Ye Qingcheng had been feeling dejected for several days. Just as she was recovering, Bi Xi came to report, "A concubine assigned to serve the Prince is staging a hunger strike to get him to visit her chambers!"
Ye Qingcheng paused her soup-drinking. "A hunger strike?" Was the food not tasty enough, or the soup not good? To be so willing to die for a man, she had lived in vain all these years. She should be remade!
Bi Xi refilled the Princess Consort's bowl of soup. "Princess Consort, should we intervene?"
Ye Qingcheng picked up a bowl of soup, blew on it, and drank. "No need to intervene. Someone else will handle it."
Bi Xi nodded thoughtfully. Then she couldn't help but sigh, "I truly don't know why she's making things difficult for herself and going on a hunger strike. I heard she hasn't eaten for several days."
Ye Qingcheng picked up a piece of vegetable. "Bi Xi, it seems that after staying in the Prince's manor for too long, you can no longer see the current situation clearly."
Seeing her confusion, Ye Qingcheng explained, "Look at me now, and then think about my past."
"Everyone in this residence has a sharp mind, and everyone is calculating. No one is inherently better than another, because no matter how capable one is, they can't outdo the Regent Prince's Prince.
"Anyone who gains the Prince's favor can remain here. How long has it been since Xiao Wangye visited her chambers?"
Bi Xi thought for a moment. "His Highness has never been to her chambers."
Ye Qingcheng's hand paused.
Bi Xi explained, "That woman was forced upon His Highness by the Prince's younger brother, Prince An. I heard that she had already been defiled by Prince An when she arrived. His Highness's brother is making a declaration to His Highness by sending over a girl who has already been defiled."
Ye Qingcheng put down her chopsticks. She was no longer enjoying the meal.
"Then I understand why that woman is on a hunger strike now."
She guessed that she had been warned by Xiao Wangyan. If she didn't come, she would have to die!
How ridiculous.
Ye Qingcheng wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. "I never intended to put Xiao Wangyan on the blacklist. He is, after all, the Prince's own brother, so I should at least show some consideration. It seems I still need to observe him carefully."
Bi Xi was a little confused. "Princess Consort, since you said that one must gain the Prince's favor to stay here, should we also take action and try to compete?"
Ye Qingcheng looked at Bi Xi. "Bi Xi, your Princess Consort doesn't need to compete for favor. I was married through proper channels, carried in an eight-bearer sedan chair into the Prince's manor. I still have some dignity, so you don't need to worry too much about me." Besides, she didn't intend to depend on a man for her entire life.
Ye Qingcheng would not get involved in this matter. She had originally thought Yu Jian would handle it, but after a few days, Bi Xi informed her that the concubine had been locked up in a remote courtyard.
When Ye Qingcheng heard this, she was in her room studying poisons. She paused.
"Yu Jian acted so decisively!"
Bi Xi shook her head. "It wasn't Aunt Yu Jian who did it, it was the Prince."
Ye Qingcheng turned to look at her. "You're saying Xiao Wangye did it?"
Bi Xi nodded. "Yes."
Ye Qingcheng thought for a moment. It was likely that she finally had an excuse to deal with her, after all, she was sent by Xiao Wangyan, and keeping her in the Prince's manor was quite insecure.
It was better to deal with a tumor early.
After dinner, Xiao Wangye continued his leg treatment. His leg was now responding very well to the silver needles, which was a good sign.
Ye Qingcheng put away the silver needles. "There's no rush. The recovery is very fast. In another month, the poison should be completely cleared."
Xiao Wangye nodded. "Thank you."
Ye Qingcheng chuckled. "This is the first time you've thanked me, but I'll reluctantly accept it and even give you a free pulse diagnosis! After all, your thanks are quite valuable."
Xiao Wangye smiled with a slight curve of his lips, in a good mood.
Ye Qingcheng's slender fingers rested on his wrist. Her initially happy mood gradually subsided, and she couldn't help but look at Xiao Wangye, then let out a mocking smile.
"It seems you have many enemies!"
Xiao Wangye frowned. "What is it?"
Ye Qingcheng sighed and shook her head. "Latent toxins. For example, your food might be poisoned, and the water you drink might also be poisoned. Chronic poisoning is latent poisoning."
Xiao Wangye lowered his eyes, remaining silent.
After a while, he said, "I understand. That's all for today. You should get some rest." With that, Lin Xiao pushed him out the door.
On the way, Xiao Wangye said in a deep voice, "Investigate the chef."
Lin Xiao understood. "Yes."
The next day, Lin Xiao found out the general details.
"Your Highness, the chef has a sister who works in the palace, in the Empress Dowager's chambers."
The Empress Dowager?
Xiao Wangye's mind conjured the image of that gentle yet strong woman, fierce as a mother.
He was certain in his heart. "It's not her."
Lin Xiao also nodded. "That's right. It's deliberately made to look like that palace maid is someone close to the Empress Dowager, but the Empress Dowager has no motive. She, a virtuous woman, understands that Your Highness is supporting her son, and the Emperor is still young, so His Highness must manage the overall situation. There's no reason for her to harm Your Highness now."
If she wanted to harm him, it would surely be after the Emperor grew up, to prevent the Emperor from abusing his power. Doing it now would be too early.
Lin Xiao understood this logic, and the Empress Dowager naturally understood it too, so there was only one reason.
"The Empress Dowager has become a scapegoat."
But who could it be? Lin Xiao couldn't figure it out.
Xiao Wangye reminded him, "If I were to confront the Empress Dowager directly, who would benefit the most?"
Lin Xiao thought it over and suddenly thought of someone.
"Prince An?"
Although Prince An was of the same father and mother as His Highness, His Highness had lived with his grandmother since childhood and didn't even know when his younger brother was born. When he returned to the capital at the age of eight, he stayed at home for only a few days before the Emperor summoned him to live in the palace. Naturally, his feelings towards his parents and brothers were not deep, but His Highness still showed some patience towards this younger brother. However, it was unknown how this younger brother viewed His Highness.
A few days ago, His Highness discovered that Prince An was secretly contacting court officials and bringing them under his wing. This was a grave offense. His Highness said nothing, only warned him to stop.
Now, he was even thinking of poisoning His Highness. If it weren't for the Princess Consort's medical skills, they might not have discovered it yet. Lin Xiao couldn't comment on Prince An, because the temptation of that position was something not everyone could resist.
One had to know that above the empire was power. The greater the power, the more one could have whatever one wanted. With a single word, one could even take a person's life.
The empire was so beautiful, and countless heroes had fallen for it!
Xiao Wangye no longer wished to dwell on fraternal affection. He said to Lin Xiao, "Keep an eye on him. I want to know his every move."
Lin Xiao received the order. "Yes."