Feng Ling's movements froze, staring at Dugu Cheng. Her gaze made Dugu Cheng stiffen, and he explained, "Xier, this king meant nothing by it. I was just asking you. If you don't know how, it's fine. There's still some time, and this king can accompany you to think of a way."

"What does that lord want me to perform?"

Xi'er will perform whatever she knows.

Feng Lingxi heard his words, her beautiful eyes raised slightly, "What if you don't know anything?"

"Then I won't perform. Xi'er's happiness is all that matters, and this king will find a way to handle the rest."

Feng Lingxi glanced at him, "Then I'll trouble Wangye."

独孤城's face stiffened. She was serious, really serious? Not putting on a show at all?

By then, when the Empress is in front of all the civil and military officials, she will truly embarrass Xier. She really won't care, and I'm afraid that at that time she will send another group of women to his courtyard. Thinking of those chirping and fluttering women, Dugu City feels annoyed, wishing he could throw them all out.

Feng Lingxi continued to tinker with her medicine. Dugu Cheng, who was still a little sleepy, was wide awake after hearing her words. He thought seriously about how to refuse and prevent Xi'er from performing.

It's late, Your Highness. Go to sleep and don't worry about me.

Watching him accompany her, Feng Lingxi frowned slightly. This fake death medicine wouldn't be easy to concoct in a short time.

"This king is not tired, just staying here with Xi'er."

Feng Lingxi, watching him like this, continued to refine the medicine. Just like that, dawn arrived. Feng Lingxi looked at Dugu Cheng, who was asleep on the table, picked up the cloak beside him and covered him, then continued to research her fake death medicine.

Du Gu Cheng slept until noon. When he opened his eyes, Feng Ling Xi was no longer in the pharmacy. He hurriedly got up and went out. Seeing Feng Ling Xi making medicine in the courtyard, Du Gu Cheng hurried over.

"Xier, how did you get outside?"

"The medicine isn't right, I was afraid the taste would be too strong for you, so I came out. When you wake up, just eat something."

独孤城 bent down, snatching her medicine jar away. "You haven't rested since last night, have you? There's no need to rush this potion-making; your body can't handle it like this."

Feng Lingxi looked at him and stood up, “Then I’ll go rest.”

Dugu Cheng watched her leaving figure, staring at the piles of medicinal residue on the ground. Did she have to be so desperate?

Feng Lingxi had just lain down when news came from the General's Mansion that Zhang Shi had vomited blood this morning. General Feng asked her to go back and have a look. Xiao Li entered the room and called Feng Lingxi up, and the two hurried to the General's Mansion.

"Mother," Feng Lingxi entered her mother's courtyard and saw a room full of people. Feng Aotian, seeing her arrival, hurriedly shouted, "Xier, come and see your mother."

Feng Lingxi coldly walked past, looking at her mother's pale and bloodless face lying on the bed, lifeless. Yesterday she looked fine, but today she was like this. Feng Lingxi's face was terrifyingly dark.

"Mother, Xi'er is back to see you."

Feng Lingxi held her mother's hand and felt her pulse. Her mother's pulse was weak and feeble, barely perceptible, like it was about to disappear altogether.

"Nanny Liu, what happened? Why is my mother like this?"

When Liu's grandmother was called out, she knelt down with a thud.

"Your Highness, I truly don't know why the Madam's condition has become so strange. Yesterday, after she took the pills you gave her, her complexion looked much better. Who would have thought that this morning, after vomiting a mouthful of blood, she turned like this."

"Xi'er, is there something wrong with your medicine? Otherwise, how could your mother have become like this after taking your medicine?"

Feng Aotiān's tone carried a hint of questioning. When Feng Língxī heard his words, she was instantly furious.

"Father, what do you mean by that? Do you mean I will harm Mother?"

"Fourth Princess, the General didn't mean it that way. He just wanted to ask if there was anything wrong with your medicine, he wasn't saying you harmed the mistress."

A Zhao woman, standing beside Feng Aotian, spoke up, tugging at his sleeve. "General, the mistress is the birth mother of the Fourth Princess. She wouldn't do such a thing."

"Don't speak up for her, she's the most suspicious in this matter. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence that after she took the medicine, she became like this?"

"Father means I'm going to kill Mother?"

Feng Lingxi's voice was extremely cold, her icy eyes fixed on him, "Father, don't forget how Mother's health deteriorated. Do I have to say it out loud for you to admit your mistake?"

Feng Aotian's face changed slightly, meeting Feng Lingxi's cold gaze, his expression sank, "Xier, aren't you overstepping your bounds? Don't forget, as a daughter of the Feng clan, there are some things you shouldn't interfere with."

“If Father isn't afraid of being laughed at, go ahead and speak. I don't care what others say. Even if they say my medical skills are poor, I'll accept it. But Father, you have tormented your wife like this. Doesn't Father fear that the Emperor will be angry if he finds out?”

Wind Aotian heard her words, his face grew even darker.

"Do you dare speak to me like that? Do you really think marrying the Fourth Prince and becoming his wife means you can ignore me, your father?"

Feng Aotien was furious. How long had he endured her? Since she recovered from her illness, she had become a completely different person. She had turned their once happy home into a mess. What else did she want to do?

"If Father truly had me and Mother in his eyes, how could he worry that I would be disrespectful to him?"

"The Fourth Princess is truly arrogant. She even dared to rebuke her own father like that! I'm truly enlightened."

Feng Linglong walked in wearing fine silk, her cold and sharp gaze made Feng Lingxi's brow furrow. How did she get here? Wasn't she supposed to be under house arrest by the Prince?

"I pay my respects to Her Royal Highness, the Consort."

Feng Aotian saw Feng Linglong return and hurriedly bowed to her. Feng Linglong stepped forward and supported him, "Father, please stand up."

Feng Linglong's appearance changed the atmosphere in the room. Her ability to leave the Prince's Mansion indicated that she had received the prince's favor; otherwise, how could she have come out?

"Feng Lingxi, aren't you wondering why I was able to return to the General's Mansion? You're curious, so let me tell you. The Empress's birthday is approaching, and she granted me special permission to return to the mansion to see my parents. I never expected to see you here. It seems we truly are destined to meet."

Feng Lingxi looked at the crowd that had surrounded the room, watertight. Her face darkened, “You all get out! I need to tend to my mother.”

"You've treated your mother like this, and you still want to continue? What if something happens to her, what will you do then?"

Feng Linglong finished speaking and said to Feng Aotian, “Father, why don’t we have the imperial physician in the palace take a look at Mother? After all, she is an imperial physician, much stronger than this unknown medical skill. If Mother's condition drags on, what if it becomes like my mother? Father would be heartbroken.”

"What does 'Wind Side Concubine' mean? How could my wife possibly be unskilled in medicine, don't talk nonsense..."

Xiao Li originally wanted to speak up for the Princess, but as soon as she said a few words, she was slapped hard by Feng Linglong. She glared at her angrily, "Be presumptuous! When this noble concubine speaks, it's not your turn, a servant girl, to reprimand me. Bring someone here and give this servant girl a slap!"

(Editor in charge：yann martel novels)