After going out for a day, Han Yunxi was summoned by Grand Concubine Yi as soon as she returned to the estate. After treating the poison last time, she'd already performed acupuncture on Grand Concubine Yi twice. This would be the last time.
Grand Concubine Yi truly cherished her life, so she couldn't afford to be careless.
Murong Wanru had been punished to reflect on her mistakes behind closed doors, so Han Yunxi was especially quiet every time she came. She could talk to Grand Concubine Yi without any misgivings.
Grand Concubine Yi lay lazily on the chaise lounge with Han Yunxi sitting by her side. Although her heart was heavy with worry, she quickly entered the state of mind as soon as she picked up the needles, concentrating wholeheartedly.
Some doctors would get distracted and chat while treating patients, but she didn't like it. No matter if it was a difficult illness or something as simple as turning over a palm, she was always serious.
Her attitude alone was like a good medicine that calmed the patient down and set their mind at ease.
After an hour, Han Yunxi withdrew her needles one by one before speaking. "Mufei, the remaining poison in your body has been cleansed. There won't be any side effects, so you can set your mind at ease."
Grand Concubine Yi nodded. Although she was calm and collected, her posture languid and leisurely, her heart was filled with joy. She could finally stop worrying about her body.
Seeing her so calm, Han Yunxi's eyes flashed with craftiness. "Actually, things like acupuncture and moxibustion are good for you too. It can expel poison and nourish your skin. At mufei's age, your body must have accumulated plenty of toxins. Although they're not fatal, they'll settle on your skin and make it look dull. You might even develop brown spots."
Hearing this, Grand Concubine Yi's eyes brightened with excitement.
In the circle of noblewomen at her age, the most talked about topic was her face. In a few years, it'd be her body's condition.
"In other words, you seem to be very good at it?" Grand Concubine Yi probed.
"I can't say I'm good at it, but if I follow the procedures, there'll be results. Expelling poison and nourishing the skin can also prolong one's life. " Han Yunxi was very modest. She wasn't trying to advertise, but expelling poison and nourishing the skin was a piece of cake for her.
At these words, Grand Concubine Yi could no longer keep her calm. Hastily, she said, "Then why don't we try a course of treatment for mufei first?"
"It's chenqie's honor. Tomorrow, I'll write up a treatment plan and have someone deliver it for mufei to look over," Han Yunxi was very happy. This was a chance to get closer to Grand Concubine Yi.
The closer she got to Grand Concubine Yi, the more dangerous it would be for Murong Wanru.
Grand Concubine Yi was in a great mood. She stretched her neck as she asked, "I heard that Mu Qingwu took Mu Liuyue's place to honor the bet today?"
"Fortunately, I won. Otherwise …"
Han Yunxi chuckled softly, but didn't continue. Grand Concubine Yi probably wanted her to lose back then. If she lost, she'd have to fulfill her promise and ruin her reputation. Then the Duke of Qin could divorce her.
Of course Grand Concubine Yi remembered that she'd hit someone while they were down, but it seemed she'd done it too many times. Instead of feeling awkward, she admonished, "I haven't taught you a lesson about this yet. In the future, don't make these kinds of bets with others. If you lose, you'll suffer a loss!"
Yi, the Grand Concubine Yi who wanted her to suffer was actually lecturing her like this?
Han Yunxi felt overwhelmed by favor from superior. It looked like her "poison-expelling diplomacy" was starting to take effect.
"It doesn't matter if chenqie suffers a loss. But this time, someone with ulterior motives used the Han Family incident to implicate mufei. Chenqie truly deserves ten thousand deaths."
As Han Yunxi spoke, she added, "Speaking of which, it's strange. Just who gave Lady Xu the guts? Was she targeting chenqie, or mufei?"
Grand Concubine Yi would've forgotten about Lady Xu's affairs if Han Yunxi hadn't brought it up. She wasn't suspicious, but certain that a trifling Lady Xu had someone backing her up.
Seeing Grand Concubine Yi remain silent, Han Yunxi added, "Actually, no matter if she was targeting chenqie or mufei, she was still targeting the Duke of Qin's estate. But chenqie can't figure it out. Who in the world would have the guts to target the Duke of Qin's estate? Or perhaps … "
As she spoke, she gave Grand Concubine Yi a meaningful look. "Or perhaps, she was just targeting chenqie to sow discord between chenqie and mufei?"
At this, Grand Concubine Yi knitted her brows and looked seriously at Han Yunxi.
Grand Concubine Yi had once suspected that the person behind Lady Xu was that person from the palace. After all, the only person in the world who dared to provoke her Duke of Qin's estate was that person. But she quickly rejected the idea, because that person in the palace was interested in roping in Han Yunxi. She wouldn't go so far as to make a move against Han Yunxi.
Now that she heard Han Yunxi's guesses, could it be that the person behind Lady Xu was … her own family, Wanru?
But soon enough, Grand Concubine Yi rejected the idea as well. Wanru was suspicious, but she still couldn't believe that she'd have the guts to do such a thing.
Perhaps Han Yunxi was trying to sow discord right now.
Grand Concubine Yi withdrew her gaze and lay back lazily. "What's done is done. There's no point in looking into it. It's better if you don't stir up trouble in the future."
As expected, Grand Concubine Yi wasn't easy to deal with. Han Yunxi sighed with emotion in her heart. "Chenqie was just saying. Actually, guessing here and there won't yield any results. It's better to go to the prisons and interrogate Lady Xu."
So speaking, she rose to her feet. "Mufei, it's getting late. Chenqie should go back as well."
Grand Concubine Yi didn't urge her to stay, but waved a hand to dismiss her. Still, Han Yunxi's last words had planted a seed of restlessness in her heart.
Lady Xu had been sentenced to death by Grand Concubine Yi herself. Han Yunxi couldn't even visit her, but she knew that the paranoid Grand Concubine Yi would definitely pay a visit to the justice courts after her words today. She only hoped that Grand Concubine Yi wouldn't be too late.
She was already late, but had been delayed by Grand Concubine Yi's side. By the time she reached the Hibiscus Courtyard, it was already late at night.
The palace was pitch black, which meant that its master hadn't returned yet.
It's already so late. Do you still want to keep me company? Then tonight … will you come back?
Han Yunxi glanced at the palace from a distance before turning with her head bowed. Step by step, she walked towards the Leisurely Cloud Pavilion.
Zhao mama saw her complexion and asked with concern, "Esteemed wangfei, what's wrong? Are you unwell? Did you catch a cold? "
Han Yunxi finally raised her head, wanting to ask about Tianshan Kenzō.
That was because Long Fei Ye and Duanmu Yao shared the same master. Last time she'd asked, but she didn't get to the bottom of it.
But on second thought, she decided to forget it.
What was the point of asking so much? What did it have to do with her whether or not he was taking another official wife, Left or Right? She didn't even like him!
Staying at the Duke of Qin's estate was her fate. It was a place to settle down and get a foothold in Tianning's capital city. If anyone dared to cut off her path to survival, she'd never let them off!
Thinking up to here, Han Yunxi exhaled and patted Zhao mama on the shoulder. Then she went upstairs, closed the door, and went to sleep!
Zhao mama's face was filled with bewilderment. What's wrong with her mistress today? Has she been possessed?
That night, the exhausted Han Yunxi fell asleep unknowingly. Meanwhile, Long Fei Ye and Emperor Tianhui were locked up in the imperial study to discuss the spy case until daybreak.
Long Fei Ye had always been in charge of the Tianli spy case. He had absolute authority over the case, and even Emperor Tianhui couldn't interfere with how he dealt with the culprits.
Even though Madame Li came from the Han Family and had been hiding there for years, a single word from Long Fei Ye could turn the Han Family into criminals. Even Emperor Tianhui wouldn't pursue the matter.
But things were different now. Madame Li's last words had made Emperor Tianhui impatient to get rid of the rest of the Han Family to prevent future troubles. He even wanted to hold Han Yunxi accountable.
Long Fei Ye had been ordered to accompany Princess Rongle for an entire day before Emperor Tianhui finally relented and gave him a chance to discuss the matter.
This was a business transaction, not because Long Fei Ye was powerless. In fact, it proved that Emperor Tianhui was powerless against his little brother, Long Fei Ye.
Otherwise, who would dare disobey an imperial order? Who would have the right to bargain?
Seeing Long Fei Ye's icy expression, Emperor Tianhui's fists clenched tightly in his sleeves.
He'd always wanted to get rid of the Duke of Qin, but Tianning couldn't do without him. The valiant and powerful Northern Li Empire was like a pack of wolves and tigers. If not for the Duke of Qin's presence, they would've moved against Tianning long ago.
He hated a man like this to the bone, but he had no choice but to rely on him. Emperor Tianhui truly felt sullen.
"The Han Family's matters have been settled. If Imperial Brother has nothing else to do, it's time for morning court," Long Fei Ye said mildly. It was enough for an entire night of verbal sparring.
Emperor Tianhui didn't reply directly, but simply said, "Crown Prince Ye and Princess Rongle will only return after the New Year. You can reconsider the marriage alliance."
"The marriage alliance is a matter between two countries. Imperial Brother should consult with Western Zhou's emperor more. It's inconvenient for chendi to interfere. After the New Year, chendi has plans to travel and have no time to share imperial brother's burdens," Long Fei Ye refused outright.
In the end, Emperor Tianhui narrowed his eyes and said Coldly, "The Duke of Qin has worked hard over the matter of the spy. It's time for you to rest. Why don't you hand over the matter of the spy case to someone else so you can recuperate?"
Was he planning to take back his power?
Long Fei Ye's icy lips curved into a mocking smile as he said, "Chendi hasn't even reported, but Imperial Brother already knows that there's a follow-up to the spy case. Imperial Brother is wise and brilliant. "
Emperor Tianhui grew alarmed at his words. "Duke of Qin, what do you mean?"
"Madame Li isn't the true mastermind behind the scenes. There's still another person behind her. Chendi's preliminary investigations show that it should be someone from Northern Li's imperial clan. As for who that person is and whether they'll offend our Tianning, that's still unknown," Long Fei Ye replied truthfully.
Emperor Tianhui never thought that Madame Li still had someone behind her back. If they hadn't found out who that person was, then it meant that Tianning's capital city was in danger. It was impossible to guard against a spy in the first place, much less the fact that it involved poisons.
Madame Li's ambush was deep and her poison skills were formidable. Emperor Tianhui had seen it all with his own eyes. Wouldn't the person behind her be even more dangerous?
Poisons were an unorthodox art. Among all of Tianning's civil and military officials, who besides Long Fei Ye dared to take on such a hot potato? Who else was qualified to do so?
Emperor Tianhui's eyes narrowed into slits as he Coldly examined his young and promising younger brother.
Long Fei Ye allowed him to look as he pleased, his expression cold and his eyes cold. His entire being exuded a natural air of nobility. Although he was in a side seat, he was even more lofty and inviolable than Emperor Tianhui.
Finally, Emperor Tianhui stood up and said, "Continue the investigation."
So speaking, he ordered Eunuch Xue, "Change your clothes and attend court!"
Satisfied, Long Fei Ye rose to his feet. "Chendi obeys. I'll take my leave."
Although Emperor Tianhui hadn't said a word, he'd compromised. Besides the Duke of Qin, no one else would be able to punish the Han Family for their crimes …
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