"Ming Guang, go see what's wrong with my third brother," Qi Yu Ming said.
Ming Guang was startled. "Your Highness, do you suspect something has happened to the Third Prince?"
"I don't know, but I feel uneasy, as if something is about to happen."
Ming Guang left the room and finally returned after a while, his expression not too good as he approached Qi Yu Ming and said, "Your Highness, something has happened to the Third Prince."
Qi Yu Ming looked at Ming Guang and asked, "What happened?"
Ming Guang replied, "The Third Prince was attacked by assassins in the bamboo forest and is bleeding profusely from his wounds."
Upon hearing this, Qi Yu Ming said, "Didn't I tell you to simply prevent the Third Prince from going to the imperial palace? Why did you try to kill him?" Qi Yu Heng died in Xing Jiu Kingdom, and he couldn't escape responsibility. It could even lead to a war between Xing Jiu Kingdom and Qi Kingdom, which he did not want.
Who? Who could have done this?
"Your Highness, your subordinate did not issue such an order," Ming Guang said. He knew that the Second Prince had no intention of killing the Third Prince, and neither did the men he had dispatched.
"I know you, and you wouldn't dare change anything without my command."
"Your Highness is wise!" Ming Guang said.
"Ming Guang, go and investigate those people. Find out who instructed them to dare disregard my orders."
"Your Highness, you will be alone here. Your subordinate is worried!" Ming Guang said.
"No need to worry, I can protect myself. Hurry now!"
Ming Guang left.
Xue Xing Yue heard that Qi Yu Heng was injured and sent Ta Xue to visit. Ta Xue returned with important news: the peach blossom cakes might have been tampered with. She gave the peach blossom cakes to the imperial physician for examination. An hour later, the imperial physician gave his answer: there was arsenic in them.
Ta Xue was horrified, "Fortunately, His Majesty did not eat them, otherwise..." She could not bear to think of the consequences.
Xue Xing Yue stood up and said, "I will go to the posthouse to see the Third Prince."
Before she could finish, Wu Hen entered from outside. "Your Majesty, it has been investigated. The people who attacked the Third Prince are from Qi Kingdom."
Xue Xing Yue sneered, "What is this? A charade of self-inflicted injury?"
Wu Hen said, "It doesn't seem like it. The Third Prince is severely injured. If your servant had not arrived in time, I fear..."
Xue Xing Yue asked, "Was it the Second Prince who did this?"
Wu Hen shook his head, "Your servant does not know, but your servant has sent people to investigate. I believe they will have an answer by now."
As expected, the people sent by Wu Hen reported back. Wu Hen's expression turned cold, and he approached Xue Xing Yue, saying, "Your Majesty, it was men sent by the Second Prince."
Xue Xing Yue's expression was also grim. If Qi Yu Heng died in Xing Jiu Kingdom, it might not be a good thing for her. What did Qi Yu Ming want to do? To kill so brazenly?
"Wu Hen, come with me to the posthouse." Xue Xing Yue said and walked outside.
The carriage soon stopped outside the posthouse. Upon hearing that the Empress was coming, Qi Yu Ming knew that the Empress had likely uncovered the truth. He quickly left his room and went to greet the Empress.
Xue Xing Yue gave Qi Yu Ming no pleasantries, walking directly to her seat.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. May I know why Your Majesty has come here so late?"
Xue Xing Yue looked up at Qi Yu Ming and spoke coldly, "Qi Yu Heng was attacked. What are the Second Prince's thoughts on this?"
Qi Yu Ming understood that the Empress knew about the matter. He stepped forward and suddenly bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, although those men were mine, the order was not issued by me. Does Your Majesty believe me?"
"They are your men, and they do whatever you order. Is there any point in the Second Prince doing this?"
"Whether Your Majesty believes me or not, I will not admit to something I did not do," Qi Yu Ming looked up at Xue Xing Yue.
Wu Hen, standing nearby, said indignantly, "Your Highness, no one who hears your words just now would believe them."
Qi Yu Ming glanced at Wu Hen and said coldly, "You are not the Empress, and you cannot make decisions for the Empress."
"You..."
"Wu Hen..." Xue Xing Yue called out.
Wu Hen said, "Your Majesty, do not listen to the Second Prince's smooth talk. If not him, then who else?"
Previously, he had used the gardener to plot against His Majesty. Wu Hen felt that today's events were not out of the ordinary.
"Wu Hen, let's go." Xue Xing Yue stood up and walked outside.
Watching the Empress's retreating back, A Ling, standing beside him, asked, "Second Prince, do you think the Empress believed you?"
"Half-believing, half-doubting!" Qi Yu Ming replied.
A Ling was startled, "So that means Your Highness is safe now."
"Safe for the moment!" Qi Yu Ming breathed a sigh of relief. Xue Xing Yue arrived at Qi Yu Heng's room. After the imperial physician had examined Qi Yu Heng, he came to report to her.
"How is the Third Prince's injury?" Xue Xing Yue asked the imperial physician.
The imperial physician replied, "Fortunately, the Third Prince's injuries did not hit any vital points. Otherwise, this humble minister would be powerless."
"Use any medicinal herbs you need!" Xue Xing Yue instructed.
After the imperial physician left, Xue Xing Yue went to Qi Yu Heng's bedside. The man on the bed had a pale complexion, completely different from the person she had shared drinks with at Ming Yue Tower.
"Your Majesty, thank you!" A Da knelt and expressed his gratitude.
Xue Xing Yue said, "It is merely a small effort. Rest assured, Third Prince, I will certainly provide you with an explanation for this matter."
A Da nodded his thanks, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
As Xue Xing Yue reached the doorway, she suddenly asked, "Who told your Highness that I liked peach blossom cakes?"
A Da was startled, clearly not expecting the Empress to ask such a question. He did not answer for a long time.
Xue Xing Yue smiled faintly, "It seems I should have a good talk with the Third Prince when he wakes up."
Xue Xing Yue left, and A Da felt a sense of panic. Had he messed things up?
Qi Yu Heng, who had been unconscious for a day and a night, finally woke up. Seeing A Da beside him, he couldn't help but say, "A Da."
A Da was overjoyed to see his Highness awake, almost bursting into tears. "Your Highness, you are finally awake."