The Queen's lips curled into a smile as she took the orange-red gemstone from the gilded wooden box.
She examined it carefully: "The color is so vibrant, I've never seen anything like it before. It would definitely catch the eye if placed in a room."
“It’s extremely beautiful.” Consort Shu and Bin’er exchanged a glance.
"Is this tribute from some country? I've never seen it before," the Empress asked in surprise.
"It's not a tribute item; it's something from our Yuan Kingdom." Consort Shu smiled in relief. "It was found in the Lingyu Pavilion in our city."
“Lingyu Pavilion?” the Empress repeated.
"Yes." Consort Shu nodded firmly: "It seems that in recent years, many jewelry items in the palace have come from Lingyu Pavilion."
"Is that so?" the Queen asked, her voice drawn out.
"Look at this, we've gone off on a tangent." Consort Shu bowed to the Empress: "Your Majesty, please rest early. Once Your Majesty is better, I will come and chat with you again."
"Lan Xi, quickly help me see Consort Shu off..."
When Consort Shu left Yikun Palace.
The empress still held that orange-red gemstone in her hand.
"Your Majesty, do you really think the Empress has nothing to do with this?" Bin'er asked curiously. "She's really not afraid of being poisoned, and she kept holding that poison stone in her hand and looking at it."
Consort Shu scoffed coldly: "I really don't know."
Firstly, if you only hold the stone in your hand and look at it, and don't handle it much, you won't get poisoned at all.
If this thing really is something she and the First Prince were behind, then it's likely that they were interfering.
It was delivered to her through Madam Xia's help.
She naturally knew about the stone and would be extra careful when handling it.
But looking at her surprised and delighted expression just now, I really couldn't tell.
It's also possible that she was just acting all along.
Consort Shu couldn't figure out what was going on, and decided to stop trying.
Regardless of whether this matter has anything to do with the Empress.
In short, it must be related to the eldest prince.
This is beyond doubt.
The most crucial matter now is Lu Zhaolin's participation in the imperial examination.
The imperial edict was quickly delivered to the General's Mansion.
Lu Zhaolin was the first to disbelieve, taking the imperial edict and reading it over and over again.
“General, this is indeed the Emperor’s decree, allowing Young Master Lu to participate in the current imperial examination. Could this old servant possibly be forging an imperial edict?” Xiao Dezi couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement.
"Your Excellency misunderstands. That's not what I meant." Lu Zhaolin rolled up the imperial edict somewhat embarrassedly. "I just didn't expect His Majesty to suddenly show such mercy."
Actually, this matter...
Lu Zhaofeng also sought help from Emperor Yuanwu.
The imperial examinations were held once every three years.
If I can't participate this time, then I'll have to wait another three years.
Princess Chang'an is now dead.
Those who knew about this back then have probably been dealt with long ago.
Lu Zhaolin was unwilling to bring up the matter.
This stain is destined to follow him for the rest of his life.
Just thinking about it.
Lu Zhaofeng felt as if someone was choking him, making it hard for him to breathe.
"His Majesty issued the imperial edict at Qiluan Garden," Xiao Dezi said mysteriously.
Lu Zhaofeng was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly realized: "Thank you for your guidance, Father-in-law."
He winked at the maid.
Xiao Dezi weighed the money pouch handed to him by the maid, his mouth practically splitting into a grin: "This old servant wishes Young Master Lu all the best in his examinations."
"Thank you for your kind words, Father-in-law." Lu Zhaolin bowed.
"Once Young Master Lu obtains an official rank or title, please don't forget this old servant," Xiao Dezi said in a friendly greeting.
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