"What do you mean by that?" Wang exclaimed in surprise.
Everyone was equally shocked, their gazes all fixed on Pei Xi.
Under their scrutiny, he seemed quite pleased, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Exactly what it means."
Suddenly, Wang thought of something, his face darkening considerably. "Did you... poison me?"
Pei Xi gave him a thumbs-up. "Clever."
"Pei Xi! How dare you!" Wang roared in fury.
Pei Lie and the others were also stunned. They had all believed that no matter how wicked Pei Xi was, he at least harbored some genuine affection for Wang, who had always protected him.
"I truly overestimated you," Shen Qingqing said sarcastically.
"Then I thank you for overestimating me. In the future, you should refrain from looking at me that way. After all, I am no good person, nor am I one to repay kindness," he replied.
He had always only known how to repay kindness with malice.
Shen Qingqing shook her head and ceased looking at him, turning her attention back to Wang. This was something she hadn't anticipated; she hadn't expected Pei Xi to make a move against Wang, and therefore hadn't paid him much attention.
Upon closer inspection, Wang's complexion appeared normal, showing no signs of poisoning.
She shook her head at the Queen.
The Queen quickly looked at Wang, "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
Wang, also fearing death, felt himself carefully. Then he shook his head. "No, Pei Xi, are you lying to me?"
Hope flickered in his heart.
But Pei Xi said, "Try clenching your fist."
Wang's hand trembled slightly. He hesitated to try, for Pei Xi's words indicated he was confident.
Pei Xi chuckled. "So, Father King only has this much courage."
Wang's face turned a shade of green. "You unfilial son, I treated you so well, and you..."
"Try it," Pei Xi interrupted, his expression excited.
"You..."
Wang wanted to rage, to curse, but he found his body was indeed failing him. With trembling hands, he attempted to clench his fist.
The result was that his fingertips couldn't reach his palm.
His hand lacked strength.
Furthermore, he felt a sense of powerlessness spreading from within to his limbs, and within a few breaths, he could barely stand.
His legs buckled, and he stumbled, only to be caught by someone.
He turned his head and saw Pei Lie. Complex emotions washed over him. His most doted-upon son was the one trying to harm him, while the son he had marginalized was extending a hand in his moment of crisis.
He quickly turned his head away, feeling ashamed to face Pei Lie.
"Father King, are you alright?"
Pei Lie's eyes held undisguised concern.
Wang shook his head, opened his mouth, and was horrified to find he could not utter a sound.
Seeing this, how could anyone present not understand that Wang had truly been poisoned? Their reactions varied – some glared at Pei Xi, while others showed concern for Wang.
Shen Qingqing rushed forward. Without a word, Pei Lie handed Wang over to her for examination.
Wang was also scared. Although he couldn't speak, his gaze was fixed on her. Shen Qingqing found the stare somewhat exasperating, but she was accustomed to it.
Such looks were common among many who feared death.
Soon, the examination results were in.
"He is indeed poisoned."
The statement stunned everyone.
Although they had all suspected it, hearing Shen Qingqing confirm it firsthand still filled them with shock and disbelief.
He had truly poisoned his own father.
Shen Qingqing looked at Pei Xi. "What poison did you use?"
Pei Xi replied, "I won't tell you. Would I be that foolish? If I told you, and you found an antidote, then all my efforts would be in vain."
"Since you poisoned him, you likely accounted for me long ago."
Therefore, this poison could not have been developed in a short time.
Pei Xi smiled. "Yes, you are a formidable opponent, one of the few I've encountered in years. Our mastery of poisons is on par. To stall you and the old man, I really put in considerable effort."
"What exactly is the poison?"
"Can I interpret this as you acknowledging my skill in poisons?" Pei Xi asked slowly, deliberately avoiding her question.
Shen Qingqing took a deep breath. "Yes."
Her admission was genuine. While she disdained Pei Xi's character and methods, she had never doubted his expertise in poisons.
Pei Xi seemed pleased and then said, "Alright, I'll tell you. It's a mixed poison."
Shen Qingqing's eyes widened slightly, not in surprise, but in rage. "You intended to kill him, didn't you?"
"Of course not," Pei Xi said with a grin. "You all know what I want. As long as you give me what I desire, I will naturally provide you with the antidote."
Shen Qingqing gritted her teeth, glaring at him hatefully.
The others were confused. What was so special about a mixed poison that made Shen Qingqing's expression so grim?
Pei Ji voiced their collective doubt. "Miss Shen, what is a mixed poison? Is it difficult to cure? Is my father beyond saving?"
At his words, the others hadn't reacted much, but Wang himself was terrified.
Whether it was the poison taking effect or sheer fear, Wang's face was deathly pale.
Pei Xi let out a whistle, and the main door was kicked open. A group of guards wielding weapons stormed in, surrounding everyone.
Panic ensued, and people scrambled backward, pushing and trampling each other. Yet, they paid no mind to the discomfort.
"What is going on?"
"Pei Xi, are you trying to start a rebellion!"
"Where did he get such a force? These guards look familiar."
Pei Xing's face was ashen.
Shen Qingqing instinctively looked at Pei Lie, but he seemed as clueless as she was. However, Pei Ji beside him had a peculiar expression.
"You know?" Shen Qingqing asked.
Pei Ji remained silent, instead looking at Pei Xing. "Second Brother, isn't this your..."
Pei Xing's face clouded over as he said in a low voice, "They are my men."
Everyone gasped.
Pei Lie was furious. "Second Brother, have you gone mad? How could you hand over your forces to him? His ambition has been evident for a long time; can't you see it?"
Pei Xing spoke with difficulty. "I apologize, but now is not the time to dwell on this, is it?"
By some means, Pei Xi had manipulated the situation so that upon entering, these men had not even glanced at Pei Xing. Clearly, in their eyes, Pei Xi was their sole master.
"What else could Pei Xi use to control people? Poison, of course."
Pei Xing looked at Shen Qingqing, only then realizing he had inadvertently spoken his thoughts aloud. He pursed his lips, filled with regret.
If only he had known...
Just then, Wang suddenly began to tremble all over, his face contorted in a look of agony.
The Queen and Pei Lie and the others immediately rushed to his side.
"King!"
"Father King!"
"Miss Shen, please check on him quickly!"
Shen Qingqing stepped forward to examine him and soon reached a conclusion. "The poison has taken effect. I can only temporarily suppress its toxicity for now, but an antidote will require time to formulate, at least a month."
She uttered the last sentence with great difficulty.
A month. Not only would Wang not have that long, but the child wouldn't either.
Suddenly, she caught sight of Pei Xi smirking with schadenfreude out of the corner of her eye. She retorted with a cold laugh, "What, you think we have no other option but to beg you?"
"Of course," he replied.
His words were natural and utterly infuriating.
Everyone glared at him with anger, but he remained unfazed, even deriving pleasure and excitement from their indignant silence.
The Queen remained remarkably calm. "What do you want?"
Pei Xi said, "The throne."