Chapter 20 The Heartless and Unfeeling Top Scholar

After listening, Ji Huaizhi got up and went out, his gaze falling on the umbrella-shaped flowers by the window.

The flowers in the pot are blooming beautifully, but they are placed in an inconspicuous location.

"Minister Ji, do not worry. I will definitely investigate thoroughly and find out whether it was an accident or someone did it on purpose. I will give you and Madam Ji an explanation."

The emperor made a promise to him.

Ji Huaizhi bowed and expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The emperor then asked the imperial physician, "How is Lady Ji now?"

"Madam Ji has not yet shown any symptoms, but we have already given her an antidote. It would be best to find out what caused the poisoning so that we can treat the symptoms accordingly."

The emperor felt guilty, knowing all along that they harbored ill intentions.

But he still took advantage of Ji Huaizhi's wife.

The Prime Minister's faction knew that Ji Huaizhi valued Madam Shen, and wanted to use Madam Ji to teach Ji Huaizhi a lesson.

He still made Ji Aiqing do this in order to lure the snake out.

What moved the emperor even more was that Ji Aiqing valued his wife so much, and in order to help him consolidate his power as soon as possible, he also agreed.

“What happened today is truly strange,” Prince Rong said, also puzzled.

He had just heard it too. There was nothing strange about the wine glasses and utensils, and the food was all the same. How could only Madam Ji be poisoned?

Even if it's just a smell, she wasn't the only one who smelled it.

The Empress rubbed her head, and the Emperor turned to look at her: "Is the Empress unwell?"

"It's nothing, just a little dizzy."

Actually, it wasn't just her; Jiang Xinyue was somewhat like that too.

And she felt like sneezing.

Ji Huaizhi looked at Prince Rong, and when their eyes met, he shifted his gaze to the inconspicuous flowerpot by the window.

Prince Rong followed his gaze and also saw the flowers in the corner.

He asked in confusion, "What kind of flower is this?"

Everyone's eyes turned to her, and Consort Jiang's fingertips twitched.

“This is…” one of the imperial physicians began, “a datura flower?”

Physician Xue leaned closer: "That's right."

"If this flower is ingested or its pollen comes into contact with the skin, it can cause symptoms such as dizziness and drowsiness. In more severe cases, it can lead to hysteria and difficulty breathing, and in the most serious cases, it can even be fatal."

"Heavens!" The Empress exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise, "Your Majesty!"

"Guards! Take it out!" the emperor said, his face darkening.

Consort Jiang also spoke up: "How dare you! How could these flowers appear in the palace? What are the people in the Imperial Household Department doing?"

The imperial physician immediately said, "Your Majesty and Your Highness, there is no need to panic. This flower will not cause any harm to the body in the short term. It may cause allergies and dizziness in people with weak constitutions."

"Take it outside and let the room air out."

The palace maids did as they were told.

Prince Rong: "So, Lady Ji might be thinking about this flower?"

"It shouldn't be just because of that, after all, she started feeling unwell at the banquet." Ji Huaizhi's gaze fell on the food.

Consort Jiang wrung out her handkerchief, feeling relieved that no one would discover her plan.

The emperor spoke up: "Investigate which palace maid brought those datura flowers into the palace."

"yes."

Consort Jiang pursed her lips, frowned, and stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong."

The Empress looked over and asked, "What wrong has Consort Jiang done?"

"At that time, for the Hundred Flowers Banquet, I asked the people of the Imperial Household Department to search for rare flowers in the countryside. I didn't expect them to find this flower, but I really didn't know that this flower was poisonous."

"At the time, I just thought the flower was beautiful and rare. Who would have thought... it would harm Madam Ji?"

The emperor did not speak, but his gaze fell on Ji Huaizhi.

"Minister Ji, what have you figured out?"

Ji Huaizhi noticed that some of the food contained flowers.

Are all these flowers edible?

Physician Xue and the other imperial physicians nodded:

"Yes, I have inspected these flowers and they are all edible and non-toxic."

"Yes, many pastries in the palace also contain fresh flowers."

Consort Jiang looked at Ji Huaizhi: "Lord Ji, are you suspecting that I did this on purpose?"

"I have no grudge against Madam Ji, how could this be?"

"This Hundred Flowers Banquet is bustling with people. Although it was hosted by the Imperial Concubine, I am aware that others are also suspects."

Ji Huaizhi looked at a plate of delicate shrimp, adorned with a few white flower petals.

"These crystal shrimp..."

Consort Jiang's heart sank. How could he know there was a problem?

Prince Rong also stepped forward curiously: "What's wrong with these crystal shrimp?"

"Huh? The flowers inside these shrimp are white, so why are the shrimp themselves a bit reddish?"

The imperial physician stepped forward and said, "I have just examined these shrimp. They contain locust flowers, which are non-toxic."

Prince Rong: "Why are the shrimp meat red?"

"Someone, try this dish," the emperor ordered.

Eunuch Su summoned a eunuch.

The eunuch took out his chopsticks for tasting the food and picked up a shrimp, while the imperial physician observed from the side.

Jiang Xinyue noticed that her elder sister was starting to get nervous, and she felt worried too.

"How does it taste?" Physician Xue asked.

Eunuch: "It tastes pretty good, but the shrimp has a bitter taste."

Prince Rong: "You're quite greedy. Be careful, it might be poisonous. Try some more of these locust flowers."

The eunuch paused for a moment, then thought for a moment and picked up a flower petal: "It's also a little bitter."

Imperial Physician Xue and the other imperial physicians exchanged glances: "That shouldn't be the case; locust flowers should be slightly sweet."

The emperor sneered: "Then the problem lies with this dish."

Ji Huaizhi lowered his eyes: "This red color looks like flower sap. Are there any poisonous flowers in the palace that are red? Of course, we can't rule out the possibility that it was found outside the palace."

The others exchanged glances.

The young eunuch who had just tasted the dishes spoke up: "There are red oleanders growing near the palace wall."

Seeing everyone's gaze fixed on him, he swallowed hard and continued, "When I was eating it just now, the taste seemed familiar, like the oleander from the palace wall."

Ji Huaizhi looked at the emperor: "Then this red juice must be the juice of oleander."

"This oleander is poisonous! It cannot be eaten!" the imperial physician exclaimed in shock.

The Emperor said, "Someone, go and investigate which palace servants have been to Oleander's place in the last few days!"

"yes!"

Consort Jiang comforted herself that no one had seen it; it was all done by her father's men at night.

How could anyone have seen that?

"Your Majesty, I am terrified! Who could be so wicked as to harbor such cunning?" Consort Jiang knelt before the Emperor and Empress.

"This Hundred Flowers Banquet was managed by me, and it was all due to my poor management. I am willing to accept the punishment!"

The Emperor: "Of course you must punish them! What were your subordinates doing when such a big thing happened?"

The Empress comforted him, saying, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry."

Then he looked at Consort Jiang kneeling on the ground: "Consort Jiang, even if this matter has nothing to do with you, you still bear responsibility, especially the datura flowers in this room."

"yes."

Consort Jiang appeared to be completely unaware of the situation.

He seemed quite aggrieved.

The young eunuch tasting the food looked hesitant, and Eunuch Su frowned: "What's with that expression?"

"This servant has something to report, but..."