Ma Shunde's heart turned half cold. He glanced inside with a complicated expression, then said to Xu Yingjie, "This is a grave matter. Come into the palace with me."
Xu Yingjie felt bitter inside, but the matter was so serious that once the Emperor heard of it, he would surely question him further. He could only nod with a miserable face.
At once, he followed Ma Shunde out of Prince Qi's Residence. A young eunuch invited them into the carriage. Ma Shunde stepped aboard, and seeing Xu Yingjie hesitate, said impatiently, "At a time like this, why are you still standing on ceremony? Get in."
Xu Yingjie had no choice but to enter. The interior was spacious, with seats in front and back, so he sat down. With a gentle lurch, the carriage slid smoothly away.
Ma Shunde leaned against the cushions in the carriage without saying a word, lost in thought. Xu Yingjie sat half-bent forward, not daring to make a sound. His heart tightened in waves, and bitterness filled his mouth.
Xu Yingjie, you let profit blind your heart. You wanted to find an opportunity, only to plunge headfirst into this whirlpool.
Then he thought again, Fortunately, I am not alone. All the imperial physicians present know about this. Unless they silence every last one of us, killing me alone would be meaningless.
But perhaps the death penalty can be spared—what about living punishment? Leaving everything else aside, Prince Qi is injured now and has no mind for women. But if he does think of it later and discovers he cannot... then people like us...
The more he thought, the more his heart trembled with fear. Suddenly, the carriage jolted, followed by the crackling pops of firecrackers. Ma Shunde immediately flew into a rage and shrieked, "You useless