Reborn as a Merchant Girl, the General's Beloved

Xiao Shi looked at Hongze, then at Jinliu, and then he said thoughtfully: "My brother asked me to tell His Highness that the prince is seriously ill."

"What!" Jin Liu was anxious and was about to go out, but was stopped by Hongze.

Jin Liu shook his head and said, "Didn't you hear? My elder brother is sick! I'll go to the palace to check on him right now!"

Hongze did not let go, but pulled him tighter.

Jin Liu struggled and said, "Let me go! I received urgent official letters from Northern Xinjiang every day, urging me to hurry back. I was swearing while I was hurrying back! If I had known that my elder brother was ill, I would not have delayed him for so long!"

"Your Highness!" Yu Ran called softly.

Jin Liu was stunned for a moment and looked at Yu Ran.

Yu Ran didn't talk to him first, but turned to look at Xiao Shi and asked in a low voice: "How is the prince's condition?"

Xiao Shiya said in a low voice: "It's a rheumatism. His body is completely stiff and he can't move. He can open his eyes occasionally and his mind is still clear. But there is no way to save him, not even a god can cure him."

"How could this happen?" Jin Liu was unable to accept such bad news for a moment. He fell heavily into the chair with red eyes.

Xiao Shi continued, "I heard from everyone in the Eastern Palace that there were signs beforehand, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was busy with government affairs day and night and had no time to treat him until he fainted on the ground. The Imperial Hospital was powerless to save him, and His Majesty was furious. Almost all the staff of the Imperial Hospital were sentenced to death on the spot. Fortunately, Concubine Jin risked her life to plead for mercy, but the death penalty was spared, but the punishment of life could not be escaped. My brother was the first to be punished, and he was beaten with twenty boards. Now he can't get out of bed."

Jin Liu stood up suddenly and was about to go out. Yu Ran was unable to stop her and was tripped by her skirt. Anan hurried forward and helped her up.

Hong Ze frowned deeply, held Jin Liu tightly, and said in a cold voice: "Have you ever thought about why His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was seriously ill, and there was an urgent official letter urging you to return to Beijing? Could it be that he really wanted you to return to Beijing to visit him?"

Jin Liu took a deep breath and looked back at Hong Ze: "You, what do you mean by this?"

"You are not a foolish person, but you value friendship too much and forget one thing. You and His Majesty are not only father and son, but also monarch and subject!" Hongze patted his shoulder. "Now the palace is keeping it a secret, even we haven't heard a word. Jinyun learned that you returned to the capital, and was afraid that you would anger the emperor, so he specially ordered Xiao Shi to secretly deliver the letter."

"Ordering me to return to Beijing may not be my father's intention." Jin Liu was silent for a long while before speaking in a deep voice.

"It's meaningless to find out who asked you to come back now. After all, you've already come back and are in Kyoto now." Hong Ze gritted his teeth, glanced at Yu Ran, and said, "You fell into the trap."

Jin Liu's face turned pale, he sat down and bowed his head without saying anything. Yu Ran frowned and asked, "Master Hong, although my prince is a bit naughty, he has always been an honest man. He is loyal to His Majesty and the Crown Prince. No matter what happens, he has never been unwilling to die, and is willing to be a stepping stone. Could it be that someone still suspects that my prince is plotting a rebellion?"

"Don't forget, he is the only adult prince who has made great military achievements, is capable of commanding an army of 200,000, and is deeply loved by His Majesty." Hong Ze said in a deep voice, "Moreover, it is rumored in the palace that His Highness once reviewed memorials for His Majesty in the Imperial Study!"

Jin Liu was speechless and could only look at Hongze with a wry smile.

Hong Ze added: "If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is safe, you will be fine too, but now that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is helpless, you are the most advantageous contender for the throne."

Jin Liu remained silent, his face turning red and white.

Anan felt very nervous and secretly pulled Hongze's sleeve.

Hongze turned around and smiled at her, holding her hand, then looked at Jin Liu and continued, "It is an indisputable fact that you abandoned the army and returned to Beijing alone. Everyone will say that you wanted to take advantage of the situation and seek the position of crown prince."