Feng Qihe felt a pang in his heart.
Chu Qianli could probably imagine the hardships of women in the harem, but hearing it firsthand, especially from the Empress, still left her feeling unsettled.
She was already the most honored existence in the entire harem, yet even the Empress had to endure such circumstances. The other women in the harem were even worse off.
"But,"
What Chu Qianli said next was what truly shocked Feng Qihe.
Having composed herself, she took out a silver needle and began to acupuncture the Empress, speaking slowly, "Why were you poisoned to death?"
The Empress's body trembled violently.
Chu Qianli pressed on her wrist and said, "If you want to end this pain quickly, calm down. We are just having a normal conversation now. It's been over a decade."
The Empress gritted her teeth, her gums almost bleeding.
Even though it had been over a decade, she still harbored hatred!
Such deep hatred!
Feng Qihe stood outside the screen, wanting to ask, but afraid of disturbing their treatment or upsetting his mother.
Only this girl, Chu Qianli, could be so heartless as to ask such a question at a time like this!
This was truly pushing someone to their limit!
Chu Qianli was indeed cold-hearted and unfeeling, not only asking but also wanting to get to the bottom of it.
"Does this matter have something to do with Consort Rong?"
"You!"
The Empress's expression changed, and she glared at Chu Qianli, "Why are you..."
"Just guessing." However, she now knew the answer.
The matter did indeed involve Consort Rong.
Could it be that Consort Rong was the one who poisoned her, causing the Empress's child to be stillborn?
The Empress closed her eyes tightly.
Chu Qianli pressed on her abdomen.
The Empress immediately cried out in pain, tears almost falling.
It was both painful and hateful, an absolute torment.
"Is this... how you treat your patients?" the Empress gritted out, her voice hoarse.
"I am treating you, and I have not charged you a single cent for consultation..."
The Empress immediately interrupted her, "However much you want, this Palace will give it to you!"
"I am the dignified Empress of a nation. The national strength of Longteng is no less than that of Beiming. What do I need from a mere Empress like you?"
Chu Qianli's words carried a hint of sarcasm.
The Empress blushed at this.
Feng Qihe felt both helpless and anxious.
This girl was truly good at provoking people!
"My listening to some news is considered my reward from you. Empress, you have suffered no loss, have you?"
"Aren't you afraid that this Palace will kill you to silence you afterward?" the Empress gritted out.
However, at this moment, she was in pain, not angry.
"You little devil... you little devil, be gentler. This Palace... this Palace really hurts..."
"I cannot be gentler. This pain must be endured now, and it will pass if you bear with it."
Chu Qianli was applying needles to her abdomen.
The deeper the silver needles went, the more the Empress felt the pain, to the point where she almost lost consciousness.
"Empress, there is one more thing that I cannot figure out no matter how much I think about it."
Chu Qianli's voice, at this moment, seemed as distant as if it were coming from the heavens to the Empress.
She was on the verge of losing consciousness.
"Ask whatever you want quickly!" the Empress struggled to maintain her last shred of consciousness.
She knew that everything came with a price.
If she did not satisfy this girl's curiosity today, she might not be willing to treat her wholeheartedly!
This illness had tormented her for over a decade, and now, she truly couldn't bear it any longer.
Chu Qianli looked at her sweat-soaked face, continued to apply needles, and asked slowly, "I am just very curious. According to the records of the imperial harem, Consort Rong was merely a commoner. How could a mere commoner be in a position that even you and the Empress Dowager could not touch? Consort Rong..."
She leaned closer to the Empress and whispered, "Who exactly is she?"