Chapter 194 Good Men
"Why does the princess ask about this? Is there something related to Prince Duan?"
Qu Qing's unnatural expression caught Qi Yuxuan's eye. She stared at him intently, afraid of missing any emotion.
However, he quickly adjusted his expression and returned to his previous calm and composed demeanor, as if his earlier breakdown was just an illusion.
Qi Yuxuan could tell; he knew, but he didn't want to say it.
Although they had only known each other for a short time, she discovered that Qu Qing was arrogant and conceited, not the gentle and unprincipled person he always was. If he was unwilling to talk, then no matter how much she talked, she couldn't continue the conversation.
That's true. There's plenty of time in the future; we can only wait and see if we'll have another chance to ask.
"Since Mr. Qu is unaware, then I will shamelessly ask for this pill today."
Qu Qing's chest relaxed slightly. "Princess, please do as you please."
Qi Yuxuan's gaze fell on his face, and she noticed something, causing her eyes to tremble slightly.
Qu Qing and Qu Sisi... are not similar, or rather, they have nothing in common at all.
Face shape, facial features... even body shape, unless Qu Sisi and her biological mother are cut from the same mold, but is there such a coincidence in the world?
A groundbreaking possibility popped into Qi Yuxuan's mind, and she was so startled that she almost blurted it out.
"I thought the princess had noticed me the moment she saw me."
Qu Qing touched her face. "Sisi is not my biological daughter. I only remembered this a few days ago, but I clearly remember that I should have a child about this age... or maybe the same age as the princess. I'm not sure."
“Sisi said that she has been dependent on me since she can remember. So many years have passed, and even though we are not biological father and daughter, I treat her as my own flesh and blood. So I have not been bothered by any vague blood ties.”
"As for those past events, perhaps it's better to forget them, so as not to be burdened by them and not know how to live in the present."
Qu Qing's words were so insightful, as if she were using them to convince herself.
“Mr. Qu, have you ever considered that perhaps I can help you?” Qi Yuxuan coaxed patiently. “You want to keep to yourself, but some people don’t. They stir up trouble and plot wicked things. Mr. Qu could have stepped forward to expose their true colors…”
Having said all that, both of them already knew the truth, and continuing would only expose the unspoken agreement. Qu Qing quickly interrupted her:
“I have no idea what the princess wants to do, nor can I do anything about it. Sisi is a good child. I just want to watch her grow up, marry a good husband, and live a happy life.”
"I'm sure the Princess's residence also has important matters to attend to. Princess, please return."
Qi Yuxuan moved her lips.
She wasn't sure why Qu Qing was unwilling to help deal with Prince Duan, but since he had already given her the order to leave, she could only swallow her words.
"If Sisi comes back, please apologize to her for me. I'll come visit her again when I have time."
"You're too kind, Princess."
Qi Yuxuan walked to the door, then turned around and looked at Qu Qing, who was sitting upright: "In any case, Mr. Qu helped us today, and we will definitely repay him handsomely in the future."
Qu Qing sat in the soft sunlight of the courtyard, her face radiating a sense of peace and compassion.
Qu Qing watched Qi Yuxuan's figure disappear at the entrance of the courtyard, and the footsteps in the alley gradually faded away. Only then did she reach out her hand, staring blankly at her calloused fingers.
He initially thought these were just hands skilled at playing the pipa, but deep in his memory, he was constantly reminded that they were also hands that had traversed through sword fights and bloodshed, stained with the lives of countless people.
Having obtained the elixir, Doctor Pei and Pei Xing'er analyzed its composition overnight. After two long nights, they finally understood that the elixir contained mercury and arsenic, and long-term use would definitely harm the body.
Qu Qing's weakened state was undoubtedly due to years of medication, leading to an accumulation of erysipelas. Even Doctor Pei could only barely save her life, but her legs...
Qi Yuxuan informed the Crown Prince about this matter, thinking that it would be at least after the Dragon Boat Festival banquet before the truth of Prince Duan could be revealed. However, the Qilin Guard, who had been keeping an eye on the Zou family, sent a message that the Zou family's wine shop had developed a new medicinal wine, which they planned to drink at the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.
No sooner had one wave subsided than another arose. Whether the Consort's maternal family, the Zou clan, were conspiring with Prince Duan against a powerful force, or whether she herself was foolish enough to be used as a tool for murder, she decided to expose the matter directly to the light of day.
The Crown Prince originally intended to use himself as bait, but Qi Yuxuan immediately shook her head in denial.
“My cousin is of noble status, and their medicinal wine is not very toxic. If we fabricate something out of nothing, it will only arouse suspicion.”
"And cousin, don't forget that you still have a poison in your body that hasn't been cured. If the two poisons clash, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Qi Jun is the crown prince, so there's no need for him to take such a risk. However, this matter hasn't been made public yet, and they don't trust anyone else. They might even make things worse by alerting the enemy.
"If my cousin trusts me, then let me give it a try."
"Firstly, my mother will definitely not let this go; secondly, the mother-child Gu in my body will make them hesitant to act against me."
Both of them were well aware of the princess's protective nature.
If Qi Yuxuan showed even the slightest discomfort at the banquet, she would definitely investigate the matter thoroughly, and even if the Emperor wanted to downplay the incident, it wouldn't work.
And the mother-child gu...
The Qi state now avoids Gu worms like the plague, so anyone who needs to be suppressed with mother-child Gu worms must be no ordinary person.
Qi Yuxuan wanted to let Prince Duan and the Imperial Concubine know that besides her public status as a princess and the favor of the eldest princess, she also had assassins protecting her in secret. If they really wanted to deal with her, they should be prepared to die rather than live in dishonor.
"That's not appropriate. I won't let a woman stand in my way. We can find another person..."
“Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. My cousin is the future ruler of Qi. I am currently enjoying the honor of a princess. Being loyal to the ruler and receiving his salary is nothing more than acting in a play. What is wrong with that?”
Qi Jun still couldn't agree, but Qi Yuxuan's reasons were so compelling that his worries were seen as timid and womanly.
"But you..."
"No buts, cousin, you don't believe me?"
"Do you still think that because I am a woman, I cannot share the burdens of the emperor, and can only be kept and entertained as a source of amusement?"
At this moment, Qi Jun suddenly felt powerless. This little girl was not even as tall as his shoulder, but her words were always incisive, leaving him speechless.
I believe you.
For the first time, Qi Jun did not refer to himself as "I" but as "I".
Meeting such a worthy man is the greatest fortune of Qi Jun's life. How could he dare to still put on airs as the crown prince or continue to preach as an empty elder brother?
The identity of the crown prince had confined Qi Jun for many years. From the time he could remember, everyone around him had been admonishing him to be a qualified crown prince.
He prided himself on being virtuous, capable of self-cultivation, and adept at managing his ministers and maintaining balance of power. Yet, no one had ever spoken to him with such sincerity.
Qi Yuxuan was the first one.
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