Chapter 365: No One Will Give You the Antidote
The moment Ye Jiamei uttered those words, the originally stoic Yu Zhengqing’s expression shifted dramatically. His gaze toward Ye Jiamei was now filled with disbelief and shock.
“Lady Ye, you were never this bold before.”
“Haha, Brother-in-law, what is there left for you to doubt about me? Haven’t I been forced into this position?”
Yes, what else was there to doubt?
But poisoning the Emperor—that was something Yu Zhengqing had never considered.
Even though he knew that his family’s exile was part of the Emperor’s deliberate schemes, the loyalty ingrained in him as a subject still lingered deep within his bones.
Throughout history, meritorious subjects surpassing their ruler had always been a monarch’s greatest fear. It wasn’t that the Emperor was specifically targeting the Yu family—had it been any other family, the outcome would have been the same.
Yu Zhengqing, who had never once entertained thoughts of rebellion, now found himself wavering as he looked into Ye Jiamei’s smirking eyes.
A dark, dangerous thought crept into his mind.
Just then, with a loud bang, the door swung open.
The afternoon sunlight flooded in, illuminating Ye Jiamei’s face as she sat at the eight-immortal table, calmly eating her porridge.
The sudden brightness was almost blinding.
“Father, are we ready? My husband has already sent someone over.”
The familiar voice and face made Ye Jiamei’s expression flicker.
Standing before her was Yu Zhengqing’s eldest daughter, Yu Qiuyun, the one who had married the Second Prince as a concubine—the same person Yu Yingying always referred to as ‘Eldest Sister’, the last hope of the Yu family.
She was dressed in a peach-colored embroidered silk gown, her hair adorned with pearl and jade ornaments, exuding an elegant and noble demeanor.
Her face was painted with delicate makeup, her every movement graceful and poised. Even the fleeting glance she cast upon Ye Jiamei carried an air of condescension, much like how she had once regarded the original owner of this body.
Ye Jiamei’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
“Almost done. Once your second aunt finishes her meal, she’ll change her clothes.”
Yu Zhengqing stood up with a solemn expression and spoke.
Yu Qiuyun’s gaze flickered toward Ye Jiamei, her eyes filled with undisguised disdain and impatience.
“Father, are you sure she can handle this? Taking her into the palace is already a huge risk. If the person we bring isn’t capable, the Empress will surely use it as an excuse to punish my husband. If that happens, he’ll undoubtedly blame you. And when that time comes, do you think the Second Prince will still care about our Yu family’s fate?”
Hearing his daughter’s doubt, Yu Zhengqing’s eyes subtly darkened as he glanced at Ye Jiamei.
It was a fleeting moment of hesitation, but soon, he firmed his resolve.
“Your second aunt’s medical skills may be unconventional, but they are effective. Since the imperial physicians have failed, she is our only chance. However…”
At this point, Yu Zhengqing’s gaze turned urgent as he looked at Yu Qiuyun.
“You must be there. If your second aunt is unable to cure him, you must protect her no matter what.”
“I understand, Father. I will.”
Yu Qiuyun’s eyes swept over Ye Jiamei once more.
“Hurry up and change. The Second Prince doesn’t like to be kept waiting. Your clothes are here—finish eating and come out at once.”
Then she turned back to Yu Zhengqing.
“Father, let’s wait outside.”
Yu Zhengqing nodded and stepped out with her.
Watching the father and daughter duo exit, Ye Jiamei laughed mockingly.
“Hah! Yu Qiuyun, is this how you ask someone for a favor?”
The moment their figures crossed the threshold, Ye Jiamei’s sarcastic voice rang out behind them, making them both pause mid-step.
“Lady Ye, I made the decision to bring you here. Consider it a chance to restore your family’s freedom. Qiuyun has promised me that she will ensure your safety in the palace.”
Ye Jiamei nearly burst out laughing.
She had no martial arts skills, but thanks to the system, her daughter had given her an internal energy pill, which was more than enough to let her escape safely if necessary.
After all, she had an entire medical space and unlimited supplies of medicine—if she wanted to leave unscathed, it wouldn’t be difficult.
But Yu Zhengqing, who was once a sharp and calculating man, seemed to have lost his intelligence after being exiled.
Did he seriously think his daughter, Yu Qiuyun, was still loyal to the Yu family?
If she had truly cared about their well-being, she would have petitioned the Emperor or at least sent supplies to them in exile.
Yet she had done nothing.
And yet Yu Zhengqing still placed all his hopes on her—how laughable!
“Yu Zhengqing, I don’t doubt your character, but I don’t trust your daughter.”
At Ye Jiamei’s words, Yu Qiuyun’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.
Her beautiful eyes locked onto Ye Jiamei, scrutinizing her with deep curiosity.
Ye Jiamei wiped her mouth clean, rose gracefully, and approached them with a smirk.
“Tell me, am I wrong? You’re just a concubine of the Second Prince. What power do you have to protect me? Do you even have the qualifications to enter the Emperor’s bedchamber?”
“Lady Ye, how dare you?!”
Fury erupted in Yu Qiuyun’s eyes.
Ye Jiamei’s unapologetic smirk, her mocking gaze, and her open disdain pushed her past the edge.
“Hah, am I wrong?”
Ye Jiamei turned to Yu Zhengqing, her voice laced with biting sarcasm.
“If she truly wanted to help our family, would she have waited until you risked your life sneaking back into the capital? If she cared about the Yu family’s suffering in exile, wouldn’t she have sent even a single cart of supplies?”
Yu Zhengqing’s lips parted, but he couldn’t refute her words.
Deep down, he had always known the truth—he just didn’t want to face it.
“Lady Ye, I didn’t expect you to become so sharp-tongued in just one year. Do you realize where you are? Do you understand that I could have you killed with a single word?”
Yu Qiuyun’s voice was cold and sharp.
Ye Jiamei chuckled.
“I know. That’s why…”
Before she could finish her sentence, a flicker of white flashed through the air.
In an instant, something flew straight into Yu Qiuyun’s mouth!
Before she could even react, Ye Jiamei had already stepped back, her smirk growing even wider.
“That’s why you’re now poisoned. If you want to live, you better ensure I leave the palace alive. Because if I die, there isn’t a single person in this world who can give you the antidote.”
