Chapter 219

Chapter 219: Better Off Dead

“You, come here!”

Lady Fu glared fiercely at the palace servant kneeling on the floor.

The servant had knelt for far too long and rose unsteadily. Just as she reached out for the medicine bowl, a small bird flapped its wings, swooping down and dipping its beak into the liquid.

This bird—it was the one Sheng Zhi Wan had given to Sheng Zhihui!

Lady Fu despised the creature to death. If it weren’t for Sheng Zhi Wan, she wouldn’t have locked Hui’er in the room, and Hui’er wouldn’t have secretly climbed out onto the rockery, only to…

Lady Fu raised her arm, wanting to grab that hateful bird. But before she could act, the bird let out two pitiful cries and fell lifelessly to the ground.

Lady Fu stared blankly.

The palace servant next to her swallowed nervously, pointing at the bowl in shock. “Lady Fu! This medicine—it’s poisoned! Someone wants to kill the little princess!”

What?

Lady Fu’s hands trembled, nearly dropping the bowl. Thankfully, the servant quickly took it from her.

Lady Fu’s mind was in chaos. She stared helplessly at the medicine bowl, then at her daughter lying unconscious on the bed, tears streaming down her face. She had no idea what to do.

“His Majesty… does His Majesty know about Hui’er?” Lady Fu desperately clutched the nanny behind her.

The nanny hesitated. “His Majesty… sent someone with nourishing medicine.”

Nourishing medicine?

What good was that?

Lady Fu bit her lip, wanting desperately to ask, but she dared not. She was just a lowly consort, elevated to her current position only because she had Hui’er.

But now, even Hui’er would be taken from her?

“I… I will beg Her Majesty the Empress to investigate who harmed my Hui’er,” Lady Fu sobbed, stumbling as she rushed out.

…

“What did you say?”

As soon as Sheng Zhi Wan entered the palace, she sensed something was amiss. But she never imagined it involved Hui’er.

Hui’er was merely a princess without favor, having grown up peacefully until now. Why would someone suddenly try to harm her? This had never happened in her previous life. Was it because of something she herself had done?

Sheng Zhi Wan quickened her steps toward Lotus Elegance Palace. Behind her, a eunuch attendant hurried, pushing a small wheelchair—the one she had promised Hui’er. She always kept her promises.

Hui’er… she must grow up safely, just as she had in the past!

Upon reaching Lotus Elegance Palace, Sheng Zhi Wan immediately noticed something was wrong. Muffled cries drifted out, and the palace was in chaos, with no one even guarding the entrance.

She pushed open the door.

Inside stood the Empress, Consort Qi, Consort Li, and the Four Concubines, all crowded into the small room. The Empress wore a severe expression. Lady Fu knelt sobbing on the ground, while Imperial Physician Xu and a young medicine apprentice knelt trembling beside her.

The palace servants didn’t dare to breathe.

Seeing Sheng Zhi Wan enter, a flicker of surprise crossed the Empress’s face.

“Why is Princess Qing Ning here?”

“Qing Ning greets Your Majesty the Empress,” Sheng Zhi Wan swiftly saluted, ignoring everyone else as she moved to check Hui’er’s condition.

The Empress frowned, about to speak, but Lady Fu blocked Sheng Zhi Wan’s path, glaring bitterly. “What does Princess Qing Ning think she’s doing? If not for you, Hui’er wouldn’t have sneaked out and gotten hurt!”

“Move,” Sheng Zhi Wan coldly pushed her aside.

Lady Fu stumbled back. Meeting Sheng Zhi Wan’s determined eyes, she swallowed her words.

Sheng Zhi Wan felt Hui’er’s pulse—irregular and sluggish, a clear sign of blocked circulation and disrupted vital energy. She gently checked Hui’er’s eyelids and tongue, noting the lingering scent at her lips. Her fingertips paused, finally understanding why Physician Xu and the medicine apprentice were kneeling there.

Fortunately, the pulse indicated Hui’er hadn’t swallowed the poison.

Sheng Zhi Wan quickly turned to Imperial Physician Xu. “Do you have silver needles? Lend them to me.”

Physician Xu, drenched in cold sweat, still confused over how poison had ended up in the princess’s medicine, was momentarily stunned. Then, he nodded instinctively. “Y-yes.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Quickly!” Sheng Zhi Wan urged.

Only then did Physician Xu react. But—Princess Qing Ning knew medicine? Of course! He had heard about her saving the Northern Di prince at the training grounds.

He hurriedly handed over the silver needles.

The Empress tightened her fists, stepping forward to object. “Qing Ning, don’t be reckless! No one has heard of your medical skills before. Even Physician Xu can’t do anything. Hui’er is barely breathing—if something goes wrong…”

She sighed meaningfully.

Lady Fu immediately sprang forward, her eyes filled with hatred. “Step away! Don’t touch my Hui’er!”

Lady Fu was desperate. Hui’er lay gravely ill, and Emperor Chong Sheng hadn’t even come to see her. She dared not blame him or imagine who had the gall to harm her child—there were too many enemies to count.

Unable to protect Hui’er herself, Lady Fu vented her resentment on someone who genuinely cared for Hui’er.

Sheng Zhi Wan had no time to waste. “If you don’t want Hui’er to remain unconscious forever, move aside!”

Lady Fu trembled, stepping back involuntarily. Sheng Zhi Wan swiftly pushed past her, drawing out the silver needles. Her movements were precise and rapid, piercing acupuncture points—Baihui, Renzhong, Neiguan…

Needles pierced swiftly, one after another, each carefully twirled and adjusted.

The room fell silent in awe, the occupants barely daring to breathe.

The Empress’s nails dug deep into her palm beneath her wide sleeves, golden fingertip protectors biting into her flesh unnoticed.

Time dragged on slowly.

Hui’er showed no sign of waking, and gradually, the Empress relaxed. Indeed! His Majesty had said Qing Ning saved Prince Lu Chuo only due to luck from reading a relevant medical text.

But Hui’er had fallen from a rockery—how could Qing Ning possibly cure her?

Perhaps… it would be better if she accidentally killed her!

The Empress’s lips curled faintly in pleasure, quickly masking her delight with a look of shock. She rushed forward dramatically. “Qing Ning, what have you done? Oh heavens—Physician Xu! Hurry and check the little princess—”

But her voice abruptly halted.

She saw clearly that Hui’er’s fingers had just twitched.

The Empress’s heart twisted painfully.

Lady Fu noticed it too, her hatred suddenly replaced by overwhelming joy.

“She’s awake… awake!”

“Don’t move closer!” Sheng Zhi Wan warned sharply, breathing deeply as, under everyone’s anxious gaze, she carefully inserted the final needle.

The Empress’s expression darkened considerably. Physician Xu had said Hui’er’s chances of recovery were slim, and even if she awoke, she’d likely suffer permanent damage.

Yet Sheng Zhi Wan had effortlessly reversed it all?

The Empress narrowed her eyes at Sheng Zhi Wan.

Sheng Zhi Wan ignored everyone’s thoughts. She knew today’s events would make her father wary once more, but she couldn’t abandon Hui’er.

If the swelling in Hui’er’s head wasn’t quickly dispersed, pressing on critical points, Hui’er might wake only to live out her days as a mindless invalid.

Thus, Sheng Zhi Wan couldn’t afford hesitation or gambling with fate.

She still didn’t know who’d plotted against Hui’er, and this last needle was her final insurance…