The Empress summoned Qu Qingxi today not to ask her to resign, but to first get her to explain why Liu Feng had taken a concubine. Then, by using the fact that Qu Qingxi couldn't have children, she would make her commit seven crimes and resign. After that, she would find an excuse to marry Qu Qingran off to him.
The tonic that the Empress sent last time was laced with a drug that makes it difficult for women to conceive, with the aim of preventing Qu Qingxi from having children.
Seeing that Qu Qingxi was playing games with her, the Empress was not annoyed. She asked with concern, "By the way, did you take the tonic I sent you last time? You look weak. If you don't take good care of yourself, it will be troublesome to have children in the future, won't it?"
"Qingxi thanks Your Majesty for your concern. The things Your Majesty sent last time were all of the best. I was thinking that the Prince's health had not fully recovered, so I asked the kitchen to stew some nourishing dishes for him every day."
Qu Qingxi was a highly skilled physician, so of course she knew what was in those tonics. She also knew that this was definitely the Emperor's idea, otherwise the Empress would have no reason to offend her. Didn't the Emperor dote on his younger brother? Then let him see whether his decision harmed Qu Qingxi or his younger brother.
Upon hearing this, the Empress's face turned deathly pale, and the teacup in her hand was smashed on the ground, spilling tea and tea leaves all over the floor, even staining her dress.
What? Qu Qingxi didn't eat those things, but instead stewed them for the Prince of Nanqing?
Those things were all laced with drugs. Although they were only drugs to make women infertile, they would inevitably have some effect on the prince's body. The empress was extremely panicked at this moment. She never expected that those tonics would end up being consumed by the prince.
If the Emperor knew about this, he would surely give me a severe scolding.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Qu Qingxi asked, feigning surprise as she looked at the Empress.
"It's nothing, the teacup in my hand is just a little hot," the Empress quickly concealed her panic and waved her hand.
Qu Qingran also looked at the Empress with confusion, wondering what was going on with her.
"Qingxi, those things were specially given to you by me to nourish your body. How could you let the Prince eat them?"
"Your Majesty, you don't know, although the Prince's health has improved somewhat, his vital essence has still been damaged. He not only needs to be well cared for, but also needs to eat more tonics so that his body can recover faster and better. I thought that the things Your Majesty sent over must be of the highest quality, and I couldn't bear to eat them myself, so I gave them all to the Prince."
Qu Qingxi seemed oblivious to the empress's anxious tone, appearing to be concerned for the prince, and even emphasized the word "all".
The Empress trembled instantly. He ate it all? How could the Empress not know how much the Emperor doted on this younger brother? If the Emperor knew that the Prince had eaten all those things, her favor would probably come to an end.
The Empress felt cold all over. She wanted to say something to blame Qu Qingxi, but what Qu Qingxi said made no mistake. She hoped that there was still hope for this matter and that those things would not have a significant impact on the Prince of Nanqing's health.
"What you say makes sense." The Empress could barely maintain her smile as she turned to Yang Mama beside her. "Yang Mama, go and prepare some more of the best tonics. Have the Princess take them back with her later so that the Prince can have a good restorative effect."
Aside from the Emperor and Empress, Yang Mama was one of only two people who knew about this matter. She was also pale-faced and quickly turned to leave.
Looking at the Empress's expression, Qu Qingran was puzzled, assuming that the Empress was worried about the health of the Prince of Nanqing, and did not think too much about it.
The Empress asked some more questions about He Liufeng's health, and after Yang Mama returned, she sent Qu Qingxi back home.
Watching Qu Qingxi leave, Qu Qingran was very unhappy. The Empress had promised her before, so why didn't she say anything?
"Your Majesty, Qingran..." Qu Qingran was about to say something when the Empress interrupted her directly, "Alright, I'm not feeling well. You may leave now. I know what I promised you before."
Seeing the Empress's impatient expression, Qu Qingran didn't dare to say anything more, assuming that Qu Qingxi had angered the Empress, and felt even more resentful towards Qu Qingxi.
After the two left, the Empress tremblingly spoke to Granny Yang, "Don't make this public for now. Arrange for Imperial Physician Zhang to go to the Prince's residence to see if the Prince has been affected by that thing."
Yang Mama nodded repeatedly, comforted the Empress, and then immediately turned and walked towards the Imperial Hospital.
Qu Qingxi was in a good mood throughout the journey. Qingdai was not allowed to enter Fengyi Palace and did not know what had happened inside. She thought that Qu Qingxi and the Empress were having a pleasant chat, especially since Yang Mama had sent out a lot of tonics.
Almost as soon as Qu Qingxi returned to the Prince's Mansion, she saw an old man hurriedly getting off a carriage.
Physician Zhang originally intended to take the pulse of Prince Nanqing and check his condition before Qu Qingxi returned to the mansion, and then leave. He did not expect Qu Qingxi's carriage to be so fast, and they happened to run into each other.
"Greetings, Your Highness." Imperial Physician Zhang had no choice but to bow to Qu Qingxi first.
"Who are you?" Qu Qingxi asked, puzzled, as she had never seen the person in front of her before.
"This old minister is a physician in the Imperial Medical Academy, named Zhang Ting."
"So it's Imperial Physician Zhang! Please, no need for formalities. May I ask what brings you here today, Imperial Physician Zhang?" Qu Qingxi guessed Imperial Physician Zhang's purpose. She had just mentioned the tonic, and now Imperial Physician Zhang had arrived. It seemed he wanted to check on the situation beforehand.
"Well, this old minister has always admired the Prince of Nanqing. I just happened to have some free time today, so I thought I'd come and see Your Highness," Physician Zhang casually offered an excuse.
"I see. However, His Highness has been staying in the mansion since the court session and won't go anywhere else, so there's no need for Physician Zhang to be in such a hurry." Qu Qingxi glanced at Physician Zhang, who was breathing heavily, with a half-smile and spoke warmly.
"Hehe." Imperial Physician Zhang just chuckled dryly, saying nothing, not knowing what to say. He couldn't very well say that he was sent by the Empress to check on the Prince's health.
“Since Imperial Physician Zhang admires His Highness so much, let’s go in together. His Highness should be in his study handling official business right now.” Qu Qingxi said, and then walked inside first.
Physician Zhang was very anxious, but he dared not cross Qu Qingxi's path. He could only force a smile while remaining anxious.
He Liufeng was initially delighted to see Qu Qingxi come to find him, but his smile faded slightly upon seeing Physician Zhang behind Qu Qingxi.
"Your Highness, Imperial Physician Zhang said he has admired you for a long time and came to see you today." Qu Qingxi smiled as she looked at Imperial Physician Zhang.
"This old minister greets Your Highness." Imperial Physician Zhang bowed to He Liufeng.
"Get up. What do you want with me?" He Liufeng sat down, his expression indifferent.
Imperial Physician Zhang turned to look at Qu Qingxi, seemingly wanting to say something but then hesitated. Seeing this, Qu Qingxi considerately said, "Your Highness, I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."
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