Chapter 384: Qinghua Is Abducted
Qinghua wiped away her tears.
She picked up the medicine bowl, blew on it, and brought it to the Emperor's lips.
The Emperor's mouth slowly opened.
Just then.
A cold, sharp voice rang out.
"Stop!"
Yun Chu hurried in.
Yin Fei's expression changed, and she lifted the medicine bowl to pour it into the Emperor's mouth.
"Qinghua, stop Mother Consort!"
Yun Chu shouted loudly.
Qinghua, who was closest, instinctively blocked Yin Fei's movement—not because she trusted Yun Chu, but because she genuinely felt that Mother Consort seemed like a different person.
"Crash!"
The medicine bowl was knocked to the ground by Yun Chu.
At the same time, she stepped forward and forcefully struck Yin Fei's nape with her elbow. Yin Fei's eyes rolled back, and she collapsed limply to the floor.
Shu Fei covered her mouth in fright.
Qinghua stared wide-eyed: "Yun Chu! What are you doing?"
Yun Chu took a deep breath, bent down, and began cleaning up the shattered medicine bowl.
With the Emperor unconscious, no palace servants were allowed in or out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. They had to handle everything themselves.
The terrified Shu Fei didn't dare say a word and quickly came over to help lift Yin Fei and place her on a nearby chair.
Qinghua gritted her teeth: "Yun Chu, if you don't give me an explanation, I won't let this go!"
Yun Chu wiped the residual medicine from her hands and spoke calmly: "Who did you meet on your way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation?"
Qinghua found herself involuntarily following Yun Chu's lead and replied: "Princess Consort Zhuang."
"Just as I thought."
Yun Chu's eyes were filled with solemn killing intent.
Halfway to the imperial garden, led by the young eunuch, she had sensed something was wrong.
If this had happened half a year ago, if someone had told her that Yu Ge'er had gotten into a fight, she wouldn't have doubted it at all.
But ever since Chu Yi went off to war, Yu Ge'er had matured rapidly. Especially at a time like this, Yu Ge'er had already taken on the responsibilities of the legitimate heir. It was simply impossible for him to get into a fight in the palace and cause his mother to worry...
She quickly realized that someone was deliberately trying to lure her away.
So, she rushed straight to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and indeed saw Qinghua and Yin Fei standing by the Emperor's bed, about to administer medicine.
Feeding medicine to the Emperor had always been Shu Fei's duty.
For Yin Fei to intervene was abnormal in itself.
Fortunately, she had stopped it in time.
She was certain that this medicine would have revived the gu worm in the Emperor's body, rendering the seven doses of antidote previously administered completely useless.
Yun Chu walked over to Yin Fei, took out a porcelain bottle from her sleeve, retrieved a pill, and stuffed it into Yin Fei's mouth.
"What did you give my Mother Consort?"
Qinghua hurriedly tried to stop her.
Yun Chu explained calmly: "Princess Consort Zhuang implanted a sub-gu in Mother Consort."
She had been wondering who the third gu worm was in. It turned out that Chu Rui had kept the third sub-gu as a trump card, to be used only as a last resort.
The sub-gu could cloud a person's mind.
Even if Yin Fei wasn't that kind of person, the sub-gu would temporarily rob her of her senses.
After the antidote was administered, Yin Fei slowly regained consciousness. She rubbed her head, somewhat bewildered: "Why does the back of my neck hurt so much? What happened?"
Yun Chu calmly recounted the events.
Qinghua was completely stunned: "Sorcery? Sub-gu? Father Emperor's coma? Planned by Prince Zhuang? This...""Chu'er, it's fortunate you stopped me from administering the medicine, otherwise His Majesty would have suffered again." Yin Fei's expression darkened. "That Su Ziyue dares to scheme against me! Just wait and see how I deal with her!"
"Mother Consort is currently under the influence of the sub-gu," Yun Chu pressed her lips together. "We must first deceive Prince Zhuang, otherwise he'll cause more trouble. Once these two days pass and Father Emperor recovers, everything will be easier to handle."
Yin Fei nodded: "Very well, then I shall remain in the Hall of Mental Cultivation for now."
Qinghua pressed her hand against her forehead.
Having traveled a long and arduous journey, she was already exhausted. Now being bombarded with so much information at once, her mind felt ready to burst.
She gazed with deep concern at the Emperor lying on the dragon bed.
Despite all the commotion, her father showed no reaction at all, as if he were... dead.
Startled, she spoke up: "I shall also remain in the Hall of Mental Cultivation to attend to His Majesty."
"There's no need for so many people to attend to him," Yun Chu said. "Second Sister, you're tired. Please have your meal first, then wash up and rest. By the way, Shen Ge'er has been talking about you for a long time."
She had originally intended for Qinghua to stay at the former Prince of Pacifying the West Manor.
But that seemed impossible now.
Chu Rui would stop at nothing.
She feared Qinghua might also become one of Chu Rui's pawns.
It would be safer for her to stay within the palace.
She could only hope these two days would pass without major incident.
Qinghua indeed missed her son and followed Yun Chu to the Eastern Palace.
Palace servants brought forth the meal, covering the entire table with dishes. Meng Shen joined Qinghua for the meal while Yun Chu accompanied Jue Ge'er.
"Shen Ge'er, you needn't concern yourself with the turmoil in the court and harem. Focus on your studies," Qinghua advised. "The imperial examination is approaching. Though you're young, your talent is evident. You could attempt it this time. Your father has high hopes for you - you must prove yourself. Once you become an official, you'll be able to assist your uncle."
Meng Shen nodded: "Mother, rest assured. I understand everything."
After the meal, Qinghua was truly exhausted.
Naturally, she wouldn't stay in the Eastern Palace, but proceeded to Yin Fei's Everlasting Autumn Palace, where her pre-marital bedchamber remained.
The main hall of Everlasting Autumn Palace was occupied by Yin Fei, while one of the side halls served as Princess Qinghua's residence, attended by palace maids she was familiar with.
The maids drew hot water for her, adding calming herbs to the bathing tub. Qinghua removed her garments and settled into the tub, closing her eyes to rest.
After bathing, feeling completely relaxed, she draped an outer robe over herself and retired to the inner chamber to sleep.
Before drifting off, she thought to herself that after sufficient rest, she must still go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. For some reason, she felt deeply concerned about her father...
She didn't know how long she had been sleeping when she suddenly heard voices nearby - a man's voice.
"Princess Qinghua, wake up."
Her eyes snapped open.
Before her was a refined, scholarly face.
Her heart leaped in alarm: "Chu Rui!"
Looking up, she realized she was lying on the ground. Above her were dilapidated beams, with broken doors and windows surrounding her - she had no idea where this place was.
"Chu Rui! How dare you kidnap a princess of the Great Jin Dynasty! Have you no regard for your life!" Qinghua exclaimed angrily. "Though you have merit for saving the Emperor, ultimately you're nothing but the son of a former crown prince! Release me at once, and I may beg Father Emperor to spare your life!"
"Heh."
Chu Rui responded with a mocking smile.I had thought that after having Su Ziyue feed the sub-gu to Yin Fei, this sub-gu would surely exert tremendous effects.
Unexpectedly, the sub-gu was killed as soon as it found its host.
The sub-gu within him was growing weaker too, because—the main gu was dying, and the sub-gu wouldn't survive much longer either.
He had no choice.
He could only take a desperate risk.
"Princess Qinghua, the relationship between us isn't one of life-and-death opposition," Chu Rui said with a face full of smiles. "How about we cooperate instead?"
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