Qingtong watched her grandfather's delighted expression and simply didn't have the heart to tell him the cruel truth, thinking it best to let him be happy a while longer.
As for the elixir, once she had dealt with the matters at hand, she would find time to visit the Black Domain Main City of the Great Chu Sacred Dynasty to see if she could find that one medicinal herb.
Or perhaps find another herb that could perfectly substitute for its medicinal properties.
The reason the elixir she had previously refined was not very effective was because it was missing some of its medicinal essence.
While Luo Qingtong and Old Master Luo whispered behind the screen, in the inner hall side hall, Empress Dowager Yan Xi looked at the general she had summoned and asked with furrowed brows, "What has happened with Prince Ning?"
Mentioning Prince Ning caused a cold sternness to sweep across Empress Dowager Yan Xi's face.
The love poison that had afflicted her this time was undoubtedly part of Prince Ning's scheme!
In the heat of her escape earlier, she had been too preoccupied with the man's matter that she had completely forgotten about Prince Ning, not knowing what he had done during the time of her detoxification.
However, after Empress Dowager Yan Xi asked, she did not expect the general's response to be so utterly surprising.
"Empress Dowager, Prince Ning's plot has been exposed and thwarted by you, and he has gone completely mad!"
"Knowing he has no chance at the throne, he has publicized and distorted the edict left by the late Emperor that allowed you to remarry after his death, announcing to all that…"
With gritted teeth, the general said, "He claims he is willing to follow the late Emperor's will and support you to remarry as the Empress Dowager!"
"What?!"
Empress Dowager Yan Xi abruptly stood up, looking incredulously at the general kneeling on the floor, "Prince Ning actually did such a thing?"
"Has he gone mad?!"
And mad Prince Ning certainly was!
His plot using the Lust Poison against Empress Dowager Yan Xi backfired, ensnaring himself in the process.
Now, the entire Imperial court knew of his collusion with outsiders, bringing love-poisoned Private Guards into the palace, intending to take advantage of the assassination attempt on the Empress Dowager.
In the end, his nefarious plan only led to his own downfall.
He found himself pinned down by a group of men, witnessed by so many both inside and outside the palace!
And so were his cadre of senior officials!
Under such circumstances, Prince Ning had no chance of ever rising again in this lifetime!
Even if he had the opportunity to clear his name, he would never have the chance to ascend the throne again!
Moreover, the mistake he made this time was sufficient for Empress Dowager Yan Xi to join forces with the officials and completely strip him of all his power and status!
He was beyond any hope of redemption!
So Prince Ning simply went berserk!
Finding himself outmatched by Empress Dowager Yan Xi, he directly ordered his minions to spread the news of the Empress Dowager's remarriage!
If he couldn't have the throne of Great Chu, then?
He would destroy it!
The prospect of remarriage for the Empress Dowager would be an irresistible opportunity for any ambitious person with power to legitimately join the Great Chu leadership!
Especially since Prince Ning had invoked the late Emperor's edict!
Those people would have even more reason to act!
Once someone became the husband of the Empress Dowager, wouldn't meddling in the affairs of Great Chu become their rightful duty?
By then, even Empress Dowager Yan Xi and the officials might not be able to stop it!
Prince Ning intended to turn Great Chu upside down!
If he couldn't have the throne, then neither should Yan Xi and the others have a moment's peace!
He would rather see Great Chu in ruins!