Chu Yunfei composed her emotions and spoke calmly: "Why is Rong Cang getting close to Chu Yun Jiao?"
Chang Qing hesitated for only a moment before speaking the truth: "The Prince is only acting; he wants the Princess Consort to give up and leave the Prince's Estate sooner."
He did not mention that in order to act, the Prince had to endure getting close to Chu Yun Jiao, only to secretly wash his hands countless times afterward, wishing he could scrub off a layer of skin; he even had the robes that Chu Yun Jiao had touched thrown away.
Chu Yunfei curled her lips, noncommittal: "My father is only a Third-Rank Attendant Official. A Princess Consort divorced and kicked out by the Prince would become the laughingstock of the entire Capital City. Has he not considered this problem?"
A woman is inherently fragile, relying on her father and mother at home.
But in the end, this world is a man's world.
A woman cast aside by the Imperial Family is, firstly, no longer a virgin, and secondly, suppressed by the status of the Imperial Family, so remarrying is naturally impossible—though she had no intention of remarrying anyway.
Her father is a third-rank official, not a low position, but in the Capital City where powerful and influential people abound, a third-rank official is truly nothing to show off. Moreover, the Chu Family is a rising star; compared to those Noble families with over a hundred years of foundation, they are not worth mentioning.
It is easy to imagine the ridicule and humiliation Chu Yunfei would face if she were cast out; there would be no place for her in the Capital City.
"There will be people in Langya City to receive the Princess Consort." Chang Qing lowered his head and mumbled. Unable to withstand the Princess Consort's pressure, he simply sold out the Prince's entire plan: "As long as the Princess Consort is alive, nothing else is important. The Prince said that the pain is only temporary; as time passes, it will eventually fade."
A cold smile appeared on the corner of Chu Yunfei's mouth: "He is certainly more intelligent than anyone else."
Chang Qing silently lowered his head.
"Since he is so thoughtful for me, I will certainly not let down his good intentions." Chu Yunfei's tone was cold: "Once I have cured his Gu Poison, I will definitely take my unborn child and flee far away, never to be an eyesore to him again."
Huh?
Chang Qing was stunned and looked up at Chu Yunfei. This... this doesn't seem right, does it?
"I still have some things I want to ask you, and I hope you will answer me truthfully." Chu Yunfei quickly returned to the main topic: "Rong Cang went to the Battlefield at fourteen. Has anyone tried to plot to harm him over the years?"
Chang Qing pondered slightly: "It is normal for people to scheme on the Battlefield. When two armies engage in battle, besides direct combat, there are also schemes and tricks."
"What about his own people?"
Chang Qing shook his head: "The generals the Prince has cultivated are all brave and skilled in battle, and they are loyal; they would not be detrimental to the Prince."
Chu Yunfei was silent for a moment and slowly set down her teacup: "So you also cannot figure out who planted the Gu Poison inside the Prince's body?"
Chang Qing nodded: "This subordinate truly does not know."
"You will have the Guard Commander come over later. Starting from tonight, the two of you are responsible for rearranging the defense of the Prince's Estate's front courtyard and inner courtyard." Chu Yunfei did not ask further and made the arrangements herself: "Within the scope allowed by Imperial power, make it as strict and comprehensive as possible. You must ensure that not even a mosquito can fly in."
"Princess Consort, please rest assured, this subordinate will certainly handle it." Chang Qing agreed; he would not make mistakes regarding security: "The guards in the estate have always been very strict, but because the Fifth Princess is the Prince's full sibling and the Princess Consort was not at home just now, the servants did not dare to stop her, which is why she had the opportunity to enter Jinlin Courtyard to visit the Prince."
Chu Yunfei gave a hum: "If I want to send a letter to Langya City, what way do you have to send it the fastest, and ensure it will not be intercepted by anyone?"
Chang Qing said: "The Prince has Shadow Guards by his side."
"Shadow Guards?" Chu Yunfei's eyebrows and eyes moved slightly: "Then..."
"They have only been by the Prince's side for five years, so they also do not know about the Gu Poison." Chang Qing said with regret, as if he knew what Chu Yunfei was thinking: "The Shadow Guards were trained secretly by the Prince's orders. The Shadow Guard camp is not in the Capital City, but they are elusive, so sending a letter is no problem."
As he spoke, Chang Qing's voice became much quieter: "There are actually two female Shadow Guards by the Princess Consort's side; they were arranged by the Prince to protect you. Unless there are special circumstances, they generally will not appear."
Chu Yunfei was surprised: "I also have Shadow Guards by my side?"
"Yes."
Just as Chu Yunfei was about to ask more, a burst of footsteps came hurriedly from outside. Baochan stepped into the room quickly and reported urgently: "Princess Consort, someone has come from the Palace and is heading toward the inner courtyard."
Chu Yunfei's expression turned cold: "Sheng Xia, stop them outside."
"Yes!" Sheng Xia flew away.
Baochan paused and said in a low voice: "Princess Consort, it is a female official sent by the Noble Consort."
"No harm." Chu Yunfei's expression was cold: "Just let Sheng Xia stop them for now."
"Yes." Baochan did not speak again.
"Strengthen the guards of the Prince's Estate; you must ensure that no Outsider can enter the inner courtyard." Chu Yunfei turned to look at Chang Qing and exhorted again: "Do not tell Rong Cang about my conversation with you tonight."
"Yes."
"Additionally, arrange for a Reliable person to go out at night and find some things for me." Chu Yunfei's voice was slightly lower: "Toads, snakes, scorpions, centipedes, geckos... all must be live creatures. Aside from me, do not let anyone else know."
Chang Qing's complexion changed slightly. Just as he was about to ask why the Princess Consort wanted these Poisons, he saw Chu Yunfei had already stood up, tidied her clothes in a leisurely manner, and lifted her feet to walk outside.
Chang Qing swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue and nodded silently: "Yes."
Chu Yunfei walked out of the inner courtyard with Baochan and saw from afar the female official, or one could also call her a female physician, being stopped in the front courtyard.
The Noble Consort kept a female official skilled in medicine by her side named Liu Qingxi. She was not old, in her early twenties, and the Palace Maids beside the Noble Consort all respectfully called her Aunt.
When Chu Yunfei saw this person, she understood the objective of her visit.
"The Princess Consort is here!" Baochan reminded her.
"Princess Consort." Nanny Xiong turned around and bowed to Chu Yunfei: "The Noble Consort sent Physician Liu over, saying it is to decoct medicine for the Prince."
The female official looked up at Chu Yunfei, expressionless, her eyes even revealing a bit of aloofness and arrogance.
"This servant, Liu Qingxi, pays respects to the Princess Consort." The female official curtsied, her movements standard, but there was not a trace of respect on her face: "This servant is acting on the Noble Consort's orders to come and decoct medicine for the Prince."
"Decoct medicine?" Chu Yunfei was slightly surprised, appearing puzzled: "There are plenty of servants in the Prince's Estate who can decoct medicine. How could I dare to trouble the Noble Consort to personally send someone over?"
Liu Qingxi lowered her eyes and said: "They do not understand pharmacology. The Noble Consort is worried and insisted that this servant come personally to keep watch."
"Is Your Ladyship worried that I will plot to harm the Prince?" Chu Yunfei frowned, revealing just the right amount of displeasure on her face: "Rong Cang was in the wrong first; I only went back to my Maternal home for a trip because I was angry for a moment. It was not that I deliberately wanted to harm him and make him suffer this beating from the Emperor. I... I thought the Emperor would at most reprimand him..."
By the end, her Tone of Voice was uncontrollably tinged with a bit of a guilty conscience.
"The Noble Consort does not blame the Princess Consort." Liu Qingxi explained: "Your Ladyship is just too worried about the Prince, and this servant happens to understand pharmacology, so she let this servant come over to keep watch for a few days."
Chu Yunfei was silent for a moment: "Since that is the case, then I will trouble you, Aunt."
Liu Qingxi bowed: "I dare not, this servant is duty bound."
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