Chapter 98: The Performance

Tan Qingjiu glanced at Tan Yun, a mocking smile playing in her eyes. Almost everyone doubted her medical skills, believing that after six years of disappearance, there was no way she could have acquired such formidable healing abilities.

Only Tan Yun seemed never to have questioned her.

Perhaps Tan Yun thought that since she possessed medical skills, she could better assist him and become a more valuable piece in his hands. In that case, the origin of her medical knowledge mattered little.

“That poison was exceedingly potent, and since Prince Duan has been poisoned for a long time, the toxin has changed within his body, making it extremely difficult to completely neutralize,” Tan Qingjiu explained, pursing her lips. “However, I used the antidote pill I prepared earlier to temporarily suppress the poison, buying us time for detoxification.”

“Prince Duan regained consciousness after taking the antidote pill,” she continued. “His Majesty has ordered me to move to the Duan Prince’s residence to monitor the toxin’s progression and buy more time for the cure.”

Tan Yun frowned. “Move to the Duan Prince’s residence to live?”

“Yes.”

No sooner had Tan Qingjiu finished speaking than Tan Yun reacted sharply. “Impossible.”

“Hm?” Tan Qingjiu raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Tan Yun’s unexpected response.

Tan Yun pressed her lips tightly. “You’re not even married yet. How can you just live at the Duan Prince’s residence without any clear explanation?”

Tan Qingjiu’s brow lifted slightly—Tan Yun’s real concern was the phrase “without any clear explanation,” wasn’t it?

Sure enough, as the thought crossed her mind, Tan Yun spoke again: “Neither you nor the Duan Prince are wed. If you move in like this, your reputation will be utterly ruined.”

“No, our plan hasn’t been carried out yet. We cannot move in at this time.”

Tan Qingjiu suddenly realized that the “plan” Tan Yun referred to was the scheme to clear her name regarding the incident six years ago.

She lowered her gaze, her eyelashes trembling faintly. “But His Majesty has already issued the edict. It would be improper to disobey.”

Tan Yun bit her lip. “I can feign illness. Many in the city already know I was gravely ill before. I can pretend to be sick again, then have someone report to the palace, requesting you stay at the residence to care for me for a couple of days. Since Prince Duan has already awakened and stabilized, His Majesty likely won’t refuse.”

“Wait until tomorrow. Once our plan is in motion, I’ll pretend to feel somewhat better and then visit His Majesty. No matter what, you mustn’t move into the Duan Prince’s residence without status or explanation.”

Tan Qingjiu lowered her eyes, obediently. “I… don’t understand these matters well, so I’ll follow your lead.”

“Of course you must listen to me,” Tan Yun sighed. “Come, let’s return to the residence first.”

With a plan in mind, Tan Yun acted swiftly.

Less than half an hour after Tan Yun and Tan Qingjiu parted ways at the main residence, someone arrived and hurriedly summoned Tan Qingjiu, reporting that Tan Yun’s illness had worsened.

Tan Qingjiu pretended to treat Tan Yun with an acupuncture needle and instructed the steward to send a report to the palace.

Her gaze fell on Tan Yun’s tightly closed eyes, whose lashes still trembled involuntarily. She sighed inwardly, knowing full well that she was truly a doctor.

Those unaware might have thought she was an actress—someone who had crossed time merely to perform.

Yet, even though both were acting, Shen Yingjue’s performance was far superior to Tan Yun’s.

News soon arrived from the palace: Emperor Wei had agreed that Tan Qingjiu could stay at the Tan residence to treat Tan Yun’s illness.

Tan Yun breathed a sigh of relief. “You return to the courtyard first. At noon tomorrow, the bandits will be executed at the Meridian Gate. After that succeeds, I will inform you.”

“Understood.”

That evening, news came from the Duan Prince’s residence.

“Our people reported that someone from the Duan Prince’s residence went to the palace earlier. Shortly after, His Majesty sent the Grand Master to the Duan Prince’s residence.”

Tan Qingjiu narrowed her eyes. “The Grand Master?”

Her sixth master?

“Yes,” Qingdai nodded. “It is said that after the Grand Master went to the Duan Prince’s residence, he said that because the Prince is weak and gravely ill, evil energy has entered his body, threatening his life.”

“However, the Grand Master also said this could be resolved. They only need someone with a particularly strong birth chart—someone who can bring fortune to the Duan Prince—to stay at the Duan Prince’s residence for a while. Once the Prince regains strength and can resist the evil energy himself, the danger will pass.”

Tan Qingjiu’s eyes narrowed further, a vague suspicion stirring in her mind. “Someone with a strong birth chart—who do they mean?”

“The young master of the Crown Prince of Ding,” Qingdai answered.

Tan Qingjiu clicked her tongue, as expected.

She only wondered how Shen Yingjue had persuaded her sixth master to join in this performance, since their previous reactions to each other suggested mutual animosity and distrust.

Moreover—

“His Majesty agreed? The Ding Prince’s residence agreed?”

Qingdai’s eyes held some surprise. “The strange thing is, His Majesty really did agree.”

“The Ding Prince, the Princess of Ding, and the Crown Prince all consented. Only Tan Yunge caused quite a commotion in the residence upon hearing the news.”

“But the arm cannot twist the thigh. Since His Majesty decreed it and the Ding Prince family agreed, no matter how much Tan Yunge protested, it was to no avail.”

Tan Qingjiu’s eyes narrowed. This was indeed peculiar.

Actually, during the Ding Princess’s birthday celebration earlier, Tan Qingjiu had faintly sensed that the Princess seemed unusually close to the Duan Prince, differing from others’ attitudes toward him.

Though puzzled, she showed no outward sign. “Keep watching the Duan Prince’s residence. If the Ding Prince’s family sends Shen Zijiao there, report back to me immediately.”

“Understood.”

Early the next morning, Tan Qingjiu received a letter from the Duan Prince’s residence.

Upon opening it, she saw a bold, flamboyant line scrawled across the paper: “I’ve done what I promised. Why hasn’t Ajiu come yet?”

Tan Qingjiu’s gaze paused. She looked up at the messenger. “Tell the Duan Prince to wait a little longer. Say there are still matters to attend to at my residence; once handled, I will come to him.”

Tan Yun was still feigning illness, so Tan Qingjiu could not leave the residence. Yet she did not want to miss the grand spectacle at noon.

She quietly disguised herself, swapped identities with Zisu, and left the Tan residence, heading straight for the Meridian Gate.

Outside the Meridian Gate, a sea of people had already gathered. Fortunately, Tan Qingjiu had reserved a private room at a nearby tavern and went there directly.

The room had an excellent vantage point. Soon, Tan Qingjiu saw the officials escorting a group of prisoners slowly approaching.