Chapter 69: The Outcome
The first mouthful of medicinal soup was poured in, and Ping Le felt like vomiting…
But she didn’t even have the strength to vomit. She felt the medicinal soup slide down her throat, as if her throat was burning. She was so uncomfortable that she couldn’t help but whimper, her body instinctively resisting, and her eyes opened slightly.
She blinked desperately, wanting to refuse the medicine.
But Emperor Chong Zhao was overjoyed to see how effective the medicine was.
“The medicine is effective! Keep pouring!”
Li Zhao’s lips curved slightly, his expression unreadable, his eyes like poison falling on Ping Le’s face.
“Imperial Sister is blessed with great fortune and a long life.”
Ping Le wanted to struggle, to speak, but only managed a few whimpering cries from her throat. Accidentally, the medicinal soup came out of her nostrils, making her look very disheveled…
Li Zhao beside her said, “Be careful, don’t spill it!”
The palace maids even more forcefully restrained Ping Le, preventing her from moving.
The medicinal soup was poured in mouthful by mouthful. It tasted extremely strange. She had never drunk such a foul-tasting medicine. Hatred surged within her, and the feeling of nausea intensified. However, her body was held steady by two palace maids, leaving her completely defenseless until the bowl of medicinal soup was emptied. Only then did the palace maids release her.
After this ordeal, Princess Ping Le had already regained seven or eight parts of her consciousness.
As soon as she opened her eyes, tears began to stream down.
“She’s awake!”
“She’s awake!”
“The Princess is awake!”
The room was filled with joyful voices.
Consort Xiao was even more emotional, covering her face with her hand and weeping with joy.
Emperor Chong Zhao said, “Imperial Physician Hu, you have rendered great service!”
Xue Yuechen also mustered her courage and said weakly.
“Imperial Father, this time it is also thanks to my Sixth Sister, who made a great contribution by donating blood.”
Emperor Chong Zhao nodded in agreement.
“Indeed, we have wronged her this time. I will surely reward her handsomely.”
Upon hearing this, Ping Le’s pupils contracted sharply. She suddenly realized what she had drunk. Her body immediately tensed and she flipped over, propping herself on the edge of the bed and retching violently, desperate to expel what she had swallowed.
“My child, you mustn’t vomit.”
Consort Xiao quickly helped her up and pressed her back down.
“Good medicine tastes bitter, please bear with it. Your body is not yet fully recovered, don’t vomit and lose the medicinal effect…”
Emperor Chong Zhao also leaned forward, comforting her earnestly. The affection in his eyes was like that of an ordinary father doting on his child, with no trace of imperial majesty.
“You’ve been in a coma for so long, you’ve worried your Imperial Father and Imperial Mother terribly. Just lie still, and when you’ve recovered your strength and spirit, then speak…”
Li Zhao stood quietly in the hall, watching from a distance.
He was also Emperor Chong Zhao’s son, Princess Ping Le’s half-brother.
But at this moment, he felt like an outsider, unable to blend into the warmth of this family of three.
Li Zhao’s lips curved slightly, and he bowed.
“Imperial Father, since Imperial Sister has awakened, your son is relieved. I will not disturb Imperial Sister’s rest and will take my leave.”
Emperor Chong Zhao didn’t even look up, his eyes still fixed on Princess Ping Le. He merely raised his arm and waved.
“Go, and remember to constantly reflect on yourself, be diligent and humble, and diligently hone your administrative skills. Do not be lazy, perfunctory, or act recklessly again. I do not wish to hear officials impeach you for improper conduct or excessive indulgence.”
Li Zhao bowed, “Your son respectfully obeys Imperial Father’s teachings.”
He then turned and left.
The smile on his face remained unchanged, but his eyes were cold.
As soon as he reached the outer hall, he ran into Li Huan.
They bumped into each other, and Li Zhao instinctively looked at the spot where Xue Liu had been sitting.
It was already empty.
He didn’t ask further and stood facing Li Huan.
Li Huan bowed his head, “Greetings, Crown Prince.”
Although he was the elder brother and Li Zhao the younger, Li Zhao was the Crown Prince, so he could only pay his respects as a subject.
Li Zhao smiled slightly, imagining how unwilling Li Huan must feel at this moment.
However, the Prince Duan, who had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood and deeply favored by the Emperor, always knew how to conduct himself. Li Zhao saw only worry on his face, not a trace of dissatisfaction.
This Imperial Brother’s abilities far surpassed those of other Imperial Princes. If he were born of the Empress, the position of Crown Prince would indeed not be his…
He raised his hand, “Imperial Brother need not be so formal.”
Li Huan responded, “Yes. Crown Prince, please proceed slowly.”
Li Zhao nodded and said nothing more, brushing past him.
Lai Fu hurried forward, thoughtfully draping a light outer cloak over him, and reported in a low voice, “The sun is gone outside, and it has turned cooler. The spring flower banquet at Chang Chun Pavilion has also dispersed. Just now, Empress came to inquire about the situation and even specially bestowed a sedan chair to carry Sixth Miss Xue away…”
Li Zhao glanced at him coldly, “Did I ask you?”
Lai Fu’s plump, smiling face instantly stiffened, and he quickly clapped his hand over his mouth.
“This servant spoke too much! Heh heh, I’ll sew it shut now!”
—
With matters having developed to this point, let alone Empress Xie, even the imperial consorts and noble ladies from outside the palace felt the situation was awkward.
Xue Sui sat in the sedan chair to Chang Chun Pavilion. Apart from her slightly pale complexion and a look of weakness, there was no sign that she had been injured in Hua Yi Palace.
The ladies, not having received definitive news, could only speculate.
As for Empress Xie, her grand gesture of sending a sedan chair to fetch someone was not entirely out of concern for Xue Sui, but more to embarrass Consort Xiao.
However, when Sixth Miss Xue was truly carried before her, Empress Xie couldn’t help but soften.
In the Bamboo Forest Elegant Pavilion, the palace maid had leaned into her ear and told her the exact words—
“Your Ladyship, do not fear, there are no women in the room.”
She didn’t know if Xue Liu had truly spent time with the Crown Prince in that room, and to this day, she was still unaware of the truth.
However, she was also secretly relieved that this young lady was intelligent and alert, saving her son from trouble.
Therefore, she truly felt a bit of pity for Xue Sui.
“Sixth Miss Xue, you have been wronged.”
Empress Xie said nothing specific, glanced at Fu Shi, and said slowly.
“I will have Sixth Miss ride my sedan chair out of the Imperial Garden shortly. Minister’s Wife, please take good care of her. When getting in and out of the carriage, have the maids assist her carefully, so as not to tire Sixth Miss.”
Fu Shi bowed slightly, a smile appearing on her face.
“Thank you, Your Ladyship, for your compassion. This girl is not fortunate enough to receive such grace from Your Ladyship…”
Empress Xie smiled at her, removed a jade bracelet inlaid with gold from her wrist, and handed it to the palace servant beside her, signaling them to present it to Xue Sui.
“Sixth Miss Xue has rendered great service today, not only saving the Little Princess but also saving Princess Ping Le’s life. What kind of grace can she not receive? Not only will I reward her, but His Majesty will also reward her.”
Fu Shi was greatly shocked upon hearing this.
What had Sixth Miss Xue done to be so lucky?
Not only was she valued by Consort Xiao and Empress Xie, but she had also caught the Emperor’s eye?
She responded with sincere trepidation, “Yes,” and watched as the nanny placed the bracelet on Xue Sui’s fair wrist. Her heart sank uncontrollably, filled with a vague unease.
But that damned girl Xue Liu, on the other hand, sat still, as calm as if she didn’t know what a great favor this was.
“This commoner thanks Your Ladyship for the reward.”
Seeing her obedient and polite demeanor, Empress Xie couldn’t help but sigh.
Such a good child, yet she was to be sent to Prince Duan’s Mansion, to be trapped in Li Huan’s inner court, it was truly a pity.
She was filled with sympathy, but even as Empress, she could do nothing for her…
This was fate, just like her own; no one could defy it.
“Let’s return, be careful on the way…”
—
Xue Sui saved the County Princess and the Princess in the palace, received rewards, and even rode in Your Ladyship’s sedan chair. Before she even arrived, the news had already reached Xue Mansion.
The mansion was curious and surprised.
However, the door to Li Xiang Courtyard was tightly shut, not a breath of air escaping.
As soon as Xue Sui was helped into the inner room by Ru Yi and Xiao Zhao, Jinshu arrived before she could even catch her breath.
She brought a pile of medicinal herbs and food from the Old Madam, carefully placing them on the table and arranging them neatly before walking to Xue Sui’s side with a solemn expression.
“I heard that Miss was frightened in the palace and injured her body. The Old Madam was heartbroken and specially asked me to bring these. She repeatedly instructed that Miss must take her medicine on time and recover her health.”
Ever since Xue Qingxiu returned to the mansion, the Old Madam had been very good to her.
But Xue Sui merely smiled and said a few polite words.
Seeing her pale complexion, Jinshu found an excuse to have Ru Yi take the accompanying maids outside, then lowered her voice to speak.
“Miss, the home of that Nanny Chen has been settled.”
Xue Sui’s eyelids drooped slightly.
“I trouble you all.”
Jinshu continued, “Miss, don’t take it to heart. She never had good intentions. Having served Princess Ping Le as her accomplice for many years, even if she didn’t fall into the Crown Prince’s hands today, she would have met her downfall sooner or later.”
Xue Sui let out a soft “Mm.”
After a moment of silence, she said, “Li Zhao is truly ruthless.”
Those two nannies were confidantes of the Princess’s Mansion and were indeed there to help Ping Le in the Bamboo Forest Elegant Pavilion.
However, Xue Sui, having served as an Imperial Envoy in the Old Mausoleum Swamp for these years, had already thoroughly investigated everyone in Princess Ping Le’s Mansion who could be investigated.
This Nanny Chen had a beloved son who worked in a silk shop in Shangjing. He usually relied on his mother’s influence and liked to act like a master outside. He drank and gambled in his free time, falling into the Hongfu Gambling House’s trap early on and accumulating a mountain of debt…
At that time, in the Bamboo Forest Elegant Pavilion, when Nanny Chen heard the sound and opened the door to look, Xue Sui and Li Zhao stood up and met her gaze.
The old woman’s face immediately lost all color.
Because the two of them looked very clear-headed.
After Xue Sui told her the birth date and deeds of her son, she understood what she should do and say.
However, Xue Sui had not expected Li Zhao to beat the person to death on the spot.
Although the method was a bit ruthless, it was reasonable.
Only dead lips are the most sealed.
Otherwise, what happened in the bamboo house would be difficult to conceal.
Xue Sui’s eyelids twitched slightly.
For some reason, thinking of that room, Xue Sui thought of the burning spark in Li Zhao’s eyes as he smiled when he ordered the whipping.
“I was fortunate to escape today. Fortunately, Senior Brother and Senior Sister had made plans for me in advance. But Li Zhao is not someone who easily admits defeat. I imagine he must hate me to the core.”
Jinshu said with a smile, “No matter how powerful the Crown Prince is, he still lost a move and fell into Miss’s hands. Even if he hates you to the bone, from now on, he can only protect you and stand by your side.”
Xue Sui smiled slightly.
“Senior Sister Yuheng is indeed resourceful…”
Jinshu immediately stopped smiling, her face serious. “We did not expect Princess Ping Le to have such a despicable counter-move. I must say, her methods are truly insidious and cunning, making it impossible to guard against.”
Xue Sui nodded in agreement.
“If I didn’t know her character well, I would have suffered a hidden loss this time and been ruined.”
Xiao Zhao, listening from the side, let out an indignant snort.
“Our Miss’s blood is not so easily drunk. Xiao Zhao is waiting to see the fate of that wicked princess. When it acts up, she will have her hands full…”
Xue Sui curled her lips and said no more.
During the golden needle bloodletting, she had secretly added something.
Princess Ping Le might have only worried about her having drunk poisoned wine and feared that the poison in her body would harm herself through her blood. But after she took the antidote, the remaining poison was negligible. A slight reaction would likely be bearable and not a big deal…
She wanted Princess Ping Le to suffer more…
Dying would be too easy for her!
She would not let Ping Le die easily.
If she died, who would she perform the rest of the play for?
Moreover, she was born noble, and her death should also be noble.
Everything she possessed should be lost…
Seeing that she remained still for a long time, Jinshu thought that her body must have lost vital energy, having been poisoned and bled. How could a young girl endure such a thing?
After a moment of silence, Jinshu couldn’t help but frown and sigh softly, “Miss, are you still going to marry into Prince Duan’s Mansion?”
Xue Sui said, “I will marry.”
The plan had been iterated countless times, how could she give up halfway?
Jinshu said, “The Old Madam is worried about you, saying that you are young and your maids are also young, and you don’t have anyone close to you who truly cares. So I volunteered to accompany Miss to Prince Duan’s Mansion…”
She then asked, “Does Miss understand what’s going on?”
Xue Sui smiled faintly, “The Old Madam is not at ease about me and wants a pair of eyes to watch me. Auntie is those eyes.”
Seeing that Miss was intelligent, Jinshu nodded with great relief.
“As for Shou An Courtyard, Miss, please don’t worry. Even if I’m not there, someone will watch over it for me. As for Prince Duan’s Mansion, this Dragon’s Pool and Tiger’s Den, I will feel more at ease accompanying you.”
She paused, then added, “The Old Madam now intends to hand over the power of managing the household to the Third Branch. I am currently trying to facilitate this. Third Madam is kind to Miss, and Third Master is now willing to be considerate. In the future, Xue Ji will also live more peacefully in this mansion.”
Xue Sui fell silent.
After a moment, she suddenly looked up, her tone light.
“Before I leave, I still want to fulfill one of her wishes.”
Jinshu was stunned for a moment, then understood.
Xue Ji had followed Xue Qingzhi for many years but remained without title or status.
For a woman, this was a great regret, and over time, it had become a deep-seated obsession, leading to melancholy.
Even though Sixth Miss hated her father deeply, she still wanted to fulfill Xue Ji’s wish.
Jinshu said, “Miss is going to Prince Duan’s Mansion, and her birth mother should not be without a proper title. I will arrange this. As long as Third Madam mentions it slightly, the Old Madam will not have a problem. As for First Madam…”
She chuckled.
“In front of the Old Madam now, what say does First Madam have?”
Xue Sui’s expression remained unchanged, her eyes dark.
“Then let her properly taste the feeling of being neglected by everyone.”
The second update is here.
Thank you for reading and supporting!
Li Zhao: It’s over? So what the hell did I get poisoned with?
Ping Le: I want to know too, what the hell did I drink?
