Chapter 192 Clear Observation
None of the attending imperial physicians found anything wrong with the wine, and everything else seemed normal. However, the signs of poisoning in Princess Chang Le's body did not appear to be faked, and the banquet fell silent for a moment.
The emperor's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. The Dragon Boat Festival banquet was supposed to be the first time he could celebrate with the people of the capital after the epidemic. This incident was not only a slap in the face to the imperial concubine, but also to the entire royal family.
Along the riverbank, there were countless pavilions and shops of all sizes. Not far from the royal banquet, many ordinary people and merchants spontaneously set up their own banquets.
Some busybodies noticed that more people had been suddenly deployed outside the royal pavilion, and palace servants who were accidentally peeked through the window cracks also looked frightened and uneasy. Many people realized that something was wrong.
"What happened? Why do you look so unhappy?"
"I just saw some Qilin Guards riding towards the palace. I wonder what they're going to do."
"Was that the imperial physician who just ushered in the doctor with the medicine box? Could it be that the food and drink were the problem, and someone got sick from the food?"
There are many different opinions, and no one has given a definitive answer.
However, since the royal entertainment was not to be missed, few people glanced at the dragon boat racers doing their final drills on the riverbank. Instead, they all leaned on the railings of the outer corridor, peering into the royal pavilions.
The Imperial Hospital was some distance from the Bian River. Even though the Qilin Guards rode steadily, the elderly Imperial Physician Zhang was still dizzy from the jolting and needed a while to recover before he could walk on his own.
He thought that since almost all the nobles in the palace had come to Bianhe today, he could steal a half-day of leisure. Unexpectedly, while he was still holding medicine, the Qilin Guards descended from the sky, picked him up and several imperial physicians, put them on horses, and then galloped away.
After meeting the Emperor and the Empress and hearing the whole story, Physician Zhang finally understood why they were in such a hurry.
All medicinal wines are the same. His Majesty and Empress just drank some. If it's poisonous, wouldn't the entire Qi Kingdom be thrown into chaos?
"Imperial Physician Zhang, have you discovered a problem?"
Seeing that Imperial Physician Zhang was only silently trying the medicinal wine in a few jade pots, the Consort was so anxious that she wanted to rush down directly.
"Your Majesty, this wine contains small amounts of arsenic and mercury."
"!"
The guests, barely suppressing the urge to get up and flee, stared wide-eyed.
If it were something else they hadn't heard of, that would be one thing, but arsenic? Isn't that the same as arsenic trioxide? Such a deadly poison, actually put in wine?
Although drinking small amounts will not be fatal, drinking too much will still harm your health.
Who is so ruthless and audacious as to take such a risky approach at a palace banquet?
"Impossible! I personally oversaw the preparation of this medicinal wine. It's a wonderful thing for prolonging life, how could it possibly contain arsenic? Imperial Physician Zhang, are you senile? So many of us, including His Majesty, have drunk it, why is Qi Yuxuan the only one who is unwell? Isn't it because of the 'mother-child gu' that she already had?"
The imperial concubine's face was filled with disbelief.
"Your Highness, for some reason, the poison in the wine settles mostly at the bottom layer, so the toxicity varies depending on where the wine is taken from each pot. As for the Mother-Child Gu..."
After thinking for a moment, Physician Zhang said, "Only the offspring Gu will harm the body. I wonder if Princess Chang Le has an offspring Gu or a mother Gu inside her?"
The eldest princess immediately said:
"It's the mother Gu. This is a gift from me to the princess. The offspring Gu is in one of her bodyguards."
"Death squad?"
The Imperial Concubine, as if she had seized upon some evidence, pressed on aggressively: "Princess Chang Le, a young lady, actually keeps assassins? Who can guarantee that this poisoning incident isn't just her own fabrication?"
The Imperial Concubine always spoke like this; she was charming and coquettish when she was alone with the Emperor, but she couldn't help but be a bit harsh in front of so many people.
The emperor's cold gaze swept over her, and the imperial concubine immediately shut her mouth in fear, daring not to utter another word.
The Empress then said:
“Arsenic and mercury are not something that ordinary people can buy. Even in the palace, only the Imperial Hospital has them. Quickly retrieve the records and see who has applied for these two items.”
"The drinks will be replaced. It's hot, so let's have some regular fruit drinks."
Upon receiving the order, the palace servants immediately changed the wine, and the several jars of medicinal wine were also sealed away, as this was crucial evidence.
"The Imperial Concubine was responsible for the oversight of the Dragon Boat Festival banquet. From today onwards, she should reflect on her actions in her own palace and await His Majesty's decision once the investigation is completed."
The Empress's tone left no room for argument. The Consort was indignant and wanted to argue, but when she met the Emperor's gaze, she could only reluctantly agree.
Whether it was a concubine's banquet or a palace banquet, it was ultimately arranged by the inner palace. As the head of the inner palace, the empress stepped in to settle things, and the guests did not say anything more. However, many people were still apprehensive and dared not touch their chopsticks.
"Father, Mother, in my opinion, these two poisons are not only found in the Imperial Hospital."
Princess Min-young suddenly spoke up, and everyone looked at her.
She had wanted to go over as soon as Qi Yuxuan looked unwell, but just as she was about to stand up, she saw her elder brother, the Crown Prince, sweep over her with a sharp gaze, so she had no choice but to sit back down.
What is Min-young thinking about?
When her youngest daughter spoke, the Empress became much more patient.
"Your Majesty, I have been reading a variety of books lately. I remember reading in one book that alchemists use such things to concoct elixirs of immortality, which have harmed many people. If we can take this opportunity to thoroughly investigate whether there are such alchemists in the capital, catch the culprit today, clear the name of the Consort, and prevent those alchemists from rising up and harming others, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"
Qi Minying's words caused some unease in the eyes of the top noble families in the capital.
Several families had inquired about alchemists, and some had even consumed alchemy. However, the imperial court had now explicitly prohibited the production of such heinous substances, and if an investigation were to suddenly begin, no one could escape punishment.
“Princess Min-young is just childish, acting on a whim. Those sorcerers have disappeared for many years, and their lineages have probably been lost. Why waste manpower and resources searching for them?”
"That's exactly right! We should keep our minds focused on the palace. The murderer must be someone from the harem!"
The two highly respected old dukes, one after the other, managed to suppress the curiosity that had just been aroused in everyone.
Qi Minying was not convinced and continued, "Father, Mother, even if the Imperial Hospital has it, the amount they can apply for is not enough to fill so many jars of wine. Better safe than sorry, so please investigate thoroughly, Father and Mother."
"Yes, Min-young makes a good point, Your Highness!"
The emperor, for some unknown reason, nodded in agreement with Qi Minying's statement and then called for the crown prince.
"Your subject is here."
"I will give you seven days. You will lead the Qilin Guard to thoroughly investigate the origins of these two poisonous creatures. Everyone must cooperate."
Only those close to the emperor could see that he was suppressing a faint anger in his eyes, clearly furious at the blatant act of poisoning at the palace banquet.
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