Chapter 318 Huge Waves
lethal.
When Daxiong said these two words in a cheerful and relaxed tone, Shen Yuexi felt as if a thunderbolt had sounded, making it impossible for her to breathe.
The medicine was poisonous, and deadly. If she drank it, she would surely die.
This news was too sudden and too terrifying. Her mind went blank, her ears were buzzing, and she didn't know where her thoughts were going.
In the midst of confusion, a voice sounded from a very far away place. It was completely inaudible, like a moth flapping its wings. I could only barely make out three words.
Then, the voice rang out again, becoming clearer from faint, almost flying towards her, like a sharp spear piercing the buzzing tinnitus.
"Princess An?"
The voice finally became clear. It was Queen Wen calling her.
"Ah... Her Majesty," she gathered her shattered soul and turned to look at Queen Wen.
Empress Wen was leaning over to look at her, her eyes full of concern. She asked, "Why did you stop so suddenly? What are you thinking about?"
Only then did Shen Yuexi notice that she was still holding the spoon, the medicinal soup still steaming slightly. Her shock seemed to last only a moment. Queen Wen noticed her hesitation and asked.
"This medicine... tastes too bitter." Shen Yuexi gave Queen Wen an apologetic smile.
Faced with such a terrifying thing, she would have screamed in the past. But after going through so many storms, her mind had matured, and even when she was extremely panicked, she was still able to control her expression.
Although Empress Wen was right in front of her and it was Empress Wen who persuaded her to take the medicine, this does not mean that Empress Wen was the one who poisoned her. The medicine was given by Emperor Ming of Qi and passed through several hands before it reached her.
She couldn't guess who the real person who poisoned her was yet, so she couldn't rashly accuse Queen Wen.
Queen Wen sat up straight again and said with a smile:
"Good medicine tastes bitter. If Princess An finds it too bitter, you can add some sugar. However, this medicine must be taken while it's hot to be effective. It will be ineffective if you drink it cold."
Shen Yuexi pretended to listen, but in her heart, she was talking to Big Bear.
"Big Bear, tell me quickly, what kind of toxin is in the medicine?"
"Dear master, the food in your hand contains a specific dose of Gelsemium elegans. Also known as Gelsemium elegans, it belongs to the Loganaceae family. If consumed, symptoms will manifest within 24 hours. The main symptoms are respiratory paralysis, and ultimately death from respiratory arrest..."
Shen Yuexi interrupted Daxiong's introduction and thought to herself, "No need for a detailed introduction. Are there any other toxins in the medicine?"
"Dear Master, Big Bear only detected Gelsemium in this food..."
"Okay, make one kilogram of Gelsemium right away."
"Dear Master, we are collecting the raw materials needed for Gelsemium... Progress 0.4%... 0.7%..."
As Daxiong began to collect, Empress Wen had just finished her words. Shen Yuexi seized the opportunity to continue, saying, "Empress, how could I possibly deserve such honor? Your Majesty is so busy with so many things, yet you still have to worry about me."
She was sedated by the big bear extracting the poison.
The person who poisoned her was most likely Xiao Beiheng. His subordinate, Lin Kui, was now the Minister of Personnel, close to the emperor, so perhaps he was the one who poisoned her. After all, this Lin Kui had a criminal record. When she and Xiao Zhuo were guests at the Dingbei Army camp, Lin Kui had once given Xiao Zhuo poisoned wine, but she had managed to deflect the poison with some foolishness.
Although it was not confirmed yet, Shen Yuexi couldn't help but feel angry and sad.
What made her angry was that Empress Wen had come to Shengjing in person to plead for Xiao Beiheng, and she had agreed, but she didn't expect Xiao Beiheng to still not let her go. She was his sister-in-law.
Sadly, she thought that after Emperor Ming of Qi and Xiao Zhuo reunited, there would be no more trouble. Unexpectedly, the calm sea surface was once churned, and a huge wave crashed down. If the universal manufacturing machine hadn't enabled the food monitoring function during its last upgrade, she would never know how she died.
It's so cruel. Remember, she's pregnant. If she dies, the baby won't survive either.
She was in a state of turmoil, a struggle between her conscience and her conscience, but Empress Wen didn't notice. She smiled and said, "From what you said, His Majesty knew you were pregnant and specially summoned the imperial physician to prepare medicine for you. He originally wanted to send it by messenger, but I happened to be coming to Shengjing, so I brought it here as well."
Shen Yuexi forced a smile and said, "The Queen personally brought medicine to me. I am deeply grateful."
"No need to be modest, drink it quickly, the medicine is cold." Queen Wen said with a smile, reached out to the fruit plate on the table, took an orange, and lowered her head to peel the orange peel.
Shen Yuexi lowered her eyes and glanced at the spoon.
Just as Empress Wen said, the medicine was ready to drink. This was the medicine bestowed by Emperor Ming of Qi, and she had to drink it.
She pretended to wet her lips with it again, as if tasting it, waiting for Big Bear to finish collecting.
"2.2%... 2.2%... Dear Master, insufficient raw materials, production interrupted."
"Stop the production. Big Bear, is there any deadly toxin in the medicine soup now?" Shen Yuexi asked Big Bear in her heart.
This involves her life, she must be extremely cautious.
"Dear Master, Big Bear has detected that the medication you are taking is a specially formulated pregnancy-preserving drug from the ancient imperial court. It is primarily intended for pregnant women between seven and twelve weeks of pregnancy. All indicators of this medication comply with the Drug Safety Law. If you are dissatisfied with the results of this consultation, please contact the manufacturer of the food monitoring module to file a complaint. The contact information is..."
"Stop it, thanks Big Bear."
Shen Yuexi mentally stopped Daxiong from continuing, opened her mouth and poured the medicine in the spoon into her mouth.
The medicine was warm, thick and bitter, but she could drink it now without worry or hesitation.
As she drank, she glanced at Queen Wen from the corner of her eye. Although she seriously suspected Xiao Beiheng, Queen Wen, as the person who gave her the medicine, could not be ruled out as a suspect.
If Empress Wen was the one who poisoned her, she would definitely show abnormal behavior when she drank the medicine.
She had this experience from Lin Kui. Back then, when Lin Kui poisoned Xiao Zhuo at the banquet, he was visibly nervous when he saw Xiao Zhuo drink the wine, and even sweat broke out on his forehead.
However, she observed for a long time, and until she finished drinking the medicine, Queen Wen did not show any abnormality. She peeled the orange and ate the orange with a natural expression and without any delay in her movements. There was no trace of nervousness.
From this point of view, Queen Wen's suspicion should be ruled out.
What surprised her was that after drinking the medicine, her nausea and vomiting were much relieved.
This had happened before. After two hours, she would start feeling nauseous and vomiting again. She thought it was just like usual and didn't take it seriously.
"Empress, I have finished the medicine." Shen Yuexi put the spoon back into the medicine bowl and picked up the handkerchief to wipe the remaining juice from the corner of her mouth.
When Empress Wen saw her drink the medicine, she smiled and put down the half-eaten orange. Just as she was about to speak, Xia Lan hurried in, greeted the two of them, and said:
"Your Majesty, Princess An. Prince An's southern expedition has successfully quelled the rebellion, and his army is returning triumphantly. Prince An himself will arrive in Shengjing this afternoon."
Hearing this, Shen Yuexi stood up in surprise.
Having suffered such a devastating change, Shen Yuexi had been eagerly awaiting Xiao Zhuo's swift return. However, the army's journey to Jingzhou required a southward march through the border, along the borders of Liang, Sheng, and Jing. The journey alone would take a month, and she expected to return no later than October. Unexpectedly, Xiao Zhuo had returned first, leaving the army behind. This was truly beyond her expectations.
She looked at Queen Wen in surprise and said, "Your Majesty, Prince An has returned today. It's a good opportunity for you to meet him."
Empress Wen raised her hand to straighten her veil and said, "Princess An, you have taken the medicine. I have already carried out one of His Majesty's two decrees. I am concerned about Prince Ping, so I will return to the capital now."
Shen Yuexi was puzzled and asked, "Why is the Queen so anxious? Why don't you have lunch here before leaving?"
"I would also like to stay and see Prince An, but Prince Ping is ill, and as his mother, I am truly worried," Empress Wen said, standing up and calling the palace maids. "Arrange a carriage and return to the capital immediately."
Seeing that Queen Wen was anxious to leave, Shen Yuexi had no choice but to shut up and stand up to see Queen Wen out.
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