After a round of fussing, the imperial physicians finally inspected the refreshments on the table. Their conclusion was that the tea and pastries were all free of poison.
Upon hearing the imperial physicians' words, Zhang Xiuyi felt a wave of relief wash over her, almost to the point of collapse.
However, the Emperor's expression was extremely grim, his anger reaching its depths. What use were these imperial physicians if they couldn't even detect the poison in his son, nor identify it in the food? His aura was laced with killing intent, his face ashen and incredibly furious. He coldly roared towards the outside.
"Drag all these fellows out and have them beheaded."
The imperial physicians, not expecting such a fate, immediately cried out in panic, "Your Majesty, spare us! Your Majesty, spare us!"
Liu Liu raised her hand, her voice clear and resolutely resolute, stopping the Emperor's words. Clearly, this woman had covered her tracks, but had she truly done so flawlessly?
Perhaps not entirely. A trace of bloodthirsty ferocity spread, and a vicious, cold smile played on her lips. She slowly paced towards a table in a corner of the grand hall and meticulously examined it.
The plums were of the finest quality, their color vibrant, their fragrance refreshing, and the tea brewed from them was exuding an air of vitality.
It was evident that this tea had been replaced. This meant that someone, taking advantage of the chaos, had swapped out the original plum tea. Had the substituted items been poisoned?
Since they were both plum teas, why was Feng Yulou unaffected? Liu Liu furrowed her brows, her gaze suddenly falling on a plate of pastries. She beckoned to the imperial physicians.
"Investigate these pastries for me. It doesn't have to be poison, just see what other ingredients are within them?"
As soon as Liu Liu finished speaking, Zhang Xiuyi's face turned as pale as paper. She immediately guessed that there was something amiss with these pastries.
The imperial physicians, who had been on the verge of execution, scrambled over upon hearing the Empress's words, eager to save their lives. They immediately seized the pastries, sniffing and examining them. Within a short while, they reported solemnly.
"Reporting to Your Majesty and Empress, these pastries contain natural medicinal components such as fishtail grass. It is likely a medicinal ingredient meant to counteract something?"
As soon as the imperial physicians finished speaking, Zhang Xiuyi could no longer withstand the blow. She slumped to the side, gasping for breath, and trembled as she kowtowed, "Your Majesty, please spare your concubine. That was the antidote. As long as the Crown Prince takes the antidote, he will be fine. Your concubine will never dare to do it again."
Liu Liu sneered. She flicked her foot and leaped gracefully, landing beside Zhang Xiuyi. With a sweep of her hand, she unleashed a powerful palm strike, slapping Zhang Xiuyi hard across the face. Her cold voice echoed.
"Vile creature, how dare you beg for mercy? Even if the Crown Prince is unharmed today, I will not let you go. You black-hearted, ungrateful woman, how could you lay hands on a five-year-old child? And you still wish to remain in the palace? Do you expect another chance to poison?"
Zhang Xiuyi was sent flying by Liu Liu's forceful palm, crashing against the grand hall. She let out a scream, groaning as she struggled to rise, a trace of blood appearing at the corner of her lips. She managed a piteous smile, having known for a long time that this woman was ruthless.
Since she had been discovered, was there any hope of survival?
She raised her eyes, looking at the approaching figure in pale blue. In the past, this woman had been so ugly that even the Emperor was unwilling to look at her more than necessary. How had she become so dazzlingly radiant, and at the same time, so vicious?
So ruthless, showing no mercy. Truly worthy of being the Empress. She gave a bitter laugh. Liu Liu crouched down, her smile chilling.
"I will make you understand what a foolish thing you have done," Liu Liu said disdainfully. She turned and called out to Mu Xing in the Empress Dowager's arms.
"Mu Xing, come, let her see that my son is not so easily bullied, even though he is only five."
Her tone was utterly arrogant, her presence exuding a domineering aura that looked down on the world. Everyone in the grand hall was stunned by her demeanor, and at the same time, bewildered by her words. They all turned to look at Mu Xing in the Empress Dowager's arms. Could it be that the Crown Prince was unharmed?
Little Mu Xing quickly opened his eyes, blinking with his bright and spirited eyes. He rolled his gaze, pursed his lips, and revealed a smile, dimples appearing on his cheeks, making him utterly adorable. "Imperial Grandmother, you won't blame me, will you? I was faking it. It was all to expose this woman."
For a moment, everyone in the grand hall froze, and then immense joy erupted. The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the eunuchs, the palace maids, and the imperial physicians.
Joy radiated from every face. It turned out the Crown Prince was not poisoned at all. Who would have thought that the little Crown Prince would be so astute, able to see through Zhang Xiuyi's scheme? He was clearly destined to be a formidable figure when he grew up.
After everyone's initial elation, someone became displeased. The Emperor's stern face turned towards his son. "Mu Xing, since you are unharmed, how could you frighten your father and imperial grandmother like this?"
Mu Xing pursed his lips and smiled, nestling into the Empress Dowager's embrace, and softly called out, "Imperial Grandmother, Father is so fierce."
The Empress Dowager immediately embraced Mu Xing's small form with affection, turning to face the displeased Emperor and waving her hand.
"Enough. It is simply because he is so clever. Otherwise, who knows what might have happened by now? Do you truly wish for something to happen to him? Moreover, he did this to expose that vile woman. In essence, this child is truly brilliant, and deeply cherished by this old woman."
Since the Empress Dowager had spoken thus, the Emperor, even if he wanted to reprimand his son, had no opportunity. He let the young Mu Xing off the hook and turned his gaze back to Zhang Xiuyi on the ground.
He had not expected this woman to possess such a venomous heart. She herself had no children, so why wouldn't she spare another's child? Yet, she had always gotten along well with Yu Lou. Why would she harm Mu Xing? Feng Xie flung his hand and sat back down on a nearby seat, speaking in a grim tone.
"Zhang Xiuyi, speak. Why did you poison the Crown Prince? Were you instructed by someone?"
Feng Xie asked suspiciously, as Zhang Xiuyi's poisoning was utterly illogical.
If Lou Sijing had been the one to poison him, it would have made some sense. After all, a woman would do anything for her own child. But Zhang Xiuyi had no children, and it was unlikely she would commit such an act for someone else's child.
Zhang Xiuyi's face was ashen, her body trembling. Today, she was fated to die.
If she handed over Consort Lou, what benefit would there be?
This cold, sinister woman before her would certainly not spare her father and brothers. Now that the Crown Prince was not killed, Lou Sijing would not be able to save her father and brothers either.
It seemed this was all a calamity for the Zhang family. Zhang Xiuyi gave a tragic smile, her gaze landing on Yu Lou. Like a frightened little rabbit, her eyes were red with resentment, glaring hatefully at the Emperor and Empress.
And at everyone else in the grand hall. Zhang Xiuyi suddenly laughed inwardly. She would absolutely not betray Lou Sijing.
Yu Lou was a malignant tumor within the royal family. This tumor would eventually grow and burst. Even if her Zhang family died, they would not let the Feng family prosper. Zhang Xiuyi's face became contorted and hideous.
Liu Liu didn't know what she was thinking. In any case, this woman was clearly plotting something. She slowly crouched down, smiling elegantly. Since she wanted to play this game, how could she refuse to participate?
"It seems you have nothing you wish to say. I do not wish to force you, but I want you to know that the nine generations of your Zhang family were not necessarily doomed to die. They were only to be imprisoned, with sentences determined by their crimes. However, you have now attempted to murder the Crown Prince, therefore, your Zhang family and all nine generations of your clan shall perish."
Liu Liu stood up, laughing wildly. The hall was filled with a cool stillness. The palace maids and eunuchs dared not even breathe. The Empress was not only beautiful but also acted with such audacious ferocity.
The flamboyant, unrestrained killing intent that radiated from her suggested that anyone who provoked her would suffer dearly. It was understandable, as the Empress had dared to leave the imperial palace with Crown Prince Mu Xing, and now she had returned. A person who could even provoke the Emperor was naturally exceptionally astute.