Chapter 76: Pouring Out Princess Duanrong’s Sincere Heart Completely
She glanced around, then looked at Aunt Wumei.
Wumei gave a slight nod to Gan Qiongying, indicating that all the maidservants nearby were Princess Hui’an’s trusted people, so she could speak freely.
Thus, Gan Qiongying spoke the truth directly, laying bare the deep-seated pain and helplessness that Duanrong had desperately hidden, fully exposing them before Princess Hui’an.
With exaggerated emotion, she said, “How could I possibly like that Jinchuan Zhizi? That scoundrel with frog-like eyes bulging from his head—is he even worthy? I only did it to prevent him from being with Wen Xueling!”
Princess Hui’an was stunned upon hearing this, and even Aunt Wumei paused in surprise.
Gan Qiongying crawled on her knees to Princess Hui’an’s side, grabbing her arm and saying, “Aunt, please help me. Not only do I want to disrupt Wen Xueling and that Jinchuan Zhizi Zhongli Zhengzhen, but I also need to sabotage Wen Xueling and the Regent, lest they collude and wreak havoc on the court.”
“Jingxi Wang sent his daughter to Yindu for a marriage alliance—clearly harboring sinister ambitions. Jinchuan sent a hostage, yet they frequently and secretly send people to Nánzhào. Their intentions are obvious!”
“Jingxi borders the junction of Jinchuan and Nánzhào. Once Jingxi Wang allies with Jinchuan, using Heqing Mountain and Shuiniu River as passageways, marching troops to Yindu would be as easy as reaching into a bag!”
“When chaos erupts across the land…”
Gan Qiongying tightly grasped Princess Hui’an’s hand, pouring out Princess Duanrong’s sincere heart completely: “Aunt, by then, Gan Lin will surely be the first casualty. How can I let Gan Lin fall into danger?”
As she spoke, Gan Qiongying’s eyes reddened. The tears in her eyes were genuine, not feigned—she truly ached for Duanrong.
Duanrong was too foolish, bearing everything alone, walking a solitary path misunderstood by all, enduring endless scorn and contempt.
Yet some words could be spoken so plainly.
Gan Qiongying sniffled, tears streaming down as she looked at Princess Hui’an and said, “I have long regretted what happened back then. All these years, I dared not seek you out to apologize, fearing my notorious reputation would implicate you and prevent you from enjoying a peaceful old age.”
“I am not afraid of being cursed, nor of being despised, nor even of becoming a laughingstock,” Gan Qiongying’s every word echoed Duanrong’s true feelings.
She said, “But this time, there really is no other way, Aunt.”
Gan Qiongying embraced Princess Hui’an, weeping bitterly as she said, “That vile woman Kou Ning’an—she’s poisoning Gan Lin slowly!”
Princess Hui’an’s hands, about to return the embrace, froze mid-air. Her expression turned utterly shocked, almost growling, “What did you say?!”
“Yes,” Gan Qiongying wiped her tears and said, “Kou Ning’an makes Gan Lin drink a medicine, claiming it’s for nourishing the body—called something like Yibu Decoction—but in reality, it’s poison.”
“Last time I entered the palace, she tried to force me to drink it, but Gan Lin snatched it away and drank it instead. He fell ill right in the royal carriage on the way back, yet Gan Lin insisted on sending me away and forbade me from entering the palace again without summons.”
“This time, Gan Lin didn’t even attend the birthday banquet. I’ve been worried since last night, fearing that vile woman has poisoned him again, and now he cannot leave the palace.”
“For so many years, Gan Lin and I have missed you every moment, Aunt. Yet though he sits upon the throne, he is like a puppet, manipulated and persecuted by others. As for me, though I appear glorious and untroubled on the surface, I am in truth constrained at every turn, burdened by a notorious reputation. The two of us…” Gan Qiongying spoke through tears, “The two of us would never dare to trouble you unless we were truly desperate. After all, you have a large family of your own.”
“This time, the Emperor did not come personally to congratulate you on your birthday. Surely this was not his own wish, but because Kou Ning’an forbade him from getting close to you, fearing that if he gained power and your assistance, he would slip from her control.”
Gan Qiongying not only voiced Duan Rong’s innermost thoughts but also took the opportunity to clear Gan Lin’s name. According to Duan Rong’s memories over the years, the Emperor had not been close to Princess Hui’an either.
If they were to rely on Princess Hui’an’s help in the future, they must appear to have no other choice.
“Aunt, I am trying to disrupt the alliance between Zhongli Zhengzhen and Jingxi Wang, but my influence does not reach far enough. Moreover, the Regent is obstructing me at every turn. I cannot extend my hand into the palace to look after Gan Lin. He is so pitiful, actually forced to take poison… I truly have no other way.”
This was indeed Gan Qiongying’s honest truth. Though Princess Duanrong had built up her influence over many years, her power was limited to various counties and commanderies in Nánzhào. When it came to the center of authority, she simply could not get a foothold.
Empress Dowager Kou Ning’an’s maternal family, the Kòu Clan, was deeply rooted and wielded overwhelming influence at court. With the Regent, her illegitimate son, assisting from the side, mother and son colluded in wickedness, covering the sky with one hand. During this time, Gan Qiongying truly could not help Gan Lin at all.
Yet she could not rest easy about him, so she had to find a way to secure Princess Hui’an’s help. At the very least, she needed to ensure Gan Lin’s safety until she had arranged their escape route.
When Princess Hui’an heard the words “Yibu Decoction,” it was as if she had been struck by lightning. Her whole body trembled violently.
She suddenly thought of her younger brother, Emperor Huicheng, who had died young… wasting away until his death. Despite the many imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital, none could determine what illness he had. They only knew that when the Emperor’s illness struck, the pain was unbearable; sometimes he would even writhe on the floor.
Back then, after marrying Kou Ning’an, Emperor Huicheng had been utterly devoted to her, cherishing and protecting her. The Kòu Clan was vast and influential, making them the ideal family to assist the Emperor.
Princess Hui’an had heard more than once that the Emperor and Empress were deeply in love, and that Kou Ning’an would personally wash her hands to prepare soup for Emperor Huicheng.
Every time the Emperor drank that soup, his physical suffering would lessen.
That soup… it seemed it was also called “Yibu Decoction.”
Now that Princess Hui’an understood the connection, it felt as if her heart were being torn apart.
Her hands shaking, she slammed the table fiercely. The food and dishes on the low table tumbled down in a heap, scattering across the floor.
“That vile woman!” Princess Hui’an was a true noble lady; even in the grip of fury, she would not utter truly foul language.
Unable to vent her rage, her face instantly turned purple with anger. Gan Qiongying immediately stepped forward to soothe her.
She said to Aunt Wumei, “Quickly, summon Imperial Physician Wu!”
Imperial Physician Wu had always been by Princess Hui’an’s side and arrived promptly, swiftly beginning acupuncture treatment.
Princess Hui’an was no longer young and could not withstand such a shock. To prevent her from being overly stimulated and triggering a migraine, Imperial Physician Wu used a few needles to render her unconscious.
After all, if Princess Hui’an were to collapse at her own birthday banquet, it would likely cause a sensation.
Moreover, Princess Hui’an was actually unharmed; it was just necessary to let her calm down for a while.
The commotion here did not disturb anyone else in Haoyue Villa. Gan Qiongying followed Aunt Wumei and quietly escorted Princess Hui’an back to her resting place.
“Princess, there is no need for you to stay here. Imperial Physician Wu said the Grand Princess will wake up in the evening,” Aunt Wumei said gently to Gan Qiongying. “When the time comes, the Grand Princess will surely summon you.”
Gan Qiongying nodded and said to Aunt Wumei, “Thank you for taking care of Aunt.”
Then she left the courtyard and headed straight for the platform.
She had just heard the sounds—all the hunters had returned.
Gan Qiongying had to rush to the next event!
Princess Hui’an’s intense reaction upon hearing about the Yibu Decoction must have been because she associated it with the death of Emperor Huicheng.
This was exactly Gan Qiongying’s intention.
While the love and protection of elders for their juniors are reliable, Princess Duanrong’s mother had long since passed away. Princess Hui’an’s memories of her younger sister had gradually faded with time.
Moreover, Gan Lin and Princess Hui’an had been practically estranged over the years. Although he was Emperor Huicheng’s son, he was the least favored one, adding another layer of distance.
While the lingering affection from the past could still secure Princess Hui’an’s protection for the two juniors, it ultimately paled in comparison to the anger over the murder of her own younger brother.
Only Gan Qiongying knew the truth of what happened back then, and every word she spoke today was the truth.
By using this method, she made Princess Hui’an aware, ensuring that from now on, Princess Hui’an would assist her with all her might.
At the very least, she could help protect Gan Lin.
However, Gan Qiongying did not reveal the entire truth to Princess Hui’an.
Because Gan Qiongying knew that Princess Hui’an, much like Princess Duanrong herself, having grown up in this ruthless society and steeped in imperial power, would never understand the act of abandoning the throne and noble status to flee.
Yet, that was the optimal solution.
Gan Lin was weak and incompetent, utterly unfit to be an emperor. Gan Qiongying was greedy for wealth and comfort, equally unsuited to be a princess of a nation.
She hadn’t even had the chance to discuss these matters with Gan Lin, but Gan Qiongying was confident that he would agree to leave with her.
That child who had once relied on Duan Rong for survival in the depths of the palace had been trapped there for so many years, like a golden canary in a cage.
He should yearn for freedom more than anyone else.
With Princess Hui’an temporarily dealt with, Gan Qiongying felt at ease and quickened her pace.
Princess Hui’an would soon help her protect Gan Lin.
Tonight, she would present Princess Hui’an with a generous gift.
She would ensure that Gan Huiyue, the granddaughter Princess Hui’an cherished as dearly as her own eyes, would not suffer a tarnished reputation or a tragic life due to being engaged to and then abandoned by a scoundrel.