His face was a mixture of confusion and displeasure, his eyes dark.
Qin Jiujiu was pulled by him and fell directly into his embrace, landing on his lap. Xie Jing pulled her close and looked down at her, his displeasure still lingering. His voice was low as he asked earnestly, "Why do you need to find a woman?"
It seemed Chu Ming had not yet explained the love flower poison to him.
Qin Jiujiu tried to break free from his embrace, but as soon as he felt her struggle, his arms tightened. Her face pressed against his chest, and she felt the heartbeat beneath his robes, her face flushing with heat.
Her heart pounded uncontrollably, yet she couldn't escape his embrace. She was already held firmly in his arms, and before she could speak, his warm lips covered hers.
Qin Jiujiu quickly turned her head away. Xie Jing smiled and asked, "This time you reacted quite quickly..."
Realizing Xie Jing's meaning, Qin Jiujiu's face grew hotter. She looked at Xie Jing, her eyes filled with defiance, even a hint of anger, making her look like a startled rabbit.
Xie Jing didn't know why this thought appeared in his mind. He looked at Qin Jiujiu, and there was no trace of displeasure on his face.
The woman before him could always easily affect his emotions; in an instant, he was pleased.
Qin Jiujiu tried to break free from Xie Jing's confinement again. This time, she didn't exert much force and easily broke free. When she retreated to the side, her gaze towards Xie Jing was clearly triumphant.
"Why don't you go ask the Imperial Physician what this love flower poison is? Then you'll understand what I mean!"
Xie Jing didn't linger and left the main hall.
"Adai..."
Adai quickly appeared before Qin Jiujiu and asked, "Royal Consort, what is it?"
Qin Jiujiu hesitated for a long time before steeling herself to ask, "Are there any exceptionally beautiful women in this palace?"
Adai clearly didn't understand the intention behind her question, but after thinking, she replied, "There are naturally countless beauties in the Moon Palace..."
Before Adai could finish speaking, Qin Jiujiu knew that Adai was likely referring to the King of Moon's consorts in the Moon Palace. She quickly interrupted, "I mean, I want to find a concubine for the Second Prince..."
The air instantly chilled. Adai looked at Qin Jiujiu in disbelief. Qin Jiujiu felt a smile rising, and she didn't suppress it, continuing, "Do you think I'm virtuous and benevolent?"
Adai: "..."
After a brief silence, Adai continued, "It is when the Royal Consort and the Second Prince have such deep affection for each other. Why would the Royal Consort want to take a concubine for the Second Prince at this time..."
What if the Royal Consort didn't give birth to an heir, but a concubine got there first?
However, seeing Qin Jiujiu's sincere expression, she could only say, "This matter must first be discussed with the Queen of Moon..."
Qin Jiujiu refused without hesitation, "That won't do!"
Adai was startled by her decisive refusal. She looked at Qin Jiujiu with suspicion and asked, "Why...". Qin Jiujiu realized her emotions were too agitated and quickly explained, "Because I'm worried the beauties the Queen chooses won't suit the Second Prince's taste..."
Adai seemed to reluctantly accept this explanation. She nodded and continued, "Then I can't think of any other way."
A thought occurred to Qin Jiujiu, "Help me send a letter to the Grand Tutor's mansion!"
In Adai's impression, the Grand Tutor and Xing Zhan were always at odds, considering each other mortal enemies. Xing Ru also had little interaction with the Grand Tutor Chu Ming. Why would she suddenly want to write to the Grand Tutor's mansion and have her do it immediately?
Adai was suspicious but agreed. Qin Jiujiu instructed, "Remember to do it as soon as possible, preferably before nightfall!"
She believed that as long as the letter reached the Grand Tutor's mansion, a beauty would be sent to the Second Prince's palace!
She was, after all, helping others, and couldn't just watch Yue Bei Yang perish.
System: "..."
Xie Jing truly went to the Imperial Medical Hall himself. He casually pulled over an old man with white hair and asked, "What is this love flower poison?"
The old man's expression changed when he saw it was Yue Bei Yang. His already unsteady body swayed even more violently, and he looked at Yue Bei Yang tremblingly.
But upon hearing the words "love flower poison," his eyes lit up, and he scrutinized Yue Bei Yang.
"Why is the Second Prince asking about this?"
Love flower poison was not common in Anzhou, so few people knew about it. But he happened to be one of the few who did. He not only knew what kind of poison it was but also its onset time and antidote.
Yue Bei Yang narrowed his cold eyes, displeasure flashing in his gaze, and said, "Why do you ask so many questions? If you know, just answer this Prince's question!"
The old man was accustomed to the Second Prince's temperament and didn't dwell on it. He replied, "This love flower poison is a poison that requires a man and a woman..."
After hearing the old man's explanation, Yue Bei Yang's anger suddenly intensified. No wonder Qin Jiujiu wanted to find a woman for him, no wonder Grand Tutor Chu Ming said he should stay in the main hall on the first day, because Qin Jiujiu lived there.
He hadn't failed to notice the flower pattern on his chest. Now, it had bloomed into four petals, and it was likely to bloom into the fifth petal tonight. If he couldn't detoxify it, he would perish!
Yue Bei Yang released the old man and headed directly towards the Second Prince's palace.
At that time, Qin Jiujiu was anxiously awaiting news from Chu Ming.
"Royal Consort."
Adai must have returned from delivering the letter!
Qin Jiujiu hurried to the door, "Adai, was the letter delivered to the Grand Tutor?"
Adai nodded, breathless and exhausted from the haste.
"Royal Consort, the Grand Tutor said for the Royal Consort to wait patiently, he will make arrangements!"
Hearing this, Qin Jiujiu felt relieved.
The sky quickly darkened.
"Adai, go find out where the Second Prince is now."
Adai replied directly, "I heard the Second Prince was summoned by the Queen and should be with the Queen right now!"
Qin Jiujiu's heart sank, fearing that state affairs might cause him to miss the crucial time, putting Yue Bei Yang's life at risk!
"Quick! Let's go find the Queen!"
Qin Jiujiu's quick steps stopped. She thought, what if the person arranged by Chu Ming couldn't find Yue Bei Yang? So she instructed Adai, "I'll go find the Queen myself. You stay in the palace. If anyone comes claiming to be from the Grand Tutor, take her to the side hall!"
Adai didn't understand Qin Jiujiu's intentions and was about to ask, but she had already quickly left the room, her words stuck in her throat.
"Second Royal Consort?"
The Queen's palace was very quiet. Qin Jiujiu stood outside the palace and looked in. The lights inside were dim, and the surroundings were silent.
Suddenly, she heard a woman's voice.
Footsteps approached her from the side. In the darkness, she looked towards the source of the sound.