She looked around and then at her eyebrowless aunt.

Wu Mei nodded slightly to Gan Qiongying, indicating that the maids around them were all Princess Hui'an's people, and that she could speak freely.

So Gan Qiongying spoke frankly, revealing Duanrong's pain and helplessness, which she had been trying to hide, to the Grand Princess Hui'an.

She said exaggeratedly, "I don't like any Jin Chuan hostage. That bastard with eyes like frogs on his head doesn't deserve me! I just want to prevent him from being with Wen Xueling!"

Princess Hui'an was taken aback upon hearing this, and even Aunt Wu Mei paused for a moment.

Gan Qiongying crawled to the side of Grand Princess Huian, grabbed the princess's arm and said, "Aunt, please help me. I not only need to stir up trouble between Wen Xueling and that Jin Chuan hostage Zhongli Zhengzhen, but I also need to stir up trouble between Wen Xueling and the Regent, so that they don't collude to cause chaos in the court."

"The King of Jingxi sent his daughter to Yindu for a marriage alliance, which is clearly a wolf's ambition. Jinchuan sent a hostage, but then repeatedly sent people to Nanzhao in secret. His true intentions are obvious!"

“Jingxi is located right next to the border between Jinchuan and Nanzhao. Once the King of Jingxi joins forces with Jinchuan, it will be as easy as taking candy from a baby to send troops to Yindu via Heqing Mountain and Shuiniu River!”

"At that time, the world will be in chaos..."

Gan Qiongying held Princess Hui'an's hand tightly and poured out Princess Duanrong's true feelings: "Aunt, at that time, Gan Lin will be the first victim. How can I let Gan Lin be in danger?"

As Gan Qiongying spoke, her eyes reddened. The tears in her eyes were real, not faked; she genuinely felt sorry for Duanrong.

Duanrong was too foolish, bearing everything alone, trudging along, misunderstood by everyone, enduring endless curses and scorn.

But some things can clearly be said so frankly.

Gan Qiongying sniffled, tears streaming down her face, and looked at Princess Hui'an, saying, "I have long regretted what happened back then. For so many years, I have never dared to apologize to my aunt because I was afraid that my bad reputation would prevent her from enjoying her old age in peace."

“I’m not afraid of being scolded, nor am I afraid of being despised, nor am I afraid of becoming a laughing stock,” Gan Qiongying said, each word of which was Duan Rong’s true feelings.

She said, "But this time there's really no other way, Auntie."

Gan Qiongying hugged Princess Hui'an, sobbing uncontrollably, "That vile woman Kou Ning'an is giving Gan Lin a slow-acting poison!"

Princess Hui'an's hands, which were about to embrace Gan Qiongying, froze in mid-air. Upon hearing this, she looked utterly astonished and almost roared, "What did you say?!"

“Yes,” Gan Qiongying said, wiping away her tears. “Kou Ning’an gave Gan Lin a kind of medicine, ostensibly to nourish his body, called something like Yibu Tang, but it was actually poison.”

“Last time I went to the palace, she tried to force me to drink it, but Gan Lin snatched it from me and made me drink it. I fell ill on the way back to the palace, but Gan Lin insisted on driving me away and ordered me not to enter the palace without being summoned.”

“Gan Lin did not attend this birthday banquet. I was worried all night, fearing that Gan Lin had been poisoned by that bitch again and was now unable to leave the palace.”

“For so many years, Gan Lin and I have missed our aunt every moment. But he is in the highest position, yet he is like a puppet, manipulated and persecuted by others. I am shrouded in infamy, seemingly enjoying great success, but in reality, I am constantly hampered by others. We two…” Gan Qiongying said with tears in her eyes, “If we hadn’t been desperate, how could we have burdened our aunt? Our aunt also has a large family of relatives.”

"His Majesty did not come to celebrate his aunt's birthday in person this time. It must not have been his own intention. Rather, it was Kou Ning'an who forbade him to get close to his aunt, fearing that he would lose control once he had power and his aunt's help."

Gan Qiongying not only spoke Duanrong's mind, but also took the opportunity to clear Gan Lin's name as well. According to Duanrong's memories, the Emperor and the Grand Princess Huian were not very close over the years.

If they are to rely on Princess Hui'an for help in the future, they must have some reason to do so.

“Aunt, I’m trying to disrupt the alliance between Zhongli Zhengzhen and the King of Jingxi, but I’m too far away to reach them. The Regent is also interfering, so I can’t reach into the palace and can’t take care of Ganlin. He’s so pitiful that he was forced to take poison… I really have no other choice.”

This was indeed Gan Qiongying's truth. Princess Duanrong had been building her influence for many years, but she only had some power in various counties and prefectures of Nanzhao. Being close to the center of power, she couldn't get involved at all.

Empress Dowager Kou Ning'an's maternal family, the Kou clan, was deeply entrenched and held immense power in the court. With the assistance of her illegitimate son, the Regent Prince, the two colluded to control everything. During this time, Gan Qiongying was truly unable to help Gan Lin at all.

But she was worried about Gan Lin, so she had to find a way to get help from the Grand Princess Huian to ensure Gan Lin's safety, at least until she had arranged an escape route.

When Princess Hui'an heard the words "Yibu Tang" (益补汤), she was as if struck by lightning, her whole body trembling.

She suddenly thought of her younger brother, Emperor Huicheng, who died young... emaciated and dying. Among so many imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital, none could diagnose his illness. They only knew that when the emperor was ill, he was in unbearable pain and sometimes even rolled on the ground in agony.

When Emperor Huicheng married Kou Ning'an, he was devoted to loving and protecting her. The Kou family was a large clan and the best clan to assist the emperor.

Princess Hui'an had heard more than once that the Emperor and Empress were deeply in love, and that Kou Ning'an would personally wash her hands and cook soup for Emperor Huicheng.

Each time the emperor drank that soup, his pain would lessen.

That soup... I think it's also called "Nourishing Soup".

Princess Hui'an has now figured out the key to this matter, and she is absolutely heartbroken.

With trembling hands, she slammed her fist on the table, causing all the food on the low table to tumble down and spill onto the floor.

"Witch!" Princess Hui'an was a true lady of noble birth; even when she was furious, she would not utter any harsh words.

Unable to vent her anger, she turned purple with rage, and Gan Qiongying immediately stepped forward to soothe her.

He said to the eyebrowless aunt, "Quickly summon Physician Wu!"

Physician Wu had been by Princess Hui'an's side the whole time, and he arrived quickly and began administering acupuncture.

Princess Hui'an was not young and could not withstand such stimulation. To prevent her from having a headache due to excessive stimulation, Physician Wu used a few needles to make her faint.

After all, if Princess Hui'an were to faint at her birthday banquet, it would likely cause a sensation.

Moreover, Princess Hui'an is actually unharmed; she just needs to calm down for the time being.

The commotion did not alert the others in Haoyue Manor. Gan Qiongying, along with Aunt Wumei, quietly escorted Princess Hui'an back to her resting place.

“Princess, you don’t need to stay here. Physician Wu said that the Grand Princess will wake up tonight,” Aunt Wumei said gently to Gan Qiongying. “The Grand Princess will definitely summon you to see her then.”

Gan Qiongying nodded and said to her eyebrowless aunt, "Thank you for taking care of my aunt."

Then she came out of the courtyard and went straight to the platform.

She had just heard a sound; everyone from the hunt had returned.

Gan Qiongying had to rush to the next event!

Princess Hui'an's strong reaction to the mention of the nourishing soup must have been because she thought of Emperor Huicheng's death.

This was Gan Qiongying's purpose.

While the love and care of elders for younger generations is certainly reliable, Princess Duanrong's mother had long since died, and Princess Huian's impression of that younger sister had gradually faded into the past with the passage of time.

Gan Lin and Princess Hui'an have been estranged for many years. Although he is Emperor Huicheng's son, he is the least favored one, which adds another layer of distance between them.

The old friendship continued, which allowed Princess Hui'an to protect the two younger ones, but it was ultimately no match for the anger over the murder of her younger brother.

Only Gan Qiongying knows the truth of what happened back then, and everything Gan Qiongying says today is the truth.

She used this method to let Princess Hui'an know that from then on, Princess Hui'an would do her best to help her.

At least it can help her protect Gan Lin.

Gan Qiongying did not tell Princess Hui'an all the truth.

Gan Qiongying knew that Princess Hui'an, like Princess Duanrong herself, had grown up in this cannibalistic society and immersed in imperial power, and would never understand the act of giving up the throne and noble status to run away.

But that is the optimal solution.

Gan Lin was weak and incompetent, and was not fit to be an emperor at all. Gan Qiongying was greedy for money and comfort, and was also not fit to be a princess of the country.

She hadn't even had a chance to tell Gan Lin about these things, but Gan Qiongying was confident that Gan Lin would agree to go with her.

That child who once depended on Duanrong for survival in the deep palace has been trapped in the palace for so many years, like a canary trapped in a cage.

He must have longed to fly more than anyone else.

With the matter of Princess Hui'an temporarily settled, Gan Qiongying felt relieved and quickened her pace.

Princess Hui'an will immediately help her protect Gan Lin.

Tonight we will present a generous gift to the Grand Princess of Hui'an.

She would cherish her granddaughter Gan Huiyue, whom she loved like the apple of her eye, and not let her reputation be damaged by being engaged to a scoundrel and then having the engagement broken off, thus preventing her from living a miserable life.