The white-bearded imperial physician rushed over.
The child beside him helped him push through the crowd, clearing a path through the noisy throng.
The imperial physician squeezed next to the crown princess, bent down and pried open her eyelids to look at her under the light, then told a servant to take out a packet of powder from the medicine box, dissolve it in water, and pour it directly into the crown princess's mouth.
The Crown Princess's throat bobbed. She struggled to drink some of the medicinal soup, but much of it spilled from her lips. She raised her hand to try and wipe the soup from the corner of her mouth, but her hand fell limply halfway up.
The Emperor demanded sternly, "Imperial Physician, how is the Crown Princess now?"
The imperial physician hurriedly bowed respectfully and replied, "The Crown Princess has suffered some damage to her body, but fortunately it was discovered early, and she appears to be fine at the moment."
His Majesty asked again, "Has the Crown Princess's eating utensils been inspected?"
The imperial physician hurriedly replied, "Not yet."
The Emperor bowed. Looking at the various expressions on the faces of the people at the banquet, she said, "Investigate now."
The imperial physician respectfully replied, "Yes."
The imperial physician stood up from the ground, walked to the Crown Princess's seat, and carefully examined the various tableware she had used. When he picked up the silver cup, the physician's expression froze.
The silver cup was slightly blackened, and some wine still remained inside.
He cautiously dipped his finger in the wine and sniffed it. With a solemn expression, he summoned the young boy and whispered something in his ear. He placed the silver cup into the medicine box, while the boy went to speak quietly with the emperor's maid.
The maidservant then went upstairs and relayed the message to the Emperor.
The Emperor lowered his eyes and asked sternly, "Has someone poisoned the Crown Princess?"
The previously noisy crowd fell silent instantly. They cautiously exchanged glances, trying to glean some clue from each other's expressions.
Suddenly, Master Song called out, "Your Majesty!" Ignoring his wife's attempts to pull him away, he loudly proclaimed, "I confess! My daughter, who was sitting next to Her Highness the Crown Princess, handed this cup of wine to her!"
Song Tang looked calmly at Master Song.
Master Song was also looking at her. His eyes were filled with resentment, jealousy, and the overwhelming joy of a successful conspiracy.
Song Tang smiled slightly.
She had never realized so clearly that her father, the stupid and wicked Master Song, was the culprit behind her past experiences.
Her mother did indeed genuinely love her. Madam Song may still have the instinct to protect her cubs, but the long years have worn her down, leaving her without any edges, completely at the mercy of Master Song.
But... even if she followed Master Song's wishes and lived and died somewhere he didn't know, he would still occasionally think of her and scold her for not being a boy.
Now that she's become someone close to the Crown Princess, sitting in a position higher than Master Song and closer to the Emperor, he won't think she's "bringing honor to the family," but will only think that she's taken their place.
In Master Song's heart, to whom does she belong?
Her twin brother, who wasn't even qualified to be at this banquet?
The Emperor's gaze finally fell on Song Tang once again.
Before she could speak, the eldest princess said with a smile, "Mother, looking at Master Song like this, doesn't he seem to be making baseless accusations?" Her tone was casual. "Is the person who poisoned Master Song someone he knows? Why is he in such a hurry to push his own daughter out to take the blame?"
The ecstasy on Master Song's face froze.
The eldest princess has always been the emperor's favorite daughter. How could even she side with that little vixen Songtang...?
Her interruption indeed made the Emperor stop looking at Song Tang, and he asked the Princess with a smile, "You mean Song Qing pushed the Song family's daughter out to take the blame?"
The eldest princess nodded, chin raised: "Besides, how could Master Song possibly like someone who doesn't even like his own family..."
She laughed heartily.
Master Song's face turned pale. The Eldest Princess was accusing him of disloyalty and filial impiety. Although he considered himself loyal to the emperor and filial to his mother, he could not bear such a charge.
Master Song said sternly, "Your Highness, I cannot bear this responsibility..."
The eldest princess interrupted him with a smile: "What, you think your Song family's little daughter can take on this responsibility?"
"Alright," the Emperor said.
Master Song was secretly delighted. He had previously encountered enemies in the capital, but thanks to his lucky youngest son, he had always managed to escape danger. He figured it would be the same this time.
The Emperor lowered his eyes and said casually, "Someone, take Songqing to rest."
The guards rushed in, pulled Master Song away from Madam Song, and took him away from the room.
The Emperor continued, “The rest of you may also go to your respective halls to rest with the maids.” She waved her hand, and more maids gracefully entered the hall and stood beside their seats.
They led the people away one by one.
The Emperor sat down wearily. The Imperial Consort, seated in the center of the main seat, affectionately put his arm around her shoulder, and she placed her hand in his, letting out a slow sigh.
A maid stood beside the Duke and Queen. The Duke touched the maid's hand, then coldly watched as the Queen pushed her away.
The Duke said, "Your Majesty, we will return now."
The Emperor was slightly taken aback. She asked softly, "Won't the Duke look at the Imperial Consort?"
The Duke glanced at the Imperial Consort. They exchanged a silent look for a moment before looking away.
The Duke said, "We have other matters to attend to at our residence, so we will take our leave now."
The Empress Dowager glared at her maid and said fiercely, "His Majesty doesn't even discipline this little vixen. She doesn't even know her own limitations before she rushes to curry favor with us!"
The Emperor forced a smile: "I...I didn't think things through." She raised the corners of her mouth and said wearily, "After this matter is settled, I will send some treasures to the Empress Dowager to atone for my sins."
The Queen Mother stood beside the Duke with a cold smile, remaining silent.
They swaggered out.
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