After hearing Lin Hao’s words, Qi Shuo’s expression grew grave. “If that’s the case, besides Daoist Master Mingxin, another faction has infiltrated the palace.”

“Could it be Chen Mu’s side?”

After Chen Mu’s plot to bomb Jinxiu Street was exposed, he escaped the Jinlin Guard’s pursuit and still hadn’t been captured.

“That’s possible. Remember Wang Fu, the Crown Prince’s new favorite after Wang Gui’s death that I mentioned to you?”

Lin Hao nodded.

“His rise to favor might very well be connected to the Crown Prince’s abnormal condition. I’ll have people pay closer attention to this person and see what clues turn up.”

Lin Hao cautioned worriedly, “Ah Shuo, try to avoid the Crown Prince from now on. Five-mineral powder drives people to manic behavior—people without reason are the most terrifying.”

“Mm.” Qi Shuo agreed, recalling the barely concealed murderous intent in the Crown Prince’s eyes during their pavilion game, and could only think to laugh coldly.

People without reason were like crazed wild beasts—frightening, yes, but also easier to deal with.

Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince couldn’t wait to indulge in five-mineral powder and finally felt comfortable.

“Wang Fu, I have encountered a difficult problem.” The Crown Prince reclined on the couch, his gaze unfocused.

Wang Fu hurried to respond, “This servant wishes to share Your Highness’s burden.”

The Crown Prince’s left hand rested on the armrest, the feeling of weakness giving rise to an urge to destroy everything. “Tell me, how can one make a person die without anyone knowing?”

Wang Fu froze momentarily.

The Crown Prince’s gaze turned slightly cold. “What, frightened?”

“No, this servant is considering what sort of status this person holds.”

“Not a low status. If they died violently, it would be rather troublesome.”

Wang Fu fell silent for a moment, then asked in a lowered voice, “Could Your Highness be referring to Prince Jing’s Heir?”

The Crown Prince smiled. “I didn’t value you for nothing—you truly understand my thoughts.”

Time and again being served five-mineral powder by Wang Fu, the Crown Prince had unknowingly come to see Wang Fu as his most trusted confidant.

Wang Fu’s eyes shifted, and he said softly, “Prince Jing’s Heir is frail and sickly. If he died of severe illness, no one would suspect anything.”

“Died of severe illness?”

Wang Fu smiled. “Certain poisons can achieve this effect.”

The Crown Prince was no stranger to poison. Previously, to silence those who had kidnapped Lin Chan, he had used the exotic Zixin poison.

“Ordinary people can’t get close to Prince Jing’s Heir, and I don’t want to act personally.”

Acting personally always carried risks.

Wang Fu blinked. “Could Your Highness have forgotten—there’s a most suitable person.”

“Who?”

“Attendant Sun.” Wang Fu uttered these three words in a low voice.

The Crown Prince froze, then patted Wang Fu’s shoulder and laughed.

How marvelous—the most suitable blade happened to be right here in the Eastern Palace.

Riding the lingering effects of the five-mineral powder, the Crown Prince headed to Sun Xiuhua’s quarters.

Sun Xiuhua was examining a new pimple that had sprouted on her forehead in the mirror. Hearing the Crown Prince had arrived, she hastily smoothed her hair over her forehead and went to greet him.

“Your Highness—”

A hand reached out to help her up. “No need for such formality.”

Sun Xiuhua lifted her eyes to glance at the Crown Prince, her heart surging with excitement.

The Crown Prince hadn’t visited her in quite some time.

She just couldn’t understand—the Crown Prince didn’t go to the Crown Princess’s quarters, didn’t come to hers either, spending most of his time in his own room. What exactly was he doing?

“Haven’t seen you in a few days, and Hua’er seems even more beautiful.” The Crown Prince smiled.

Hearing this form of address, Sun Xiuhua felt not joy but alarm.

Why was the Crown Prince suddenly calling her Hua’er? He had always called her Attendant before.

Having experienced both favor and neglect, Sun Xiuhua had long since lost any romantic fantasies. What she wanted was to escape her status as an attendant and climb to the position she desired.

The Crown Prince took Sun Xiuhua’s hand and led her into the inner chamber. After the palace maids served tea and withdrew, he sniffed lightly. “It smells so nice in here, Hua’er.”

“I changed to a new incense.” Sun Xiuhua played along, growing more certain the Crown Prince had ulterior motives.

The Crown Prince had never paid attention to incense before.

The Crown Prince wasn’t someone who could hold his patience. After chatting briefly, he got to the point. “Hua’er hasn’t returned to the Prince’s residence in quite a while, has she?”

Sun Xiuhua’s lashes trembled slightly as she nodded.

“You and Princess Consort Jing are as close as mother and daughter. You should visit more often.”

Sun Xiuhua lowered her head slightly, revealing her long, slender neck. “Having entered the Eastern Palace, this concubine’s duty is to serve Your Highness. How could I constantly return there?”

“No, you should go back.”

Sun Xiuhua lifted her eyes to look at the Crown Prince, her gaze filled with confusion.

The Crown Prince drew a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve and pushed it before Sun Xiuhua.

“This is—”

“Hua’er, I need you to help me with something.”

The Crown Prince’s voice was gentle as water, yet hearing it made Sun Xiuhua inexplicably panic.

“What does Your Highness wish this concubine to do?”

“Find a way to make Qi Shuo consume what’s inside here.” The Crown Prince pointed at the small porcelain bottle.

Sun Xiuhua’s entire body trembled, her pupils dilating sharply. “Your Highness!”

This cry was full of terror. That face of the Crown Prince’s, which could be considered handsome, became distorted in her eyes.

“What, unwilling?”

“Your, Your Highness… what will happen if someone consumes what’s inside?” Sun Xiuhua asked in a trembling voice.

The Crown Prince smiled. “Don’t be afraid. Consuming this will just cause diarrhea and some suffering. Every time I visit the Prince’s residence to play chess with Qi Shuo, he makes me lose terribly—he doesn’t know his place at all. I just want to make him suffer a little.”

Seeing the Crown Prince push the porcelain bottle forward, Sun Xiuhua suddenly jerked her hand back, tears streaming down.

“Your Highness, this concubine cannot do this…”

Unless she was a fool, she wouldn’t believe what was in that bottle would merely cause diarrhea.

“Cannot do this?” These three words were like a fuse igniting the Crown Prince’s fury. He grabbed Sun Xiuhua’s collar and pulled her close. “If you can’t even do this, what can you do?”

Those bloodshot eyes thoroughly terrified Sun Xiuhua.

In this moment, she realized with absolute clarity that her life was in the hands of this mad man.

“Your Highness, this concubine… this concubine can try…”

The Crown Prince released his grip, his expression returning to gentleness. “I knew Hua’er was the most considerate.”

Sun Xiuhua forced out a smile with difficulty, her ice-cold fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

The Crown Prince reached out to embrace her waist. “I remember all your goodness. In the future, I won’t treat you poorly.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

After the Crown Prince departed, Sun Xiuhua stared fixedly at the small porcelain bottle lying there quietly. After an unknown length of time, she reached out and grasped it in her hand.

The porcelain bottle was ice-cold, pressing against her tender palm.

She exhaled forcefully and carefully put the bottle away.

She didn’t want to, but she had no choice…

In another two days, it would be the birthdays of Young Princess Qi Qiong and Second Young Master Qi Huan. Considering the turmoil stirred up by Princess Lingque, neither had sent invitations to relatives and friends. Each had arranged to meet particularly close friends for a small gathering outside at noon, then have a family dinner together in the evening with longevity noodles.

Sun Xiuhua’s arrival greatly surprised Princess Consort Jing.

“Why did Xiuhua leave the palace?” Though deeply disappointed in this niece, Princess Consort Jing couldn’t bring herself to completely ignore her.

“Today is cousin brother and cousin sister’s birthday. I specifically spoke with His Highness and came back to celebrate their birthdays.”

“It’s not even a major birthday—hardly worth you making a special trip out of the palace. Those two don’t take it seriously either. They ran out to play first thing this morning. If I’d known you were coming, I would have kept Qiong’er at home.” As Princess Consort Jing spoke, her heart, frozen cold by her niece, warmed somewhat.

Sun Xiuhua smiled. “The most important thing is that they’re happy on their birthday. If I can spend more time with Aunt, this trip won’t be wasted.”

“Then Xiuhua should stay a while longer before returning to the palace. It’s been quite some time since we’ve shared a meal together.”

“Mm. Did cousin brother go out too?”

“Shuo’er has never liked liveliness—he’s actually at home.”

“Then let’s invite cousin brother to join us for lunch. I haven’t seen him in so long either. He became engaged to Second Miss Lin, and I haven’t even had the chance to congratulate him in person.”

“Alright.” Princess Consort Jing agreed without much thought.

When Sun Xiuhua was obedient and clever, focused on pleasing someone, she could make them utterly comfortable. Knowing that bringing up matters of the Eastern Palace would only provoke Princess Consort Jing’s anger, she didn’t say half a word about it, instead steering the conversation toward her late mother.

Princess Consort Jing had shared deep sisterly affection with Sun Xiuhua’s mother and was naturally pleased to discuss her. As aunt and niece chatted about their shared relative, noon arrived before they knew it.

Princess Consort Jing sent a maid to summon Qi Shuo.