The Fourth Princess listened to Lan Qin's words, and a surge of jealousy arose in her heart. Although she remained in Bianjing, she had struggled alone all these years. When she was bullied, no one stood up for her, and there was nowhere to complain. When she was injured, she could only bandage herself, with no one to care for her. Compared to Lan Qin, they were the truly pitiable ones. Lan Qin, though sent out as a spy, was always protected by Xiao Man. Even if their identities were exposed, Xiao Man still protected her.
"She treated you quite well, why do you hate her?"
"Because, looking at her, it reminds me of how despicable I am," Lan Qin said, circling her tongue against her teeth. "I'm jealous that she enjoys immense favor, colluding with others to poison her, ruin her reputation, and not content with that, she even wanted to kill her."
"And the result?"
Lan Qin shrugged, "She's still alive and well, what do you think the result was?"
"You didn't scheme against her!"
Lan Qin glanced at the Fourth Princess, "I indeed didn't scheme against her. She returned every trick I played against her, and that's not all. She could have watched me die, but she didn't. She wanted me to live and truly experience this painful life. Tell me, should I hate her?"
In the Tantai Palace, the lights were bright until dawn. As the candles burned out, peace finally settled.
Hong Shang Gong stood at the door, "Your Majesty, it is time for morning court."
"No morning court today," the Empress's lazy voice came out, then fell silent.
Hong Shang Gong hesitated for a moment, then sent someone to relay the order that there would be no morning court today.
The Empress lay on her side on the bed, looking at the sleeping face beside her. She couldn't help but reach out, but as soon as she touched Feng Mo Ran's face, Feng Mo Ran grabbed her wrist.
"You're awake."
Feng Mo Ran tried to sit up but felt weak all over. He only managed to sit up halfway before collapsing back down. Feng Mo Ran then realized with a shock that his dantian was empty, his profound internal energy gone without a trace.
"A' Ran, are you alright?" the Empress asked with concern in her eyes, yet a hint of joy beneath. She had finally returned to her side.
Feng Mo Ran glared, "Get out!"
The Empress sat up, her cascading long hair covering her smooth back. She picked up her clothes and, in front of Feng Mo Ran, slowly and deliberately dressed herself.
"The poison you were afflicted with is rather strange," the Empress said as she dressed. "All your profound internal energy has vanished. However, don't worry, I will find an antidote."
Feng Mo Ran turned his face away, his eyes filled with gloom. Marrow-purging poison, hah. It truly was retribution. Back then, he had used marrow-purging poison to harm Du Gu Man, reducing her to Murong Sheng Rui's plaything. Now, he too had been poisoned with marrow-purging poison and had become Lan Ruo Yu's plaything. Truly, karma was swift!
The Empress, seeing Feng Mo Ran's back, did not get angry. "Rest well. I will have the imperial physicians come to examine you later. I will also send people to investigate the matter of Tian Bao Lou."
Feng Mo Ran remained silent. The Empress did not expect a reply. The madness of last night was vividly etched in her memory. Feng Mo Ran, who had once disdained her, had actively pleased her last night. This made her very satisfied. Regardless of what poison he was afflicted with, if it was not harmful to his body, she would prefer he never recovered from it!
It seemed she needed to have someone thoroughly investigate what kind of poison this marrow-purging poison was!
As soon as the Empress left, Feng Mo Ran immediately struggled to sit up. However, his body was sore and weak. At this moment, he was truly powerless, unable to even lift a chicken. Even a small palace maid could easily kill him.
"Someone."
"Master."
"Go and find out if that old scoundrel Wan Du Zi is still alive," Feng Mo Ran said through gritted teeth. The poison he was afflicted with was marrow-purging, yet not entirely so. It possessed the toxicity of marrow-purging poison, but with added elements that made him completely lose control!
"Yes, Master."
"Have the people from Tian Bao Lou been found?" Feng Mo Ran leaned weakly against the headboard, his exposed skin bearing purple and blue marks. Shu Xuan didn't know where to look. Their master, who was usually considered noble and untouchable, had actually... Shu Xuan couldn't find words to describe it. Last night's Feng Mo Ran was truly dissolute!
"No, the people from Tian Bao Lou seem to have vanished into thin air. Our people have searched every corner of Bianjing but found no trace of them."
"What is Nan Gong Yu doing?"
Shu Xuan lowered his head, "Your subordinate is incompetent. We still haven't found any trace of Nan Gong Yu."
"Useless!" Feng Mo Ran snapped. "Go and investigate. If anyone had the ability to tamper with things right under my nose, it would be him..."
Feng Mo Ran suddenly fell silent. An unbelievable thought flashed through his mind: Could Nan Gong Yu have joined forces with Murong Sheng Rui?
No, why would these two join forces to deal with him?
A hint of confusion flickered in Feng Mo Ran's eyes. Did Murong Sheng Rui recognize him? But why would Nan Gong Yu attack him?
"Go and investigate if there has been any contact between Nan Gong Yu and Murong Sheng Rui." Feng Mo Ran felt that things were slipping out of his control. He was always the one controlling the game board, but now, his game was in disarray, and he could hardly discern his opponent.
"Yes, Master."
"Also... keep a close eye on the Princess's every move."
"Master, the Princess is insistent on taking Wen Mo Han as her consort. Should we stop it?" Shu Xuan originally didn't want to ask this question, but the problem now was that if they didn't stop it, Xiao Man would marry Wen Mo Han.
"No need to worry. I have my own plans for this matter," Feng Mo Ran said slowly. "Also, investigate the whereabouts of the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry... I don't know why, but lately, I've had the illusion that Du Gu Man is still alive."
Shu Xuan nodded submissively. After Feng Mo Ran finished his orders, he turned and left.
"Right Envoy, is Empress Du Gu really still alive?" the attendant asked cautiously. They had suffered heavy losses trying to apprehend Empress Du Gu. If she were truly alive, she would likely seek their fierce revenge.
"Du Gu Man is already dead," Shu Xuan said faintly. "Master is feeling unwell and his mind is a bit muddled. Moreover, with the incident at Tian Bao Lou and his injuries, his restlessness has led to hallucinations."
The attendant did not reply. Over the years, Feng Mo Ran had always shown them a powerful, invincible side. They had never seen him so weak.
"By the way, have you found Ye Qing's whereabouts?"
"We have. Our people have already gone there."
Shu Xuan nodded. "Have you found any trace of Wan Du Zi?"
The attendant shook his head. Wan Du Zi was skilled in making poisons and disguising himself. If he didn't want to be found, it would be difficult for them to find him. Moreover, this person was always cautious and prudent; capturing him would not be easy.