Suddenly, she remembered something and was about to leave.
She found her clothes being tugged. She saw Qi Yu Yuan looking at her with that innocent gaze, devoid of any impurities, incredibly pure.
She tried to pull her clothes free, but he didn't let go. He just looked at her, his gaze pitiful.
"Let go," she suddenly commanded coldly.
Qi Yu Yuan, who had been merely holding the corner of her clothes, suddenly released them. He just hugged his quilt tightly, murmuring something she couldn't understand at all.
"Your Majesty, are you leaving somewhere?" Xiao Pingzi tried to stop her. She knew Xiao Pingzi's worries. Taking care of an adult was easy, but taking care of someone with an unsound mind, and moreover someone he was usually very cautious around, filled him with dread. With such a person, you never knew what they might suddenly do.
"I just want to call my maid in," Xue Xing Yue said with a hint of amusement.
"Then this servant will go." Xiao Pingzi scurried away.
Xue Xing Yue looked at Xiao Pingzi's retreating back with a sense of helplessness.
When she turned back, Qi Yu Yuan had appeared beside her at some unknown time. She was startled, "How did you get here? You scared me."
He just looked at her, his gaze fixed solely on her. She couldn't say anything to him. Scold him? She couldn't bring herself to lash out at this Qi Yu Yuan.
"Qi Yu Yuan, you've come to this?" She shook her head. If Qi Yu Yuan knew he would end up like this, what would he think?
"Your Majesty... you..." Wu Hen saw Qi Yu Yuan and bowed, "Greetings, Your Maj..."
"No need to greet me. Quickly, see if he's gone mad?" Xue Xing Yue said.
"Your Majesty, what is this?" Wu Hen was about to remind Xue Xing Yue when she noticed that Qi Yu Yuan seemed a little off.
"Your Majesty. Your Majesty he..."
Xue Xing Yue nodded, "Take a look."
Wu Hen nodded, preparing to place her hand on Qi Yu Yuan's wrist, but Qi Yu Yuan suddenly pushed Wu Hen away and curled up behind Xue Xing Yue.
Wu Hen was stunned and said, "Your Majesty, this..."
Xue Xing Yue helplessly pulled Qi Yu Yuan out from behind and handed his wrist to Wu Hen. After a brief diagnosis, Wu Hen withdrew her hand and said, "As Your Majesty stated, His Majesty has indeed been poisoned. It's an uncommon poison. Those with a mild case become violent, those with a moderate case remain as normal as usual but are abnormally calm, and those with a severe case revert to a childlike state of mind."
After Wu Hen finished speaking, Xue Xing Yue recalled Qi Yu Yuan's extreme rage that day, followed by his calmness at Shi Ye's enthronement ceremony, and now his childlike demeanor.
"Is he severely affected now?" Xue Xing Yue asked.
Wu Hen nodded, "Yes."
"Is there a cure?"
"Your Majesty, this poison can only be cured with a medicinal ingredient that grows on the snow mountains as a catalyst."
Xue Xing Yue sighed, "Why do I keep encountering such things?"
Wu Hen did not want to discourage her Highness, but she still said, "When this servant arrived, Fan Yan had already sent people to surround this place inside and out. I'm afraid Your Majesty will not be able to leave."
Xue Xing Yue sighed, "In this situation, there's no way to leave."
"Your Majesty, isn't this a good opportunity now?" Wu Hen asked.
Xue Xing Yue turned back and looked at the neck beneath Qi Yu Yuan's inner robe. If she were to choke him, he would die. She could avenge her father and mother, but the truth might never be known.
His gaze, as pure as a child's, looked at her. She sighed, suppressing the anger in her heart, and said, "The time is not yet right. Let's keep him for now!"
Wu Hen nodded, "Whatever decision you make, this servant will obey."
"However, Your Majesty, what are your thoughts on this? The longer it drags on, the more severe His Majesty's condition will become," Wu Hen said.
"We must leave Qi. I remember that to the north of Qi lies the snow mountains where the snow never melts year-round, while the area below is in full bloom during spring. The medicinal herb you mentioned should grow there. The problem is how to get out? That remains a difficult issue," Xue Xing Yue frowned.
"Why not first contact the army of Prince Nan Ping outside the imperial city?" Wu Hen suggested.
Xue Xing Yue nodded, "That's a good idea. Go and send someone to contact them. Make sure not to alert them. Also, have Fan Yan come in; I have something to instruct him."
Fan Yan walked in and bowed, "Your Majesty, you sent for your subordinate."
"Fan Yan, you must already be aware of His Majesty's condition. I know you are a trusted person of His Majesty, so I won't hide it from you. His Majesty has been poisoned and urgently needs an antidote. We must find a way to leave this palace. The longer we delay, the more detrimental it will be to His Majesty's recovery."
"Your Majesty, whatever you command, this subordinate will certainly carry out," Fan Yan said.
Xue Xing Yue nodded, "What I need you to do now is simple. Send people to guard concubine Shan, so that not a single person or insect can meet with concubine Shan. Do you understand?"
Fan Yan said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. Your subordinate obeys!"
After making a few more arrangements, Xue Xing Yue returned to the bedside. She saw Qi Yu Yuan still looking at her with that pure, watery gaze.
She sighed and reached out to stroke his head. A hint of a smile appeared on his brows.
She had never seen Qi Yu Yuan like this, perhaps not even in her previous life. Thinking of this, she found it amusing. It was truly peculiar that being poisoned could transform someone into this state.
If Qi Yu Yuan had been like this before, she would have been very upset. But now, she felt an inexplicable sense of relief. Perhaps this way, she wouldn't have to face him with such caution. She could look at him without restraint, even give him a dismissive glance, and wouldn't hesitate to scold him, knowing he wouldn't remember anything.
With this thought, she reached out and pinched his cheek, saying coldly, "What do you think I should do with you?" As if she had hurt him.
Qi Yu Yuan reached out to stop her, but she didn't let go. When she finally released him, a clear red mark was left on his face. When Wu Hen returned, Xue Xing Yue had already fallen asleep with her head on the table.