"What did you say?" Chu Qianli's fingertips trembled, and the chopsticks almost slipped from her fingers.
Forced to take poison and commit suicide? Wasn't that the Emperor's decree of death?
Why would it be like this?
It was worlds apart from what she had imagined!
Wasn't she the one who charmed the six palaces, the most beautiful in the world?
Why was she forced by a minister to take poison and commit suicide?
"I'm not entirely sure about this, but I can confirm that Consort Rong committed suicide by poison."
Although the version everyone heard was that Consort Rong's health deteriorated after giving birth to the fourteenth prince, and she later died of illness.
However, Fu Long, knowing the truth, naturally had his own channels to obtain such information.
But this matter, if it wasn't for Ah Li, he wouldn't have mentioned it to anyone.
Since Ah Li could ask, she must have her reasons.
He would never lie to Chu Qianli.
"But she... wasn't she favored by the Emperor? Why... an assassination?" Chu Qianli's voice was already very low.
No one could hear it except Fu Long, who was very close to her.
Fu Long also lowered his voice and whispered, "Not many people knew about this back then, and we who heard it through rumors naturally have even less clarity."
"However, I... by chance, met an old palace servant who delivered the poisoned wine back then, but that person is no longer alive."
Chu Qianli was not surprised by this at all.
Since it was something that couldn't see the light of day, naturally, many people who knew about it back then were no longer alive.
The Emperor always silenced those who knew too much.
As for why Fu Long was still alive and well, it was naturally because the Emperor did not know that Fu Long was aware of this matter.
"Don't speak carelessly."
Chu Qianli sat up straight and did not continue to ask.
She simply picked up her chopsticks and drew a few strokes on the table.
Fu Long was stunned when he saw this.
Looking at Chu Qianli again, she merely nodded without speaking.
Fu Long's fingertips, holding the chopsticks, tightened again.
Consort Rong was still alive.
Since Ah Li knew, it could only mean that this Consort Rong had returned.
Did Prince Xuan also know?
Fu Long looked at Chu Qianli again, and she began to bury her head in eating noodles, saying no more.
Around them, the bustling crowd came and went, appearing no different from usual.
But Chu Qianli felt a strange scent lingering in the air.
After finishing her noodles, she asked Fu Long to leave.
Before Fu Long left, he warned her, "Be careful."
From the moment she started eating, Ah Li's expression had been somewhat unusual.
Although her face was smiling, there was a hint of solemnity between her brows.
Fu Long originally didn't want to leave, but Chu Qianli still needed his help with something.
Although the two were chatting about all sorts of random things, their communication was something outsiders couldn't understand.
Those casual conversations conveyed a lot of information.
Fu Long understood.
After Fu Long left, Chu Qianli paid the bill, stood up, and also left.
In the opposite direction, she was heading back to Prince Xuan's mansion.
This dead girl really knew how to seek protection!
Hua Rong's face was somber. After discovering Chu Qianli's intention, she no longer bothered to hide and directly strode forward with a seemingly slow but faster-than-anyone pace, blocking her path.
"You still want to go back and seek Prince Xuan's protection?"
Chu Qianli hadn't expected her to dare to show herself in broad daylight.
She had thought that this woman had always lived in the shadows and dared not appear casually.
Another miscalculation!
Consort Rong's actions were always surprising, and this time, she had truly met her match, completely unable to guess her strategy.
"I don't know what senior is looking for me for..."
Chu Qianli paused, her gaze passing over Hua Rong and landing on a spot not far behind her. She looked astonished: "Ye Xuan?"