Gong ascends as Emperor, the Crown Prince would surely not survive.

Unable to comprehend the Emperor’s intention, Gu Chengyu could only sigh deeply. This decree only mentions deposing the Crown Prince and no instructions for his treatment, showing the Emperor did not care about the Crown Prince’s safety.

Based on Prince Gong’s character, it’s impossible to leave any potential threats.

Gu Chengyu carefully put away this decree, placing it back in the brocade box.

He then opened another silk scroll, this time reading from beginning to end, becoming increasingly alarmed. By the end, he placed the silk scroll down, shocked.

"If Prince Jing shows any disobedience, eliminate him!" These words stood out even more than the previous succession to Prince Gong.

Gu Chengyu felt overwhelmed; these two decrees were both hot potatoes.

This decree targets Prince Jing, with the Emperor stating if Prince Jing remains quiet, he will enjoy his elderly years peacefully in his territory.

If not, the consequences are clear. Interestingly, the other letter is related to this decree.

The decree also mentions that if Prince Jing truly rebels, this letter should be handed to him before his demise.

Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but feel perplexed; could it be that the Emperor had foreseen his own condition, knowing his days were numbered and afraid he couldn’t instruct in time, so he prepared in advance?

Indeed, the Emperor was thinking ahead in this regard.

However, having such premonition, why let the Tianji Taoist leave? Was he still hoping the Tianji Taoist would bring back the main ingredient for the Lifespan Extension Pill?

Perhaps this was the Emperor’s last hope, Gu Chengyu guessed.

This letter is intended for Prince Jing, but Gu Chengyu’s curiosity got the better of him, prompting him to pick it up.

Well! Although it’s wrong to pry into others’ privacy, the letter wasn’t sealed, indicating he could read it, right?

Besides, there might be something extraordinary within.

After a second of hesitation, Gu Chengyu decided to take a look. Separating the two silk scrolls in storage, he picked up the letter to read.

"In the 45th year of Dayan, winter, the 18th day of the twelfth month, I led Princess Consort Jing and others from the palace to the hot spring manor in the suburbs of the Capital for a leisurely outing. There, I happened upon a woman..."

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