Chapter 186 Let's play this to the end

Shen Qingci slowly shook her head at her, her face showing just the right amount of weariness and worry: "Still the same as before."

"The prince... was poisoned in the palace, under the watchful eyes of countless people. Although he has returned to his residence, he remains unconscious."

Her voice trembled with a helpless sob, "Although Physician Li is highly skilled, he can only temporarily seal his heart meridian with golden needles to stop the poison from spreading. As for waking him up... who knows when that will be?"

"This Regent's Palace may look peaceful now, but it's actually full of people and eyes, and who knows how many monsters and demons are hiding there. The Prince's condition has just stabilized, and I'm really afraid... afraid that he might fall into someone else's trap again."

She raised her hand and gently pressed her aching temples: "These past few days, I've been by his side, barely daring to close my eyes. My spirit... is really about to give out."

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Wanqing's eyes!

She quickly stepped forward, her face full of loyalty: "Your Highness! You still have me! I can help you! Let me go in and serve you. I will stay by Your Highness's side every step of the way and will never let anyone have the chance to harm him again!"

Shen Qingci looked at her anxious appearance and sneered inwardly, but a hint of interest appeared on her face.

She hesitated for a moment, and finally, slowly shook her head.

"No," she refused in a hoarse voice. "Since I have already given the order, I cannot make an exception for you just because you are one of my people. Otherwise... how will I be able to command respect in the household in the future?"

“Furthermore,” her eyes were filled with genuine worry, “what if… what if something really happens to the Prince again? How will you… prove your innocence?”

"Or... let me do it myself."

"His Highness is currently unconscious. All that is needed on a daily basis is to wipe his body and feed him some soup or rice porridge. I, the Princess Consort, do not wish to entrust these matters to others."

"Now that I have become the Regent's wife, I should... shoulder the responsibilities that belong to me."

Hearing her words, Wanqing could hardly hide the disappointment in her eyes.

Shen Qingci seemed to remember something and changed the subject: "However... there is indeed another important matter that I need you to handle."

"Please speak, Your Highness!" Wanqing immediately perked up!

Shen Qingci smiled, her voice full of calculation: "Imperial Physician Li said that his master, the reclusive physician in Medicine Valley, can definitely cure the Prince's poison. However, he is unwilling to leave Medicine Valley. Therefore, I, the Princess Consort, must take the Prince away from the capital to seek medical treatment as soon as possible."

“But the Liu family will definitely try every means to attack us on the way.”

"The prince is disabled and is currently unconscious. If he were to leave the mansion and the capital in a high-profile manner, he would be too conspicuous and would be nothing short of a sitting duck."

“Therefore,” her eyes gleamed with wisdom, “this princess plans to… divide our forces into two, or even three or four groups! In order to confuse Liu Wenyuan’s spies!”

"Your Highness is wise!" "Wanqing" quickly flattered, "This plan is brilliant!"

"The best way I can think of right now, and the one that can most easily deceive Liu Wenyuan, is..." Shen Qingci paused, then slowly uttered two words.

"Funeral procession".

"A funeral?"

“That’s right.” Shen Qingci nodded, her voice cold and resolute. “The prince is currently unconscious, no different from a dead man. Disguising him as a corpse, hiding him in a coffin, and having him escorted out of the city by a funeral procession is... the least likely way to arouse suspicion.”

"Go immediately and secretly investigate for me. See if any male in the capital with a similar build to the prince has recently passed away."

"We can find more."

"Then, we sent people to bribe his family with a large sum of money, and made them agree to let us... temporarily 'borrow' the body in the coffin."

"At that time, all we need to do is disguise the corpses in all the coffins as the prince."

“Choose one of the bodies, exchange identities with the prince, and disguise yourself as the unconscious prince. Then, have the guards of the prince’s mansion escort you out of the city under the pretense of protection.”

"As for me, I took the real prince and mingled in an inconspicuous funeral procession, leaving without anyone noticing!"

"The more bodies we find, the more funeral processions we have, the better."

"In this way, we can completely deceive Liu Wenyuan's spies, as well as... those enemies hiding even deeper!"

Upon hearing this flawless plan, a terrifying glint flashed in Wanqing's eyes!

She forcibly suppressed her overwhelming joy and repeatedly exclaimed, "Your Highness is truly exceptionally intelligent! This plan... is absolutely brilliant! This servant will go and carry it out immediately!"

Having said that, she said no more, accepted the order, and hurriedly withdrew.

As Shen Qingci watched her impatient departure, a cold smile slowly crept onto his lips.

Since they're going to play games with Shen Qingci, then... they might as well play to the very end!

This fake Wanqing must have thought that she was too exhausted to care about anything else because of Chu Jichen's poisoning, so she couldn't possibly have discovered that she was no longer the real Wanqing.

What she just said was indeed the best way for Chu Jichen to "escape unscathed" after he was poisoned and fell into a coma.

It's just a pity...

Chu Jichen was not actually poisoned.

And she had already seen through her disguise.

Once the fake "Wanqing" had completely disappeared into the distance, Shen Qingci turned around and, facing the empty corner, called out coldly, "Yuanbao."

Yuanbao's figure immediately appeared in front of her.

Shen Qingci handed him a pre-written secret letter: "Send this letter to the real Wanqing immediately."

As Shen Qingci watched Yuanbao's figure disappear beyond the courtyard wall, the corners of her lips slowly curved upwards.

Now, having this fake "Wanqing" by her side is just right, allowing the real Wanqing to completely escape and handle those... matters that are inconvenient for the Regent's Palace to handle outside the mansion.

After doing all this, she turned around and slowly walked back to her bedroom.

A sumptuous lunch had already been laid out on the low table inside the room. Chu Jichen was sitting at the table, eating his meal slowly and deliberately.

Upon seeing Shen Qingci enter, he raised his eyebrows slightly, and a playful smile instantly appeared in his deep phoenix eyes.

"Didn't the princess say she would take care of my food and drink?" He put down his jade chopsticks and said lazily, "Aren't you going to come... and feed me?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci glared at him irritably: "Your Highness has quite the wishful thinking. If you're perfectly capable, eat it yourself."

Chu Jichen deliberately let out a long sigh.

“Alas,” he said softly, “I am now actually hoping that I have truly been poisoned and fallen into a coma.”

“At least that way,” he said, his gaze fixed on her, his voice filled with endless grievance and hints, “you can still receive the princess's... meticulous, personal care.”

Looking at his expression, Shen Qingci felt both annoyed and amused.

She lifted her eyelids and teased him deliberately, "I can also take care of Your Highness personally, but not by feeding you."

She slowly stepped forward, bent down, and placed her hands on the armrests of his wheelchair, encircling him completely between herself and the wheelchair.

She leaned close to his ear, her breath sweet as orchids, her voice carrying a hint of seduction:

"Now, I have given a strict order that no servants are allowed to approach this main courtyard."

“Your Highness… your legs are weak, so private matters like bathing and washing yourself…” her fingertips gently traced his burning earlobe, “naturally, only… I can do it myself.”