Weak at the knees

Inside a luxurious restaurant all the royal consuls of neutral faction and Xiuzhi's faction were currently enjoying tea and breakfast. No one from Xiuzhi's faction tried to elevate Xiuzhi which greatly pleased the neutral faction.

The head of the neutral faction also the head minister of rites Li Guang politely speaks to Xiuzhi "your highness...these past days you have done very well...it is a fortune of huajin to have capable shoulders like you...really your growth has amazed everyone..."

Xiuzhi keeps his calm composure and replies humbly "small matter...isn't worthy of your compliments...it is what this prince should do...helping to lighten emperors burden....mending good relations with other nations should be our priority...it is this prince's fortune to have given oppurtunity..."

Everyone from neutral faction felt pleased with his humbleness. Some even sighed with sympathy for the prince to have been overshadowed and underestimated by their emperor.

While this event was happening inside the emperors study people were eager and anxious to hear the good news. Emepror being the most anxious one asks "when will it come?...Shi'er are you sure that our people are trailing them...what about the product?..was it really completed..what if.."

Shiyou though was equally anxious but when answering his father was very calm "Fuhuang...my men are in place and currently failing them...as soon as they find the changes they will be sending it through fastest hawk...we tested the product in at least 100 people and it worked...I myself had provided him the poison...do not worry...according to third elders calculation two hours from now it should take the effect.."

Emperor rests his heart after his sons explaination, still he felt as if time was moving on a snails pace. The hours went by they even had their lunch at the study but there was no sign of messenger hawk.

The hours went by making the people more anxious. They couldn't help but feel something was wrong but still clinged onto their hope stubbornly. The personal eunuch entered with quick steps and passes the message which was freshly delivered.

Shiyou snatches the tube and opens the letter in hurry. He looks at the letter numbly as if he had mistaken and reads twice. He then sits back woodenly his senses failing him to hear his father who anxiously asked its contents.

Emperor looking at his sons reaction had an inkling of the content but still not satisfied stands and takes the paper from his hand. He looks at the content which had "No Changes..sucessfully crosses our borders.."

Emperor crumples the paper inside his fist then slams his fist on the table making a Big bang sound. Unable to hold his anger her flips the entire table making the room messy. His anger kept rising so the warm feeling in his gut. Finally he sprays blood from his mouth and faints awakening the wooden Shiyou.

The room was in chaos from the emperors fainting, physician were called while emepror was delicately moved in his chambers. The head of imperial physician after checking his pulse informs that the emperor's anger was too volatile and effected his heart. He also informs that emperor needed a good rest or his body would grow more weary from all the piled up stress and worries. That he shouldn't be angered further or there would be dire consequences.

The emperor opens his eyes an hour later and was served with the nerve calming pill and herbal soup. He looks at his son beside him with worried eyes, after finishing the soup he speaks softly "why didn't it work?..."

Shiyou's face fills with regret and disappointment when answering "this son doesn't know...we clearly had tested it and all of them died...the poisoned cup was specially made and had been in my possession till it was brought infront Pei Jin...for why it failed...the answer can only be provided by its maker.."

Emperor was filled with anger and disappointment from the results but he couldn't vent his anger on his son as he knew it wasn't his fault. Thus with shaky hands first he takes out the rejuvenating pill to eat. He felt his strength coming back and giving a cooling sensation.

The effect was so fast and pleasant that he could only admire Yusheng's hand as being divine, he then turns to look at his equally disheartened son and says visciously "Shi'er go and find that quack...ask him why it failed...having failed at the precise moment...even peeling his layer till the bones isn't enough to be his punishment...

for years we have given him anything he asked for...Our hopes and plans all are now gone to drain..it is now impossible for us to lay hand on him while he is in his domain...Shi'er do you know what it means.."

Shiyou looked at the ground storm swirling in his eyes, his fist were tightened yet while speaking he tried to be gentle "son knows...this failure had us now standing on the starting line...but Fuhuang the current priority is your health...for other matters this son is still here...no matter the hurdles, son will pave the path...all is not gone...though the matter is not amiable for us but together we shall again find a way...Fuhuang recuperate well for now while this son will find out the cause...son promises to have a method to tackle them within a week.."

Emperor who was now looking much better after taking the pill looks at his determined son. He puts his hand on his fisted ones and giving a high sigh replies "Okay...father will focus on recuperating...till then you and prime minister shall hold the court...keep them in line during fathers absence....

father trusts you and will wait for you to come up with something...you are right all is not gone...haste will make waste...though it's a pity and insufferable to have failed but no use crying on spilled milk...you too take care of your health..."

Shiyou helps cover his father and wait until his breathing was light indicating he was asleep. He then stands to find that he himself was feeling weak on his knees and nearly falling.