111. The Empress Schemes Once More

Yuan Tianci was still unable to leave his bed. Upon seeing Le Qianxue arrive, he kept glaring at her.

Le Qianxue, however, remained indifferent. She reached out, took his hand, and began to check his pulse. Everything was in order, and his recovery was progressing remarkably well.

Seeing her remain silent, Yuan Tianci finally lost his patience. "You heartless woman," he said. "You haven't said a single word since you saw me."

Le Qianxue replied calmly, "What would you like me to say? 'I'm sorry'? 'My apologies'? There's no need for that, really. Your eyes have already glared me to death."

Yuan Tianci snorted. He sat up, and Le Qianxue, showing a bit of kindness, fetched a cushion for him to lean against.

"Because of you, I nearly lost my life," Yuan Tianci said, recalling the ordeal. "Oh, I truly dare not stay in the capital any longer. I must return to the Valley of the Medicine King immediately."

Le Qianxue did not try to persuade him to stay. She simply said, "That is probably for the best. You should return as soon as you can."

Seeing her unmoved, Yuan Tianci narrowed his eyes. "Are you coming back with me? My Valley of the Medicine King has every medicinal herb you could imagine."

Le Qianxue was always tempted by such an offer, but she could not leave at the moment. She shook her head gently. "If I were to go with you, I fear neither of us would make it to the valley. You should go alone. I still have matters to attend to here in the capital."

Yuan Tianci recalled their last encounter and had to agree; wherever Le Qianxue went, danger followed.

Just then, a maid arrived with medicine. Le Qianxue took the bowl and offered it to Yuan Tianci. He didn't move, clearly having no intention of holding the bowl himself.

Le Qianxue remarked, "You only sustained a chest injury, not paralysis in your hands."

Yuan Tianci huffed. "I am injured because of you. Do you begrudge me even the simple act of being fed medicine?"

"Men are so melodramatic," Le Qianxue muttered, though she did as he asked and fed him the medicine.

Yuan Tianci felt a surge of delight. It seemed his injury had a silver lining—being fed by Le Qianxue.

Le Qianxue’s expression remained flat, devoid of any tenderness. Seeing her tight-lipped demeanor, Yuan Tianci grumbled, "Why are you scowling? If you keep that up, I won't be able to swallow."

She pursed her lips and finally said, "Tianci, I truly am sorry. I never imagined I would drag you into this."

Yuan Tianci rolled his eyes dismissively. "It’s nothing. Although Zhan Lianjing hurt me, we must remember that he is poisoned with the 'Bone-Piercing Toxin' and has only a few years left. When he is gone, I will still be alive and well."

Le Qianxue smiled, though a touch of melancholy followed. It was true—Zhan Lianjing was destined for a short life.

Seeing her smile, Yuan Tianci asked, "And what of Qingqing? How do you intend to deal with her?"

"Qingqing?" Le Qianxue pondered. "With her injuries, she will likely need half a year to recover. What else could I do?"

Yuan Tianci frowned. "But Qingqing is one of Zhan Lianjing’s people. Are you just going to let her go?"

"She is his subordinate, that is true. However, even Zhan Lianjing was unwilling to save her, and I think Qingqing must have realized that by now. Zhan Lianjing is a cold-blooded man, but I am not. Since I saved her and she has never harmed me, why should I turn against her?" Le Qianxue said. "I am not like him."

Yuan Tianci nodded in agreement. "That is true. Zhan Lianjing is not a man to be trifled with. It is good that you have stopped while you are ahead. Even if he gets on his knees to beg you in the future, do not forgive him."

Le Qianxue couldn't help but laugh. "He is not that kind of person. If Zhan Lianjing were to kneel, the sun would rise in the west."

***

Thinking about it, Yuan Tianci sighed. Their sacrifices to help Yin Susu had been significant.

Because Yuan Tianci had brought up Qingqing, Le Qianxue went to check on her. Seeing that her recovery was mediocre, she left behind several medicinal pills and ointments. However, Qingqing was convinced that Le Qianxue had betrayed Zhan Lianjing and refused to accept her care, which was why her recovery was so slow.

"Le Qianxue, Prince Zhan treated you so well, yet you betrayed him. A woman like you..."

Qingyang, who was standing nearby, could no longer tolerate it. He interrupted, "Shut your mouth! What right do you have to insult the Young Miss? Your life was saved by her."

Qingqing sneered. "What does it matter if she saved me? Prince Zhan has lost his military power because of this, and I had intended to die to atone for my failure. Who asked her to save me?"

Le Qianxue was stunned. She had forgotten that those trained by Zhan Lianjing were loyal to the core and would never choose to live in shame. She sighed, "What is the use of dying to atone? It would be better to recover and help Prince Zhan later."

Unable to move, Qingqing glared at her. "Either kill me now, or I will certainly kill you in the future."

"You..." Qingyang was speechless. He hadn't expected someone raised by Zhan Lianjing to be like this.

Le Qianxue didn't care. "Suit yourself. But in your condition, it will take at least a year or two before you can even stand."

Qingqing was furious, but she knew Le Qianxue was speaking the truth. Le Qianxue eventually stopped bothering with her; she had saved her life, but what happened afterward was none of her concern.

With the Imperial Selection approaching, Le Qianxue felt a sense of urgency. The Emperor, fearing she would not look her best, sent her numerous jewels and garments. When Empress Yang learned of this, she was infuriated. It was clear to everyone that the aging Emperor favored Le Qianxue.

However, the selection of consorts for the princes followed the order of seniority, meaning Yu Guhan would choose first. Though he was somewhat cowardly, he was the eldest son, and the Emperor would never severely punish him regardless of his mistakes. Empress Yang was deeply troubled; she had only one son, and toppling Yu Guhan was no easy feat.

Yu Hanxiang suggested an idea: "Mother, Uncle will certainly support me. If we can win over a powerful minister, that will be enough."

Empress Yang pondered this. "Prince Mu and Prince Zhuang are both old foxes who support no one. As for that cripple, Prince Zhan, he is even worse—he seems to be harboring ambitions of his own. He is far too arrogant to rely on."

Yu Hanxiang said, "There is one other person."

Empress Yang looked at him, puzzled, but then realized who he meant. She frowned. "You mean Le Yongcheng? Yes, he holds military power, but he remains neutral. If you intend to use this selection to marry his daughter, you must first get past the Crown Prince. I suspect he is determined to choose Le Qianxue. If that happens, your efforts will be in vain."

Yu Hanxiang knew this, and he also knew Le Qianxue would be difficult to handle. To secure her, he would need another strategy. Furthermore, the Emperor’s fondness for her meant that if he could win her over, it would be highly advantageous. He was determined to have her.

He smiled slightly. "I will need your help with this, Mother."

Though Empress Yang did not particularly like Le Qianxue, she had no other choice; Yu Hanxiang’s future was paramount.

"What is your plan?" she asked.

Yu Hanxiang replied, "It is a simple one. Mother only needs to summon her to the palace."

Empress Yang didn't know what he was plotting, but seeing his confidence, she trusted him.

Two days before the selection, while Le Qianxue was busy, she received a summons from Empress Yang. Nothing good ever came of such summons, but Le Qianxue was accustomed to them. Still, she could not refuse an Empress. With Le Yongcheng away at the Western Mountain military camp, she would have to rely on herself.

Le Qianxue entered the palace. Empress Yang sat in her imperial robes, looking dignified, though a trace of malice lurked behind her expression. This time, she offered no mocking remarks, even ordering Nanny Zhang to bring out pastries and tea.

"Qianxue, I know the Emperor has gifted you many things, but I have prepared some jewelry for you as well. Do not be afraid to have too much; you must dress your best for the selection." Empress Yang gestured for Nanny Zhang to present the items.

Le Qianxue glanced at them. "Thank you, Empress."

Being gifted things for no reason meant there was a trap. Sure enough, when she went to take a sip of tea, she detected something strange. The scent was subtle, masked by the tea, but she noticed it nonetheless. Empress Yang and Yu Hanxiang clearly did not know she was the 'Ghost Doctor,' so using such a tactic was laughable.

Le Qianxue put down the cup and pretended to admire the jewelry. "These are beautiful. Empress, may I try them on now?"

A flicker of disdain crossed Empress Yang’s eyes. As expected, she was a girl from a common background, easily swayed by trinkets. And to be so lacking in manners in the Phoenix Palace... still, Empress Yang concealed her thoughts and smiled. "Of course. Someone, bring a mirror."

Le Qianxue kept examining the hairpins, seemingly entranced. Hidden nearby, Yu Hanxiang grew impatient—why hadn't she drunk the tea yet?

Le Qianxue was deliberately stalling. Deceiving her would not be so easy.

Just as she was about to make her move, someone burst into the room and grabbed her, causing her to drop the hairpin she was holding.

"Qianxue! You haven't eaten or drunk anything, have you?" The person was Yu Nanfeng, who looked at her with intense anxiety.