The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 171

Deqing Temple was indeed the largest temple in the capital. The temple was grand and imposing.

Master Deqing, wary of the thousands of troops he saw within the painting, urgently wanted to uncover the truth. He led Song Jin directly to the ritual platform where he usually conducted his ceremonies. The platform was a restricted area in Deqing Temple. Only Master Deqing’s two most trusted disciples were allowed near it, and even they could only stand guard at the main entrance or wander in the courtyard. They were strictly forbidden from entering the inner courtyard.

“Do not allow anyone to enter,” Master Deqing ordered sternly before taking Song Jin inside.

As soon as they entered the inner courtyard, Song Jin was immediately captivated by the golden platform. It was made of pure gold, and judging by the wear on the tiles beneath it, the platform had been newly built.

“May I see Your Highness’s painting now?” Master Deqing asked.

Song Jin, surveying the platform, replied, “This painting was made by the late Empress. Aren’t you afraid that her spirit might come out of the platform and haunt you? After all, this painting must contain her essence.”

Master Deqing was visibly startled and looked at Song Jin in shock.

Song Jin smirked, “What? You don’t understand what I’m saying, Master Deqing?”

Master Deqing’s face darkened. “Did Your Highness come here with another motive?”

Song Jin laughed heartily, “Is the master so easily offended by a joke?”

With that, he tossed the painting to Master Deqing. “Really no fun. Go ahead, look at the painting.”

So, the Fourth Prince was just joking? What a strange joke! No wonder the Emperor disliked him! Master Deqing thought, rolling his eyes inwardly but showing no expression. He caught the painting steadily and walked towards the platform.

“May I join you up there?” Song Jin asked, moving towards Master Deqing.

After a moment of hesitation, Master Deqing replied, “No.”

Song Jin smiled, “Really can’t?”

This time, Master Deqing was firm. “No.”

“How about this?”

With a slight pause, Song Jin’s eyes narrowed. In an instant, the dagger hidden in his boot was drawn and thrust towards Master Deqing’s chest like a flash of lightning.

It all happened too suddenly. By the time Master Deqing realized what had occurred, the dagger had already pierced him and was withdrawn, ready to strike again.

Master Deqing staggered back, stunned, and looked down at his chest and the blood-stained dagger, then back at the Fourth Prince.

“You… you…”

Song Jin smirked, “Surprised?”

Master Deqing was terrified and immediately tried to run. However, as he turned, Song Jin raised his arms.

All the weapons in the room flew towards Master Deqing but stopped just short of his skin, forming a menacing barrier around him.

“If you don’t want to become a porcupine, you better behave,” Song Jin said, standing outside the circle of weapons, smirking.

Master Deqing was overwhelmed with fear. “You… you… how is this possible? The late Empress gave birth to a Princess, not you.”

Song Jin laughed, “Sometimes the Imperial Astronomical Bureau can be right. My fate and Father’s are naturally incompatible. There can’t be two rulers in one kingdom—either he goes, or I do.”

Master Deqing, terrified, looked towards the Fourth Prince. However, the dense array of weapons in front of him obstructed his view. He felt as if he was trapped in a metal cage filled with blades.

“What do you want?”

“Simply the truth,” Song Jin replied with a smile.

Master Deqing tried to speak, but a dagger suddenly pierced his calf and withdrew. He screamed in pain, but before he could fully express it, a long sword entered his mouth, threatening to pierce his throat if he made another sound.

Terrified, Master Deqing swallowed his scream, nearly causing internal injury.

“The truth,” Song Jin said calmly.

“What truth does Your Highness seek?”

“The truth about the late Empress and the late Emperor’s deaths.”

Master Deqing widened his eyes, attempting to look at the Fourth Prince. But all he could see were the weapons ready to attack him at any moment. He tried to use his powers to break the barrier, but it was futile.

Finally, Master Deqing had to accept reality.

“The Emperor poisoned the late Empress with the Thousand Mechanism Poison. This poison is unique; it not only poisons the victim but also those who have physical contact with them, including any child born with the poison.”

As he said this, something flashed in Master Deqing’s mind. His eyes filled with cold killing intent. He silently chanted a spell. Although he was silent, Song Jin noticed it.

Song Jin laughed, “What? Are you trying to summon your poison bug to deal with me? I’m quite curious about these bugs. Let’s see what happens.”

She pulled up a chair, sat down, and crossed her legs, watching Master Deqing.

Master Deqing focused intently, chanting faster. A black bug crawled out of his arm, slowly moving to his palm. As Master Deqing chanted, the bug turned from black to a transparent red.

Master Deqing, though unable to see the Fourth Prince through the dense weapons, listened for a scream of pain.

However, after waiting for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he heard nothing.

Master Deqing roared in disbelief, “Impossible! There is no cure for the Thousand Mechanism Poison. You cannot be free of it. You… you are not the late Empress’s child. You are not!”

Song Jin coldly stared at Master Deqing, feeling a deep sense of dread.

Is there really no cure for the Thousand Mechanism Poison?

Realizing the Fourth Prince was not the late Empress’s child, Master Deqing desperately chanted a spell to break free from the weapons’ confinement.

Song Jin watched coldly, shaking her head, “Don’t waste your efforts. These weapons will not move without my command. Instead of wasting energy, you might as well tell me the truth.”

As he spoke, Song Jin’s eyes narrowed again.

A slender sword near Master Deqing’s hand suddenly lunged forward, slicing the poison bug in two.

The bug turned into black liquid, dripping from Master Deqing’s hand.