Chapter 524: Antidote
Compared to the Capital City, Guanling was nothing short of a barren backwater—perpetually hot and humid, with the unbearable nuisance of snakes, insects, and other pests.
Who in their right mind would give up the splendor and excitement of the Capital City to return to a place like that?
Yet Xiao Lansi didn’t seem to mind.
The corner of her lip curled, and a flash of mockery flickered in her eyes, gone in an instant.
"Is the Capital City really so great? I don’t think so."
The palace maid wanted to offer a few more words of persuasion, but she caught sight of Xiao Lansi’s expression and swallowed her words.
’Perhaps... the Princess feels more at ease in Guanling?’
Especially now that both Jiang Cairen and the Second Prince were in trouble. If the Princess stayed in the Capital City, she would likely only be dragged down with them.
Perhaps leaving the Capital City was the better choice.
But...
"It’s such a pity, Princess. You’re at the perfect age for marriage. All the other noble ladies in the capital your age have had their matches arranged long ago. Only you..."
If Jiang Qingmei and her family hadn’t gotten into trouble, Xiao Lansi could surely have chosen a fine husband from among the capital’s talented young men.
But now, all of that was just a fantasy.
"Jiang Cairen dotes on you so much. She would have surely been exceptionally careful in selecting the very best young master from a prestigious family for you. With your talent and beauty, countless men must admire you!"
Xiao Lansi touched her face. "Is that so?"
She gazed into the bronze mirror at the timid yet stunningly beautiful face reflected within, and her irritation grew.
The faint smile on her lips vanished. A storm seemed to brew within her eyes, which held a faint, unusual glint.
’What’s the use of being born with a face like this?’
’Father-Emperor resents me. He finds the very sight of me disgusting, so much so that he banished me to Guanling to fend for myself.’
’So what if I managed to return to the Capital City? So what if I used every trick in the book to change his opinion of me?’
’I’m nothing more than a dog groveling at their feet.’
A sharp darkness seemed to tear through Xiao Lansi’s gaze as unconcealable resentment spilled from her very core.
"Marriage..."
A mocking smile touched her lips.
The words Jiang Qingmei had said that day echoed endlessly in her mind.
’She would arrange a good marriage for me?’
’What a joke.’
’She was just afraid she couldn’t sell me for a good price!’
"There’s no need to speak of these things." Xiao Lansi tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. When she turned back, her expression had returned to its usual gentle and timid state. "As long as I can see my mother and my second brother one last time before I go, I will have no regrets."
The palace maid knew she had no right to interject, so she gave an obedient affirmation and turned to leave.
However, just as she reached the door, a palace attendant rushed over, their face stricken with panic.
"Princess! Princess! The Imperial Guard is here! They... they say you’re to go with them!"
The palace maid was startled and looked up. Sure enough, she saw armored members of the Imperial Guard approaching outside.
’They aren’t here on a friendly visit.’
She turned back to Xiao Lansi. "Princess, this—"
Xiao Lansi had also heard the commotion outside. She frowned. "Go where?"
The attendant wiped the sweat from their brow and stammered, "T-To the side hall of Qiyuan Hall, I think!"
Xiao Lansi’s heart skipped a beat. "What?"
That was where Xiao Chengxuan had been taken. If so, the Eldest Princess and the ministers of the Cabinet would be there as well.
’But... how did I get dragged into this?’
A thousand thoughts raced through Xiao Lansi’s mind.
She obviously didn’t want to go, but she knew she had no right to refuse.
In her moment of hesitation, the Imperial Guard arrived at the door.
"Third Princess, by order of the Eldest Princess, you are summoned to the side hall of Qiyuan Hall at once. If you please!"
Xiao Lansi forced herself to remain calm.
"Very well. I’ll go with you."
The palace maid was filled with worry. "Princess?"
Xiao Lansi smiled. "None of you need to follow. This is likely about my second brother. It’s nothing for me to go."
She stepped over the threshold.
"Please, lead the way."
「...」
Xiao Lansi’s residence was some distance from Qiyuan Hall.
She was intimately familiar with this path, having walked it countless times since childhood, but never had she done so with a heart like this.
The Imperial Guards surrounding her were silent and stern. They didn’t speak a single word to her, leaving her no opportunity to fish for information. She could only guess.
But no matter how she racked her brain, she couldn’t determine the reason for her summons.
The question was answered the moment she saw Zhou Kangxue, his face ashen, kneeling in the hall. She finally had a vague idea of what was happening.
But after only a single glance, Xiao Lansi immediately looked away. She stood her ground in the center of the hall and performed a proper curtsy.
"Lanxi greets the Eldest Princess."
The Eldest Princess gestured to Zhuxin. "Offer her a seat."
Xiao Lansi bowed her head in thanks before taking her seat.
Only then did she look toward Xiao Chengxuan, her lips pursed slightly, her eyes filled with apparent concern.
"May I ask why the Eldest Princess has summoned me?"
The Eldest Princess, however, turned her gaze to Zhou Kangxue.
"Zhou Kangxue, tell her yourself."
Zhou Kangxue was in utter turmoil. His lips moved, but for the longest time, he couldn’t utter a single word.
But the Eldest Princess had little patience. "I do not have all day. If you don’t wish to speak now, you won’t ever have to speak again!"
The moment she finished speaking, she raised a hand. An Imperial Guard immediately stepped forward to drag Zhou Kangxue away.
The cold edge of a blade pressed against his neck, scaring Zhou Kangxue out of his wits.
He couldn’t hold back any longer and cried out, "I’ll talk! I’ll talk!"
He trembled as he looked toward Xiao Lansi.
"I... I truly don’t know how to cure Prince Lie’s poison, but... but the Third Princess promised me that if I took care of Zhao Xuanping and Ye Chutang, she would give me the antidote and lend me her aid!"
Xiao Lansi’s hand shot out, gripping the armrest of her chair!