"Once we enter, even if Father subjects you to difficult questions, don't be afraid, I'm here for you." At the entrance of the Imperial Study Room, Li Mingjue softly cautioned.
Qi Yu nodded, with not a hint of fear on her face, but instead, she appeared eager to try.
After all, she was considered a fool, and even if she did something outrageous, it would be understood.
Moreover, standing inside were not only Emperor Li Tianze but also that Prime Minister father who had sent her to accompany a burial.
A flash of interest sparkled in Qi Yu's eyes.
Now that she was here, it wouldn't be her style if she didn't set a trap for Qi Wei.
Qi Yu's eyes rolled, and she immediately put on an act of missing her family dearly, charging towards Qi Wei as if to fling herself into his arms.
"Father, Yuyu missed you so much—"
When Qi Yu was only a few centimeters away from Qi Wei, she purposely pushed him, and he, caught off guard, actually fell to the ground.
"Father, how did you fall?" Qi Yu suppressed her laughter, her face feigning confusion as she pretended to step forward to help him up.
Qi Wei quickly scrambled up, his expression sheepish as he dusted himself off.
After decades as an official, it was the first time he had ever lost face in front of the Emperor.
Qi Wei's face turned red, his eyes glaring at Qi Yu almost shooting fire, but because of the occasion, he couldn't lash out at her.
"Father is fine, Yuyu mustn't be so naughty in the future." With clenched teeth, Qi Wei swallowed his anger and forced a smile at Qi Yu.
Qi Yu internally scoffed; it seemed her worthless father was made of plastic, quite the actor.
Though the scene should have been one of fatherly love and filial piety, Emperor Li Tianze on the Dragon Chair sensed something was amiss.
He glanced again at Qi Yu's makeup, which was terrifying enough to scare anyone, and frowned.
"Prime Minister, has your second daughter always had such a... unique taste?"
Qi Wei was sweating bullets; at this moment, he hated his daughter more than ever, for making him a fool and bringing shame to the Prime Minister Residence.
"Your Majesty, Yuyu she... she…" Qi Wei started, but suddenly stumbled over his words.
Was he going to claim that Qi Yu had always been foolish, and thus acted abnormally?
Wouldn't the Emperor realize then that he had intentionally palmed off a fool to Prince Qi?
As Qi Wei was lost on how to respond, Qi Yu clapped her hands and, with a wide grin, said to Li Tianze, "Daddy said I'm not his daughter, they all say I'm a fool!"
"Bang—"
Li Tianze, enraged, slammed a teacup to the side, and the palace attendants in the hall knelt in response.
Qi Wei's already trembling legs gave out completely, and with a thud, he knelt down, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger…"
"Very well, I was wondering why the Prime Minister would be willing to let his daughter be buried in a royal tomb—so you chose to deceive me with a fool!" Li Tianze stood up angrily and scolded pointing at Qi Wei.
Hearing him call her a "fool" repeatedly, Qi Yu couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Why not mention that this fool also saved your royal son?
However, seeing Li Tianze scolding Qi Wei so harshly, she decided not to take it to heart.
Worried that Emperor Li Tianze might actually become seriously ill from anger, Li Mingjue hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Father, please tame your rage. I hold no dissatisfaction towards the Princess."
"Moreover," Li Mingjue paused for a moment, glanced at Qi Yu, and reminded, "if it weren't for the Princess, I'm afraid I would already be lying in the netherworld."
Hearing his words, Li Tianze's anger subsided somewhat, but he still felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Li Mingjue was the son he valued the most; if it hadn't been for the poisoning, he would have carefully chosen a gentle and virtuous lady from a prominent family to be the Princess.
He looked at Qi Yu, who was looking down and fiddling with her fingers, and a trace of disgust flashed in his eyes, "Now that the royal son is well, it's time to add a few concubines to the Prince Residence."
Qi Yu was completely speechless. There she was standing right there, and the Emperor was blatantly ignoring her existence.
Although women in ancient times had no rights, it wasn't common for a man to have three wives and four concubines within a month of marriage.
Doesn't a princess care about her dignity?
But it didn't matter anyway; she had originally planned to cure Li Mingjue and then take revenge for the original host before leaving the Prince Residence.
Why should only men have multiple wives and concubines? She had transmigrated with much difficulty; why shouldn't she indulge in several fleeting romances?
With that thought, Qi Yu felt much better.
Li Mingjue had been observing her expression all along, expecting her to react differently, but Qi Yu seemed utterly indifferent about his impending nuptials.
It was as if he were an insignificant person to her.
A surge of discomfort filled Li Mingjue's heart, but he still turned down Li Tianze, saying, "This son prefers tranquility; having the princess alone is enough, and besides, only she can cure my poison."
Qi Yu, however, was taken aback. She hadn't expected Li Mingjue to say such a thing.
Indeed, only she could cure his poison, but what did that have to do with taking a concubine?
Could it be...
Qi Yu couldn't help but glance at a certain part of Li Mingjue.
Could it be that the Prince was impotent?
That would explain it.
Qi Yu nodded thoughtfully, feeling as though she had unraveled the truth.
Exhausted, Li Tianze waved his hand dismissively, "Enough, we will discuss this matter later."
In the end, Qi Wei was confined by Li Tianze for a month without the permission to attend court, ordered to reflect on his actions at home.
Qi Yu frowned slightly—that punishment seemed a bit light.
Once they left Yangxin Hall, Li Mingjue said leisurely, "Do you think the Emperor's punishment was too light?"
Without hesitation, Qi Yu nodded.
It was hardly satisfying, especially after she had just put so much effort into acting out that whole scene.
Li Mingjue paused, dismissed the palace attendants, then explained, "Qi Wei has been established in the court for many years and holds the highest office among the officials. How could he be easily moved? Besides, with the current unclear situation in the court, to pull one hair is to move the whole body, and the Emperor has his own difficulties."
Qi Yu knew he was making sense, but still couldn't help arguing back, "To me, it doesn't matter whether he is the Prime Minister or not. All I know is that he is someone who wanted to harm me."
Does the Emperor have his difficulties, and Qi Yu does not?
She had been bullied growing up, to the extent that even a maid could step on her.
Although living in extreme distress, Qi Wei was still willing to push her to death for a chance at glory and wealth.
From the marriage ceremony to being drugged and placed in a coffin, was there any part of it that was her own choice?
If she hadn't transmigrated in time, the original host would have been buried alone in the cold coffin.
Perhaps even the heavens couldn't bear to watch, and that's why she was sent here.
Now that she was here, she was determined to take revenge for the original host.
Li Mingjue, looking at her eyes which seemed to have been tempered by ice, saw for the first time the unknown side of her beneath her carefree exterior.
Indeed, who would want to die in vain?
When the poison flared, the pain of one's internal organs twisting together, while feeling utterly helpless was unbearable—it was about time to let those people taste the same agony.
He raised his hand to grasp Qi Yu's chin, forcing her to look him in the eyes, his tone chilling yet somewhat coaxing, "If you trust me, I will definitely give you closure."
Qi Yu, unwavering, grabbed the front of his robe and pulled hard, bringing their distance so close that even their breaths intertwined.
Her dark pupils fixed on Li Mingjue, she bit her teeth, and word by word, said, "If you dare deceive me, I will make you understand what it means to be unable to live or die."