Abused Female Lead And Beautiful Villainess (Quick Transmigration)

Shen Wan entered He Qingning’s chamber to find her lying pale-faced on the bed.

The Imperial Physician had just arrived and was sitting beside He Qingning, taking her pulse. The Emperor was likely busy and unable to come at the moment.

Shen Wan maintained her stern expression, but this time, the seriousness and coldness on her small face were genuine. She was angry, angry at the mischievous little princess. If she hadn’t noticed He Qingning’s exposed finger move slightly as she entered, she might have truly believed she was poisoned.

The Imperial Physician was one she knew well.

It was the same Imperial Physician Chen who had treated He Xiyan at the prince’s mansion years ago. Undoubtedly, this shifty-eyed, pompous old man was He Qingning’s ally. As for He Qingning’s pale complexion, it was likely due to some medicine this old man had given her. If Doctor Liu hadn’t been at the prince’s mansion, given his demonstrated “skills,” He Qingning might have asked him to come up with a solution. Her little princess was truly hiding so much.

Shen Wan took a deep breath, resisting the urge to hold He Qingning down and spank her bottom.

Clearly, using Imperial Physician Chen for this plan was better and more convincing.

This was a strategy, or rather, a strategy to turn the tables on someone else’s plan. This was what angered Shen Wan. It meant that He Qingning, knowing dangerous events were about to unfold, still chose to expose herself to danger. Using herself as bait to draw out hidden enemies.

She was very displeased.

He Qingning sensed Shen Wan’s displeasure, but at this moment, she could only close her eyes and wait for Imperial Physician Chen to diagnose her with poisoning.

Shen Wan moved closer, glaring at He Qingning, her small fists clenching audibly.

Crackle… crackle…

The sound of clenching fists continuously reached He Qingning’s ears, making her furrow her brow. Clenching fists so much, wouldn’t her little hands hurt?

(188: Who would hurt? She wouldn’t hurt. She’s incredibly strong, able to kill a small assassin with one punch.)

“How is Her Highness, Imperial Physician Chen?”

Hearing Shen Wan’s icy voice, Imperial Physician Chen’s heart truly skipped a beat. Wiping his cold sweat, he replied, “Her Highness has been poisoned.”

“If she’s been poisoned, then hurry and find a solution.”

Imperial Physician Chen smiled bitterly. With the Emperor not yet arrived, he needed to drag things out a bit for the performance to continue. If he messed up, Her Highness would surely have his head.

Fortunately, the Emperor was quite accommodating. Upon hearing of He Qingning’s poisoning, he quickly handled urgent matters and rushed over. What followed was a performance by Imperial Physician Chen and the people in He Qingning’s chambers. At this moment, Imperial Physician Chen seemed less like himself and more like Sherlock Holmes incarnate, searching for the source of the poison, suspecting who might have administered it, and singling out the most suspicious person.

Finally, he perfectly identified one of He Xiyan’s people as the culprit. The Emperor’s face turned ashen as he sent for He Xiyan. Faced with numerous pieces of evidence, He Xiyan’s expression remained calm, only a hint of concern visible in his eyes, as if he were an outsider completely uninvolved. This situation made everyone doubt whether the evidence was genuine.

“Third Son, do you have something to say?” the Emperor inquired, his face unreadable. But his earlier outburst of anger left no doubt that he was truly furious.

He Xiyan knelt on the ground before finally speaking, “Father, I am wrongly accused. May I ask, Father, what benefit would I gain from poisoning Qingning?” Of course, there were benefits. He Qingning was his greatest competitor.

If He Qingning died, could the mere Fifth Prince be his match? Despite the abundant evidence now, the more evidence there was, the more guilt the Emperor would feel when it was overturned.

He Xiyan’s face was full of concern, his performance extremely convincing. Anyone watching would not believe he was truly the one who had poisoned He Qingning.

“The evidence is all here now, Third Son. How do you plan to clear your suspicion?”

“May Father grant me one day’s time? If within a day I cannot find evidence to clear my name, then I shall accept whatever punishment Father deems fit. But if I do find evidence, I beg Father to severely punish the true culprit. I truly never intended to harm Qingning. It would bring me no benefit.”

The Emperor pondered for a moment before nodding. “Very well. I’ll give you one day.”

And so, with He Qingning still unconscious, the Imperial Physician stated that fortunately, the poisoning wasn’t severe and treatment was timely. He Qingning was out of mortal danger. Now, they only needed to slowly eliminate the remaining toxins for her to recover.

The next day, He Xiyan returned, and by this time, He Qingning had awakened.

As he entered, he couldn’t help but glance at Shen Wan’s face. He knew clearly this woman wasn’t his Princess Consort, as their personalities were worlds apart. But just because of that similar face, he couldn’t help but look twice. Thinking about it now, his deceased Princess Consort, apart from being a bit clingy, wasn’t bad at all. At least she had been willing to sacrifice her life for him.

In this world, there were few people willing to die for him. Even Shen Shi, when she first approached him, surely had some other motives? It was just that he had been so fond of Shen Shi back then that he automatically filtered out all her flaws.

Shen Wan averted her gaze. If not for the current situation, she would have rolled her eyes at He Xiyan. This scumbag had just looked at her with a reminiscent and longing gaze. Did all scumbags share this trait of only recalling someone’s good qualities after losing them? Then they’d sit there reminiscing, falling more in love with the person the more they remembered.

Shen Wan: “Such scumbags have such heavy tastes, infatuated with dead people. They must be sick in the head.”

[188: “This is called ‘what you can’t have always stirs you up.’ Wan Wan, now you’re the woman He Xiyan can never have. Hehe, how does it feel?”]

Shen Wan: “Ugh…”

[188: “Wan Wan, you and the little princess haven’t gotten it on yet, this ‘ugh’ is too early. But even if you did get it on, you probably couldn’t ‘ugh’ anyway. You don’t have that function.”]

Shen Wan: “You useless piece of junk!”

188 snorted coldly and said no more. This host, he had truly misjudged her.

Soon after, the Emperor was also invited in.

“Third Son, have you found the evidence?”

He Xiyan’s expression turned pained, his voice hoarse, “Father, I have uncovered the truth.”

“Oh? From your look, it seems the matter is unusual.”

The Emperor’s expression hadn’t changed from beginning to end. Except when facing He Qingning, he rarely showed any different expressions. Almost no one could discern his thoughts from his face.

Faced with such an Emperor, He Xiyan was indeed somewhat nervous. After all, he had acted rather hastily this time. But his Fifth Brother was even more anxious. Comparatively, the one to lose would only be Fifth Brother.

“Father, this matter is indeed unusual. We need to ask Fifth Brother to come.”

The Emperor’s eyes deepened, and he remained silent for a moment. The air grew tense. No one present dared to breathe loudly.

“Summon the Fifth Prince.”

When the Fifth Prince arrived, he appeared calm and composed. He swept He Xiyan with his indifferent gaze. As they faced each other, he had an inexplicable bad feeling.

“Fifth Brother, Qingning is our sister. Why did you poison her? Qingning likes to be close to me because we grew up together, so naturally, we’re more intimate. Fifth Brother, you’ve truly disappointed me.”

The Fifth Prince’s face immediately changed. “Third Brother, what are you saying? How could I possibly poison Qingning? Third Brother, I’ve heard that Imperial Physician Chen found evidence pointing to you. Third Brother, don’t try to shift the blame onto me just to clear your own suspicion.”

“Fifth Brother, I have no reason to harm Qingning.”

The Fifth Prince’s expression remained unchanged as he suddenly laughed. “Then, Third Brother, where’s your evidence? Produce the evidence that I harmed Qingning.”

“Since you’re so obstinate, for Qingning’s sake and to prove my innocence, I must present the evidence.”

When He Xiyan produced both testimonies and physical evidence, the Fifth Prince’s face paled considerably. He felt the Emperor’s icy gaze but didn’t look at him. Instead, he kept his eyes fixed on He Xiyan.

He Xiyan bowed to the Emperor. “Father, I have found the true culprit who harmed Qingning. I am deeply regretful and pained that the person who harmed Qingning turned out to be Fifth Brother.”

“Fifth Son, do you have anything to say?” The Emperor sat in his seat, his authoritative gaze sweeping over the Fifth Prince’s face. “The evidence is conclusive now. Fifth Son, you have greatly disappointed me. You would poison Qingning for the throne?”

The Fifth Prince, already pale-faced, collapsed to the ground at the Emperor’s question. All his previous composure vanished, leaving only desolation on his face. He laughed self-mockingly. “Father, I have lost. I accept whatever punishment you deem fit.”

He had been too hasty, but given the current situation, how could he not be anxious? It was clear that in court, Father favored He Xiyan. The only thing he could do was take a gamble. After all, at this point, he had no choice but to gamble. Who knew that Father’s thoughts were different from what they all had guessed?

He also hadn’t expected to fall not by He Xiyan’s hand, but by his good sister He Qingning’s. He glanced at He Qingning, who was leaning against the bed, her face pale as if deeply poisoned, and smiled again. Did He Xiyan think he had won? In this contest, the two of them had merely bitten each other, while their good sister He Qingning was the ultimate beneficiary. It was only now that he understood.

Why was it such a coincidence that he heard those words he shouldn’t have heard?

As for He Xiyan, presumably he had also heard something and acted on it?

They both thought it was an opportunity to frame the other. Unfortunately, neither of them won.

Pawns, they were all pawns. Both of them were He Qingning’s pawns, and also stepping stones prepared by Father for He Qingning. Among all the princes and princesses, who else could make Father cooperate in such a performance, if not He Qingning?

He Qingning!

Well, at least it wasn’t He Xiyan. He could accept this loss gracefully. If He Xiyan had truly ascended, he might not even keep his head.

So let him give his good sister one last push.

No matter what, he had to drag the currently smug He Xiyan down with him, right? How could the other be more glorious than him? A prince born of a mere palace maid, riding high because of the Empress’s favor—on what grounds? His own mother was one of the four consorts; his status should be far nobler than He Xiyan’s.

“Father, I have more to say.”

Who hasn’t planted a few spies in another’s household? When the Fifth Prince revealed that He Xiyan knew of his plan and had counterplotted to kill He Qingning, He Xiyan’s face changed slightly. But he maintained his composure, waiting for the Fifth Prince’s next words. When they came, He Xiyan could no longer maintain his expression.

“Father, I initially poisoned Qingning to deprive Third Brother of a supporter, but later it was because I accidentally overheard a secret.” The Fifth Prince, as if he had nothing left to lose, lazily sat on the ground instead of kneeling, tilting his chin up with a faint smile. “I happened to hear that Father intended to name Qingning as Crown Princess, so I couldn’t help myself.”

“Third Brother, surely you heard it too? Don’t deny it, you must have heard. After all, the person who passed the message to you was my man. I have evidence of everything you did.” The Fifth Prince, seeing He Xiyan’s composure crumble, smiled gleefully. “Shall we call in Doctor Liu for a confrontation?”

Shen Wan: “Doctor Liu again? So whose man is Doctor Liu really?”

[188 was also confused: “Wan Wan, don’t you think these ancient people are terrifying? A mere doctor playing such a big game. On the surface, he’s He Xiyan’s man; secretly, he’s the little princess’s and yours; hidden even deeper, he turns out to be the Fifth Prince’s man too. Scary, truly scary.”]

Doctor Liu entered trembling, his back soaked with sweat.

His forehead was also covered in sweat. Seeing so many important figures for the first time, he was so frightened that he fell to his knees with a thud, painfully bruising his kneecaps.

Heavens, he was just a small-time doctor!

Why was life so difficult for a mere doctor like him?

Prince Yan had threatened his family to coerce him. The “deceased” Princess Consort had tempted him with benefits—admittedly, Shen Wan had been very generous, and he couldn’t resist the temptation.

Princess Qingning had intimidated him with power. The Fifth Prince had promised to help rescue his family, threatening to kill them if he didn’t comply.

So he was afraid.

He didn’t mean to be a multiple agent.

This was no job for a human being.

Prince Yan had asked him to prepare poison, but Princess Qingning found out and told him to go ahead. The Fifth Prince also asked him to prepare poison, but Princess Qingning knew again and told him to make a different kind. So he concluded that among these people, Princess Qingning was the most terrifying.

“Doctor Liu, tell us everything you know,” said the Emperor.

Doctor Liu, with his head to the ground, recited the words Princess Qingning had given him. He had memorized them thoroughly. He hoped that once Princess Qingning achieved her goal, she would grant him some peace.

He really didn’t want to be a spy anymore. It was no job for a human.

Faced with both testimony and physical evidence, He Xiyan couldn’t argue. He looked at the Emperor, then at He Qingning. “Fine, I’ve lost.”

He had indeed lost, to He Qingning and to his father. Even if He Qingning was a woman, with Father’s favor, she could be pushed to the top.

He finally understood why He Qingning had been sent out to punish corrupt officials, and why Father had allowed them to struggle during this time. It was to build momentum for He Qingning while making him her shield. Father was still Father; who could see through his thoughts until the very end?

Laughably, he had sacrificed so much to bring down his brothers, only to end up paving the way for He Qingning.

He Xiyan felt a surge of anger, nearly coughing up blood. He turned his gaze to Doctor Liu, desperately wanting to ask whether this man was truly the Fifth Prince’s or He Qingning’s. The words flowed so smoothly and logically, more clearly than he himself knew—it was impossible without guidance.

Shen Wan: Her little princess was indeed formidable.

The actions of the Fifth Prince and He Xiyan would certainly not be publicized. The Emperor merely confined them to their residences for now. How they would be dealt with wasn’t important; there were more pressing matters at hand.

“Qingning, how do you think I should handle them?”

He Qingning understood this was the Emperor testing her. Even though the Emperor favored her and showed less love to the other princes and princesses, he didn’t want them to lose their lives in this struggle.

“Father, I believe we should send them to the frontier. They are all my brothers; I cannot bear to see them killed.”

The Emperor looked at He Qingning for a while, his aged face suddenly breaking into a smile. He patted He Qingning gently. “Then I will confine them to their residences for now. In the future, Qingning can decide how to deal with them.”

He Qingning’s eyes reddened, her lips trembling as she called out with a choked voice, “Father.”

“Qingning has grown so much, and Father is very reassured. Be ruthless when needed, merciful when appropriate. Taking their lives would bring you no benefit, and you understand this. Since you have no desire to kill them, when you ascend the throne, declare a general amnesty and release them, never to be recalled.”

“Thank you, Father.”

……

“Wan Wan, walking the Little Hen?” One day, He Qingning approached Shen Wan, asking with a smile.

Shen Wan snorted coldly, leading the Little Hen to another spot. She gave a faint “Mm” in response, not as enthusiastic as before.

“Wan Wan, I’m craving some eggs. The Little Hen must have laid quite a few by now, right?” He Qingning asked, grasping Shen Wan’s wrist.

Shen Wan glanced at her, pointing to her stomach. “They’re all in here. I ate them all, there’s none left.”

“Then tomorrow morning, is it possible?”