Of course, he understood what Qi Yuan meant — Xiao Mo could wake up now, and the battlefield could shift to Xiao Mo’s room.
But… but wasn’t that even more terrifying?!
Xiao Mo’s condition wasn’t nearly as dire as Qi Yuan had made it seem.
Yet not a single one of those imperial doctors saw through it!
What kind of method had Qi Yuan used?!
She could even control when Xiao Mo would wake up?!
This woman — thank heavens she wasn’t a man. If she ever went into politics, she would be a terrifying opponent!
He gave Qi Yuan a deep look and accepted her temporary alliance.
Why not?
Noble Consort Xiao Liu was dead, Qi Wang was crippled. Originally, Princess Baorong and Princess Mingcheng could still support Pu Wuyong’s prestige for a while, but now — who told Princess Baorong to be carrying such a huge burden of guilt?
He made his choice swiftly and suddenly stepped in front of Emperor Yongchang: “Your Majesty, the Wangye has awakened! He’s crying and calling for the Wangfei to come to him!”
As soon as Liu Wangfei heard this, how could she still have the heart to quarrel with these people? She lifted her skirts and rushed into the room.
Emperor Yongchang, worried, also set aside Princess Baorong for the moment. Taking a deep breath, he followed Liu Wangfei inside.
Princess Consort Lu stood where he was, giving Princess Baorong a cold glance and shaking his head inwardly.
At this point, Princess Baorong was completely stunned. She had always been the center of adoration — when had she ever been this humiliated?
Eunuch Xia and the others also followed to see Xiao Mo.
Only Pu Wuyong’s and Noble Consort Xiao Liu’s trusted palace attendants remained by Princess Baorong’s side, trying to comfort her.
Princess Baorong was furious: “What’s the use of comforting me?! Go to the palace! Bring my brother, Mingcheng, and Yongrong out! Hurry!”
What, is Liu Wangfei the only one with a son?
She had her own brother, Qi Wang, who had just broken his leg — and it was the Crown Prince who broke it.
Not to mention, she also had the most favored Mingcheng and her younger brother.
With them around, did Qi Yuan really think this little scheme of framing her would amount to anything?!
Qi Yuan didn’t bother with whatever she was plotting. She simply glanced at Xiao Yunting, and the two exchanged a look, sharing a quiet, knowing smile.
Indeed, the Aconitum was something only found in the palace.
But Princess Baorong wasn’t the only one in the palace.
Qi Yuan curved her lips into a small smile and silently mouthed to Xiao Yunting: “Pleasure working with you.”
Xiao Yunting, however, looked a little aggrieved. He was a mere grandson, so he could only play the role of a loyal, filial subject and couldn’t fully show his capabilities.
Qi Yuan then turned her head to look at Old Marquis Qi and Qi Zhen: “Grandfather, Father, you must have been frightened. It’s all my fault.”
……
Old Marquis Qi and Qi Zhen both shook their heads in perfect unison, not hesitating for even a second.
Are you kidding? It’s better not to talk about things like this.
Even if she dared to speak, they wouldn’t dare to hear it!
Qi Yuan then prepared to go in and see Xiao Mo. Who would have thought Princess Baorong would follow her into the room and also kneel on the ground?
Oh? She’s not crazy anymore?
Qi Yuan raised her eyebrows, quickly realizing what was going on.
After all, she had grasped Emperor Yongchang’s preferences for decades. Now she finally realized it was time to show weakness. She must have already sent people to the palace to bring reinforcements, right?
Qi Yuan mentally calculated the time, when suddenly she heard Liu Wangfei call out: “Mo’er!”
Xiao Mo was already older than the Crown Prince. By right, if he had married, his child would be around Xiao Yunting’s age by now.
But at this moment, he was like a frightened, aggrieved child, suddenly bursting into tears: “Mother, Mo’er is so scared! Mo’er feels terrible, Mo’er’s body really hurts!”
Liu Wangfei’s heart shattered, but she didn’t immediately comfort Xiao Mo.
Instead, she pulled Xiao Mo forward and pushed him in front of Emperor Yongchang, shouting: “Xiao Xianjiao, look at him! Open your eyes and look at him properly! He should have been your firstborn legitimate son, he should have been the rightful heir to the throne — but look at what he has become now! Xiao Xianjiao, you indulged Duke Chu’s manor, you favored Noble Consort Xiao Liu, and now you still want to protect your daughter!”
Xiao Mo trembled in fear as soon as he saw Emperor Yongchang. Seeing the emperor’s hand lift in a daze, he immediately crouched down in terror: “No, no, Mo’er won’t dare again, Mo’er won’t dare steal the steamed buns again. Don’t hit me, boss, don’t hit me!”
In that instant, even though he was the emperor, Emperor Yongchang couldn’t help but close his eyes, his face twisting in pain.
Liu Wangfei’s voice choked with tears: “Xiao Xianjiao, you still think about becoming a wise emperor remembered for all time. Yes, you turned the tide and defeated the Oirats, you built a navy to defend against the pirates, you lightened taxes and nurtured the people.”
“But if you can’t even manage your own household, how can you manage the empire? On the day you die, when you meet the ancestors of the Great Zhou, will you be able to tell them — your daughter tried to poison Mo’er, and you just let her go lightly?!”
Only then did Lai Chenglong finally understand Qi Yuan’s true intention.
Qi Yuan not only killed Noble Consort Xiao Liu and framed Princess Baorong — she also wanted to kill Princess Baorong!
She wanted to use Liu Wangfei’s hand, using Xiao Mo’s situation, to force Emperor Yongchang to kill Princess Baorong!
A chill ran through him instantly, his whole body breaking out in goosebumps.
Xiao Yunting showed a slightly mocking smile.
He was waiting to see how his imperial grandfather would choose.
Princess Baorong was terrified. In her mind, the worst possible outcome was losing favor, being scolded, or being hated by her father.
But now — what was Liu Wangfei trying to do?!
Liu Wangfei stared hard at Emperor Yongchang: “Xiao Xianjiao, you are the emperor. Under the Great Zhou’s laws, a life must be repaid with a life. Surely you are aware of this?”
Princess Baorong’s eyes widened: “You’re insane! I didn’t do any of this! Why should I repay with my life?!”
Emperor Yongchang kept his eyes closed, unresponsive. No one knew how long it was before he finally opened them again, staring deeply at Princess Baorong.
Then, in a low voice, he asked: “Baorong, do you admit your guilt?”
At this moment — how should she answer?
Though Princess Baorong had always understood Emperor Yongchang’s preferences, she suddenly didn’t know what would be the best answer right now.
While she was hesitating, Emperor Yongchang coldly instructed Eunuch Xia: “Bring the white silk and poisoned wine. Let the princess choose one.”
The Eldest Princess and Princess Consort Lu both exhaled a heavy sigh of relief.
Princess Baorong, however, jumped up in shock. She had never dreamed that Emperor Yongchang would truly intend to kill her. She immediately cried out, her voice full of tears: “Royal Father! It wasn’t me, it really wasn’t me! Royal Father, you raised me yourself, you watched me grow up, it really wasn’t me!”
Why?
Why did her life have to be taken because of a fool?
Why did Royal Father choose to believe that wretched Qi Yuan just because she spewed a bunch of nonsense?
Why did Royal Father have to side with that old woman, Liu Wangfei?!
They should die! They’re the ones who should die!
Eunuch Xia moved quickly — the white silk and poisoned wine were soon brought over.
Emperor Yongchang turned his head away, closed his eyes, and ruthlessly said: “Choose one.”
