Chapter 29

After other people in the room were gone, the Retired Emperor stared straight at Eunuch Chang in displeasure. He wondered why the old man kept standing there like a log. He used to read all his hints.

Eunuch Chang felt aggrieved and glanced at Yuan Qingling. Ever since she came to the imperial palace to take care of the Retired Emperor, he fell out of favor. Now he forgave her because she and Yu Wenhao had saved Lucky.

Eunuch Chang told other imperial servants waiting outside to leave as well, and the room was completely quiet now.

The Retired Emperor glanced at Yuan Qingling. “What’s that on Lucky’s stomach?”

"Centipede...?" Yuan Qingling said without much confidence.

Everyone was focusing on Lucky’s stomach just then because it was covered by bloodstains.

Only its master who really cared about it could see the stitch.

“Tell me the truth now. Or will you only be honest when I punish Wenhao for it?” the Retired Emperor said coldly.

So? She couldn’t care less if Yu Wenhao was punished. She actually couldn’t wait to see him being flogged thirty times too!

But she didn’t dare to say it aloud. Under the stress from the Retired Emperor, she said, “Lucky had a ruptured spleen and needed to be cut open and closed up. The centipede is the closed-up wound.”

The Retired Emperor closed his mouth. He wanted to know how she made it, but his pride stopped him. He would be embarrassed if he said he had never heard of such a treatment before.

“Who took the Herbal Pill?” The Retired Emperor asked again.

Yuan Qingling answered, “I did.”

“Wenhao treats you nicely.” The Retired Emperor nodded.

Yuan Qingling, however, didn’t agree with him on that. Yu Wenhao had been abusing her. he slapped her face and had her flogged. That was far from “treating nicely”.

“How did you get wounded?” The Retired Emperor asked once more.

Yuan Qingling didn’t dare to tell the truth. “It’s from a fall.”

“Humph, you’re still lying. I think you deserved the punishment. The punishment seems to be too light.” the Retired Emperor snorted.

Yuan Qingling lowered her head. “The truth is always unpleasant.”

“I’ve heard enough pleasing words during my life. But few people dare to be honest with me. Will you tell me the real reason or not?”

Yuan Qingling stood there still for a while, then she said in a quiet voice, “I was flogged.”

“For what?”

Yuan Qingling shook her head. “No idea.”

“Are you accusing my grandson of punishing you for no reason?” The Retired Emperor raised his eyebrow.

Yuan Qingling failed to figure out what exactly the Retired Emperor was thinking. She only felt he was aggressive, but she also find he wasn’t being malicious. If she gave a perfunctory answer, he would easily see her through, but he would be displeased if she told the truth. It was really hard to get along with the imperial family.

“Time to take meds!” Yuan Qingling changed the subject. She walked to the curtain and took a handful of drugs, then she walked to the bed with water.

The Retired Emperor was done being mad. “Don’t get vindictive, young lady.”

Although he complained about it, he still took the medicines.

He lay down and gave a sigh of relief, “I can’t do this again. I’ve been on the brink of death three times till now. If it happens once more, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be so lucky. Qingling, you’re helping me fight against demons from hell, but you’re alone and weak. I’m afraid you’re just digging your own grave.”

Yuan Qingling was startled for a second, looking at the Retired Emperor’s expression which obviously implied something else.

This old man knew everything.

He was clearly aware that someone was scheming against him.

Yuan Qingling said in a flat voice, “I don’t care. Life isn’t important to me.”

The Retired Emperor was slightly surprised. He started to appreciate Yuan Qingling, but he was as acerbic as always. “I’m afraid you won’t die easily.

You might be tortured badly.”

“I have no fear!” Said Yuan Qingling.

In fact, it was useless even if she was scared.

“There were so many people in the room just now. Can you distinguish humans from demons?” Asked the Retired Emperor.

Yuan Qingling shook her head. “I can’t.”

“Take a closer look. As long as you’re calm enough with acute sight, all the demons will show their real colors. It’s hard to hide one’s ambition. I’ll tell you how to deal with them after you can see them through.”

Yuan Qingling was confused. “Since you know who’re the demons, why can’t you get rid of them by yourself?”

“Because it never ends. After the demons are removed, the humans will become demons gradually. Ambition could change every person. And me?

I’m already dying. I’m out of strength now. They’re all the imperial family’s members, my offspring. I get hurt every time I kill one of them.”

As the Retired Emperor said that, he slowly closed his eyes.

Yuan Qingling felt sad. He was the most respected Retired Emperor of this dynasty, but he was unable to remove those who wanted to harm him.

“Wenhao is smart, but unfortunately he’s blind!” the Retired Emperor muttered, eyes closed.

Yuan Qingling tucked the quilt for him. “Have some sleep.”

The Retired Emperor suddenly opened his eyes and grabbed Yuan Qingling’s wrist. “I hope you can cure his blindness with your medical skills.”

Looking at the anxious Retired Emperor, Yuan Qingling said gently, “He was ignorant and lost his reason. I’m afraid my medical skills wouldn’t work.”

The Retired Emperor closed his eyes again. Obviously, he agreed with her.

After a while, there was a slight snoring sound, and the Retired Emperor fell asleep.

Lucky, however, woke up and moved a bit, whining.

Yuan Qingling squatted and stroked its head. “Tell me, who hurt you?”

Lucky whined three times.

It was a name and Yuan Qingling could tell.

“Good boy, don’t be afraid. You’re fine now. She can’t hurt you again,” Said Yuan Qingling to comfort Lucky.

Lucky licked her hand. It looked extremely dependent on her.

A while later, Yuan Qingling walked out and saw Eunuch Chang waiting outside.

“His Majesty is asleep. Please pay more attention.”

Eunuch Chang nodded. “Your Grace, I’ve ordered the servants to get some food for you. Please have some.”

“Thank you so much!”

“It’s in the West Sunshine Mansion. His Highness should be there too.”

“Is Princess Mingcui out of the imperial palace?” Yuan Qingling asked.

Eunuch Chang replied, “She should be in the West Sunshine Mansion as well, so is Prince Wenqing.”

Yuan Qingling walked to the West Sunshine Mansion without hesitation.

When she arrived, she didn't see Yu Wenhao or Prince Wenqing. Only Chu Mingcui was standing in front of the corridor.

She looked at Yuan Qingling with cold eyes. She curved her lips and mocked.

As Yuan Qingling approached, Chu Mingcui suddenly said in a low voice, "Do you think you can win his heart? In your dream! He can never get over me. He’ll never fall in love with you in his life. You are not even a qualified substitute."

Yuan Qingling stared at her quietly. Chu Mingcui is known as one of the most talented women in the capital. She was gentle, courteous, modest, and knowledgeable. Everyone admired her.

But at this moment, she was laughing at Yuan Qingling and looked boldly ambitious, which was quite ugly.

“You threw Lucky down, didn’t you?” Yuan Qingling asked calmly.

The Retired Emperor once told her that she could see everything clearly as long as she was calm enough.

Chu Mingcui sneered, "Women are sensitive. You know Wenhao and I were in the Glory Tower. But unfortunately, it's just your guess. No one will believe you. They’ll just think that you are framing me. Wenhao would rather die than see me being punished."

Your Highness's Beloved Medical-skilled Princess Chapter 28 He Is Under Suspicion My Marriage to a Mute Girl Chapter 50 Hell to Earth Forensic Doctor, Moe Wife Chapter 185: For Her, Sheng Xiao Is Everything "I know no one will believe what I said. I just want to confirm whether my speculation is correct. You threw down Lucky, right?" Yuan Qingling asked again.

Chu Mingcui leaned in to say by her ears, "You are right. It's me. Do you want to know what Wenhao said to me at the Glory Tower? He told me you are dirty and hateful in his eyes. He has to take drugs for your consummate." She sounded triumphant.

“He told you that?” Yuan Qingling asked.

“Or how did I get to know that?” Chu Mingcui smiled with pride. She observed Yuan Qingling, waiting to see her reaction. Given Yuan Qingling’s temper in the old days, she would surely lose control of herself.

Forensic Doctor, Moe Wife