"I know, Servant." Liu Qingxi said with a pale face, nodding hurriedly, "I brewed the medicine and watched with my own eyes as Prince Zhan drank it."
Chu Yunfei, however, slowly shook her head: "You ran into trouble on the way here, and it is impossible for the Noble Consort not to know. Therefore, you need to tell the truth so as not to arouse her suspicion."
Liu Qingxi bit her lip: "I beg the Princess Consort to instruct me."
"You were late this morning, so the Prince's medicinal soup had already been taken in advance. The evening medicine was brewed by you personally, and you watched the Prince drink it with your own eyes," Chu Yunfei said indifferently, "Furthermore, all the necessary ingredients were added, and it did not arouse any suspicion."
Liu Qingxi was silent for a moment, then powerlessly agreed: "Yes, this servant will definitely follow the Princess Consort's instructions when reporting back."
"Besides that, you can also tell the Noble Consort that Rong Cang is already extremely weary of me, his wife, because after Chu Yun Jiao entered the Prince's Estate, I punished her by making her kneel in the outer courtyard, and in his anger, Rong Cang wants to divorce his wife again." Chu Yunfei’s lips curled into an upward arc, but the smile did not reach her eyes, "In short, you can describe our marital relationship as being as terrible as possible; the worse, the better."
Liu Qingxi was able to gain the Noble Consort's trust not only because of her good medical skills, but also because she was adept at observing expressions and had sharp thoughts.
Upon hearing these words from Chu Yunfei, she understood her objective in just a few sentences. Chu Yunfei wanted to confuse the Noble Consort to achieve her own objective.
However, what was her true objective?
As a Princess Consort with no power and no influence, could she defeat the Noble Consort?
As Liu Qingxi thought this to herself, she inevitably felt a bit of disdain, yet she dared not show any strange expression on her face, only obediently agreeing: "Yes."
"I can find out about the matters in Tongzhou, and I can also protect them, so I hope Miss Liu can be a bit more intelligent and not do things that seek your own death." Chu Yunfei warned for the last time, "If you accidentally displease the Noble Consort, it won't just be you who suffers; if the matter of Imperial Physician Liu divorcing his wife to remarry is exposed, the entire Liu family will suffer. Miss Liu, you know clearly in your heart which is more important."
Liu Qingxi was now both hateful and fearful of her. Hearing this, her heart sank, and she dared not go against her at all: "This servant understands, please rest assured, Princess Consort."
"Go out." Chu Yunfei said in a faint voice, "Let Nanny Xiong take you for a walk in the outer courtyard and do whatever. After Chu Yun Jiao is carried into the Prince's Estate, you can speak to her just as you did before."
"Yes."
"Do not let your father know about today's events for now. If he wants to commit murder to silence, then you will be adding crime upon crime, and even the gods will not be able to save you."
Liu Qingxi's hands and feet turned cold. Daring not to say another word, she bowed respectfully and took her leave.
Chu Yunfei sat in the chair without moving, remaining silent for a long time.
Behind the screen, Rong Cang stood quietly. Through the hollowed-out screen, he gazed at Chu Yunfei with deep eyes, his gaze holding indescribable emotional fluctuations.
Chang Qing stood by silently, looking at Chu Yunfei with obvious disbelief.
The Princess Consort had indeed been acting strange lately; it was as if she had suddenly become formidable. Not only did she know about Gu Poison, but she even knew about Imperial Physician Liu's private affairs so clearly.
It was truly baffling.
"The Prince can come out now." Chu Yunfei spoke, "If you have anything you want to say or ask, feel free to speak."
Rong Cang was silent for a moment before stepping out: "How did you know that Imperial Physician Liu divorced his wife to remarry?"
Chu Yunfei smiled faintly: "Perhaps this concubine has the ability to foresee the future."
Rong Cang was slightly silent: "And knowing that Liu Qingxi added ingredients to the medicinal soup, is that also foreseeing the future?"
"That is having a keen sense of smell and being observant of details." Chu Yunfei said in a calm tone, "There is no need to specifically send a medical woman to brew medicine, so I felt it was strange."
Rong Cang looked at her without saying a word.
Chu Yunfei turned her head to look at him, her eyebrows slightly raised: "Does the Prince have anything else to ask?"
"What do you intend to do with the Five Poisons that you had Chang Qing find?"
"To serve as a late-night snack for the Prince; it is nourishing, highly nourishing." Chu Yunfei smiled, "I heard it can make men have children."
Rong Cang’s lips tightened, and his complexion turned faintly green.
Chang Qing could not help but sigh. With the Prince's current inability to say anything back when blocked by the Princess Consort, he was truly not suited to divorce his wife.
"Princess Consort." Baochan stood outside the door and knocked lightly on the door, "The Prince's medicine is brewed. May this servant come in now?"
"Come in."
The conversation in the room ended. Rong Cang took the medicine handed to him by Baochan, his tone calm and deep: "How can this Prince be certain that you did not add other ingredients to this medicinal soup?"
Baochan’s face turned deathly pale, and with a thud, she knelt down: "This servant would not dare, this servant would never dare!"
The room became strangely quiet.
"The Prince can choose not to drink it." Chu Yunfei stood up, her voice calm and composed, "At least I will not send someone to specifically monitor you while you drink the medicine."
Rong Cang: "..."
Chu Yunfei walked outwards: "Today is the day the Prince takes a concubine. I will go and make arrangements. After the Prince finishes the medicine, return to Shuanghua Courtyard to rest well; do not disregard your own body."
Rong Cang stood outside the window, watching Chu Yunfei’s retreating figure. Thinking of her increasingly fierce and cold temper over the past two days, a faint, imperceptible arc crossed his lips.
"The Princess Consort is truly formidable." Chang Qing muttered to himself, his tone full of admiration, "Even the medical woman beside the Noble Consort is no opponent for her. It is truly impressive."
Rong Cang’s smile faded, and a chill flashed through his eyes.
His Imperial Concubine Mother had never liked him.
Although he had yet to find the reason, it did not prevent the feelings between mother and son from growing increasingly distant. He had gone to the Border Pass ten years ago and had not returned, all to stay away from the struggles of the Imperial Court and away from his mother's control.
He did not expect that she still had not given up, still attempting to control him through various means to make him work for Prince Chen.
Rong Cang looked down at his own hands.
These hands could hold the military power of four hundred thousand troops, protect the Border Pass as solid as gold, and make the enemy tremble with fear; therefore, he should also be able to control the Rivers and Mountains and the Altar of the Soil and Grain.
His little Princess Consort was right about one thing.
A woman divorced by the Imperial Family would live the rest of her life amidst rumors, be ridiculed and humiliated, and no man would dare to marry a woman divorced by the Imperial Family, nor would they overlook that she had been married and had a child.
Therefore, just letting her live was not the best choice.
Living in pain might not be as easy as dying.
Therefore, he not only wanted her to live, but he also wanted her to live with ease, freedom, and to follow her own heart.
"Chang Qing." Rong Cang turned his head, as if confirming something, "If this Prince does not divorce his wife, do you think she will tell me the use of the Five Poisons?"
Chang Qing let out an "ah" and immediately became excited: "The Prince has changed his idea? You are really not divorcing your wife? If the Princess Consort hears this news, she will definitely be very happy..."
Rong Cang looked at him expressionlessly.
Chang Qing coughed lightly, realizing he had lost his composure, and hurriedly restrained his excited expression, saying honestly: "The Princess Consort may not have calmed her anger yet, so this subordinate is not sure if she will be happy or unhappy when she hears this news."
Not calmed her anger?
Rong Cang was silent, thinking inexplicably of her remarks about making men have children; it certainly did not look like she had calmed her anger.
He also only learned today that his little Princess Consort had such a strong temper, completely different from the gentle and considerate appearance she had before.
However, this change was quite good; she was much brighter and more vivid than before, no longer so rigid, gentle, and submissive.
When she first married over, it was probably the difference in status that made her too cautious. He always felt she was overly respectful and gentle, but Rong Cang did not know how to advise her at the time, worrying that his tone would be too harsh and scare her, or cause her to have a misunderstanding.
So he just let her be.
But later...
Rong Cang lowered his eyes to hide the coldness in his gaze.
If only by breaking ties with the Palace could he protect her, perhaps he should try to persuade himself to make some changes.
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