First annul the engagement, then sever ties with the empress; the empress reigns supreme.

Qingyanzi sighed somewhat innocently: "It's not my fault. I've controlled the dosage, but that idiot just asked for trouble, playing around and eating too much. Besides, I didn't expect him to be so emotional today."

"Brother, why don't we just go with the flow and let things take their course? Anyway, Mu Lingye isn't in the capital. Besides, my Gu poison has already controlled most of the court officials, so we're not afraid."

Wei Ming thought for a moment and agreed: "That's the only way. Call Mu Lingxuan out alone and have a good talk with him so he can prepare in advance."

"Understood." Qingyanzi's eyes were shining. After lying low for so long, his dream was finally about to come true. How could he not be happy?

Thinking of something, Wei Ming added, "By the way, Gu Juntang has been missing for some time now. Do you have any leads?"

When Gu Juntang was mentioned, Qingyanzi's high spirits plummeted again.

He frowned: "No. She's such a worry, she's turned into this half-human, half-ghost. Why isn't she staying in the Prince's mansion at a time like this? But brother, if she's gone, she's gone. It doesn't affect us. We already have Xiaoyue'er anyway."

Wei Ming didn't care whether Gu Juntang lived or died, but he didn't like Qing Yanzi's attitude either: "No matter what, she's still your daughter. Keeping her around will be useful in the future. Pay a little more attention to her."

"I understand." Qingyanzi didn't argue; he seemed to listen to Wei Ming very well.

After Wei Ming finished discussing with Qing Yanzi, the two parted ways.

As the head of the Eastern Depot, Wei Ming wielded immense power within the palace, practically controlling the entire imperial city. He merely uttered a few words, and instantly the atmosphere in the capital became tense.

Qingyanzi also met with Mu Lingxuan alone. Standing outside the palace, Qingyanzi lowered his voice and got straight to the point: "His Majesty is dying. You need to be prepared. When he wakes up, find a way to get him to take out the Imperial Seal and hand over the throne to you."

"What? Didn't you say that Father Emperor only fainted due to anger? How come he suddenly became unwell?" Mu Lingxuan was anxious and angrily grabbed Qingyanzi's collar.

The commotion quickly attracted the attention of others, and some people looked over.

Qingyanzi, with a calm expression, brushed Mu Lingxuan's hand away: "Prince Xuan, don't forget the deal between you and me. If you want to end the deal, I can agree to it at any time. Besides you, the Sixth Prince is still in this capital. I believe he is happy to sit on the throne."

Qingyanzi's Gu poison can control people's hearts, and Wei Ming's power can seal off the imperial city. They certainly have the leverage to change their partners.

Mu Lingxuan's anger was no match for reality, and his raised hand slowly fell to the ground.

Seeing Mu Lingxuan's helplessness, Qingyanzi smiled smugly.

He shoved Mu Lingxuan, who was standing very close to him, away: "Alright, Your Highness, making a scene will only make things more awkward for you. Don't forget what I told you, get back to work."

Having said that, he flicked his whisk and, with the air of a master, stepped into the inner palace. A short while later, all the concubines, maids, and eunuchs serving Emperor Sheng in the inner palace were driven out.

Mu Lingxuan took a deep breath and stepped into the inner hall.

He hadn't forgotten his promise to Gu Junxi, but now Emperor Sheng's health had suddenly changed. He could only go with the flow and follow Qingyanzi's footsteps.

Once he truly ascends the throne, he will devise a way to eliminate Qingyanzi.

And Little Moon.

He already knew that Xiaoyue was not his child, so it didn't matter if he temporarily put Xiaoyue in power. At worst, he could just depose or kill Xiaoyue later.

"Your Highness, something has happened in the palace." Upon returning to the Xuan Prince's residence, Fang Shuyan immediately followed Mu Lingxuan's instructions and told Gu Junxi what had happened in the palace.

Gu Junxi frowned and stood up.

Just then, Ning Hanshuang appeared in the courtyard: "Xixi, something's happened."

Gu Junxi glanced at Fang Shuyan, who was still inside the room, and said with a smile, "Aunt Fang, please go out for a moment. I have something to discuss with the Marquis."

Fang Shuyan glanced at Ning Hanshuang and left the room.

"Mother, what happened?" Gu Junxi asked Ning Hanshuang after watching Fang Shuyan leave.

Ning Hanshuang also attended the coronation ceremony today. She was more sensitive than Fang Shuyan and also left the palace later than Fang Shuyan.

She took Gu Junxi's hand and said, "I think His Majesty's sudden fainting this time is probably not going to make it. When I left the palace, I noticed that the palace security was obviously tighter, especially the eunuchs under Wei Ming, who all looked very anxious. I'm afraid we can't wait and see any more developments."

"Alas... but there's been no movement from the Crown Prince or Master Suxin. If the Emperor were to pass away now, we would lose all our advantage. The Gu poison in your body hasn't been cured yet, which puts us at a real disadvantage."

“Mother, don’t worry.” Gu Junxi’s eyes flickered slightly as she took out a porcelain bottle from the table. “This is the antidote I’ve been developing these past few days. Although I don’t know if it will work, you can take it and give it to the court officials who have been poisoned to see the effect.”

"I will try to sneak into the capital and personally take the emperor's pulse to stabilize his condition. Even if I can't stabilize it, I will try to find the imperial seal. Without the imperial seal, even Mu Lingxuan cannot rightfully ascend the throne."

“But that’s too dangerous.” Ning Hanshuang was worried: “You are under Mu Lingxuan’s control. If he takes control of you again, you will be powerless to resist.”

Gu Junxi smiled and said, "Mother, I have something on Mu Lingxuan, so he shouldn't be able to control me easily. As long as I hide from Qingyanzi when I enter the palace, I'll be fine. Besides, I'll ask my cousin to cover for me."

The weakness that Gu Junxi was referring to in Mu Lingxuan's words was the dream that Mu Lingxuan had from his past and present lives.

Mu Lingxuan's guilt towards her and the changes he brought to Gu Junxi were all evident.

She believed that after this experience, Mu Lingxuan would no longer go against her wishes and force her to do things she didn't want to do.

But the matter of past and present lives was too fantastical, and she didn't want to tell Ning Hanshuang, adding to Ning Hanshuang's troubles.

Hearing Gu Junxi say this, Ning Hanshuang was still worried, but she also understood that if Qingyanzi and Wei Ming succeeded, they might both die in the future.

Whether you die sooner or later, you'll die anyway, so why not take a chance?

Perhaps success will pave the way for a bright future.

"Then be careful in everything." Ning Hanshuang gripped the porcelain bottle Gu Junxi had given her and turned to leave.

Gu Junxi didn't linger any longer and followed Ning Hanshuang out of the room, walking openly out of the courtyard.

The two guards sent by Mu Lingxuan to follow Gu Junxi quickly caught up.

At this moment, Gu Junxi had no time to play along with these people. With a flick of her wrist, pink poison powder was sprayed at the two guards. After inhaling a small amount of the powder, the two guards collapsed to the ground, completely defenseless.

Prince Su's Residence.

Gu Junxi found Mu Qingfu and explained her purpose.

Mu Qingfu held Gu Junxi's hand tenderly, and finally spoke after hesitating for a while.

"Xixi, we haven't heard from Mu Lingye for so long. Could he have been taken back to Yan by Leng Xuanjue? Is it worth it for you to take this risk for him?"

"Why don't we escape? Anyway, you have something on Mu Lingxuan, so he probably won't stop you. We can go to Medicine King Valley to get medicine ourselves. Even if Master Suxin isn't here, with Uncle Medicine King, he should be able to suppress the Gu poison in your body."

Mu Qingfu supported the rebellion, but things were different now. Emperor Sheng was failing, and they didn't have much time left. Qingyanzi and Wei Ming had seized the initiative.

More importantly, there is still no clue as to Mu Lingye, the rightful heir to the throne.