Chapter Thirty-Four: Ali, Were You a Pig in Your Past Life?

After enduring three agonizing days, Muxin Mi finally opened her eyes. The first thing she sensed was a pungent odor. She discovered a thin layer of white cloth covering her face, and as she removed it, she realized the source of the smell was from the cloth itself. With a startled cry, she flung it away as quickly as possible, immediately wiping her hands, fearing the stench might linger on her skin.

A maid who had been waiting outside hurried in, seeing Muxin Mi angrily throw the cloth aside, and quickly spoke, “Miss, miss, you mustn’t throw it away. The imperial physician said this is a miraculous medicine to restore your appearance.”

“Miraculous medicine? Is there a medicine made with urine?” Muxin Mi struggled to keep her temper in check.

“Actually—” the maid hesitated. “Actually, this medicine wasn’t prescribed by the imperial physician. He couldn’t diagnose what poison you’d been afflicted with. It was Lady Li who stepped forward and diagnosed you. Lady Li said to use the urine of a child…” The maid’s voice grew softer and softer as she saw Muxin Mi’s expression darken, until her words became barely audible.

Child’s urine—child’s urine! Feng Xiao Li, how cruel you are!

Muxin Mi didn’t notice that her fingers had wrung the corner of the quilt into creases, nor did she feel any pain from her nails digging into her palms. She ordered the maid to continue, and the trembling girl recounted the whole event: Lord Liao and Muxin Qi, in disregard of their status, had fiercely cursed Feng Xiao Li. But later, the Emperor of Qianqing intervened, putting an end to their quarrel and calming the matter, saying all would be explained once Muxin Mi awoke. So now, they could only wait for her to regain consciousness.

Indeed, Muxin Mi awoke on the third day after the urine treatment, but unlike what Feng Xiao Li had predicted—seeking a white silk cord to hang herself or smashing her head against the wall—Muxin Mi did neither. Lord Liao had feared exactly such an outcome, so the first thing he did upon returning home was to hide all ropes that could be used for hanging and assign several maids to watch over his daughter. When they saw that Feng Xiao Li’s prediction hadn’t come true, the maids relaxed. One even ran to Lord Liao, announcing that Miss was awake. Overcome with worry for his beloved daughter, he rushed from his study straight to Muxin Mi’s room, panting heavily but determined, step by step, to reach her.

“Xin Mi—” Lord Liao’s voice was heavy with sorrow as he saw his daughter in such disarray.

“Father!” Muxin Mi replied coldly, her tone brooking no refusal. “Take me to see His Majesty. These matters must be clarified!”

Meanwhile, Feng Xiao Li was napping in her own chamber when Yue Wanqing burst in, not even bothering to remove her shoes as she scrambled onto Feng Xiao Li’s bed. Staring at Feng Xiao Li’s tranquil sleeping face, Yue Wanqing slapped her several times, rousing her from sleep. In response, Feng Xiao Li lazily opened her eyes and struck back with her hand.

“You little sneak, trying to ambush me?” Yue Wanqing parried her blow, then straddled Feng Xiao Li, aiming for the vital points.

Feng Xiao Li blocked her strike, protecting her weak spot, secretly gathering her inner strength, waiting for an opening. But Yue Wanqing was not so easily distracted; she had anticipated Feng Xiao Li’s move, and channeled her own energy to disperse Feng Xiao Li’s power.

By now, Feng Xiao Li was fully awake. She bent one leg, using her knee to force Yue Wanqing off balance. As Yue Wanqing was lifted, Feng Xiao Li seized the moment, pushing her aside and crouching defensively.

Fortunately, Feng Xiao Li’s bed was large enough for both women to occupy opposite sides, glaring at each other. Jin Ning watched their antics helplessly, came in to light the lamp, and stood beside the late-arriving maid Luo Yu. These two maids had grown accustomed to their mistresses’ occasionally wild behavior.

Feng Xiao Li’s attire was disheveled, which was hardly surprising—who sleeps with their clothes neat? After the tussle, Yue Wanqing’s clothes were equally untidy, though her expression lacked the dark frustration that marked Feng Xiao Li’s face.

“Yue Wanqing, get out! Why are you barging into my room in the middle of the night instead of sleeping? If you’re itching for a fight, can’t you wait until I’ve had a proper rest? If you’re so energetic, go practice meditation yourself. Ugh, I’m exhausted!” Feng Xiao Li yawned, showing just how tired she was and grumbling about Yue Wanqing’s midnight intrusion.

“Sleep, sleep, sleep! Do you think you’re a pig or something? These days, you do nothing but eat and sleep. I seriously wonder if you were a pig in your past life!” Yue Wanqing scolded, frustrated by her lack of motivation.

“Fine, I won’t argue. But why are you here in the middle of the night? If it’s not urgent, you wouldn’t have barged in!” Feng Xiao Li cut straight to the point.

“I’m asking you, do you know that Muxin Mi is meeting the Emperor today? Aren’t you worried about what she might say? While you’re sleeping so soundly, I’m the one fretting for you—it’s as if the Emperor is calm while the eunuch is anxious!”

Over the years, Yue Wanqing’s blunt scolding had become routine; Feng Xiao Li was completely immune. Yue Wanqing’s concern was genuine—she cared for her, but it was her lack of urgency that truly infuriated her.

“So what?” Feng Xiao Li said calmly. “Wanqing, Muxin Mi won’t say anything. No matter how much I berated her that day, she won’t speak of it. Those words were a humiliation to her—she won’t foolishly expose her own wounds and let herself be humiliated again, even if the person before her is the Emperor. She desperately wants the Emperor to uphold justice, but she has no choice but to swallow this bitterness, unable to voice her grievance. As for how she was poisoned, I believe everyone knows the truth, and it’s best that I say nothing more.” Feng Xiao Li carefully considered the details and concluded.

Yue Wanqing pondered her words, sensing a hidden meaning in Feng Xiao Li’s final statement. She probed, “Ali, are you saying Muxin Mi was poisoned on purpose?”

Seeing Feng Xiao Li remain silent, she pressed further, “Are you saying the Emperor, the Empress, and Muxin Mi conspired together to destroy you?”

Feng Xiao Li smiled brilliantly. “Wanqing, you’re truly clever!”

But Yue Wanqing was not pleased by the compliment; instead, she immediately retorted, “Ali, that’s impossible!”

“How is it impossible?”

“You must know, the Emperor and Empress—what kind of people are they? How could they conspire with Muxin Mi to frame you? They’re far too busy with affairs of state to consider you more important than the nation!”

Feng Xiao Li raised her brows and eyes. “Wanqing, you make a good point!”

“Enough, just get some sleep!” With that, Yue Wanqing jumped off the bed and left without a backward glance.