Page 247

Wang Dehai couldn't help but secretly scoff at Xiao Yi's departing demeanor. The Crown Prince was still as easily appeased as ever.

A few words from His Majesty, and he would willingly support the Crown Prince.

As long as the Crown Prince had no ambitions for the throne, Empress Concubine Guifei and Chief Minister Xing would have to swallow their discontent and cease their maneuvers. After all, further struggles would only be in vain; why bother?

Not everyone could be like the current Emperor, who had no desire for the throne but was still pushed into that position.

Emperor Jiayou was well aware of the hardships, betrayals, and ugliness of human nature one had to face while sitting on that seat.

To place someone of unstable mind on the throne would be a calamity for them, and equally so for the Great Yin and its people. Assigning Prince Shun to his fief in Taiyuan Prefecture is the most appropriate arrangement.

News of the Emperor's request to speak with Prince Shun spread quickly throughout the palace.

When the news reached the Kunning Palace, Empress Qi merely responded with a casual "Mm," her expression remaining composed and serene.

After the messenger eunuch retreated, she turned her gaze towards Gu Changjin, who sat solemnly at the lower seat, and leisurely lifted her teacup, saying, "The monks from Daci'en Temple will be entering the palace today, and tomorrow, for the ancestral ceremony, Master Fan Qing will accompany the Emperor to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Since you claim there are people loyal to Xiao Fu within Daci'en Temple, should you order the Imperial Guard to heighten their vigilance tomorrow? The Emperor's health would not endure an assassination attempt."

Gu Changjin lifted his gaze to look at her, saying respectfully, "Aunt is extremely cautious. The moment she senses anything amiss, she'll vanish without a trace. Our only chance to apprehend her is by playing along with her plans. Only when we capture her will Mother Empress know whether what I said is true or false."

Empress Qi lifted her gaze from the tea bowl.

This man still refused to reveal who the child was or where she could be found. He only said that if she cooperated with him, they would soon locate Xiao Fu and uncover all the truths.

Although Empress Qi harbored some doubts, she had no choice but to collaborate with him.

This was primarily because she desperately wanted to find that child.

At times, she even wondered if the Crown Prince intended to use the child as leverage against her, which was why he had not disclosed any information about the child yet?

"You mentioned that Wen Xi is not that child and obeys Xiao Fu. Then why do you still insist on having this palace confer her the title of a princess?"

This was what Empress Qi found most perplexing.

On that day when he told her that Wen Xi was not her daughter, she had wanted to ask Grand Censor Sun to conduct another blood test, but he had stopped her. Not only that, he insisted that she continue treating Wen Xi as her and the Emperor's daughter, ensuring that the Emperor wouldn't sense anything amiss.

Gu Changjin spoke softly, "I'm doing this to protect her. There might be more than just Xiao Fu who wants her dead."

Upon hearing this, Empress Qi knitted her brows.

The Crown Prince's words seemed to imply not only caution towards Xiao Fu but also towards others.

In the blink of an eye, an inconceivable thought flashed through her mind:

Was the Crown Prince also wary of her? Was he afraid that she might harm the child, which was why he had delayed revealing any information about the child?

Empress Qi put down her teacup and gazed intently at Gu Changjin.

After a long moment, she spoke, "Nanny Gui has already obtained the medicine. Taking it will allow one to feign death for three days without losing vitality. Previously, due to the urgency of time, I didn't have the chance to inquire further. From where did the Crown Prince hear of this medicine, and how can you be so certain that this palace would be able to find it?"

This was a secret medicine from Sichuan that had long been lost – known as "Drunk on Life, Dreaming of Death." When the Qi family had instructed her to poison Emperor Jiayou, she had intended to use this very medicine to deceive everyone.

Gu Changjin's eyes drooped slightly. The old physician, who hailed from Sichuan, had mentioned this medicine to him before.

Back when Emperor Jiayou was serving as the prince in Taiyuan Prefecture, Empress Qi had dispatched people to search far and wide for effective remedies, claiming that it was for treating Emperor Jiayou's chronic illness. Among all the places they visited, Sichuan was the most frequented.

He had asked Empress Qi to secretly find this medicine not just to lure Nanny Zhu into a trap, but also to test Empress Qi's loyalties.

And indeed, Empress Qi had such a pill in her possession.

This medicine is indeed invaluable; in crucial moments, it can even preserve one's life.

The cup of wine sent from the Kunning Palace to the Sishi Garden in her previous life was indeed prepared by Empress Qi.

Back then, Empress Qi should have already known Rong Shu's true identity.

When she offered that cup of wine, Empress Qi didn't intend to kill her but to save her.

Chapter 97

Wen Xi learned about Gu Changjin's visit to Empress Qi at the Kunning Palace from Xu Li'er.

Xu Li'er had mentioned it casually, yet Wen Xi couldn't help but worry. After waiting for a while without seeing Aunt Zhu, she whispered, "Why haven't we seen Aunt Zhu today?"

Xu Li'er replied, "Aunt Gui stumbled and fell when she got up last night. Aunt Zhu and Aunt Gui have always been close, so she must be worried sick. She's probably visiting Aunt Gui now."

Looking out the window, Wen Xi said, "It's rare to have such good weather. Li'er, push me outside to bask in the sun."

All the way from Daci'en Temple to the Kunning Palace, Xu Li'er had accompanied Wen Xi.

Xu Li'er was gentle and thoughtful, and she was also favored by Empress Qi, so Wen Xi intended to befriend her. Their relationship had grown closer day by day.

From Li'er's stories, Wen Xi learned much about Gu Changjin. How he had vindicated Xu Li'er in the past, rescued her, and encouraged her to become a court lady in the palace.

She had heard these tales no fewer than three times.

Hearing that Wen Xi wanted to bask in the sun, Xu Li'er promptly agreed, helping her into a wooden wheelchair and pushing her towards the courtyard.

Though Wen Xi's health was improving, she still lacked strength, unable to walk for long periods. For outings, she relied on the wheelchair.

Previously, she usually wandered around the side courtyard. Now, knowing that Gu Changjin was just next door and that Nurse Zhu was absent, her heart couldn't help but stir with anticipation.

It had been almost two years since she last saw Gu Changjin. Tonight's family banquet would give her a chance to meet him, but they likely wouldn't have a chance to speak much, with so many eyes watching.

"We'll go to the main hall," she whispered. "Stop at the side gate outside."

That corner gate between the main and side halls was typically used by palace maids, while nobles usually entered through the grand Moon Cave Gate.

Miss Wen would soon be recognized as Empress Qi's adopted daughter, a noble lady. It might not be appropriate for her to use the side gate.