Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince-Chapter 346: Why Does Princess Qi Want to Harm Me?

Shen Xiheng finished speaking and immediately stood up, not hesitating for a moment, and hurriedly walked toward the door.

Lord Shen and Madam Shen exchanged glances, both somewhat at a loss.

All they wanted was to see their daughter-in-law; how had things escalated to this point?

But with him gone, they couldn’t stop him if they tried.

Madam Shen’s eyelid twitched as she said to Lord Shen, "Could something happen? I just can’t settle down!"

Lord Shen was just as worried, but he still chose to trust his son, reassuring his wife, "Xiheng knows what he’s doing; let’s just wait."

Madam Shen nodded and then sent someone to the Imperial Palace to inquire about the news.

Meanwhile, in Yangxin Hall, after Qi Yu completed the ceremony, she slightly tilted her head and glanced at the Empress kneeling on the ground.

In just a single day, the Empress had transformed from her previously overbearing demeanor to now looking haggard and pale.

The poisonous insect inside her had indeed been poisoned to death; however, Flowers Powder, known as the foremost among all poisons, was not just famous in name—it not only killed a poisonous insect about to burst from the stomach but also damaged the Empress’s internal organs.

From the looks of it, she probably wouldn’t live past a month.

Qi Yu felt no pity for the Empress, who had only herself to blame.

Today’s events had pushed her disgust for the Empress to the extreme; even after being sent to the Cold Palace, she hadn’t ceased her schemes, using all her efforts in harming others.

A few steps behind her, Shi Zhou entered and after Qi Yu finished her ceremonial greetings, slowly knelt down and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, this humble girl greets you."

From the moment she entered the hall, Li Tianze’s heart had surged.

Even from a distance, he could clearly see that Shi Zhou resembled his rebellious sister by about seventy to eighty percent.

It almost made him daze, uncertain whether he was looking at this girl or Li Hanyan.

Li Tianze’s throat became dry, and watching her perform the ceremony, he, as if awakened from a dream, raised his hand and said, "Rise."

Shi Zhou stood up, neither servile nor overbearing, her sword still in hand, her peach blossom eyes brimming with a chill as she looked at the person sitting on the Dragon Chair.

Li Tianze showed no displeasure at her bearing a sword, but softened his tone and asked, "What is your name?"

Shi Zhou stated her name in a flat tone.

Li Tianze, hearing her last name, felt a flicker of displeasure in his eyes, but ultimately restrained himself from bursting out.

Back then, when he had learned that Li Hanyan had fled from her marriage and been kidnapped by a bandit leader, he had thrown quite a tantrum.

He had even sent troops to attack Tuyun Village, but Shi Fuyou was very cunning; his men were badly defeated and fled in panic.

Later, an official who had gone to fight the bandits brought back a letter personally written by Li Hanyan, which stated that she had married Shi Fuyou and was now a person of Tuyun Village.

Upon finishing it, Li Tianze was so furious that he tore the letter into shreds.

How preposterous!

Li Hanyan, being a Princess, had forsaken a top scorer to marry a bandit leader instead.

It was truly a disgrace to their Royal Family.

Overwhelmed by anger, Li Tianze decided to personally lead troops to Tuyun Village to claim her.

However, he was persuaded by civil and military officials; after all, it would be truly disgraceful for an Emperor to attack a bandit den himself.

Li Tianze had no choice but to compose a letter and dispatch an envoy to Tuyun Village.

Several months had passed before he received a reply from Li Hanyan, who wrote that she was doing well in Tuyun Village and was already pregnant, vowing never to step out of Tuyun Village again in her life.

By then, the matter had been settled, and he gave up on bringing her back.

Since Li Hanyan had resigned herself to her fate, there was nothing more he could say.

For the sake of the Royal Family’s dignity, it was announced that Princess Zhaoyang, Li Hanyan, had passed away from illness.

Those who knew the truth naturally did not spread the word, as everyone understood that this was the Emperor’s untouchable subject, where touching it meant death.

Over time, the title of Princess Zhaoyang gradually faded from the hearts of the people of Dazhao.

For more than a decade, no one mentioned Li Hanyan again.

It was only this morning, after leaving the morning court and dealing with the people of the Liu Family, that he decided to visit the Empress one last time in the Cold Palace.

Having committed such heinous acts, the Empress’s death was certain, but considering Grandmaster Liu’s old age and thinking of the Liu Family’s lineage, he ultimately did not execute the entire family, merely putting to death Madam Jiang and the steward of the Liu Residence.

He also dismissed Liu Yan’s official position and exiled him to the bitterly cold frontier.

Upon hearing this news, Grandmaster Liu fainted immediately and never recovered, and the Imperial Physician, after visiting, had informed the rest of the Liu Family to prepare for his aftermath.

The previously glorious Grandmaster Residence fell overnight, causing the citizens of the capital city to sigh incessantly.

When Li Tianze entered the Cold Palace, the Empress was lying on the ground, emitting agonizing screams of pain.

Even the old nannies who had been in the palace for decades felt creeped out upon hearing these cries.

In just one night, rumors of a haunting in the Cold Palace spread.

Li Tianze, looking at the person writhing in pain on the ground, frowned in disgust.

Zhou Fu also silently shook his head, feeling that the Empress truly brought this misery upon herself.

In the end, the Imperial Physician was summoned to administer acupuncture, which finally alleviated the Empress’s abdominal pain somewhat.

Exhausted from a night of pain, the Empress had no strength left, yet she still dwelled on bringing down the despicable person who had put her in this situation.

Kneeling before Li Tianze, she gritted her teeth and revealed something that could greatly infuriate him.

"Your Majesty, the Princess of Qi harbors ill intentions!" Inside Yangxin Hall, the Empress’s resentful voice echoed.

Qi Yu silently watched her act, and as the Empress’s tone heightened, he even doubted whether he had misjudged, because her vigorous demeanor did not seem like someone at death’s door.

"Your Majesty, the Princess of Qi brought this person into the palace with the intent to harm you, planning an improper act under the guise of opportunity!" the Empress continued vehemently accusing Qi Yu of her crimes.

Li Tianze listened with furrowed brows.

Though he was never fully satisfied with Qi Yu, the Princess of Qi, he was not so delirious as to believe the Empress’s sanctimonious words.

He asked loudly, "Why would the Princess of Qi wish to harm me?"

Suddenly, the Empress turned her gaze to Shi Zhou, pointing at her and loudly said, "This woman is the daughter of Princess Zhaoyang and a bandit leader. She was incited by Shi Fuyou to seek revenge against you!"

As his wife for so many years, she was well aware of what topics were taboo for Li Tianze.

Indeed, after she spoke those words, the expression on Li Tianze’s face visibly cooled.

The Empress pressed her advantage, continuing, "Years ago, Princess Zhaoyang once asked this servant to help her flee from a marriage, and when I refused, the Princess harbored hatred against me. A month ago, the Princess of Qi had this woman pose as a Palace Maid to threaten me in Jingyang Palace. Your Majesty, I hope you will see through this!"

Her words were forceful, and if Qi Yu didn’t know all the facts, she might have been deceived by the Empress’s adept acting.

Suddenly, Shi Zhou approached the Empress closely, drew out her Sword, and aimed the blade at her face, demanding in a deep voice, "Tell me, did my mother truly flee from her marriage?"

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