I am the champion of palace intrigue, and even the proud prince bows his head in submission.

Chapter 248 Third Brother, You've Got Too Big a Head

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.

Several imperial physicians knelt on the ground, their foreheads pressed against the cold brick surface, not daring to move.

"Your Majesty, we have confirmed that Consort Chen did indeed faint due to poisoning," the imperial physician kneeling at the front said in a trembling voice.

"What poison?" Gao Xian's gaze was sharp, and his voice was chilling.

"Your Majesty, the source of the poison has not yet been determined. Judging from the Empress's pulse and symptoms, she has been poisoned by a slow-acting poison, but we do not know where she came into contact with it..."

Gao Xian's eyes narrowed immediately, and his tone suddenly turned cold.

"Consort Chen's daily food is inspected by designated personnel. How did this poison get in? Investigate! Investigate thoroughly for me!"

He stood up abruptly, his sleeves billowing in the wind. "Start with the maids around Consort Chen, interrogate them one by one! I want to know who poisoned her!"

"Turn the Lingyan Pavilion upside down for me. Search everything thoroughly, leaving nothing out!"

Eunuch Li quickly bowed to receive the order, his voice cautious, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant will immediately send someone to investigate."

At this moment, in Qingwu Palace.

"What did you say? Say it again! Qin Jiuwei actually received an imperial decree?"

Yesterday, Consort Chen fainted from poisoning, and Qin Jiuwei was so happy that she only found out today that the Emperor had actually issued an imperial decree yesterday to specifically praise Qin Jiuwei.

She was granted the title of Lady of the Second Rank, and also received a formal honorary title!

"What right does she have!" Qin Le'an gritted his teeth, his chest heaving violently, hatred surging in his heart.

She's been in the palace for so long, and she's still just a low-ranking concubine, exactly the same as when she first entered the palace!

But Qin Jiuwei has already risen from a third-rank imperial consort to a second-rank imperial consort!

Moreover, she earned this imperial title herself!

"A second-rank imperial consort is an honor that even a marquis's wife might not be able to attain!"

She almost screamed, her eyes flashing with resentment and jealousy.

Qin Le'an gritted his teeth and slammed his fist on the table with a dull thud.

The incense burner on the table shook, and a rich fragrance spread, but this only made Qin Le'an angrier. She reached out and picked up the incense burner, smashing it on the ground.

In her previous life, she married Xie Yanli and was also a third-rank imperial consort.

But before she could enjoy it for long, Xie Yanli divorced her!

But Qin Jiuwei is still staying in the Marquis's mansion, and has even risen from the third rank to the second rank.

They both married the same person, so why is there such a big difference?

The maid Donglian comforted her, "My lady, don't be angry. The second young lady only looks glamorous on the surface. Who knows what kind of life she lives behind the scenes?"

"Now that Consort Chen has been poisoned, once she passes away, you will be the most favored concubine in the palace. Forget about being a second-rank noble lady; you'll be able to become a Noble Consort or Imperial Noble Consort in no time."

As Qin Le'an listened to Dong Lian's words, his tightly furrowed brows gradually began to relax.

She smiled and said, "You're right. Life is long. What does temporary glory matter? We'll see!"

The Marquis's Residence, Qinglan Courtyard.

Qin Jiuwei was ill. She woke up briefly at noon, took her medicine, and then fell asleep again.

I felt groggy all day.

Qin Jiuwei guessed that the prescription Meng Qihuang gave her must have included cypress seed kernels and gastrodia elata.

Otherwise, why would she be so sleepy?

Qin Jiuwei fell asleep at noon and didn't wake up until evening.

She groggily opened her eyes and was met with four handsome faces, all staring intently at her.

I almost fainted from fright again.

"Mother!" Xie Jue was the first to call out, and then with a thud, her small body rushed to Qin Jiuwei's side.

His big, dark eyes stared at her without blinking.

Xie Jingchun, standing behind him, couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

Third brother, have you noticed that you and Xiaobai are becoming more and more alike...?

Qin Jiu smiled slightly and reached out to pat Xie Jue on the head.

"Where did you come from?"

"I came here a long, long time ago!" Xie Jue said with a grin. "My mother just kept sleeping and sleeping, and she never woke up."

Qin Jiuwei: ……

She sounded like she was dead.

Xie Jing chuckled and pinched Xie Jue's neck. "You arrived half an hour ago. Is Mother hungry? Should we serve you a meal?"

"I'm a little hungry, let's eat something," Qin Jiu said gently.

For some reason, I felt much better after sleeping.

"Serve the meal," Xie Yanli instructed, turning his head. "Make it light and simple."

The food was served quickly, but Qin Jiuwei was too weak to eat, so a small square table was placed next to her bed.

A bowl of bird's nest and lotus seed soup, jade bamboo shoots, steamed chicken with white fungus and hibiscus, and a small bowl of shrimp and corn soup.

Xie Jue grabbed the chopsticks first, tiptoed to the edge of the table, and said, "Mother, let me feed you!"

"No." Xie Yanli raised an eyebrow and refused outright.

Feeding Qin Jiuwei was his job.

Xie Jue immediately pouted, refusing to back down: "Why?"

Xie Yanli said calmly, "You're not strong enough, and your hands aren't steady enough. What if you burn your mother?"

"I'm not stupid!" Xie Jue snorted. "How could I not even be able to hold a spoon properly?"

Xie Yanli did not raise his eyebrows or raise his eyes, and his expression remained unchanged.

When the hard approach didn't work, Xie Jue decided to try a softer one.

He pouted and began to whine, "Father, I just want to help take care of Mother~ Please, please~"

"There's a limit to how much you can help." Xie Yanli's voice was steady, but his tone was slightly cold. "This isn't helping; it's making things worse."

"You're still young. We can talk about feeding you when you're older."

While Xie Yanli was speaking, Xie Jue's little hand had already picked up the spoon.

"I'm already quite grown up, I'm very capable, and I'm the best at cooking for my mother!"

Xie Yanli was about to speak when Qin Jiuwei interrupted him.

"Okay, let's not argue over such a small thing."

Xie Jue immediately flashed a victorious smile, carefully scooping a spoonful of millet porridge and bringing it to Qin Jiuwei's lips, "Mother, open your mouth~"

Qin Jiuwei smiled and gently opened her mouth to drink a sip of millet porridge.

The corn porridge is sweet and smooth, and its warmth slowly melts in your throat.

"How's Mother? Did I feed her well?" Xie Jue looked up with a smug expression.

Qin Jiu smiled slightly and said, "Yes, Jue-ge'er is great."

Xie Jue proudly shook the little spoon, "Hehe, I'm Mother's most obedient son."

Xie Jingchun, Xie Jing: ...

Third brother, you've gotten too cocky.

Xie Jue continued to feed Qin Jiuwei the millet porridge, which she ate spoonful by spoonful.

But he was too weak; he quickly ran out of strength while holding the spoon up like that.

In the end, Xie Yanli took the spoon and fed the child until the meal was finished.

Xie Jue pouted, somewhat dissatisfied.

Xie Jingchun reached out and pinched his cheek, which made Xie Jue even angrier.

Qin Jiuwei watched them bickering and laughing, her smile growing wider and wider.