"Alright, hurry and send the medicine to Yan Yang, then get some rest!" Feng Qingyi said.
Qin Yuchuan replied, "I've already had Yan Chi deliver the medicine. I just want to look at you for a while."
"It's already quite late. Aren't you tired?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Qin Yuchuan shook his head, "When I can see you, I'm not tired at all."
"...Your dark circles are so heavy, and you've even grown a beard. If you don't rest soon, you'll become ugly, and I might start to dislike you," Feng Qingyi joked.
Qin Yuchuan said softly, "Alright, I'll rest well."
"I understand your current situation. Just rest as much as you can within the time you have available."
"Remember to take the medicine I bought for you as a precaution. Spring is peak flu season, so you need to be extra careful."
"Also, recently I... Never mind. Get some rest soon. Good night."
Feng Qingyi finished giving her instructions to Qin Yuchuan. She was about to say something more but glanced at the time and decided against it.
It was already late, and he seemed to have no other urgent matters to attend to, so he should be able to rest earlier.
Noticing Feng Qingyi's hesitation, Qin Yuchuan said, "If you want to say something, just say it. It won't disturb me. I love hearing about your affairs."
"But it's so late now. You should go to sleep," Feng Qingyi said, conflicted.
Qin Yuchuan smiled and said, "If you leave things half-said like this, I won't be able to sleep at all."
"It's really nothing much. I'm planning to enter a painting competition. The theme is 'Spring.' What do you think I should paint?"
After registering for the painting competition, the organizers had sent an email outlining the theme and various requirements.
The theme of "Spring" was so broad that she couldn't think of what to paint at the moment.
Qin Yuchuan said, "The theme of the artwork isn't important. What matters are your technique and emotions. Just paint what you like."
Paint what she likes. Feng Qingyi suddenly had an idea.
"Ah Yu, thank you! I know what to do now. You're amazing, solving my big problem with just a few words."
Qin Yuchuan smiled, "I've only given you a hint. The specifics are up to you, but I believe in you."
"Thank you." In fact, having you here is the best thing, she thought.
"You told me not to thank you, and the same goes for you. Now you should rest. If I remember correctly, you have class tomorrow."
Feng Qingyi nodded, "Indeed, I do have class. Well then, good night!"
"Mm, good night."
After taking the medicine Feng Qingyi bought, Yan Yang's cold showed improvement.
Although he still seemed a bit lethargic, he was much better compared to the past few days.
"Yan Chi, where did you get the medicine you gave me?"
Yan Yang had never seen colored pills before. He initially thought they might be some rare poison. If Yan Chi hadn't repeatedly emphasized that the general had sent them, he definitely wouldn't have dared to take them.
Yan Chi shook his head, "I don't know. The general just told me to bring them."
"The general doesn't know how to make medicine. It must have been from Miss Qingyi. She's such a good person. I don't know how to thank her."
"Wait until you're fully recovered before thinking about how to express your gratitude."
...
In Shengjing, at Prince Xian's Residence.
Xuanyuan Yan read the message sent from the palace, his mood improving.
It seemed that in this conflict between the snipe and the clam, he could play the role of the fisherman.
The Empress, who appeared dignified and virtuous on the surface, actually harbored ambitions of replacing Xuanyuan Sheng. Her aspirations were not small.
Originally, she had planned to use the child to ascend to power after its birth, but for some reason, she couldn't wait any longer.
"Master, many people have recently arrived in Shengjing, seemingly connected to the Empress."
Xuanyuan Yan replied, "Mm, there's no need to hinder them. We'll step in to restore order after they've made their move. It saves us quite a bit of effort."
"Master, are you so certain she will succeed?"
He always felt that Xuanyuan Sheng wouldn't put himself in danger just because of a woman.
Moreover, the Imperial Guards around him were not to be underestimated. They should be able to handle a mere woman.
Xuanyuan Yan said, "If it were just her alone, she indeed wouldn't be a match for Xuanyuan Sheng. However, if we give a little push from behind, the result will be different."
"Now that she's presented this opportunity, we might as well take advantage of it. I can use this chance to ascend to power in a righteous manner."
"Although I don't mind being criticized, who would refuse a good reputation if they could have one?"
Ming Jiu listened to Xuanyuan Yan's words, still somewhat confused.
But to avoid being mocked, he didn't voice his questions. After all, he only needed to follow orders. The rest was beyond his consideration.
In early April, a major incident occurred in the Tianqi Imperial Palace.
The Tianqi Emperor, Xuanyuan Sheng, fainted due to staying up late reviewing memorials.
After being treated by the imperial physicians, he recovered, but his health was significantly worse than before.
Xuanyuan Sheng ordered a thorough investigation of his daily food and everything he came into contact with, but no issues were found.
Qi Tan was so worried about this matter that he rushed about, losing several pounds in the process.
Xuanyuan Sheng suddenly remembered Gao Jiayue, whom he had confined to the palace, and the words she had spoken that day.
Although Xuanyuan Sheng trusted his Empress Murong Yan, he cared more about his own life.
Even though the previous incident was found to be a false rumor spread by Gao Jiayue, Xuanyuan Sheng had reduced his visits to Murong Yan's palace. Even when he did go, he never dined there.
He had always been in good health, and now in the prime of his life, this sudden fainting spell seemed abnormal to him.
But the imperial physicians all concluded that it was due to excessive fatigue and that he needed proper rest.
Xuanyuan Sheng doubted the medical skills of these physicians, but since several of them gave the same diagnosis, what could he do? He could only follow their advice and drink some tonic medicines.
When news of Xuanyuan Sheng's condition reached Changle Palace, Murong Yan was trimming her potted plants.
"Your Highness, what should we do next?" Yan Lan inquired.
Murong Yan looked at the azure sky.
"Fainting is just the mildest symptom. I'm sure those physicians will prescribe some tonics for him."
"The more of those medicines he drinks, the worse his condition will become. Within a month, everything will be over."
"His Majesty seems to have grown suspicious of you because of this incident," Yan Lan said.
Murong Yan put down her scissors. "It's normal for him to be suspicious, but without evidence, he won't openly confront me."
"I don't need to do anything now. I can just wait patiently. Even if he searches the entire palace, he won't find out where we've hidden the poison. The food was just a decoy."
"Your Majesty, our people have all arrived in Shengjing," Yan Lan continued.
"How is their situation now?" Murong Yan asked.
Yan Lan replied, "They haven't been discovered. Everything is normal."
"It seems Qin Yuchuan is not in Shengjing. Everything has become much smoother. Arrange for some people to enter the palace to facilitate our future actions."
"Understood, Your Highness," Yan Lan acknowledged.
