Chapter 736

Hu Xiaotian said: "General Huo, the princess's life hangs by a thread; if you have any doubts in your heart, wait until she survives the danger, then personally ask her if she's alright."

Huo Shengnan hearing him say that also couldn't help but return to reality; no matter what the truth of this matter was back then, it's no longer important; if Princess Anping dies, this responsibility is absolutely not something she can bear; thinking of this, her heart suddenly became heavy, she said dimly: "You go, I want to be alone for a while."

When Hu Xiaotian went to the princess's room, he saw several female soldiers carrying out a bathtub; the water in the bathtub was ink-black, this was already the third tub of water that had been changed.

Xu Bai chuan and Liu Changsheng had just gone together to check on the princess's condition; from their worried expressions, they were both at a loss regarding the princess's situation.

Hu Xiaotian didn't ask, silently entered the room, came to the bedside, saw Xi Yan's complexion; even Hu Xiaotian himself was startled; her complexion not only didn't improve, but turned dark and gloomy, seeming even more serious than before.

Hu Xiaotian respectfully said: "Princess, how do you feel?"

Xi Yan slightly opened her beautiful eyes a slit, glanced at Hu Xiaotian, then waved her hand and said: "Others... go out..."

The two female soldiers responsible for her care quietly withdrew.

Hu Xiaotian sent a mental transmission: "How could you be so careless, you didn't even hide your shoes?"

Xi Yan hearing this was startled, her brows slightly furrowed, and said: "I've already hidden them away properly."

Hu Xiaotian immediately realized that just now it must have been Huo Shengnan deliberately deceiving him; he didn't expect this girl to have such deep scheming; fortunately he was alert, otherwise he would really have fallen into her trap.

Xi Yan said: "When she just used internal energy to force out poison from me, she took the opportunity to probe my meridian condition; my having martial arts probably can't be hidden from her."

Hu Xiaotian said: "She may suspect, but there's no evidence."

Xi Yan whispered: "Didn't you go to borrow a Black Ice Clam? Why don't I see you bringing anything?"

Hu Xiaotian hearing her mention this couldn't help but wryly smile: "Xue Shengjing is really stingy; he only gave me a bottle of Hundred Herbs Return-to-Spring Pills."

Xi Yan said: "That Black Ice Clam is a treasure; if there's a chance, I must retrieve it and keep it for use." When she mentioned this, her beautiful eyes lit up, obviously very interested in the Black Ice Clam.

Hu Xiaotian knew that what she meant by "obtain" was either steal or rob, he said softly: "How do you plan to settle today's matter?"

Xi Yan said: "If I don't die, they will definitely continue investigating this matter; if I die, many people will be able to get relief, you say, isn't that so?" She gazed at Hu Xiaotian with deep meaning, the meaning couldn't be clearer—you, Hu Xiaotian, also wish me dead.

Hu Xiaotian wasn't trying to curry favor with her death; rather, he wanted Xi Yan to use death to disappear from Yongdu forever, so he could smoothly complete his mission. Moreover, he had justice on his side, wanting to reason with the Da Yong emperor and demand fairness. He lowered his voice: "If you die, wouldn't I have to escort your coffin back to Kangdu over thousands of miles?"

Xi Yan said: "No need for that trouble; I have my own way."

Hu Xiaotian was about to ask her what her method was when suddenly he heard an announcement from outside: Consort Shu had arrived. Hu Xiaotian gave Xi Yan a look, rose and went out to greet.

When Hu Xiaotian stepped outside, Consort Shu's entourage had already arrived at the inner garden gate. Huo Shengnan, Xu Bai chuan, and Liu Yucheng all came forward to greet; Liu Changsheng, due to his inconvenient legs, did not appear in the welcoming party, which surprised Hu Xiaotian—he also didn't see Shi Kuan in the crowd, not knowing where he had gone at this time.

Everyone in unison said: "Welcome, Consort Shu!"

Consort Shu Dong glanced over the crowd, waved her hand and said: "Everyone rise, don't disturb Princess Anping." She put on a worried expression, first walked toward Xu Bai chuan and said: "Physician Xu, how is Princess Anping's condition?"

Xu Bai chuan sighed and said: "Reporting to Consort Shu, Princess Anping's condition continues to deteriorate, with no sign of easing."

Consort Shu felt both joy and worry; joy because if Long Xi Yue fails to pass this ordeal, the thorn buried in her heart can finally be removed; worry because if Long Xi Yue truly dies, she doesn't know how the outside world will view her, perhaps they'll suspect her of causing the death. Although Consort Shu rarely considers others' feelings, this matter is no small thing; she worries that Long Xi Yue's assassination is just a beginning, behind which there may be some unknown conspiracy, so she chose to come at once to see her, at least to silence some gossips.

Fang Lianhai, since arriving here, has been glaring at Hu Xiaotian with malice; since being humiliated at Qichen Palace last time, he has held a grudge; now his master has personally arrived, he naturally feels backed; if it weren't for the special circumstances, he would have long rushed forward to confront Hu Xiaotian for justice.

Consort Shu said: "I'll go see her!" She stepped toward the princess's room; Fang Lianhai closely followed; after just two steps, someone came forward to block their path: "Consort, please wait!"

Consort Shu raised her brows, anger flashing in her phoenix eyes—who dares be so bold as to block her way?

The person blocking the way was none other than Hu Xiaotian; Hu Xiaotian said: "Consort, the princess's life hangs by a thread; too many visitors are not advisable."

Fang Lianhai had been looking for a chance to flare up; hearing Hu Xiaotian's words, he instantly flew into a rage, shouting: "Hu Xiaotian, you're audacious beyond belief, daring to block the Consort's path—this is sheer disrespect to the Consort, come!"

Consort Shu grunted, glared at Fang Lianhai; her main purpose in coming to Qichen Palace was to visit, not to show off. Moreover, at such a time she didn't want to stir up trouble; she softly sighed: "You all wait outside." After examining Hu Xiaotian's face, she then said: "Please, Sir Hu, guide me."

Hu Xiaotian respectfully complied, leading Consort Shu into the room.

Consort Shu came to the bedside, seeing Xi Yan's appearance, her heart couldn't help but startle—Xi Yan's condition now was far worse than she had imagined. Hu Xiaotian moved a cushion to the bedside, asked Consort Shu to sit, then softly called: "Princess... Princess..."

Although Xi Yan slightly opened her eyes, her gaze was unfocused, clearly her consciousness was not clear.

Consort Shu made a gesture to stop Hu Xiaotian from continuing to call her, softly said: "Don't disturb this child, let her rest well..." As she spoke, her eye rims turned red, tears glimmering in her eyes.

Hu Xiaotian naturally knew Consort Shu wished Princess Anping were dead already; what was happening before him was clearly a pretense—women are indeed born masters of acting.

Consort Shu sat beside Xi Yan's bed, gazing at her with affection, she reached out both hands to hold Xi Yan's right hand; Xi Yan's hand shape was lovely, but her nails had turned black; looking at her face, not only was it dark and gloomy, but also obviously swollen all around; now this appearance, not even Consort Shu, nor even Long Xi Yue's own parents could recognize her.

Consort Shu sighed and said softly: "Xi Yue, since I learned that you and my son Daoming have entered into a Marriage Pact, my heart has been overjoyed, constantly anticipating your early arrival in Da Yong to become my daughter-in-law; with the wedding imminent, I never expected... you would become like this... how could my heart not be torn apart?" As she said this, tears fell like broken pearls.

If one didn't know her previous actions against the Dakang envoy, one would surely believe everything she says and does now is genuine. Hu Xiaotian secretly admired her; Consort Shu's rise to today's position is certainly no accident; just this acting skill alone could win her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in modern society.

Xi Yan felt Consort Shu's tears dripping onto the back of her hand, she slightly opened her eyes, made a dazed appearance, weakly said: "Mother... Mother... is it you who came?"

Consort Shu was startled by her cry, then immediately understood: certainly Xi Yan's consciousness was not clear, mistaking her for her mother; she pressed her lips and said: "It's me..."

Xi Yan's gaze remained vacant as she stared upward, murmuring: "Mother... Mother... I knew you would come see me... you ignored me and the imperial elder brother, leaving alone... you don't know, daughter constantly misses you..." As she spoke, two lines of crystal tears slid down her cheeks, yet her body remained motionless.

Hu Xiaotian watched the performance of these two acting masters; at this moment, the only word that could describe his feeling was admiration.

Xi Yan knew Consort Shu was acting, but Consort Shu didn't realize Xi Yan was also acting; seeing Xi Yan's state, she knew death was not far off; although Consort Shu had always wished Princess Anping dead soon, that wasn't aimed at this girl herself but at her status, because this marriage alliance affected her beloved son's future prospects; seeing the poor girl, even at death's door still thinking of her mother, actually aroused Consort Shu's compassion.

Consort Shu softly said: "Xi Yue, Mother is right here."

"Mother... don't leave me... daughter is so afraid... the emperor father doesn't care about us anymore... you go, don't leave me..."

Consort Shu said: "Don't be afraid, Mother won't go anywhere, I'll stay here with you..." Saying this, her nose felt sour; human hearts are flesh, seeing this scene, even a heart as hard as Consort Shu's couldn't help but feel some sympathy for Long Xi Yue's fate; in fact, Long Xi Yue is merely a political sacrifice, only her fate is more unfortunate—she hadn't yet married Consort Shu's son when she was assassinated, dying unknown in a foreign land.

Xi Yan said: "Mother... I can't see anything anymore... I can't see anything anymore... my eyes... my eyes..."

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