"I promise that as long as you get the things I've told you done, I'll agree to your proposal," Wen Yu replied with a smile.
After getting the affirmative answer, Ji Yunqing looked extremely pleased.
Although he hadn't gained any substantial benefits from Wen Yu during this period, he had no complaints at all.
Seeing his expression, Wen Yu was quite sure that he would probably agree to it.
Going back to consider it for a day was just about thinking how to arrange this matter.
After seeing Ji Yunqing off, the smile on Wen Yu's face suddenly faded.
She propped herself up on the table. For a moment, she felt a churning in her stomach, nauseated but unable to vomit.
That feeling of being stuck was especially painful.
"Wen Yu, are you okay?" Xun Ying saw her lying on the table with a pale face as soon as he came in.
He frowned instantly, stepped forward to help her up, and then poured a cup of tea for her to ease her breath.
After her complexion improved a bit, Xun Ying finally let out a sigh of relief and asked with concern, "What did Ji Yunqing do to you again?"
"He didn't do anything," Wen Yu straightened up, her expression looking sarcastic and desolate. "I just feel extremely disgusted even with this mere pretence."
"We can't delay any longer. We must close the net as soon as possible," Xun Ying said firmly with a heart - aching look in his eyes.
After he finished speaking, Wen Yu nodded in rare agreement. "It's time to speed things up."
"Just rest assured. Even if something goes wrong with your plan, I won't let them live any longer," Xun Ying promised voluntarily.
He stared at Wen Yu intently, his eyes as deep as an abyss.
When she met his gaze, she suddenly felt a bit dazed.
She remembered that when Xun Ying first came to her side, his eyes were the purest and cleanest. How come they had become like this now?
Was it because of her?
A sense of guilt welled up in Wen Yu's heart. She raised her hand, wanting to touch his eyes. But just as she lifted it up, before it could get close, she let it drop dejectedly.
Seeing this, Xun Ying tilted his head in confusion. "Do you want to do this?"
He caught Wen Yu's hand and gently guided it to his cheek.
"I..." Wen Yu was stunned. Her fingertips felt like they had been electrocuted and she quickly withdrew her hand. "I mean that we will succeed. I won't let you take risks."
She lowered her head and said quickly.
She knew that her situation couldn't be delayed any longer. She had to solve this mess as soon as possible.
Otherwise, if she delayed any further, she might not even have the courage to take revenge.
Hearing this, Xun Ying looked at her helplessly. After a while, he said softly, "Okay. After our plan succeeds, I'll take you to the places you want to visit. You'll get better."
"I'll get better," Wen Yu repeated. Her lowered eyes concealed her expression, hiding the confusion in them.
Would she really get better?
She didn't even know if her plan would work.
Normally, her decisions were always well - thought - out. But today, she seemed to just do whatever came to her mind.
Now that she had calmed down, she realized that the risk was extremely high.
"Go and tell His Highness that I want to see him tomorrow. It's something urgent and I must tell him in person," Wen Yu took a deep breath, concealed the look in her eyes, and then looked at Xun Ying and said.
He nodded gently, then reached out to feel the temperature of the teapot. "I'll go and change a pot of tea for you."
Wen Yu didn't respond. She silently watched Xun Ying go out, and her eyes inexplicably felt a bit sour.
Why was she so useless? If she were stronger, why would she need to use such low - level means to deal with all this?
Sometimes she even wondered if she was really unscrupulous. Otherwise, how could she bear to lower her dignity so much?
In a daze, she felt a sense of self - abasement as if she were using her beauty to please others.
When Xun Ying came back, Wen Yu quickly pulled herself together and lowered her head, trying her best to hide her emotions.
He stood in front of her, silently looked at her for a few moments, and then quietly reached out his hand, boldly pulling the moon in his heart into his arms. "I know you're sad. It's not easy for you. I'm sad for you too."
"But Wen Yu, trust me. All this will pass. You'll get better. As long as you need me, I'll always be by your side to protect you."
"Don't think too much. You're fine. You're just sick. It's not your fault."
"After all this is settled, we'll go traveling. If you don't want to leave Shengjing, we can also stay in Shengjing and live each day well."
Xun Ying spoke very softly.
He gently pressed his head against the top of Wen Yu's head and coaxed her in a soft voice.
The person in his arms didn't say a word. It was not until Xun Ying stopped speaking that he heard a long, steady breath coming from his arms.
She had fallen asleep.
Wen Yu had often had nightmares these days. Now that she could sleep soundly, Xun Ying almost froze in place and didn't dare to move at all.
—
"Did I fall asleep?"
When Wen Yu struggled to open her eyes, Xun Ying was still stiff all over. He didn't move his body but just let out a soft grunt.
Seeing this, she glanced at him curiously. "Why are you in this position? How long have I been asleep?"
She remembered that Xun Ying was comforting her before she fell asleep. Since he was still sitting in the same place, she thought she must have just taken a little nap.
Unexpectedly, Xun Ying looked up at the sky and then said seriously, "About two hours."
"So long? You've been holding me all this time?"
Wen Yu exclaimed.
No wonder Xun Ying's movements were so stiff. It must be because he had been numbed after being leaned on by her for so long.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help frowning and scolding him softly, "Why didn't you wake me up? Or put me on the couch. Isn't it uncomfortable for you to let me lean on you like this?"
"It's not uncomfortable," he replied almost immediately without hesitation. Then he looked at Wen Yu tenderly and said, "I'm very happy."
She trusted him and leaned on him. He was so happy that he couldn't bear to disturb her.
"You silly fool. Don't do this again next time," Wen Yu said angrily as she patted his arm. Seeing that he remained calm, she knew that his hands must still be numb at this moment. "Take a rest and remember to deliver the message to His Highness."
Xun Ying responded in a low voice.
—
"What do you want to tell me?"
After receiving Wen Yu's message, Ji Yundan rushed to the mansion early the next morning.
When he appeared in front of Wen Yu, there were even faint beads of sweat on his forehead. It seemed that he had rushed here in a hurry.
Wen Yu glanced at him but didn't say much. "Your Highness was able to get the Luoshen Poison back then. I suppose you can also get other poisons, right?"
As she said this, she described the effects of the poison she wanted.
After listening, the expression on Ji Yundan's face gradually changed. He frowned and looked at Wen Yu uncertainly. "What do you want this kind of medicine for?"
What she described to Ji Yundan was a very strong aphrodisiac.
"I want to ruin Li Qilun's reputation and make Ji Yunqing die without a burial place," she said coldly, with a killing intent in her eyes.
Hearing this, Ji Yundan looked even more puzzled. "Do you know what you're doing? Using this kind of medicine..."
"I won't use it," Wen Yu immediately understood Ji Yundan's concerns. She sneered disdainfully. "Using it on me would be superfluous."
Wen Yu's explanation left Ji Yundan completely confused. He stared at Wen Yu intently for a few seconds and then nodded. "I'll have someone keep an eye out for this medicine. If there is any, I'll find it and give it to you. When do you need it?"
"Before the prayer at the imperial temple," Wen Yu replied.
Hearing this time, Ji Yundan hesitated for a moment. After struggling for a while, he finally spoke. "Have you come up with a plan?"
The prayer was always taken especially seriously because the Empress Dowager was involved.
Moreover, since it was held at the imperial temple, if Wen Yu used such a medicine to set up a trap and it was exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.
"Yes. Success or failure depends on this move. I still need Your Highness's help," Wen Yu looked up, her expression firm as she stared into Ji Yundan's eyes. "If this matter succeeds, Your Highness will have no more worries."
As she slowly told him her plan, Ji Yundan's expression changed constantly.
"It's too risky," he frowned.
Ji Yundan had always prided himself on being decisive, but at this moment, he couldn't help but feel conflicted.
To be fair, if Wen Yu's plan could go smoothly, it would indeed be a good way. It could severely damage the Second Prince Ji Yunyi in one fell swoop and directly force the Third Prince Ji Yunqing into a dead end.
But this was a risky move. Once any mistake occurred, it would be Wen Yu herself who would be sacrificed.
"Do you know what will happen if you fail? Even if you're lucky enough to survive, your reputation will be ruined. Can you bear such consequences?" Ji Yundan couldn't help but remind her.
Seeing the faint look of worry on his face, Wen Yu suddenly laughed. "What is Your Highness worried about? Even if I fail, I can still drag Ji Yunqing down with me. Even if my reputation is ruined, Your Highness can sleep in peace, right?"
"I only ask Your Highness to promise that if I really fail, you must kill Li Qilun. Consider it as repaying me for eliminating a rival for Your Highness."