He had hurriedly followed her and saw Li Mingjue, pale-faced, lying in bed, truly appearing very ill.

He was scared half to death, swiftly sending someone to summon the Imperial Physician from the palace.

Fortunately, it was nothing serious.

After leaving a prescription, Lou Qingming returned to the palace to report.

Walking towards the palace gate, his expression was still somewhat complex.

What he hadn’t said was that although the Prince’s pulse seemed dangerous, it wasn’t fatal.

It didn’t look like a sudden illness but rather like it was induced by someone.

What surprised him more was that the toxins in the Prince’s body had almost been cleaned out.

Yet, these days, the Prince had been staying in the capital city without having called for an Imperial Physician.

If anything was different, it was the presence of a new Princess in his life.

But having discreetly observed her just now, Qi Yu’s naive demeanor didn’t seem like that of a profound recluse.

Could there be a hidden Divine Doctor in the Prince Qiu Residence?

The more Lou Qingming thought about it, the more puzzled he became, feeling as though the truth was just within reach yet elusive.

But, these matters didn’t concern him.

Knowing too much might even bring him fatal trouble.

Thus, in front of Li Tianze, he simply said, “His Highness Prince Qiu is not gravely ill.

He is just a bit overworked and needs a few days of rest.”

Hearing his words, Li Tianze was reassured.

Thinking of the continual plots against Li Mingjue, his expression hardened slightly.

At the Prince An Residence, Li Ming’an and Qi Wei were in the study, both somewhat restless.

Li Ming’an’s eyes flashed with irritation, “Li Tianze is so biased towards Li Mingjue!”

Qi Wei, panicked, quickly shut the door and cautioned, “Your Highness, please be careful with your words!”

Li Ming’an scoffed lightly, unconcerned, “What’s there to fear?

Even if he rules the world, he can’t control what happens in my residence!”

Qi Wei looked at the reckless man with a headache.

This Prince An was ruthless, certainly someone capable of great deeds.

But unfortunately, he was sometimes too outspoken.

“What do you plan to do now, Your Highness?”

Li Ming’an looked at him, a trace of viciousness crossing his eyes, “Li Mingjue is ill, isn’t he?

I don’t mind making his condition a bit more severe!”

“You plan to poison him?” Qi Wei’s expression stiffened.

He truly felt this was not a good idea, far too impulsive.

Moreover, they had already poisoned Li Mingjue once before; would he fall for it a second time?

But Li Ming’an was already blinded by hatred.

He slammed the table hard, his tone chilling, “He’s well-prepared for poisoning.

This time, I will devise a foolproof plan.”

Qi Wei wanted to advise further, but was interrupted by Li Ming’an’s gesture.

“Prime Minister, no need to say more, I am well aware,” said the Prince.

“Yes.” He sighed helplessly and had to retreat first.

After the man left, Li Ming’an called Heifeng and ordered, “Tonight, I want you to go to Prince Qiu Residence and check if Li Mingjue is really seriously ill.”

Heifeng looked at him with an indeterminate expression, “Does the Prince worry that Prince Qiu is merely feigning illness?”

“Exactly,” a dark glint flashed across Li Ming’an’s eyes.

He didn’t believe that Li Mingjue would fall ill at such a critical juncture.

But if there was no illness, why would everyone at Prince Qiu Residence spread the rumor that Li Mingjue had fallen sick—could it be to confuse him?

He scoffed, “I shall see what secrets are hidden inside Prince Qiu Residence!”

That night, Qi Yu was administering acupuncture to Li Mingjue.

Suddenly, she heard a rapid rustling of wind and paused her movements.

“What’s wrong?” Li Mingjue noticed her distraction.

Qi Yu calmly shook her head, “Nothing.”

While administering the acupuncture, she wondered if the Hidden Guards at the Prince Residence had noticed this uninvited guest.

This person was most likely sent by Li Ming’an, presumably to verify if Li Mingjue’s illness was genuine.

A flash of scorn passed through her eyes, since they wanted to see, she would give them a good show!

After removing the silver needles, she leaned down and whispered in Li Mingjue’s ear, “Someone from Prince An Residence has arrived.”

Li Mingjue’s expression grew stern, and Qi Yu pointed towards the ceiling.

The two held their breath and indeed heard faint footsteps from the roof.

After a moment of silence, Qi Yu winked at him, signaling that he only needed to continue lying down quietly.

She then purposely knocked a vase over in the room, making quite a noise.

Lou Qingming rushed over and anxiously asked from outside the door, “Prince, Princess, is something the matter?”

Qi Yu opened the door, sobbing, her expression frantic as she pointed inside, “What are we to do, Steward Grandfather, my husband has fainted again!”

Lou Qingming hurried in to check on Li Mingjue, noticing his painful expression and the dense cold sweat on his forehead, his expression changed.

While comforting Qi Yu, he sent for the Imperial Physician.

For a while, everyone in Prince Qiu Residence was in disarray.

All this confusion was clearly observed by Heifeng hidden in the shadows; he stared deeply at Qi Yu, scrutinizing her demeanor and actions, indeed acting the fool.

Having obtained the answer he wanted, he quietly left amidst the chaos.

As soon as he left, Qi Yu glanced towards a corner, a sharp glint in her eyes.

“Prince, I have personally checked, and Prince Qiu is indeed sick!” Heifeng reported to Li Ming’an as soon as he entered the study.

Li Ming’an stood up, his tone somewhat urgent, “Did you see with your own eyes?”

Heifeng smiled, “Naturally, the fool was crying at the time I went, and the entire Prince Qiu Residence was in complete disarray.”

Hearing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Li Ming’an’s face.

“Ten days from now is the autumn hunt, and I am keen to see how Li Mingjue plans to make his presence felt!”

Heifeng, following his lead, complimented, “With Prince Qiu’s life hanging by a thread, you, my Prince, will surely come out on top during the hunt.”

The mere thought of this scene exhilarated Li Ming’an thoroughly, wishing the autumn hunt was the next day.

His eyes slightly lifted, implying deeply to Heifeng, “Is everything prepared?”

Heifeng nodded, “Rest assured, my Prince, everything is ready.”

“Good!” A smile lifted the corners of Li Ming’an’s lips.

The candlelight by the window flickered from the wind, casting half his face into shadow, his tone sinister as he spoke, “This time, I shall ensure that he and that fool will not return!”