Chapter 86 But you, of all people, even your poisoning is so low-class.
Li Yuanzhao actually did not like drinking.
She had little interest in any of the world's indulgent and pleasurable things.
In her life, only power and that position were worth devoting all her time and energy to.
Drinking is meaningless to her, except as a waste of time and a way to numb her mind.
But today was different. Her father was in high spirits and frequently raised his cup to her during the banquet.
She couldn't refuse and drank several cups in a row.
When the palace maid beside her saw that her wine cup was empty, she immediately stepped forward to refill it, her movements respectful and efficient.
But as soon as she picked up the newly added wine glass and took her first sip, her tongue keenly detected a subtle unease.
This wine tastes slightly more astringent than the previous one, and also has a strange sweetness.
This subtle flavor is mixed in the wine and is almost undetectable unless you look closely.
Li Yuanzhao remained outwardly calm, pretending not to notice anything amiss, and continued to hold his wine glass, his gaze naturally sweeping across the room.
Her gaze swept over the smiling imperial concubine, then over the composed Prime Minister Cui, and finally landed on the Tibetan envoy who was chatting and laughing with the court officials...
Finally, without realizing it, his eyes met those of Li Yuanshu, who was sitting diagonally below him.
When the latter saw her suddenly looking over, he immediately looked away in a panic and started talking to the person next to him.
Li Yuanzhao understood, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.
She handed the wine glass she had just taken a sip from to Chen Yanqing behind her and casually instructed, "Drink it all."
Chen Yanqing was stunned for a moment, his eyes filled with confusion.
Why did she suddenly hand him her wine glass and ask him to drink?
But seeing that it was a half-finished bottle of wine, he blushed instantly and obediently took it.
He even inexplicably turned the glass around, bringing his lips to the spot where Li Yuanzhao had just touched it, before tilting his head back and drinking the remaining wine in one gulp.
Li Yuanzhao didn't look at him again. He stood up straight and apologized to the emperor on the imperial bed, "Father, I am not a good drinker. I feel dizzy and weak. I am not feeling well. I would like to step down and rest for a while."
His Majesty was engrossed in conversation with Chizudezan when he saw this and did not ask any further questions. He simply waved his hand and smiled in agreement: "In that case, you should go and rest first, and do not force yourself."
Li Yuanzhao thanked the emperor for his grace, turned around and strode out of the Linde Hall.
As soon as she reached the palace gate, she stopped and turned to Ru Mo, who was following closely behind her, and instructed him, "Go and call Xiao Lingdang and Li Yuanshu here."
After Ru Mo received the order, Li Yuanzhao did not linger and went straight to the side hall not far away.
This side hall was originally prepared for guests who needed to rest during the banquet. The hall was fully furnished, with tables and chairs, as well as beds, bathtubs and other furniture, and was very quiet.
Li Yuanzhao walked to the chair in the main seat and sat down, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, his eyes filled with gloom.
She wasn't sure if the wine was poisoned, what kind of poison it was, or if it would kill someone instantly.
But since the wine has already been swallowed, besides finding the little bell as soon as possible to check for an antidote.
Another way to avoid this is to give Chen Yanqing the drink immediately.
Is Chen Yanqing not a chosen one, so he can't die?
It's impossible that if the two of them drank the same poisoned wine, only she would die, right?
If Heaven wanted to protect him, it couldn't be so unreasonable, right?
Chen Yanqing was completely unaware of Li Yuanzhao's thoughts.
His gaze inadvertently swept over the large bed covered with brocade in the hall, and he instantly felt all the blood rush to his head, his cheeks burning hot.
He quickly looked away, somewhat embarrassed, his mind filled with confusion and panic.
Why did she bring him to a place like this?
Before long, Ru Mo sent someone to fetch the wine, along with the palace maid who had poured wine for Li Yuanzhao.
As soon as the palace maid entered the side hall and saw Li Yuanzhao, she was so frightened that she knelt down on the ground with a "plop" and trembled all over.
Before Li Yuanzhao could even begin to interrogate her, she tearfully confessed, "It was...it was Her Highness the Third Princess who instructed me to add something to the Eldest Princess's wine. I dared not disobey..."
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanzhao's expression remained unchanged; he merely glanced indifferently at the guard who had brought the palace maid in.
The guards understood immediately, and immediately stepped forward to lift the palace maid up and drag her out of the hall.
Needless to say, these pawns involved in palace intrigues will only be secretly executed.
Chen Yanqing's expression changed drastically as he watched from the side, belatedly realizing what was happening.
Li Yuanzhao's gesture of giving him that cup of wine was not a special instruction, but rather because he discovered that the wine was poisoned, which is why he handed it to him!
But why did she make me drink it?
Is she trying to drag him down with her?
Before long, Little Bell arrived in a hurry, carrying her medicine box.
Upon seeing Chen Yanqing, she showed an unnatural expression and immediately looked away.
After bowing and paying her respects, she quickly stepped forward, took the wine cup and wine pot, dipped her fingertip in the remaining wine, sniffed it lightly, and then took out a silver hairpin and probed into the wine, deftly examining it.
After a careful examination, Little Bell replied, "Sister, it's not poison."
Li Yuanzhao breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "What is that?"
With a hint of embarrassment on her face, Xiao Lingdang stammered, "This is a... potent aphrodisiac. It's very strong. After half an hour, your body will start to heat up, and you'll want... that..."
Chen Yanqing was completely dumbfounded.
aphrodisiac?
Li Yuanzhao's face darkened. "There's no antidote?"
“There is an antidote, but it takes at least an hour to prepare.” Little Bell lowered her voice, becoming increasingly embarrassed. “Moreover, this aphrodisiac is extremely potent. Once it takes effect, the body will remain in a state of constant heat, an unbearable, bone-deep discomfort. In addition, the antidote will somewhat harm the body. The most direct method right now is actually… to relieve the symptoms immediately.”
The last four words were spoken very softly, yet they were enough to make Chen Yanqing's ears burn, and even his breathing became somewhat rapid.
But Li Yuanzhao paid no attention to him and continued to ask, "Will it take effect in half an hour?"
“Yes.” Little Bell nodded.
"Go down." Li Yuanzhao waved his hand, dismissing Xiaolingdang.
Only two people remained in the room.
Chen Yanqing felt a burning sensation all over his body, unable to tell whether it was the aphrodisiac taking effect or something else...
Just as he was about to speak, the palace door was pushed open again, and Ru Mo led Li Yuanshu in.
As soon as Li Yuanshu entered the hall and saw Li Yuanzhao's expressionless face, he knew that his scheme had been completely exposed.
Her legs went weak, and she slid straight down to the ground, her face deathly pale.
She knew about Li Yuanzhao's ruthlessness.
Besides, now that she's calmed down, she regrets it.
How could I be so stupid?
"Royal sister, I was wrong!" Li Yuanshu apologized in a trembling voice. "I shouldn't have acted so foolishly. I was so angry that I lost my temper. I... I did something stupid in a moment of impulse. Please forgive me this time!"
Li Yuanzhao slowly stood up, walked to Li Yuanshu, and looked down at her. "If you had put poison in this cup of wine today that could kill someone instantly, I would have thought more highly of you."
Her voice grew colder and colder, "But you, even your poisoning is so low-class."
Li Yuanshu was so ashamed that he wanted to disappear. His face turned even paler, and his lips trembled as he tried to speak, unable to utter a single word in defense.
Li Yuanzhao looked at her expressionlessly, "You went to the Imperial Academy for a month, and all you learned was such a low-level tactic?"
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanshu felt even more ashamed and dared not look at her, wishing he could lower his head to the ground.
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