Chapter Forty-Two: Consort, You Are Too Precious for Me to Afford

Something had happened—what was it? Feng Xiaoli hurriedly seized Zilin by the sleeve, anxiety in her voice. “What happened to Xiang Lian? She seemed perfectly fine earlier today, how could something go wrong in less than a day? Zilin, explain it to me clearly!”

Although she was not particularly close to Xiang Lian, Feng Xiaoli was not the type to remain indifferent when a misfortune befell someone she knew. Worry crept over her face.

Zilin’s rare smile faded, and she adopted a thoughtful expression. “According to my informant, the prince of Tianshang was poisoned after eating the snacks Xiang Lian prepared. Even the imperial physicians are at a loss—the poison is unlike anything ordinary, but I don’t know the details!”

This made Xiang Lian the prime suspect—the food was prepared by her hand. Should anything happen to the foreign envoys, she would not escape blame.

Yet Xiang Lian had no motive to harm Luo Wensheng; she was a simple, innocent girl whose only flaw was occasionally swooning over a handsome man. She was by no means ruthless or cruel.

Then why had this happened today?

Suddenly, a regal and imposing figure flashed through Feng Xiaoli’s mind—the Empress Yuanmin.

Aside from her, Feng Xiaoli truly could think of no one else. Yet Xiang Lian had no enmity with the empress, did she? They were mother and daughter—why would the empress want to harm her own child?

At this moment, Feng Xiaoli was genuinely at a loss. No matter how cunning and vicious the empress might be, she would never lay such a trap for her own flesh and blood.

Her mind whirled in confusion.

“How could something like this happen!”

If her guess was right, Yue Wanqing was probably on her way to the Prince Chun’s residence at this very moment, sharing Feng Xiaoli’s belief that Xiang Lian would never harm a foreign prince.

As if on cue, Yue Wanqing pushed open the door and entered. In that instant, Zilin melted into the shadows, leaving Feng Xiaoli marveling at how she wished she possessed such skill herself.

She was truly filled with admiration and envy.

But now was not the time to dwell on such things.

Yue Wanqing burst in, her face anxious and slightly disheveled. Feirong stood coldly at the threshold, showing no remorse for failing to stop her.

Feng Xiaoli did not treat her as a mere maidservant and let it pass.

Seeing the worry on Yue Wanqing’s face, Feng Xiaoli spoke hurriedly, “Ali, something has happened to Xiang Lian. She’s been accused of poisoning the prince of Tianshang, and the imperial physicians can’t even identify the toxin. We must find a way to help her—there’s no way Xiang Lian did this!”

Feng Xiaoli nodded in agreement, “That’s not her nature. I may not know her well, but she’s not the type to be so ruthless. I suspect someone has framed her!”

Yue Wanqing bit her lip and said nothing.

“Wanqing, I can’t say for certain who set Xiang Lian up, but there’s only one person I suspect!” Though she knew Yue Wanqing would find it hard to believe, she voiced her suspicion nonetheless.

Yue Wanqing stared at Feng Xiaoli with empty eyes, and Feng Xiaoli’s heart ached for her.

Wanqing, why is it so hard for you to believe?

Is it me you don’t believe, or is it that you refuse to believe the Empress Yuanmin could do such a thing?

“Wanqing, this is just my suspicion. I have no proof. But you cannot be sure it isn’t her. So much is hidden beneath the surface—she is exactly that sort: harmless on the outside, venomous within. Such people are the most dangerous of all. You think she’s sincere, but when you least expect it, she’ll strike like a snake, right at your heart, leaving you with no hope of recovery.” Feng Xiaoli spoke with careful deliberation, her expression complex.

“Come, Ali!” With that, Yue Wanqing led Feng Xiaoli away, and Feirong quickly followed, intent on protecting Feng Xiaoli.

“Where are we going?” Feng Xiaoli asked.

“The palace.” Yue Wanqing paused. “You’re right, Ali. I can think of no one but her who would harm Xiang Lian. I never imagined she’d make a move at this time, but now she’s acted at last!”

Yue Wanqing had ridden over on horseback. Before coming to the Prince Chun’s residence, Xiang Lian’s personal maid had sought her out and told her of the accusation and the poisoning in the palace. So she fetched a horse from the stables and rushed here.

Yet Yue Wanqing was still only half convinced.

But when she heard just now that the Left Prime Minister had been summoned to the palace, she finally believed the maid’s words and came to seek Feng Xiaoli’s counsel.

Seeing that Yue Wanqing had come on horseback, Feng Xiaoli instructed Feirong to fetch a horse as well. When Feirong showed reluctance and disdain, Feng Xiaoli’s patience finally snapped. “Feirong, if you dislike me so much, tomorrow I’ll have the old man replace you. I’m tired of seeing that look of contempt on your face—it makes me so angry I could kill you!”

Feirong had never before heard such harsh words from Feng Xiaoli. She obediently complied, her manner becoming somewhat more respectful, though if one looked closely, the scorn in her eyes was still plain.

She was not afraid of Feng Xiaoli, but she did fear Prince Chun.

Yue Wanqing had only just learned that Feng Xiaoli had changed maids, and was surprised Feirong did not treat her mistress with proper respect. “Kill her, by all means. A maid like that is a danger to keep by your side—who knows if she might harm you one day!”

“She won’t harm me. The old man only sent Feirong to protect me because he trusts her, but she’s far too precious for me to keep at my side. She’s not meant for servitude; it’s a waste of her talents. Let her return to her true duties as a shadow guard. People like her are more trouble than they’re worth!” Feng Xiaoli replied coldly.

“Oh, so she’s a shadow guard. No wonder she’s so arrogant—even her mistress means nothing to her. Tsk, tsk, Prince Chun’s methods of training shadow guards are truly lacking. My own family’s guards would never behave like this. Those who defy me only meet one end.” Yue Wanqing mouthed the word “death.”

Feirong, who possessed keen senses, overheard their conversation and was mortified to be spoken of in such a manner. Her face flushed, and she avoided Feng Xiaoli’s gaze.

Feng Xiaoli took the reins from her, ignoring Feirong’s uneasiness. Her face was colder than ever, her eyes chilling. “Feirong, you needn’t follow me. Wait for me here at the residence.”

“No, miss, the prince ordered me to protect you!”

“That won’t be necessary, Feirong. Stay at the residence—I can’t stand your attitude. You’re simply too high and mighty, and coming with me will only make you suffer. I’ll go to the palace and explain everything to the old man when I return. You can resume your proper duties as a shadow guard, and Jin Ning will attend me as before.”

With that, Feng Xiaoli mounted her horse, ready to leave.

Feirong, hearing such finality, knew that if this matter reached the prince, she would be punished—and his methods were infamous for their severity, enough to break even the strongest man, let alone a woman like herself.

She was truly afraid now—genuinely afraid.

Gone was her usual composure as a shadow guard. Suddenly, she dropped to her knees.