Eunuch Hu placed the imperial decree in He Qingyi's hand: "Madam Xiao, congratulations."
"Thank you, Eunuch," He Qingyi said repeatedly.
Eunuch Hu then turned to Old Madam Xiao: "His Majesty sent this humble servant to bring a verbal message to Old Madam Xiao."
Old Madam Xiao, who had just gotten up from the ground, quickly knelt down again: "His Majesty's order is for this humble servant to send Miss Liu back to Cangzhou immediately."
The old madam's eyelids twitched: "May I beg the Eunuch for a day or two's leniency?"
Eunuch Hu beckoned, and two eunuchs immediately rushed forward, covered Liu Me'er's mouth, and helped her into the carriage. The old woman serving Liu Me'er was so frightened her legs went weak, and she looked to Old Madam Xiao for help.
Old Madam Xiao was greatly shocked, but she understood deeply that His Majesty had already given her enough face. If she dared to cause trouble, she herself might be sent back to Cangzhou.
"Hurry up and follow. Take good care of your young lady."
Hearing this, the old woman scrambled after them. The carriage gradually receded, and Old Madam Xiao's expression became inscrutable.
Eunuch Hu looked at the surrounding scholars: "You gentlemen are all future pillars of the nation. His Majesty will never treat any meritorious official unfairly. The autumn imperial examinations are approaching. I wish all of you young masters great success. You may all disperse."
"Thank you, Eunuch."
The crowd dispersed, leaving only a few people at the general's mansion. Lian Qiao helped He Qingyi up.
"Now that matters are settled, this humble servant will take his leave."
"Farewell, Eunuch."
"Old Madam, this concubine will go see the General now." He Qingyi had the rewards sent back to the main courtyard, and also ordered Liu Me'er's belongings to be packed and sent back to Cangzhou.
Concubine Xu helped Old Madam Xiao inside. Old Madam Xiao's slightly trembling hands showed her extreme anger, and everyone avoided her gaze.
Third Concubine quietly hid. The old madam had always disliked her, and had been suppressing her everywhere since she returned. With He Qingyi back, she was glad, as at least He Qingyi wouldn't make things difficult for her.
"Concubine." The second young lady beckoned Third Concubine over.
Third Concubine approached with a smile: "You didn't come to watch the show, and you missed it! That old hag's face turned green. Madam's skills are high, she got rid of that vixen without shedding a drop of blood."
"Aren't you afraid Grandmother will be angry with you for joining in the fun like that?"
"It's no use if she's angry with me," Third Concubine said, playing with a handkerchief in her hand. "Besides, now that Madam is back, she won't have as much time to bother with us."
"If Eldest Sister were here, there wouldn't be so many troubles in the mansion."
"Eldest Sister hasn't woken up yet, and I don't know when she will wake." Third Concubine lowered her voice. "Do you think Madam can cure the General?"
"I don't know," Xiao Xiang said softly. "Concubine, you should be more careful. Even though Eldest Sister is not here, all the events in the mansion likely escape her notice."
"I haven't done anything, I'm just watching the show." Third Concubine had come to terms with it. She couldn't sit in Madam's position, so she might as well be a dutiful concubine and arrange a good marriage for the second young lady, so she could benefit from it.
A complex light flashed in Xiao Xiang's eyes: "Concubine, accompany me to Gan Ye Temple another day to pray for blessings. I hope Father and Eldest Sister can overcome their misfortunes and recover soon."
After examining Xiao Zhen, He Qingyi looked at Lian Qiao beside her.
"He is indeed poisoned. What do you think?"
Lian Qiao stepped forward, placed two fingers on Xiao Zhen's carotid artery, and after a moment, gestured for He Qingyi to wait outside. She then sat by the bed, crossed her arms, and crossed her legs.
"Father, how long are you going to pretend to be asleep?"
The person who had been lying on the bed, unconscious, opened his eyes and looked at the unfamiliar face sitting beside him with a careless air: "Man'er?"
"Yes, it's me."
Xiao Zhen sat up and reached out to touch Xiao Man's face for a long time, but found no traces of disguise: "How did you do it? There isn't even a hint of a trace."
"This is my secret method, and I won't tell you." Xiao Man leaned forward. "Father, what game are you playing with the Emperor?"
Xiao Zhen sighed: "The Emperor was poisoned, but luckily it was discovered early. However, the culprit was never found, so he came up with this plan to see who would jump into the trap."
"Did anyone jump out?"
Xiao Zhen shook his head: "Your grandmother's sudden return disrupted my plan."
"She has always wanted to return to the imperial capital, how could she miss such a good opportunity?" Xiao Man said softly. "Father, don't worry, I'll handle Grandmother."
"She is your grandmother..."
"Father, don't worry. Your daughter wouldn't dare do anything to Grandmother. Your daughter is just afraid she'll be used by someone." Xiao Man frowned slightly. Old Madam was under house arrest in Cangzhou and had limited information, but as soon as Xiao Zhen fainted, she learned the news and rushed back to the imperial capital as quickly as possible. Someone must be helping her behind the scenes!
"Your grandmother is getting more foolish as she gets older."
"She's not foolish at all," Xiao Man said sarcastically. "She's very shrewd. As soon as she returned, she took control of household affairs and then used the excuse of Mother's improper conduct to drive Mother out of the mansion. If Mother didn't have such a good reputation among the people, she would have succeeded."
Xiao Zhen remained silent. After all, she was his mother. No matter how much he reasoned with her, she wouldn't listen, and he couldn't do anything about it.
"How is your health?"
"Completely recovered, Father, don't worry."
"Should we tell the National Preceptor? He's been looking for medicine for you everywhere." Xiao Zhen looked into Xiao Man's eyes and asked gently.
"Not yet. I don't want to return to the imperial capital right now."
Xiao Zhen hesitated for a moment: "Man'er, did the National Preceptor do something you disliked?"
"Father, you're thinking too much. The fewer people who know about my recovery, the better. After all, I barely managed to escape the imperial capital by feigning serious injury and keeping the general's mansion out of the princes' power struggle. I can't possibly rush back to be schemed against."
Xiao Zhen always felt that Xiao Man was very wary of Feng Tianlan, and even Wen Mohan was extremely wary of Feng Tianlan. But he didn't know the reason, and Xiao Man refused to tell him.
"Do whatever you want, and I'll stand by you, no matter what happens."
"Daughter understands." Xiao Man helped Xiao Zhen lie down. "Since we're acting, let's play the part completely. Father, continue to feign unconsciousness. The medicine has been replaced with what I prepared, don't harm your body."
"Alright." Xiao Zhen agreed wholeheartedly. The person who poisoned His Majesty from behind was undoubtedly coveting the throne, so all four princes were suspects. "This matter cannot be known by Prince Qin."
"Don't worry, I won't tell Prince Qin." Xiao Man thought to herself, that astute Nangong Yu would surely see through your tricks. He might as well be sitting on the sidelines, waiting for you to put on your show, so he can fish in troubled waters.