Chapter 177 He was faking it
"Imperial Physician Li has confirmed it," Shen Qingci's voice was calm and even, yet it resounded like thunder in the empty Taiji Hall, "What the Prince was poisoned with was not the Immortal-Slaying Powder at all. The so-called Immortal-Slaying Powder was nothing more than a decoy set up by Liu Wenyuan from beginning to end."
“However,” she slowly shook her head, a hint of just the right amount of helplessness and weariness flashing in her eyes, “Liu Wenyuan is cunning and treacherous. Even though I have exposed his conspiracy in public, he will never easily hand over the real antidote.”
"Even the Imperial Physician Li is unable to determine what kind of poison the Prince has been poisoned with. For now, I can only take the Prince back to the manor and find another renowned physician to find a way to detoxify him."
“But…” she changed the subject, her sharp gaze fixed on the man on the dragon throne whose expression was constantly shifting, “In order to prevent Liu Wenyuan from taking advantage of the prince’s poisoning and unconsciousness to stir up trouble in the court and disrupt the order of the government, I… have also poisoned him.”
“Now, Chu Jichen is poisoned and unconscious, and Liu Wenyuan is also in dire straits. Your Majesty,” a meaningful smile curved her lips, “now is the best time for you to assume personal rule, which you have been longing for.”
Emperor Yongming's breathing suddenly became rapid!
Shen Qingci seemed oblivious to the ecstasy in his eyes, and continued calmly, "Although Your Highness is nominally the Regent, and although I have only been married to him for a short time, I do know him quite well. He has no desire for the throne whatsoever."
"If Your Majesty can take this opportunity to manage the affairs of the court in an orderly manner, and let all the people of the world see your talent in governing the country, I believe that after the Prince wakes up, he will...willingly return power to you."
“However,” her voice suddenly turned cold, filled with a warning, “I also hope that Your Majesty can safeguard this great empire of the Chu family! After all, the Prince’s legs are crippled, and he cannot ascend the throne. Everything he has done is to assist you. But you… should also be on high alert against Liu Wenyuan!”
"Otherwise, if he gains power, His Majesty... might truly become a ruler who brings about the downfall of his country, a sinner for all time!"
After Shen Qingci finished speaking, she didn't look at him again and shouted loudly towards the outside of the hall, "Yuanbao! Convey my order! Withdraw all the guards protecting the Taiji Hall! Come with me... back to the manor! Protect the Prince!"
After saying that, she left without looking back, surrounded by a group of guards.
Emperor Yongming looked at the black-clad guards receding like a tide, and at the palace gates that had reopened for him, still somewhat incredulous.
He cautiously and tentatively stepped out of the Taiji Hall.
No one stopped them.
The warm sunlight shone on him, and he...was free!
"Your Majesty!" His personal attendant immediately rushed forward, weeping with joy, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! You...you have finally regained your freedom!"
Immediately, a sinister glint flashed in the eunuch's eyes. He leaned close to Emperor Yongming's ear and whispered, "Your Majesty, that traitor Chu Jichen has imprisoned you for many days, and now he is poisoned and unconscious. And Shen Qingci... it is because of her that you have suffered this humiliation! Should we... take this opportunity to avenge ourselves?"
"If His Majesty truly favors Shen Qingci, he could... take this opportunity to completely possess her! At that time, once the deed is done, even if Chu Jichen wakes up, he will have no choice but to swallow this bitter pill!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongming suddenly felt a chill run down his spine!
The image of Shen Qingci's cold, sharp eyes, seemingly able to see through everything, flashed through his mind instantly, and he quickly shook his head.
"Forget it! Forget it!" he said with lingering fear. "That woman Shen Qingci... is not someone to be trifled with! Today, the moment she entered the palace, she completely outmaneuvered that old fox Liu Wenyuan! I... I'd better not provoke her lightly!"
"Anyway, Chu Jichen is already poisoned. All we need to do is find a way... to make sure he never wakes up again, and that will be the end of it!"
...
Shen Qingci left the palace and boarded the carriage. At a glance, she saw the man who was placed on the soft couch, his eyes still closed and his face pale.
She stared at him quietly for a long, long time, and finally reached out her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly without her even realizing it, and carefully traced his incomparably handsome face.
Eyebrows, eyes, nose, lips...
The feel of a human skin mask is definitely not like that.
There was no disguise.
She slowly reached out and grasped his hand, which hung limply at his side, devoid of feeling. She carefully examined the still clearly visible, eerie black veins on the back of his hand, and even used the fingernail of her other hand to forcefully scrape along the black lines.
It's still there.
It wasn't drawn on.
She frowned, increasingly puzzled.
Just then, the palm of her hand, which he held in his, suddenly felt a very light, almost imperceptible scratching sensation!
Shen Qingci's movements suddenly froze!
She raised her head and stared intently at the "unconscious" man in front of her!
His long eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.
Those long eyelashes trembled very slightly, and then there was no other movement.
It was as if what had just happened was merely an illusion created by Shen Qingci's anxiety and distress.
But this sudden action was like a silent signal, instantly illuminating all the confusion in Shen Qingci's heart!
She understood.
She stared at Chu Jichen's still pale face for a long, long time. Finally, a helpless yet amusing smile slowly crept onto her tight lips.
It's fake.
This man was faking it from beginning to end.
In fact, this so-called extraordinary poison might actually be something he gave himself!
It's just a smokescreen that looks terrifying but actually... poses no real danger to life.
Having figured this out, Shen Qingci's heart, which had been hanging in suspense ever since she learned of his poisoning, finally settled back into place.
She let out a long sigh of relief.
Regardless of what Chu Jichen was planning or why he would use such a risky method to set things up,
Since he's going to put on this show, then she, as the princess, naturally... should accompany him well and make this grand performance a success.
...
The Regent's Palace was soon reached.
As soon as the carriage came to a stop, the knowing smile on Shen Qingci's face vanished instantly, replaced by a solemn, anxious, and lingering worry.
"Quickly! Someone come here!" She lifted the carriage curtain and urgently ordered the steward and servants who were already waiting outside, "His Highness...he's not doing well! Quickly! Carefully lift His Highness down, wheelchair and all! Take him back to the main courtyard immediately!"
Her voice carried just the right amount of trembling and sobbing.
Upon seeing this, the servants were all terrified and dared not be negligent in the slightest. They hurriedly and carefully lifted the still unconscious Chu Jichen off the carriage.
Upon returning to the main courtyard, Shen Qingci acted with even greater efficiency.
As soon as she entered, she immediately gave a stern order to Yuanbao and Yelan:
"From this moment forward, the two of you will personally lead the search of the main courtyard, inch by inch! I will not allow even the slightest hidden danger to remain!"
"The prince is currently unconscious, and there must be many people inside and outside the mansion who want to take advantage of his illness and kill him!"
"Investigate thoroughly!" Her voice suddenly turned stern, filled with an undeniable authority. "And immediately arrange for people to thoroughly clean up the entire Regent's Palace, inside and out!"
"You must ensure the absolute safety of the Prince!"
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