Chapter 195 Entrustment

After such an incident, few people were still in the mood. Before they even heard the results of the dragon boat race, the emperor and empress returned to the palace. The remaining guests looked at each other, unsure whether to stay or leave.

It was the Crown Prince who first stepped forward to calm everyone down, telling them to do as they pleased, and then he also left the table. Only then did everyone either leave or stay, and begin to entertain themselves.

As soon as the guest room door opened, before Qi Yuxuan could even lift her skirt and walk towards the door, she saw Qi Jun walking towards her from outside.

She smiled and asked, "Cousin, how is it?"

"An expected result."

"That's good. Where is my mother?"

As she spoke, she went to greet her. Perhaps because she had suffered a little earlier, the girl's fair face was pale and her lips were no longer as red and full as before.

Qi Jun frowned. "My aunt is being held up by several ladies, so she'll probably be here soon."

How are you?

"It's alright, I'm already a little full after drinking a whole bowl of eight-treasure sweet soup."

The riverside was open, and a gentle breeze blew in from somewhere, momentarily ruffling two stray strands of hair on Qi Yuxuan's forehead, which then fell onto her eyelashes.

Qi Yuxuan was still concerned about Prince Duan and Consort Gui. She wasn't satisfied with just hearing Sun Miao's brief remarks; she wanted to hear a more detailed conversation.

Just as she was about to ask another question, she saw the boy in front of her, his brows furrowed, raise his hand and carefully and meticulously brush away the hair that was blowing in the wind and obscuring her eyes.

“But you don’t look well. Just to be on the safe side, let Physician Zhang come and take a look.”

Qi Yuxuan was taken aback. She looked at Qi Jun and realized that his serious gaze was fixed on her lips. She vaguely understood what he meant by "not good".

She couldn't help but chuckle.

"I just wiped off my lip rouge while drinking sweet soup and didn't reapply it. But I rarely wear such bright colors, so it's normal for my cousin to misunderstand."

This time, it was Qi Jun's turn to be stunned.

He immediately turned his face away, somewhat awkwardly putting the hand that had been fixing her hair behind his back, unwilling to admit it.

"Yu Xuan?"

The princess's voice came from behind Qi Jun. Qi Yuxuan's eyes lit up, and she immediately bypassed him and ran to the princess's side.

"My son, are you feeling better? Is there anything still bothering you?"

"Imperial Physician Zhang, Imperial Physician Wei, quickly, treat the princess again!"

The princess stepped aside, revealing two imperial physicians behind her, panting heavily.

They stood panting with their hands on their hips, completely disregarding their image, inwardly groaning. Who knew that the princess, who looked like a bright and noble woman, walked with such vigor that they could barely keep up with her pace, even if they had to run.

Qi Yuxuan could only smile and sit down at an outdoor table and chairs, and said many words of comfort to the princess.

After calming themselves down, the two imperial physicians stepped forward one after the other to take Qi Yuxuan's pulse.

With the pulse finding to be fine, the princess finally felt relieved.

However, after the worry came overwhelming anger.

"Bang—"

The table was slammed down by the princess, and it wobbled precariously, almost falling apart.

Qi Jun and Qi Yuxuan exchanged a glance, and she had a strong feeling that she was about to be caught doing something bad behind her elders' backs.

Not telling the Eldest Princess was also for her own good. Qi Yuxuan, the Eldest Princess, and the guests were the victims in this matter, while the Crown Prince was a neutral party who was forced to be dragged into it, so that their next plan could proceed as much as possible.

Moreover, if the eldest princess knew, she would definitely rather be the bait herself than let Qi Yuxuan come.

Faced with the choice of persuading only the Crown Prince or both the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess, Qi Yuxuan chose the former without hesitation.

"Those treacherous officials are utterly audacious! They actually dared to poison someone at a palace banquet! Zou Yanran is also a fool! After being a concubine for so many years, she hasn't improved at all! And not a single member of the Zou family is of any use..."

The eldest princess vented her anger by giving the two younger children a good scolding, but when she turned around and saw them looking down at each other, she felt a little embarrassed.

"I spoke a bit harshly, were you scared?"

The two younger ones shook their heads repeatedly, much to the dismay of the two imperial physicians and several palace servants who were being ignored as if they were just background noise.

The nobles may have had a good time speaking, but what if the Imperial Concubine finds out about these words? Won't they lose their heads when they get back?

The eldest princess glanced at the crown prince, then looked at Qi Yuxuan, and said...

"Yu Xuan, you should go back and rest first. I have some things to discuss with the Crown Prince."

Qi Yuxuan nodded in understanding. Since the Crown Prince had successfully taken over the matter, the Princess was eager to find the real culprit and would definitely want to give him some guidance and attention. It was perfectly normal for her to want to have a private talk with the Crown Prince.

"Then I'll head back first. Mother, please remember to come back early too. I've heard that the martial arts in the West City include archery and polo. I'd like to go and take a look."

Hearing her coquettish tone, Qi Jun was somewhat taken aback.

Only at such times could he truly feel that Qi Yuxuan was only fourteen years old, that the loyal and righteous person who spoke eloquently in front of him was no longer there, and that she was still a child who would act coquettishly and foolishly towards her mother.

The princess affectionately patted her little face and smiled in agreement.

No matter how angry she was at the instigator, she wouldn't take it out on her family. Moreover, seeing Qi Yuxuan's obedient and gentle appearance now, even if she still had anger in her heart, it had subsided by more than half.

So this is what it feels like to have a daughter. She's a mother now!

Qi Yuxuan and her maid left unhurriedly, lifting their skirts. Only then did the princess withdraw her gaze and coldly glance at the two imperial physicians who were still trembling beside her.

"Thank you for your help, Your Majesty and the Empress have already returned to the palace and will need your care. Please return to the palace first."

Physician Wei and Physician Zhang repeatedly said they dared not, and with their medicine boxes in hand, they took their leave as fast as they could and fled.

The servants, at the princess's command, also stepped aside until they could no longer hear their mistress's voice clearly.

Qi Jun then realized that something was wrong.

If it was because of the medicinal wine incident today, why didn't my aunt tell everyone to back away when she was cursing earlier? Why are we now trying to avoid being seen?

His aunt didn't want to talk to him about thoroughly investigating the medicinal wine.

The princess's expression remained indifferent, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes.

She looked at Qi Jun quietly, pondered for a long time, and then slowly said:

"Jun'er, how do you think your aunt has treated you all these years?"

Qi Jun stood up and lifted his robe, about to kneel down.

What are you doing?

The eldest princess was startled and quickly helped the man up, determined not to let the crown prince kneel before her.

Qi Jun had no choice but to change his kneeling posture to a deep bow, and said solemnly, "Aunt, my life was saved by my uncle, and it also caused my uncle to die young... In this world, Aunt is the person I, Qi Jun, respect and am most grateful to."

The Crown Prince's usually straight back was now deeply bent. The Princess looked at him with complicated emotions, but she did not reach out to support him again. Instead, she turned her face to one side.

"Since that's the case, you should know that Yuxuan is my only hope. It's impossible for me, and it's impossible for His Majesty and the Empress to marry her to you."