Chapter 33 (1/2)

Chapter 33: A Woman's Revenge

Jun Huang smiled in response and asked, ”Does Your Highness plan to have this lady sound the death knell for the crown prince?”

Qi Chen smiled. ”Brother Feng is indeed observant. I can't hide anything from you.” He looked smug all of a sudden. Jun Huang didn't know why.

Qi Chen handed the ceramic bottle to the woman. She took it and left without a word. Qi Chen left as well after a few more words with Jun Huang.

After leaving Prince Chen Manor, the woman in pink went straight to the tavern. She was told that Qi Yin had been here since morning. Indeed, she saw him drinking on his own in a booth on the second floor.

Qi Yin was again scolded by the emperor for his misconducts, and as before, the emperor kept saying that Qi Chen was so much more considerate, and that Qi Yin was such an embarra.s.sment. Filled with frustration, he drank faster and faster. Soon it was clear that he was drunk.

”Are you alone?” the woman asked. Her voice clear like a water spring. It was captivating.

Qi Yin looked up and saw a woman as beautiful as a G.o.ddess. He stared at her, slack-jawed. The woman took a seat next to him, chuckling, her soft eyes meeting his gaze. Before he came to his senses, she sneakily opened the ceramic bottle and poured the amber liquid into the wine.

”If the gentleman is alone, this woman will have a drink with you.” The woman picked up the jug and was going to pour him a cup, but he grabbed her hand and she couldn't break out of his grip.

”Would the gentleman like a drink?” The woman covered up the disgust in her eyes and picked up the half-filled cup, pus.h.i.+ng it against Qi Yin's lips. Entranced by her beauty, Qi Yin had lost the ability to think properly. He opened his mouth to swallow down the liquor, his hands stroking the woman's cheek.

She looked at him with steely gaze. Suddenly, Qi Yin's face turned an unhealthy color and breathing became difficult for him. He held onto his neck, unable to say a word. The woman got to her feet and smiled at him.

Jun Huang was resting in her room when she heard a loud noise coming from the outside. She frowned and went out to check.

”Where did you come from? Get out of my way.” An expensively dressed woman harshly said, pointing at Wei Qian. Her tone suggesting that she was the master here, and Wei Qian only a lowly servant.

Jun Huang had seen Qi Chen's mother before – a woman with too big an ego. She walked up to her with a smile. ”May I ask why Consort Zhen has come to my place?”

Consort Zhen pointed at Jun Huang with a trembling finger. ”Feng Baiyu, do you know what you have done? You're putting my dear son in danger.”

Wei Qian watched her like a hawk, worried that the consort may hurt Jun Huang. She must protect Jun Huang from any harm.

”This gentleman does not know what you meant.” Jun Huang frowned. There was no fear in her eyes, which made Consort Zhen even more furious.

She raised her hand like she was going to slap Jun Huang. Qi Chen arrived just in time to stop her. He sighed. ”Mother, what are you doing?”

”My son, he has put you in a difficult position.”

”What does mother mean?” Qi Chen frowned.

Consort Zhen glared at Jun Huang, who pretended to be confused as well.

”I am also at a loss of what the consort meant. Would you be so kind to explain?”

”In Northern Qi, only the emperor and my son own any fava bean. If it was discovered that Qi Yin died of it, who would the emperor suspect?” Consort Zhen's glare grew even colder, her eyes filled with accusation.

Jun Huang made a split second decision and, before Qi Chen could react, dropped down to her knees. The sound of her knees smas.h.i.+ng into the floor was loud enough to draw every eye in the room. She looked at Qi Chen with a pale face and said carefully, ”I was only thinking about eliminating an enemy for Your Highness and made a mistake. I did not intend to put you in danger. If Your Highness does not believe me, my life is in your hand.”

Jun Huang's words were uttered with conviction, which worried Wei Qian. She knelt down beside Jun Huang. ”Your Highness, the past couple of days the gentleman had been working hard to make that poison without much sleep. He really was only trying to help Your Highness. Your Highness knows better than anyone what he has done for you.”

Looking at Jun Huang and Wei Qian, Qi Chen sighed and turned his gaze to his mother. ”Mother, brother Feng had not thought this matter through, but as he said, the fava bean is a necessary ingredient of the poison. There is no other way.”

Consort Zhen looked at Jun Huang. Once she had calmed down she knew it wouldn't help to put all the blame on Feng Baiyu. Moreover, she heard that it was his idea for Qi Chen to go to the border. He was useful. It may be better to let him off the hook this time.

”This ends here. Listen carefully, Feng Baiyu. You better not turn on us, or I will tear you to pieces.”

”Understood.”