Long Junhao knew Lan’er wasn’t truly dead but had taken a drug to fake her death. However, seeing her pale, bluish face and her body without warmth made his heart tighten with cold fear—afraid that if Doctor Cheng’s medicine failed, he would truly lose her forever. He regretted using this method to lure the snake out of its hole.
Just then, Long Yun hurriedly walked in and whispered a few words in Long Junhao’s ear.
Long Junhao stood up suddenly. It was finally time to capture the culprit. He would not let them off easily. Coldly snorting, he led the way out, with Long Yun quickly following.
Everyone was confused—why did the Prince, who had just returned, rush out again?
In a remote corner of the imperial palace’s rear garden, a trembling little girl looked around, seemingly waiting for someone. Light footsteps approached, and a woman carrying a lantern walked over.
The lantern illuminated the girl, Qi Xi. Her fearful expression brightened upon seeing the newcomer, but the woman made a “shh” gesture.
“Follow me!” Qi Xi’s trembling body trailed behind her into the inner palace. Although the path was short, it felt like a point of no return, chills running through her heart. After several twists and turns, they arrived at a luxurious room filled with fragrance, with pink curtains hanging and a slender figure vaguely visible inside. A lazy voice emerged from within.
“Qixi, have you completed the task?”
“Reporting to my master, it is done,” Qixi answered timidly. If she hadn’t witnessed the woman’s merciless torture of her father, she would never have imagined such a beautiful woman could be so vicious. Now, every time she spoke to her, her heart raced, fearing that a single misstep would provoke a whipping.
The noblewoman behind the pink curtains, satisfied with Qixi’s response, instructed the maidservant holding the lantern.
“Xiaoqun, reward Qixi and have her drink the sugar water on the table. I’m tired, so be quick about it,” she said lazily before lying down.
“Here, Qixi, take this. It’s a special reward from the master,” Xiaoqun said, offering a glowing pearl necklace.
