Before Qu Qingxi and Qingdai had even left the courtyard, they heard Imperial Physician Zhang say that the Crown Prince was worried about the Prince's health, so he had specially asked him to come and take a look.
Qu Qingxi sneered inwardly but said nothing. Qingdai, however, was very curious, "Your Highness, when did His Highness the Crown Prince become so concerned about the Prince?"
He Liufeng was only a year or two older than the Crown Prince, and they practically grew up together. However, compared to the Crown Prince, the Emperor loved his younger brother even more.
Moreover, He Liufeng was superior to the Crown Prince in every way. The Crown Prince did not like He Liufeng, so He Liufeng gradually distanced himself from the Crown Prince. Although their relationship was not exactly bitter, it was certainly not good.
Qingdai knew very well that the Crown Prince had done a lot of things behind the scenes to target the Prince, so when she heard that it was the Crown Prince who had summoned Imperial Physician Zhang, her first reaction was that the Crown Prince wanted to harm the Prince.
But then she realized that even if the Crown Prince wanted to harm the Prince, he wouldn't be so blatant, which is why Qingdai was even more confused.
"It's not the Crown Prince who cares about the Prince, but the Empress who does," Qu Qingxi said calmly.
"So it's the Empress! Ah? The Empress?" Qingdai stared at Qu Qingxi with wide eyes, as if she had heard some shocking news. Why would the Empress care about the Prince? Why would a sister-in-law care about her brother-in-law?
"Mm," Qu Qingxi replied.
After Physician Zhang left, He Liufeng made a special trip to find Qu Qingxi.
"Why did Her Majesty the Empress suddenly summon you today?" He Liufeng asked with a hint of doubt.
"Today, it's not just the Empress in Fengyi Palace; the Prime Minister's daughter, Qu Qingran, is also there. In short, the Empress wants me to be more attentive to you, to quickly take in a few more concubines, and to have more children to continue your lineage." Qu Qingxi raised an eyebrow and looked He Liufeng up and down.
"Did she really say that? Then what does that have to do with Qu Qingran?" He Liufeng felt a little strange being scrutinized by Qu Qingxi's gaze.
"I think the Empress's intention is to let you take more concubines first, and then after a while, she will use my inability to bear children as an excuse to make you divorce me and marry Qu Qingran. I know that Qu Qingran is extremely fond of you, and now that you have recovered a lot, she will naturally want to marry you and become the Princess Consort of Nanqing." Qu Qingxi's tone was slightly teasing.
"I understand about this matter, and I will go and tell my brother." He Liufeng ignored Qu Qingxi's teasing.
"Don't worry, just like we said before, once you've recovered, we'll get a divorce. I will absolutely not covet the title of Princess of Nanqing."
However, before that, you can take a concubine, but you cannot marry Qu Qingran, because I have a grudge against her and cannot bear to see her around under my nose. After our deal is completed, you can marry whomever you want.
Today's events served as a reminder to Qu Qingxi. He Liufeng is a prince, and he will certainly not have only one princess. Some things need to be explained in advance. Qu Qingxi dislikes trouble, but since she currently holds the title of Princess of Nanqing, she will inevitably face trouble because of this title.
It's better to explain it directly to He Liufeng, so that I don't have to deal with the issue of He Liufeng's concubine later.
"Oh, right, one more thing. Your body hasn't fully recovered yet, so I don't recommend having sex too frequently. Judging from your pulse, it should take about three more months for the remaining toxins in your body to be completely eliminated."
"As long as you take good care of yourself, you can take ten or eight concubines without any problem." Qu Qingxi assured her confidently, she had absolute confidence in her medical skills.
He Liufeng originally thought that Qu Qingxi would be jealous when she heard that the Empress wanted to take a concubine for him, but he did not expect Qu Qingxi to react so calmly. Her reaction told him that she did not care at all whether he would take a concubine or not. She only cared that he should not cause any trouble for Qu Qingxi during the period when the two of them were working together.
He Liufeng was very dissatisfied, but he couldn't say anything. After a long time, he finally managed to say, "I will not marry another woman or take a concubine before our cooperation ends. I will handle this matter properly."
He Liufeng left immediately after finishing his sentence.
Seeing He Liufeng's reaction, Qu Qingxi felt somewhat puzzled. She had been so generous in asking him to take a concubine, so why did he seem so unwilling? It was really strange.
However, Qu Qingxi had no intention of letting go of the matter of the Empress putting drugs in her tonics.
Although Qu Qingxi doesn't like children, no one can take away her right to be a mother. Qu Qingxi also cannot tolerate others stepping on her head, pointing fingers at her, or trying to arrange her life.
Recalling what happened at the Marquis of Dingguo's residence, Qu Qingxi narrowed her eyes slightly. What did it matter if it was the Emperor or the Empress? Since they had schemed against her, she might as well bear the consequences.
Meanwhile, after leaving the Prince's residence, Imperial Physician Zhang hurriedly entered the palace.
"Your Majesty the Empress."
"Imperial Physician Zhang, please rise." The Empress gave Yang Mama a wink, and Yang Mama immediately dismissed all the palace maids serving around her.
"Imperial Physician Zhang, how is the situation over there?" the Empress asked anxiously. Although she had already dismissed everyone, she refrained from uttering the word "Prince" to avoid being overheard.
"Your Majesty, this old minister requested to take his pulse, but was refused. He said that the divine physician had previously stated that during the period when the divine physician was treating him, no other physician was allowed to treat him again, including taking his pulse. At that time, his condition was urgent, so he agreed to this request. Therefore, this old minister was unable to take his pulse today and could not determine the extent of his physical condition."
Physician Zhang spoke helplessly, explaining that he had tried his best to explain, but the prince was still unwilling, and that he couldn't tell the specific situation just by looking at the prince's face.
"What? You mean you went for nothing today?" The Empress frowned deeply. What should she do?
Qu Qingxi spoke so earnestly today that she dared not gamble. If Qu Qingxi was lying, that would be fine, but what if Qu Qingxi was telling the truth and He Liufeng really ate those things? What would she do then?
"Your Majesty, this old minister is incompetent." Knowing that he had not done a good job today, and noticing the Empress's unpleasant expression, Imperial Physician Zhang was so frightened that he knelt down.
"Alright, you can go now. By the way, what did you say when he asked who asked you to go?"
"This old minister is referring to the Crown Prince, who summoned this old minister."
"Alright, you may leave." The Empress waved her hand. That was no longer important. What mattered now was finding out whether He Liufeng had been affected.
As night fell, the night was exceptionally dark. The Empress was preoccupied with her thoughts and couldn't fall asleep no matter what she did. It was only after Yang Mama lit some calming incense that the Empress finally drifted off to sleep.
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