The Crown Prince's eyes were icy, and he clenched his fists tightly.
"Imperial Physician Huang, has my aunt been poisoned? Speak frankly. I will pardon you of any offense."
Imperial Physician Huang's brow furrowed. He nodded, then shook his head. "Your Highness, Qingyang Princess has indeed been poisoned. However, the poison's effects are faint, as if her body is detoxifying on its own. Such a condition is truly rare."
After speaking, Imperial Physician Huang stood up and cupped his hands toward Qingyang Princess. "May I be so bold as to ask Your Highness, did you take some kind of antidote before this?"
Luo Ranran: [Hee hee, this baby is the antidote! As long as I'm here, any poison that sees me has to get on its knees and sing 'Surrender'.]
The Crown Prince was greatly shaken. His little sister was this incredible?
Qingyang Princess had a general idea of her precious daughter's abilities. She looked at Imperial Physician Huang and spouted nonsense with a straight face, "I did indeed take an antidote."
"No wonder." Imperial Physician Huang had a moment of sudden realization. That explained it. While his medical skills weren't the absolute best, he was still the most skilled physician in the entire Imperial Medical Academy.
However, Qingyang Princess had so many capable people around her. How could she have been so careless as to be poisoned?
Could it be that someone close to her was the problem?
Although he wanted to know the inside story, he also knew his place. After all, gossip was good, but his old life was more important.
Qingyang Princess looked at Rong Momo, who was waiting at the side. "Momo, bring that basket of tangerines over and have Imperial Physician Huang examine them for anything unusual."
"Yes, Your Highness." Rong Momo respectfully accepted the order and quickly brought the tangerines over. "Imperial Physician Huang, we'll have to trouble you."
Imperial Physician Huang's eyes lit up. It seemed the tangerines were the evidence. Tsk, tsk, this basket of tangerines looked quite appealing. What a pity he couldn't taste one.
After a professional examination, Imperial Physician Huang's expression turned grave as he reported the truth.
"Qingyang Princess, these tangerines cannot be eaten. They have all been soaked in a poison called Seven Star Begonia. It is colorless and odorless, and an ordinary person would not be able to detect it. Fortunately, I enjoy studying various poisons and thus have some knowledge of it."
In other words: he was no ordinary person!
Luo Ranran pouted. [Old Huang, look at you showing off. Don't you forget, back when you were studying poisons, you nearly kicked the bucket several times, almost poisoning yourself to death. That said, this baby does admire your dedication to the arts of medicine and poison.]
A hint of admiration also colored Qingyang Princess's eyes. "As far as I know, a poison like Seven Star Begonia has never appeared in Tianqi."
Imperial Physician Huang spoke frankly, "That is correct, Qingyang Princess. Seven Star Begonia was indeed not developed by anyone from the Tianqi Kingdom. It comes from the Tianzhu Kingdom."
"Tianzhu!" The Crown Prince was astonished, a grim shadow falling over his features. "Tianzhu and our Tianqi have always kept to ourselves. Why would they sell this poison in Tianqi?"
This was simply outrageous!
Imperial Physician Huang: …Your Highness, it's useless to ask me. You should be asking the people who sell the poison.
Luo Ranran pursed her lips. [Of course it's because a minister of Tianqi is colluding with the people of Tianzhu Kingdom. For the sake of money, they're just short of becoming traitors.
And that person is none other than the Duke Anguo and his son. That scumbag was only able to get his hands on Seven Star Begonia from the people of Tianzhu with Duke Anguo's approval.]
The more Luo Ranran thought about it, the angrier she became. [Mother, this baby really can't stand this vicious and disgusting scumbag anymore. I especially don't want this kind of trash to be my father.]
Qingyang Princess and the Crown Prince were both utterly shocked and furious. They exchanged a look, and a thick killing intent flashed in their eyes.
What a fine Anguo Duke's Mansion!
What a fine An Dongzhang!
They had truly underestimated their ambition, to have secretly colluded with the Tianzhu Kingdom. They truly deserved to die ten thousand deaths!
Imperial Physician Huang couldn't help but shrink his neck.
Good heavens, this killing intent is so intense!
Sob, sob, wifey, your husband misses your warm and soft embrace.
Qingyang Princess's expression returned to normal. "Imperial Physician Huang, I wonder if you are able to formulate an antidote for Seven Star Begonia?"
A smile touched Imperial Physician Huang's lips, and a hint of pride unconsciously colored his features. "In response to Your Highness's question, as it so happens, I have the antidote for this poison right here."
Qingyang Princess accepted with a smile. "Then I must thank you, Imperial Physician Huang. Rest assured, I will not let you work for nothing."
Imperial Physician Huang refused righteously, "It is my honor to serve Your Highness. I dare not ask for anything else."
Luo Ranran mercilessly exposed him: [Old Huang, a tree a thousand feet tall never forgets its roots. Don't take your posturing too far.]
[You henpecked husband, you're clearly overjoyed inside, thinking about how you can buy more beautiful clothes and jewelry for your wife, yet you put on such a show on the outside.]
Imperial Physician Huang had no idea that his secret of being a henpecked husband had been exposed. He maintained a noble and virtuous expression.
In the past, Qingyang Princess and her nephew would have thought even more highly of Imperial Physician Huang, but now, the illusion was shattered. The aunt and nephew pair only found it somewhat amusing.
One really couldn't judge a person by their appearance.
This was probably what they meant by "not being what one seems on the surface"!
Qingyang Princess coughed lightly and gave Rong Momo a look. "Momo, Imperial Physician Huang has worked hard making this trip. His efforts have been great. Personally see him out of the mansion."
"Yes, Your Highness." Rong Momo understood. While Imperial Physician Huang was packing his medical kit, she quickly stuffed a hefty reward into a purse.
Just as they were about to exit the mansion, she stuffed the bulging purse into Imperial Physician Huang's hand and thanked him with a smile, "Imperial Physician Huang, thank you for your hard work."
"It was no trouble. It is my honor to serve Her Highness." Imperial Physician Huang accepted it smoothly, slipping the purse into his pocket.
Wifey, I made a haul today.
You'd better serve your husband well tonight. Otherwise, those clothes and jewelry are off the table.
Just then, the sound of a horse neighing came from outside the main gate.
Rong Momo's expression instantly fell.
Imperial Physician Huang was old and shrewd. He immediately grasped the truth and hurried out of the Princess Mansion. Sure enough, the person braving the wind and snow was An Dongzhang.
If he could, he would have liked to stay and watch the drama unfold.
But forget it, his life was more important. It was better to leave first to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
Imperial Physician Huang blinked and greeted An Dongzhang with a beaming smile, "Greetings, Princess Consort!" He then boarded his carriage and slowly departed.
An Dongzhang watched the departing carriage, a flash of panic and unease in his eyes. Why was Imperial Physician Huang at the Princess Mansion?
Could it be that Luo Shihan had noticed something?
At this thought, An Dongzhang completely lost his composure. He hurriedly dismounted, tossed the reins to the gate guard, and entered the Princess Mansion with somewhat unsteady steps.
…
"Knock, knock." An Dongzhang knocked on the door, took a deep breath, and put on the facade of a refined gentleman, his tone gentle and polite.
"Princess, may I come in?"
Inside the room, a cold glint flashed in Qingyang Princess's eyes. Her tone was devoid of any emotion. "Come in."
An Dongzhang pushed the door open. The first thing he saw was the Crown Prince sitting beside Qingyang Princess. His expression changed abruptly, and he hurriedly cupped his hands in a salute.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince's face was cold and gloomy as he immediately reprimanded him.
"What grand authority, Princess Consort. My aunt is unwell, and not only are you not by her side taking meticulous care of her, but you are also nowhere to be found in the entire mansion. Could it be that you no longer wish to be the Princess Consort? Or perhaps, you have no true feelings for my aunt?"
An Dongzhang was terrified, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
The Crown Prince had always presented the image of a bright and honorable gentleman in the past, never as aggressive as he was today.
Could it be that his plot to poison her had been exposed?