"Stop talking nonsense. You think you know anything about medicine?" The princess had just sat down when she stood up again and pointed at Gu Jiangli's nose, mocking him.

She was panting heavily, feeling guilty, and could only hide her unease by yelling angrily.

The Empress Dowager and Imperial Physician Lin's expressions changed considerably after hearing Gu Jiangli's words.

Gu Jiangli keenly noticed this; it seemed that Physician Lin had already told her the truth about the poison.

She completely ignored the eldest princess and continued:

"Your Majesty, I have only learned a little bit of the basics, and of course I am not as skilled as Physician Lin. I am sure Physician Lin can see that the poison Your Majesty has been afflicted with is not simple. Am I right?"

A bead of cold sweat trickled down the princess's forehead as she looked in the direction of Physician Lin.

Physician Lin was called upon and had no choice but to step forward, saying, "What Consort Chen says is absolutely right."

Physician Lin confirmed Gu Jiangli's words, and the Princess let out a slight tremor.

The Empress Dowager looked displeased and asked:

"I am well taken care of by Physician Lin. It is truly kind of Consort Chen to make this special trip."

Gu Jiangli bowed and replied, "I dare not accept such praise. I came here not only for the sake of the Empress Dowager's health, but also because there is something I cannot understand."

"If someone really wanted to harm the Empress Dowager, why would they choose such a clumsy method? Unless they have their head and feet reversed, who could think of such a useless way to harm people?"

"The Empress Dowager has always been in good health. Taking some highly nourishing medicine will only cause you some blood and qi imbalances, but it won't harm you at all."

"Then why would this person go to such great lengths?"

"Moreover, the person who poisoned you is Consort Lan. Since entering the palace, Consort Lan has been under your protection. I really can't understand why she would use the method of making you drink tonic to harm you."

The Empress Dowager listened silently and then fell into thought.

She was so overwhelmed by anger and shame that she almost lost her temper.

Although Gu Jiangli and she didn't get along, what he said now made some sense.

Even if Lan Huier wasn't very bright, she would never have thought of using supplements to harm people, especially since those supplements were meant for men...

It's really strange.

Seeing the Empress Dowager deep in thought, and glancing secretly at the flustered Princess, Gu Jiangli knew there was no point in staying any longer, so he quickly took his leave.

The Empress Dowager did not keep her.

The princess wanted to keep her, but after seeing the slightly warning look in her eyes, she suddenly shut her mouth.

Gu Jiangli left Cining Palace with an elegant demeanor, leaving the Empress Dowager to harbor her own suspicions.

The eldest princess walked up to the Empress Dowager and advised, "Mother, don't listen to that Consort Chen. What does she know? She's just making wild guesses and trying to show off in front of you. Consort Lan's crimes are heinous, that's an indisputable fact."

The Empress Dowager raised her hand to stop the eldest princess from continuing.

She frowned, and realized what the problem was.

"Consort Chen has indeed reminded me, Imperial Physician Lin. You said this medicine is not fatal to me, but if someone wanted to use it to harm others, who would be harmed?"

Suddenly, Physician Lin looked up, a possibility flashing through his mind.

But if his idea is true, the situation is far more serious than the Empress Dowager's poisoning.

He swallowed hard and spoke hesitantly:

"Your Majesty, if someone is born with a weak heart and lungs, and is deficient in qi and cold, the highly nourishing ingredients in this medicine will cause them to have sexual desire, while the trace amounts of poison in it will cause them to suddenly... die suddenly during the sexual desire."

When Physician Lin uttered the last two words, he knelt down with a "plop".

The Empress Dowager was startled, and then her eyes suddenly turned cold.

Insufficient heart and lung capacity, weak qi and cold body... isn't this the body of an emperor?

She was fine after drinking the medicine, but if the emperor had, it would have been a serious matter.

In other words, this person's aim was to harm the emperor, not her.

She simply drank the poison meant for the emperor by mistake.

"I see... I see."

The Empress Dowager murmured to herself.

No wonder she found it utterly absurd; it turns out the drug that aroused desire wasn't meant for her.

If the villains' plan succeeds, will the emperor die suddenly in the middle of the night while having sex with one of his concubines?

At that time, everyone will think that the emperor died under the influence of a woman's charms, and no one will think that he died from poisoning.

What a vicious heart, what despicable methods!

If that's the case, then Lan Huier could not possibly be the mastermind, because poisoning the emperor would be entirely detrimental to her.

Even if she were incredibly stupid, she wouldn't be stupid enough to poison the emperor.

"Tan'er, this matter has nothing to do with Lan Hui'er. Go tell the Emperor to investigate thoroughly and find the culprit behind this!"

The princess's hands trembled uncontrollably as she gripped them tightly to suppress the fear in her heart.

"Mother, I will go and tell my brother right away."

————

The Hall of Delan.

Gu Jiangli lay on a recliner, basking in the sun.

Lotus was peeling grapes for her.

This year's grapes are a bit sour, which suits her taste just right.

Lotus and she got along better and better, and when no one was around, there was no distinction between master and servant.

The two chatted casually.

"Your Majesty, you have spoken up for Consort Lan time and time again. Even if you really save her, she probably won't appreciate it."

Lotus disliked Lan Huier from the first moment she saw her, and wished that Lan Huier would never be able to get out of prison again.

Gu Jiangli laughed out loud, "Lotus, I'm speaking up for Lan Huier, do you really think I'm helping her?"

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