Hong Zhengxuan frowned and carefully observed the residue that Qiao Sanhe took out from the stomach of the corpse.
The residues were an abnormal black color, which made his heart sink. He knew that these were definitely not normal food residues.
"Master Qiao, look here!" Hong Zhengxuan suddenly pointed at a piece of debris and said, "This is probably the herb that caused organ decay!"
Qiao Sanhe looked over when he heard the sound, and saw that there were indeed some tiny leaves left on the piece of residue that Hong Zhengxuan pointed to. He immediately picked up the leaf carefully, and a faint grass fragrance came to his nose, but with a hint of imperceptible bitterness.
"Yes, these are the leaves of the five-fingered ginseng!" Hong Zhengxuan said confidently. "And judging by the residue, they've been dried and purified. This also explains why his stomach, intestines, and throat are showing signs of decay."
Hearing this, Qiao Heyuan couldn't help but interrupt, "Grandfather, then, doesn't that mean Master Zhang was poisoned?"
Qiao Sanhe glanced at her and nodded slightly, saying, "Judging from the current situation, this is indeed a possibility."
After saying this, he turned to Hong Zhengxuan and said solemnly, "Doctor Hong, can you use the herbs from the five-fingered ginseng for further comparison?"
Hong Zhengxuan nodded in agreement: "Master Qiao, the Imperial Hospital happens to have some five-fingered ginseng herbs. I'll have someone fetch them right away."
During this time, everyone washed their hands and used charcoal incense to remove any bad odor from their bodies.
Not long after, the person sent to get the medicine returned to the autopsy room with a small wooden box in his hand. He opened the box and revealed well-preserved five-fingered peach leaves inside.
Qiao Sanhe took the leaf and carefully compared it with the residue taken from the corpse's stomach.
The two are exactly the same in shape, color and smell.
"As expected!" he said in a deep voice, "This corpse was indeed poisoned by taking the five-fingered peach."
Hong Zhengxuan added: "The five-fingered ginseng is extremely toxic. Once taken in excess, it will quickly corrode the internal organs and cause death. Moreover, its toxicity is difficult to detect, so it is often used as a means of assassination."
Qiao Heyuan said angrily, "How abhorrent! I never thought the Princess of Xianning would actually murder her own husband in this way."
Qiao Sanhe sighed and said, "We have finally found out something about this matter. From now on, it will be left to His Majesty to decide."
Early the next morning, Qiao Sanhe took the autopsy report to the palace and reported the results to Emperor Li Longze.
In the Qianqing Palace, Li Longze took the autopsy report handed over by Qiao Sanhe, frowned, and scanned every word in it with a deep gaze.
Empress Dowager Lu Fengqing sat aside with a worried look on her face, thinking to herself.
"Your Majesty, there's irrefutable evidence that Xianning County Princess Li Yunting murdered her husband," Qiao Sanhe said in a deep voice. "Please make the final decision, Your Majesty."
Li Longze put down the report and sighed, "Lord Qiao, I'm aware of this matter. But Prince An saved the emperor's life twice, and he saved both the late emperor and me. I simply cannot bring myself to sentence him to death."
Upon hearing this, Lu Fengqing said, "Granting the death penalty to Xianning County Lady is nothing more than a life for a life. The death penalty can be pardoned, but the living penalty cannot be escaped. It would be better to let this serve as a warning to the royal family."
Qiao Sanhe bowed and said, "Your Majesty and the Queen Mother are merciful, so I naturally dare not object. However, the law is unforgiving. The crime committed by the Princess of Xianning is too serious. If we forgive her so easily, I am afraid it will be difficult to convince the people."
Li Longze frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Minister Qiao, your words make sense. I have decided to demote the Xianning County Lady to a commoner and confine her to the cold palace of Changchun Garden, where she will live out her days. This will both honor Prince An's contributions and uphold the laws of the court."
When Lu Fengqing heard that the emperor had spared Li Yunting's life, she didn't agree in her heart. Li Yunting had been pampered since childhood, and every meal was of fine quality. Living in the cold palace would probably be more painful for her than death.
"The Emperor's move is very appropriate! Although the cold palace in Changchun Garden is cold and desolate, it is also a place for people to reflect on their mistakes."
Hearing that the Queen Mother and His Majesty had decided to give Li Yunting a lenient punishment, Qiao Sanhe was unwilling but helpless.
After all, the subsequent matters have been taken over by the Ministry of Clan Affairs, and he has no right to interfere, and it is beyond his authority.
On the day when Li Yunting was demoted to a commoner and escorted to the cold palace in Changchun Garden, another important court event also took place on the same day - the ceremony of conferring titles on the new top three.
This was not only a day that changed Li Yunting's fate, but also the starting point for those newly promoted scholars to embark on their official careers.
On the same day, some people lost and some gained. The honor and disgrace, rise and fall of the court are always so intertwined.
"Newly crowned number one scholar, Jiang Lun, receive the imperial decree!"
The shrill voice of the eunuch delivering the imperial decree echoed in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and everyone stood in silence to listen.
Jiang Lun, dressed in the red robe of a newly crowned top scholar, looked solemn as he stepped forward and knelt. "Your Highness, Jiang Lun, accepts your order."
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The newly crowned number one scholar, Jiang Lun, is exceptionally talented and is hereby appointed a sixth-rank editor to the Hanlin Academy. I hope you will diligently perform your duties and live up to the Emperor's grace. I decree this!"
"Thank you, Lord!" Jiang Lun kowtowed to express his gratitude in a firm voice.
Immediately afterwards, the second place winner Peng Zhao, the third place winner Xue Jiyan and the first place winner of the second class also came forward to receive the imperial edict and were each granted the corresponding official position.
"Peng Zhao, I have been specially appointed as a seventh-rank editor. I hope you will work diligently."
Peng Zhao respectfully accepted the order: "I will definitely live up to your expectations."
When it was the turn of the third place winner Xue Jiyan, everyone was slightly surprised.
The eunuch delivering the imperial edict announced loudly: "Xue Jiyan, you are calm and steady in your work. I hereby appoint you to the Ministry of Revenue as a seventh-rank official. I hope you will serve the country faithfully."
Xue Jiyan smiled and calmly accepted the order: "Your Majesty, I, Xue Jiyan, accept the order and thank you for your grace. I will do my best to repay your grace."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
