Chapter 11: Preparing to Enter the Palace

If you want to beat or scold someone, it's best to do it back on your own turf. Qiao Qingyun nodded. "Do you have any accomplices?"

"This... this..."

The subordinate still hesitated, but catching sight of Qiao Qingyun toying with the silver needle in her hand, he shivered and nodded. "Everyone in our group is involved!"

Feng Ke nearly choked with rage and almost fainted on the spot.

Qiao Qingyun nodded, glanced at Feng Ke and said, "Young Master Feng, you can take these people back and interrogate them yourself. As a physician, my best advice is to tie up everyone who has been exposed to this substance."

"Once they go into withdrawal, they’ll become something neither human nor ghost, desperate only for the antidote. Lock them in a small room, keep them there for a month, and after that, let them out. Give them water and food, but nothing else."

"You! You vicious woman!"

The kneeling lackey, realizing this would be their fate, began cursing at Qiao Qingyun so fiercely that she burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, how foolish you are! You dare curse me now? Aren’t you afraid I won’t undo it for you?"

Qiao Qingyun shrugged indifferently and moved to stand behind Yuan Zaichun.

After what had just happened, Yuan Zaichun felt a lingering unease. If someone had used such a method on them, wouldn’t their forces be utterly destroyed?

When Feng Ke left, cursing under his breath, he didn’t forget to look back at Qiao Qingyun. "Miss Qiao, the thousand taels of silver will be delivered immediately."

"Thank you, Young Master Feng! Safe travels! Do come by with more silver when you have the time!"

Hearing that, Feng Ke stumbled and nearly fell.

This time it was a thousand taels—what about next time?

Truly, ill-gotten gains are never spent in peace.

Qiao Qingyun’s abilities left the servants dumbstruck. In no time, the story was spreading like wildfire.

Yuan Zaichun rose and glanced at Qiao Qingyun. "Come with me to the study."

"Yes."

"Miss..."

Qingluo looked worried, fearing Qiao Qingyun would be punished—after all, she’d just demanded a thousand taels from Feng Ke! That was no small sum, and considering Feng Ke’s close relations with Yuan Zaichun...

If not for Qiao Qingyun’s discreet gesture to keep calm, Qingluo would have followed.

Once inside the study, the door was closed by Liu Fu, who stood guard outside. Qiao Qingyun shrank her neck like a wary little wildcat.

"Your Highness..."

"Qiao Qingyun, well done. You made good use of my name."

Yuan Zaichun looked at her with a half-smile that made Qiao Qingyun uneasy—no good person smiled like that; it was terrifying.

"I had no idea you possessed such skills. You even know how to interrogate people?"

At those words, Qiao Qingyun hastily knelt, bowing her head to Yuan Zaichun. A woman’s pride is worth gold, but now wasn’t the time for it!

After kowtowing once, she launched into a stream of flattery that left Yuan Zaichun feeling thoroughly pleased.

"Young Master Feng knows well that it was all thanks to Your Highness’s great fortune. If not for you, I would not have been able to step in and help—would I?"

"Besides, Your Highness is so wise, you surely saw at once that I was only putting on a show to intimidate him, borrowing the power of that substance for effect."

After her words, Yuan Zaichun felt much better. He nodded slightly, glanced at the petite figure kneeling before him, and said, "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Qiao Qingyun let out a long sigh of relief. As expected, everyone likes to hear pleasing words.

Just as she was secretly rejoicing, Yuan Zaichun’s face turned serious. "Is that substance truly so potent? What does it look like?"

"Ah? Your Highness, you mean the thing that causes the addiction?"

This unsettled Qiao Qingyun—did he intend to use it to control her?

Yuan Zaichun nodded gravely. "If this stuff ever found its way into the army, it would be a disaster for the country."

"But it only works if ingested, usually by mixing it into food to create the addiction," Qiao Qingyun explained, which only made Yuan Zaichun more alert. "So, tell me quickly."

"Your Highness..."

She wanted to brush it off, but there was no way around it. Meeting Yuan Zaichun’s gaze, Qiao Qingyun shrank her neck and bowed her head, suddenly recalling that the man before her was the crown prince who could end lives at a whim.

"It’s a flower called poppy, but it’s not used when it’s in full bloom or fruit—it has to be harvested while still in bud, then mixed into food and stir-fried. At first, the effects aren’t obvious."

"But later on, if someone is deprived of it, they’ll suffer unbearable pain, a fate worse than death," Qiao Qingyun said helplessly, watching Yuan Zaichun, who seemed deep in thought. Then she ventured in a small voice, "So... when will Your Highness fulfill your promise?"

"Hmm?"

Yuan Zaichun glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. Qiao Qingyun froze—wasn’t it his promise left unfulfilled? How had it become her problem?

Just as she was about to speak again, Yuan Zaichun said, "Three days from now, come with me to the palace. My mother wishes to see you."

He had already weighed everything Qiao Qingyun had said. If she could save people, she would certainly be useful in the future. As for the title of crown princess... well, she was already married; the title had to go to someone eventually.

With that thought, Yuan Zaichun gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"You may go."

"Yes."

Qiao Qingyun turned and left, unconcerned about Yuan Zaichun’s expression. Her goal was achieved—there was no need to linger.

As soon as she reached Tingzhu Courtyard, Qingluo hurried over, anxious. "Miss, are you all right?"

"I’m fine. His Highness just called me over to ask a few questions."

With that, Qiao Qingyun let out a breath of relief. She’d thought her days were numbered.

Qingluo nodded, then suddenly remembered what Qiao Qingyun had said to Feng Ke earlier and asked hesitantly, "Then, Miss... are you really going to marry the crown prince?"

"Yes, I’ll be entering the palace to meet Her Majesty in three days."

Qiao Qingyun made no attempt to hide it. At these words, Qingluo practically leapt for joy.

"Wonderful! Soon you’ll be the crown princess!"

The nearby maids, hearing this, stared at Qiao Qingyun in astonishment, regretting that they hadn’t ingratiated themselves with her sooner.

Qingluo, on the other hand, had clearly had the foresight to grow close to Qiao Qingyun from the start.

"Enough, this is not a matter to be spread around. Go and rest—we’re all exhausted."