"Your Highness, what’s wrong!"
The Palace Maid’s cry of alarm resounded through Zhengxin Hall. By the time the Imperial Physician rushed over, Xia Chenhua was already on the floor of the training room, bleeding from all seven orifices. His handsome face was twisted beyond recognition.
After observing him for only a moment, the Imperial Physician couldn’t help but exclaim, "Qigong Deviation! This is a classic case of Qigong Deviation. The Seventeenth Prince was likely agitated over the theft at Zhengxin Hall, yet he forced himself to cultivate anyway. That’s what led to this."
"Is it really Qigong Deviation?"
Just as he finished speaking, Princess Ling Yi walked in from outside. She had come to inquire about the progress of the theft investigation and was also hoping to borrow something from Xia Chenhua. She never expected to walk into a scene like this.
Seeing the web of black lines spreading across Xia Chenhua’s skin, looking as if tiny insects were crawling just beneath the surface, Princess Ling Yi felt a chill run down her spine. She suddenly had the urge to abandon her investigation.
’The Imperial Physician said it was just Qigong Deviation, but how could it be such a coincidence? Zhengxin Hall had just been robbed, and now Xia Chenhua has a fatal Qigong Deviation.’
’Could that thief be responsible?’
’Stealing is bad enough, but to kill someone, too...’
’But why am I unharmed?’ Princess Ling Yi’s expression turned grim. Another figure surfaced in her mind: Princess Yun Shu. She had supposedly died when a hidden injury flared up. On the surface, her death had also seemed to have no issues.
’But often, the fewer the visible problems, the more it means something is deeply wrong. Otherwise, how could a Prince and Princess of the mighty Great Xia Dynasty die so easily?’
At this thought, Princess Ling Yi’s expression changed drastically. She spun around and left in a hurry, not daring to remain a moment longer.
She even decided to temporarily postpone the search for the thief. Although she had no proof, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Xia Chenhua’s death was connected to the theft.
’Perhaps the thief set some hidden trap while stealing, or maybe used some kind of poison, causing Xia Chenhua to die two days later.’
It had to be said, Princess Ling Yi’s guess was quite accurate. There was indeed something wrong with all of this.
News of Xia Chenhua’s sudden death from Qigong Deviation spread like wildfire through the Imperial City.
"I heard that when Xia Chenhua died, his eyeballs were about to pop out." The Fifth Prince toyed with a recently acquired Sea Pearl, his tone dripping with schadenfreude.
The Third Prince, however, frowned. "Is it really such a coincidence? Zhengxin Hall was robbed just two days ago, and now Xia Chenhua dies suddenly from Qigong Deviation. It might look normal on the surface, but would a Prince of his standing really not carry Elixirs to prevent Qigong Deviation? Have someone look into it. Did Seventeen offend anyone recently?"
...
Zhengxin Hall was in utter chaos. Xia Chenhua’s mother had rushed over at once and was now a weeping mess.
Even though the Imperial Physician insisted that Xia Chenhua had died from Qigong Deviation, his mother refused to believe it.
Instead, she mobilized more Famous Constables and masters to dedicate all their efforts to investigating the cause of Xia Chenhua’s death.
In a side hall, gazing through the latticed window at the chaos unfolding in Zhengxin Hall, a distinct smile appeared on Xia Chenguang’s lips.
’Xia Chenhua had been brazen and arrogant all these years, stirring up trouble everywhere he went. He’d even publicly humiliated the elder Crown Prince just a few days ago. He totally deserved this.’
’If he hadn’t been so out of control, he might not have died.’
’Mother always favored him. She gave all the best things to Xia Chenhua first, leaving me with next to nothing.’
’Now that Xia Chenhua is dead, my time has finally come.’
"Haha... HAHAHAHA..."
Xia Chenguang did his best to suppress his laughter, trying not to be overheard.
After all, he was Xia Chenhua’s full-blooded brother. If he were seen smiling with joy just one day after his death, it would be too much. People would call him cold-blooded.
’I’ll just wait until this period passes. Then I’ll go find some Cultured Courtesans and have a real celebration.’
’There’s no rush. I have all the time in the world now.’
’Zhengxin Hall has plenty of stunning beauties, but they’re all so dull and wooden. They can’t compare to the girls in the brothels.’
’That elder Crown Prince is an idiot, too. He has no idea how to enjoy life, even looking down on Brothel Courtesans.’
’When the elder Crown Prince eventually dies, I’ll see if I can get my hands on those courtesans. It would be a shame to let such treasures go to waste.’
At this thought, Xia Chenguang couldn’t help but laugh again.
’I’d better cultivate for a while. If I keep thinking about this, I’m afraid I’ll start snorting like a pig from laughing so hard.’
However, just as he began to circulate his Dragon and Tiger Qi Blood, Xia Chenguang felt a strange fluctuation inside his body.
Before he could react, he heard a series of popping sounds erupting from his blood vessels, heart, and internal organs...
Xia Chenguang’s eyes widened in horror. He wanted to rush out and call for help, but he was completely paralyzed.
By the time the Imperial Physicians rushed in, Xia Chenguang had already lost his life. His face was frozen with a hint of sorrow, as if he had been unable to bear his brother’s death and, overcome with grief, had pushed himself too hard in his Cultivation, resulting in a fatal Qigong Deviation.
But those close to Xia Chenguang knew perfectly well that his relationship with his brother, Xia Chenhua, was far from good. In fact, Xia Chenguang harbored deep resentment toward Xia Chenhua, often complaining about him to his confidants and even cursing his name.
Xia Chenhua, for his part, didn’t treat Xia Chenguang well either, frequently helping himself to his resources and treasures, which had greatly slowed Xia Chenguang’s Cultivation Speed.
The relationship between the two brothers was extremely tense. How could Xia Chenguang possibly suffer a Qigong Deviation from excessive grief? He would have been celebrating if he had the chance.
And yet, according to the Imperial Physician’s examination, Xia Chenguang had indeed suffered a Qigong Deviation while cultivating due to his brother’s death, and had ultimately succumbed.
This was the official story released to the public as well. After all, they couldn’t very well announce the bitter strife between the brothers.
Losing two sons in such a short time was too great a blow for their mother. She fainted on the spot. They were her only two sons, and she had been counting on them. She never expected them to die so quickly—how could she possibly endure it?
When the news reached Emperor Xia, even though he wasn’t particularly attached to these children, he still flew into a rage and ordered a thorough, secret investigation into the matter.
Publicly, however, Qigong Deviation was still cited as the cause of death as arrangements were made for their funerals.
Three Princes and Princesses had died in a short span of time, yet the Imperial Physicians could find no clues during their examinations. It seemed as if they were all natural deaths.
Experts skilled in the Nether Acupuncture Needle had also performed examinations but found no traces of its use. It seemed that things were exactly as they appeared.
But the coincidences were too glaring for anyone to easily believe. Even Xia Wuyang, the elder Crown Prince, was once again added to the list of suspects, with Emperor Xia dispatching men to investigate him in secret.
Other Princes and Princesses grew suspicious as well, ordering their own spies and informants to observe the situation closely.
Xia Wuyang, at that very moment, was also reflecting. ’Have I been a bit too excessive with the killings lately? Perhaps I should take a more gradual approach?’