After she had done all this, she let out two low, triumphant chuckles. Then she hurried back towards her own palace.
She was extremely elated. After all, the dead couldn't talk. She, Yaoji, was finally completely free from any connection with this incident. Even though there were suspicions, who could produce evidence? Without evidence, no one could put her to death.
It seemed that everything had passed. Early the next morning, the people from the Southern Neighboring Country left in a hurry. No one saw them off. It was completely different from the grand occasion when they came. They were truly in a sorry state.
Two more days passed. The poison in Dongfang Yi had been completely cured. The external medicine seemed to have miraculous effects. It not only cured the signs of poisoning but also made the marks left by the whip lash disappear.
She looked at herself in the mirror with her back to it. The corners of her mouth couldn't help curving up. She thought that indeed, good health was the most heart - warming thing.
Then she sat down to do her makeup, for she had something very important to do today.
She had to get back all the sufferings she had endured in the past few days one by one. The first thing was the beating she had received in Cining Palace.
Now that everything had settled down, the Empress Dowager must know that it was all the scheme of the Southern Neighboring Country. But she, Dongfang Yi, couldn't take this beating in vain. She must go and ask for an explanation.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help letting out a long sigh. After all, the Empress Dowager was Helian Qi's biological mother. It seemed that the relationship between a daughter - in - law and her mother - in - law had always been so difficult. She really felt like she was going to lose half of her life.
After she finished her makeup, she was about to call Donghua and go to Cining Palace together. But she saw Xiao Qian running into the palace in a hurry. With a panicked look on her face, she said, "Your Majesty! The night pearl has been found!"
Hearing this, Dongfang Yi's heart skipped a beat. She always felt a sense of uneasiness. So she said, "Tell me the truth quickly!"
Then Xiao Qian took a breath and began to tell the story.
It was said that last night, when the eunuch on night duty in the palace passed by the well where Zhizhi died, he faintly saw a glimmer of light coming from the well. With uneasiness and timidity, he walked over and peeked inside.
Unexpectedly, what he saw was the long - missing night pearl. So he panicked and spread the news. Xiao Qian had just heard about it, but the news had already spread like wildfire in the palace.
After hearing this, Dongfang Yi couldn't help frowning. She could guess whose trick this was as soon as she heard it. Helian Qi had clearly found out that it was Yaoji who had stolen the night pearl. But now it had miraculously appeared beside the suspected maid.
This was obviously a frame - up, and it was framed on a dead person who couldn't defend herself.
What a calculating woman! She could even come up with such a despicable trick, Dongfang Yi thought, and her frown deepened.
So she said to the woman beside her, "Let me go and take a look!"
Hearing this, there was a hint of hesitation on Xiao Qian's face. Her mouth opened and closed as if she wanted to say something.
Dongfang Yi knew at a glance that she had something else to say. So she said in a solemn voice, "If you have something to say, say it quickly!"
Xiao Qian then lowered her head. Her voice was hesitant and stammering as she said, "The Empress Dowager is at the scene of the incident now!"
Hearing this, Dongfang Yi was shocked. She didn't expect the Empress Dowager to arrive so quickly this time.
So she thought to herself that the old woman must be a bit worried. After all, she had beaten her wrongly, but due to her pride, she must be unable to express anything to her. She could only strengthen her prestige in this matter.
Thinking of this, a mocking smile curved on her lips. Then she said to the people beside her, "Let's go and have a look!"
After saying that, she strode out of the palace. But when she walked halfway, she felt a bit uncomfortable. After thinking for a while, she then asked, "Where is Donghua?"
Xiao Qian told her that Ru Yi, the guard, had been poisoned too deeply and still couldn't get out of bed. Donghua had gone to take care of him.
Although Dongfang Yi scolded her for being a silly girl, she was secretly laughing. Her gossipy soul was burning again.
On the other side, in Ru Yi's residence.
Ru Yi always lived in the palace, in a side hall next to the Qianqing Palace.
Now here, he was lying sickly in bed, but his eyes were fixed on the woman in front of him without blinking.
Donghua held a bowl of porridge and handed it to him. Seeing the expression on his face, her face flushed. Then she raised her hand and patted his head. She said angrily, "What are you looking at? If it weren't for the fact that you saved the Empress, I wouldn't have come to bring you porridge!"
On one hand, if Dongfang Yi heard this, she would probably roll her eyes and add, "When did I ask you to take care of Ru Yi?"
But since there was no one else around, Donghua could say whatever she wanted.
Ru Yi looked at the woman in front of him like this. The corners of his mouth couldn't help curving up. Then he said in a teasing tone, "I'm really too sick. I can't lift my hands. How can I eat the porridge?"
Actually, his injury had almost recovered, but the appearance of the woman in front of him just made him can't help teasing her.
"You...!"
Donghua gave him an angry look. But obediently, she picked up the porridge and scooped a spoonful to his mouth. She watched the man in front of her eat it obediently.
She didn't know why, but the feeling of taking care of Ru Yi made a warm feeling rise in her heart.
She had lost her home and family since she was a child. Later, the Emperor saved her and gave her a temporary home, but she always felt that something was missing.
Until she met the Empress, who gave her respect that no one else had ever given. And now Ru Yi, who gave her the opportunity to take care of him.
Maybe she finally truly had a family.
Thinking of this, the warmth in her heart grew stronger, and the smile on her lips became deeper. Ru Yi was so entranced that he couldn't move his eyes. Why hadn't he noticed before that the woman in front of him was so beautiful?
She was as beautiful as a flower. It seemed that a gentle touch could make her wither. But in his heart, he knew that Donghua's martial arts were no less than his own. If she was a flower, she was a poisonous and thorny one.
Thinking of this, he also laughed. He obediently ate the porridge that was constantly being fed to his mouth. The warmth in his heart spread uncontrollably.
On the other side, Dongfang Yi and Xiao Qian had arrived at the scene of the incident. There were already people crowding around in circles. It had to be said that everyone in the palace was a gossip - lover.
Xiao Qian took a deep breath and shouted loudly, "The Empress is coming—!"
When the palace people heard the sound, they all knelt on the ground and respectfully shouted in unison, "Greetings to the Empress—!"