Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince
Chapter 303: The antidote is in Chen Shi’s hands?

Chapter 303: Chapter 303: The antidote is in Chen Shi’s hands?

Jingyang Palace, the Empress’s eyelid twitched violently upon hearing the news of Princess Qi Yu’s entrance to the palace.

That wretched woman just entered the palace yesterday, what is she doing here again today?

Her brows furrowed, she said to Treasure Bead, "Go and find out."

Treasure Bead quickly set down the fan she was holding and responded, "Yes."

Having left Jingyang Palace, Treasure Bead went about inquiring after Princess Qi Yu’s whereabouts from some of the eunuchs and palace maids who were well-informed about the happenings in the palace.

Soon, she learned that after entering the palace, Princess Qi Yu went straight to Xuanruo Pavilion.

With plans forming in her mind, Treasure Bead returned to Jingyang Palace and reported to the Empress, "Princess, your servant has just found out, as soon as Princess Qi Yu entered the palace today, she didn’t even visit Consort De, and went directly to Xuanruo Pavilion."

"Xuanruo Pavilion?" The Empress’s brows twitched, feeling that something was amiss.

She forcefully suppressed the unease in her heart, "Send someone else to keep an eye on Xuanruo Pavilion, and don’t miss any information."

Treasure Bead hurriedly made the arrangements.

Elsewhere, Qi Yu, as before, entered Xuanruo Pavilion with great swagger, accompanied by Shi Zhou.

Shi Zhou didn’t know what she intended to do and asked, "Didn’t we just come here yesterday?"

Moreover, Qi Yu’s actions today were strange as she had gone straight to Xuanruo Pavilion without even visiting Consort De.

Qi Yu lowered her voice and said to her, "That way, the Empress won’t be able to guess what I am going to do."

Shi Zhou nodded, half understanding, half confused.

Adi was also baffled to see the two of them, "Didn’t you just come yesterday?"

Qi Yu raised an eyebrow, "What, is the Princess not welcome?"

Adi pursed her lips, what could she say?

Lingya, reclining on the couch, however, smiled at Qi Yu, "Of course you are welcome."

Qi Yu was her only ally in this deep palace, how could she not welcome her? She couldn’t wish for Qi Yu to visit her more often.

With the order from her own Princess, Adi could only squeeze out a dry smile and said in a curt tone, "Welcome, Princess Qi Yu."

Qi Yu shook her head in amusement, pointed to a chair nearby, and said to Shi Zhou, "Sit."

She then found a spot next to the couch and sat down, and very naturally took Lingya’s pulse.

Adi was somewhat dissatisfied with her impolite action but knew of her unmatched medical skills and could only stand by, eagerly asking, "Princess Qi Yu, is the Princess’s health alright?"

Although these past few days, the meals and the prepared fetus-preserving medicine from the Imperial Kitchen were all tested with a silver needle, there was no guarantee against other methods they had not foreseen.

Qi Yu released Lingya’s hand and smiled, "There’s no major issue."

Adi breathed a sigh of relief, "That’s good."

Qi Yu could tell from her expression that their days were probably not so easy, but now, the situation had taken a turn for the better.

She said to Lingya, "Yesterday I went to Jingyang Palace to see the Empress, by now, she should not dare to do anything to you."

Lingya knew at once that Qi Yu must have used something to threaten the Empress.

And whatever could make the Empress helpless must not be simple.

Glancing again at the young girl who was sitting quietly beside them, silent, Lingya had already guessed a thing or two.

But she didn’t ask further, only gave a slight smile, and sincerely said to Qi Yu, "Many thanks to Princess Qi Yu."

Adi was completely confused, "Why though?"

The Empress had always viewed her Princess as a thorn in her side, how could she suddenly stop?

Could Princess Qi Yu be deceiving them?

Facing her questioning, Qi Yu didn’t offer much in the way of explanation.

After sitting for a while longer, she took her leave.

Upon exiting Xuanruo Pavilion, a figure suddenly darted in front of her. Qi Yu looked up to see a small eunuch hurrying toward Jingyang Palace.

Shi Zhou didn’t know what this person was doing but, seeing his suspicious behavior, said to Qi Yu, "Should we capture him for questioning?"

Qi Yu shook her head, "No need, he is one of the Empress’s men."

Shi Zhou paused, looking in the direction where the eunuch had disappeared, her expression growing colder.

It was the Empress again.

Qi Yu’s visit to the palace today was for official business, and coming to Xuanruo Pavilion had been a mere diversion, intended to keep the Empress guessing about her true purpose.

Seeing that someone had already relayed news to the Empress, she slowly curved her lips into a smile and walked in the opposite direction.

"Why have we come here?" Shi Zhou looked at the signboard of the Imperial Kitchen, her expression even more puzzled.

Qi Yu winked at her, "Naturally, to catch someone."

"Catch someone?" Shi Zhou was confused.

Qi Yu pulled her along into the Imperial Kitchen. The Palace Attendants who saw her were somewhat startled.

The managing nanny hurried over and asked, "What brings Princess Qi to grace us with her presence? Is there something you need?"

The nobles of the palace usually did not venture to the Imperial Kitchen themselves; if there was something they wished to eat, they simply sent a servant to request it.

Therefore, Qi Yu’s sudden appearance threw all the staff of the Imperial Kitchen into a state of panic.

Qi Yu said to the nanny with a smile, "Nothing in particular; it’s just that this Princess rarely enters the palace, and wished to have a look."

The nanny replied with a forced smile, "It’s fine for Princess to have a look, but it’s almost mealtime, and we’re quite busy. We’d hate to offend you by accident."

Qi Yu gestured dismissively, "It’s all right, this Princess will just take a quick glance from outside and then leave. You nannies can go back to your work."

Hearing this, the nanny had no choice but to agree.

Qi Yu entered the Imperial Kitchen and was greeted by the aroma of pastries, almost failing to resist the urge to take one to eat.

But the freshly baked pastries were still steaming hot. If she really reached for one, she might scald her hand, so she refrained.

After making a round without seeing Mo Qingshan, she grabbed a Palace Maid and asked, "Where is the wine kept?"

The Palace Maid pointed in a direction with trepidation. Qi Yu thanked her and led Shi Zhou to a small room around the corner.

Upon opening the door, there indeed was a sneaky figure inside.

Startled by the sound of the door opening, the figure hurriedly hid.

Qi Yu laughed derisively and unmercifully called out, "Master, no need to hide."

Mo Qingshan was cradling a wine jar, thinking that he must not be discovered stealing wine to drink, or his reputation would be ruined.

Caught off-guard by a familiar voice, he stood up awkwardly and then, dissatisfied, asked Qi Yu, "What are you doing here?"

Shi Zhou watched as the sneaky figure suddenly transformed into Mo Qingshan, her lips twitching almost imperceptibly.

Could she say that she was not at all surprised?

Having been caught by them drinking stolen wine, Mo Qingshan was still somewhat displeased and grumbled, "Out with it, what’s the issue now that you’re bothering this old Taoist with?"

Qi Yu found a secluded corner and briefly recounted her suspicions from the morning.

Only then did Shi Zhou understand why she had come to the palace.

After listening, Mo Qingshan took a swig of wine and said with some surprise, "You’re saying the antidote is in Chen Shi’s hands?"