Dongfang Yi stayed awake all night by Helian Qi's side, lost in deep thought.
She replayed the assassination of their group from start to finish in her mind. She was certain that the assassins must have been sent by someone from the palace, for only those in the palace would have known of their departure from the palace.
Moreover, they took advantage of the fact that it was easier to get away with an assassination outside the palace. They knew that even if both she and Helian Qi died outside, the loyal officials in the palace would be powerless to help.
At this thought, she gritted her teeth tightly and her brows furrowed involuntarily. Before Ru Yi left, she had ordered him to send some trusted men to investigate the identity of the assassin organization and find out their network in the capital.
Once all this was uncovered, the truth would come to light. For now, the most important thing was to find Mr. Bai and get Helian Qi's poison cured quickly.
This thought made her suddenly vigilant. Bai Juechen was the same master's disciple as Bai Yi, Bai Huan and Ye, the second prince of the Southern Neighboring Country. She was most afraid that he was as ill - intentioned as the others. What should she do then?
After thinking this through, she let out a long sigh. For a moment, she even considered going to the Southern Neighboring Country to ask Ye for help. After all, she would do anything for Helian Qi.
But she quickly dismissed this dangerous thought. If the news of Helian Qi's poisoning were to be leaked to Ye, wouldn't that be like handing the weakness of the entire Dongsheng Kingdom to the Southern Neighboring Country?
Even if Helian Qi was eventually saved, how heart - broken would he be to see the kingdom in ruins?
At this thought, she felt like slapping herself. After all, it was all her fault. If she hadn't insisted on going out of the palace and going for a flower - viewing, Helian Qi might not have been in this terrible situation.
After thinking this, she reached out her hand to smooth the man's frowning brows. His usually bright and energetic eyes were now tightly closed, and his thin lips were pursed, pale in color.
Seeing this, she couldn't help but lean down and kiss his lips, as if trying to transfer her warmth to him.
Hold on, Helian Qi. Doctor Li said that the poison was seeping into your body slowly. I'll use the best ginseng to keep you alive. You have to fight too...
Before she knew it, it was early the next morning.
No one could have expected that, although Dongfang Yi had ordered everyone to keep the news of the emperor's poisoning a secret, early in the morning, rumors spread like wildfire that the emperor had been assassinated while out of the palace and was now in a coma.
Even worse, some people were spreading the rumor that it was all the doing of the queen.
Dongfang Yi hadn't slept all night. She finally managed to doze off just before dawn, but was quickly awakened by the hasty footsteps outside the palace. Then she heard Eunuch Li's shrill voice say, "Your Majesty the Queen! Rumors about the emperor's poisoning are spreading like wildfire in the harem! This servant is really worried!"
After hearing these words, her heart skipped a beat. Her brows furrowed, and for a moment, she felt a twinge of panic.
She had clearly ordered everyone to keep the secret, but somehow the news had leaked out so quickly. It must have been the work of the person behind the scenes.
After thinking this, she straightened her dress and walked out with a dignified air, as if nothing had happened. As soon as she stepped out, she saw Eunuch Li looking around furtively. She couldn't help but let out a cold snort in her heart.
She had heard from Helian Qi before that although Eunuch Li seemed extremely loyal, he was actually a fence - sitter who had been currying favor with the Nangong family. It was also he who had leaked the news about the construction of the imperial mausoleum back then.
Such a treacherous person coming in such a hurry would surely have no good intentions. He probably wanted to get the first - hand information and then seek benefits from others.
At this thought, the corners of her mouth curled up coldly. Then she looked at the person in front of her coldly and said, "Bold servant! How dare you spread rumors about the emperor! Do you not want your head anymore?!"
Her words carried full force. Immediately, Eunuch Li was so scared that he knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head. He could only stammer, "Please calm down, Your Majesty the Queen. This servant doesn't dare. It's just that the rumors are spreading like wildfire in the palace, and the emperor didn't attend the court today, so this servant is worried..."
After saying this, he slightly raised his head, trying to peek behind Dongfang Yi.
Dongfang Yi let out a cold laugh. Then she replied, "What a great concern! When did a servant like you need to worry about the emperor's affairs? How presumptuous! The emperor just caught a cold on his way out of the palace and has a sore throat, so he couldn't attend the court. Look at all those rumors you've spread. When the emperor recovers, he will surely exterminate the families of those who spread the rumors!"
She spoke with a threatening tone, and there was not a trace of evasion in her eyes. An ordinary person would surely not be able to tell that she was lying. They would only think that what she said was the truth and that the people who spread the rumors would surely end up miserably.
After hearing these words, Eunuch Li didn't dare to say another word. Although he was a sycophant, greedy for wealth and lustful, he was extremely afraid of death. He would never offend the emperor for a small gain. Immediately, he forced out a dry laugh and said obsequiously, "This servant was wrong. Your Majesty's lesson is right. This servant will surely give those who spread the rumors a good beating of dozens of boards when this servant goes down!"
After saying this, he bowed and left the Qianqing Palace with a respectful look on his face.
Dongfang Yi watched his figure gradually disappear from her sight and then let out a long sigh of relief. She thought to herself that lying was really exhausting.
Then she turned around and walked into the inner palace to look at the man on the bed. Seeing that he still showed no sign of waking up, a look of disappointment involuntarily clouded her eyebrows.
Look, Helian Qi. Your harem is about to be in chaos. You have to wake up quickly.
She knew well that the truth could not be hidden forever. Lies would be exposed one day. She could say these words so confidently today, but what about tomorrow and the day after? If the emperor didn't attend the court for a long time, her lies would be self - defeating.
At this thought, her uneasiness grew stronger. She couldn't help but look forward to the situation outside the palace. As long as any of the people she sent out found Bai Juechen, half of Helian Qi's poison would be cured. Then she wouldn't have to worry about anything.
After thinking this, she forced herself to stand up. She called out the secret guard Jue and ordered him to guard Helian Qi well. Then she headed towards the Queen's Palace.
After all, that was where she really should be. Staying in the Qianqing Palace every day would only arouse more suspicion.