Ruyi didn't finish his words when the woman in front of him scolded him and silenced him.
"Shut up!" she roared in a deep voice, somewhat displeased that he mentioned Dong Fangyi in front of her.
Seeing her anger, Ruyi didn't dare to say anything more. He lowered his head and said "Forgive my sin", then exited the Qianqing Palace.
The Empress Dowager then turned around and looked at Helian Qi lying pale on the couch. Her lips were still bluish-purple. Bai Juechen had inserted needles all over her head, which looked a bit terrifying.
She sighed and sat down on the armchair beside. She knew that there was nothing she could do now but stay here and wait.
Just then, there was a commotion outside the palace. Immediately afterwards, a guard ran in. He panicked and shouted, "Empress Dowager... Your Majesty! Something's wrong!"
The Empress Dowager frowned and walked out. She was a bit displeased with his panicked look, so she said, "What's the matter with such panic!"
"No, Empress Dowager. It's really something wrong!" the guard said again, still looking extremely panicked.
Only then did the Empress Dowager feel that there must be something important happening. So she frowned and asked, "What on earth happened?!"
"It's the residence of Minister Dong. They were all massacred overnight!" the guard said like this, with cold sweat on his forehead, as if he was a bit terrified of what he had just said.
"What?!" The Empress Dowager immediately let out a loud cry, completely unable to believe what she had heard.
"Who on earth did this?" she asked again.
"I don't know who it was either. I heard that there was no sound from Minister Dong's residence last night. It seemed that they were secretly assassinated suddenly!" the guard said again.
After hearing this, the Empress Dowager frowned even tighter. She had just found out some evidence of the Dong family's attempt to assassinate the emperor, but unexpectedly they had an accident so soon, and the whole family was killed.
"Wasn't there a single survivor?" she asked.
The guard shook his head and said, "There were 173 people in the whole family, including Minister Dong, his wife, and even the youngest son of the Dong family, who was only seven years old this year. None of them was spared!"
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager waved her hand, indicating that he could leave. But she lowered her eyes and thought carefully. In fact, in these days, she had also heard some other news about the Golden Wolf Guards. It was said that it was the former Golden Wolf Guards who assassinated the emperor, and it was also them who colluded with the Dong family. But who on earth killed all the people in the Dong family?
Could it be the Golden Wolf Guards? But if so, they were too cold-blooded. They would even easily kill their own collaborators.
On the other side, in Concubine Chu's palace.
Concubine Chu had also heard the news that the Dong family was massacred. Immediately, she didn't show any unusual emotions, and she was too lazy to guess who had done such a thing. After all, in her heart, the Dong family and Concubine Dong were just pawns.
The only thing she was worried about now was whether Concubine Dong would go crazy and tell all their secrets to the Empress Dowager after knowing what had happened to her family.
Moreover, she was even more worried that there was still no news of the emperor's death from the Qianqing Palace. It had been so many days. Could there really be some unexpected changes?
According to the report from the spy she had placed in the Qianqing Palace, Guard Ruyi had returned yesterday, and he had brought a man who claimed to be a doctor. Could it be that he had really brought back a miracle doctor?
Thinking of this, she couldn't calm down at all. Immediately, she got herself ready and rushed to Concubine Dong's palace. She must ensure that Concubine Dong didn't hear any news about her family, and by the way, ask her about the poison.
She arrived at Concubine Dong's palace within an incense stick's time.
Concubine Dong had just sent out a letter yesterday, saying that she was no longer willing to help the Nangong family or obey Concubine Chu. Now she was just waiting for her father's letter today, hoping that he could understand her.
Just as she was thinking, there was a noise outside the palace. Immediately afterwards, a heavily made-up woman walked in. It was Concubine Chu.
As soon as she saw the visitor, she bowed and said, "Your Majesty, why did you come here? Is there something you want to order?"
Concubine Chu looked at her and knew that she still didn't know anything. Immediately, she felt a bit relieved. Then she sat down on the armchair behind her and said, "I really have something to ask you. I want to ask you about the news of the emperor's poisoning. Why is there still no news of his death?"
After saying that, she looked up with raised eyebrows, looking very accusatory.
Concubine Dong just let out a soft laugh after hearing this. Then she said, "Your Majesty, don't worry. There is no antidote for that poison."
At that time, she had a bit of compassion when she planned the assassination, so she had ordered the killer not to kill the emperor. But later, the result was that the emperor was poisoned and in a coma. Immediately, she guessed that this must be her father's idea, so she had to follow it. By the way, she also asked about the toxicity of that poison.
Her father said that the poison was not a product of the Central Plains. The doctors in the Central Plains had no chance to cure it. Even if they wanted to find a doctor from the Western Regions, the emperor might not be able to wait.
She told all this to the woman in front of her. Only then did Concubine Chu feel a bit relieved. Then she seemed to think of something and said, "I've sent some palace servants to protect your safety. You know that the Empress Dowager may have suspected you."
Concubine Dong was stunned for a moment after hearing this. She realized that this was just to monitor her, afraid that she would betray them before the emperor died.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. Then she lowered her head and said, "Then I'll thank Your Majesty."
She originally had no intention of betraying them, so she was even less likely to tell the Empress Dowager. Even for the safety of the Dong family.
But Concubine Chu didn't think so. She was afraid that Concubine Dong would hear the news about the Dong family too early. By then, the situation would be out of her control.
Hearing the response from the woman in front of her, she finally curled her lips. Then she said, "Concubine Dong, don't worry. I will surely treat you well."
After saying that, she turned around and left the palace.
As for Concubine Dong who was still behind her, the smile on her lips disappeared, replaced by full of sadness.
Father, please reply quickly. And you must agree to your daughter's request. Your daughter really doesn't want to be controlled by the Nangong family and Concubine Chu anymore. Can't she just be an ordinary person quietly?!
She still didn't know what had happened to her family, so she was still longing for a letter from home. But by the time she knew everything, it would be too late to change anything.