The Disabled Heir and the Pretend Physician (4)

“My father is old and won’t be able to command troops for much longer,” he said.

“So the Crown Prince wants his own people to hold military power?” Zhao He’s voice carried a hint of excitement; real-life palace intrigue like those she’d only seen in historical dramas.

“Then tell me, will you still avenge me?” Jing Ze’s words sounded tinged with irony as he released the strand of hair twined around his finger, adjusted his posture, and leaned back again.

“I can kill him for you, or cripple him. I’m quite talented, you know,” Zhao He replied.

System: How come I don’t recall the original host being so formidable?

“Oh? Are you planning to use your half-baked martial arts, or poison? You can’t even set foot inside the palace, can you?” Jing Ze shook his head, inwardly guessing what sort of scheme Zhao He was plotting.

He’d pondered it for some time—how could someone he’d picked up by chance, who could heal, cook mysterious dishes, and wasn’t even afraid to seek his revenge, be so reliable?

Zhao He glared, retorting, “Who are you looking down on? It’s just the palace.” At that moment, she was secretly thinking, if she could exchange palace treasures for money, the return must be quite high!

“I didn’t expect you’d be willing to assassinate the Crown Prince for me. But if you did, the Imperial Guard would surround this manor by tomorrow morning,” Jing Ze suddenly laughed. Zhao He paused, momentarily struck by how handsome he looked.

—

During this period, gifts kept arriving at the prince’s manor, but Zhao He was as elusive as a ghost, even skipping the acupuncture sessions that had just begun to show effect.

Jing Ze sent people to search for her many times, but those who set out always lost her trail or were knocked unconscious. After several failed attempts, they simply gave up.

Meanwhile, Zhao He had stealthily snuck into the palace, disguised herself in a maid’s uniform she’d pilfered, and wandered about.

“Sis, I don’t remember the original host having such great wall-scaling skills,” the system mused, recalling Zhao He’s recent maneuvers.

“So what if I have my own set of skills?” Zhao He tugged irritably at her too-small clothes.

“But aren’t you just a broke recluse?” The system started to question its own existence—what sort of host had it been assigned to?

“I’m just too poor, trying to make some money. Not only did I get bound to a system for no reason and forced to do quests, there’s not even a cheat code—or the basic plot!” Zhao He whispered with the system, all the while dodging palace staff and searching for the Eastern Palace.

“I told you, this is the real world… what plot could there be?” The system sounded suddenly a bit guilty.

—

After knocking out the last maid, Zhao He surveyed the grand hall. Golden cauldrons and vermilion doors imbued the air with solemnity. White jade flowers adorned the hall’s periphery, their petals gleaming with a translucent luster like bone china. The inner columns were supported by massive golden pillars, each one carved with a spiraling dragon so lifelike it seemed it might come alive.

Zhao He approached a man, crouching beside him. “I’ll take the cloth from your mouth. Make a sound, and your life ends on the spot.”

The man’s eyes bulged with fury as he nodded. If looks could kill, Zhao He would have died a dozen times over.

“Your Majesty, you have two choices—replace the man on the throne, or the Crown Prince,” Zhao He declared.

“Insolent! Release me now, or my Imperial Guard will carve you to pieces!” Even bound, Emperor Long Heng’s presence was intimidating.

“Oh, right, I forgot to follow the procedure.” Zhao He ignored his threats. “After we finish, you can answer.”

Before Long Heng could process what she meant by “procedure,” Zhao He’s fist came down hard. After a thorough beating, she forced several pills into his mouth.

“These are poisons, all different. No one but me has the antidote.” Zhao He dragged over a chair and sat down.

A strange sensation coursed through Long Heng’s body. After the beating, cold sweat drenched him and his breathing grew faint. “I’ll… I’ll issue the decree to depose the Crown Prince right away.” Compared to his own life, sacrificing a son was nothing—he had plenty, after all.

“I hope you keep your word. Otherwise, your body will… let’s just say you’ll explode. I’m sure you feel it now!” With that, Zhao He departed.

System: “Host… that aura just now, what was it?”

“Maybe you’d like to tell me what kind of system you are first?” Zhao He replied coolly.

—

When the decree deposing the Crown Prince spread throughout the capital, Zhao He was performing acupuncture on Jing Ze.

“You really are bold,” Jing Ze remarked, unable to read her. She’d infiltrated the palace, beaten the emperor, and emerged alive—plus, the emperor had agreed to depose the Crown Prince. “How did you persuade His Majesty?”

“None of your business!” Zhao He recalled “persuading” the emperor and decided to keep her methods secret. “Now you can take your revenge on the former Crown Prince, Long Wu, without trouble.”

“You really have gone to great lengths to avenge me,” Jing Ze said with a strange look at the young woman before him. “But I never said I wanted revenge.”

Zhao He glanced up at him, pressing harder with her hands. “What you say doesn’t matter. If you find it troublesome, I’ll handle it. Besides, your leg is almost healed. In a few days, you can try walking again.”

“Then I’ll trouble you further.” Jing Ze simply closed his eyes, letting her do as she pleased with his leg.

—

That night, Zhao He stormed into the Office of the Imperial Clan. The drunken former Crown Prince Long Wu was left crippled and barely aware of what had happened.

—

Hidden task progress: 50%

Zhao He looked at the data, satisfied. It seemed that in the face of overwhelming force, palace intrigue had no room to unfold.

“Sis, now all you need is to get your hands on the item Jing Ze values most,” the system piped up.

At that, Zhao He stroked an imaginary beard and replied with a sage’s tone, “The next part will require real skill!”

Elsewhere, Lu Er was reporting Zhao He’s movements to Jing Ze. “Miss Zhao went to the Office of the Imperial Clan. The former Crown Prince’s legs should be crippled by now.”

“Clean up the aftermath,” Jing Ze said, gazing out into the pitch-black night, his emotions complicated.

“Yes.” Lu Er left the study, walked a few steps, and then glanced back. After so many years and so much planning, the grudge had been settled just like that, by a mysterious young woman.

When Zhao He heard news of Long Wu’s death, she was conferring with Ding Tie about which wealthy fool to visit for their next nighttime operation.

“They say the former Crown Prince died with both legs broken, blood soaking the room, a truly ghastly sight,” Ding Tie said, voice low and theatrical, like a puppy begging for praise.

“I thought you said you didn’t know anything about officialdom? This was a secret death—how did you hear of it?” Zhao He eyed him suspiciously.

“Last time, I was so upset I couldn’t help you. When I got home, I thought it over and arranged for my men to monitor all the major residences in the capital,” Ding Tie admitted, clearly fishing for recognition.

“Well done. Keep it up,” Zhao He replied, showing she too could give verbal encouragement.

System: “Who killed him? We didn’t kill anyone when we left…”

Zhao He was speechless. A king-level host stuck with a bronze-tier system—useless in a fight, and not even smart enough to keep up.

After planning their next heist, Zhao He went out in the city. “Sis, what about Jing Ze’s quest?”

“Of course I’ll do it. What’s the rush? I haven’t had a proper look around the capital yet! Jing Ze’s task is so difficult, can’t I take a break in the middle?” It was Zhao He’s first time in the ancient world. Aside from shopping, she only went out at night for heists—she hadn’t properly appreciated the ancient architecture. If only she had a phone for selfies.

Gazing up at the roof’s ridge beasts, Zhao He mused that these creatures truly embodied the hope of ancient people to ward off evil. Their emotional value was as high as 8,000. Now, how could she climb up to take one down in a way that still looked ladylike?

“Zhao He, so here you are.” A voice, tinged with delight, called from behind.