Chapter 160

Chapter 160

Xu Duoyi was absorbed in eating a Little Cake, her eyes darting around as if she were plotting something.

Tu Nan walked over and patted her on the shoulder. Xu Duoyi jumped in fright, then let out a breath of relief when she turned and saw it was her.

“You scared me to death.” She swallowed the cake in her mouth, her voice a little muffled.

“Have you seen Nemesis?” Tu Nan asked in a low voice.

Xu Duoyi shook her head. “I’ve been looking for her too.”

Strange. Where could Nemesis have gone?

“When the Queen comes out later, she’ll naturally appear as well.” Xu Duoyi handed her a Little Cake. “Tonight probably won’t be peaceful. Grab the chance to eat a couple bites while you can. You won’t get another chance later.”

Tu Nan took the Little Cake and had a bite. Her gaze swept around the room, then she gave a soft cough and leaned close to Xu Duoyi’s ear. “We need to figure out a way to put the poison into the King’s food and drink.”

“We’re short on time. Acting rashly would make people suspicious. The King’s meals are all prepared by designated people. From the moment they’re finished until they’re served, they’re watched the entire way. This won’t be easy.”

“In that case, how did the Eldest Prince manage to poison the King so easily without ever being discovered?” Xu Duoyi asked with a frown.

Tu Nan was still worrying over it when she suddenly saw the Maid beside Maria weave through the crowd and come to her side.

“Miss Judy.” The Maid lowered her head and curtsied. “Princess Maria sent me to invite you over.”

What did Maria want with her at a time like this?
—
Maria was trying on dresses.

Tu Nan walked up beside her. Maria’s tone was perfectly natural. “You came at just the right time. Help me see which dress would be better for me to wear tonight?”

“I don’t really know much about these things,” Tu Nan said honestly.

Maria glanced at her in the dressing mirror before her and did not insist.

“Fine. Then I’ll go with this one.”

“Did you call me here for something?” Tu Nan asked.

“Has Nemesis arrived yet?” Maria walked over to the vanity and sat down, asking casually.

Tu Nan nodded. “I’ve already brought her in, but Dennis invited me to dance just now, and now I don’t know where she’s gone.”

Maria frowned slightly as she put on her earrings. “Forget it. Don’t worry about her for now. When the Queen comes out, she’ll naturally appear.”

“I called you here for another matter.”

Tu Nan said nothing, waiting for Maria to continue.

“About your previous suggestion-having the King on the brink of death. I think it’s an excellent idea.” Maria turned back and smiled faintly at her. “Have you made all the preparations?”

“The problem now is how to slip the medicine into the King’s food and drink without anyone noticing.” Tu Nan’s brows drew together slightly.

“The chef in charge of the King’s meals is deeply trusted by the King,” Maria said. “He’s worked diligently in the Royal Palace for decades and has never made any real mistake.”

“If that’s the case, how was Eugene able to poison the King so easily?”

“After I discovered this matter, I was curious about that as well.” Maria cast her a glance and continued, “The people I sent to investigate told me that Eugene captured the chef’s wife and used her to threaten him.”

“He hid that poor Woman away, and I haven’t been able to find her either.” Maria’s words carried a deeper meaning. “There are still a few hours before the banquet officially begins. If you can find her, you might be able to persuade that chef.”

Tu Nan thought for a moment. “What is his wife’s name?”
“Lydia Nelson.”
—
Tu Nan returned to her room and took out the Magic Mirror.

She raised the Magic Mirror and asked softly, “Tell me what Lydia Nelson is doing.”

Faint ripples spread across the mirror’s surface. Soon, the figure of a Woman appeared within it.

Tu Nan studied the image carefully.

Lydia Nelson seemed to be in an extremely dim place. Tu Nan could only make out that it was a room. Lydia was sitting by the window, gazing outside with a face full of worry.

Outside the window…

Tu Nan strained to identify the view beyond it.

A very familiar-looking tower.

Suddenly, the sky looked as if it had been split down the middle. Half of it was lit up by lightning, followed immediately by a peal of thunder that shook heaven and earth.

In the mirror, the formerly dark room was illuminated for an instant as well.

Tu Nan remembered at once.

No wonder it had looked familiar. That tower stood due west of the Royal Palace. If Lydia Nelson could see that tower from that window, then she had to be locked in the tower building directly facing it.

Eugene had hidden her in the last place anyone would look. He had actually concealed her right inside the Royal Palace.

She lowered the Magic Mirror, opened her door, and hurried out.

Tu Nan returned to the banquet and swept her gaze around the room. At last, she found Xu Duoyi in a corner.

Lifting the hem of her dress, she walked over quickly.

“I need your help with something,” she said in a low voice as she reached Xu Duoyi’s side.

“What happened?” Xu Duoyi asked in surprise.

Tu Nan briefly recounted the situation.

“We need to find Lydia Nelson now,” she said. “I already know the general location. The Royal Palace is full of people tonight, so we won’t be easily noticed. I’m going to rescue her.”

“I’ll go with you,” Xu Duoyi said, her expression turning serious.

“Before that, we need to find that chef and make a deal with him,” Tu Nan said quietly.
—
Eddie had been in a daze lately. More than once, others had noticed that something was wrong with him.

Whenever someone asked out of concern, he could only force a smile and tell them nothing had happened.

In reality, the pressure was about to crush him.

The Eldest Prince Eugene had taken his beloved wife and forced him to turn a blind eye to Eugene’s poisoning plot.

He was worried about his wife’s safety, but he also had to worry that if the matter was exposed, he would end up without even a whole corpse left behind.

Although Eugene had recently put the poisoning on hold, he still refused to tell Eddie where his wife was. He only said that once he inherited the throne, he would naturally reunite the couple.

Eddie numbingly sprinkled some salt into the pot. Then he suddenly heard someone calling his name.

“Eddie, someone is here to see you.”

Who would be looking for him at a time like this?

Eddie walked out of the Kitchen and was surprised to see an elegantly dressed young lady. She was no stranger to him. Recently, whenever he delivered meals to the King, he often saw that face.

“Miss Judy?” he said in surprise. “What brings you here?”

“Hello.” Tu Nan gave him a faint smile. “There is a deal I’d like to discuss with you.”

Eddie frowned, completely baffled. “You must be joking. What kind of deal could there possibly be between you and me?”

“Of course there is.” Tu Nan exhaled softly. “Whatever you discussed with Eugene, that’s what I want to discuss with you.”

Terror spread across Eddie’s face, and cold sweat slid down from his temple.