Aunt Hu remained expressionless and glanced at the emperor.

The emperor took several deep breaths nervously, barely suppressing his trembling, and said, "Princess Duanrong has been suffering from heart pain recently. Physician Xiao has just finished administering acupuncture, and I was just about to have someone escort her back to her residence to rest."

Gan Qiongying and Eunuch Li dared not take another step. She saw that the emperor's back was thin, yet he stood firmly in front of her.

"Such a thing has happened!" Aunt Hu was shocked and immediately rushed into the hall to Gan Qiongying, asking as she went, "Is the princess feeling any better now?"

Seeing this, the emperor stepped back, his gaze fixed on Aunt Hu. He raised his arm to shield Gan Qiongying, protecting her behind him as if playing a game of tag, and said in a lower voice, "No need for Aunt Hu to trouble herself!"

The emperor stared intently at Aunt Hu and said, "The imperial physician said she needs to rest quietly. The princess's carriage is already waiting."

Aunt Hu was stopped and paused. She looked up and smiled slightly. Only then did Gan Qiongying realize that when Aunt Hu smiled, most of the white in her eyes disappeared, which was quite terrifying.

She parted her thin lips slightly and uttered, "The Empress Dowager is already waiting."

Aunt Hu then turned her head slightly and instructed, "Summon the imperial physician to wait at Yinian Hall. If he is even a moment late, not only will he be punished, but everyone else will be punished as well. The princess's health is of utmost importance. Imperial Physician Xiao is still too inexperienced. Let Imperial Physician Fu, who takes the pulse of the Empress Dowager, examine the princess carefully."

These words, seemingly a threat to the imperial physician and appearing to be well-considered, were in fact a warning to the emperor and Gan Qiongying. This was not an invitation, but a coercion; it seemed that they had no choice but to attend this trap.

“Your Majesty, Princess,” Aunt Hu said with a smile, “please come in.”

The two rode together in a palanquin. The emperor's fists were clenched tightly the whole time, his face was tense, several beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his neck was stiff and straight.

Gan Qiongying reached for the emperor's hand, wanting to offer some words of comfort, but the emperor grasped it instead.

She noticed that the emperor's eyes were gazing into the distance, even appearing somewhat vacant. She squeezed his hand tightly a few times before the emperor finally looked up at her.

"Sister!" The Emperor suddenly snapped out of his daze, turned to look at her, his hands trembling as he grasped hers, shaking his head as he whispered, "You absolutely mustn't drink any soup later, not a single drop!"

Gan Qiongying was puzzled, but seeing the emperor's overreaction, she nodded seriously.

She knew the Empress Dowager was a ruthless character, always merciless, but what had she done to the Emperor that made him tremble with fear?

The emperor and Gan Qiongying were led into the Yinian Hall. The fresh fragrance of flowers filled their nostrils, but as they walked further in, a strong medicinal smell dispelled the freshness.

The parrot flew around in its cage, unable to break free. The Empress Dowager had her back to them, holding a thin silver stick in her hand, teasing the parrot. Some colorful feathers were scattered on the ground.

Just as the Emperor and Gan Qiongying were about to perform their rites, the Empress Dowager said without turning her head, "No need for that." Her voice was clear and even somewhat pleasant.

The two straightened up. Gan Qiongying looked up nonchalantly, then pinched her thigh to suppress her shock. She had imagined what the Empress Dowager would look like, but the person in front of her was clearly nothing like the Empress Dowager who had seized power and attempted to usurp the throne.

Who are you, little white flower?

The Empress Dowager is actually quite adorable?

She has a pair of round, bright, innocent eyes, thick, long black eyelashes, a delicate and small nose, looks young, and has a very likable face. Anyone who looks at her would think she is a kind and innocent person.

However, incongruous with the appearance of this little white flower, the Empress Dowager was dressed in a grand manner, with tassels hanging down on both sides. There was hardly a single strand of black hair on her head, as it was all covered with gold and gemstone colors. If there were any more hairpins, there would be nowhere to put them.

The dress was bright red, with a wide, floor-length skirt that was much larger than usual; there was enough fabric to make another summer outfit.

The Empress Dowager spoke gently, beckoning the two of them. She took one person's hand and led them to the table, saying, "Today is a family banquet, so there's no need to be so formal."

As she spoke, she sat in the middle, a smile always on her face.

Gan Qiongying couldn't reconcile the old witch in the story with the empress dowager in front of her, because the empress dowager's gentle tone made her unconsciously want to relax.

"Since your marriage, Duanrong has rarely come to the palace. I did not approve of your marriage either," the Empress Dowager said, holding Gan Qiongying's hand and patting it gently, her eyes full of concern. "But now that things have come to this, life must go on."

Gan Qiongying resisted the urge to pull her hand away, but she didn't even know how to position it. She tried her best to remain calm and said, "I was confused before, but now I think the Prince Consort is very good. We are now in perfect harmony."

The Empress Dowager paused slightly upon hearing this, then smiled and said, "Excellent. Excellent indeed..."

Then the Empress Dowager said some of the same old things, mostly about women's obedience to the three obediences and four virtues. Gan Qiongying agreed, but she suddenly noticed that the Empress Dowager's face seemed a little strange. Her makeup was exquisite but heavy, especially around the corners of her eyes, which looked like powder was about to fall off. To achieve such an effect, she wondered how many layers of makeup would be needed.

Before she could examine it closely, the maids entered one after another, and soon her eyes were filled with exquisite and delicious food, which masked the smell of medicine.

Gan Qiongying dared not touch her chopsticks; this was no different from the poisoned apple in Snow White's stepmother's hand—as visually appealing as its toxicity.

The banquet was filled with laughter and chatter, but it all came from the Empress Dowager. She acted like a kind elder, showing particular care and affection for the younger generation.

"Although Duanrong has married out, we are still family," the Empress Dowager said, placing some food on Gan Qiongying's plate with gentle eyes. "Come to the palace often in the future, and don't be distant."

"Although the palace is large, it is remote," the Empress Dowager leaned closer to Gan Qiongying, "Don't stay cooped up in the mansion during your free time, go out and about more."

The Empress Dowager seemed to suddenly remember something and smiled at her, "Next month, Princess Huian will be holding a summer hunt in the suburbs. Why don't you go and have some fun with me, Duanrong?"

Gan Qiongying forced a smile. The Empress Dowager glanced at the Emperor, who remained silent with his head down, and said, "His Majesty will also be going."

Before Gan Qiongying could answer, the Empress Dowager had already begun planning, "It is said that many famous flowers are also planted in the hunting grounds of the Grand Princess of Huian, which can be made into pastries. Some were sent to the palace last year, and they were very delicious."

It seemed that Gan Qiongying's attendance at the banquet was already a done deal. The Empress Dowager was still saying, "By the way, Duanrong can ride a horse. I'll make a few riding outfits for you to choose from."

Although Gan Qiongying was shocked by her appearance, she did not forget that in the story she was a scheming old witch.

I truly admire her acting skills, and her ability to use a gentle yet deadly approach.

Princess Duanrong fell off her horse and probably died. Otherwise, how could she have time-traveled?

Is this smiling tiger going to deliver riding gear to her, or is he going to send her to meet the King of Hell?

Looking at the delicate face before her, Gan Qiongying felt a little hesitant to step back. She noticed that the Empress Dowager's lips were covered with a thick layer of makeup, formed by constant smiling and pressure. Moreover, her smile seemed forced and insincere, making her appear out of place.

Her every move was like that of a puppet controlled by others, wrapped in gorgeous clothes, covered by an outer shell that did not belong to her.

Gan Qiongying went to see the emperor. The emperor, who had been silent all along, sat there with a pale face and his lips had lost their color. He was in even worse condition than he had been in the carriage earlier, and his eyes were staring blankly.

Gan Qiongying was pulled along and kept talking, but the emperor was completely ignored, as if he were invisible. She noticed that the emperor's gaze was always locked on a soup bowl on the table, and when she saw it clearly, the hair on the back of her neck suddenly stood on end.

"Don't drink the soup!"

Remembering the emperor's instructions, Gan Qiongying's eyelids twitched uncontrollably as she looked at the soup.

As if what she feared most had come to pass. The Empress Dowager stopped exchanging pleasantries, stood up, picked up a soup ladle, and slowly poured the brown soup into the jade bowl. The sound of the ladle hitting the porcelain bowl scraped against Gan Qiongying's heart.

At this moment, the Empress Dowager handed the bowl to the Emperor.

!

Gan Qiongying swallowed nervously, her back taut and she dared not relax even a little. The atmosphere was oppressive, and she was afraid that if she wasn't careful, her breathing would become disordered.

"This nourishing soup is specially prepared for the Emperor," the Empress Dowager said with a smile. "The Emperor has been quite tired lately, so he needs to be properly nourished."

The emperor trembled as he raised his hand to take it, his lips pressed tightly together, his gaze fixed on the jade bowl.

Gan Qiongying saw that his fingers were turning blue, indicating that he had used a lot of strength to barely hold the bowl. However, to her surprise, the emperor did not hesitate and put the bowl to his lips.

The Empress Dowager kept her eyes on the Emperor until she saw him swallow a few mouthfuls of food before turning to look at Gan Qiongying.

She smiled gently, her round eyes crinkling into a smile. "This nourishing soup is good for both men and women. You should try it too."

Before Gan Qiongying could react, a sudden "clang" rang out, and several drops of liquid splashed onto her face. She smelled a strong medicinal odor.

So that's what the medicinal smell was like when we first entered the hall!

The jade bowl overturned, and soup splashed, soaking the dragon pattern on his chest. The emperor trembled as he righted the bowl. The spilled soup dripped down the edge of the table and onto his dragon robe, but he paid no heed. He suddenly looked up at Gan Qiongying in despair, his bloodshot eyes almost bleeding.

"How old are you?" The Empress Dowager smiled calmly, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.

She rose again, took the jade bowl, and ladled soup while saying, "Don't spill it again." She placed the jade bowl in front of the emperor with both hands, her tone as gentle as ever, "Isn't this your favorite drink, Your Majesty?"

The emperor's clothes were soaked, and soup was spilled all over the floor, but none of the palace maids stepped forward. They remained silent, as if they were upright, lifeless objects.

The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor and asked gently, "Your Majesty looks so pale, why don't you drink some more?" She feigned concern and moved the bowl closer to him.

Gan Qiongying felt a chill run down her spine; it was too eerie, everything in the palace was too strange.

She could tell that there was something wrong with the soup!

Now people don't even bother to hide when they're drugging others?

Gan Qiongying felt as if a hundred jade bowls were clattering together in her mind. The Empress Dowager was still pressuring the Emperor to accept the bowl, and the Emperor actually accepted it again, resignedly bringing it to his lips once more.

Gan Qiongying was on the verge of tears. Even a fool could tell there was something fishy about the soup. Just as she was worrying about the emperor's situation, the empress dowager got up again to serve soup, and this bowl was placed in front of her.

Looking at the jade bowl so close to her and that seemingly harmless smiling face, Gan Qiongying heard the Empress Dowager speak as if it were an inescapable judgment.

"Duanrong, you should have a bowl too."

Gan Qiongying froze instantly, as if facing a formidable enemy.

How come she got a share?!

Is this old hag never going to stop?!