"Second Brother, don't be stubborn. If you still recognize me as your little sister, hand over the antidote!" Shen Yehong stated directly, "I don't want you to fall out with them!"
Shen Tian stood by, hesitating for a long time before producing a pill. "This is the antidote! I never intended to take his life."
Shen Yehong snatched the pill and left the palace hall immediately. He was not interested in what Shen Tian had to say and was even filled with anger. He could never have imagined that his second brother would do such a thing, which made him even more displeased.
Shen Tian had no explanation. He knew that at this point, any further explanation would be useless.
Meanwhile, in the First Prince's palace, Lu Fan had been waiting for a long time before seeing Shen Yehong's figure. "How is it?"
"It's in hand. Let's go to the Immortal Abode!"
After speaking, Shen Yehong pulled Lu Fan and headed out of the imperial palace, his expression even more solemn. If anything happened to Liuli because of this, how would he explain it to the Tongtian Academy? And it would leave a shadow in the hearts of Lu Fan and the others.
Watching Lu Fan depart, the First Prince let out a faint cold laugh. "Second Brother, oh Second Brother, I never expected you to be so reckless! What a pity, your plan failed!"
"After this incident, these people from the Tongtian Academy will surely not associate too closely with the Second Prince!" a guard remarked. "This way, the First Prince will have no need to be wary of others!"
"I never had any need to be wary!" the First Prince stated calmly. "However, it is best for me if they fall out."
In the Immortal Abode, Bi Yao sealed Liuli's blood, her expression becoming grave. This poison was no ordinary one. Liuli was already at the Heavenly Venerate realm yet was still poisoned, which was enough to show the terrifying nature of this toxin.
Entering the room, Lu Fan took out a pill and gave it to Liuli, feeling anxious.
"It's all my fault, I wasn't careful enough with you all."
Shen Yehong blamed himself. "I never thought the struggle for the throne would involve you."
"This has nothing to do with you!" Lu Fan said directly. "It was your second brother's doing!"
Shen Yehong's face flushed, and he had no way to refute. Hearing Lu Fan's words, it seemed he was quite dissatisfied with his second brother.
After taking the antidote, Liuli gradually woke up, but she still looked quite weak, clearly due to the toxin.
"Liuli, it's all my fault for not protecting you and letting my second brother do this."
Shen Yehong said guiltily, "But don't worry, I promise that from now on, within the imperial city, I will never let such a thing happen again!"
"Was it the Second Prince?"
Liuli looked surprised. "Why would he send people to deal with us?"
"It's all because of the royal struggle. If not for that, my second brother wouldn't have been so foolish!" Shen Yehong explained repeatedly.
"Even if it's the royal struggle, it's fine if he really wanted to attack us," Lu Fan stated directly. "But if there's a next time, I will make your second brother pay the price!"
"Understood!"
Shen Yehong nodded slightly, his face also flushed, feeling awkward.
"Don't put too much psychological pressure on yourself. This matter is not your fault!"
Bi Qing chimed in, "Since it was your second brother who did it, then it's your second brother's problem. You don't need to take it too much to heart!"
"Of course, I know!"
Bi Qing nodded slightly. "But no matter what, he is still a member of the royal family. Now that he has done something like this, I also have an undeniable responsibility."
"I don't blame you for this matter, but you must remind your brothers!" Lu Fan said directly. "Although they are members of the royal family, they should also abide by the rules. Treating human lives as insignificant will eventually bring trouble upon themselves."
"I will convey your words truthfully!"
Shen Yehong quickly nodded, not daring to be the slightest bit negligent. This matter arose from their royal family, and he should indeed bear responsibility.
During these few days, they stayed at the Immortal Abode, not venturing out casually. Liuli's spirit had recovered considerably and she was no longer in any serious danger.
Bi Qing returned from outside, his eyes filled with joy. "I just received news that the Second Master of the Gu family, Gu Yuntong, has returned and is currently in the imperial city!"
"Then we can make our move!" Liuli exclaimed with joy. "We've waited so long in the imperial city, and finally, the opportunity has arrived!"
"I'm afraid it's not that simple!" Lu Fan shook his head. "Don't you know? The Gu family has a Saint. If we really make a move, it will be disadvantageous for us!"
"If that's the case, what should we do?"
Liuli frowned. "This is a rare opportunity."
"We can capture the young master of the Gu family and take him outside the imperial city!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "Then have the Second Master of the Gu family come to ransom him! This way, we can catch them all at once. As for the Saint of the Gu family, he won't have time to react."
"This plan is good, but what if the Gu family's Saint comes out?"
Bi Qing worried. "Such things are not groundless rumors; they are real."
"The Gu family only has one Saint. Why would they mobilize him so easily?" Lu Fan chuckled. "Besides, even if a Saint comes, we don't need to fear him."
Liuli was slightly stunned, her eyes shifting. Especially Lu Fan's words just now were quite profound, leaving her quite puzzled.
"Junior Brother Lu Fan, your words have a deeper meaning. How can I not understand?"
Bi Qing smiled. "Could it be that you can fight against a Saint?"
"I don't know how strong a Saint's power is, so I don't have that confidence yet," Lu Fan shook his head. "However, if a Saint truly appears, I might be able to resist for a while, at least so that you all won't be entangled!"
"I truly didn't expect you to have such confidence."
Liuli was astonished. "Back when we were at Shenji Mountain, I knew you were no ordinary person. It seems my guess was correct."
"Enough talk. Let's act now!" Lu Fan said directly. "I will go capture Gu Hai, and you will spread the news. After one hour, we will meet at Shili Slope, ten miles outside the imperial city!"
Bi Qing nodded slightly. "In that case, Junior Brother, be careful!"
"Don't worry!" Lu Fan nodded slightly.
Meanwhile, in a tavern, Gu Hai was indulging in wine and women with several dissolute young men, looking quite jovial. He had beauties embracing him on both sides, each of them exceptionally beautiful, the cream of the crop among courtesans.
As the young master of the Gu family, he had a penchant for such things, hence his nickname "Flower-Plucking Young Master." His reputation in the entire imperial city was not good. If not for the backing of the Gu family, he would have long been assassinated.