Chapter 280 - 280: The Great Empress Dowager Was Poisoned

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Jiang Peihuan didn’t want to continue the topic of Yao Ji and Xue Ji, so she turned directly to Xiao Nanye and asked.

Xiao Nanye, who just had gentle eyes, turned gloomy after hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words. “Who else could it be besides her?”

Seeing the darkness in Xiao Nanye’s eyes, Jiang Peihuan continued, “What are you going to do next?”

“If you hadn’t died this time, she would have planned another assassination soon.”

“Don’t worry, she won’t dare for a short time.”

As he said this, there was a menacing look in Xiao Nanye’s eyes. Jiang Peihuan raised an eyebrow, “What did you do?”

“Why can she target me, but I can’t target her?”

In the imperial city, Cining Palace.

“Great Empress…”

“Someone, call the imperial doctor!”

The nanny walked into the Great Empress Dowager’s bedroom, only to be met with a strong smell of blood.

The Great Empress Dowager was lying on the bed, pale, with blood at the corner of her mouth.

Soon, the imperial doctor was summoned to Cining Palace.

Emperor Qi Ming and the Empress were also alarmed.

“How could the Great Empress Dowager be poisoned? What are you people doing?”

Hearing the imperial doctor’s words, anger flashed in Emperor Qi Ming’s eyes.

All the eunuchs and maids of Cining Palace knelt on the ground, not daring to speak.

“Guards, take them all and beat them to death.”

Hearing Emperor Qi Ming’s words, fear appeared in the eyes of the maids and eunuchs. At this moment, the voice of the Great Empress Dowager reached Emperor Qi Ming, “Qi Ming.”

“Mother, how do you feel?”

Hearing the Great Empress Dowager’s voice, Emperor Qi Ming could not care less about the eunuchs and maidservants on the ground. He directly walked to the Great Empress Dowager’s side, and the Empress hurriedly followed.

The Great Empress Dowager’s stomach was still throbbing in pain, but when she heard Emperor Qi Ming’s words, she still said softly, “I am fine.”

“We must keep my poisoning a secret. Please pardon them for now.”

“Since mother pleads mercy for them, I will spare them. But if it happens again, even your intercession won’t save them.”

Seeing that the Great Empress Dowager was not in good spirits, Emperor Qi Ming spoke with her briefly before leaving with the Empress.

After Emperor Qi Ming left, the gentleness in the Great Empress Dowager’s eyes vanished, replaced by a chilling darkness.

“Great Empress?”

The old nanny approached, whispering.

Seeing her, the Great Empress Dowager asked softly, “Any news?”

The old nanny shook her head. “No clues found, maybe…”

“Great Empress, something has happened.”

Before the old nanny could finish, a palace servant girl rushed in.

Seeing her panic, the Great Empress Dowager’s eyes filled with fury. “What are you shouting about?”

“Great Empress, Snowball is dead.”

“What did you say?”

Snowball was a pet dog raised by the Great Empress Dowager, greatly cherished, with dedicated eunuchs taking care of it.

Moments later, the young eunuch who cared for Snowball entered, holding its cage.

Seeing the dog in the cage, the Great Empress Dowager was in turmoil.

The dog was gutted, its white fur stained red with blood. Seeing this, the Great Empress Dowager staggered.

“Take it away!”

Seeing this, the old nanny quickly stepped forward to support the Great Empress Dowager and ordered the eunuch.

“Great Empress?”

“We don’t need to investigate further. It must be him. That bastard didn’t die; he’s still alive!”

By the end of her words, the Great Empress Dowager spat out blood and fainted.

The palace maid at the side wanted to call the imperial doctor but was scolded by the old nanny, “Don’t go!”

When traveling from Kyoto to the Western Regions, the journey was filled with twists and turns, but on the return trip, everything went smoothly.

As they approached the city gate, Zhao Yong and Rong Mo parted ways with Xiao Nanye and Jiang Peihuan.

Looking at Zhao Yong seated on his horse, Jiang Peihuan softly said, “Prince, thank you for everything this time.”

Jiang Peihuan wasn’t fond of the people of the Huainan King’s Mansion, but she never grew tired of Zhao Yong.

Hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, Zhao Yong whispered, “I’m repaying a favor to the queen. From now on, we owe each other nothing.”

After saying this, Zhao Yong walked away.

“Master, you’re finally back.”

Han Feng had also arrived at the city gate. Seeing Xiao Nanye getting off the carriage, his eyes were filled with excitement.

“Queen Cheng”

When he saw Jian Peihuan, Han Feng quickly went forward and bowed.

“Get up.”

Jiang Peihuan had grown accustomed to their form of address. Seeing Han Feng bowing to her, she spoke softly.

“If there’s any news, let’s discuss it back at the mansion.”

Upon Xiao Nanye’s command, everyone headed straight to the Cheng Mansion. “Quuen Cheng?”

Yue Er and Lu Er both stood at the main entrance of the King Cheng Mansion. Seeing Jiang Peihuan alighting from the carriage, they immediately surrounded her.

“I’m back.”

Seeing them, a faint smile appeared in Jiang Peihuan’s eyes.

“Has anything happened at the mansion during my absence?”

After sitting down on the chair in the living room, Xiao Nanye looked at Han Feng and said,

“Master, during the time when you and the queen were absent, many people came to the mansion inquiring about news, but Ada and Ayun sent them away.”

Ada and Ayun are the individuals disguised as Xiao Nanye and Jiang Peihuan.

Master, the Great Empress Dowager is sick.”

“Is that so?”

Listening to Han Feng talking about the events that transpired in the capital, Xiao Nanye’s expression remained unchanged. However, upon hearing this, a hint of a smile appeared on Xiao Nanye’s face.

Yet, there wasn’t a trace of mirth in his eyes, only mockery.

“The Great Empress Dowager is sick, as her junior, it’s only right for me to visit. Prepare, I’m going to enter the palace.”

“Yes.”

“Xiao Nanye, I’ll go with you.”

Hearing Jian Peihuan’s words, Xiao Nanye frowned.

Seeing the look in his eyes, Jiang Peihuan said softly, “Logically speaking, after our wedding, I should have visited the Great Empress Dowager and the Empress.”

“Then, let’s go to the palace together.”

First, they went to the Qianqing Palace to see Emperor Qi Ming.

The two of them first went to the Clear Sky Hall to see Emperor Qi Ming.

Emperor Qi Ming didn’t seem to notice Xiao Nanye’s half-month absence from the capital. Looking at Xiao Nanye, who was paying his respects, he said in a low voice, “I thought after your marriage, you wouldn’t plan on visiting the palace anymore.”

Facing Emperor Qi Ming’s provocative remark, Xiao Nanye remained silent, as if he hadn’t heard anything.

Seeing his silence, Emperor Qi Ming turned his attention to Jiang Peihuan, “What are you doing in the palace with this guy?”

Perhaps because of her marriage to Xiao Nanye, Jiang Peihuan noticed that Emperor Qi Ming’s attitude towards her had become a bit warmer.

Hearing Emperor Qi Ming’s question, Jiang Peihuan responded softly, “Your Majesty, Nanye and I came to the palace to pay our respects to the Great Empress Dowager. We heard that the Great Empress Dowager is unwell, and the Nanye was worried, so we decided to visit her.”