These words struck a nerve with even more people present.
Cui Anru continued, "Today, I ask everyone to bear witness. I, Cui Anru, have been married into the Xiao Family for two years. I have been filial to the elders and doted on my sister-in-law, never committing any fault. Yet now, with my father and brother deceased, I am subjected to such humiliation. I am determined to sever all ties with the Xiao Family. From today onward, the expensive medicinal herbs supplied to Old Madam from the city's pharmacies, the clothing and accessories from the silk shops and tailor shops for her selection, and all the jewelry and hair ornaments for Xiao Xueling—I will no longer use my dowry to subsidize them. I ask the shopkeepers to settle accounts directly with the marquis's household."
The onlookers were stunned. Could the Xiao Family really be so shameless as to have been spending their granddaughter-in-law's dowry for the past two years?
"No wonder the Xiao Family had fallen into such decline before, yet suddenly became so extravagant."
"Exactly! They've been living off her and using her resources, only to bully her behind her back."
Xu Huai finally arrived hurriedly with the physician. Cui Anru paid no attention and did not mind the physician re-examining the woman, as it conveniently diverted the crowd's attention once more.
Seizing the opportunity, she said to the man, "May I have a word in private?"
The man frowned slightly but did not refuse, silently following her to the side of the carriage.
"I wish to make a trade with you," Cui Anru stated directly.
The man observed Cui Anru's composed demeanor with curiosity but offered no response.
His aloofness and calmness seemed entirely natural.
"Danqing, the Detoxification Pill."
Cui Anru knew the man had not objected.
Danqing was somewhat puzzled.
Nevertheless, she retrieved a porcelain bottle from her sleeve and poured out a pill.
"This is a Detoxification Pill prepared by the Medical Immortal. It can neutralize any poison. I believe you are in need of this now."
Cui Anru's words caused a subtle shift in the man's expression.
Had she discerned his poisoning just by looking at him?
What astonished him even more was that Cui Anru possessed medicine prepared by the Medical Immortal!
Such priceless items, and it seemed Cui Anru had more than just one.
In an instant, numerous thoughts flashed through the man's mind, but he suppressed them all and calmly asked, "What do you require of me?"
Cui Anru glanced toward the woman who still had not regained consciousness.
"I must enter the palace. In the coming days, I will likely be occupied with moving and will have no time to care for this mother and daughter. I hope you can look after them for a few days."
The man's eyes changed once again. "Does Miss Cui mistake me for a benevolent person?"
"Rumors say Prince Yi is cold-natured, eccentric, disrespectful to elders, and unfilial to the dowager consort—indeed, nothing akin to benevolence."
The man asked in a low voice, "You recognize this prince?"
Cui Anru replied, "Your Highness naturally carries an air of nobility, yet years of frail health have left a distinct medicinal scent that cannot be ignored. Earlier, when I handled that Heart-Protecting Pill, I knew it was of superior quality. Deducting Your Highness's identity was not difficult."
Lu Jingchen fell silent once more. This Cui Family's legitimate daughter was not quite as the rumors described.
But then, had his own reputation ever been truthful?
"How did you discern that this prince is poisoned?"
By referring to himself as "this prince," he had already acknowledged his identity.
"Your Highness's complexion is pale with a bluish tinge, and your gaze is somewhat unfocused. Were it not for your formidable willpower, you would likely be unconscious by now. I presume Your Highness has already taken some preliminary measures, but they have not been very effective."
Cui Anru's composure left a deep impression.
"You understand medicine," Lu Jingchen stated with certainty.
It seemed her ability to save that woman was not merely luck.
"I know a little, nothing worth mentioning. However, this medicine is the work of the Medical Immortal, so naturally it cannot be compared to ordinary remedies."
Cui Anru remained neither humble nor arrogant, maintaining a low profile.
"The Xiao Family likely doesn't know."
Cui Anru's tone carried a hint of sarcasm: "As long as I can provide them with silver to spend, why would they care what other qualities I possess?"
"You actually know the Medical Immortal."
Lu Jingchen had searched for the Medical Immortal multiple times before but always returned empty-handed.
He never expected Cui Anru to have such an opportunity.
"It's only because the Medical Immortal respects my late father."
The Duke of Zhenguo's life was indeed beyond reproach, worthy of being remembered through the ages.
Lu Jingchen paused briefly before accepting this explanation.
Without further hesitation, he took the pill and placed it in his mouth.
"Your Highness…"
Ruogu, who had been observing from the side, attempted to dissuade him but couldn't find the words to complete his sentence.
Cui Anru didn't mind the other's suspicions toward her; it was truly remarkable that Lu Jingchen had managed to survive until today.
Each person had their role, and each was simply protecting their master.
"Since Your Highness has accepted my medicine, I presume you have also accepted my conditions. I entrust this mother and daughter to you first. Once I've settled matters over the next few days, I will naturally make other arrangements."
"Can you manage such trivial matters?" Lu Jingchen didn't refuse but offered a reminder.
"Since I encountered them and share similar hardships, it can be considered fate. Although Your Highness speaks coldly, you've already thought about how to settle them, haven't you?"
Lu Jingchen didn't respond, tacitly acknowledging her words.
"I must enter the palace now and will not delay Your Highness any further. Please ask your coachman to move the carriage."
Watching Cui Anru's carriage depart, Ruogu finally asked, "Your Highness, how do you feel? Is that medicine truly from the Medical Immortal?"
"It should be. I am already fine."
"In that case, do we still need to enter the palace to seek the imperial physician?"
"There is no conflict between having the poison cured and entering the palace to let more people know."
Lu Jingchen's gaze remained fixed in the direction where Cui Anru had just left.
"Have Xu Huai settle this mother and daughter."
He then added another instruction.
"Your Highness, if Miss Cui truly has ties with the Medical Immortal, why don't we go through her…"
Ruogu understood well that if the Medical Immortal intervened, there was great hope for the Prince's recovery.
"There will be time for that. She has important matters to attend to today."
In Cui Anru's carriage, Danzhu inquired, "Miss, did someone actually poison Prince Yi?"
"He has always been frail, yet he continues to hold the princely title. For the current Dowager Consort and the other young master of Prince Yi's mansion, this is not favorable."
"He is also a pitiable person—his father and birth mother passed away early, his health is poor, and with a stepmother as Dowager Consort and ambitious brothers, his situation is no less challenging than yours, Miss," Danqing remarked with a sigh.
Cui Anru didn't respond. Calculating the time, the incident at the Marquis's residence should be spreading by now, and the drama at the Lin Family should also be unfolding.
Since Lin Zhiyin was so eager to marry into the Xiao Family, she would stir the waters once more.
As for Prince Yi just now, in the future, when the Zhenguogong Mansion lacked a male head, they might very well need assistance.
One hour later.
Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"You say you've come to seek forgiveness, not to beg me to retract my decree?"
Cui Anru nodded: "I do not ask Your Majesty to revoke the decree, but I beg, in consideration of my father and brothers having all perished, that Your Majesty establish a precedent for Great Xia by allowing me to become the first woman to divorce her husband—to divorce Annan Hou, this ungrateful and treacherous scoundrel!"