Chapter 77 Chapter 77 He paused and she called him...
When Su Shang entered the hall, Shangguan Xu had already changed his clothes and sat down in the front hall.
Su Shang had just taken a few steps into the hall when he looked up and saw Xu Qing'an standing on one side of the hall. The two of them rolled their eyes without any concealment and glanced to the other side.
"I heard Xu Bai went to Shangguan Mansion just now?" After Su Shang finished his greetings, Shangguan Xu asked directly without waiting for him to speak, "Is it something important?"
Su Shang stood up and said, "I just heard about the letter from Jiangnan. I was shocked and wanted to go to his house to see Brother Mingyue and ask what happened. I happened to run into His Highness when I went there just now. I saw that His Highness was not feeling well, so I came to see if His Highness was feeling better."
"Much better. Xu Bai, don't worry." Shangguan Xu stared at him calmly, his expression unwavering. He didn't even register the concern shown to his longtime friend. Instead, he continued in a cold voice, "What did you ask?"
Su Shang was silent for a moment, then said, "He didn't mention much about the past, but only told me to take good care of His Highness in the future."
Shangguan Xu laughed a few times with ambiguous meanings.
"You all go out first." Shangguan Xu didn't say anything to anyone, but the other people in the hall knew who they were referring to.
The others naturally cooperated, but Xu Qing'an's gaze lingered on the two people who were talking for a few breaths.
His eyes darkened as he suddenly remembered something. He bowed and said, "Just now, when Your Majesty was changing, Ziyang mentioned Your Majesty's condition to me. Your Majesty is currently rather weak. Although she normally doesn't show any unusual symptoms, if she continues to take care of it, it may eventually damage her health. Therefore, Ziyang has devised a prescription to help Your Majesty recover. What do you think?"
After saying that, Xu Qing'an glanced at Xun Yang from the side.
Xun Yang immediately understood and bowed in response, "Oh, yes. I'm new to the palace and don't understand many of the rules yet. That's why I asked Lord Xu to mention this matter to ask Your Majesty's opinion."
Shangguan Xu didn't really care, but now she was anxious to talk to Su Shang alone, so she agreed: "Let's follow Doctor Xun's method."
Xun Yang also replied quickly: "Then I will go and get the herbs and boil them, and bring the first bowl of medicine in a moment."
Finally, everyone retreated temporarily.
Su Shang turned around and looked at the figure of the person leaving, and his heart inexplicably felt relieved. It turned out that there were some things that others could not hear.
He slowly turned his head.
"Did you know about what happened back then?"
Su Shang raised his eyes in surprise.
Shangguan Xu continued to stare at him calmly.
——
Xu Qing'an arrived outside the hall, but after he had been inside for a while, it began to rain outside. Although it was night and the raindrops could not be seen dancing in the air, the water droplets falling on the corridor near the hall in the light of the candlelight were clearly visible.
Xu Qing'an stretched out his hand.
The rain covered my palms and soaked my cuffs.
"Look at you. You just had to bring that up, and now I have to run back and forth in the rain for nothing." Xun Yang, who was standing with Xu Qing'an, looked around and saw that there was no one nearby, then spoke as if complaining.
Just now, Xu Qing'an mentioned to Shangguan Xu in the palace that Xun Yang's words about her being weak were actually made up by him, and he had not discussed it with Xun Yang before.
Xu Qing'an twisted the raindrops hitting his palm with his fingers, and only withdrew his hand after feeling enough.
He turned sideways and said to Xun Yang, "When Su Xubai went to Shangguan Mansion today, the first person he looked for was Shangguan Mingyue. So I think that Shangguan Mingyue and Su Wang are not the only ones who know that she was poisoned. Su Xubai may also know about it."
Xun Yang suddenly realized: "So what you just said was meant for Su Xubai to hear?"
Xu Qing'an looked at him and said, "Don't you say there are always better people than you? What if the poison Su Wang used is really the kind that can't be detected even after long-term use? Then don't we need to test it to see if the poison exists?"
Xun Yang raised his eyebrows. He was about to say that he was 90% sure that the poison didn't exist in the world, but what if it did? So he could test the 10% he wanted to.
Xu Qing'an asked again: "Are you sure there's nothing wrong with her body?"
Xun Yang said, "She's just a little weak, but she's been normal on special days lately, and it's inevitable that she'd be a little depressed after doing all these brain-wracking things with you all day." At this point, he suddenly perked up and hummed strangely, "You two are quite similar here, it seems like you all have a lot on your mind."
Xu Qing'an knew why she was upset, and said thoughtfully, "Then you should take good care of her."
Xun Yang tilted his head and said, "Okay, I'm just wondering what medicine to make for her. I'll go to the Imperial Hospital to get the medicine first."
Xun Yang opened an umbrella and walked into the rain.
Xu Qing'an also turned around and walked towards the door of Shangguan Xu's bedroom.
——
Inside the hall, after Shangguan Xu's words, the air in the entire hall seemed to stagnate for a moment.
Su Shang looked at her for a few breaths before he smiled and was about to reply, but she interrupted him: "You said you went to Shangguan Mansion tonight because you heard about what happened in Jiangnan and wanted to ask my brother in person what happened. But you know, based on my understanding of you, under normal circumstances, given the situation when you arrived at Shangguan Mansion tonight, your first thing would definitely not be to look for my brother."
When Su Shang arrived, Shangguan Xu had just fainted, and Xu Qing'an was guarding her at that time. If it were any other time, he would definitely fight with that man to escort her back, but he didn't tonight.
It means he has more important things to do.
Su Shang immediately realized his mistake.
Over the years, he never concealed his many actions towards her. Even though she avoided him more and more and deliberately kept her distance from him, his feelings never diminished in the slightest. Instead, because of those obsessions, those untouchable things, his feelings grew stronger and stronger.
Shangguan Xu asked again: "When did you know about this? And what role did you play?"
"You just have to believe that I was never involved."
"That means they knew it before it happened."
Su Shang's eyes were determined again.
Shangguan Xu smiled at him, but that smile was very indifferent. He didn't say whether he believed him or not. Even if he didn't, there was no anger or hatred in his heart for the fact that he had already known about that matter. Such an expression made him feel a fear of being completely abandoned and losing all his care.
"And how long before the incident? One day? Two days? Or even longer?" Shangguan Xu's eyes moistened slightly. "Did you go to see his body beforehand by the Qujiang Lake?"
Su Shang's eyes were filled with anxiety. He took another step forward and looked down at her, speaking rapidly: "I did know about it in advance, but I only found out by chance an incense stick's time before it happened. I also wanted to stop it, but it was too late. By then, you were already on board. I watched the boat tilt and watched you fall into the water. Everything happened too quickly. I could only quickly call the nearby imperial guards to rescue you, but..."
He lowered his eyes, full of regret: "But they only rescued you."
"As for his body... After the incident, I also questioned my father, but I was truly unable to stand up to him. Instead, he imprisoned me in his mansion. Later, in order to make me give up, he took me to the bank of Qujiang Lake..."
After saying that, Su Shang immediately raised his eyes again, his brows knitted nervously: "I didn't hide these from you on purpose, I was just worried about hurting you! Because my father, my father...he poisoned you!"
For a moment, Shangguan Xu was confused.
Su Shang continued, "At that time, something happened to the late emperor. Xue Hong was worried that you would eventually discover the truth, so he told my father to eliminate you as well. Although I tried every possible means to get my father to promise not to kill you, Xue Hong still refused to give up. As a last resort, my father had no choice but to poison you and regularly give you the antidote to control you."
Shangguan Xu: "But I didn't know I was poisoned. If you want to control me, shouldn't you let me know about this?"
Su Shang whispered, "Because they want to restrain Brother Mingyue."
Everything is connected.
Shangguan Xu was silent for a moment before asking, "So, my brother used my seal to cooperate with you and get the Jiangnan noble families to join you because he knew I was poisoned. If he hadn't done so, you wouldn't have given me the antidote regularly."
Su Shang hesitated for a moment, his eyes calmed down, and he replied, "That's about right."
Shangguan Xu smiled in confusion. She turned around and asked him, "So, are you here tonight to bring me the antidote?"
Su Shang stared at her and said, "Brother Mingyue brings you the antidote every month. You have already taken it this month."
"Using me to contain my brother, and then using my brother to contain me," Shangguan Xu sneered, "How amazing, how thoughtful."
"Don't worry. I'll get the poison recipe from my father and make you an antidote after a while. Just don't get into any more conflicts with him during this time, okay?" Su Shang pleaded. "And Brother Mingyue, think about him too. You two are each other's only family."
Shangguan Xu smiled bitterly: "Okay, I'll listen to you. Please help me take good care of my brother."
Su Shang nodded with satisfaction.
——
When Su Shang opened the palace door and came out, he ran into Xu Qing'an who was standing outside the palace.
His face darkened instantly: "When did you get here?"
Xu Qing'an smiled, and said everything as if it were normal: "It was here before Lord Su said you called the imperial guards to rescue the queen."
Su Shang was indifferent to his smile: "So you heard the rest of the words too?"
"Of course." Xu Qing'an lowered his eyes for a moment, then raised them again, meeting the gaze of the person in front of him. "No wonder Ziyang just said that the queen was not in good health. It turns out that the queen was poisoned several years ago."
Sushant: "That's why I say that you are of no benefit to her by her side. You will only harm her."
"But is Lord Su really saving her? Just because he gives her the antidote every month?" Xu Qing'an asked, his eyes filled with anger. "Does Lord Su understand pharmacology? Do you know how harmful long-term use of a drug can be? Do you know how weakened her body is now because of that drug? Do you know what Ziyang just said?"
"The so-called detoxification pill is nothing more than drinking poison to quench thirst!"
"He told me that the Empress's foundation has been damaged! Even if she nurses back to health, the weak parts of her body will only recover 50% of their original strength at best. Even her lifespan has been affected. Do you know what will happen to her? The poison has been coursing through her body for a long time, first damaging her lungs and then damaging her five senses. In the end, she will live a life worse than death! And all this is because of your medicine!"
"Impossible!" Su Shang denied it immediately.
There was a moment of silence.
Su Shang came back to his senses and said, "Back then, I begged my father for a long time, and he promised me that he would never use medicine that would harm a person's foundation."
"How do you know what he said is true?"
"Of course I believe my father."
Su Shang glared at Xu Qing'an again and said, "Look at you. You've caused her so much trouble. Her body only became weak after you showed up. We'll all settle this score together when the time comes."
"It's raining outside. Lord Su, do you want to go out of the palace in the rain?" Xu Qing'an suddenly asked when the man walked straight past him.
The person behind him stopped and said coldly: "No need, I brought an umbrella and took a carriage."
——
After Su Shang left, Xu Qing'an entered the bedroom again.
But this time he was not as calm as when he confronted Su Shang just now. He had to tell her first that she was not poisoned.
The moment Shangguan Xu saw him, he hurried towards him.
"My Lady, the poison in your body..."
"You go immediately..."
The two of them spoke at the same time and paused at the same time.
"What?" Shangguan Xu was the first to ask when he heard about the poison.
Xu Qing'an felt that this matter was urgent, so he said first: "You are not poisoned, Su Xubai lied to you."
Shangguan Xu was puzzled.
Xu Qing'an explained, "Zi Yang checked your pulse, and it shows no signs of poison. Furthermore, Su Xubai said you've been poisoned for several years. It would be extremely difficult to find a poison that could remain unnoticed for several years." Fearing she was still worried, he added, "And just now, outside the palace, I also tricked him. Judging from his behavior, he definitely didn't have anyone poison you."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Xu frowned slightly, but other than that he had no other reaction.
Xu Qing'an asked tentatively, "Is your Majesty still worried about something?"
"No." Shangguan Xu said softly, "I was just wondering, you brought Doctor Xun here not because you originally said that you asked him to take my pulse because I fainted, but to see if I was poisoned."
Xu Qing'an's eyelashes trembled. "Yes. I didn't tell Her Majesty at the time because I was afraid she would worry. But who knew he would tell you himself?"
Shangguan Xu suddenly laughed heartily. "Why should I worry about this? Do you think I'll become timid because of this? Hahaha, but even if I really am poisoned, what can I do?"
She suddenly put away her smile, her eyes gleaming with determination as she spoke, "As long as I can live, I will fight Su Wang. Furthermore, the situation is very favorable now, so how can I retreat? Even if the poison has penetrated my bones and I can no longer remove his disguise in front of the world, I will, at the last moment of my life, use the most primitive method to avenge him and take his life!"
"Even if there are regrets, it's better than letting him continue to stay in this world, wearing that person's skin and enjoying the honor that doesn't belong to him."
"Furthermore," Shangguan Xu continued, "I also want to thank Su Xubai for telling me about my poisoning. It was he who let me know that my brother had no involvement in the Shangsi Incident, not even the slightest bit. It was Su Xubai's words that made me realize how many loopholes there were in what my brother told me. Even if, as my brother said, he was dissatisfied with the reforms back then, he would never do anything to harm the master. He would only teach him earnestly or quietly correct the situation with his own efforts."
"As for what happened later... he did it all because of me..." Shangguan Xu sniffed, then raised his eyes and said with determination, "But he will certainly pay for those sins. However, I want to use him to calm Su Wang and Su Xubai first."
"Your Majesty, are you planning to take advantage of my strategy?"
"Yes, I will satisfy them and pretend to be someone who wants to survive. I will also let them think that the truth I believe is that my brother was also the mastermind of the incident, so I have no choice but to stop pursuing the matter. This way, I can lower their vigilance and then carry out my plan of sneaking into Chencang."
Xu Qing'an asked, "What did your Majesty like?"
Shangguan Xu pondered, "A relaxation of tension after such a tense situation will only lead to greater backlash and conflict. The next time we encounter them, it will be a battle of life and death." She raised her eyes and looked at him, her gaze deep. "The governor of the Shen Ce Army camp is returning to the capital to report on his work."
Xu Qing'an spoke clearly, "If we can get the Shen Ce Army, we will definitely win this battle." He promised, "Okay, I'll do it right away."
"Is there anything else you want to say to me?"
Xu Qing'an had just turned around when he suddenly remembered a sentence behind him that had little to do with the previous topic.
He paused and she called him.
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