Pei was very frightened.
The emperor's eyes were so scary, it was clear that he didn't trust anyone.
After all, the only people who could come into contact with Concubine Xiao Shufei were the palace maids in Changchun Palace and the people from Prince Ning's Mansion.
Who can guarantee that it wasn’t someone from Prince Ning’s Mansion who poisoned him?
Pei dares to guarantee it, but the emperor must also believe it.
Inside the hall, the air seemed to have stopped flowing, making people feel suffocated.
Liu Yi felt timid.
Before, Liu Zhao said that the emperor was suspicious, but he did not expect that the emperor was so suspicious to this extent.
Before finding out the whole story, the emperor actually suspected that Prince Ning's Mansion had poisoned Concubine Shu.
Liu Yi thought it was ridiculous.
The people in Prince Ning's Mansion are not crazy, so how could they poison Concubine Xiao Shufei?
Just use your brain to think about it and you will know!
Liu Yi lowered his head, thinking to himself, no wonder my father always said that my grandfather was old and confused. Now it seems that he is indeed old and confused. And he is completely confused.
Gu Jiu and Liu Zhao exchanged a glance.
Neither of them felt well.
The emperor's suspicion is truly suffocating.
Gu Jiu silently asked Liu Zhao, "What should we do?"
Liu Zhao had a blank expression on his face. The only thing he could do now was to wait.
Wait for the Jinwu Guards to find clues.
A captain of the Jinwu Guard hurried to Wei Zhong, reported the situation quietly, and handed him something.
Wei Zhong nodded and said, "Continue investigating."
The captain took the order and left.
Wei Zhong took a deep breath, strode into the hall, and knelt on one knee. "Your Majesty, I have found this."
After saying this, he raised a folded piece of cloth in both hands.
Chen Dachang took the cloth and confirmed that there was no problem before handing it to the emperor for review.
The emperor opened the cloth with a gloomy expression. It was covered with ghostly scribbles written in blood. Because of the passage of time, the blood had dried up and turned black and red.
The scribbles on the cloth looked like traces of blood left by someone who had been injured and had casually wiped it with the cloth.
If you look closely, you will find that these ghostly scribbles were written by humans, rather than traces left by wiping off blood.
The emperor narrowed his eyes in shock. Others didn't know the meaning of these cryptic symbols, but the emperor knew them clearly.
Because not long ago, the emperor saw a similar symbol and a kidnapping case occurred.
According to investigations, this is a symbol created by the mysterious force behind the kidnapping case to communicate with each other.
The emperor's face turned ashen.
There are still remnants of the kidnapping case in the palace. It seems that they have not been killed enough.
He threw the cloth to Chen Dachang, "Do you understand?"
Chen Dachang looked embarrassed. He only understood a symbol, but it was meaningless.
"I am an incompetent slave and I don't understand."
"Call someone who can understand."
Chen Dachang whispered, "Minister Li might recognize the symbols on it."
"Ask Minister Li to come see me."
Minister Li, who had been involved in a kidnapping case, had studied these symbols and might be able to decipher the meaning of the cloth.
The emperor stared at Wei Zhong, "Where did you find it? Where is the person?"
"Your Majesty, it was found in the bedroom of a Nei Kei. However, that Nei Kei has hanged himself."
"ah?"
Pei exclaimed, "Is someone really trying to harm the Empress? Are there spies planted in Changchun Palace?"
The emperor's face was gloomy, as if a dark cloud was pressing down on him.
Pei's face was filled with fear and trepidation.
Liu Zhao stepped forward and said, "Grandfather, please allow me to participate in the investigation. According to the imperial physician, the poison that the Empress has contracted is extremely rare. If we cannot find the mastermind behind this and obtain the antidote, the imperial physicians may be unable to remove the poison."
Liu Yi also took the opportunity to stand up, "My grandson also wants to participate in the investigation. I will never forgive those who dared to poison the queen."
Everyone looked at the emperor, waiting for his decision.
The emperor snorted coldly, "The Jinwu Guard will investigate this matter. You two must not interfere."
Liu Yi was horrified. They had already found clues, but Grandfather Emperor still didn't believe them?
He subconsciously looked at Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao's face was calm. He had already expected this result when he stood up to speak.
The reason why they had to stand up was because the Ning Wang Mansion needed to express its attitude in front of the emperor.
So he pleaded again, "Please grant me your blessing, Grandfather."
Having said that, he knelt down directly.
Liu Yi followed suit and knelt down, "Please grant me your blessing, Grandfather."
Liu Yi was very smart. He was well aware of his own shortcomings, so he wisely gave up the idea of acting on his own and simply followed Liu Zhao's lead.
He did what Liu Zhao did, and this way, he could ensure that there would be no mistakes.
Now I don't seek to achieve anything, but to avoid mistakes. First, I need to get through this stage successfully before I can think of anything else.
The emperor looked at his two grandsons and said with a stern face: "Since you want to kneel, then keep kneeling."
Liu Yi was speechless.
He was completely confused by the emperor's capricious personality.
what to do?
Do you really want to continue kneeling?
He glanced secretly at Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao didn't move, just knelt obediently. So he could only kneel obediently.
Pei opened her mouth to speak, but was stopped by Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu shook his head slightly at Pei.
The emperor was extremely sensitive at this moment. Any slight movement would make him alert.
The emperor would misinterpret any sentence into different meanings.
It is wise to remain silent.
Gu Jiu exchanged a look with Liu Zhao calmly.
The two knew in their hearts that their hope lay with Minister Li.
However, Minister Li's position was ambiguous.
What if he deliberately misinterpreted the meaning of the symbols on the cloth and led the clues to Prince Ning's Mansion?
Gu Jiu was deeply worried.
All because, at this moment, the emperor has no rationality at all.
The emperor was so angry about the poisoning that he went berserk.
If he dared to poison Concubine Xiao Shufei, he might as well poison him, the emperor.
The emperor shuddered at the thought that one day someone around him might poison him and he might die from poisoning.
The fear in his heart devoured the emperor's reason, causing his eyes to turn red and looking as if he was ready to devour someone, which was extremely scary.
Gu Jiu gritted his teeth and thought deeply.
Is it possible to bribe Minister Li and reach a cooperation?
She looked at Liu Zhao again.
Liu Zhao had already lowered his head and did not receive her message.
what to do?
"Your Majesty, Minister Li has arrived."
A eunuch walked into the hall to report.
"Send him in."
The emperor sat on the chair with his horse and golden sword, looking majestic without being angry.
The atmosphere in the hall was gloomy.
The heating was on and it was warm as spring, but everyone was still shaking uncontrollably.
Ouyang Fu protected her belly, very scared.
She felt very bad.
She was very worried about the baby in her belly, wondering what would happen if something happened to it.
She subconsciously asked Gu Jiu for help.
Gu Jiu held her hand, giving her strength. He opened his mouth and said silently, "Don't be afraid!"
Ouyang Fu's face was pale and sweat had already appeared on her head.
Minister Li walked into the hall with a chill all over his body.
"Your humble servant pays respect to Your Majesty."
"No need to be polite."
The emperor gave him a look, and Chen Dachang handed the cloth to Li Shizhong cleanly, "Please take a look, my Lord Shizhong."
When Minister Li took the cloth and looked at it, his brows immediately frowned.
The emperor asked, "Do you know what is written on it?"
Minister Li frowned and said, "These symbols roughly mean murder and revenge."
"ah!"
Pei exclaimed again.
Gu Jiu was surprised. She didn't expect that Minister Li did not take the opportunity to suppress Prince Ning's Mansion.
But in the past, Minister Li was clearly a member of the wise and true Queen Cui's man, which indirectly meant he was a member of the Prince of Chu's Palace.
However, since Minister Li was able to gain the trust of the emperor, it was clear that he had his own political stance and was by no means a loyal lackey of the Chu Palace.
Perhaps after the death of Empress Cui Ruizhen, Minister Li had already changed his position and stood on the side of the emperor, becoming a loyal minister.
Gu Jiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Minister Li does not favor anyone, it will be the best outcome.
She firmly believed that no one in Prince Ning's Mansion would poison Concubine Xiao Shufei.
No matter what the purpose is, Prince Ning's Mansion will not do this.
The emperor looked confused and asked, "Are you sure it's revenge?"
Minister Li nodded, "I am certain that this is what the silk says."
After a pause, he continued, "Your Majesty, these symbols are consistent with those found in the kidnapping case. Could it be that the remnants of the kidnapping want revenge on Prince Ning? It was Prince Ning and Prince Zhao who uncovered this case, so it makes sense that the remnants would want revenge."
Pei couldn't control herself any longer and burst into tears. "If they wanted revenge, why didn't they go to the palace? Why did they poison the queen? The queen has suffered an unprovoked disaster."
"I beg the Emperor to take charge of the matter for the Empress. This matter was caused by my grandson, and I will definitely catch the remaining kidnappers." Liu Zhao said in a resounding voice.
Liu Yi refused to give in. "The remnants of the kidnappers are truly too rampant. They even dared to poison the palace and murder the Empress. If they are capable of such a cruel and insane act, what else would they not dare to do?"
This is exactly what the emperor is worried about.
The emperor chuckled coldly, "It seems I am still too merciful. If you dare to poison Concubine Shu, do you dare to poison me too? Investigate, turn the palace upside down, and exterminate all the remaining kidnappers. I don't want any survivors."
Wei Zhong obeyed the order.
The emperor's order means heads rolling.
Pei took the opportunity to burst into tears.
The emperor ordered the imperial physician to do his best to detoxify Concubine Shu, and then left.
Liu Zhao stood up from the ground and said, "Thank you, Minister Li."
Minister Li looked Liu Zhao up and down. "I only did what I had to do. Your Excellency has no need to thank me. The poisoning of Concubine Shu is truly horrifying. What are your thoughts?"
"May I ask what your Excellency's thoughts are?"
Minister Li said, "I have no other ideas. My Lord is busy, so I will take my leave."
"I'll give the Minister a ride."
Liu Zhao personally saw Li Shizhong out.
The two walked side by side, with no one else around.
Liu Zhao took the opportunity to say, "Prince Ning's Mansion owes Lord Li a favor."
Minister Li stopped and looked at Liu Zhao with a half-smile. "I wonder how the Ning Wang Mansion plans to thank me?"
"How would you like us to thank you, Lord Li? Please feel free to ask."
Minister Li smiled and said, "Do you know why I am helping you? You should know that I am the only one in the court who can decipher those symbols. I can just talk nonsense and bring your Ning Wang Mansion to ruin."
"Please explain clearly, Lord Li."
Minister Li smiled and said, "Because I have a private agreement with Prince Ning."
Liu Zhao raised his eyebrows. He really didn't know about this.
When did Prince Ning reach an agreement with Minister Li?
Minister Li laughed heartily. "Prince Ning is sincere, so I must repay him. You can write to him and tell him exactly what happened today. When he returns to the capital, I will ask for his reward."
Liu Zhao looked suspicious.
Minister Li did not want to say more and left on his own.
Liu Zhao returned to the main hall, and Pei asked hurriedly, "How is it?"
"Don't worry, mother, everything is fine for now."
"Is it really the remnants of the kidnappers who poisoned the queen?" Pei was half-believing and half-doubting.
How powerful must they be, how terrifying must their influence be, and how deeply they must be hidden to be able to make a comeback after the last purge.
If one really had such ability, just thinking about it would make one shudder.
No wonder the emperor is so irritable.
Liu Zhao said, "The Jinwu Guard will investigate this matter thoroughly."
In fact, Liu Zhao also had many questions in his heart.
Are the remnants of the kidnapping gang really so bold? How long after the kidnapping case did they dare to poison?
The kidnapping investigation revealed that this group of people were meticulous, patient, and bold. They could lie dormant for ten or twenty years to achieve a goal.
Even if the remnants of the kidnappers wanted to take revenge, based on their past behavior, they shouldn't act so quickly.
Moreover, the clues came too easily.
The remnants of the kidnappers have been lurking in the palace for decades or even hundreds of years. How could such a huge and mysterious organization keep the evidence of the crime with them and refuse to destroy it?
Why didn't the espionage officer who hanged himself destroy the evidence of the crime before committing suicide?
Too many questions.
Liu Zhao vaguely felt that the poisoning of Concubine Shu might not have been done by the remnants of the kidnappers.
Some people also understood the symbol of kidnapper and used the name of kidnapper to stir up trouble in the palace.
But, what is the purpose?
What was the real purpose of poisoning Concubine Shu?
Pei was panicked. "Zhao'er, tell me the truth. What happened? Is the queen in danger?"
Liu Zhao said, "The imperial physician will do his best to treat the Empress, please rest assured, Mother."
"This princess wants to know what's going on."
Everyone looked at Liu Zhao, waiting for his answer.
Liu Zhao refused and said, "I don't know what's going on either."
Pei frowned, "Could it really be the remnants of the kidnapper seeking revenge?"
"In this case, the palace will not be safe either." Liu Yi muttered.
Pei was worried. "You brothers go back first. I will stay in the palace to guard the queen. Eldest wife, fourth wife, you both stay as well. Second wife, you are pregnant, please leave the palace and go back home to rest."
Ouyang Fu's face turned pale, she was really afraid that something might happen to her.
Ouyang Fu heaved a sigh of relief when she heard Pei ask her to go back.
Regardless of whether it was the remnants of the kidnappers seeking revenge, the first priority was to protect Concubine Shu.
"Mother, you've been tired all day. Rest first. Your Majesty, your daughter-in-law is here to watch over you."
Gu Jiu volunteered.
After all, she knows medicine, so she is the most suitable person to take care of Concubine Shu.
Pei nodded tiredly, "My princess and Qin'er will rest first and then take your place in the evening."
Gu Jiu nodded.
She came to the bedroom and sat in front of the bed.
Taking the opportunity to tuck in the quilt for Concubine Xiao Shu, he took the opportunity to check her pulse.
The imperial physician gave Concubine Xiao Shufei an antidote pill, but it was useless. Her pulse grew weaker.
She couldn't help but frown.
"What's going on now?"
Liu Zhao walked in from outside.
Gu Jiu was surprised, "Why haven't you left yet?"
"I'm worried, so I came to check it out. I'll be leaving in a moment."
Gu Jiu tucked the quilt for Concubine Shu, then got up and went outside.
After making sure that no one was around, she lowered her voice and said, "The imperial physician gave the queen an antidote pill, but it seems to have no effect."
Liu Zhao frowned. "Is it dangerous? How long will it take?"
Gu Jiu said, "The poison in your majesty's body is very strange, I have never seen it before. Given your majesty's current condition, you can probably hold on for another half a month."
Liu Zhao said: "Half a month is enough."
She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you think this wasn't done by the remnants of the kidnappers?"
"You feel the same way?" Liu Zhao was surprised.
Gu Jiu nodded. "The mysterious force behind the kidnapping case is clearly a well-organized, rigorous, patient, and bold organization. They've just suffered a heavy blow, so they should lick their wounds, lie dormant, and gather strength to fight again someday. Instead of rushing out and poisoning and retaliating."
Liu Zhao nodded and asked, "What do you think?"
Gu Jiu whispered, "Someone is acting as a kidnapper. We don't know what their purpose is yet. But since they know the kidnapper's contact symbols, perhaps this person is also a eunuch, or even a member of the mysterious force behind the kidnapping case.
Poisoning the empress could be a personal vendetta, or it could be a borrowed knife scheme. Could it be that the mysterious forces have turned against each other, and someone wants to use the emperor's butcher knife to eliminate dissidents?
"And I chose to poison the Empress, not the other concubines, simply because you and my father uncovered the kidnapping case. This is a good opportunity to link the two events together and bring up the kidnapping case again."
Liu Zhao looked at her and asked, "Who do you think is the most suspicious?"
Gu Jiu shook his head. "There are too many suspects. I think we can start the investigation with Minister Li. After all, as far as we know, he is the only one who understands the kidnapper symbol."
Liu Zhao laughed, "We thought of the same thing."
Minister Li's overtures seemed strange and abrupt. He claimed to have an agreement with Prince Ning, but Liu Zhao did not believe him.
It’s time to investigate Minister Li thoroughly.
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