Chapter 80: Li Laosi’s Ambition

Chapter 80 Li Laosi’s Eagerness to Improve

As the other person spoke, Jiang Wan’s eyes flickered.

So the Crown Prince met his end this time?

Thinking of that gentle, elegant, and handsome young man, in the prime of his life, she couldn't help but sigh with regret.

Is it true that man cannot fight fate?

She had often kept an eye on Li Yuanxiu, always wondering if there might be a chance to save him. But she never expected he would die from such a potent poison as heartbreak grass.

There were no effective treatments even in modern times, let alone in this backward ancient era.

Jiang Wan felt a pang of sadness, not only for Li Yuanxiu but also for the future of the Jiang family. If Li Yuanxiu were to die according to the plot this time, could the Jiang family’s future outcome be changed?

What kind of nonsense did that brain-dead, idiotic author write? Good people aren't allowed to live, just to make way for the damn male lead?

"Do you know how the Crown Prince was poisoned?"

Li Chengxiu nodded his large head.

"Big Brother was implicated by that unlucky bastard, Laoliu! Who knows who wanted to target Laoliu, but Big Brother had the misfortune of getting caught in the crossfire."

It really was related to that scoundrel Li Shenxiu! Jiang Wan frowned, sensing something amiss.

"Elaborate. What was the situation at the time?"

Li Chengxiu glanced toward the door. His second and third brothers were playing in the courtyard, and the servants were quite far away, so he felt safe enough to begin his rambling explanation.

"After we beat him up yesterday, wasn't he taken back by the shadows? I was worried that guy might play tricks and complain to Father Emperor, so early this morning I went over to remind him to keep his mouth shut.

Then, just as I entered the courtyard gate, I saw Big Brother was there too. I was too far away to hear clearly what they were saying, and when I went in, they stopped talking.

Big Brother felt a bit cold and drank a cup of hot tea before leaving. Then he was poisoned."

"There was poison in the tea?"

"Yeah."

"Then you—"

"Not me!"

Suddenly remembering something, Li Chengxiu quickly explained.

"It wasn’t me who poisoned it! I had just gone in and hadn’t even sat down on the chair. The eunuchs and maids can all testify for me!"

"I didn’t say it was you! Do you even have the brains to plot against the Crown Prince?"

Jiang Wan snapped impatiently before continuing to ask.

"Then did you notice how Li Shenxiu was doing at the time?"

"You suspect—"

Li Chengxiu shook his head in disbelief.

"It wasn’t Laoliu who poisoned it either. He drank some too and is still lying in bed now. I was the only one who didn’t drink."

"So he was poisoned too?"

"Right. But he’s not in too bad shape. Uncle Yunyue said Laoliu is in good health and the poison was mild, so he threw it up and is okay.

It’s just that Big Brother was implicated and suffered terribly. Who knows what will happen this time! My brother told me to hurry back to the palace after seeing you off. I won’t be able to come out to find you during this time.

I guess you probably won’t be able to go to the palace for studies either, so stay home and don’t run around, Wan Jieer. I’ll bring you some little toys later to help pass the time, okay?"

With his silly nature, he still tried to imitate his brother’s way of winning over his sweetheart, a clumsy attempt at charming his beloved.

Jiang Wan didn’t call him out on it, just directly advised him.

"Don’t wander around the palace either. Stay quiet and don’t cause trouble for Imperial Noble Consort. Also, help me bring a message to your brother."

"What message?"

Jiang Wan whispered in his ear, and Li Chengxiu frowned and asked.

"What does it mean?"

"Don’t worry about it. Just bring the message to your brother. He’ll know what to do. Take advantage of the early hour and hurry back now to avoid unnecessary trouble."

"You’re dissing me again. Actually, I’m pretty smart, you know? I just usually don’t like to show it."

"I know, I know. The Li family’s fourth son is indeed smart and handsome. Who in the entire capital doesn’t know that? Hurry back to the palace."

The Jiang family’s eldest young lady, having deeply inherited her mother’s skills, used a few sweet words to completely win him over.

"Hehehe, alright!"

After bidding farewell to his future mother-in-law, he rode back quickly to the palace without stopping until he reached his brother.

"A single move can half surpass heaven."

Li Yanxiu muttered the words softly, repeating them.

"Did Wan Jieer say anything else?"

"The rest was all for me. This was the only message for you."

To be honest, although Li Chengxiu was young, he was a bit petty. He wasn't too happy about Wan Jieer having too much connection with his elder brother.

Probably because he had once been foolish enough to want to match Wan Jieer with his brother, so now every time he saw his brother’s handsome face, he felt a bit jealous and resentful.

"Brother, isn’t this a saying from military texts? Is Wan Jieer trying to remind us of something?"

Li Yanxiu gave his brother a strange look.

"She’s not reminding us; she’s reminding me."

"I’m the one who brought the message back! If you want to do something without me, I’m not gonna let you get away with it!"

The kid was getting frustrated.

In the past, he didn’t think being a little slower than his brother was a big deal, but after falling for a smart girl, he now desperately wanted a mental upgrade!

Oh right, Li Chengxiu certainly didn’t know such a fancy term, but his desire to improve was absolutely sincere and strong.

"Brother, what do you want to do? Just say it."

His younger brother’s face showed stubborn resolve, and Li Yanxiu could only sigh and give in.

"Alright, just don’t cause me any trouble."

"No way!"

"Alright then, let’s go."

The two brothers rose and headed out.

Sunset after sunset, the sun quietly passed twice across the sky.

The whole Chengqian Palace felt tense and uneasy, slowly spreading throughout the imperial palace and beyond, reaching every part of the court and the capital.

Qin Family Old Residence.

Inner Courtyard.

Qin Zhenning knelt expressionlessly before his mother. On the stern face of the elderly Madame Qin, her anger was clearly visible.

"Impossible! That is the legacy of our Qin family. I will not hand it over to you. Do not speak such nonsense—leave now."

"Mother, the old dynasty has fallen, and a new one has just been established. Everything is changing. Although the Qin family was fortunate enough to survive the turmoil, we have already fallen out of favor with the powerful. If, within two or three generations, our descendants don’t make something of themselves, have you considered what consequences may follow?"

Though his expression remained unmoved and his voice cool, his words struck a chord deep within Madame Qin.

"Now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get involved. Saving the Crown Prince is my best shot at moving up steadily in my official career.

Did you and Father not always urge me to pursue an official career? Now I am willing to heed your advice—why are you reluctant to part with a lone plant without roots?"

"Preposterous!"

Madame Qin angrily twisted her prayer beads.

"When you earned the title of Tanhua at the age of twenty, we naturally hoped you would climb high and fast—we would have paved the way for you without hesitation.

But how old are you now? Are you not aware? Moreover, things are still uncertain. What if…"

She left the unspoken words hanging, but her tone remained firm as she repeated,

"That snow lotus is a rare treasure in this world. Using it now would be a waste of our family’s luck. I won’t allow it!"