As dawn broke, dappled light filtered through the exquisitely carved window lattices, casting shadows on the brocade carpet of the Qiwu Palace's sleeping quarters. Xiao Chengkang awoke with a start from a deep, exhausting sleep. The lingering effects of the medicine and the frenzied entanglement of the previous night left him with a splitting headache, his body feeling as if it had been crushed by a heavy hammer. He instinctively reached out to hug his side, only to touch a cool brocade quilt.

"Ah Yuan?... Ah Yuan?" he called out hoarsely, with a trace of lingering panic.

A faint sound of papers turning came from outside. Xiao Chengkang forced himself to sit up, put on his outer robe, and went in the direction of the sound.

A-Yuan sat alone at her desk by the window, the morning light outlining her slightly thin but upright back. Before her lay a stack of secret reports and several pages of confession—the very confession obtained from the Shadow Guard leader's interrogation of Lü Yi the previous night. A faint scent of ink and a lingering medicinal aroma seemed to still permeate the air.

Hearing footsteps, A-Yuan turned her head. There were obvious dark circles under her eyes, indicating that she hadn't slept all night, but her eyes were unusually clear and sharp, like a blade tempered with ice.

Upon seeing Xiao Chengkang, the icy coldness in her eyes melted instantly, replaced by heartache and concern. She immediately stood up to greet him: "Kangkang? You're awake? How are you feeling? Is there anything else that's bothering you?" She reached out to touch his forehead and then took his pulse.

"I'm fine." Xiao Chengkang grasped her slightly cool hand, his gaze falling on the desk. "Is this Lüyi's statement?"

“Hmm.” A-Yuan nodded, helping him sit down and handing him the statement, but her voice turned cold. “That woman, Lüyi, isn’t tough. After several attempts, she confessed everything. She said the mastermind behind all this is Lin! The tea she put in that cup of tea contained ‘Hehuan Zui,’ a secret palace drug with extremely potent effects. She just wanted to ruin you, and then make me watch… watch you… watch you and Lüyi…” A-Yuan’s voice choked, and a fire of anger ignited in her eyes again. Her fingers gripped the statement tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Xiao Chengkang quickly scanned the confession, which detailed how Empress Lin planned the scheme, how she ordered someone to imitate A Yuan's handwriting, how she poisoned the tea, and how she arranged for Lü Yi to seize the opportunity. Every word was venomous. He put down the confession, his eyes flashing with a cold light, like the undercurrents beneath a deep pool: "The Lin family... are they desperate?"

"She harmed my mother, hunted me down for years, and now she wants to destroy you!" A-Yuan bit her lip, her eyes filled with deep-seated hatred. "If I don't avenge this, I, Xi Lingyuan, swear I will not be human! Kang Kang, how about we... give her a taste of her own medicine? Let her experience the flavor of this 'Joyful Intoxication'!"

Xiao Chengkang looked at the vengeful flames burning in A Yuan's eyes and remained silent for a moment. He was not a soft-hearted person. The Lin family had tried to kill them time and time again. Although this plan was vicious, it was also using their own methods against them. He spoke slowly, his voice low: "It's feasible. But we must be careful. After being frightened like this, the Lin family will definitely be extra careful, especially regarding food. I'm afraid ordinary methods will not be effective."

Inside Kunning Palace, the atmosphere was oppressive, as calm as the stillness before a storm.

Empress Lin's face was ashen, her eyes dark with deep black circles. Even her exquisite makeup couldn't conceal the exhaustion and rage of a sleepless night. She stared intently at her trusted maid, Xiyu, who knelt trembling on the ground, her voice like a poisoned icicle: "Useless! A bunch of useless trash! You can't even handle this simple matter! Where is that bitch, Lüyi?"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" Xi Yu was terrified, her face pale, and she kowtowed repeatedly. "This servant...this servant didn't expect that Young Master Xiao to be so vigilant, and the people from Qiwu Palace to act so quickly..."

After speaking, Xi Yu lowered her head even further, her voice trembling, "Your Majesty... Lü Yi... Lü Yi was taken away by the Princess's people... I'm afraid... I'm afraid she's already..."

"Useless wretch!" Empress Lin slammed a priceless jade bowl to the ground! Emerald shards flew everywhere, mirroring her shattered sanity. "Xi Lingyuan! Xiao Chengkang! I'll make sure you suffer a fate worse than death!" Her chest heaved violently, her eyes flashing with madness. "Go! Bring me 'Hehuan Zui'! I refuse to believe I can't find an opportunity!"

Xi Yu looked up in alarm: "Your Majesty...you...you must do it yourself..."

"Shut up!" Empress Lin interrupted her sharply. "I know what I'm doing! Now go!"