chapter 11
“Goddess!”
When he saw me, Xiao Qi’s eyes sparkled brightly.
He cheerfully introduced his favorite younger brother to me.
“This is Xiao Zhe.”
Xiao Zhe smiled shyly and called out sweetly,
“Goddess.”
I only felt as if I were being entwined by a venomous snake, a wave of nausea washing over me.
My mind was filled with memories of the Golden Luan Hall in my previous life.
This person had used the same saccharine tone to call out “Feng Ling.”
Xiao Zhe was extremely perceptive.
He immediately sensed my indifference.
After acting spoiled with Xiao Qi for a few moments, he claimed to feel unwell and excused himself.
The tea jar he brought was still sitting on the table.
Lifting the lid, the rich fragrance of tea lingered at the tip of my nose.
“What is this?”
At the mention of it, a smile appeared in Xiao Qi’s eyes.
“This is Nanzhao Medicinal Tea that Xiao Zhe brought.”
“He said it’s made using Nanzhao’s special tũ̂⁶ method. I’ve never seen tea like this before!”
My wrist trembled.
Xiao Qi watched me carefully.
His little face was full of worry.
“Is the Goddess feeling unwell? I’ll have them summon the imperial physician.”
“…I’m fine.”
Meeting his concerned gaze, I forced a smile and gently reassured him.
“It’s His Majesty. Lately, because of the summer heat, His Majesty’s health has suffered.”
“I’ve heard that Nanzhao Medicinal Tea has the effect of relieving summer heat. Why not present some to His Majesty?”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qi nodded solemnly.
I smiled and took my leave.
The moment I crossed the threshold of the hall, my expression darkened.
In my memory, the prince’s health had always been poor in my previous life.
He had sought out famous doctors from all over the land, but none could explain the cause.
Until a Nanzhao Itinerant Doctor felt his pulse and revealed the truth in a single sentence.
The prince was not ill, but poisoned.
A rare Nanzhao Strange Poison.
After years of exposure, it invaded the heart and veins, beyond the help of any medicine.
Xiao Zhe’s birth mother, Noble Consort Rong, had died young.
Looking around the palace, there was only one person who knew of this Nanzhao Strange Poison and could teach him how to use it firsthand.
Thinking of this, I let out a cold laugh.
Just as I was about to act, someone handed me a knife.
Now that Duan Changfeng has not yet returned to the capital, it is the perfect time for me to divide and conquer.
Gu Yan, you cherish all that belongs to those you love, and care so deeply for this son of an old friend.
I wonder, just how far will you go for him?