"Hmm." Xie Jingrun nodded. "If I'm not mistaken, it must have been the Empress's doing."
Emperor Zhaojing wasn't particularly surprised by this, but he still couldn't hide his anger, saying, "She failed to harm me last time, and this time she's turned on you. Her methods are so insidious. Fortunately, you're unharmed, but what about Rong Qingqing..."
"Your Majesty, Rong Qingqing was injured while saving me. She is now poisoned, and if we cannot find a cure within three days, she will die from the poison." Xie Jingrun frowned and told the truth.
Emperor Zhaojing was stunned upon hearing this. "What? You mean she was injured while saving you?"
“That’s right. If she hadn’t blocked the dart for me, I would be the one lying in bed right now.” Xie Jingrun’s hand, which was placed at his side, clenched quietly.
He will settle this score with Situ Jin, one by one.
Emperor Zhaojing was suddenly very grateful to Rong Qingqing for taking the dart for Xie Jingrun, and said with emotion, "Your little stepmother is truly wonderful. Here's what we'll do: if she can get through this, I will issue an edict to bestow upon her the title of Third-Rank Imperial Lady."
Upon hearing this, Xie Jingrun frowned, somewhat uneasy, and quickly tried to stop him, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I know Rong Qingqing well. She is not someone who craves fame and fortune, and she dislikes being in the limelight. If Your Majesty makes an exception for her, it would be counterproductive, inevitably attracting jealousy and suspicion from others. After all, she is still young, and it would not be a good thing for her to be given an official title." Moreover, Rong Qingqing saved him; wouldn't Your Majesty's sudden bestowal of such a title raise suspicions?
Emperor Zhaojing nodded. "You're right, it's indeed inappropriate. However, she is, after all, your father's widow. Although she's younger than you, she's of a higher generation. It's not proper for you to address her by her full name like that, is it?" As he spoke, he gave him a suspicious look. Something felt off. Thinking of something, he sighed and, thinking he understood, advised, "Did you have some unpleasantness in the past? But this time she risked her life to save you. Even the biggest grudges should be put aside, right? Don't bully her."
Xie Jingrun frowned slightly, but did not refute his words. Instead, he said, "Your Majesty's teachings will be followed. I will never bully her again."
Emperor Zhaojing pondered for a moment, then said, "I haven't even settled the score with Situ Jin for poisoning me last time, and she's already resorting to the same trick to harm you. Our lord..." He paused, glancing furtively at Xie Jingrun. Seeing that he didn't react, he breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he'd almost mistakenly said "the two of us." He coughed lightly and continued, "It's time for us, the emperor and his subject, to retaliate. Otherwise, that wretched woman will think we're easy to bully."
Xie Jingrun had actually noticed the words he had mentioned earlier, but he did not expose him. After listening to his words, he took out a paper package from his pocket.
"The medicine I had Physician Lin examine last time has been found to contain a kind of slow-acting poison called Qingli. Once a person takes it, they will not die immediately, but the poison can seep into their blood. After a certain time, they will die suddenly, but there will be no outward signs of death. They will die from poisoning."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Zhaojing could no longer remain seated.
He already wished he could kill Situ Jin immediately, and after hearing about the vicious methods she used on him, he became even more resentful of her.
You despicable woman! What a vicious mind you have!
Emperor Zhaojing paced back and forth in anger.
Finally, as if remembering something, he looked at Xie Jingrun and asked, "Xingxiu, do you have a way to poison her discreetly and without her noticing?"
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