The room gradually fell into silence.
After the royal physician and the palace guards departed, only the faint scent of medicine lingered in the air. The doors closed softly, and even Xiao Lan had stepped out to prepare the prescribed herbs.
For the first time since awakening, Li Xuan was truly alone.
The calm, indifferent mask on his face slowly faded, replaced by something darker.
"Poison…"
He muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing slightly.
In this palace, someone had clearly wanted him dead.
Leaning back against the pillows, Li Xuan closed his eyes, replaying everything that had happened since he awakened in this body.
The original owner of this body had never imagined such a fate. He believed that, since he had neither offended anyone nor involved himself in the struggle for succession, he would remain untouched.
How foolish.
A faint, cold smile curved on Li Xuan's lips.
"If a mere servant can poison a prince this easily… then the situation is far more complicated than it appears."
His thoughts shifted rapidly.
'First I have to find the culprit behind the poisoning and kill him before he kills me'
Within this imperial palace, the most dangerous people were not assassins—
—but the princes.
There were five princes in total.
And he…
was the most disregarded among them.
The First Prince, Li Junhao—born of the Empress, the rightful heir. Calm and composed on the surface, yet inherently arrogant. With the full backing of his mother's powerful clan, his position stood as firm as a mountain.
The Second Prince, Li Tianwu—talented and fiercely ambitious. Favored by military generals, his influence within the army was immense. Known for his decisiveness… and feared for his ruthlessness.
The Third Prince, Li Shiyu—refined and gentle in appearance, the very image of a cultured noble. Yet beneath that elegance lurked a deeply calculating mind. A man who would use any means necessary to achieve his goals.
And lastly…
The Fifth Prince, Li An—a mysterious and reclusive figure. Rarely seen within the palace, with little known about him. Even his cultivation remained a closely guarded secret.
Li Xuan slowly opened his eyes, a faint glint flickering within them.
"Among them…"
"Who benefits the most from my death?"
The First Prince?
Unlikely.
As the Crown Prince, his position was already secure. Killing a brother would only stain his reputation.
The Second Prince?
Possible—but unnecessary.
Then…
The Third Prince.
Li Xuan's gaze sharpened.
"A wolf in disguise."
Among all the princes, Li Shiyu appeared the most harmless.
No overwhelming backing.
No extraordinary cultivation.
Yet in Li Xuan's experience…
such people were often the most dangerous.
"They smile the brightest…"
"…and stab the deepest."
A soft chuckle escaped his lips, devoid of warmth.
"Li Shiyu…"
"I'll remember that name."
But suspicion alone was not enough.
There was still something troubling him.
The poison.
The royal physician's reaction had not been normal. Even a skilled doctor had been visibly shaken.
Which meant—
"That poison wasn't ordinary."
Li Xuan's fingers lightly tapped against the edge of the bed.
"And yet… I survived."
This was the greatest anomaly.
From the physician's tone, the original Li Xuan should have died without question.
But instead—
He woke up.
Alive.
"And now…"
A dangerous glint flashed through his eyes.
"…everything has changed."
Meanwhile, within a quiet chamber deep in the palace—
The royal physician stood with his head lowered, facing a man seated behind a large desk.
The atmosphere was heavy.
"Your Majesty," the physician said respectfully, "this humble servant has examined the Fourth Prince."
The man before him was none other than the Emperor of the Great Li Dynasty—
Li Zhengyuan.
His expression remained calm, almost indifferent, as he scanned a memorial in his hand.
"Speak."
The physician hesitated briefly before continuing.
"The poison found in the Fourth Prince's body… is not ordinary."
The Emperor paused, if only slightly.
"Oh?"
"It is a rare compound poison," the physician explained carefully. "Extremely potent. Even a small amount would be fatal—especially for the Fourth Prince, who is only at the Cave Manor Realm."
He lowered his head further.
"Under normal circumstances… he should not have survived."
Silence filled the room.
For a moment, only the faint rustling of paper could be heard.
Then—
Li Zhengyuan set the memorial aside.
"And yet, he lives."
His tone carried neither surprise nor concern.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the physician replied, tension creeping into his voice. "That is precisely what confuses this humble servant."
The Emperor leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable.
"A prince who was never meant to live… survives."
He tapped his finger lightly against the armrest.
Then, after a brief pause, he waved his hand dismissively.
"Since he is alive, then he is alive."
The physician blinked, startled.
"Your Majesty… should we investigate—"
"There is no need."
The Emperor's voice was calm, yet absolute.
"A prince being targeted is nothing unusual in the palace."
His gaze turned distant, as if the matter had already lost its significance.
"If he dies, he dies."
"If he lives… then that is his fate."
The physician bowed deeply.
"This humble servant understands."
"Continue to treat him," the Emperor added casually. "As for the rest…"
He picked up another memorial.
"…leave it be."
The message was clear.
After the physician left, a figure clad in dark robes silently appeared behind the Emperor, exuding the aura of a powerful warrior.
Without turning his head, Li Zhengyuan spoke:
"Keep a close eye on the Fourth Prince."
"Find out how he survived the poison."
Back in his chamber—
Li Xuan slowly exhaled.
' lets just rest for a few days , with my health investigating will be hard'
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"In a place where no one cares whether I live or die…"
"…I can move more freely."
His eyes turned cold.
"Since someone wants me dead…"
"Then let's see…"
"…who dies first."