Free Web NovelChapter 131: Chapter 131: Setting the Stage, an Unexpected Rescue
The first prescription was in her own handwriting, so comparing the penmanship would leave her no room for denial. But it was just an ordinary formula for conditioning the body.
The second prescription, however, was one she had prepared long ago—a copy generated directly from her system.
Since Princess Yong had gone back on her word first and was now trying to push all the blame onto her...
’Then why should I care about our brief acquaintance?’
Ji Qingwu raised her head and looked straight ahead, saying, "The meeting at Hanshan Temple that day was arranged because my elder sister, taking into account her close friendship with the Princess Consort, specifically asked me to go and provide a diagnosis. I only gave the Princess Consort one prescription for conditioning her body."
She emphatically stressed that she had given *only one*, then continued, "The Princess Consort has been unable to conceive for many years and is desperate for a child. It’s understandable that in her eagerness to bear a legitimate heir for the Prince’s Mansion, she might have become confused and used the wrong method. But why must you sling mud at me?"
As she spoke, the rims of her eyes reddened, and she pressed her lips together, as if desperately suppressing her grievances.
"Besides, regardless of where the prescription came from, you, Princess Consort, administered it to the Prince without consulting the physicians in your own mansion. The one who administered the medicine was you. If we’re to assign blame, isn’t yours the greatest?"
Her words were reasonable. Ultimately, Princess Yong was the one who had administered the medicine. The mistake was one she had made with her own hands.
No matter where the prescription came from, Tao Wanxin’s guilt was the greatest.
The Empress Dowager nodded thoughtfully.
Her gaze toward Princess Yong was now filled with deep displeasure. However, out of consideration for the child in her womb, she had no choice but to suppress her anger.
The Empress Dowager said placatingly, "From the looks of it, Qingwu also had good intentions."
’This niece of mine... aside from talking back to me last time, the fact that she saved Yuan Heng from drowning and Qingyun from falling off a cliff shows her character. She’s a good, kind-hearted child.’
At that moment, Yin Xiang, standing behind Tao Wanxin, lightly touched her elbow, reminding her of something.
Mistress and servant exchanged a look for a moment before Tao Wanxin turned back to the Empress Dowager.
"Mother, I was misled by Ji Qingwu! She bears a grudge against the Prince, so she wanted to use my hand to ensure he could never have children."
Ji Qingwu’s eyelashes fluttered a few times, tears already welling in her eyes.
"Prince Yong and I have no grievance between us. He is my own cousin. Why would I resent him? Why would I be so vicious toward him?"
Tao Wanxin said, "I once asked Xiao Ningzi, who serves the Prince. On the night of the incident at Yucui Building, when Ji Changyan was arrested, the Prince and Ji Qingwu were together."
Even the Empress Dowager was shocked to hear this. "Together? What do you mean by that?"
"It means—"
Ji Qingwu’s expression changed. She cut in sharply, "Princess Consort, you cannot make wild accusations about things you haven’t seen with your own eyes."
Tao Wanxin rested a hand on her belly. Looking at Ji Qingwu, who no longer appeared so delicate and weak, the gentle expression on her face twisted into one of contempt.
’After using the first prescription to restore her health, she had initially been grateful to the highly skilled Miss Ji Wu. But after a reminder from her maid, Yin Xiang, they noticed something strange.’
’Why would Ji Qingwu help her so earnestly?’
’Was it simply because she was Ji Qingrong’s close friend? Or was she trying to curry favor with her, the Princess Yong? How laughable. Her own situation in the Prince’s Mansion was precarious. Who would care about a Princess Consort who was one in name only?’
’Later, she bribed a servant boy close to the Prince and was shocked to learn that Ji Qingwu had spent the night with Prince Yong on a dragon boat...’
’She was just like all of Prince Yong’s other women! Ji Qingwu was just trying to use her, too.’
But Tao Wanxin used the second prescription anyway.
’Only by conceiving an heir could she change her circumstances. Even if she was at fault, Prince Yong and the Empress Dowager would be lenient for the sake of the child in her womb.’
’Once the baby was born, after ten months, she would be credited with bearing a child, and any mistake, no matter how great, would seem small.’
Tao Wanxin said calmly, "Every word I’ve said is true. If Mother doesn’t believe me, you can summon Xiao Ningzi for questioning. Or, if that’s not enough, you can ask the Prince himself."
The Empress Dowager’s face was grim, and she said nothing. Aunt Fanghua stood behind her, not daring to move or offer any more words of persuasion.
’A wave of anxiety washed over Ji Qingwu.’
’She hadn’t expected Tao Wanxin to have the means to investigate what happened that night. What would the Empress Dowager do now that she knew...?’
As tension mounted in the hall, a voice came from outside the doors.
"Mother!"
Hearing the call, the Empress Dowager looked over, her expression instantly softening.
Seeing the person dressed in peach-pink palace attire, Ji Qingwu grew even more anxious. It wasn’t the person she had hoped for.
’Last time, Princess Hua Chang had come to her rescue. This time, a troublemaker had arrived.’
The Empress Dowager sighed. "Qingyun, why have you come? Your knee is still injured. Why aren’t you resting obediently in bed instead of walking around?"
Princess Qingyun pushed aside the little eunuch who was trying to block her and walked in, complaining, "Mother, I heard something happened at Third Brother’s mansion, and I was anxious to see."
In truth, she had heard that Ji Qingwu had entered the palace, and she couldn’t bear to stay in bed, wanting to come and see for herself. But she was stopped at the door. Peeking from the side of the doorway, she listened to the conversation inside for a long time before learning about the incident at Prince Yong’s Mansion.
Ji Qingwu met the Princess’s gaze and saw her give a lively wink. freeweɓnovel.cøm
Princess Qingyun had indeed suffered quite a bit these past few days. Her face looked much thinner, and her lips were pale and bloodless, but her eyes were brighter than before.
’Ji Qingwu really couldn’t understand what this little princess was thinking. Why on earth was she winking at me like that?’
Princess Qingyun plopped down right next to Ji Qingwu.
She said nonchalantly, "Mother, I was just at the door and heard something about Fifth Cousin and Third Brother spending the night together. That’s just impossible."
The Empress Dowager asked, "And why is it impossible?" freewebnovёl.ƈom
Princess Qingyun replied, "Have you forgotten, Mother? Fifth Cousin used to have her eye on my Prince Consort. She’s still heartbroken. How could she possibly develop feelings for Third Brother now?"
"Isn’t that right, Fifth Cousin?" She winked at her again.
Ji Qingwu’s lips twitched into a strained smile. It was with great difficulty that she managed to say, "Yes... I suppose."
’Although she didn’t know why Princess Qingyun had suddenly appeared to speak on her behalf, she couldn’t bring herself to be happy about this particular method of rescue.’
’Li Chengxun and Prince Yong... Ji Qingwu felt the two of them were like...’
’One was a piece of candy stained with mud.’
’From a distance, it still gave off a sweet, alluring aroma, tempting people closer. But upon closer inspection, it had long been corroded by the filth of the world.’
’The other was simply a piece of candy made *from* mud.’
’It deceived the world by pretending to be candy, possessing only a handsome appearance and a distinguished family background. Gilded on the outside, but rotten on the inside—nothing but an empty shell.’
’She wanted nothing more to do with either of these men.’
But right now, there was no better way. She could only hope Princess Qingyun’s excuse would be enough to put this matter to rest.
The Empress Dowager was not swayed by Qingyun’s words. She pressed on, "Princess Consort, did this happen or not?"
Tao Wanxin had been hesitating about whether to reveal the details, but seeing the Empress Dowager’s displeased expression...
She said directly, "Mother, you can investigate this fully. I also heard from Xiao Ningzi that on that night, Ji Qingwu was drugged with a potent aphrodisiac. Ji Changyan personally delivered her to the Prince’s dragon boat. To save her life, the Prince... spent the night with her. Afterward, she was not given any official status, which is why she grew to resent the Prince."
The first part was what she had heard from the servant boy; the latter part was her own speculation.
