Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince
Chapter 187: Let the Empress Expose Herself

Chapter 187: Chapter 187: Let the Empress Expose Herself

Ling Xiao’s heart sank, and her expression became somewhat terrified.

It turns out she had underestimated Qi Yu, who should not have discovered the things she had so secretly done.

Thinking of this, she grew increasingly uneasy.

If Qi Yu knew, then did the Prince know too?

Ling Xiao steadied herself and a smile crept onto her lips, "Impossible, the Prince wouldn’t suspect her."

She had been by the Prince’s side for over a decade. How could the Prince suspect her over an incident without any evidence?

As she was thinking, a maid suddenly stumbled and ran towards her.

Her residence was close to the back door, where servants frequently came and went.

Although she should have been used to it, Ling Xiao still held her breath and hid behind a towering ancient tree, watching what the panic-stricken maid intended to do.

She recognized that the maid was Cai Qin, who had always served beside Qi Yu. Seeing her sneak out of the door, her eyes flickered as she followed her.

Cai Qin left through the back door and took a detour to a Medical Hall located in a small alley.

She had taken a leave today, claiming there was an emergency at home. The steward had consulted Qi Yu and then let her go.

Upon reaching the Medical Hall, Cai Qin hurriedly found the doctor there, her uncle from the same village, and took out a medicine pack from her bosom. In a rushed and flustered tone, she said, "Uncle, it seems that the Princess has discovered me."

Zhou Miao was startled by her words and frowned, "How could that be possible? It’s already been ground into powder. Even if the Divine Doctor came, he couldn’t possibly detect it."

Cai Qin knew he didn’t believe her, but after pondering deeply about what the Princess had said that day, she felt certain she had been exposed.

Zhou Miao stroked his beard and thought for a moment. "In that case, you should try a different method. This medicine can cause idiocy, but it takes years to take effect; it’s too slow."

He had hoped to rise to greatness through Cai Qin, but relying on such minor dosing, who knows how many years it would take.

Moreover, it’s said that the Princess Consort is a person of great fortune. Such petty tricks probably won’t work against her.

"Why not, target the key issue instead?"

Cai Qin pursed her lips, "Are you suggesting that I directly target the Prince?"

Zhou Miao nodded, a glint of sharpness emerging in his slightly narrowed eyes, "What is a Princess Consort? The real authority is with the Prince."

Cai Qin also felt his reasoning made sense.

No matter how formidable the Princess was, wasn’t it just a matter of a word from the Prince whether she was favored or not?

Before she left, Zhou Miao gave her another medicine, which contained an aphrodisiac component.

Cai Qin carefully pocketed the medicine and left.

She thought she had been very cautious, but little did she know, Ling Xiao, who had been following her, had seen everything.

She had even heard in detail the plans discussed with Zhou Miao.

Ling Xiao watched Cai Qin’s departing figure with a cold expression, a trace of mockery flickering in her eyes.

Ignorant of their fate, they actually dared to scheme against the Prince.

Back at the estate, Ling Xiao closely monitored every move Cai Qin made, but whether Cai Qin was too cautious or simply too frightened, she never made her move.

At dinner time, Shen Xiheng and Zhou Hong returned from the government office, having interrogated the remaining assassins who had not been released. Those men, lacking resolve, confessed the truth after being beaten a few times.

It was indeed the Empress who had acted.

Zhou Hong felt this matter was tricky and knew that as soon as the Prince recuperated, he would eagerly report this.

He, a mere commander, who dared to arrest the Empress?

Yet, if he couldn’t capture the mastermind behind the scenes, the Emperor surely wouldn’t let him off either.

Now he found himself caught between two fires, trapped in a dilemma.

But he was stopped by Qi Yu, who looked at him indifferently, "The Prince is still recuperating. Do not bother him with such trivial matters."

Trivial matters?

Zhou Hong almost blurted out, this was a matter of utmost importance!

Qi Yu led the person to the study, and seeing Zhou Hong’s annoyed expression, he chuckled lightly, which only infuriated Zhou Hong even more.

Shen Xiheng, seeing that Zhou Hong was about to be infuriated to death, hurriedly said, "Don’t make it difficult for Chief Zhou anymore. He just wants to handle his tasks well so as not to be blamed by His Majesty."

Qi Yu smiled faintly, "So you decide to make it difficult for the Prince instead? You really know how to handle matters."

Shen Xiheng was choked up for a moment, unable to respond, and could only give Zhou Hong a look that meant he was on his own.

He had forgotten that besides being unpredictable, Qi Yu was also a devoted protector of her husband.

Zhou Hong had indeed been a bit anxious lately, having almost barged into the Prince’s room just earlier, and now he also felt that his actions were somewhat presumptuous.

He bowed slightly and said in a somber tone, "My apologies, Princess. I was too anxious earlier and disturbed both the Prince and Princess."

Qi Yu waved her hand, "Chief Zhou, there’s no need for such formality."

She wasn’t a person to hold a grudge when she saw that Zhou Hong recognized his mistake, so she didn’t hold it against him.

"This matter is indeed tricky. Not to mention Chief Zhou, even the Prince could not have handled it better."

Zhou Hong, anxious, "What about His Majesty then..."

Qi Yu interrupted, "His Majesty’s side can also be handled. A few assassins have already been caught, enough for you to settle the matter."

Zhou Hong subconsciously nodded but then felt something was off.

Did the Princess mean just to let the Empress off then?

Shen Xiheng also didn’t understand, his expression blank as he looked at her.

Qi Yu was truly exasperated. It seemed they were in such a rush to leave their homes that they forgot to bring their brains.

Such simple logic, they couldn’t even understand.

She sighed and could only explain, "Even if we really bring these people before Father Emperor and make them tell the truth, no one will believe them."

"Why?" Zhou Hong looked earnestly puzzled, seeming utterly confused.

Qi Yu said, "Chief Zhou, do you know what the punishment is for slandering the mother of a nation?"

Zhou Hong responded, "Naturally, it would be execution by law."

Qi Yu nodded and sneered, "The Empress thinks the same; she’s not afraid of these people exposing her because no one would believe it."

Zhou Hong was shocked, and even Shen Xiheng broke out in a cold sweat.

Indeed, who would believe that the Empress would send someone miles away to assassinate Prince Qi?

Could a few assassins’ words really convict the Empress?

Eventually, His Majesty might even start to wonder if it was they who had instigated this secretly.

Thinking of these consequences, both were somewhat at a loss.

Seeing that they had come to understand, Qi Yu spoke indifferently, "It’s better to let people reveal themselves than to expose them. It’s better to let them unravel themselves than to attack them."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xiheng immediately understood, "You mean, let the Empress expose herself?"

Qi Yu slightly arched an eyebrow, "I never said that."

She had merely quoted a famous saying from a previous era, but had not mentioned anything as treasonous as toppling the Empress.

It was also thanks to her grandfather who had forced her to read several somewhat sophisticated texts; otherwise, she wouldn’t even know how to phrase it properly.

Shen Xiheng snorted, "You really know how to play it safe. All the sweet words are yours to say, while all the beheading is left to me and Chief Zhou."

Zhou Hong, being a straightforward man, didn’t understand their pointed exchange. But he understood well enough when it came to the word ’beheading’.

As a result, his gaze towards Qi Yu was filled with even more respect and a slight trace of fear.

Princess Qi, truly not someone to be trifled with.