Chapter 119: Poisoning Oneself for Self-Preservation

Watching Jun Yeli’s demeanor, it was clear he wasn’t joking. Hua Rong stood there dumbfounded, frightened, and quickly took two steps back. “You’re mad! You actually want me to take poison!”

Not long ago, he had been calling her “madam” so affectionately, and now he was turning his face away from her without recognition.

She swallowed nervously, a hint of displeasure rising within her. “I barely escaped that cursed forest. Surely, I’m not supposed to die so inexplicably now?”

Trouble after trouble—it seemed never-ending.

Hua Rong forced a tight smile, struggling to suppress her growing anxiety. “Husband, you know I’ve lost my memory. If I offended you before, please bear with me. There’s no need to settle old scores after the fact—that’s hardly the behavior of a gentleman.”

Where she had once been bold and defiant, now she was meek and timid.

A wise man doesn’t suffer losses for no reason; survival was the immediate goal.

This made Jun Yeli chuckle softly. He stepped closer, the pressure making it hard for Hua Rong to breathe.

Even with her dance training, at her age her waist couldn’t endure such torment. Her amber eyes flickered nervously as she stared up at him, trembling lips revealing her unease. “Your Majesty, what are you doing?”

Seeing her like this, Jun Yeli’s mood shifted; he straightened and said earnestly, “Of course, to protect you.”

“Protect me?” she echoed incredulously.

Even if he intended to kill her, there was no need for such a half-hearted excuse. Whoever heard such nonsense would laugh.

Tilting her head, Hua Rong muttered to herself, “I may have lost my memory, but I’m not stupid. Does he really think I’m a fool?”

The more she thought about it, the more vexed she became, her lips moving in whispers, seemingly forgetting the man beside her.

But just as she was lost in thought, something pressed against her lips and slid straight into her mouth.

Before she could react, Jun Yeli commanded sharply, “Swallow it!”

For some inexplicable reason, her mind went blank and she obeyed, swallowing the pill.

“Well, you’re obedient enough,” Jun Yeli said with a satisfied nod.

Realizing what had happened, Hua Rong’s heart sank. “Wait, did you just make me swallow poison? What are you trying to do? We’re supposed to be husband and wife!”

She immediately stuck her fingers into her mouth, trying to gag the pill back up.

But despite her fierce efforts, only bitter stomach acid came up.

“Why can’t I vomit it out? No, I need to eat more, or I’ll die!”

Determined, she bit her lip and lunged at the pastries on the table, stuffing two pieces into her mouth, choking as she did.

Jun Yeli sighed, pressing a hand to his brow, clearly exasperated.

Seeing her continue to eat greedily, he grabbed her shoulder and shook his head. “That little poison won’t kill you. But if you don’t eat it, you won’t last long in this harem.”

At his words, Hua Rong turned to face him, seeing the seriousness etched on his face. This was no jest, and it left her puzzled.

“What do you mean? You forced poison down my throat, and it has something to do with whether I live or die?”

She suspected it was a twisted form of torture, or maybe he was some kind of psychological sadist.

“The harem is a treacherous place,” Jun Yeli explained. “Now that you’ve lost your memory, you need something to conceal the truth. You can’t let anyone know about your condition.”

Though they had narrowly escaped death, their enemy had struck at Jun Yeli’s weak spot. If word got out that Hua Rong was amnesiac, jealousy and malice would surely follow.

All in all, the poison was actually to her benefit.

“Then… you must give me the antidote. My body’s always been weak. I can’t take this kind of torment!”

No matter what, since it wouldn’t kill her, she’d stop resisting.

She reached out for the antidote, but Jun Yeli remained unmoved. “If I gave you the antidote now, and you swallowed it all at once, what would the imperial doctors examine?”

Every word he spoke was confusing.

Before she could say more, Jun Yeli ordered her sent back to Xuanji Palace. Returning there was no small matter.

Though the palace was cold and quiet, with only three or four maids and a handful of domestic animals, the moment she stepped inside, the clatter of hooves and the chorus of chickens and dogs erupted, drawing the maids to her side.

“Your Highness, you’ve finally returned! Where have you been all this time?”

“Your Highness, how did you come back? Those ruffians didn’t harm you, did they?”

The flood of concern left Hua Rong somewhat at a loss.

From being shunned to now being the center of attention—it was a world of difference.

“Well, you don’t have to be so polite. I… I just…” Hua Rong wasn’t sure how to respond. Since Jun Yeli had warned her not to reveal her identity and had given her many rules, she naturally had to play along to survive.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine. Just a bit tired and wanted to rest. You all can get back to your duties.”

In truth, there wasn’t much to do here. It only seemed empty because there were so few people.

After she finished, Hua Rong headed straight back to her room, leaving everyone puzzled.

“Her attitude is completely off. If she really feared for her life before, why is she so calm now?”

“Perhaps she’s just been scared stiff. Let’s not disturb her.”

Suxin waved the other maids away.

That night, Suxin gathered fresh vegetables from the courtyard and slaughtered a chicken to make a large pot of chicken soup.

The rich aroma wafted through two doors, making it impossible to sleep.

“What’s that smell?” Hua Rong inhaled deeply, her body moving without her control toward the source.

Moonlight spilled silently over the surrounding vegetables, framing the steaming pot of soup that looked irresistibly inviting.

“Your Highness, you smelled the soup and came right over without waiting to be called. Come, eat quickly!” Suxin said warmly, ladling a bowl of soup for her.

Hua Rong hesitated for a moment, but hunger and the enticing aroma won out, and she stepped forward.

Seated in the courtyard, the group chatted cheerfully, with no airs of master and servant—more like sisters.

Even with her memory lost, in this environment Hua Rong felt a rare sense of ease and comfort.