Zuo Yan's heart trembled.
What sharp eyes!
They seemed to see right through him.
Not even the Empress Dowager had given him such a jolt.
And a general's daughter, who supposedly studied medicine for a few years, could see through him?
Zuo Yan subtly glanced again at Jiang Luoxi, who stood quietly by the door.
Jiang Luoxi maintained her gentle and soft expression, saying nothing.
Even as Prince Ye and the others engaged in a verbal sparring match, she hadn't uttered a single word.
After taking Zhan Tianhong's pulse, Yun Shu found that he was not in serious danger.
His body had recovered well during this time. Even if there was an underlying issue, it was slowly being nursed. His current unconsciousness was due to a surge of anger and distress, causing him to faint in haste. He would wake up soon.
As for the medicine the Empress Dowager and her party intended to administer to Zhan Tianhong, she couldn't ascertain its exact nature yet.
However, one thing was certain: it was definitely not medicine to save Zhan Tianhong.
If she had arrived even a moment later, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
She glanced back at Zhan Tianye and nodded, reassuring him.
Zhan Tianye's thin lips seemed to curve upwards, softening his entire face. His gaze was filled with affection for Yun Shu.
To others, they appeared to be exchanging loving glances.
Jiang Luoxi's eyes darkened.
Zhan Ming let out a cold laugh.
"Mother, I truly don't know what to do. Why is the truth right before our eyes, and everyone believes me, yet Prince Ye doesn't." Geng Yufei cried pitifully to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager sighed softly. "Rest assured, with me here, no one will wrong you again! How can the Mother of a nation be easily slandered?"
Geng Yufei, having received the assurance, finally felt at ease.
Seeing this, Yun Shu first bent down to pick up the pill from the ground, looking at Geng Yufei nonchalantly. "When the Emperor ordered the convicted Empress to be sent to the imperial prison, the evidence was already conclusive."
"What do you know? Yun Shu, this is the palace. You are merely a general's daughter, yet you dare to question me?" Geng Yufei's anger and righteousness masked her guilt.
"The Emperor has not declared the former Empress innocent to the world," Yun Shu said with a light laugh.
Such an indifferent yet fatal remark shattered Geng Yufei's composure.
What they needed now was the Emperor's decree!
As a result, the arrival of Prince Ye and Yun Shu had ruined everything!
She hated Yun Shu and Prince Ye to death. If they hadn't appeared so suddenly, things would surely have concluded in her favor by now!
The Empress Dowager's expression darkened. "Evidence has proven the Empress innocent. What are Second Miss Yun's intentions in constantly questioning the Empress? This is not something Second Miss Yun can question."
"Yun Shu's doubts are reasonable and justified," Zhan Tianye interjected at the opportune moment, defending her.
The Empress Dowager felt immensely embarrassed. Frowning, she stared at Zhan Tianye. "Prince Ye believes it is reasonable and justified? Where is it reasonable and justified?! Second Miss Yun is utterly ill-mannered. Such ill manners make her entirely unsuitable to marry Prince Ye. I believe someone should properly teach Second Miss Yun some etiquette!"
"Mother, Miss Jiang has always been well-versed in etiquette. Why not let Miss Jiang teach Second Miss Yun some proper manners," Geng Yufei quickly suggested.
After this incident, she believed Jiang Luoxi possessed a sharp and cunning mind, capable of manipulating Yun Shu with ease and even stealing Prince Ye's heart. Then, how could Yun Shu dare to question her so defiantly in the future?
The Empress Dowager's eyes lit up. She finally felt Geng Yufei had shown some intelligence, knowing precisely how to strike back effectively.
"No need!" Zhan Tianye said coldly.
Yun Shu secretly smiled. Good, that saved her from speaking. Zhan Tianye's two words had silenced them.
She subtly toyed with the pill in her hand.
Zuo Yan had been staring at Yun Shu's hand. She was playing with his medicine!
The Empress Dowager's face became extremely displeased.
"Prince Ye truly protects Second Miss Yun so fiercely," Zhan Ming sneered.
With a glance, he signaled Zuo Yan to find an opportunity and quickly give the medicine to the Emperor.
But Zuo Yan didn't notice.
Yun Shu did!
A thought struck her, and she suddenly moved with ghost-like speed.
So fast that Zuo Yan had no time to perceive it.
Nor did he have time to refuse or resist.
The pill Yun Shu had been toying with was forced into Zuo Yan's mouth.
Zuo Yan's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Yun Shu, clutching his throat.
His face immediately turned extremely red.
The pill was stuck in his throat.
And it was rapidly dissolving.
He bent over, trying to spit out the medicine, but Yun Shu's move was too sudden. The pill fell into his throat, and due to its peculiar nature, it began to dissolve quickly.
Zuo Yan couldn't utter a word, only desperately trying various methods to expel it.
Geng Yufei noticed first and exclaimed in shock, "Yun Shu, what are you doing? What did you give the divine physician?!"
"What is happening?" the Empress Dowager asked in astonishment.
Jiang Luoxi suddenly looked at Zuo Yan.
"Presumptuous!" Zhan Ming lunged towards Yun Shu.
But Yun Shu had already retreated several steps to a safe distance.
Yun Shu, with her infuriating nonchalance, said slowly, "Isn't this the medicine the divine physician was going to give the Emperor? It's medicine to cure illness and save lives. Why are you so nervous?"
Hearing this, a smile flickered in Zhan Tianye's eyes. His gaze towards Yun Shu seemed to hold a light.
It was a light many desired but could never obtain.
"That is medicine to treat the Emperor, not for the divine physician to take! All medicine has some toxicity; if you harm the divine physician, I will absolutely not spare you!" The Empress Dowager's face changed drastically.
Zhan Ming felt as if he could kill Yun Shu at that very moment.
He hadn't even had time to stop her!
They watched Zuo Yan anxiously.
Zuo Yan's face was pale, and he kept retching, even trying to dig it out with his fingers, but after a long time, he still couldn't dislodge the pill.
Yun Shu looked at the Empress Dowager. "Your Majesty speaks correctly, all medicine has some toxicity. However, medicine for saving lives and curing illnesses will not be fatal, unless it is not medicine for saving lives and curing illnesses. Could it be that the medicine the divine physician intended for the Emperor was not for treating illnesses and saving lives?"
This question caused the faces of several people to change, their shock evident.
Even Jiang Luoxi's usually gentle expression showed a hint of hidden coldness.
"I... I'm fine." Zuo Yan breathed with some difficulty, his eyes fixed sinisterly on Yun Shu.
The taste of the pill in his throat grew stronger.
As his gaze became increasingly menacing.
Hearing Zuo Yan's words, the Empress Dowager and Zhan Ming visibly relaxed.
"Second Miss Yun, you have gone too far! You are utterly disrespectful! Her Majesty and I are right here, yet you dare treat the divine physician like this!" Geng Yufei couldn't hold back any longer and directly questioned Yun Shu.
Just then, Zhan Tianhong awoke, coughing violently.
"Cough, cough, cough... Bold and deserving of death, it is you!"