Chapter 94

Chapter 94: You Dare Not? You Must Dare! Gan Qiongying was also growing restless. She stood up and began pacing around the room, slapping her numb buttocks with a series of "pat, pat, pat" sounds. However, she wasn’t feeling impatient. Her mind was occupied with various thoughts—plotlines, what to do about the people in the backyard, and the elderly performer on stage. After circling the room a few times, Gan Qiongying stopped by the door. She wanted to ask whether the guards Chen Wa had sent had successfully made contact with the old man skilled in vocal mimicry. But as soon as she opened the door, she overheard a voice saying, "The Emperor has been poisoned, and those useless Imperial Physicians are at a loss? Relay my orders: summon Physician Xue to the palace immediately tonight." At the mention of "the Emperor," Gan Qiongying’s ears perked up instantly. She quickly pulled the door open and saw a group of people descending the stairs, turning toward the main hall on the first floor. In the brightly lit corridor outside the private room, Gan Qiongying immediately noticed the tall figure leading the group. He was dressed in a dark brocade robe with subtle patterns shimmering as he moved, and he wore a golden crown on his head. Moreover, he walked with a noticeable limp... Gan Qiongying’s first thought was Lihua. But soon, as the man turned slightly, she recognized him as Regent Sima Rui! Recalling the words she had just overheard—"the Emperor has been poisoned"—Gan Qiongying wasted no time and chased after him without hesitation— As the saying goes, worry leads to recklessness. And now, Gan Qiongying had no means to extend her influence into the palace. That old witch Kou Ning’an was highly capable, keeping the imperial palace as tightly guarded as an iron barrel. Unable to stay updated on events in the palace, Gan Qiongying was deeply worried about Gan Lin, especially after she had shot the Regent and left him with a limp. She feared that the old witch, unable to reach her outside the palace, might vent her anger on Gan Lin! Princess Hui’an was still at Haoyue Villa, and seeking her help would take too long. If Gan Lin had truly been poisoned, she had to find a way into the palace! Gan Qiongying chased after the Regent, but by the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, he had already exited the building. The main hall was still crowded with people who hadn’t left, so Gan Qiongying couldn’t just shout after the Regent. Instead, she lifted the hem of her skirt and hurried after him. Manyue quickly followed behind Gan Qiongying, calling out, "Princess, where are you going? The Consort should be here soon..." Gan Qiongying stopped and turned around briefly, giving Manyue quick instructions: "You don’t need to follow me. Let Chen Wa come with me. Wait in the room for the Consort. When he arrives, have him drink the ginseng soup first and wait for me a moment!" After saying this, Gan Qiongying continued her pursuit. Chen Wa and the guards followed closely behind her as they all exited Phoenix Tower. Once outside Phoenix Tower, Gan Qiongying expected Sima Rui to board a carriage, but instead, she saw him and a few guards walking briskly toward a clothing shop. Without a moment’s hesitation, Gan Qiongying lifted her skirt and ran after them, completely disregarding propriety. The words "the Emperor has been poisoned" had truly thrown her into a state of panic. As she chased after him, she couldn't help but wonder: Sima Rui, that bastard, had just been shot in the leg by her yesterday. How was he walking so fast now? Had he taken some miraculous elixir or practiced some kind of swift footwork? His embroidered robe flashed around the corner, and he had already entered the tailor shop. His guards remained outside, while Gan Qiongying had already reached the entrance, with Chen Wa and the others following closely behind. Gan Qiongying rushed straight into the tailor shop, but Chen Wa and the guards who were right behind her were stopped by the Regent's guards at the door. "Princess!" Chen Wa couldn't enter and called out to Gan Qiongying. Her eyes followed the Regent's figure as he headed straight to the back of the shop and began climbing the stairs. Hearing the call of "Princess," the Regent turned on the stairs and looked down at Gan Qiongying. From his elevated position, his sharp and cold gaze held no surprise. His hawk-like eyes, dark and piercing, locked onto Gan Qiongying with an overwhelming sense of pressure. But he said nothing. After a brief glance at Gan Qiongying, he lifted the hem of his robe and, supported by the shopkeeper and a few attendants, continued up the stairs. Gan Qiongying was rooted to the spot by Sima Rui's gaze. In his eyes, there was warning and disdain, as if he were looking down at an ant. Yet there was also a subtle hint of enticement. Standing on the ground floor of the tailor shop, Gan Qiongying hesitated only for a moment before turning to Chen Wa and saying, "Don't worry. Just guard the entrance. I'm only going to speak with the Regent for a few words and will be out soon." When Gan Qiongying ran out of Phoenix Tower and saw that the Regent hadn't boarded his carriage but had instead crossed the street and entered the tailor shop opposite, she had already realized that this might be a trap. Even if Gan Lin had been poisoned, Regent Sima Rui wouldn't casually mention such a matter—one that could "shake the court and the public"—outside. The only possibility was that he had deliberately said it for her to hear, knowing her weakness and luring her to chase after him. And Sima Rui, having held power for so long, knew exactly how to manipulate Gan Qiongying. That look of disdain seemed to ask, "Do you dare to come?" Of course, Gan Qiongying dared. She had to dare! Because, like the twins Gu Ming and Gu Qing, she couldn't afford to gamble. She needed to know Gan Lin's condition immediately. Moreover, the street was bustling with vendors' calls, and the lanterns under the eaves of the shops formed a dazzling river of light. Even if it wasn't broad daylight, there were still plenty of people coming and going. Gan Qiongying didn't believe that, with so many people witnessing her and the Regent entering the tailor shop one after another, Sima Rui would dare to kill her. Not only did she have Chen Wa, but she also had seventeen shadow guards hidden in the shadows, enough to ensure her safety. If even they couldn't guarantee her safety... well, she was, after all, the villainess who played a significant role in bringing the male and female leads together throughout the story. Before the plot reached its conclusion, she wouldn't die so easily. So, lifting her skirt, Gan Qiongying continued up the stairs with a series of rapid steps, chasing after Sima Rui to the second floor of the tailor shop.