Chapter Thirty-Two: Drown You in Urine!

"Heh!" Duke Liao let out a cold laugh. "Miss Li, you wouldn’t say that if you were Xinmi. If it were you who nearly drowned and was poisoned, do you think Prince Chun could still calmly spar words with me?"

"The Emperor just said himself—there’s no need to quarrel over these unfounded matters. The first thing we must do is cure Miss Xinmi. If the poison truly spreads throughout her body, not even gods descending to earth could save her!" Feng Xiaoli repeated the Emperor’s warning, using it to silence Duke Liao. As expected, hearing those words again, Duke Liao dared not provoke further. Seeing the Emperor’s displeased expression, his heart trembled in fear.

"Ali, is there truly a cure for this poison?" the Emperor asked.

"There is," Feng Xiaoli paused, "but I fear Duke Liao and Miss Mu Xinqi may not be willing. If Miss Mu Xinmi learns the source of her antidote, she might well ask for a length of white silk to hang herself; I can’t be blamed for that. Duke Liao and Miss Mu Xinqi, please don’t draw your swords against me then." She voiced her concerns. The antidote was indeed simple, but she worried Duke Liao and Mu Xinqi would refuse, or accuse her of speaking nonsense and causing trouble.

The Emperor glanced at Duke Liao and Mu Xinqi, then gave Feng Xiaoli a reassuring look; he sensed that without such assurance, Feng Xiaoli would not reveal the antidote. Duke Liao and Mu Xinqi were cowed by the Emperor’s gaze, swallowing their words. It was obvious to them that Feng Xiaoli harbored ill intentions, and nothing good would come from her lips. Even before the Emperor, she dared to be so bold, and he seemed to indulge her behavior—they truly could not fathom it.

Indeed, just as Duke Liao and Mu Xinqi suspected, Feng Xiaoli had no intention of saying anything pleasant. Since Mu Xinmi had schemed against her, why should she not scheme in return? It was time Mu Xinmi learned that Feng Xiaoli was not someone to be bullied or manipulated at will; if Mu Xinmi could plot against her, she should be prepared to endure Feng Xiaoli’s counterattack!

"Since there is a cure, Ali, please speak quickly—don’t keep Duke Liao waiting so anxiously!"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Feng Xiaoli bowed gracefully and said, "The method is truly simple. The Emperor must order a bowl of child’s urine to be prepared and applied to Miss Xinmi’s face for three days. Furthermore, the urine must come from a boy and a girl of similar age; otherwise, the efficacy will be halved, and Miss Mu Xinmi’s appearance may be ruined entirely."

Yes, you heard correctly. It was really that simple.

Everyone was stunned to silence. What kind of antidote was this? Was Feng Xiaoli mocking them? No one had ever heard of using urine as medicine, and the patient was a delicate beauty. If Mu Xinmi learned the source of her cure, her first act upon waking would surely be to bang her head against the wall.

Duke Liao cursed Feng Xiaoli, calling her heartless and inhuman. Xinmi lay unconscious, yet Feng Xiaoli still wished to torment her. If Xinmi died from this, Feng Xiaoli would not be satisfied. He accused Feng Xiaoli of jealousy, resentful that Xinmi had won the Crown Prince’s affection, determined to ruin her to the bitter end.

Feng Xiaoli clapped her hands and praised Duke Liao’s imagination as beyond compare. Truthfully, she had no desire for the position of Crown Princess—let whoever wanted it have it. If Mu Xinmi awoke, Feng Xiaoli would gladly hand the title over; both Yuwen Hao and Mu Xinmi would surely approve.

The Emperor hesitated. "Ali, is there no other way?"

Feng Xiaoli, mindful of the Emperor’s face, decided it was time to rein herself in; everyone’s patience had limits. She dropped the arrogance she’d shown toward Duke Liao and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, this is indeed the only method. Time is short—just three days. The longer Duke Liao hesitates, the more severe the damage to Miss Xinmi’s appearance, and the greater her suffering." Though her words were addressed to the Emperor, they were meant for Duke Liao.

The Emperor sought Duke Liao’s opinion. Knowing that refusal would be cruel to Mu Xinmi, Duke Liao could only wait for her to awaken and slowly accept her fate. He hoped Yuwen Hao would not bear resentment toward Mu Xinmi over this incident. With that thought, he felt a sudden relief, and nodded with a heavy, defeated expression, giving the Emperor his answer.

The Emperor immediately ordered Eunuch Lian to prepare urine from a boy and a girl of similar age. The palace was vast, with many young children; it was not a difficult task.

Soon, Eunuch Lian returned with the urine. The pungent odor filled the air. Some present grew pale, thinking how such a thing would disgrace a girl as lovely as a flower. Yet Duke Liao’s attention was fixed only on the bowl in Eunuch Lian’s hands, all resentment toward Feng Xiaoli forgotten; he wanted only for Mu Xinmi to recover.

Feng Xiaoli, having enjoyed the spectacle enough, realized her presence was no longer needed. She told the Emperor she was unwell and wished to return to the prince’s manor to rest. Seeing her pale face, the Emperor agreed, thinking she too was weakened after falling into the water. He ordered Prince Chun not to linger, but to accompany Feng Xiaoli home.

Yet, just as Feng Xiaoli was leaving, the Emperor asked, "Ali, this matter had nothing to do with you, did it?"

Duke Liao pricked up his ears to listen.

Feng Xiaoli gave the Emperor a gentle smile. "Of course."

Prince Chun walked beside Feng Xiaoli. After a moment’s hesitation, Feng Xiaoli quietly recounted the conversation between herself and Mu Xinmi, as well as the appearance of the black-clad assassin who had tried to kill her. Mu Xinmi’s fall into the water had been completely unexpected, and she omitted mention of Zilin, that madwoman. Prince Chun was thoroughly alarmed; he had not imagined so much could happen in such a short time, nor realized Mu Xinmi’s duplicity. He confessed his own blindness in judging people, but was relieved the assassin had failed to harm Feng Xiaoli. Still, he was shocked that such a figure could appear in the palace—what were the imperial guards doing?

Suddenly, his face went white as if he had thought of something.

Old man, you’ve guessed it, haven’t you? That’s why I never mentioned it to the Emperor—because, in truth, there was nothing to tell.

I would not speak, and neither would Mu Xinmi.

Prince Chun’s mouth parted slightly, and after a long pause, he declared with conviction, "Ali, I will always be your shield."

------- Author’s note -------

Ah, don’t miss it, if you’re fond of it!

End of chapter.