Chapter 192: Chapter 191: Making a FoolHong Zhao heard Qing Wu’s words, paused with her hand on the handwarmer, then smiled faintly, showing no sign of panic whatsoever.


    "What’s the rush? Even if accusations are to be made, they need evidence to support them."


    "But Miss... your servant feels that man isn’t simple..."


    Since Qing Wu had been given to Hong Zhao by Qi Wuya, she had learnt to distinguish who was a quack and who had genuine medical expertise.


    The elderly man, despite his age, showed not a trace of decrepitude.


    Clearly, he knew how to maintain his health.


    Such a person couldn’t possibly be unversed in medical skills.


    "Enough."


    Hong Zhao remained indifferent, still seemingly distracted.


    She looked as if she had everything under control.


    Yet, inside she did feel some turmoil, "The Emperor really isn’t easy to fool. He has been preventing Sang Yan from coming these days, probably guarding against me."


    But what’s the point of guarding against her?


    Her target was not Sang Yan.


    "Qing Wu, come here."


    Hong Zhao thought for a moment and beckoned Qing Wu to come closer. She whispered a few words into her ear.


    Qing Wu listened with eyes wide open in shock, "Miss, you’re not leaving?"


    One crazier than the other! If they really found out, if she really conspired against the Emperor, would she still be alive?


    "Leave? What’s there to leave for?"


    Hong Zhao laughed bitterly at herself, "With this ridden body of mine, how far do you think I could get?"


    Qing Wu shook her head, trying to persuade her, "Miss, don’t say that. With your superior medical skills, there will always be a way."


    "No, there isn’t. I’m aware of my own body; it’s almost burnt out already."


    Hong Zhao’s smile was desolate as she looked at Qing Wu, as if she were seeing someone else, "You should go. Go back to Mr. Jiu’s side. Over the years, you’ve almost learnt all of my medical skills. Mr. Jiu will value you."


    He left Qing Wu by her side for this reason, didn’t he?


    With this, she was leaving him one last gift.


    "Mr. Jiu, a noble, how could your servant ever aspire to such heights?" Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qing Wu knelt to show her loyalty, "Miss, you must believe me, your servant has never harboured such thoughts."


    Hong Zhao’s expression was cold, unmoved.


    She lifted her hand, "Stand up. Regardless of whether you harbor those thoughts, you must go. You must go to find Mr. Jiu."


    Of all the people in this world, the one she cared about the most was Mr. Jiu.


    If she were to die for him, then it would be a worthy death.


    "Miss!"


    "Go!"


    Hong Zhao sharply reprimanded, then began coughing violently, "Cough, cough, cough, Qing Wu, if you want me to keep a breath of life in me, leave quickly! Now, only Mr. Jiu can save me!"


    Seeing her speak so, Qing Wu bit her lip, stood up, and continued packing her belongings.


    "Miss, rest assured, your servant will certainly not fail your charge."


    Qing Wu left under the cover of night.


    He Hongzhao gazed at the full moon outside the window, touched the snow monkey on her leg, and let out a wistful sigh, "Having one true friend in life is enough; why fear life and death then?"


    *


    Imperial Doctor Liu was known for his swift and decisive actions.


    After tinkering the entire previous night, he came over in a hurry first thing the next morning.


    "Emperor—"


    His voice abruptly stopped upon seeing Sang Yan.


    Was this something he didn’t feel comfortable discussing in front of her?


    Sang Yan’s eyes flickered; she smiled, "There is no hot tea or snacks left in the room; I’ll go get some. You two chat first."


    "Okay."


    He Ying quickly responded with a smile.


    And he breathed a sigh of relief.


    He had been worrying about how to get her out of the way.


    Now it seemed to have become easier.


    Sang Yan lowered her eyes, walked out of the room, and considerately closed the door behind her.


    Seeing this, Imperial Doctor Liu quickly walked up to He Ying, opened his medicine bag, which contained some medicinal residue.


    "Emperor, this is the medicine residue that your humble servant concocted overnight; it is nearly identical to the residue you gave your servant yesterday. However, no matter how I tried, there seems to be a certain odor missing. Until—"


    He paused in his speech, placed the medicine pack on the table, and then took out a handkerchief from his sleeve.


    When he unfolded the handkerchief, it revealed some ash-colored flaky material.


    He Ying’s eyes sharpened: "What is this?"


    "This is Bitter Pearl Root. If consumed in substantial amounts—"


    Imperial Physician Liu thought for a moment and then chose a more cultured expression: "It impairs... progeny."


    He Ying: "..."


    Impairs, progeny!


    How malicious Hong Zhao’s intentions are!


    She didn’t aim to kill him but to kill his future offspring!


    He clenched his fists so tightly they creaked: "Are you certain?"


    Imperial Physician Liu nodded: "Your servant is certain. The Bitter Pearl Root had been ground into a powder before it was mixed into the medicine, so there was no trace of it found in the residue that day. But I recognized its scent, and have been perplexed as to which herb it could be, until now I’ve finally figured it out."


    "How audacious!"


    He Ying pounded the table forcefully: "Such a heart must be condemned! Such a heart must be condemned!"


    Imperial Physician Liu felt the same: This Hong Zhao has a considerable reputation in the outside world; everyone praises her for having a pure heart and reviving the dead with her medical skill. Who would have thought she’d dare commit such an outrageous act against the Emperor!


    "Bang!"


    The door was violently pushed open.


    He Ying looked in astonishment at Sang Yan, whose eyes were red with rage.


    In such a short time... Going to and from the kitchen simply wouldn’t suffice.


    She hadn’t left at all!


    "Empress, Empress—"


    Imperial Physician Liu was also startled: Heaven, even this esteemed master of ours has found out!


    Sang Yan remained silent as she walked up to the table, staring blankly at the medicine residue on it.


    That residue was like a slap to her face.


    How painful it was!


    Even though she had long suspected, the truth laid bare before her eyes exceeded Sang Yan’s imagination in fury.


    Hong Zhao had made a fool of her!


    Hong Zhao was plotting against the one she loved!


    Her respect and affection for her were all a joke!


    She was completely a fool! An idiot!


    "Ah Yan—"


    He Ying, seeing her daze, deeply regretted not being more cautious and letting her find out.


    His eyes full of worry, he took her hand, gently comforting her: "Ah Yan, it’s okay, don’t be upset. It’s not worth ruining your health over her."


    "Did you know about this all along?"


    Sang Yan came back to her senses, her eyes misty.


    She felt so heartbroken and guilty: She wanted to protect him. But in the end, she almost harmed him.


    He Ying nodded and explained: "Yes. I noticed something was off and haven’t been drinking it for several days. You needn’t worry too much."


    Sang Yan breathed a sigh of relief, but her self-reproach deepened: He had realized long ago yet hadn’t told her, probably seeing how close she was with Hong Zhao and not wanting to dampen her enthusiasm.


    Even at this moment, he was still considering her feelings.


    "Why didn’t you say something earlier? As soon as you suspected Hong Zhao, I would have definitely stood by your side."


    "I know. But seeing you so happy, I wanted you to enjoy yourself a little longer."


    He knew she had suffered a lot since being adrift, and he wanted her to relax more and have some happiness.


    Hearing him say this, Sang Yan’s tears fell freely: "You, you, He Ying, I hate you!"


    She didn’t want to cry; it was too humiliating, especially with others present, but she couldn’t help her tears.


    After sniffling and crying for a while, she wiped away her tears and looked at Imperial Physician Liu: "He has taken that medicine for several days now, could it have affected his health?"


    The woman was highly skilled in medicine; even if it were just a few days’ worth of doses, could it have caused irreversible damage to him?


    Imperial Physician Liu, oozing confidence, smiled and said: "Lady, there’s no need for concern. Fortunately, the Emperor discovered it in time. With careful treatment for half a month, he should recover."


    "Ah, that’s good."


    Sang Yan finally let go of her worries, but an even greater confusion arose: "Why would she do such a thing? Isn’t she from He Country? Why would she..."


    Suddenly, a name flashed through her mind.


    It was like a nightmare in three words!


    She felt a chill run through her entire body: Qi Wuya! She could think of no other than him!