I Am a Salted Fish in Ancient Times

Chapter 14

Xiao Shan could refuse Xiao Jin's invitation.

But Xiao Shan couldn't refuse an invitation from a severely weakened and poisoned Xiao Jin. So, before Chang An could finish his pitiful plea, Xiao Shan stood up and, with a blank expression, said one word: "Let's go."

Before leaving, Xiao Shan changed his clothes. He left Ji An behind with instructions to prepare some food for Xie Zhui when he woke up, without waiting for his return.

Xie Zhui needed to replenish his strength.

Although Ji An wanted to accompany Xiao Shan to the palace, seeing Xiao Shan's expression, he had no choice but to stay behind.

Xiao Shan's enthusiasm for entering the palace was low, even if it was Xiao Jin inviting him to the Eastern Palace. Recently, he hadn't wanted to enter the palace at all, but he also didn't want Xiao Jin to risk his health by coming to Prince Li’s Residence.

It didn't make sense for the victim to be running around when Consort Lan and he were the ones under suspicion. He couldn't bring himself to be so aloof, especially since Xiao Jin was his second brother.

For the sake of those two words—second brother—he had to enter the palace.

However, upon arriving at the Eastern Palace and seeing that Xiao Jin was already able to get up, Xiao Shan's mood improved significantly, and the gloom on his face was replaced by joy.

He quickly walked up to Xiao Jin, looked him up and down, and called out, "Second Brother."

Xiao Jin's body was still noticeably weak, but his complexion had improved significantly, and he seemed to be on the road to recovery.

Xiao Jin snorted and said, "You still remember to call me Second Brother, yet you didn't even come to see me when I was poisoned."

Xiao Shan looked at him and sighed, "I was afraid that seeing me would upset you."

Xiao Jin glared at him, his expression suddenly turning sharp. He sneered, full of displeasure, and said, "What? In your eyes, do you think I, Xiao Jin, am someone who would blindly suspect my own brother without distinguishing right from wrong?"

"That's not what I meant," Xiao Shan quickly explained. "What I meant is that it's a fact that Mother Consort is under suspicion, and many people are wary of her and me. This includes people from the Eastern Palace, which is only natural. If I came to see you now, those people would start whispering in your ear, urging you to be cautious. You can't get angry at them for saying such things, and that would only upset you."

Xiao Jin continued to sneer, "So, that's how it is. Should I thank you for being so considerate of me?"@@@@

Xiao Shan replied, "No need for thanks. After all, we are good brothers. It's only right for me to consider things from your perspective."

If Xiao Jin had the strength, he would have kicked him.

But Xiao Jin didn't have the strength, so he could only glare at the grinning Xiao Shan.

Xiao Shan chuckled twice, and Xiao Jin shook his head helplessly.

Once Xiao Jin had calmed down, he sat down, and Xiao Shan followed suit. The two sat very close, separated only by a small table.

Xiao Jin said, "The reason I was able to stand up today is thanks to Consort Lan. If she hadn't acted decisively that day, I wouldn't have been able to expel five or six parts of the poison from the pastries. Otherwise, if the poison had reached my heart, you might have had to wait a long time before seeing me again."

Xiao Shan pursed his lips.

Xiao Jin continued, "You and I grew up together. Do you think I don't know your temperament? I know that anyone in this world might compete with me for the position of Crown Prince, but not you. I trust you, and you should trust me. You can't get stubborn and overthink things because of a small matter. As for your marriage to Xie Zhui, I can't change that, but I never thought..."

"Second Brother, my marriage to Xie Zhui is fine. There's no need to change anything." Seeing Xiao Jin's gentle attempts to guide him, Xiao Shan quickly said, "He's quite likable."

Xiao Jin remained silent, his expression noncommittal.

Xiao Shan didn't want to continue the topic. He said, "Second Brother, I'm not afraid of the schemes and plots aimed at me. Schemes will eventually come to light. I just don't want these things to cause unhappiness between us."

"I know exactly what you're thinking," Xiao Jin said irritably. "If I hadn't invited you to the palace, would you have stayed in the residence brooding over these matters? Between you and me, what can't be said directly?"

Xiao Shan raised an eyebrow and smiled, exuding confidence. "Second Brother, you're overthinking it. Why would I brood over these things? If it's a scheme, I'll expose it. If it's an open plot, I'll tear it apart. The truth will come to light eventually. There's no need for me to stubbornly fight against these things."

Seeing him, Xiao Shan's eyes softened. He walked over and pressed a kiss to Xie Zhui's lips, lingering for a moment before pulling away.

Xie Zhui jolted, his senses returning. His eyes widened in shock and doubt, seemingly unable to understand why Xiao Shan had done that.

Xiao Shan smiled and said, "Someone said I have a hard mouth, but I think it's quite soft. What do you think?"

Xie Zhui blinked and calmed down. He unconsciously licked his lips and, with an honest expression, said, "It is quite soft."

Xiao Shan: "..."

He felt like he was being teased.

Xie Zhui, seeing Xiao Shan's momentary daze, silently chuckled. Over the past few days, he had come to understand Xiao Shan's personality—this person liked to tease others. To deal with someone like that, one had to respond softly and gently.

While Xiao Shan was still processing, Xie Zhui tried to get up. As he moved, he felt his waist ache even more than before. However, he didn't show it and calmly dressed himself.

Xiao Shan watched him, then smiled and walked forward, saying, "Let me tie your hair for you."

Xie Zhui asked, "Your Highness knows how to tie hair?"

Xiao Shan replied confidently, "No, but I can learn if I don't know."

Xie Zhui said, "I know how."

Xiao Shan looked delighted, "Then I'll learn from you... Should I formally become your apprentice?"

Xie Zhui: "..."

***

Two days later, the investigation into the Crown Prince's poisoning yielded results.

The poison was indeed not administered by Consort Lan, but she was not entirely blameless. The poison in the pastries was placed by a cook in the small kitchen of Jinglan Palace.

She knew Consort Lan's habits and what ingredients she liked to use for making pastries. Therefore, the poison was not directly in the pastries but in the ingredients. Her original intention was to harm the child in Liu Jingyi's womb, not Xiao Jin.

She was not acting under anyone's orders; her main motive was her hatred for Liu Jingyi. The Liu family had caused the ruin of her own family, and she had been waiting for an opportunity to take revenge. Consort Lan making pastries for Liu Jingyi was the best chance she would ever get.

So, even knowing it would mean her death, she did it.

This matter, when traced back, involved some old events from more than ten years ago, with rights and wrongs that no one could clearly define.

Upon learning that the poisoner was this cook, Consort Lan was so frightened she nearly cried herself to death. She couldn't believe such a malicious person had been hiding by her side.

The cook was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice. Whether she had any accomplices or was acting under someone's orders would depend on the Ministry's methods.

After the matter was clarified, the Emperor issued an edict to the northern border, summoning the meritorious soldiers back to the capital, with Xie Chen among them.

Upon hearing this news, Xie Zhui lost his composure for the first time. He urgently asked Xiao Shan for confirmation, "Is this true?"

Xiao Shan replied, "Since Father Emperor has issued the edict, it must be true."

Hearing this, Xie Zhui let out a deep sigh of relief. Although he hadn't spoken of it, he had been deeply worried about Xie Chen.

Now that the Emperor had summoned Xie Chen back to the capital, it meant that the Emperor would no longer pursue the matter with the Xie family.

Xiao Shan looked at Xie Zhui and sighed inwardly. With the return of the northern border soldiers to the capital and the Emperor's rewards, there would undoubtedly be many eyes watching these men.

It could very well be the beginning of another storm.