"What?" Chu Qianli's hand trembled, and her chopsticks clattered onto the table.
She looked at Chu Jiangnan, her eyes filled with shock.
"Your Majesty, forgive my rudeness, but may I ask, don't you suspect me of being a spy? And yet you want to bestow upon me the title of concubine?"
What a joke! She hadn't even considered it.
In her heart, although he was peerlessly beautiful and possessed a captivating magic, he was an elder!
Just like Prince Ling, he was an elder.
Even if he was still young, an elder was an elder. How could he be someone to joke and flirt with?
For some reason, she didn't feel this way about Uncle Jiu.
But facing this stunning monarch before her, she felt he should be an elder she respected.
A very strange conviction.
"Your Majesty..."
However, Chu Jiangnan had no intention of speaking with her. He stood up and turned to leave.
Chu Qianli chased after him, saying anxiously, "Your Majesty, I know a ruler's word is his bond, and you are not joking with me, but I cannot possibly become your..."
Suddenly, Chu Jiangnan's steps faltered. His tall, slender body slowly tensed.
Chu Qianli caught up to him, "Your Majesty..."
Chu Jiangnan raised his hand, signaling her to be silent.
Chu Qianli tried to fathom his thoughts.
Before she could figure it out, she saw Chu Jiangnan suddenly bend at the waist and vomit a mouthful of blood.
Black blood!
"Your Majesty!" Xiao Shunzi was terrified and exclaimed, "Guards! Guards!"
A group of guards rushed in, completely surrounding Chu Qianli.
Xiao Shunzi and the captain of the guards helped Chu Jiangnan, hurrying towards his sleeping quarters.
Xiao Shunzi's face was ashen, "Quickly summon the imperial physician, quickly!"
He had been poisoned.
Things happened too quickly, too quickly for Chu Qianli to react.
She had just arrived, and the Emperor was poisoned. What was worse, the person who had dined with the Emperor just now was her!
As expected, Chu Qianli was quickly apprehended by the guards.
She did not resist, only looking at the person who was clearly the leader and saying urgently, "I could not possibly poison the Emperor like this, nor would I seal my own fate. I am not the murderer!"
The captain of the guards ignored her and escorted her to the imperial prison.
Chu Qianli did not struggle.
This was the imperial palace, filled with experts. If she struggled violently, she might be executed on the spot.
Who was framing her?
No, they weren't trying to frame her, but to harm the Emperor.
She was merely an innocent bystander, who happened to have dinner with the Emperor and was implicated.
The heights are cold.
Indeed, this throne had always been coveted!
Her life, from food and clothing to housing and travel, was never secure.
"Commander Yang!"
Before Yang Xun could escort Chu Qianli away, Xiao Shunzi caught up behind him, "Commander Yang, His Majesty has ordered that Miss Chu be brought to him!"
"Her?" Yang Xun looked bewildered.
Wasn't she the murderer who poisoned the Emperor?
Even if not, she was a suspect. How could she be brought to the Emperor's side at this moment?
What if she harbored ill intentions towards the Emperor?
"It is His Majesty's command, quickly! Send this young lady over!"
Xiao Shunzi's face was pale, and despite running all the way, he showed no signs of breathlessness, indicating how worried he was.
It also showed that Chu Jiangnan's condition was indeed not good.
Yang Xun looked at Chu Qianli. Although he strongly disagreed, he still escorted her towards Chu Jiangnan's sleeping quarters.
"Do not attempt to do anything further against His Majesty, or I will tear you to shreds on the spot!"
Those arms, harder than steel, looked full of strength.
It seemed as though she could truly be torn in half at any moment!