21. Dragon Boat Festival Feast (Part 3)
"Sister, you know very well what caused your so-called physical discomfort. I don't want to get entangled with you on this matter. I just hope that next time you do something, you will consider whether your body can handle it, otherwise you will regret it later." Liu Hanruo said meaningfully.
Liu Hanxue scoffed at Liu Hanruo's words, coldly snorting and saying sarcastically:
"I really don't understand what you mean, sister. If I have done something wrong, please tell me directly, without beating around the bush. What do you mean by 'knowing it yourself'? Does that mean I can't even find an imperial physician to cure me if I'm poisoned?"
"Sister, I think no one knows better than you how you were poisoned, or what kind of poison you were poisoned. I advise you not to be too extreme in everything. Taking a step back will open up a whole new world. Don't always think about how to harm others, otherwise you will only harm yourself in the end!"
"Too ruthless? Haha, sister, you're joking. When have I ever gone too far? If I had gone too far, how could I have been poisoned? My dear sister, everything I have now is all thanks to you. Did you think you could get away with it without anyone noticing? Today, I'm going to expose your tricks in front of so many people and see how long you can remain a princess and how arrogant you can be! Cough cough..." Liu Hanxue curled her lips into a cold smile, but perhaps she was too excited, because she couldn't help coughing before she finished speaking.
"Hehe, little sister, you have quite the plan. You want to pin the blame on me? Well, we'll see if you have the ability!" Liu Hanruo sneered, curling her lips.
"Hmph, Liu Hanruo, you shameless woman, you dare to do it but not admit it, I despise you! Cough cough..."
"Sister, why are you so agitated? You should know very well what kind of poison you used. The more agitated you are, the faster the poison will spread. If you don't want to live, you can continue. Hehe." Liu Hanruo said with a faint sneer.
"Haha, Liu Hanruo, you finally admit it! If you hadn't poisoned me, how could you know so much about poisons! Hmph, it's just a little poison. I won't die. I'll keep my life and fight you to the end. I want to watch you die! Haha!"
Liu Hanruo glanced at her coldly, then stopped talking and turned her gaze to the lower seat. She saw that everyone's attention was focused on them. From the eyes of the crowd, Liu Hanruo could read many emotions: anger, indifference, and amusement.
From the perspective of the officials below, they only saw Liu Hanruo coldly reprimanding Liu Hanxue, who listened quietly with her head down. Liu Hanruo's icy demeanor and harsh words caused Liu Hanxue to cough violently, which further aroused their protective instincts. Finally, someone couldn't bear it any longer and bravely stepped forward, speaking sharply and directly accusing Liu Hanruo of being vicious, intolerant, and mistreating her other wives and concubines.
"Your Excellency repeatedly accuses me of mistreating my wives and concubines, but what evidence do you have? If I am not mistaken, you should be Lin Zheng, the Hanlin Compiler. I have a question, and I wonder if you could answer it for me?" Liu Hanruo smiled and said calmly to the official who asked the question, "Since you are not from the Prince's Mansion, where did you get the knowledge that I mistreat my many wives and concubines? Could it be that you, Lin Zheng, are having an affair?"
"Nonsense! I am well-versed in poetry and literature, and I should naturally abide by the words of the sages. Moreover, as an official of the court, how could I possibly have an affair with someone! Please, Your Highness, do not speak nonsense!" Lin Zheng was so angry that his face turned red and his neck thickened as he loudly defended himself.
"Since Lord Lin is so learned and adheres to the highest moral standards, he should know the proper etiquette between ruler and subject, and the distinction between superior and inferior. In terms of rank, I am a first-rank official bestowed by the Emperor. In terms of status, I am the lawfully wedded Princess Consort of Prince Xiaoyao. May I ask, Lord Lin, when you belittle and criticize me, did you have the slightest sense of hierarchy? Did you remember who you were criticizing? In your eyes, are there still the Prince and me?"
Liu Hanruo's words made perfect sense. Only then did Lin Zheng remember Liu Hanruo's identity and secretly blame himself for being so foolish. Seeing the frail Consort Liu aroused his protective instincts as a grown man. After realizing this, Lin Zheng immediately knelt down and admitted his mistake in fear.
"This humble official has overstepped his bounds; please punish me, Your Highness and Your Highness!"
"..."
Liu Hanxue, who had been silently observing the situation, glanced disdainfully at Lin Zheng. She had initially thought Lin Zheng could at least embarrass Liu Hanruo, but he had been defeated in just a few words; truly useless. She secretly glanced at the Carefree Prince, who remained seated quietly, calmly watching Liu Hanruo without even glancing at her. It seemed he had no intention of interfering in the affairs of the inner court. This made Liu Hanxue realize that if she wanted to bring down Liu Hanruo, she had to rely on herself! And this poisoning incident was the perfect opportunity!
So Liu Hanxue deliberately coughed, pretending to be out of breath, and then rolled her eyes back and fainted. This trick successfully attracted everyone's attention again.
Liu Hanruo secretly admired Liu Hanxue's acting skills, and hurriedly ran over. Taking advantage of the opportunity to help Liu Hanxue up, she secretly slipped her a sleeping pill, but on the surface, she still pretended to be concerned and said:
"Sister, what's wrong with you? Didn't I tell you before that since you're weak, you shouldn't go out for the time being and should rest?"
"Your Highness, my sister is not feeling well. I will take her home first and return shortly!"
Liu Hanruo asked the Prince of Xiaoyao for instructions. The Prince of Xiaoyao nodded and looked at Liu Hanruo with a complicated expression. Perhaps others did not notice Liu Hanruo's subtle movements just now, but from his perspective, he could see all her actions clearly, including her secretly drugging her.
The little incident involving Liu Hanxue caused everyone to have different thoughts, which dampened the interest of many present. They had no desire to linger and got up to take their leave. Just then, they heard the sound of a wine glass breaking. Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw a woman in red lying unconscious on the table. General Gao Debao of Dingyuan at the next table was in a panic, calling out to the woman in red repeatedly. Only then did everyone belatedly realize that the person who had fainted was none other than Gao Yiyi, who had just performed a stunning sword dance.
Upon seeing this, the carefree prince immediately ordered the imperial physician to be summoned and secretly sent his attendants to fetch the princess.
When Liu Hanruo finished settling Liu Hanxue and hurriedly returned to the banquet hall of Hanxuan Garden, she saw such a chaotic scene. Everyone was gathered together, and the carefree prince, who should have been sitting comfortably in his chair, was nowhere to be seen. She was very puzzled.
Fortunately, the attendant spotted Liu Hanruo immediately and told her what had just happened. Liu Hanruo was shocked and thought to herself: I never thought that no matter how much I planned, something still happened. It seems that I am doomed this time.
---Aside---
Happy New Year, everyone! It's snowing! (Awaiting the first recommendation!)
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