After Transmigrating as a Wealthy Woman: Don’t You Dare Touch My Baby! [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 80

“Brother, Sister—these are two jars of fine wine bestowed upon me by Imperial Father in the past. I’ve been reluctant to drink them until now, but it is an honor for this wine to be shared by the three of us today.” Jing Yi gestured, and a servant immediately stepped forward cradling two small jars.

Zhu Xingtong chuckled. “Jing Rui caught a chill only yesterday; he hasn’t the luck to enjoy this.”

Jing Rui nodded in agreement.

Jing Yi’s face stiffened momentarily, but he quickly regained his smile. “That matters not. I brought tea leaves as well. I figured Eldest Brother’s health might be poor, so we can drink tea instead. We shall toast with tea in place of wine.”

So, he didn’t poison the wine jars? Zhu Xingtong kept her smile fixed on Jing Yi. “Very well. We shall have the wine, and Jing Rui shall have tea.”

The servants quickly set out the tea table and utensils, along with several small wine cups. A gentle breeze blew through the First Prince’s manor, which boasted quite a beautiful landscape.

Gazing at the withered willow branches by the pavilion, Jing Yi spoke with a touch of sentimentality: “This scene reminds me of the days before we left the palace. Back then, the bond between us siblings was quite good. Imperial Sister, you took me everywhere. We even used to sneak into the Imperial Kitchen to steal snacks.”

“And weren’t we caught in the end? I was punished by Imperial Father while you stood aside with a look of pure innocence. Father thought I was the one leading you astray, so he placed me under palace arrest and let me go hungry for a whole day.” Zhu Xingtong took a sip from her wine cup, her words laced with hidden meaning.

Old Second, you’ve been an ungrateful brat since you were a child.

“However, later on, it was Jing Rui who brought a whole roasted chicken from his own small kitchen. That servant lad was cunning, too; he didn’t say who sent it, only that it was ‘from a Prince.’ I was quite full of myself back then, mistakenly thinking it was you who had sent it.”

And that very servant… isn’t he serving in the Second Prince’s manor now?

Jing Yi’s expression froze completely.

Jing Rui, however, was surprised. “I can hardly remember that myself. You still recall it, Sister?”

“I remember,” she replied. “Let’s not dwell on the past. Drink. In the future, I fear such opportunities will be rare.”

“Indeed.”

Under Zhong Ying’s watchful eye, Zhu Xingtong didn’t dare drink too much. Feeling a light, pleasant buzz, she leaned against Zhong Ying for a short nap. Jing Rui sipped his tea occasionally, his mind clear despite his pale complexion.

Jing Yi, on the other hand, drank like a parched animal. A few small cups weren’t enough, so he ordered larger bowls. The three drank in silence until Jing Yi suddenly stood up and smashed his bowl against the ground, using the alcohol as an excuse to vent his fury.

“Imperial Sister, you used to dote on me the most! Now, that affection has been snatched away by Eldest Brother! Sister, I am so very angry!”

Zhu Xingtong’s cheeks were flushed. She rolled her eyes at his outburst. “So what if you’re angry? You are nothing but an ungrateful creature!”

“Sister!!”

“What?”

“Are you determined to stand with Eldest Brother? Do you truly have no memory of our past bond?”

“Listen to yourself,” she retorted. “I am only allowed to remember my bond with you, but not with Jing Rui?”

Jing Yi blinked, and to her surprise, tears actually welled up. “Sister, you are too cruel to me.”

“Crying like a child—how unseemly,” Zhu Xingtong muttered, leaning her head on Zhong Ying’s shoulder and ignoring him.

In the original story, the Eldest Princess was strong-willed but could never stand to see those she loved cry. Jing Yi had manipulated her many times using that weakness. But Zhu Xingtong was different. Cry all you want, she thought, my heart is made of iron!

“Fine! Then as of today, I am severing my ties with you!”

Jing Rui frowned and tried to play peacemaker. “Second Brother, do not speak such nonsense.”

At that moment, a servant rushed in, pale with fright. “Your Highness! Disaster! Something has happened to His Majesty!”

Jing Rui bolted upright but staggered from a sudden wave of dizziness. Forcing himself to stay upright, he demanded, “What happened?”

“A eunuch from the palace brought word! His Majesty suddenly coughed up blood. All the imperial physicians have rushed there, but no one has an answer yet. All Princes and Princesses are summoned to the palace immediately!”

Upon hearing this, Jing Rui and Zhu Xingtong both turned to look at Jing Yi, who was currently nursing a bowl of wine.

Jing Yi returned to his gentle, warm smile. “What is it, Brother? Sister?”

Jing Rui stared at him intensely, his eyes burning with rage. “Jing Yi… I didn’t think you would be so unscrupulous. That is our father!”

“What are you saying, Brother? We should hurry and prepare to see Imperial Father in the palace.” Jing Yi rose unsteadily. As he passed Jing Rui, he whispered, “After all, it’s the final meeting. You’d better drag that sickly body of yours a bit faster, Eldest Brother.”

“Jing Yi!” Jing Rui barked.

“Brother, Sister, I shall take my leave first. I am deeply concerned for Father’s well-being.”

Jing Rui watched him leave, his heart seething with such fury that a metallic tang of blood rose in his throat. He forced himself to swallow it down.

“Let’s go. We should see for ourselves,” Zhu Xingtong said. “Why bother getting angry? Jing Yi is desperate. Today is his final chance. If he fails, there is nothing for him but death.”

“But Sister… Father…”

Zhu Xingtong let out a cold laugh. “Father favored the Second Prince; he never cared for a ‘sickly’ one like you. Let’s go. Perhaps we can still hear Father’s final decree.”

However, Jing Yi was ruthless. He had no intention of letting the Emperor speak a final decree. Even if his father intended to name him the heir, it wouldn’t matter. The Eldest Princess held the power of one hundred thousand troops, and the First Prince commanded the Imperial Guards. If a decree were issued, Jing Yi feared he would be killed by those two before the ink even dried.

So, Jing Yi took the direct path. Kill the Emperor. Then kill the First Prince.

That way, in the entire Great Rong Imperial Family, he would be the only one eligible for the throne. If the Eldest Princess refused to help him? The court officials wouldn’t stand by. Compared to a woman, the officials would naturally prefer a Prince as their monarch.

What if I don’t have military power? I’ll kill everyone until nothing is left but me. Once I am Emperor, the first thing I’ll do is imprison my sister and seize her troops! Jing Yi clenched his fists. Fueled by liquid courage, he knew today was the day he would either succeed or perish.

Before the carriages even reached the palace, a massive bell toll echoed across half the capital. It was the sound of the funeral bell.

The Emperor… has passed away.

Zhu Xingtong sat in the carriage, staring out the window. The sky, which had been clear moments ago, had suddenly turned gray and somber. Rain was coming. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on her heart.

“Cub, I feel a strange sadness. Do you think it’s the original soul grieving?”

Zhong Ying held her and shook her head. “No. You are simply saddened by the heartlessness of the Imperial Family. For the sake of power, even parricide is a common occurrence.”

“Perhaps so,” Zhu Xingtong sighed. “Come to think of it, Jing Yi is only sixteen. He’s a year younger than Jing Rui. He’d just be a kid in the modern world.”

“It proves he was rotten to the core long ago.”

“True.” Zhu Xingtong lowered her gaze. “Let Jing Rui handle it. But… will Jing Rui be alright?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, the carriage behind them came to a jarring halt.

“Your Highness, disaster! The First Prince is coughing up blood! So much blood!” The maid’s panicked voice stopped their carriage.

Zhu Xingtong and Zhong Ying hurried out. The curtains of the other carriage were already pulled back. Jing Rui’s chest was soaked in blood. His handsome face was devoid of color, and blood dripped steadily from his pale lips. With another retch, a fresh surge of crimson erupted from his throat.

“Your Highness, what do we do?! We must get to the palace… the Imperial Hospital will have a way…” Jing Rui’s attendant cried out in a panic.

“There’s no time.” Zhong Ying’s eyes darkened. She grabbed Jing Rui’s wrist to check his pulse. Her internal energy surged through his body in a quick circuit. “I must force the poison out immediately.”

She sat down cross-legged, placing her palms against his back. The onlookers didn’t understand, but since the Eldest Princess watched with a grim expression and didn’t stop her, the servants dared not speak.

As the internal energy circulated, steam began to rise from the top of Jing Rui’s head, and he became drenched in sweat. In less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Zhong Ying finished.

Jing Rui slumped forward, caught by his attendant.

“Hold him steady,” Zhong Ying commanded. She pricked his finger, and a spray of black blood shot out. Then, with a flick of her wrist, a white pill appeared in her palm—purchased from the System.

Once the pill was swallowed, Jing Rui’s condition improved instantly. The attendant knelt, calling her a divine physician.

Zhu Xingtong walked over and touched Zhong Ying’s face. “Are you alright?”

Zhong Ying shook her head. “It was just expelling poison.”

“When was Jing Rui poisoned? He didn’t drink the wine Jing Yi brought.” In fact, Zhu Xingtong was the one who had drunk quite a bit.

Zhong Ying patted her head. “It wasn’t the wine. The poison was likely on the cups. There must be a mole in the First Prince’s manor.”

It was the servant who brought the cups! Zhu Xingtong realized.

By now, Jing Rui had regained consciousness. Though still deathly pale, he managed to whisper, “Thank you… Sister.”

“Your body is weak. You should return to your manor to rest,” Zhu Xingtong advised.

Jing Rui shook his head. “Sister said there are moles in my manor. If I return, I fear I won’t live another two days. I will go to the palace with you. Once this is handled, I shall impose upon your manor for a few days of recovery.” He coughed twice. “Once I am well, I will prune those people myself.”

“You’re quite sharp. How do you know my manor will welcome you?”

Jing Rui smiled weakly. “Even if it isn’t, I shall have to be thick-skinned.”

“Fine, let’s go together.”

Zhu Xingtong and Zhong Ying returned to their carriage, and the procession began to move again. But this time, they hadn’t gone more than a few paces when a loud crash echoed from behind.

Zhu Xingtong leaned out to look. Jing Rui’s carriage had completely fallen apart. The horse stood there looking bewildered, while a wheel rolled away, spinning twice before collapsing. Jing Rui stood amidst the wreckage, supported by his attendant, his face filled with utter shock.

What just happened?

Zhong Ying looked at her own hands. She suddenly remembered that while expelling the poison, she had touched Jing Rui.

“Cub…” Zhu Xingtong looked at her knowingly. It was you, wasn’t it!

Zhong Ying refused to admit it. The System had clearly stated that Jing Rui’s True Dragon Index was at 100%, making him immune to the “unlucky buff.”

【Host, because he nearly died from poison just now, his True Dragon Index dropped back to 50%.】

Zhong Ying: “…” Well, then it really was her fault.

Zhu Xingtong glanced at her “cub,” thinking how powerful the System’s buff truly was. Just a small touch was enough to cause such “misfortune.”

Jing Rui stumbled over to their carriage. “Sister, let me in.”

Zhu Xingtong raised her hand in refusal. “I think it would be better if you rode a horse.”

Are you kidding? If he got in, this carriage would probably explode too!

Jing Rui: “…”

“Sister, look at my body. Do I look like I can ride a horse?” Jing Rui whispered. “Besides, if I ride, I might fall off before I even reach the palace gates.”

Zhu Xingtong put on a face of pure righteousness: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Jing Rui looked at them with an “I know everything” expression. “Sisters… the Third Prince is still lying in bed today.”

He had suspected something was wrong when the Third Prince had his accident. Thinking back on how his sister said the veil couldn’t be removed because people would fall in love or suffer bad luck—he had a sudden epiphany.

Zhu Xingtong raised an eyebrow. “Old Third brought that upon himself.”

Jing Rui sighed. “But I didn’t fall in love with you, Sister.”

He was innocent!

Zhong Ying checked and saw that Jing Rui’s True Dragon Index had returned to 100%. She beckoned him over. “Come in. It’s fine now.”

Zhu Xingtong whispered, “Cub, are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Jing Rui scrambled into the carriage. To the palace!