Although Quan Dean answered, he did not move. Hu Xiaotian said, "Your Highness, she wasn't the one who attacked you. You can't do this!"
Qiqi sneered. "If it wasn't her, who was it? If it wasn't her, why did she have the antidote?"
"It's not as simple as you imagine."
Qiqi took a step toward Hu Xiaotian. "Are you telling me you know the inside story?"
Hu Xiaotian said, "Could I speak to you alone?" He found that Qiqi was becoming increasingly unreasonable. Had Xi Yan's presence provoked her?
Qiqi shook her head. "Hu Xiaotian, just how long do you intend to keep deceiving me? Who exactly is she? And what is your relationship with her?"
Hu Xiaotian inwardly cried out in alarm. He thought Qiqi had discovered that he and Xi Yan had known each other before, never imagining that matters were even more serious than he supposed. Without backing down, he said, "I, Hu Xiaotian, have always kept my word. Whatever I promise someone, I will see it through!"
Qiqi sneered. "Kept your word! What a fine promise..." Overcome with emotion, she began coughing incessantly. Her delicate body went limp, and she nearly collapsed to the floor. Hu Xiaotian hurriedly reached out to support her.
Quan Dean sighed. "Your Highness, you should go back and rest. Leave this to your old servant."
Qiqi tried to pull free of Hu Xiaotian's arms, but her body was weak and powerless. Using Secret Voice Transmission, Hu Xiaotian told her, "Qiqi, calm down. Let me explain first."
Qiqi seemed to calm down a little. She sighed. "Eunuch Quan, stand guard here. No one is to enter without my orders. I'll interrogate her properly later." Her words clearly marked a concession. It seemed her earlier command for Quan Dean to kill Xi Yan