Chapter 85: The Princess’s Poisoning

“You keep it, I’m not hungry.” Zhuang Fei casually declined, “I have something to do, go back and read if you have nothing to do.”

The Eldest Princess’s eyes welled up, “Please try it, you also praised Su Xue as delicious, you will definitely like Ying Meiren’s mooncakes.”

“Your Highness, the Eldest Princess has good intentions—” Ping Mammy chimed in, her eyes filled with sincerity.

Zhuang Fei was annoyed by the way both the master and servant were about to cry.

She casually took a mooncake from the box and placed it on the fruit plate on the table, saying, “Ping Mammy, take the Eldest Princess down.”

After all, she took a mooncake, and the Eldest Princess’s eyes lit up with a hint of joy.

“Your daughter will take her leave. Your daughter will go back and study hard!”

Because when Empress Zhuang didn’t want to see her, she would tell her to go back and read.

So the Eldest Princess had been studying hard, hoping to please Empress Zhuang. She envied the Eldest Prince the most, Concubine Shu often took him to stroll in the Imperial Garden.

Her biggest wish was for Empress Zhuang to accompany her for a walk in the Imperial Garden.

She had been to the garden many times with her nanny.

She was tired of seeing the flowers and plants, she didn’t find them very novel. But she really wanted her mother to accompany her for a walk.

“The Princess is such a filial and good child.” Ping Mammy praised, a hint of sadness in her heart.

The emperor chose Empress Zhuang to raise the Eldest Princess, there must be a reason.

But it was really difficult for Empress Zhuang, and it was also pitiful for the Eldest Princess.

“Mammy, Ying Meiren’s pastries are always delicious! Mother will be very happy to eat the mooncakes, right…” The Eldest Princess looked up with a hopeful expression.

Ping Mammy suppressed the sadness in her heart and smiled, “Of course. Empress Zhuang will definitely be happy for the Princess’s kindness.”

The master and servant didn’t go to the Imperial Garden, they turned towards Linlang Palace halfway.

As they were about to arrive.

They were stopped by Lianrui, who rushed over, “This servant greets the Eldest Princess!”

“You are the palace maid from Ning Jiejue’s side?” Ping Mammy still remembered her.

“Mammy has a good memory. This servant is from Lingsxue Pavilion, our Jiejue heard that Ying Meiren sent a box of mooncakes to the Eldest Princess, so she asked the imperial physician to take a look. Please forgive Ying Meiren, she forgot to ask the Eldest Princess’s dietary restrictions for a moment, and she was afraid that there might be some incompatible ingredients. Furthermore, these were originally made for adults, children’s stomachs are delicate, and we don’t know if they can eat them, so we didn’t consider that for a moment.” Lianrui quickly explained.

The imperial physician, who was hurriedly pulled along, bowed and said, “This minister is the female physician on duty at the Imperial Hospital, I have been ordered to check.”

“I see, Ning Jiejue is always meticulous and considerate. This old servant forgot about that, the Eldest Princess doesn’t have any dietary restrictions, but I don’t know if these pastries are suitable for children?” Ping Mammy handed the food box to the imperial physician.

The imperial physician immediately opened it and checked it carefully, confirming that there was nothing wrong, she said, “After this minister’s examination, these mooncakes don’t contain any spicy ingredients, they are suitable for children to eat.”

“In that case, this servant will go back and report.” Lianrui said.

Ping Mammy nodded and said, “Thank you for Ning Jiejue’s concern.”

She had a high opinion of Ning Wanyin.

She was indeed a person who could help Shun Bin with her pregnancy, her actions were always thoughtful.

The master and servant put away the food box and continued to return to Linlang Palace.

Lianrui also returned to Lingsxue Pavilion to report.

Wei Yingya was anxiously waiting for the news, hearing that she had caught up, she finally breathed a sigh of relief:

“Next time, I will definitely remember to ask the imperial physician to check first…”

Seeing this, Ning Wanyin was also relieved.

…

In Linlang Palace.

Empress Zhuang was leisurely watching a few eunuchs perform shadow puppet plays.

“Empress Zhuang, Ying Meiren made these mooncakes, your daughter thinks they are different from ordinary mooncakes, so she specially brought them for Your Highness to taste!” The Eldest Princess presented the food box.

Empress Zhuang’s gaze fell on her, her expression was a little complicated.

She didn’t like the emperor’s children with other women, but she also felt that the Eldest Princess was innocent.

So although she never got close to the Eldest Princess, she never let anyone neglect her in terms of food, clothing, and living.

That’s how the two of them lived in peace.

But this little girl always liked to come to her.

If she drove her away, her tearful appearance would make her feel uncomfortable. If she didn’t drive her away, she would worry about seeing her.

…

The Eldest Princess had just eaten the mooncake when Ping Mammy rushed in, “Your Highness, something’s wrong! The Princess is in trouble!”

“What’s wrong?” Empress Zhuang frowned impatiently.

“The Princess suddenly fainted, her whole body is hot…” Ping Mammy was terrified.

Empress Zhuang’s face darkened, “Hurry up and call the imperial physician!”

Soon, the imperial physician rushed over.

Helian Qi also arrived at Linlang Palace after hearing the news.

The concubines in the palace heard about it, and the emperor had gone, how could they not rush over to express their concern.

So, everyone rushed to Linlang Palace.

Several imperial physicians hurriedly made the Eldest Princess vomit.

Zhao Yuanpan knelt before the emperor and reported, “The Eldest Princess has been poisoned, if we can induce vomiting as soon as possible, there is still a chance to save her…”

“What do you mean by ‘chance’?” Helian Qi’s face was as dark as water.

Zhao Yuanpan trembled, “The poison is very strong, if we can’t induce vomiting in time, the Eldest Princess…”

He said, “The poison the princess ingested is very potent, this minister dares not make a definitive diagnosis…”

The palace fell silent.

Empress Zhuang’s face turned pale, and the fist she clenched in her sleeve tightened.

Concubine Shu was also surprised by this scene, and she immediately confronted Empress Zhuang:

“Empress Zhuang, I heard that you have been ignoring the Eldest Princess, and that’s fine. But I didn’t expect the princess to be poisoned… How did you take care of the princess?”

Empress Zhuang, for once, didn’t have the energy to argue with her, her expression was a little dazed.

“I don’t care about any possibilities, I want you to save the princess, no matter what!” Helian Qi commanded coldly, his face grim.

The imperial physicians, with trepidation, tried every means to induce vomiting in the princess.

Fortunately…

After a harrowing rescue, the princess’s life was saved.

“Your Majesty, thanks to Your Majesty’s blessings, the Eldest Princess is out of danger, but she is very weak, her stomach is damaged, and she needs long-term care.” Zhao Yuanpan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and reported.

Helian Qi’s expression softened slightly, but the coldness in his eyes intensified, “Investigate! How did the princess get poisoned?”

After some questioning, it was found that the princess had only eaten mooncakes today.

And in the remnants of the mooncake that the princess vomited, a highly poisonous substance was found.

“How could this be? I ate the mooncakes too…” Empress Zhuang was puzzled.

Helian Qi immediately said, “Imperial physician, check Empress Zhuang’s pulse!”

Zhao Yuanpan quickly took Empress Zhuang’s pulse, examined her, and said, “Empress Zhuang is in good health, there are no signs of poisoning.”

“It seems that not every mooncake was poisoned.” Concubine Shu realized, looking at Wei Yingya:

“Ying Meiren, why did you try to harm the princess?”

Wei Yingya’s face turned pale with fright, “I… I didn’t…”

“The evidence is clear, you still want to argue. Confess, you and Empress Zhuang have no grievances, were you instructed by someone?” Concubine Shu clearly wanted to drag Ning Wanyin into this.

“My mooncakes were checked by the imperial physician, they were not poisoned!” Wei Yingya hurriedly clarified.

As soon as she said this, everyone was stunned.

Ping Mammy had almost fainted from anxiety, but now she had recovered and said:

“Your Majesty, these mooncakes were indeed checked by the imperial physician…”

Ping Mammy recounted how Lianrui had brought the imperial physician over.

Helian Qi immediately ordered someone to summon the imperial physician to verify, confirming that it was true.

Xue Jin’yan’s heart sank when she saw this.

She didn’t expect them to have called the imperial physician to check along the way…

What a waste of such a good pawn.

“Since the mooncakes were checked and found to be fine, then why are there poisonous substances in the remnants of the mooncake in the princess’s stomach?” Shi Meiren questioned Wei Yingya:

“This must be related to Ying Meiren!”

Ning Wanyin, who had been observing silently and thinking, suddenly spoke up:

“Did the Eldest Princess drink any water?”

Ping Mammy reacted, “Yes, yes, she drank two cups of tea!”

“Please check the tea.” Ning Wanyin reminded.

Everyone realized at this point. The poisonous remnants of the mooncake didn’t necessarily come from the mooncake itself, it could also be from the water she drank, which mixed with the mooncake.

The Criminal Investigation Department immediately went to check the tea, but they found that the pot of tea the princess had drunk had been replaced with a new one.

The teacups had also been washed.

The palace maid who was responsible for washing the teacups was brought up.

“Why did you change the tea? Wash the teacups?” Helian Qi questioned.

The palace maid stammered, “This servant… this servant saw that the tea was cold, so I went to change it. I saw that the teacups were dirty, so I washed them…”

This was clearly a lie after the evidence had been erased.

“Drag her away, send her to the Criminal Investigation Department.” Helian Qi said coldly.

The palace maid’s face turned pale.

She wasn’t afraid of death, but she feared the punishment of the Criminal Investigation Department.

As a pawn, she naturally had the loyalty to die for her master.

Seeing two eunuchs coming to grab her, the palace maid turned around and slammed her head against the wall, her head bleeding profusely, and she died on the spot.

“Your Majesty, she’s dead…” Wang Degui checked her breath and said hurriedly.

Helian Qi’s face was grim, “Order the Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the person behind her.”

The palace maid’s death meant that the clues to the person behind her were cut off.

Even if the emperor ordered an investigation, nothing would be found.

The incident of the princess’s poisoning today could only be left unresolved.

Many concubines looked at each other with strange expressions, speculating about the person who poisoned her…

And no one expected that at this moment—

Empress Zhuang suddenly rushed towards Concubine Shu in three or two steps, kicking her in the chest, knocking her to the ground.