The Arrogance and Triumph in Her Eyes
“How miraculous—Young Master Song’s wound has stopped bleeding.”
Just moments ago, fresh blood had been visibly seeping out, yet now it had ceased entirely. Moreover, his deathly pale skin was gradually regaining its natural hue, and warmth was returning to his body. This medicine… truly was a remarkable treasure.
Eunuch Wu, who had been crouching beside Song Chengyu to observe, exclaimed in delight. Imperial Physician Leng hurried forward to check the pulse, while The Emperor, who still suffered from lingering headaches, leaned forward eagerly, extending his hand.
“Quickly, bring it to me!”
Just as Eunuch Chen was about to turn and fetch the medicine, Madam Song’s expression shifted subtly. Clutching the box tightly, she knelt before The Emperor.
“Your Majesty, this humble subject is willing to offer this medicine to Your Majesty. After taking it, Your Majesty will surely live a long and healthy life. However, this humble subject has one request and begs for Your Majesty’s mercy.”
Jiang Zhaoying’s slender fingers suddenly tightened, her willow-leaf eyebrows furrowing sharply. This Madam Song was indeed clever—knowing she faced imminent disaster, she sought protection from The Emperor first.
For the sake of this medicine, The Emperor would undoubtedly agree!
“Speak.”
With this assurance and the fact that Song Chengyu had not died, Madam Song finally regained her composure, speaking with newfound clarity and logic.
“This medicine has been kept hidden all along, originally intended to be presented to Your Majesty at an opportune moment. The reason it was not brought out sooner is twofold: first, this humble subject was unaware that Your Majesty suffered from colic; second, the medicine was stored in the warehouse, and this humble subject genuinely forgot about it. Otherwise, I would never have risked Chengyu’s life.”
Her words sounded entirely reasonable. Though The Emperor’s eyes remained cold, his expression softened slightly.
“After Your Majesty recovers, this humble subject begs Your Majesty not to hold this matter against us, including Chengyu’s concubine. I ask that Your Majesty spare her as well.”
“Granted.”
These were minor matters. The Emperor’s eyes gleamed with anticipation as he stared fixedly at the pill, his throat convulsing with desire. He only wished to swallow the medicine quickly and test whether its effects were as miraculous as the rumors claimed.
Knowing The Emperor’s intense craving, Madam Song grew bolder and continued.
“Given the unpleasantness that occurred earlier, it now appears that this humble subject misunderstood Zhaoying. She must have grown distant and even considered leaving. This humble subject admits her mistake. I am fond of this daughter-in-law and beg Your Majesty to issue an order for the couple to remain affectionate and not divorce. This humble subject also guarantees that Chengyu will treat her well and ensure that the concubine never troubles Zhaoying.”
Upon hearing her words, Xu Zhiyan’s eyes sharpened with intensity. He glanced at Jiang Zhaoying, whose expression remained unchanged yet whose eyes concealed a murderous intent. The air in the hall seemed to vanish all at once, leaving him breathless.
Originally.
He had already planned to use this incident to help Ying’er divorce Song Chengyu. Such a family was best left behind swiftly.
“Madam Song is reasonable. I grant your request.”
Hearing her words and her desire to maintain harmony within the Song household, and considering her mention that Song Qingcheng had once saved the previous emperor, The Emperor’s demeanor grew amiable.
Listening as The Emperor’s reference to “the Song family” shifted to “Madam Song,” Jiang Zhaoying felt as though she were encased in ice, cold and isolated.
Lowering her gaze.
She met Madam Song’s eyes—outwardly kind yet secretly brimming with arrogance and triumph—with a chilling stare. Her tightly clenched fingers ached at the joints.
What now?
Madam Song could barely suppress a smile. Are you afraid? Did you never imagine I had this move?
If not for The Emperor’s presence, she would have laughed aloud.
“Hmm.”
Eunuch Wu let out a soft exclamation, and Imperial Physician Leng immediately stepped forward to take Song Chengyu’s pulse, then announced with delight.
“The Young Master has a pulse.”
The Emperor sprang to his feet and rushed forward, unable to contain his excitement. Then, to everyone’s astonishment, Song Chengyu slowly opened his eyes.
Immediately after.
He hurriedly sat up and knelt before the Emperor, kowtowing.
“Chengyu is guilty, I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness.”
He had heard every word clearly just now. The Emperor had already promised to spare them, so their lives were no longer in danger, and there was no need to be so afraid.
“Can this medicine truly bring the dead back to life?”
The Emperor asked Imperial Physician Leng, who bowed in response.
“Your Majesty, this medicine indeed has miraculous effects. Young Master Song’s sudden death was likely due to a sudden incident causing his breath to be sealed off, but he was not truly dead. This medicine can be said to have saved his life.”
The Emperor’s expression relaxed, and he hastily pointed to the medicine. Madam Song respectfully presented it, while Imperial Physician Leng and Eunuch Chen attended to the Emperor as he took it.
Chief Astronomer Jiang, with a deferential expression and revealing nothing, moved to the spot closest to Jiang Zhaoying, exchanging glances with Xu Zhiyan and Wei Jiuzhao.
Wei Jiuzhao was usually the most composed and mindful of the bigger picture. Naturally, he had also taken note of the sinister look in Madam Song’s eyes, feeling that Ying’er’s return would likely mean difficult days ahead.
But the Emperor had already forbidden them from separating. How could they ensure Ying’er’s peace and safety from now on?
Their eyes quickly communicated, and each of them felt their hearts sink heavily.
After the Emperor took the medicine, Eunuch Chen helped him sit down and then stepped forward to gently massage him.
“Hmm.”
Finally.
Half a quarter of an hour later.
The Emperor let out a comfortable sigh, the weariness on his face completely gone. When he opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flowed within them.
This feeling of no longer having a headache, with a clear mind and sharp vision, was something the Emperor had not experienced in a long time.
Although each headache episode lasted only a day or two and could be suppressed with medicine, his mind would remain dull and even foggy for several days afterward, leaving him extremely irritable.
But with this pill ingested, the warm sensation refreshed his spirit. In just a quarter of an hour, he felt fully restored.
Truly a remarkable thing!
“Your Majesty, are you feeling better? Is this medicine effective for you?”
Madam Song stepped forward with concern, then pretended to wipe away tears in sorrow.
“When the Marquis’s old injury flared up that day, this subject intended to use it, but the Marquis insisted on saving it for Your Majesty. He said that although Your Majesty resides in the deep palace, supreme and exalted, it is also like treading on thin ice, and life is not easy.”
“Chengyu, quickly kowtow to His Majesty. It was His Majesty who saved you.”
Seeing this, Song Chengyu hurriedly knelt before the Emperor, about to express his gratitude. But Jiang Zhaoying was a step ahead, throwing herself before the Emperor, kneeling and kowtowing, her voice choked with sobs.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for clearing this subject’s name. If not for this, the reputation of this subject as a husband-killer would have spread throughout the city, and today would likely have been this subject’s last day.”
As her forehead pressed against the cold floor, Jiang Zhaoying’s mournful weeping softly echoed through the inner hall.
Chief Astronomer Jiang’s face darkened, Xu Zhiyan’s temple twitched, and Wei Jiuzhao was also taken aback. He had forgotten—after all this turmoil today, how could she possibly survive?
The weeping of a young maiden always tugs at the heartstrings. Watching her slender shoulders tremble, the Emperor was immediately reminded of what Eunuch Chen had reported earlier.
The Song family’s rescue of the imperial carriage was indeed meritorious, but it was not without fault. Moreover, he had already agreed to several conditions from Madam Song and spared their lives, so the matter was settled.
He immediately dismissed the thought of rewarding them and turned back to his seat. Glancing at Jiang Zhaoying, he said, “You have suffered as well. Chen Anzhi, go and select some fine items as compensation for her wedding gifts, then have someone escort her out.”