Shen Qingqing crossed her arms, frowning slightly. "You underestimate the old man."
As always, Pei Xi said with some annoyance, "I never underestimated him. I just know him too well!"
Shen Qingqing remained noncommittal.
Pei Xi then asked, "When did you develop the antidote?"
"In the prison."
This was also the reason Shen Qingqing had gone along with the plan and entered the prison. To be precise, she hadn't developed the antidote.
It was the old man.
When they entered, Pei Xi had searched them.
Shen Qingqing had nothing on her except a few antidote pills hidden in a secret spot.
The old man was different. He was covered in poison, making him untouchable by anyone, including Pei Xi.
"You probably thought that even if the old man got out, he wouldn't save anyone," Shen Qingqing said with a smile. "You never guarded against him."
His final failure was also because of him.
Pei Xi's features contorted for a moment, his expression complex, a mixture of suppressed resentment and enraged understanding.
At this moment, he finally understood everything.
"So, Pei Lie's escape from the dungeon was also your plan."
Shen Qingqing nodded slightly. "The moment I learned you poisoned those people, I knew something was wrong. You knew very well that with me and the old man here, deciphering your poison would only be a matter of time. Yet you still did it, which means you were confident we wouldn't interfere."
For instance, by trapping them.
This was, after all, country H, royal territory. So, upon learning that he could persuade the King, they immediately chose to play along.
Entering the prison made it more convenient for the old man to study the poison.
Pei Lie's departure was a play they had agreed upon. Pei Lie had been discovered by Pei Xi the first time he visited the dungeon.
Furthermore, he sensed he was being watched. Simply taking the antidote would clearly not work, as Pei Xi was sensitive, cautious, and suspicious.
They had to put on a show.
This show had to be so convincing that Pei Xi would believe Pei Lie was genuinely reckless, wanting to send Shen Qingqing away, when in reality, it was to smuggle out the antidote.
Pei Xi gritted his teeth. "Good, very good."
He raised his palm and actually applauded them both. Then he looked at Pei Lie, his gaze completely different from his usual casual indifference and disdain.
"Brother, I underestimated you."
Pei Lie finally revealed a faint smile. "You flatter me. Mi is also the most formidable opponent I've ever encountered."
Pei Xi forced a smile. "Then I should thank you for your acknowledgment, Brother."
Suddenly, he felt something was amiss.
His gaze swept across the hall, and he noticed that the old man and the King were gone.
He immediately signaled the butler and then suddenly raised his voice.
"Brother, are you so sure I won't ascend the throne today? Your plan did surprise me, but..."
Pei Lie said coldly, "Stop struggling in vain."
He then looked directly at the King.
Perhaps due to the overwhelming amount of information, the King hadn't quite recovered. When he finally did, he erupted in anger.
"Pei Xi, how dare you!"
Pei Xi looked at him expressionlessly.
But the King saw a hint of defiance in his brow. All this time, the boy had always appeared weak before him.
This was the first time he had shown his true colors.
The King's heart ached with bitterness and annoyance. "I truly underestimated you. You dared to treat me like this? You've betrayed my trust and are unworthy of being the Crown Prince!"
"Whether I'm worthy or not, isn't up to you to decide."
Pei Xi detested the way the King feigned innocence and patience before him. Since everything had been exposed, he didn't want to pretend for another second!
"You truly are a rebellious son!"
The King's chest heaved as he gasped for breath, feeling as though he was surrounded by mocking and sarcastic gazes from all directions.
After all, he was the only one who had insisted on Pei Xi becoming Crown Prince during this period.
Everyone else had disagreed and held reservations.
Now, the gazes of these people made him feel as though he had been blind from the start!
He turned to Pei Lie. "Pei Lie, from this day forward, you are the Crown Prince, the next King!"
Pei Lie's lips twitched. "Father, dealing with the more important matters is paramount right now. We can discuss who will be King later."
The King felt his pride wounded. However, what Pei Lie said made sense.
Yet, to simply follow Pei Lie's words felt undignified and left him in an awkward position. The Queen, standing beside him, spoke softly.
"Your Majesty, perhaps you should sit down first. Leave this matter to Pei Lie to handle."
"Alright, I'll listen to the Queen."
Thus, the confrontation resumed between Pei Lie and Pei Xi. Pei Ji stepped forward, standing beside his elder brother, his gaze fixed coldly on Pei Xi.
"You poisoned me too."
Pei Xi sneered, "Is this 'everyone pushing down a collapsing wall'?"
"I am not framing you." Pei Ji took out his phone, which displayed a video. The main characters in the video were the two brothers.
Pei Xi gave Pei Ji a pill.
Pei Ji asked him, "Did you poison me?"
Pei Xi didn't answer, only saying, "Take this, and you'll be detoxified. However, I have a condition: you must not interfere with my affairs anymore. Otherwise..."
He didn't finish, leaving behind only a chilling sneer before turning to leave.
Pei Xi's hands, clenched behind his back, formed tight fists. He mocked, "I never expected you, Pei Ji, to have such a mind."
Pei Ji glanced at Pei Lie with a hint of guilt.
Of course, he hadn't. He didn't even know Pei Xi was going to see him then. This was given to him by his elder brother yesterday. He didn't even know how his elder brother managed to record the video without the two parties noticing.
But in front of everyone, he couldn't show weakness. Puffing out his chest, he said, "That's right. Don't think I'm easily bullied either. Let me tell you, I didn't bother with you before, but now I know you poisoned so many people. Someone like you is unforgivable!"
Pei Xi said coldly, "It's just a video, what can it prove?"
He hadn't admitted anything in the recording.
Everyone was stunned. Now everyone believed Pei Xi had poisoned them, but he himself refused to admit it. They couldn't actually convict him based solely on a video without an admission.
... Truly, shamelessness makes one invincible.
Pei Lie had anticipated his reaction and knew he wouldn't stop at mere tricks. "Bring him in."
Everyone turned to look at the doorway.
The person brought in was Carter. He looked somewhat disheveled and pathetic, with no visible wounds, but his expression was haggard, his eyes vacant, and he was extremely thin.
After not seeing him for some time, he had withered away to skin and bones.
Carter was a tall, strong man of one meter ninety-five.
The crowd instinctively swallowed. They knew this must have been after some "interrogation." If nothing else, Pei Lie's interrogation methods were undoubtedly the best.
Pei Lie asked, "Carter, do you have anything to say?"
Carter looked at him and began to tremble. Shen Qingqing grew even more curious: what exactly had Pei Lie done?
"Yes, I have something to confess..."
Carter stammered, and without waiting for Pei Lie to ask further, he confessed everything in detail.