Originally, when Princess Baorong came charging at her, Qi Yuan could have easily dodged.
With Baorong’s half-baked skills, Qi Yuan could’ve just casually kicked her in the knee and sent her to join her crippled brother—made a matching pair of limping siblings.
But Qi Yuan had always had sharp hearing. She heard the sound of many footsteps approaching from behind and immediately guessed that Emperor Yongchang had probably heard the news and was rushing over. So she simply let Princess Baorong lunge at her and grab her by the neck.
Strangling, was it?
Since she was being choked, it was only natural if she couldn’t stay standing, wasn’t it?
So, with practiced skill, she hooked her leg around Baorong’s and tumbled to the ground. She herself offloaded most of the impact, but Princess Baorong was thrown into complete disarray. Her head smacked the floor, and a huge lump rose on her forehead like that of the Old Man of Longevity.
At that point, Baorong no longer had the strength or focus to keep strangling Qi Yuan.
Just in time, she saw Emperor Yongchang arrive and immediately threw herself into his arms, crying her heart out: “Father, Father, my royal mother is dead—my royal mother is dead!”
She was truly grieving.
Only real pain could evoke such intense emotion.
Her tears fell like a string of broken pearls. “Royal Father, my Royal mother is gone—what will I do? What will my brother do? He just broke his leg—if he finds out our mother is gone… And Mingcheng, Mingcheng is still so young! What about Mingcheng, Royal Father?!”
Every cry seemed to bleed from her soul.
Anyone who saw it would be heartbroken; anyone who heard it would be moved to tears.
How could Emperor Yongchang withstand such relentless questioning?
He quickly rushed over to Noble Consort Xiao’s side. Her eyes were closed, her expression peaceful. She didn’t look dead at all—more like she was merely sleeping.
This gave Emperor Yongchang a sliver of hope. He called softly, “Wanqiu, Wanqiu, I’m here. Get up—I’m not angry with you anymore. I won’t let you suffer any more injustice. And as for our Old Three—his leg, I’ll make sure it’s healed. I’ll grant him the title of Jian Wang, all right?”
Xiao Yunting, who had just entered, darkened visibly.
Foolish emperor!
He cursed inwardly.
Qi Yuan was even more direct—she rolled her eyes in her heart.
“Jian* Wang”? Everyone knew the Crown Prince didn’t have long to live. Wasn’t this just openly declaring that once the Crown Prince died, Qi Wang would take his place?
* basically means shouldering same responsibilities
Completely blinded by lust.
But Princess Baorong’s heart leapt.
She knew—her Royal father truly treated her Royal mother differently.
She also knew that all her years of careful effort—those subtle, silent methods she used to get close to Emperor Yongchang, to please him, to understand everything about him—they were all worth it!
See for yourself. She shot a provocative look at Qi Yuan.
Today, this place would be Qi Yuan’s burial ground.
No—this feng shui haven wasn’t even worthy of her.
She deserved a mass grave.
Wretched woman!
Princess Baorong cried out miserably: “Royal Father, my Royal mother took the medicine, and half an hour later, she suddenly started vomiting—then vomiting blood—great mouthfuls of blood—and then… she was gone…”
Suddenly, she dropped to her knees at Qi Yuan’s feet. “Miss Qi—did I offend you in the past somehow? Was I too arrogant, caused you trouble, and now you’re taking revenge like this? I beg you, please—I beg you to save my Royal Mother!”
Pu Wuyong’s eyes darted around rapidly. He knew in his heart: Qi Yuan was finished.
Eunuch Xia, on the other hand, grew increasingly anxious.
At last, Emperor Yongchang bellowed angrily: “Baorong, get up! You are a princess of this realm—how could you kneel before her?!”
Qi Yuan sneered inwardly, curling her lips in silent mockery— She had knelt far more than this in her previous life.
Let alone kneeling—even if Baorong smashed her head open right here, Qi Yuan could take it without blinking!
Xiao Yunting immediately seized the opportunity, frowning: “Aunt Baorong, you’re crying and making a scene—before we even stepped into the room, you were already strangling her, wrestling with her, and now you’re kneeling to her? You’re completely disgracing the dignity of the royal family!”
Before Emperor Yongchang could flare up, he quickly added, “Imperial Grandfather is still here. The whole truth hasn’t even been investigated yet. Right now, the most important thing is to find out how Noble Consort Xiao Liu died. If you go on like this, won’t it make her soul uneasy in death?”
That was exactly what Emperor Yongchang had been thinking.
He drew a deep breath, his face taking on a solemn air as he turned to question Qi Yuan: “You were the one who diagnosed Noble Consort Xiao Liu? And you were the one who prescribed the medicine? And then prepared the decoction as well?”
Princess Baorong felt a surge of smugness.
She had already planned everything—made sure Qi Yuan handled everything alone. There would be no way for her to escape blame.
What she hadn’t expected was that Qi Yuan would actually poison her.
She wanted Qi Yuan dead, yes—but how could she have wanted her royal mother to die? Her royal mother was so favored!
She had only added a bit of croton powder to the medicine—enough to make her mother fall ill. Then she could blame Qi Yuan for malpractice and have her punished.
But the result… her royal mother actually died!
It was all Qi Yuan’s fault!
That wretched woman!
She would make sure Qi Yuan died for this!
Xiao Yunting spoke anxiously: “Imperial Grandfather, even so, it’s too soon to say Qi Yuan’s prescription is what killed Noble Consort Xiao Liu. It must be thoroughly examined…”
Indeed—it must be thoroughly examined!
Emperor Yongchang clapped his hands.
The local physicians who had been rounded up earlier by the Embroidered Uniform Guard were now brought in.
Emperor Yongchang ordered them to inspect the medicinal dregs left in Noble Consort Xiao’s bowl—to see what had really been in that medicine.
The room fell so silent that only the sound of people breathing could be heard.
One by one, the dozen or so physicians examined the dregs. In the end, they all trembled as they knelt to the ground.
Emperor Yongchang asked coldly, “What was in it?! Did Noble Consort Xiao Liu’s death have anything to do with that medicine?!”
The doctors stammered, so terrified they could barely form words: “Y-yes… yes… in the dregs there is aconitum carmichaeli… also called ‘Blood-Sealing Poison’. Even an immortal couldn’t survive that, Your Majesty!”
Aconitum carmichaeli! Blood-Sealing Poison!
Those few words made Princess Baorong scream hysterically: “Qi Yuan! I’ll kill you—I’ll kill you!”
Emperor Yongchang was also overcome with fury. He shot to his feet and shouted: “Guards! Guards!”
Just then, Lai Chenglong came in, ready to report. He cupped his hands and responded.
Emperor Yongchang’s face was expressionless as he gave the order: “Qi Yuan of the Yongping Marquis Household—she poisoned Noble Consort Xiao Liu’s medicine. Take her to the imperial prison. Use torture. I don’t care what methods you use—get a confession. Find out exactly why she poisoned Noble Consort Xiao Liu!”
As he spoke, he glanced at Xiao Yunting.
Xiao Yunting immediately fell to his knees: “Imperial Grandfather! Qi Yuan could not have harmed Noble Consort Xiao Liu! If she really meant to, would she have made it this obvious? Imperial Grandfather…”
But Emperor Yongchang, furious beyond reason, snapped: “If you care so much for her—then go to prison with her!”
Lai Chenglong gave Qi Yuan a strange look.
Everyone present was either furious or panicked— Only she remained completely calm from beginning to end.
What was she relying on?
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