Inside the carriage, Su Muxi looked at the jade pendant in her hand, repeatedly stroking the character "Xi" on it with her fingers, but surprisingly, she felt nothing.
She has worn this jade pendant since she was a child.
His father said it was given to him by his mother.
Only now does she realize which mother it is.
Although she had never met Yun Shi, Yun Shi was able to run out with her child right after giving birth, just to find a way for her child to survive.
She could feel this maternal love.
And she will also seek justice for her biological parents!
Although Qiao Ziming's injuries had not yet healed, he also set off on the journey.
There was nothing he could do; he had no one he could trust. Even the food his servant Awang gave him, he would check before eating.
He was afraid that someone might suddenly assassinate him and take his life.
Although he really wanted to go back to Beijing to confront Qiao Xiuyuan in person, he didn't know what to say when he saw Qiao Xiuyuan.
Because he discovered that apart from his status as the heir of the Marquis of Anyang, he had no other assets that could challenge Qiao Xiuyuan.
If he wants to live, he still needs to rely on Su Muxi, a woman!
Ironically, he once thought that giving Su Muxi the title of Crown Prince's wife was a great favor to her.
In retrospect, he was wrong from the very beginning.
He misjudged everyone, including his own father, Qiao Xiuyuan!
On the way back to the capital, Qiao Ziming thought a lot. The more he thought about it, the more he felt like a useless person, and the less he dared to face Su Muxi.
So Qiao Ziming didn't say a word to Su Muxi along the way, which made Su Muxi happy to have some peace and quiet.
Upon arriving in Anping County again, Magistrate Hu Zhi, still with his obese body, personally stood at the city gate to greet him.
"Your humble servant, Hu Zhi, the magistrate of Anping County, respectfully welcomes Princess Yong'an and the heir of the Marquis of Anyang!"
Su Muxi had absolutely no good impression of this county magistrate, Hu Zhi.
So he didn't waste any words with him, but simply waved his hand and headed straight for the post station.
Perhaps because Hu Zhi had prepared a table full of delicacies last time she came, which she hadn't used much, this time she opted for delicate and light side dishes.
Moreover, seeing that Qiao Ziming and she were not together, they had each prepared food separately.
He was indeed a thoughtful magistrate, but he misplaced his efforts.
If this technology could be used on ordinary people, their lives would surely be much better.
After the meal was served, Hu Zhi casually asked, "Why didn't that Young Master Xie, who traveled with the Princess and the Crown Prince last time, come back with us?"
Upon hearing this, Su Muxi raised an eyebrow. "What? Are Magistrate Hu and Young Master Xie quite familiar with each other?"
Hu Zhi smiled awkwardly, "How could I possibly be acquainted with Young Master Xie? I was just asking casually."
Watching Hu Zhi's departing figure, Su Muxi said to Mai Kun, "Have someone keep an eye on Hu Zhi."
She always felt that Hu Zhi was a bit strange, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was so strange about him.
After Su Muxi finished washing up, she was just about to lie down when Mai Kun came to report that there was some movement on Hu Zhi's side.
The closer they got to the capital, the more cautious Qiao Ziming became. He carefully inspected the food Hu Zhi brought, and only started eating after finding nothing unusual.
For some reason, Qiao Ziming was extremely thirsty after finishing his meal and kept asking for water.
At first, Qiao Ziming was attentive enough to check the tea that was served, but then he let his guard down and was poisoned.
To be precise, it's traditional Chinese medicine.
Qiao Ziming is currently suffering from intense heat all over his body. His wounds, which had just begun to heal, have reopened. If left untreated, something bad might happen.
"My subordinates had people keep an eye on Hu Zhi. Although we didn't see Hu Zhi put the drug in the tea, we did see him hiding in the shadows and watching Qiao Ziming's room."
As the magistrate of Anping County, when the heir of the Marquis of Anyang was in trouble, instead of looking for a doctor, he secretly observed from the shadows. It is highly likely that the medicine was administered by Hu Zhi!
They were about to enter the capital, so Su Muxi naturally couldn't let Qiao Ziming get into trouble.
"Let's go take a look."
As soon as I entered the courtyard where Qiao Ziming was, I saw Hu Zhi being escorted by guards.
"Are you working for the Marquis of Anyang, or for the Emperor?"
Su Muxi asked calmly. After seeing the fleeting look of surprise in Hu Zhi's eyes, Su Muxi couldn't help but wonder, could it be that Hu Zhi didn't administer the medicine?
Why did you drug the heir of the Marquis of Anyang?
This time, Hu Zhi reacted, kneeling on the ground and repeatedly pleading his innocence.
"I only came to investigate after hearing the commotion. Even if you gave me ten lives, I would never dare to drug the Crown Prince! I beg Your Highness to investigate thoroughly!"
Seeing that Hu Zhi was being stubborn and that she wouldn't get anything out of him in the short term, Su Muxi decided to go and check on Qiao Ziming first.
Unexpectedly, after taking only two steps, Hu Zhi spoke up: "Your Highness, have you forgotten how the Marquis of Anyang's family treated you?"
The Marquis of Anyang's heir is ungrateful, the Marquis of Anyang's wife is ruthless and vicious, and the Marquis of Anyang's daughter is wicked. Don't you really want to hold them accountable for the things they have done to you?
The reason why the Marquis of Anyang's heir is behaving this way is solely due to his lust and greed, and has nothing to do with the Princess. If the Princess wishes, I am willing to testify on this matter.
Upon hearing this, Su Muxi turned to look at Hu Zhi. Perhaps it was because of the dim lighting, but Hu Zhi no longer had the obsequious demeanor he had during the day.
However, this also proves that the drug Qiao Ziming was given was administered by Hu Zhi.
Strangely, judging from Hu Zhi's remarks, he had no ill intentions towards her; he was only targeting Qiao Ziming.
“Hu Zhi, even if I encounter injustice, I will seek justice fairly and squarely, not through such clumsy means. I will go and treat Qiao Ziming first. After I come out, I hope to hear your story.”
…
The medicine Hu Zhiwei administered to Qiao Ziming was extremely potent; acupuncture and medication alone were simply insufficient to suppress the restlessness within Qiao Ziming's body.
In the end, having no other choice, Su Muxi could only send someone to a brothel to find a famous courtesan to help Qiao Ziming with the antidote.
Qiao Ziming's face, though devoid of color, strangely had two sickly blushes. Looking at the prostitute Su Muxi had found for him, he gritted his teeth and said hatefully, "Su Muxi, you are humiliating me!"
At this moment, Qiao Ziming was tightly bound by Mai Kun, covered in sweat, and the blood flowing from the wound in his abdomen stained most of the bed red.
Although Su Muxi has temporarily stopped the bleeding, the wound will inevitably bleed again if the antidote is not available.
If this continues, there will only be one outcome for Qiao Ziming: he will bleed to death.
Su Muxi sneered, "Ha! You think having a courtesan detoxify you is an insult? Do you expect me to find you a beautiful young lady from a respectable family?"
Qiao Ziming, you need to realize one thing: you're already struggling to survive, so stop putting on airs like a prince!
And do you think you're any more noble than a courtesan?
In my opinion, courtesans are far more insightful than you. If you want to live, you'd better behave yourself, or the news back to the capital will be that the heir of the Marquis of Anyang, a lecherous man, died in Anping County!
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