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Chun Xi looked bewildered, "Who are you?"

After asking, she turned her face to the side, fearing recognition.

Qin Xiao explained, "I’m not a thug, don’t run away when you see me, it’ll cause misunderstandings."

Chun Xi nodded frantically, "I understand, it won’t happen again, just let me go first."

Qin Xiao pretended not to hear and, seeing Chun Xi still turning her head away, frowned, "Turn your face to me, let me have a look."

Of course, Chun Xi was unwilling, "I still have things to do, any delay will bring blame from my young master."

Having served as a guard for so long, Qin Xiao acted decisively and without much thought spontaneously reached out to pinch her chin, forcing her to face him.

As a delicate girl, Chun Xi’s face was easily turned, and he planned to have a closer look.

Chun Xi nearly cried out in panic, thinking it was all over, she was going to be recognized.

Qin Xiao observed Chun Xi closely. Her cheeks were flushed, just like how the young lad’s would turn red. Not only that, her voice also resembled his.

Her stature was similar too, as well as the startled look in her eyes.

As a guard with keen observation, he came to a conclusion.

"Are you the young lad?"

Chun Xi’s lips were pinched tightly, making her speech unclear, "I’m not."

Qin Xiao pinched her cheek, finding a mole on her right cheek near the ear, which he also noticed the last time he was close to the young lad.

"You are the young lad, tell me, why do you deceive people?"

Chun Xi bit Qin Xiao’s hand that held her, causing him to retract it in pain.

"You’re the one deceiving people." Having said that, Chun Xi ran off swiftly.

Qin Xiao clutched his hand and saw the neat set of teeth marks. It was definitely painful, but he couldn’t understand why Chun Xi would want to deceive him.

And why she pretended not to recognize him?

*

Shen Chuwei, hungry beyond endurance, quickly washed up and began to eat breakfast.

Looking at Xiao Jinyan opposite her, although he was the one who had exerted himself just now, it was she who felt exhausted.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jinyan seemed rather spirited, eating his breakfast at a leisurely pace.

After breakfast, Shen Chuwei lay on the couch, not wanting to move.

Xiao Jinyan, on the other hand, headed to Qimeng Hall.

Entering the hall, he glanced at the desk and noticed that the lily flowers had been taken away.

He knew who had done it, and although he had long been aware of Lady Chang’s intentions, he hadn’t interfered.

He also didn’t plan to expose Lady Chang. His purpose was simple: to make Lady Chang feel threatened, to divert her attention from Xiaojiu to Concubine Xue.

By having the two women struggle against each other, he could save his energy for more important matters.

The imperial doctor had fed Concubine Xue some medicine, and she was already awake. Seeing Xiao Jinyan come in, she plaintively said, "Your Highness, someone is after my life, you must stand up for me."

At this moment, Xueyan, who was supposed to serve for the second time but was poisoned instead, was already seething with anger but was too weak to show it.

Xiao Jinyan replied indifferently, "I am aware, just rest well and cooperate with the imperial doctor. I will find out the truth about this matter."

"Your Highness, is the poison in me incurable? Will I die?" Xueyan asked, tears falling as she spoke.

"You must trust the imperial doctor, an antidote will be prepared," said Xiao Jinyan, showing no sign of pity for the frail.

Meanwhile, at Xinlan Hall

"Master, Concubine Xue is still bedridden, and the imperial doctor is at a loss," Huai Xiang whispered.

Lady Chang’s movement of sipping tea paused, a smug smile curling on her lips. Concubine Xue had been overly proud these past few days, and having failed to serve the Emperor the night before, must be near death from frustration now.

"Have the items been dealt with?"

"Master, rest assured, they have been taken care of, without fail," Huai Xiang replied.

The charm for a blessing of children had been intentionally lost from the beginning, so that Shuiyao would pick it up.

The charm contained an herb, named carro-grass, which when used alone would only affect sleep.

But combined with the Lily Flower, it produces poison.

I haven’t yet served in Your Majesty’s bedchamber; what right do you have to serve there?

Lady Chang’s graceful eyes flashed with a shade of dark intent.

*

Two days after the incident, no results had been found.

Concubine Xue’s poison was not cured; it was merely controlled with medicine to prevent the toxin from spreading.

The Emperor hadn’t visited Fengyi Palace for two days, but leaving the Imperial Study Room, he found himself walking towards Fengyi Palace.

He thought about it and then entered.

The Empress saw that the damned Emperor had come again; she didn’t know what he wanted this time.

The Emperor took a couple of sips of tea and glanced at the Empress, saying, "Empress."

The Empress bowed obediently, "Your Concubine is here."

The Emperor said leisurely, "Concubine Ning is with child and close to her time of delivery. I wish to promote Concubine Ning to Noble Consort to ease her suffering in childbirth."

The Empress really wanted to curse the damned Emperor; he had just rewarded her two days ago and now he was harboring this agenda.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Ning only entered the palace a few years ago. Now she already holds the title of concubine; if promoted to noble consort, it will cause dissatisfaction among the other consorts and concubines."

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, "What does the Empress suggest, then?"

The Empress said, "This concubine feels that Concubine Ning is young, and her current rank is already quite high. It would be better to wait a few more years for the title of Noble Consort."

The Emperor thoughtfully nodded, "The Empress isn’t jealous, is she?"

The Empress spoke righteously, "Your Majesty, you must not speak carelessly. This concubine maintains the imperial harem and selects consorts for you, yet ends up with the reputation of a jealous woman? That would be an injustice."

The Emperor’s tea drinking paused, sensing even the tea tasted different.

"The Empress is becoming less and less gentle and considerate."

The Empress scoffed in her heart, "If Your Majesty finds this concubine not gentle enough, then go seek Concubine Ning. I cannot learn her gentleness and consideration."

The Emperor simply stopped drinking his tea. He only wanted to hear a few gentle words, but the Empress contested every sentence, leaving him no way to gracefully exit the conversation.

Eventually, he left with a sweep of his sleeve.

The deadline the Emperor set for Xiao Jinyan had arrived, but still there was no news.

Concubine Xue was still seriously ill.

When the Emperor personally visited the East Palace, Xiao Jinyan was having lunch with Shen Chuwei.

The Emperor’s sudden arrival gave Xiao Jinyan a bad premonition.

Xiao Jinyan and Shen Chuwei both performed the ritual greeting.

"Your son pays his respects to the Emperor."

"Your concubine pays her respects to Your Majesty."

The Emperor strode to the throne and sat down, glancing over the pair, "Rise."

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xiao Jinyan, with Shen Chuwei, stood up and took their place below.

Because of the cold reception at the Empress’s, the Emperor was deeply irritable these past days. Now that the Crown Prince was being disobedient, it was like finding an outlet for his anger, and he lashed out at the Crown Prince.

"Crown Prince, I have given you time, yet you continue to disappoint me."

Xiao Jinyan knew exactly what the Emperor meant, and he nodded with lowered eyes, "Father Emperor, please allow your son a bit more time."

The Emperor spoke sternly, "Normally, such trivial matters should not concern me, but the Crown Prince insists on causing me concern. You fail to treat all impartially, and with the issue of heirs, my patience is limited."

Xiao Jinyan knew this time the Emperor truly was angry.

"Your son has disappointed you, Father Emperor."

The Emperor spoke coldly, "I offer you two choices: the first is to send Lady Shen to the Cold Palace."