Finally returned to Weiyang Palace.
When she sat on the familiar Luohan couch, Empress Pei's body, which was as soft as mud, finally regained a little strength.
Just holding the teacup, my hands still tremble with nervousness.
Everyone present, whether it was Gu Jiu, Xiao Qin'er, or Liu Yi, was a shrewd person.
They all lowered their heads, pretending not to notice that Empress Pei's hands were shaking.
Empress Pei took a sip of hot tea, and her cold heart finally felt a little warm.
She let out the foul air that had been held in her heart for a long time and finally relaxed her body.
"Mother, are you okay? Let's ask the imperial physician to come and see you." Liu Yi asked with concern.
Empress Pei said, "Please bring in the imperial physician."
Liu Yi quickly ordered someone to invite the imperial physician in.
The imperial physician came in carrying the medicine box, and took the patient's pulse carefully without any delay.
"Your Majesty is physically exhausted and mentally exhausted. You need to rest well. I have prescribed a health-preserving prescription. Your Majesty, take it on time every day, which will help strengthen your body."
Empress Pei hummed, "I'm old and can't stay up all night. Look, after staying up all night, all my problems have come out."
Liu Yi was extremely worried. "Mother, you must take care of yourself. This harem cannot be without you."
Empress Pei smiled and waved her hand. The imperial physician packed up his medicine box and hurried out.
"Yi'er, don't worry. I will take good care of myself and won't give those ambitious people any chance."
"But what about last night's dinner?" Liu Yi asked the question that had been hidden in his mind for a long time.
Empress Pei's expression darkened. "I absolutely have no intention of harming the Empress Dowager, nor would I do such a despicable and self-destructive act."
Gu Jiu believed this.
Empress Pei was not a fool. Even if she wanted to poison someone, she couldn't do that at the banquet she had prepared.
Moreover, things like poisoning are the most taboo in the palace.
Whenever such a situation occurs, there will be a large-scale search in the harem, and countless people will suffer.
"But..." Liu Yi still had questions.
Empress Pei was obviously very unhappy.
Gu Jiu took the opportunity to interrupt Liu Yi's question and asked, "Mother, is the Queen Mother allergic to anything?"
Empress Pei's eyebrows moved slightly, "Eldest Wife, are you saying that the Queen is suffering from abdominal pain because she took something she is allergic to?"
"My daughter-in-law is just making a tentative guess. The Empress Dowager ate something bad, so there must be a source. Perhaps it's a food incompatibility, or perhaps she's allergic to something. It would be best if you could send someone to ask if the Empress Dowager's symptoms are limited to abdominal pain, or if there are other symptoms?"
Gu Jiu provided an idea to Queen Pei.
If the harem wants to investigate the source of the food, it would naturally be more appropriate for Empress Pei to step forward.
Gu Jiu is a junior and has no responsibilities in the palace. More importantly, she doesn't want to be involved in the troubles in the palace, so she only provides ideas and will not do anything herself.
Empress Pei nodded repeatedly, "You are right. The Queen Mother's stomach upset must have a source. I will have someone investigate this matter thoroughly. However, what matters now is His Majesty's attitude."
"Don't worry, Queen Mother. As long as we find out the truth, nothing will happen to Father."
Liu Yi just tried to comfort Queen Pei.
Xiao Qin'er lowered her head, looking conflicted.
What Queen Pei needs now is not comfort, but practical advice.
After all, she had been up all night and was stimulated. The fatigue and fear made her thinking slow.
She needs someone to help her fill in the gaps.
She rubbed her brows, "Fourth Brother, don't just say nice things. Your father's temper... Even if the truth is found out, this matter will probably leave a knot in your father's heart.
Even if it turns out that I have nothing to do with it, your father will still be dissatisfied with me. After all, I was the one who arranged the banquet, which means I gave the bad guys an opportunity. Your father will hate me, do you understand?
Liu Yi was speechless.
Gu Jiu continued, "Your Majesty's concerns are justified. We must not only uncover the truth, but also the mastermind behind this. I'd like to ask, why did Your Majesty suddenly think of organizing a banquet? What was the reason? Who drew up the menu?"
Empress Pei's expression changed slightly, her pupils dilated, "Big Brother's Wife, are you saying that someone close to me is betraying me?"
Gu Jiu's face was calm, his voice steady, "This matter must be taken precautionarily. It would be best if no one betrayed us, but to investigate this matter, we must trace it back to its source. Mother, did you suddenly come up with the idea of preparing a banquet? Or did someone give you inspiration, or someone else gave you advice?"
Empress Pei closed her eyes slightly. "No, no, no. I was passing by the Imperial Garden the other day when I heard someone talking behind the flowers. They happened to be discussing the Empress Dowager. I stopped and listened for a few more words."
"And then, Queen Mother came up with the idea of arranging a banquet?"
"The Queen Mother has been a bit greedy lately, and she's complained to others about His Majesty being too busy, even choosing a day to pay him respects. I, the Queen Mother, wanted to please her, so I prepared a banquet and invited His Majesty. The Queen Mother was delighted to see him."
The more Empress Pei spoke, the more her brows furrowed.
Liu Yi gritted his teeth and said, "Mother, who is the person in the Imperial Garden? There must be something fishy going on here."
Empress Pei was worried. "I didn't see anyone, I only heard the voice. Then I saw a figure from behind. Judging from her attire, she must be a low-ranking beauty in the palace."
Liu Yi was equally worried. "Should we call all the beauties and talented people here and question them one by one? That would only alert the enemy."
Gu Jiu looked around and asked, "Why did Mother pass by the Imperial Garden that day? Was it a last-minute decision, or was it already planned?"
"What do you mean, sister-in-law? Do you think the people around our mother are not clean and someone is trying to harm her?" Liu Yi stared at Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu's face was calm, "We must be on guard against this. Your Highness, think carefully, aren't there too many coincidences here? Your Highness is more familiar with the palace than I am. Do you think so many coincidences could happen in the palace?"
Liu Yi frowned, "What if my sister-in-law makes a wrong judgment and harms innocent people?"
Gu Jiu smiled faintly, "Without investigation, Your Highness, are you sure that everyone in Weiyang Palace is innocent?"
"Your Highness, I am only discussing the matter at hand."
"As for the facts, we should wait until the investigation is thorough before drawing any conclusions."
Gu Jiu refused to give in.
Liu Yi was a little embarrassed, but he was mentally strong and quickly adjusted himself. "Sister-in-law, you have a point. Your Highness, I understand. We really can't jump to conclusions before we have thoroughly investigated. Mother, this matter requires a thorough investigation. Why not start with Weiyang Palace?"
Queen Pei's mind was in a mess and her thinking was slow at the moment.
Although she was nervous and afraid, she couldn't let the younger generation look down on her. "I have my own opinion on this matter. Fourth Brother, you need to take care of your father."
"Don't worry, mother. I will go and see father right away."
"No!" Gu Jiu intervened. "His Majesty is furious right now. Your Highness, if you go over here now, are you planning to kneel at the gate of Xingqing Palace and plead for your mother?"
Liu Yi pursed his lips and said nothing.
Gu Jiu said anxiously, "This is absolutely unacceptable. This will only anger His Majesty, making him extremely disgusted and even taking his anger out on the Queen Mother."
As the younger generation, we should not force our elders at this time, but should pray devoutly and pray that the Empress Dowager will recover soon.
"Mother, I suggest you refrain from unnecessary tasks for now. Whether you're copying Buddhist scriptures or chanting sutras, you must always be filial and not let Concubine Shen Xian and Concubine Luo De take the spotlight."
Liu Yi was very unhappy, but he endured it.
Gu Jiu repeatedly overturned his suggestions and decisions, highlighting his immaturity and inadequate stress response time and time again, and Liu Yi's self-esteem was greatly hurt.
Every word Gu Jiu said was like a sharp knife, peeling off his proud shell layer by layer, making him feel miserable.
Fortunately, my strong rationality suppressed the anger in my heart.
He took a deep breath. "I wasn't thoughtful enough. Mother, your concern is so great that it's causing your mind to get confused, too. I'm just thinking of bad ideas. Sister-in-law is more stable and doesn't panic at all. I really envy her calmness. Perhaps if she didn't worry so much, she could maintain her usual level."
Gu Jiu glanced at Liu Yi with a sidelong glance and said, "Precisely because you care too much, you should remain calm. We are here to solve problems, not create new ones."
Liu Yi spat out a mouthful of blood, but he still pretended to be humble and willing to learn.
"Sister-in-law is indeed a person who does great things. My brother admires her."
Gu Jiu said, "I also learned from your elder brother. If the Fourth Prince is really interested, he should also learn from your elder brother."
Even though Liu Zhao was not around, Gu Jiu still made his presence felt and told people not to forget him.
Gu Jiu did this with good intentions.
Liu Yi felt depressed and tired.
Empress Pei stepped in to stop the two from arguing, "Fourth Brother, you can still go see your father, but you can't kneel down and force him.
If your father asks why you requested an audience, tell him the truth. I'll selectively share our analysis and speculation with him. I'll be going to the Buddhist temple to pray for the Empress Dowager, so there's no need to hide this from your father.
In short, you don't need to plead for me. If your father refuses to see you, don't be stubborn. Just kowtow and leave. I'll go pay my respects to your father tomorrow."
Liu Yi bowed and accepted the order, "I know what to do, mother, don't worry."
How could Empress Pei be at ease?
Empress Dowager Xiao ate something bad, and although she is no longer in danger, this is just the beginning.
They didn't know how big the storm was waiting for them.
Empress Pei also instructed Gu Jiu and Xiao Qin'er, "When you two sisters-in-law return, remember to copy Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager. No less than four volumes a day. I will send someone to collect the Buddhist scriptures copied the previous day. You must do this personally and write carefully. Don't have any thoughts of being perfunctory."
"As ordered by my daughter-in-law."
Gu Jiu knew that he would have to copy Buddhist scriptures this time.
The palace is Buddhist.
So whenever something happens, everyone turns to the Bodhisattva for help.
Either they chant sutras in the Buddhist temple, or they copy Buddhist scriptures and burn them in front of the Bodhisattva.
This action shows piety and filial piety.
But the emperors all fall for this.
As a result, the Buddhist culture in the palace became increasingly popular.
If you believe in something else, people will think you are a heretic.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
There is a third
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