"Even so, sister, you must protect yourself. While I'm away from the capital, if you encounter any difficulties, you can seek out my brother. If he can help, he will," Yu Mingyue instructed before leaving.
"Don't worry, sister. I will write to you."
Luo Lingyi personally escorted Yu Mingyue to her carriage and only turned back to her manor after the carriage had disappeared from view.
"Your Highness, are you truly sending the County Princess and Sixth Lady to Qinghe together?" Lü Mei asked.
"Lingyuan's disposition is simple and unrestrained; the capital is not suitable for her. With her gone, I will have no further worries. Sixth Lady has always kept her word; she will surely protect her," Luo Lingyi said, her tone filled with trust.
"Your Highness, the medicinal bath is ready," Qing Dai announced, entering the room.
Luo Lingyi frowned. "I'll go now."
"Your Highness..." Lü Mei's face was etched with concern.
The daily medicinal bath was the most unbearable time. The bath was scheduled an hour ago, but the Princess had delayed it, not wanting Sixth Lady to witness her suffering.
Luo Lingyi asked Lü Mei to tie her hands, lest she be tempted to scratch herself. Several times, in her agony, she had banged her head against the bathtub, wishing for immediate death.
Xie Jia Yan was right. This poison was designed to torment the mind. It was agonizing during poisoning and even more so during detoxification. That was why those afflicted with this poison, even with an antidote, could not endure it.
Luo Lingyi bit down on a handkerchief, having nearly bitten off her tongue once before.
Blood gradually stained the white cloth. Lü Mei, wiping away tears, murmured, "Your Highness..."
Despite her pain, Luo Lingyi's mind grew clearer. The suffering she endured today would be repaid tenfold in the future.
...
Yu Mingyue was preparing to travel to Qinghe. Aside from the maids and servants attending her, her luggage alone filled several large chests.
Yu Mingyue rested her chin on her hand, watching Cui Shi meticulously check the list. She couldn't help but speak, "Mother, why don't I just move the Duke's manor to Qinghe?"
"My dear child, I haven't returned to Qinghe in many years. These are gifts for your maternal grandfather and grandmother, as well as for your elder and younger siblings. Are these not enough?"
"Mother, I can buy these gifts on the way."
"You dare to buy them? Let me ask you, where has your private fund gone all these years?" Cui Shi snorted coldly.
She knew her daughter's nature best. Generous to a fault, she could spend any amount of money given to her. The thought of her buying gifts was laughable.
"Mother, can we not mention that matter?" she pleaded. She hated it too. That leader of the Li Jing Sect – if they ever fell into her hands, she would reclaim everything they had taken.
"Can I pretend it never happened just because I don't mention it?" Cui Shi chided her with a glance.
She dared to provoke the henchmen of even the Sage. What else wouldn't she dare? Sending her to Qinghe was for the best; the capital was too full of troubles now.
However, she worried that her daughter's fearless nature might cause trouble again in Qinghe, where her parents were already elderly.
A few days ago, she had written a letter of complaint back to Qinghe as her daughter had requested. Her father's reply was filled with concern, making her feel immensely guilty.
Yet, this child carelessly said that her maternal grandfather could still help and so on, enraging her to the point of wanting to strike her.
But she was her own flesh and blood, her only daughter, and possessed such a deceptive beauty. How could she bear to?
Alas, sending the "troublemaker" she had raised to her parents' care truly made her uneasy.
"Mother, don't worry. By the time I return from Qinghe, my private treasury will be full. You won't have to worry about my finances anymore."
"Don't even think about your maternal grandmother's money."
"Mother, rest assured, your daughter knows her limits. But they are just too enthusiastic."