She seemed to have something weighing on her mind.
Madam Liu found it strange. She had been so eager to return to the General's mansion, yet now that she had finally done so, the Old Madam didn't appear to be very happy.
She even seemed troubled.
Despite her doubts, Madam Liu only pondered for a moment. She then thought that the Old Madam must be worried about the eldest master and the others.
…
Two groups of people.
They headed separately for the Imperial Palace and the Prince Regent's mansion.
In the Imperial Palace, the Empress Dowager had already gone to sleep early.
Jiang Luoxi, suffering from the biting cold, could not fall asleep. Although she had taken medicine to dispel the cold, it seemed to have little effect. Wrapped in a thick quilt, she could only feel a faint warmth.
Despite the torment, Jiang Luoxi was not flustered at all.
She quietly waited for Zuo Yan's antidote.
Coincidentally, she heard a report.
She learned that Old Madam Yun had returned to the General's mansion.
"Does the Empress Dowager have any other instructions?" the messenger asked Jiang Luoxi.
Those who served the Empress Dowager knew that Jiang Luoxi had been the most trusted by the Empress Dowager in the past year or two. Any matters could be reported directly to Miss Jiang.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Luoxi lowered her eyes and remained silent for a moment.
She then asked unhurriedly, "Did Yun Dezhi and his wife not return to the General's mansion?"
"They were both directly refused entry. Only Old Madam Yun entered the General's mansion."
Jiang Luoxi gave a soft hum, followed by another brief silence. Then, she spoke, "You may leave the palace and monitor every move of the General's mansion."
"Yes."
After the messenger left, Jiang Luoxi couldn't help but shiver.
It felt even colder than before.
Thinking that her current suffering was orchestrated by Yun Shu, Jiang Luoxi held a black chess piece in her hand, gently fiddling with it.
She then murmured, "It seems I have encountered an opponent."
Several hours later, as dawn was about to break.
Jiang Luoxi, lost in the chill, fell asleep.
When she opened her eyes, she was awakened by a knock on the door.
"Miss Jiang, the antidote has been developed!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Luoxi was not surprised. She had unwavering faith in Zuo Yan's medical skills and said softly, "Come in directly."
Zuo Yan immediately pushed the door open and walked in.
He held the antidote he had just concocted.
His face was filled with joy, and his spirit was high.
He had never encountered anyone with such formidable poisoning skills, so much so that it had challenged him and taken him so long to develop an antidote.
He had failed many times in the process.
The moment Zuo Yan entered, Jiang Luoxi caught the strong scent of medicine.
"As expected, no poison can stump you," Jiang Luoxi praised.
Zuo Yan presented the antidote to Jiang Luoxi.
Jiang Luoxi took it and swallowed it directly.
Seeing Jiang Luoxi's trust in him, Zuo Yan suddenly felt as if he had been affirmed.
"Miss Jiang, aren't you going to have someone else test it first?" Zuo Yan asked disbelievingly.
Jiang Luoxi shook her head. "No need. I trust your medical skills. There should be no one in the world whose medical skills can compare to yours. If you cannot concoct an antidote, then no one else can."
Zuo Yan wanted to refute this, but he didn't know where to begin. He felt that if they were not in the palace but outside, he might not have been able to concoct the antidote.
Therefore, he truthfully said, "Yun Shu's medical skills may far surpass mine. This time was merely luck. Miss Jiang, Yun Shu is deeply hidden, and we must be extremely cautious and vigilant, never giving her another opportunity to poison you."
After taking the antidote, Jiang Luoxi already felt that the coldness in her body was not as intense. At the same time, her mind had become much clearer.
Listening to Zuo Yan's words, Jiang Luoxi's expression darkened again.
"I am mostly recovered. You may go and rest," Jiang Luoxi said with a low, deep voice.
Seeing that the antidote was effective and Jiang Luoxi was no longer shivering from the cold, Zuo Yan knew that the antidote he had developed was successful.
As Zuo Yan walked out, Jiang Luoxi raised her beautiful eyes.
A cold glint flashed within her beautiful eyes.
The coldness was tinged with a hint of murderous intent.
Such a terrifying gaze was something even the Empress Dowager and those who had been by Jiang Luoxi's side in the past two years had never witnessed.
In everyone's eyes, she had always been gentle and polite, even exuding a hint of fragility, appearing like a neglected daughter of a family who could easily be manipulated.
She got out of bed.
From day until now, she finally felt a genuine warmth in her body.
"No one has ever made me suffer such a great loss," Jiang Luoxi murmured, gazing at the scenery of the palace grounds outside the window.
Then, her eyes fixed on a streak of light on the distant horizon, and her lips curved slightly upwards. "It's almost dawn."
…
Before dawn.
Jing Heng suddenly noticed a furtive figure.
He leaped directly in front of the person.
The sword in his hand was drawn with a chilling sound.
He pointed his sword at the approaching person.
The deadly aura surged directly towards Lu Hao.
Lu Hao was so scared he was about to wet himself, his legs trembling. He was still recovering from his injuries! He suppressed the urge to scream, and in a trembling voice, he whispered, "Jing Heng, it's me, it's me!"
Jing Heng raised an eyebrow. "What are you sneaking around for?"
"I don't dare to come out when it's light. I heard Old Madam Yun has returned to the mansion, and I know she is at odds with my master. My presence here cannot be known. I just want to ask my master if I should go into hiding for a few days? Otherwise, if Old Madam Yun or someone by her side encounters me, will my whereabouts be exposed?" Lu Hao asked, worriedly.
He hadn't slept well since last night, fearing that his whereabouts would be discovered and the Prince Regent, that perverted madman, would find out.
Jing Heng's expression was impassive. He glanced at the sky. "I'll take you away first."
"Go? Where to?" Lu Hao was stunned. Master is always thinking of him. Jing Heng saying he would take him must have been instructed by his master!
Master is too good!
"Stop the nonsense. You'll know when we get there," Jing Heng said coldly.
Lu Hao immediately shut his mouth and followed Jing Heng out of the General's mansion.
Meanwhile, the sky was about to brighten.
In the General's mansion, all seemed quiet.
…
Night King's Mansion.
Before dawn, the Night King's Mansion was already bustling.
Steward Wang, having heard the news of the Prince and Second Miss Yun's betrothal, had been busy preparing betrothal gifts since last night.
Until morning, everyone in the mansion, from top to bottom, was busy.
While preparing the betrothal gifts, Steward Wang excitedly ordered another group of servants to clean the entire mansion.
Ensuring that every corner was spotless.
"Our Prince is getting engaged today! And soon, our mansion will have a Princess. This is a rare joyous occasion. Our Night King's Mansion must not lose face! Hurry, check the betrothal gift list and see if anything is missing! More is better than less! Do you hear me!" Steward Wang shouted to the servants.
Three little heads appeared nearby.