"So it seems this trip wasn’t a waste after all!" Jiu Yue sat on the bed, one leg bent, leisurely swinging a piece of fruit peel in her hand.
Truth be told, she had sensed something off about the plum blossom’s fragrance at the time.
Relying on her formidable constitution and self-healing abilities, Jiu Yue didn’t think too much of it and took a deep breath—only to immediately bleed from five orifices.
She barely had time to warn Sima Qing before collapsing unconscious.
At first, she thought she’d carelessly fallen into Consort Ning’s trap. But after hearing Sima Qing’s analysis, Jiu Yue was pleasantly surprised.
"You even brought up Muling’s matter in front of Emperor Yan. This time, His Majesty will surely grow suspicious."
Jiu Yue had tested the waters before. She’d hesitated to directly accuse Consort Ning precisely because of this.
Consort Ning’s reputation in the palace was impeccable—from Emperor Yan down to the lowest servant, no one had a bad word to say about her.
The only exception was Lianqiao, who remained indifferent to Consort Ning… and even that was due to Jiu Yue’s persistent influence.
Under such circumstances, if Jiu Yue suddenly told Emperor Yan that Consort Ning was the villain, even if he trusted her unconditionally, it would sound baseless without proof.
But now, Consort Ning had acted impulsively. Though her scheme was flawless and left no evidence, the fact that Jiu Yue had been poisoned was undeniable.
Sometimes, the absence of evidence was evidence in itself.
Especially since the investigation was being led by Fu Yan'an, who had long suspected Consort Ning.
Even if nothing concrete came of it, Sima Qing’s words alone would plant seeds of doubt in Emperor Yan’s mind. No matter the outcome, his trust in Consort Ning would undoubtedly waver.
As Sima Qing had said—how could a poison from the martial world appear in the palace?
And what a coincidence—Consort Ning hailed from that very world.
Jiu Yue suddenly felt the poisoning had been a stroke of brilliance! Ah, she was so clever!
System: "..."
"What’s so brilliant about it?" the system couldn’t help interjecting. "Host should focus on how to explain dying and reviving to Sima Qing."
The poison was vicious. Even though Jiu Yue had immediately used her inner energy to resist it, by the time Sima Qing carried her to the imperial physicians, they had all declared her beyond saving.
If not for Sima Qing’s insistence, Jiu Yue might have had to dig herself out of a grave again.
Jiu Yue: "..."
She paused, then composed herself, stealing a glance at Sima Qing’s expression.
Sima Qing was calmly ladling warm congee into a bowl, showing no signs of suspicion.
Jiu Yue accepted the bowl with mixed feelings, silently admiring his restraint.
His lips were sealed tighter than a vault.
He’d do well in intelligence work.
Before she could take a sip, Mr. Bai strode in, arms crossed.
"You may not have wasted your efforts, but I certainly have," Mr. Bai said, casting a sidelong glance at the two before fixing his gaze on Sima Qing, who refused to even look at him. His expression turned aggrieved.
Honestly.
The message had made it sound like a life-or-death emergency, as if arriving a moment later would mean missing the last breath.
And yet?
He’d rushed here only for Sima Qing to bar him from the room, leaving him unable to even see the patient. Mr. Bai had been dumbfounded.
After being kept out for two days… the supposedly critically ill Crown Princess had strolled out on her own to find food.
Mr. Bai: "..."
So?
The "life-or-death emergency" was that the Crown Princess was starving???
Mr. Bai scoffed and retreated to a corner to grumble under his breath.
"After this, she’ll either lie low or take desperate action," Sima Qing remarked as he watched Jiu Yue finish the congee. "By the way, Yan Zhouheng has requested Emperor Yan’s permission to travel to the grasslands."
Jiu Yue paused. "The grasslands? Does he miss Yan Lingshuang?"
Sima Qing took the empty bowl and handed her a medicine cup instead.
"Perhaps. But if I were Consort Ning, Yan Zhouheng’s departure would free my hands," he said. "They’re likely planning something major next."
Jiu Yue fell into thought.
Sima Qing didn’t disturb her, gathering the empty dishes and ushering the sulking Mr. Bai out with him.
"Why drag me along?" Mr. Bai grumbled. "Is there anything else? If not, I’m leaving. This place is freezing me to death."
Sima Qing sighed, set the bowls aside, and bowed deeply to him.
"Your journey here was greatly appreciated. I’ll arrange everything—once the snow stops, someone will escort you safely back to Qinxi."
Mr. Bai stood still, watching Sima Qing straighten after the bow. He arched a brow and glanced at the closed door behind them.
"So even the unflappable prince has moments of tension," he mused, chuckling. "Fascinating. Truly fascinating."
Sima Qing remained impassive.
Mr. Bai’s tone shifted. "But rather than worrying about the Crown Princess—who’s clearly in excellent health—you should be more concerned about yourself. When she took the antidote, did you not have a sip?"
Sima Qing finally spoke.
"Sir," he said solemnly, "this is Yandu. I am the Imperial Consort."
"..." Mr. Bai’s eye twitched. "Fine, Imperial Consort it is. But are you even listening? Your poison—"
Sima Qing picked up the bowls and walked away. "I won’t die. Not yet."
Mr. Bai: "..."
Exasperated, Mr. Bai flicked his sleeves—only for Sima Qing to return moments later.
"One more thing," Sima Qing said. "Though Her Highness has recovered, she still requires rest. I’d appreciate it if you could handle Emperor Yan’s inquiries."
Mr. Bai: "..."
A physician, traveling thousands of miles just to act as a shield—was this proper?!
Sima Qing added, "A thousand taels of gold."
A thousand taels? That could fund several medicinal baths!
Mr. Bai immediately straightened, his expression turning grave. "Rest is indeed essential. But where does the Imperial Consort suggest Her Highness recuperate?"
Sima Qing lowered his gaze. "Golden Jade Ridge."
......
"You were right… Yan Zhaoning isn’t dead." Consort Ning seethed inwardly.
Last time, it was the shadow guards. This time, a miracle physician. That wretched girl had the luck of the devil!
"Which means we must succeed in our next move," Lv Jinge said.
"Jinge…" Consort Ning looked up, guilt-ridden. "This is all my fault for acting rashly."
Lv Jinge sighed but didn’t rebuke her further.
"You did it for our Heng'er," he said, narrowing his eyes. "We’ve schemed for years. We can’t give up now."
"I won’t!" Madness flickered in Consort Ning’s eyes. "My Heng'er will sit on that throne!"
Lv Jinge pondered, then remarked, "Every spring, when foreign envoys visit, Emperor Yan opens the royal hunting grounds to host them…"
Consort Ning clutched his sleeve. "You plan to eliminate Yan Zhaoning there? But the grounds are heavily guarded, and with foreign dignitaries present, the emperor won’t lower his vigilance."
Lv Jinge’s expression darkened. "Leave it to me. This time, I’ll handle it personally."
"Yan Zhaoning will die."
Consort Ning closed her eyes, her heart steadying.
"Thank goodness you're here." She felt a wave of relief, then thought of Yan Zhouheng and smiled. "As it happens, Lingshuang sent word that she’s with child, so she didn’t return with the envoy this year... Heng'er said he’d like to visit her, and the emperor has granted permission."
"Once Heng'er leaves, Yan Zhaoning won’t be able to use him against us anymore!"
Lv Jinge gently stroked her cheek.
"Then let Heng'er stay on the grasslands a while longer," he said with a chuckle. "His birthday is in May, isn’t it? Perfect timing—as his father, I can give him a grand gift."
Lost in the thrill of his impending triumph, he failed to notice the evasive look in Consort Ning’s downcast eyes.
