Chapter 198: Borrowing a Knife

Hearing Lin Hao's words, Qi Shuo's expression grew solemn. "If that is the case, then besides Perfected Master Mingxin, there is another faction that has infiltrated the palace."

"Could it be Chen Mu's side?"

After his conspiracy to blow up Jinxiu Street was exposed, Chen Mu had escaped the pursuit of the Jinlin Guards and had yet to be captured.

"It is possible. Do you remember when I mentioned Wang Fu, the Crown Prince's new favorite after Wang Gui's death?"

Lin Hao nodded.

"His sudden favor might be related to the Crown Prince's abnormal behavior. I will have someone keep a close eye on him later to see if there are any clues."

Lin Hao gave a cautionary instruction, feeling uneasy: "A-Shuo, try to avoid the Crown Prince as much as possible in the future. The Five-Colored Powder makes people act erratically; a person without reason is the most terrifying."

"Mhm." Qi Shuo responded. Thinking of the uncontrollable killing intent hidden in the Crown Prince's eyes during their chess match in the pavilion, he could only sneer.

A person without reason is like a maddened beast; though terrifying, they are also easy to deal with.

***

Returning to the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince impatiently consumed the Five-Colored Powder, finally feeling at ease.

"Wang Fu, I have encountered a difficult problem." The Crown Prince lay on his couch, his gaze hazy.

Wang Fu hurriedly said, "This servant is willing to share Your Highness's worries."

The Crown Prince rested his left hand on the armrest; the feeling of weakness gave him an impulse to destroy everything. "Tell me, how can one make a person die without anyone noticing?"

Wang Fu froze.

The Crown Prince's gaze turned slightly cold. "What, are you frightened?"

"No, I was merely wondering what kind of status this person holds."

"Their status is not low. If it were an unnatural death, it would be quite troublesome."

Wang Fu fell silent for a moment before asking in a lowered voice, "Could the person Your Highness refers to be the Heir of Prince Jing?"

The Crown Prince smiled. "It was not in vain that I valued you; you truly understand my thoughts."

Having been served the Five-Colored Powder by Wang Fu time and time again, the Crown Prince had unconsciously come to view Wang Fu as his most trusted person.

Wang Fu's eyes darted around as he whispered, "The Heir of Prince Jing is frail and sickly. If he were to die of illness, no one would surely suspect anything."

"Die of illness?"

Wang Fu smiled. "There are certain poisons that can achieve such a purpose."

The Crown Prince was no stranger to using poison. The person who had previously silenced and kidnapped Lin Chan had used the rare Purple Faith poison.

"It is difficult for an ordinary person to get close to the Heir of Prince Jing, and I do not wish to do it myself."

Doing it personally, after all, carried risks.

Wang Fu blinked. "Has Your Highness forgotten? There is a most suitable person."

"Who?"

"Consort Sun." Wang Fu whispered the three words.

The Crown Prince was stunned for a moment, then patted Wang Fu's shoulder and laughed.

How marvelous; the most suitable blade happened to be right here in the Eastern Palace.

Carried by the lingering excitement of the Five-Colored Powder, the Crown Prince made his way to Sun Xiuhua's quarters.

Sun Xiuhua was currently looking in a mirror at a new pimple on her forehead. Hearing that the Crown Prince had arrived, she hurriedly tidied her bangs and went to greet him.

"Your Highness—"

A hand reached out to lift her up. "No need for formalities."

Sun Xiuhua glanced up at the Crown Prince, her heart racing with excitement.

It had been a few days since the Crown Prince had visited her.

She simply couldn't understand; the Crown Prince didn't go to the Crown Princess's place, nor did he come to hers. He spent most of his time staying in his own room—what on earth was he doing?

"It has been a few days, and Hua'er seems to have become even more beautiful," the Crown Prince smiled.

Hearing this form of address, Sun Xiuhua felt no joy, but rather a sense of vigilance.

Why was the Crown Prince calling her "Hua'er" all of a sudden? He had clearly called her "Consort" before.

Having experienced both favor and neglect, Sun Xiuhua had long since lost any illusions about romance. What she wanted was to shed her status as a Consort and climb to the position she desired.

The Crown Prince took Sun Xiuhua's hand and led her into the inner room. Once the palace maids had served tea and withdrawn, he sniffed softly. "It smells so fragrant in here, Hua'er."

"I recently changed the incense," Sun Xiuhua said cooperatively, becoming even more certain that the Crown Prince's intentions were impure.

In the past, the Crown Prince had never paid attention to any incense.

The Crown Prince was not a man of great patience. After a few words of small talk, he turned to the main topic: "Hua'er, it has been a long time since you returned to the Prince's manor, hasn't it?"

Sun Xiuhua's eyelashes trembled slightly as she nodded.

"You and the Princess of Jing are as close as mother and daughter; you should go back and visit often."

Sun Xiuhua lowered her head slightly, revealing her long, slender neck. "Now that I have entered the Eastern Palace, my duty is to serve Your Highness. There is no reason for me to go back often."

"No, you should go back."

Sun Xiuhua looked up at the Crown Prince, her eyes filled with confusion.

The Crown Prince pulled a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve and pushed it toward Sun Xiuhua.

"This is—"

"Hua'er, I need you to do me a favor."

The Crown Prince's voice was as gentle as water, yet Sun Xiuhua felt an inexplicable sense of panic.

"What does Your Highness want this servant to do?"

"Find a way to make Qi Shuo consume what is inside this." The Crown Prince pointed to the small porcelain bottle.

Sun Xiuhua trembled violently, her pupils suddenly dilating. "Your Highness!"

This cry was full of terror; the Crown Prince's handsome face appeared distorted in her eyes.

"What, are you unwilling?"

"Your... Your Highness... what will happen if he consumes what is in here?" Sun Xiuhua asked with a trembling voice.

The Crown Prince smiled. "Don't be afraid. Eating this will only cause diarrhea and some suffering. Every time I go to the Prince's manor to play chess with Qi Shuo, he makes me lose miserably. He is quite inconsiderate. I just want him to suffer a little bit."

Seeing the Crown Prince push the bottle forward, Sun Xiuhua abruptly pulled her hand back, tears streaming down her face.

"Your Highness, this servant cannot do it..."

Unless she were a fool, she would believe that the contents of the bottle would only cause diarrhea.

"You cannot do it?" These three words acted like a fuse, igniting the Crown Prince's fury. He grabbed Sun Xiuhua by the collar and pulled her close. "If you can't even do this, then what *can* you do?"

Those blood-red eyes completely terrified Sun Xiuhua.

At this moment, she realized with absolute clarity that her life was held in the hands of this madman.

"Your Highness, I... I can try..."

The Crown Prince released his grip, his expression returning to gentleness. "I knew Hua'er was the most considerate."

Sun Xiuhua struggled to force a smile, her cold fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

The Crown Prince reached out to wrap his arm around her waist. "I will remember your kindness. I won't mistreat you in the future."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

After the Crown Prince departed, Sun Xiuhua stared fixedly at the small porcelain bottle lying quietly. After an unknown amount of time, she reached out and grasped it in her hand.

The bottle was cold, pressing against her tender palm.

She exhaled sharply and carefully tucked the bottle away.

She didn't want to, but she had no choice...

***

In two days, it would be the birthdays of the Little County Princess, Qi Qiong, and the Second Young Master, Qi Huan. Considering the storm stirred up by Princess Lingque, neither had sent out invitations to relatives and friends. Instead, they had each made arrangements to meet close friends for a small gathering outside at noon, and would gather as a family for longevity noodles in the evening.

Sun Xiuhua's arrival came as a great surprise to the Princess of Jing.

"Why has Xiuhua left the palace?" Although she was greatly disappointed in this niece, the Princess of Jing could not bring herself to ignore her completely.

"Today is the birthday of my cousins. I specifically told His Highness that I would return to celebrate with them."

"It's not even a major birthday; it's not worth a special trip out of the palace. The two of them don't take it seriously and ran out to play early this morning. Had I known you were coming back, I would have kept Qiong'er at home." As the Princess of Jing spoke, her heart, which had been chilled by her niece, warmed up somewhat.

Sun Xiuhua smiled. "Being happy on one's birthday is most important. Being able to spend more time with my aunt means my trip back wasn't in vain."

"Then stay a while longer before returning to the palace, Xiuhua. It has been a while since we've had a meal together."

"Mhm. Has Cousin also gone out?"

"Shuo'er has never liked crowds; he is at home."

"Then let's invite Cousin to join us at noon. It has been a long time since I've seen him. He and the Second Miss Lin are engaged, and I haven't had the chance to congratulate them in person."

"Alright." The Princess of Jing agreed without much thought.

Sun Xiuhua was clever and tactful; when she set her mind to coaxing someone, she could make them feel perfectly comfortable. She knew that mentioning the Eastern Palace would only provoke the Princess of Jing's anger, so she didn't say a single word about it, instead steering the conversation toward her late mother.

The Princess of Jing and Sun's mother were close sisters, so she was naturally happy to listen. The aunt and niece chatted about their shared relatives, and before they knew it, it was time for lunch.

The Princess of Jing sent a maid to call for Qi Shuo.

(End of Chapter)