Soon, Imperial Physician Lin Qi arrived at the dining hall.

However, this Lin Qi was not the real Lin Qi—the person before them was Huang Yan in disguise.

Upon arrival, Huang Yan bowed to Bei Tang Wenfeng and Yang Qingning.

Yang Qingning glanced at Lin Qi, gave him a meaningful look, then spoke with apparent concern, “Imperial Physician Lin, His Majesty is unwell. Please examine him quickly.”

Huang Yan nodded and bent down, kneeling beside Bei Tang Wenfeng to check his pulse.

Mu Yunjin stood nearby, keeping Yang Qingning in her peripheral vision.

At this moment, Jingyang, who had been silent all this time, suddenly stood up from her chair and walked to Bei Tang Wenfeng’s side. “Imperial Father, I have something to…”

“Jingyang, sit down! Don’t disturb the Imperial Physician’s examination!” Yang Qingning immediately interjected.

“Mother…” Jingyang looked at Yang Qingning, her eyes filled with grievance. Her thin lips were pressed tightly together, as if suppressing certain emotions.

…

…

Mu Yunjin took in Jingyang’s reaction fully.

Shortly after, Huang Yan finished taking Bei Tang Wenfeng’s pulse. He casually glanced at Yang Qingning, who nodded slightly to him.

Then Yang Qingning spoke with concern, “Imperial Physician Lin, how is His Majesty?”

“In reply to Your Majesty the Empress, His Majesty’s discomfort is due to long-term worry about state affairs and overexertion. I will now have someone brew a calming soup for His Majesty. With proper rest, he should recover,” Huang Yan replied.

Upon hearing this, Yang Qingning curved her lips in satisfaction. “Very well, go prepare the calming soup first.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” After speaking, Huang Yan left.

“Your Majesty, the Imperial Physician has said that you are too concerned about state affairs. You have labored for Bei Ming for so many years; you should think of yourself now,” Yang Qingning moved closer to Bei Tang Wenfeng, consoling him.

Bei Tang Wenfeng leaned against his chair, silent.

Yang Qingning assumed it was due to his physical discomfort that he didn’t speak. After a pause, she continued, “Now that the elderly monarchs of both East Lin and West Yuan have abdicated to the younger generation to enjoy their twilight years, Your Majesty might also consider selecting a Crown Prince.”

Normally, such words would be treasonous, but Yang Qingning showed no fear, smiling at Bei Tang Wenfeng as if discussing ordinary household matters.

Bei Tang Wenfeng gave a slight laugh and sighed, “Indeed, the Empress speaks truly.”

“I have already drafted an abdication decree…” Bei Tang Wenfeng said.

Hearing the word “decree,” Yang Qingning’s eyelid twitched, and she clenched her jade fingers, moving closer to Bei Tang Wenfeng. “And the Crown Prince candidate? Has Your Majesty decided on that as well?”

Bei Tang Wenfeng nodded slightly.

Just as Yang Qingning was about to inquire further, Huang Yan entered with a medicine bowl. “Your Majesty, the calming soup is ready.”

Huang Yan walked to Bei Tang Wenfeng’s side and glanced at Mu Yunjin. “You, feed it to His Majesty.”

“Yes, sir.” Mu Yunjin bowed, then took the medicine bowl, scooped out a spoonful of soup, gently blew on it, and brought it to Bei Tang Wenfeng’s lips.

Seeing that it was Mu Yunjin feeding him the medicine, Bei Tang Wenfeng opened his mouth and drank.

Yang Qingning watched Bei Tang Wenfeng drink the medicine spoonful by spoonful, the joy on her face becoming increasingly difficult to conceal, her smile gradually widening.

Jingyang stood to the side, trembling violently, arms crossed, unwilling to look at Bei Tang Wenfeng.

Shortly after, Bei Tang Wenfeng finished the bowl of medicine.

Looking at the empty bowl, Yang Qingning’s eyes flashed. She ordered someone to bring a chair, sat down next to Bei Tang Wenfeng, and asked softly, “Your Majesty, you still haven’t told me about the Crown Prince position. Have you decided?”

Bei Tang Wenfeng turned to look at Yang Qingning as Mu Yunjin’s voice sounded in his ear—

“Father, act as if you’re at death’s door, and try to get information about where mother is being held.”

Bei Tang Wenfeng’s eyes flashed.

“I have,” Bei Tang Wenfeng answered Yang Qingning.

Yang Qingning curved her lips and asked coquettishly, “Is it our son Qi?”

“Court affairs are not for a woman of the harem to interfere with. I will decide!” Bei Tang Wenfeng scolded angrily.

“Is that so?” Yang Qingning laughed coldly. “And if I insist on interfering? What will Your Majesty do?”

Bei Tang Wenfeng’s face darkened. “Yang Qingning, you… you…”

As he spoke, Bei Tang Wenfeng suddenly began to gasp for air, clutching his chest in pain, his face turning red as if he were about to suffocate.

“Ah! Imperial Physician, quickly examine His Majesty!” Mu Yunjin called out in panic, looking toward Huang Yan.

Huang Yan, disguised as Lin Qi, sneered coldly and turned away, standing motionless.

Yang Qingning cast an appreciative glance at Huang Yan, then looked at Bei Tang Wenfeng, slumped in his chair. “Your Majesty, are you in pain?”

Bei Tang Wenfeng opened his mouth, glaring fiercely at Yang Qingning.

Seeing Bei Tang Wenfeng in this half-dead state, Yang Qingning suddenly felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

Yes, she was free!

After all these years, she had finally freed herself from the cage of being a resentful palace woman!

“You… you… Dare to rebel?” Bei Tang Wenfeng managed to force out a few words.

“Rebel? Hahahaha!” Yang Qingning’s shrill laughter rang out. “Yes! I am rebelling! I, Yang Qingning, am rebelling!”

As soon as Yang Qingning finished speaking, all the servants in the room fell to their knees. Mu Yunjin and Qiqi also knelt, lowering their heads.

“Guards, guards…” Bei Tang Wenfeng tried to stand up but found he had no strength. He called for a long time, but no one entered the dining hall.

“Stop shouting! Even if you shout until your throat breaks, no one will come to save you! This palace is filled with my people. Your guards are probably already dead!” Yang Qingning reached out and touched the dragon crown on Bei Tang Wenfeng’s head.

Then, with a vicious look in her eyes, she forcefully grabbed Bei Tang Wenfeng’s dragon crown, threw it violently to the ground, and said, “Remember? Last time, for the sake of Jiang Qingxue and her daughter, you smashed my phoenix crown in front of everyone, causing me to lose face and be ridiculed behind my back!”

“Bei Tang Wenfeng! All these years, what have I, Yang Qingning, ever owed you? I bore children for you, managed your harem—how did you treat me in return?”

“I’ve been driven to this point by you! If you had cared for me a little more, loved me a little more, as husband and wife, I wouldn’t have had to resort to such cruelty!”

“Bei Tang Wenfeng, don’t blame me! You brought all this upon yourself!”

Yang Qingning stood up, her tone somewhat agitated, staggering to Huang Yan’s side. In front of Bei Tang Wenfeng, she took hold of Huang Yan’s arm.

“Oh, and let me tell you one more thing—I’ve been secretly sharing a bed with Lin Qi behind your back for a long time… After you die, I’ll make our son Qi the Crown Prince and Lin Qi the Emperor Emeritus, hahaha…”

Bei Tang Wenfeng looked at Yang Qingning and found the woman before him utterly unfamiliar.

“The reason you’ve aged so quickly lately and have been feeling weak is all thanks to Lin Qi, thanks to the slow-acting poison he’s been feeding you, which has left you like a useless invalid sitting here!” Yang Qingning continued.

Bei Tang Wenfeng clenched his fists, struggling to control his rage.

Nearby, upon hearing this, Jingyang suddenly walked to Yang Qingning’s side and knelt, her face covered in tears. “Mother, please stop! You cannot commit such a wrong, you cannot!”

“Hmph, what if I do? Who can do anything to me now?” Yang Qingning said disdainfully.

“No, if Sister Jinhwa finds out, she definitely won’t let you off!” Jingyang pleaded with Yang Qingning.

Yang Qingning turned her gaze and curved her lips. “Mu Yunjin? Hehe, she can barely save herself, how could she possibly deal with me?”

Bei Tang Wenfeng felt he could no longer contain himself. Before erupting in anger, he controlled his emotions and asked, “Is Qingxue in your hands?”

Hearing the name Qingxue, the smile on Yang Qingning’s face suddenly disappeared, her eyes flashing with malice. “Qingxue? At death’s door, and you’re still thinking about that slut!”

“What, what have you done to her?” Bei Tang Wenfeng looked worried.

Yang Qingning approached Bei Tang Wenfeng, her face somewhat ferocious. “What could I have done to her? Naturally, I’m making her wish she were dead! Bei Tang Wenfeng, rest assured! I won’t let her die. I’ll keep her alive, torturing her slowly, just not letting her die!”

“In this life, you couldn’t be together when alive, and you won’t be together in death either!”

“Where is she?” Bei Tang Wenfeng asked urgently, deeply concerned about Jiang Qingxue’s condition.

This urgency, in Yang Qingning’s eyes, seemed even more ironic. She looked at Bei Tang Wenfeng with deep eyes. “In the secret dungeon of Fengyue Cliff!”

“Fengyue Cliff…” Bei Tang Wenfeng murmured.

“Yes, Fengyue Cliff! Jiang Qingxue is imprisoned at Fengyue Cliff! But even if I tell you now, what can you do? If I’m not mistaken, isn’t your heart about to burst with pain?” Yang Qingning poked Bei Tang Wenfeng’s chest.

Nearby, Mu Yunjin and Qiqi exchanged a glance, now knowing Jiang Qingxue’s whereabouts. Without hesitation, the two stood up.

Seeing the two palace maids suddenly stand, Yang Qingning was startled and looked displeased at a guard behind her. “How dare you! Kill them!”

As she spoke, there was a flash of cold light around them, followed by a soft sword being placed against Yang Qingning’s fair neck.

“Your Majesty, don’t be so fierce!” Huang Yan, holding the soft sword, smiled slightly at Yang Qingning.

“Lin Qi, you…” Yang Qingning hadn’t realized what was happening.

Then, Mu Yunjin and Qiqi changed back to their original appearances, and before she could react, the two had flashed away.

When she turned her head, the person behind her was no longer Lin Qi but had transformed into the appearance of a handsome young man.

Jingyang recognized Huang Yan. Seeing him and Mu Yunjin from earlier, her eyes brightened.

“Your Majesty, how would you like the Empress to be dealt with?” Huang Yan smiled at Bei Tang Wenfeng.

Hearing this, Bei Tang Wenfeng slowly stood up from his chair. Although his complexion was poor, his demeanor now bore no resemblance to the weak appearance he had shown earlier.

In an instant, Yang Qingning’s eyes widened, filled with shock and disbelief. What was going on?

It was impossible! Her plan had been so meticulous. How could it have been suddenly exposed? And where had Mu Yunjin come from…