Chapter 175 Poisoning Outbreak
Shen Qingci glanced discreetly at the screen, then whispered to Yuanbao, "As long as His Majesty's absolute safety is ensured, if he wants to see, let him see as much as he wants."
Yuanbao instantly understood her intention and nodded emphatically.
He did not leave immediately, but instead turned back to the bedside, pretending to be extremely anxious, and together with Physician Li, they discussed Chu Jichen's condition in low voices.
Shen Qingci said no more, turned around and left the side hall, going straight to the study next door that was used to temporarily look after everyone.
As Liu Wenyuan watched her enter, a glint of light flashed in his cloudy old eyes. He sat upright in his armchair and asked in a deep voice, "Has Your Highness found out what poison the Prince has been poisoned with? And... who did it?"
Shen Qingci narrowed her eyes, looking at his feigned composure, and sneered inwardly.
She didn't answer, but slowly placed the teacup and the packet of black powder wrapped in white paper that she had taken from the two officials onto the table.
“The two things we suspect right now,” she said coldly.
"Imperial Physician Li is currently busy treating the Prince's poison and has no time to spare. Therefore, the task of examining the poison can only be done by me, the Princess Consort."
Upon hearing this, Liu Wenyuan scoffed, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt: "Princess Consort? You... do you know medicine?"
"No." Shen Qingci shook her head, completely unconcerned by his sarcasm.
The mockery in Liu Wenyuan's eyes became increasingly obvious.
Shen Qingci smiled, a smile that seemed eerie and dangerous: "This princess consort indeed does not know medicine. But... to know whether these two things are poisonous or not, actually... one does not need medicine."
Before she could finish speaking, she directly instructed Qin Yun behind her, "Go and bring the silver teapot filled with tea from the side hall!"
Qin Yun immediately accepted the order and left, returning soon with a silver pot.
Shen Qingci picked up the white porcelain teacup that had been taken from the official and poured the packet of black powder into it.
Then, she picked up the silver teapot and poured in a full cup of boiling hot tea.
The black powder quickly diffused in the water, turning into a cup of water that was no different from ordinary tea.
She picked up the cup of tea, swirled it, and then looked at Liu Wenyuan and the two officials behind him who were already ashen-faced with a half-smile.
"Since this teacup and ink powder were both found on these two gentlemen, then... please, gentlemen, drink this cup of tea together, shall we?"
"Whether it's poisonous or not, you'll know once you try it..."
"Your Highness!" Liu Wenyuan's face instantly darkened. "Isn't your action... somewhat inappropriate?"
"Not appropriate?" Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci laughed, a laugh filled with endless sarcasm. "The Prince has been poisoned by a strange poison under the watchful eye of Your Excellency the Prime Minister, and his life hangs in the balance. Is that appropriate?"
“In that case,” her gaze suddenly shifted to Liu Wenyuan, icy and piercing, “why not… Your Excellency the Prime Minister, drink this cup?”
Liu Wenyuan's expression grew increasingly cold, his voice filled with threat: "Shen Qingci! You dare?!"
"What do I have to be afraid of?"
The smile on Shen Qingci's face vanished completely, replaced by an unprecedented madness and determination!
"I am Chu Jichen's lawfully wedded wife! If anything happens to him, I, the princess consort... will probably not survive either!"
"Since death is inevitable, I will risk my life to find out the truth for the prince and kill the real culprit before I die!"
"The prince was under your supervision when the incident occurred. If I don't turn to you, who else can I turn to?!"
"Since Your Excellency the Prime Minister is unwilling to try it yourself, then this princess consort will have no choice but to... trouble those two gentlemen!"
As she spoke, she gave a wink to Ye Lan and another guard behind her!
The two immediately understood, and with a swift movement, they pounced on the two officials like ghosts!
But just as they were about to approach the two officials, they suddenly turned around and, with lightning speed, grabbed Liu Wenyuan, who was sitting in the armchair, from the left and right!
This sudden turn of events stunned everyone!
At the same time, Shen Qingci had already stepped forward quickly, carrying a cup of dark tea!
Taking advantage of the moment when Liu Wenyuan opened his mouth in shock and anger, she grabbed his chin, flicked her wrist, and poured the entire cup of spiked tea down his throat!
"Ugh—!"
"Master Prime Minister!"
The surrounding officials were shocked and tried to step forward to stop him!
Shen Qingci suddenly turned her head, her crimson phoenix eyes filled with bloodthirsty madness!
"Liu Wenyuan is in my hands!" she shouted sharply. "Let's see who dares to step forward!!"
Everyone was instantly intimidated by her terrifying aura, and no one dared to move an inch!
Shen Qingci forced down the entire cup of poisoned tea before abruptly releasing his grip.
Liu Wenyuan collapsed to the ground, clutching his neck and coughing violently, his old face turning a deep purplish-red!
Enraged, he pointed at Shen Qingci and raised his voice to call for help: "Guards! Guards! Kill this madwoman on the spot!"
Shen Qingci merely looked at him with a half-smile, her eyes filled with pleasure: "Prime Minister, you can't stand it already?"
"Weren't you... quite happy when you placed the Regent under house arrest?"
She slowly squatted down, her voice filled with innocence and sarcasm: "This princess only wants to find out the real culprit who poisoned the prince as soon as possible. I'm sure... the Prime Minister will understand, won't he?"
“Furthermore,” a wicked glint flashed in her eyes, “if Your Excellency is truly innocent, then the tea, teacup, and ink powder are all harmless. Drinking them will only soothe your throat.”
"At that time, I, the Princess Consort, will naturally... apologize to you."
"But what if... it's poisonous..."
Liu Wenyuan trembled with rage at her arrogant demeanor! He had never suffered such humiliation before!
"This is outrageous! This is utterly defying the heavens!" He pointed at Shen Qingci and roared hysterically at his trusted guards, "What are you all standing there for?! Take this madwoman down on the spot!"
Ye Lan and another guard immediately stepped forward, their figures as sturdy as pine trees, firmly blocking Shen Qingci's path, their bodies radiating a chilling killing intent.
Looking at their protective stance, Liu Wenyuan couldn't help but sneer, his eyes filled with disdain and madness: "Two mere bodyguards think they can protect her? That's just wishful thinking!"
"Go get me! I'll take full responsibility for anything that happens!"
"Kill them..." He was about to give the order, and have the guards behind him rush forward and hack Shen Qingci and the others to death! But as soon as he opened his mouth, a strong, sweet, and metallic taste suddenly surged up from his throat!
"puff--!"
A mouthful of jet-black blood gushed uncontrollably from his mouth, splattering all over the ground!
The entire study fell into a deathly silence instantly!
Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events!
"Prime Minister... Prime Minister?!"
"Blood! It's black blood! Your Excellency the Prime Minister... has he been poisoned?!"
Someone let out a terrified scream, instantly igniting fear in everyone present!
“These…the symptoms…” An official pointed a trembling finger at Liu Wenyuan, who had suddenly collapsed to the ground and whose face had turned ashen. His voice was filled with disbelief and horror. “Just now…the symptoms that His Highness the Regent had when he was poisoned seemed to be…the same!”
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