Su Xi-er grabbed the handkerchief tightly. For Tan Ge’s last wish to be to return this to her mother’s gravestone… she was lucky to have at least experienced such motherly love.
She watched as the uncontrollable flames eventually consumed the Imperial Princess’ palace. With water being such a precious commodity in the Western Region, Du Ling had ordered the soldiers to stop wasting it as soon as he realised the building could no longer be saved.
Du Ling frowned as he looked at the woman in his arms, shouting some orders to the men around him as he turned and left. “Summon the Imperial Physician to the Queen’s palace.”
With the remaining soldiers following Du Ling, Su Xi-er, Pei Qianhao, and Huyan Fei were the only ones left.
Pei Qianhao looked at Huyan Fei. This is the right faction’s leader, the one who originally had a marriage agreement with Xi-er. However, that was the late King’s decision, and she’s already become Princess Consort Hao anyways.
Breaking free from Pei Qianhao’s embrace, Su Xi-er approached Huyan Fei. The latter had attempted to take the poisonous needle for her when Tan Ge had used it, so she thought it appropriate to repay the favor. “What kind of drug did Tan Ge use on you, and are you alright?”
She recalled Tan Ge saying that moving would only exacerbate the effects of the drug she had poisoned him with.
Huyan Fei glanced at her before turning to Pei Qianhao. Beimin is the strongest of the four nations of the central plains, and Prince Hao holds especially great power. Not only that, even the Empress Dowager thought him a suitable husband for the princess. They seem to be happily married, with him treating her very well.
Pei Qianhao could tell what was going through Huyan Fei’s mind. They were dressed in opposite colors of black and white, and there was a tension in the silent air.
As if breaking the stalemate, the wind blew, and Huyan Fei’s outer robes fluttered open to reveal the fair skin on his chest.
Pei Qianhao pulled Su Xi-er towards him. “This Prince will visit the right faction’s leader tomorrow.” He then led Su Xi-er away.
Huyan Fei watched calmly as they left, only realising that his robes had blown open when he felt a sudden chill. Laughing, he thought, No wonder Prince Hao took Her Highness away so quickly.
He adjusted his robes with a bitter smile and turned to leave. However, it was only a few steps later that he began to feel dizzy from the effects of the unknown drugs in his body. For the past few days, he had been tortured with a different type of drug daily as Tan Ge tried to force him to hand over the military tally. As for today… What did she use?
He had a weak constitution, and being tormented like that had done no favours for his health.
Cold sweat appeared on his forehead as he clenched his fists and pursed his lips in pain. He had no energy to continue moving forward.
Unsteady on his feet, he managed to make out a woman’s figure through his dimming vision. When he realised it was Su Xi-er, he wanted to give a proper greeting, but only managed to whisper, “Imperial Princess” before collapsing.
Before passing out, he heard a female voice saying, “A-Jing, send him to the Queen Palace so that the Imperial Physician can look at him.”
Pei Qianhao glanced at the man on the ground before looking at the concerned Su Xi-er. He then bent down to pick Huyan Fei up. It was quite obvious how frail Huyan Fei was when Pei Qianhao easily picked him up.
“Xi-er, stay close.” Pei Qianhao turned to get her to follow behind him.
“Mm, I’ll walk in front. You don’t know where the Queen Palace is.” Su Xi-er walked up quickly to lead the way.
When they arrived, what they saw was Du Ling looking down on a number of kneeling imperial physicians with a dreadful expression.
