nfessed everything, why do we still need to use torture"A person won't speak their true words until they are truly desperate. This palace doesn't have the time to verify if what he said is true or fal...Chapter 144: That Was My Best Chance

The side hall next to Fengxi Palace was where the Ninth Prince, Li Wu, resided.

It's very deserted here.

In sharp contrast to the bustling Fengxi Palace,

Entering the side hall, Li Yinhu shook the snowflakes off his shoulders and looked at the physician who was walking towards him: "Doctor He, how is the Ninth Prince's condition"

He Taiyi sighed and clasped his hands together, saying: "Replying to the Eighth Prince, the Ninth Prince is currently suffering from a great mental shock. This requires time and environment to gradually nurture him. In a short period of time, we have no better way, only a few prescriptions for soothing the mind, let's see the effect first. But the most important thing is that the Ninth Prince himself needs to come out."

The Eighth Prince's face showed no emotion as he nodded and said, "Very well, Doctor He. I have come to visit my brother as Empress Dowager commanded."

He Ta physician arched his hand and stepped aside, saying: "The Ninth Prince just took the medicine, Eighth Prince please come in. Just that the Ninth Prince's mental state is not very good at the moment, he might talk nonsense."

"It's alright, he's my younger brother. He wouldn't harm me."

The Eighth Prince smiled, but the worry on his face couldn't be erased. He said, "In that case, I'll go in and have a look first."

"Prince Eight, please."

After seeing off the Eighth Prince, He Taiyi bowed and sighed, muttering: "The Eighth Prince is kind and gentle, truly benevolent."

As Li Yinhu pushed open the door and entered the sleeping chamber, he saw the Ninth Prince sitting in a corner on his bed, wrapped tightly in blankets, shivering despite wearing boots.

Li Yinhu remained composed and walked straight towards them.

Stay away from me!

Hiding under the covers, Li Wu heard footsteps and let out a scream. His body trembled like chaff, his voice filled with terror as he cried out, "Don't come over! Don't come over! I don't want to die!"

Li Yinhu walked straight to the bed and flung the quilt aside. He dragged Li Wu off the bed, grabbing his shoulder and shouting, "Open your eyes and look clearly! It's me! It's your brother! Li Yinhu!"

The parrot stared blankly at Li Yinhǔ, a glimmer of light gradually appearing in its terrified eyes.

"Brother, is it really you!"

"Bro!"

The little parrot cried out and hugged Li Yinhou, sobbing loudly: "I'm so scared, Big Brother, I almost died. I'm really scared!"

Li Yinhu raised his hand and slowly stroked Li Wu's head, saying: "Your temperament is too weak, you are not suitable for survival in such a struggle at all."

"Brother, what should I do I also want to go out. I also want to study at the Hanlin Academy. I don't want to live in the palace anymore. It's too scary. The Crown Prince looks at me every time as if he wants to kill me. I'd rather be killed by him, but he tortures and scares me every time. I can't stand it anymore, I really can't stand it."

"You are just a pawn in Zhao Xuanji's hands, and pawns have no right to choose."

Li Yinhu lowered his head to look at his younger brother, a glimmer of unreadable meaning in his eyes. He said softly, "You and I, our imperial concubine's position is low, our origins humble, and our families can offer no help. From that moment on, I knew I had to rely on myself for everything. If I wanted to live well, even if I wanted to attain that position, no one would help me. Everything depended on myself."

But, how easy is that

"That year, when my mother passed away, the Emperor came to the palace to select his concubines. I was seventeen, and you were fourteen."

"It was supposed to be my chance... but they chose you instead." he discarded his long robes and undergarments, all eyes fell upon the youthful, muscular, but scarred torso of a young man.Above, crisscrossed, scars nearly occupy one-third of this body. Most are fr...