She must have been really desperate, which was why she blurted out that sentence without considering the situation.
The servants around sensed something was wrong. A maid stepped forward to smooth things over.
"Empress Dowager, the doctor came today and said that the young master should avoid the wind recently. Otherwise, his health will only get weaker."
The young girl shot a fierce glare at her, and the maid immediately shut up.
"At first, I told Junlin the same thing, but this child just wouldn't listen. There's nothing I can do. Well, it's fine. If you can't stand my words, I won't show up again."
Her back looked so desolate. Her reaction really took her by surprise.
Hehui opened her mouth but said nothing in the end. She hugged the child in her arms, ignoring his cries. Just as she was about to turn around, she met a surprised gaze head - on.
"Your Highness, when did you come?"
Thinking of what she had just said and Shi Muyuan's reaction, everything seemed to fall into place.
She gritted her teeth. She never thought she would be the one being schemed against.
She thought, so this over - bearing Empress Dowager would actually give in. It turned out she had other plans.
Now all she could do was hope that the man hadn't heard much.
But her hope was dashed.
Ji Huang exuded a cold aura and gritted his teeth. "I came when you were saying those things to Mother. I thought I had made myself clear last night, and you even swore that you wouldn't make things difficult for Mother. Today's farce really opened my eyes."
While Hehui was in a daze, the child in her arms ran towards the man.
"No, it's not what you think. I didn't mean anything else. It's just that the child is so weak. I was just too anxious..."
Before she could finish, the man interrupted impatiently.
"There's no need to explain. People say that what one says in a moment of impatience is what's really on their mind. This also makes me understand that you'll never accept Mother no matter what."
"I did this for Your Highness's sake. If the Emperor finds out that the Empress Dowager is here, he will spare no expense. The Empress Dowager is like a sharp sword that can pierce our chests at any time."
Just then, as soon as she finished speaking, there was a strange noise from inside the room. Before she could react, the man had kicked open the door.
Everything in the room was in full view. He strode forward, picked up the person on the ground, and roared hysterically at those outside. He looked even more ferocious than when Ji Junlin had an accident yesterday.
It wasn't until the doctor came that she came to her senses. She approached the room, and the doctor's words just reached her ears.
"Thank goodness we came in time. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager's life would have been lost. The Empress Dowager is already old. Don't do such things again. Otherwise..."
Even though the doctor didn't finish his sentence, anyone who wasn't a fool could understand what he meant.
Thinking of the person who had been putting on an act in front of her for the past two days, Hehui just couldn't believe the doctor's words. But in this situation, it would be useless for her to rush in. So she just stayed aside and waited for any possible development.
Ji Junlin stood beside the bed. It was the first time he had seen someone look so pale. That person had been telling storybooks to him just a moment ago.
Tears welled up in his eyes, and he grabbed Ji Huang's hand.
"Father, will Grandmother never wake up again?"
"Nonsense! Your grandmother is fine. She'll wake up soon."
Just as he said this, a soft groan pierced the air.
"Am I already in the Underworld? Strange, why does this decoration look so familiar?"
As soon as she turned her head, she met two anxious gazes.
"You... Why did you come down here too?"
"Mother! You're finally awake. You really scared us."
"Grandmother, wuwuwu, I thought you would never wake up again."
Hearing this, the young girl was speechless. "If you keep saying that, I'll really die next time."
After a pause, she turned her head as if she remembered something.
"Huang'er, I know my daughter - in - law doesn't like me. She made it so clear today. I'm not a thick - skinned person. Why don't you just send me away?"
"Mother, don't say that. I'll talk to He'er properly."
"We've talked about this so many times. She really doesn't like me. It's useless for me to say more. Junlin is a good child. If he's carefully nurtured, he will surely achieve great things in the future."
Although Ji Junlin was still young, he understood everything in his heart.
"Grandmother, don't you want to stay here? Is it because of Mother?"
"No, you're still young. You'll understand some things later. Grandmother can't accompany you forever. Be good."
Hearing this conversation, even Ji Huang, a grown man, couldn't help but shed tears.
"Mother, as long as I'm here, no one can drive you away. Don't worry. I can handle all these things. Just rest in peace."
He led Ji Junlin out and closed the door behind him.
As soon as he stepped out, he met the eyes of the person at the door. Without hesitation, he ordered his subordinate.
"Send someone to guard here. Obey Mother's orders. No one is allowed to enter this courtyard without Mother's permission."
Hehui's eyes widened. The man did this just to guard against her.
"Your Highness, when did we become so estranged?"
"No one is allowed to disturb Mother here. You can take the child back."
He flung his sleeve and left, leaving Hehui shocked.
After a long time, when there was no sound outside, Shi Muyuan sat up from the quilt.
Yes, she did it on purpose.
There was no other way. Only in this way could she stay in the mansion.
Now Hehui was a threat to Ji Huang. If she stayed here, she might be able to find a lot of useful information.
In that case, it would be very helpful if the two sides went to war.
Her eyes fell on the white silk not far away, and her hand unconsciously stroked her neck.
Now she finally understood why there were so many white - lotus characters in novels and movies. It was really exhilarating!
With just a little trick, she could make everyone stand on her side.
If she had known this trick was so useful, she wouldn't have suffered so much before.
Just as she was in a daze, there was a familiar sound from the window.
She didn't even need to think to know who it was.
The man's tall and slender figure moved to the bedside. His white clothes fluttered, exuding an air of elegance. For a moment, she was infatuated.
Cui Qizhou saw the mark on her neck and squinted his eyes.
"What's going on?"
"It's okay. I just used a little trick to stay. Have you found any clues?"
"Tell me exactly what's going on, Empress Dowager."
Shi Muyuan had no choice but to tell him everything that had happened before.
Hearing that it was related to that woman again, the man's face darkened.