"Power corrupts the heart. What wouldn't An Dongzhang dare to do?"
Qingyang Princess's face was filled with scorn.
The Eldest Princess was taken aback.
That's right. Since ancient times, power has always been a temptation that moves the hearts of men.
Even Qingyang Princess, who was deeply favored by the late emperor, the empress dowager, and the current Emperor, could not avoid being plotted against by villains. It had to be said, An Dongzhang was truly audacious.
Thinking of this, the Eldest Princess looked Qingyang Princess up and down with a worried expression, asking anxiously, "Imperial Sister, you've been poisoned, what should we do? Have you called an Imperial Physician to treat you? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
She was genuinely anxious, yet powerless to help.
Her own abilities were limited, and she had no one to act as her backer. There was simply no way for her to solve her Imperial Sister's problems.
The worry on the Eldest Princess's face was genuine.
A warmth spread through Qingyang Princess's heart. "Eldest Imperial Sister, there's no need to worry. The poison in my body has already been neutralized. As for the person who dared to harm me, I have already imprisoned him."
Luo Ranran kicked her little feet, looking extremely proud.
【That's right! This Baby's mother is super awesome! That scumbag and his wretched woman are now locked up in the Princess Mansion's dungeon. The screams they make are so pleasant to hear!】
Qingyang Princess: …My dear, we must remain calm.
The Eldest Princess's face was filled with indescribable shock, which was quickly followed by unstoppable worry.
"Imperial Sister, you've imprisoned An Dongzhang? Aren't you afraid that the Anguo Duke's Mansion will come looking for trouble? Everyone knows that Duke Anguo is famous for being vengeful over the smallest slight!"
A dark look flashed in Qingyang Princess's eyes, but she smiled calmly.
"Eldest Imperial Sister, rest assured. Duke Anguo has been secretly colluding with other countries. Emperor Brother is currently investigating, and I believe it won't be long before the Anguo Duke's Mansion disappears from the Tianqi Kingdom."
The Eldest Princess's mouth fell open, shocked once again.
Heavens, were these secrets something she was allowed to hear?
Luo Ranran furrowed her little brow.
【Mother, everyone in the Anguo Duke's Mansion is a traitor. Death is too good for them.】
【But, there are many people who are close to them and have dealings with them, including not only officials from all over the court, but also imperial relatives.】
【You could say that investigating one will implicate a string of them, and drag out a whole nest.】
【Emperor Uncle is going to be busy for a while. Given his consistently benevolent way of handling things, he'll probably have a massive headache, completely torn about how to deal with these people.】
Qingyang Princess's gaze darkened slightly.
Her dear child was right. Emperor Brother was indeed a benevolent and good emperor who cared for his country and its people, but his methods were too soft, and he was indecisive.
That was why the ministers' appetites had grown larger and larger.
And those ministers, knowing he was soft-hearted, had slowly figured out ways to manipulate him.
Life is hard, the Little Ginseng Sprite sighed!
【Mother, you must tell Emperor Uncle that if he doesn't become more ruthless, he will be kicked off the throne sooner or later. His harem consorts and his princes will all meet a terrible end.】
Hearing this, the Eldest Princess's eyes widened like saucers, utterly shocked yet again.
Qingyang Princess's expression was slightly better.
After all, she had already learned from her precious baby's inner voice that the entire Luo Imperial Family would not meet a good end.
It seemed that she and the Crown Prince alone could not change the fate of the Luo Imperial Family. Only by having the entire imperial family work together could they succeed.
Qingyang Princess reached out and patted the Eldest Princess's hand, offering her silent comfort, then looked at Qian Zhanyi with a gentle and loving expression.
"Eldest Imperial Sister, regarding Yi'er's condition, have you seen a doctor?"
The Eldest Princess bit her tongue, forcing herself to calm down. A bitter smile touched the corners of her mouth.
"To be honest with you, Imperial Sister, ever since I found out Yi'er had this affliction, I've begged my husband to hire countless doctors to treat him. Over the past few years, he has drunk a lot of medicine, but it has had no effect at all. Instead, it has made Yi'er's body exceptionally weak, and he has never been free from minor illnesses and pains."
【All medicine is poison to some degree. If the little-pitiable-one wasn't so tough, he probably would have been poisoned to death by the medicine long ago.】
The Little Ginseng Sprite was very indignant.
【Also, Aunt Eldest Princess, your husband is not a good person. He doesn't want to cure the little-pitiable-one at all. He wishes he would die sooner. The doctors he finds every time are quacks. Forget about curing the little-pitiable-one, it's a miracle they haven't killed him.】
The Eldest Princess was utterly horrified, a torrent of resentment erupting from within her.
Qian Jinlai, how could he be so cruel and vicious? It was one thing for him to be cold and heartless towards her, but to not even spare his own flesh and blood…
The Eldest Princess's eyes filled with hatred, and a low pressure emanated from her entire body. Blood rushed to her head, and unable to hold it back, she spat out a mouthful of blood.
Qingyang Princess was startled. "Eldest Imperial Sister, are you alright? Momo, quickly summon a doctor to treat my Imperial Sister."
Rong Momo was also startled and nodded quickly in assent.
The Four Maidservants Mei Lan acted swiftly; one brought water, another fetched clothes, another cleaned up the blood…
The Eldest Princess looked guilty. "I'm sorry, Imperial Sister. I, I didn't mean to dirty your room, I just…"
Qingyang Princess raised a hand to stop her, then stood up and gently patted the Eldest Princess's back to soothe her. "Eldest Imperial Sister, I understand how you feel. You don't need to explain, nor do you need to feel guilty or uneasy."
"Imperial Sister, thank you." The Eldest Princess was deeply moved, and tears rolled down her cheeks in large drops.
What had she ever done to deserve such sincere treatment from her Imperial Sister?
【Sigh!】 Luo Ranran let out a long sigh. 【My poor Aunt Eldest Princess, haven't you noticed that there's something wrong with your own body?】
The Eldest Princess: …(ΩДΩ) What!
Qingyang Princess: …ε=(′ο｀)))Sigh!
"Eldest Imperial Sister, why did you suddenly spit up blood? Could it be that you have a hidden illness?"
Luo Ranran huffed.
【Of course! Aunt has never had a good life since she was a child, it would be a miracle if her health was good. After marrying into the Qian Mansion, although her diet was decent, what Aunt doesn't know is that her food has been laced with poison.】
【Hmm, counting the days, in a year at most, Aunt can be put in a coffin and buried in the ground.】
Qingyang Princess's pupils contracted sharply. She quickly gripped the Eldest Princess's hand tightly, giving her silent comfort.
The Eldest Princess's face was blank. She… she was going to die soon?!!
Luo Ranran was oblivious to the two sisters' turmoil, lost in her own thoughts about the fate of the Eldest Princess and her children as described in the book.
【Hmm, after Aunt dies, the little-pitiable-one will be directly strangled to death by Qian Jinlai's concubine.】
【As for Aunt's twin daughters, without their mother and brother, their lives will be beyond pitiful! Although they are nominally the young misses of the Qian Mansion, they will live worse than pigs and dogs. Old Master Qian and His Wife, as well as Qian Jinlai, will allow the concubines' children to insult and beat the two sisters at will, and let the servants in the mansion bully them. The two sisters, with no one to rely on, will not have enough to eat or warm clothes to wear. Their bodies will be covered in new injuries before the old ones can heal. On a stormy, snowy night, enduring their hunger, they will huddle together and freeze to death.】
【And when they die, they will only be five years old.】
【Behind all this, is it the annihilation of conscience? The decay of morality? Or the distortion of human nature?】
The Eldest Princess's eyes were bloodshot, her face a mask of grief. She slumped in her chair.
"Wuwu… I, wuwu…"
She, who had always been strong, completely broke down after hearing the fate of herself and her three children.
Wuwu*, at this moment, all she wanted to do was hold her head and cry her heart out, to vent all her feelings.