Another chapter edited at wee hours in the morning...
Tang Shishi stared at the kit, and her face gradually turned pale. Empress Dowager Yao said that this is a medicine to strengthen the body, but Tang Shishi knew that there was poison in it.
Tang Shishi's brain buzzed, as if it turned into a blank, and she couldn't feel the presence of her body. After a long time, Tang Shishi regained consciousness, smiled lightly, and said: "The prince has very strict control over food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. He does not drink things from unknown sources. I am afraid it is inappropriate to poison him."
The Empress Dowager looked at Tang Shishi's face, and said slowly: "He doesn't drink anything from outsiders, but if you give it to him personally, he wouldn't doubt it. Princess Jing, what do you think?"
"This Princess's position is humble and light, but the child has a place in Prince Jing's mansion. In fact, she is not important in Prince Jing's heart. I am afraid that there will be no chance for this princess."
Empress Dowager Yao smiled, but her eyes were not warm: "Oh really?"
Tang Shishi pursed her lips, knowing that she didn't need to look for excuses anymore. Empress Dowager Yao has began to doubt her.
Either take this bottle of medicine to continue to have the trust of the Empress Dowager, or refuse, and completely tear her relationship with the Empress Dowager.
Tang Shishi had long expected this day. She knew that she was not smart enough, she was not quick enough, and her acting skills were not enough. It was only a matter of time before the Empress Dowager doubted her. But Tang Shishi didn't expect that this day would come so quickly.
She has not fully established herself in Jing Mansion, and has not established her son as the Shizi. Tang Shishi originally thought that she could at least use Empress Dowager Yao to pull Zhao Zixun off his horse, and then battle with Empress Dowager Yao.
It's a pity that the sky does not fulfill wishes, and everything comes too early.
Tang Shishi didn't move, and Empress Dowager Yao was also waiting for her. Tang Shishi knew that she could not be silent for too long, so she had to respond immediately. Empress Dowager Yao wouldn't be so stupid to poison Zhao Chengjun. Anyway, Zhao Chengjun was going to die sooner or later. Even if she took the poison and gave it to Zhao Chengjun, it will not affect the final outcome. In this way, she can continue to enjoy the blessing of the Empress Dowager, and with the help of the Empress Dowager, she can change Zhao Zigao as the Prince.
All this is what she looks forward to most. Tang Shishi knew that she should reach out now to take the bottle of medicine and be loyal to the Empress Dowager Yao. As long as she holds it, all her crises will be solved, and she can also help her son become the Prince.
But Tang Shishi didn't know why, but she couldn't move for a long time. Tang Shishi knelt for a while, then suddenly stood up, took a step back, and said with a trembling voice: "Empress Dowager..."
Tang Shisui didn't say the rest, but Empress Dowager Yao already knew her answer. Empress Dowager Yao threw the kit aside and said with a sneer: "Prince Jing and Princess Jing are really affectionate. You didn't even see what was inside, so you hurriedly refused. You are so affectionate for my good son."
Tang Shishi lowered her head and said nothing. She doesn't know if it is really poisonous, it is possible that Empress Dowager Yao cheated her, but what if it is true? A moment ago, he accompanied her to win lanterns and buy candied gourds. The sweetness of the syrup seemed to linger on the tip of hee tongue. How could Tang Shishi keep her face unchanged and add medicinal powder that she didn't know what it was to his tea. ?
If she took this bottle of medicine, whether it was true or not, whether Zhao Chengjun would find out, she and Zhao Chengjun would be completely finished. If Zhao Chengjun learns of this, what will he do? He may not tolerate it, he may scheme against her, or he may set up a concubine like Zhao Zixun, and not pay attention to his wife. Tang Shishi didn't know where she had the courage to reject Empress Dowager Yao, but when she thought of those scenes just now, she couldn't breathe.
Tang Shishi's nails were deeply pinched into her palms, and she struggled in vain: "Empeess dowager, this princess doesn't know who you have listened to, but she suspects someone may have told the empress dowager lies. Perhaps, there is some misunderstanding here."
"Misunderstanding?" Empress Dowager Yao coldly curled her lips and said, "If you feel that Aijia has misunderstood you, you just need to pick up this bottle of medicine and let Prince Jing drink. Tang Shishi, you were originally just the daughter of a merchant. If it weren't for the Aijia, you would never have the opportunity to have contact with the princes and nobles. Your position of was granted by Aijia and your status was rewarded by Aijia including your son. Are you going to betray me, avenge your grievances, and betray your family?"
Tang Shishi's palm was tightly clenched, and her fingers were already cold. She was silent for a moment, and said in a low voice: "I'm sorry, this princess can't."
Can't. Empress Dowager Yao laughed. She leaned on the couch and looked at her nails, then suddenly turned her face and swept the things on the table to the ground. There was a harsh cracking sound of porcelain, and hot water splashed with the broken pieces of porcelain but Tang Shishi stood still and did not move.
"Okay, very good!" Empress Dowager Yao was very angry, her eyes were like knives, and she fell viciously on Tang Shishi wishing to expose her, "Aijia treats you so good, yet you return Aijia's favor like this. Aijia has countless people. Aijia didn't expect it, but they also missed you. Do you think that if Zhao Chengjun loves you, the Aijia can't move you? Ridiculous, Zhao Chengjun just used you. Aijia might as well tell you plainly that Zhao Chengjun is not sincere to you. You are the one sent by Aijia. From the very beginning, you were a piece on his chessboard."
Empress Dowager Yao's words are undoubtedly poking into the sore spot of Tang Shishi, this is what she fears most. Zhao Zigao is Zhao Chengjun's child, and Tang Shishi believes that Zhao Chengjun will not treat his own flesh and blood badly. But what about her?
After Zhao Chengjun completes his great cause and defeats the Empress Dowager, is there any need for Tang Shishi? Zhao Chengjun over-indulges her, is he really doing this, or is he just acting?
Tang Shishi's mind was in a mess, but she lowered her head, still not letting go. Empress Dowager Yao laughed angrily. She gave a gloomy smile, then she suddenly lowered her face and said, Do you think that if you become a princess, you can sit back and relax? If you can be established, you can be abolished. You can use your child as a life-saving card, but can your natal family, your parents, brothers, and sisters, be able to keep their lives?"
Tang Shishi bowed her head and stared at the ground, her face was pale, and her lips were bloodless. The Empress Dowager
finally used the Tang family and o threaten her. She is vain and greedy, she insists on squeezing into the upper circle, and even does not hesitate to seek skin with tigers. It was her fate, and she deserved it. But—everyone is responsible for doing things, why should she implicate other people when she makes her own choices?
Tang Shishi doesn't care about the huge wealth of the Tang family, nor does she care about the Tang Mingzhe, but she can't take the risk of her mother and the Qi family. Tang Shishi dislikes Tang Yanyan, but Madame Qi is kind to her and her mother, and Qi Jingsheng has never done anything but apologize to her. How could she harm Madame Qi and Qi Jingsheng because of her greed and stupidity?
Tang Shishi slowly raised her head and asked, "Empress Dowager, what do you want?"
The Empress Dowager snorted without a smile, changed her sitting position, and said slowly: "Aijia originally wanted you to give the medicine to Prince Jing, and promote you to be a confidant next to the Aijia, but unfortunately you betrayed me. In any case, this bottle of medicine must be drunk by someone."
Tang Shishi suddenly curled her fingers, she paused for a while, nodded and said: "Okay."
Her voice was dry and low, but she didn't hesitate to move forward. She was about to go around the broken pile of tiles, but she heard the first say: "Who allowed you to go around?"
Tang Shishi's footsteps paused, she quickly raised her head, and saw Empress Dowager Yao and Feng Momo looking at her coldly. There were people guarding Empress Dowager Yao both inside and outside the house, and no one will come to rescue her.
The chill slowly spread from the soles of her feet to her whole body. Tang Shishi squeezed the palm of her hand hard, thinking that it wouldn't hurt much, and was about to start walking atop tue broken tiles. She retracted her foot and was about to step when she suddenly heard the sound of walking outside.
Tang Shishi was surprised by this voice, and turned her head subconsciously. At this time, the door was pushed open from the outside and hit the wall with a bang, making a loud noise. Zhao Chengjun stood outside the door with a solemn face. His expression was cold and his eyes were like lacquer. When he saw the broken porcelain in front of Tang Shishi, his eyes became sharp.
Behind Zhao Chengjun were many court ladies and eunuchs. These people tried to stop Zhao Chengjun, but Zhao Chengjun was followed by fierce soldiers who had killed and licked blood on the battlefield. The eunuchs were their opponents. The battle didn't start, and the outcome was determined. Zhao Chengjun broke into the inner room of Empress Dowager Yao, as if he didn't notice her presence.
The eunuch behind him was furious and yelled: "Prince Jing, what are you doing? Do you want to commit a crime?"
Zhao Chengjun ignored the eunuch and didn't pay attention to him at all. He strode into the iroom without looking at anyone. He walked directly to Tang Shishi's side, pulled her away, and stood ten steps away from the broken tiles before stopping. Zhao Chengjun looked down at Tang Shishi and asked, "Are you hurt?"
Tang Shishi was frightened and shook her head in a daze. Zhao Chengjun was relieved to see that there were indeed no wounds on her body. Afterwards, Zhao Chengjun looked up and looked at Empress Dowager Yao not far away coldly: "This prince has been waiting outside for a long time, and it has been a long time since I saw the princess come out. I don't know what the empress dowager is doing here with the wife of this prince?"
The Empress Dowager was angry when she faced Tang Shishi just now. Seeing Zhao Chengjun at this moment, she immediately took back her arrogance and restored her appearance as a gentle and polite empress dowagwr: "Aijia and the princess said some things to each other. However we heard a loud sound and it turned out to be Prince Jing. He rushed in quickly, Aijia doesn't know what he intends to do?"
Zhao Chengjun didn't care about the questioning of Empress Rowager Yao at all, and said coldly: "It turns out that it was just talking. It has been so long. No matter how many words there are, it should be finished. It's getting late. This prince will take the princess back and leave."
After Zhao Chengjun finished speaking, he ignored Empress Dowager Yao and took Tang Shishi and left. Empress Dowager Yao was furious, slammed the table, and said angrily: "Zhao Chengjun, you are bold! Aijia is your mother, yet you dare be presumptuous in front of Aijia?"
Tang Shishi was so scared that she couldn't speak. She didn't expect that Zhao Chengjun would come in suddenly, and she didn't expect that Zhao Chengjun would fight with Empress Dowager Yao as soon as he came in. He and Empress Dowager Yao have been feuding for a long time, but on the face of it, they have maintained a false kindness relationship.
Zhao Chengjun encircled Tang Shishi's shoulders and put Tang Shishi behind him. Zhao Chengjun looked back at Empress Dowager Yao coldly, his murderous look was cold and straightforward, without covering up: "This prince's title was granted by the former emperor and everything in the northwest is taken care by this Prince himself. What does this vassal prince have anything to do with the Empress Dowager? The Empress Dowager has been taking care of the government for many years, and the day to return the power is near. The empress dowager should take care of her body and cultivate her character. Don't throw teacups any time. It's not your business to interfere in my family affairs."
"You" Empress Dowager Yao was furious, so angry that she couldn't speak, Zhao Chengjun suddenly reminded her not to overstep. Throughout the dynasties, an empress dowager can only act for her young son in government affairs. When her son reaches age, she naturally has to step back. What Zhao Chengjun said was to threaten Empress Dowager Yao.
Zhao Chengjun ignored Empress Dowager Yao. He lowered his head and looked at Tang Shishi carefully: "Can you walk?"
Tang Shishi nodded, indicating that she was okay. Zhao Chengjun held Tang Shishi's hand and said, "That's good, let's go."
After he finished speaking, he took Tang Shishi out of the room without even looking at Empress Dowager Tao. Tang Shishi stumbled and was pulled away. After she went out, she saw that the corridor was full of people, and Yao Pei'er also came out of her room and looked in panic.
Zhao Chengjun really broke in, and didn't even try to cover up.
Zhao Chengjun swaggered all the way and pulled Tang Shishi downstairs. Outside the Tower, Zhao Zixun stood anxiously in front of the carriage, pacing around. He frequently looked in the direction of the door, and when he finally saw Zhao Chengjun's figure, he was overjoyed and surrounded him in three steps: "Father, you finally came out. Are you okay with the Empress Dowager?"
Zhao Chengjun said with a faint expression, "It's okay. Tell the coachman, go back to the mansion."
Zhao Zixun's eyes swept across Zhao Chengjun and then to the Tang Shishi behind. He said nothing, and said respectfully, "Yes."
Tang Shishi was also very tired, so there was no such thing as a good mood of going to see the lights. She stepped into the carriage in a daze, and didn't even want to say anything.
Zhao Chengjun stood in front of the carriage and helped Tang Shishi to get into the carriage. He looked back and saw the remaining carriages quietly following behind, with the curtains hanging quietly, no one looking around. Zhao Chengjun retracted his sight and did not choose to ride the horse.
Tang Shishi leaned against the carriage with her eyes closed. She heard someone come in, and when she opened her eyes, it turned out to be Zhao Chengjun. Tang Shishi was surprised and asked, "Wangye, why did you come in?"
Zhao Chengjun sat next to her, held her head expertly, placed it on his shoulder, and said, "You were in a bad mood just now. I will sit with you for a while."
Tang Shishi wanted to sit by herself, but Zhao Chengjun's shoulders were broad and solid, warm and powerful, and when Tang Shishi leaned on it, she didn't want to sit up anymore. She closed her eyes, letting herself lean on Zhao Chengjun, and said, "I'm fine."
"Okay." Zhao Chengjun said in a low voice
The carriage eventually started moving, but the screams outside the window were still lively. The fireworks that had excited Tang Shishi just now turned into the moon in the mirror, suddenly disappearing, and even the sound was blurred.
Tang Shishi slowly counted the sounds of the carriage. She didn't know the map of Jinling and couldn't outline where the carriage was now. But she knew that Prince Jing's Mansion was getting closer.
The carriage avoided the crowds and turned into a secluded laneway, and the speed quickly increased in an instant. The noise faded away, and the night was calm, only the sound of a carriage running over the stone slabs could be heard.
Tang Shishi couldn't help but ask, "Since i annoyed Empress Dowager Yao, will it cause you a lot of trouble?"
Zhao Chengjun covered Tang Shishi's hand, his palm was wide, and with a slight force, he completely wrapped her hand: "No."
"After all, you are in Jinling now, and your men and horses are in Xiping Mansion. If something happens, they will not be able to make it."
"Nothing will happen." Zhao Chengjun held down Tang Shishi's head, let her lean completely on his shoulders, and said, "Just be rest assured and be yourself, and i will handle the rest."
Zhao Chengjun's palms were dry and warm, pressing on her hair, almost making people want to fall asleep. Tang Shishi closed her eyes tiredly, and after a while, she whispered: "It's so late. I don't know if Gao'er is asleep or not.
"His nanny and Liu Ji are there, nothing will happen."
"I want to know."
"Okay." Zhao Chengjun said softly, "Let's go home."