As Qingli had been frequently sick during her childhood, Imperial Physician Su had often come to the Qian palace to relive Qingli's pain and prescribe her monthly medicine. Given Qingli's kind and gentle personality, Imperial Physician Su naturally had a warm relationship with the eldest miss Qian due to their frequent interactions. Hearing the Duchess slander the young miss in front of him, he would naturally not let it go. He is the Imperial Physician. Even the Emperor has to give him some face so why would he be scared of a Duchess?
"It cannot be eldest young miss Qian because second young miss Qian is suffering from the same symptoms as eldest young miss Qian." Imperial Physician Su's statement shocked the entire courtyard silly.
"Eldest young miss Qingli had been suffering from an illness from young and this old one had thought that it was the mother who was ill and affected the fetus when it was born. However, Duchess Qian was healthy and Duke Qian had rejected this diagnosis of mine, saying that the mother was never ill while with child. This old one could only think that is it poison but who would be able to poison the eldest young miss Qian?" Imperial Physician Su continued explaining his thoughts, oblivious to Duchess Qian's pale face.
"This old one is incapable of curing eldest young miss and can only help relieve some of the pain and symptoms. Young miss Qingli, may I ask if you have ever heard of the BloodFlower?" Imperial Physician Su asked Qingli suddenly.
Qingli shook her head in response.
I have also researched intensively on the cause of such poison and it is said to be an exotic flower commonly named BloodFlower. It could not be found in this kingdom but there are instances when other kingdoms pay their annual tribute, they would list the BloodFlower as an exotic flower to offer to our kingdom. Hence, it can be considered to be very rare in our kingdom. The flower is a mixture of orange and yellow in color and looks like little buds clustered together so it is quite a pretty sight which is why the Imperial Consorts are fighting over it too. However, they were warned not to be overly attached to it as it is poisonous. Why would traces of a rare poison from an exotic flower be found in the daughters of the Qian Family?" Imperial Physician Su frowned as he continued to explain.
"And what is more astonishing is that second young miss Qian is experiencing a faster progression of the poison as compared to young miss Qingli. This is why she is in such a weak state. The symptoms are the same where the person feels weak and heavy. As the poison progress, the person will be robbed with all energy to even breathe."
"Imperial Physician Su, younger sister has been requesting soup from my courtyard since several days ago. Mother suspects that Qingli had poisoned the soup before giving it to younger sister which is why younger sister is currently sick." Qingli explained it to the Imperial Physician.
"Where is the soup?" Imperial Physician would not believe it even if someone stabs him that such a young and kind girl would poison people much less her sister. He will have to see if there is such poison in the soup as the Duchess says.
"Imperial Physician Su, I have already sent someone to investigate the soup. There is no need to trouble you," Duke Qian said but Imperial Physician Su would not relent.
"Surely there are some samples around? If the second young miss likes this soup so much, there should be some in the kitchen surely?" The old man probed.
Duke Qian agreed with the Imperial Physician and ordered his servants to find the soup. As expected, one of the servants came back with a pot. That pot was from the previous batch that Qingli bought over and it had left a quarter this morning. Qingle had wanted to drink some so it was served not too long ago and was still warm.
Imperial Physician Su went over to the pot and dipped a sliver needle into the liquid for a minute before holding it back up. He narrowed his eyes as he focuses on the silver needle.
Nothing.
"Surely, Duchess Qian is able to tell that there is no poison in the soup." Imperial Physician Su glared at Duchess Qian and showed her the needle. It was common knowledge that when a silver needle touches poison, it would turn black. However, there was nothing. Duchess Qian looked lost as she mumbled incoherently. Imperial Physician Su turned towards Qingle who was lying on the bed looking at him with a fearful look.
As Qingle continued to listen, the more afraid she gets. She did not understand how did she get into contact with such a powerful poison and as the thought of death loom nearer, she panicked.
All her life, she has been living in the shadows of her elder sister and now that there is a chance for her to take the spotlight, she is on death's door. It seems like the heavens really do not wish to see her succeed. How could Qingle be willing? As the second young miss of a prestigious household second only to the Imperial Family, when had she ever thought of death? She was young and vibrant, beautiful and willful. Her thoughts only surround her future, her marriage and her calculative schemes against her sister. Now that Qingle could almost see herself crossing the yellow river, she finally understood what is fear.
She wanted to scream but her mouth refused to move.
She wanted to tear things apart but her hands would not move.
She wanted to hide but there is nowhere to hide.
Her Mother had never been truly reliable. All these while, her Mother seemed to be avenging some hidden grudge of hers while using Qingle to carry out her plans. Qingle had complied because their goals were the same. But are they the same now?
Her Lord Father had never favored her. Would he spend all his resources in curing her? Not likely. After all, her elder sister is soon to reach the age of marriage and a huge wedding of the century is to be held between her elder sister and the Crown Prince. Who would have the time to care about a dying girl's grievances?
Her elder sister? Qingle's eyes landed on her elder sister. If Qingle were to place her hand over her heart and speak the truth, her elder sister was the most sincere towards her. No matter what mess she got herself into, her elder sister would always come to her rescue. That day when Qingle deliberately fell into the pond near her courtyard, she knew her elder sister would dive in to save her. Even if that idiot did not know how to swim, she still dove into the water without an ounce of hesitation. Qingli grabbed Qingle and moved towards land the best she could. The moment they are near, Qingle pretended to struggle and shoved Qingli's face into a pile of rocks, disfiguring her face.
Now that Qingle is slowly dying, her mind is clearer. When a person is alive, they seek glory and they seek whatever means they could to achieve their ambitions. But when they die, can they bring their achievements with them? At death's door, all of those don't matter. No matter how high their status was, how rich they were, they are all just dead souls the moment they die.
Without Qingle knowing, small droplets of tears slowly dripped down from the edges of her eyes.
"Imperial Physician Su, how much time does my daughter have?" Duchess Qian suddenly right herself and dusted the dust off her dress.
"Roughly a week, please make some mental preparations my Lord, my Lady and young miss Qingli. The usual medicine that young miss Qingli takes can be given to her sister, this old one shall take his leave." Imperial Physician Su bowed to the Duke and Duchess before he patted Qingli's shoulders lightly to offer some comfort.
"Thank you, Imperial Physician Su. Please excuse me, I have to go prepare." Duchess Qian wiped her face before she pretended to put on a strong front and walked out of her daughter's courtyard.
Duke Qian shook his head in annoyance at his wife's behavior. Must she say it in front of her daughter? Yes, Qingle is dying but she hasn't died yet!
"Imperial Physician Su, allow this Lord to walk you out." Duke Qian gestured and Imperial Physician Su nodded.
As the adults leave the courtyard, Qingli dismissed all the servants and stayed behind in Qingle's room. She locked the door and glanced down at the crying Qingle.