The convoy of Prince Hao left the city, followed closely by the retinues of King He and King Xuan, also departing from the Northern Underworld Imperial City.
News of Chu Qianli gifting medicine to the Emperor before her departure quickly spread among certain individuals with vested interests.
Hua Rong was so enraged that she smashed her teacup.
"That damned ungrateful wretch! Giving medicine to that old fossil, is she afraid he'll die too quickly? What benefit is there for her?"
Granny Cui stood by, and only after Hua Rong calmed down did she whisper, "Mistress, I suspect Chu Qianli saw that several factions within the Imperial City have begun plotting in secret during this period…"
"Which faction in the Imperial City isn't plotting? What does it have to do with her?" Hua Rong snorted coldly, her aversion to Chu Qianli reaching its peak.
"If that old fossil truly dies, it would be cause for great celebration! She's from Longteng; the more chaotic Northern Underworld becomes, the better for her, wouldn't it?"
Granny Cui pondered but could find no words to refute.
In fact, Chu Qianli had no need to cure the Emperor's illness. Once the Northern Underworld Emperor died, the Imperial City would inevitably fall into chaos, and the border defenses of Northern Underworld would become unstable. For other nations, this would be a good thing, regardless of the circumstances.
Why would she be good to the Northern Underworld Emperor? According to previous investigations, she had no good relationship with the Northern Underworld Emperor. The Northern Underworld Emperor had even made things difficult for her several times. Was she repaying kindness with enmity? That dead girl couldn't possibly be that benevolent.
"However, this subordinate believes Chu Qianli would never do anything meaningless. Her gifting medicine to the Emperor must have a purpose." Granny Cui looked at Hua Rong. "Esteemed Master, is it possible that this dead girl has some secret dealings with the Emperor?"
Hua Rong's expression grew even more grim. "It seems that's not impossible!" She just couldn't understand why, while she had been keeping an eye on both sides, she was unaware of any secret collusion between Chu Qianli and the Emperor. Could this Chu Qianli truly be so resourceful as to contact anyone behind her informants' backs? It was too bizarre! Had she underestimated that woman?
"Then, Chu Qianli accompanying Chu Minghao to Southern Underworld at this time, is that also the old fossil's intention?" The more Hua Rong thought about it, the more uneasy she became. When one believes they have everything under control and are completely certain, any unexpected development can cause them to lose their composure. What kind of agreement existed between Chu Qianli and the Northern Underworld Emperor?
…
Meanwhile, the Empress was also pondering the events that had transpired in the hall that day.
"Your Highness." Granny Ni had been thinking for a long time and couldn't figure it out. "Could it be that Chu Qianli and the Emperor have some secret understanding?"
"I have always had people monitoring the movements in Yuhua Palace. Chu Qianli has been in Yuhua Palace for so long and has never left. Although Eunuch Qing visited, my people were also keeping watch, and Eunuch Qing never had the opportunity to meet Chu Qianli alone." Therefore, what kind of agreement could Chu Qianli and the Emperor have? They didn't even have a chance for private communication.
Granny Ni thought for a moment, and suddenly her expression changed. "Could it be that not only Chu Qianli, but even Prince Hao is involved?"
The Empress's expression also shifted. If Prince Hao was also involved, then things became complicated. Prince Hao represented King Yu. Had the Emperor truly made plans with King Yu before them? Then what was the significance of her son, He'er, going to Southern Underworld with King Xuan to see King Yu? Had they all been tricked by the Emperor?