Ji Huan held the medicine, and the system said, "There's an extra drug inside that can make people mentally impaired, the kind that works pretty quickly."
Ji Huan understood; someone was trying to stalk the cicada while unaware of the oriole behind.
She slowly poured the medicine into the spittoon, not at all afraid of being discovered that she hadn't taken the medicine. If Qingyin and the others couldn't even clean up this little thing properly, she wouldn't need to argue anymore.
Two more days passed, and Ji Huan, calculating the time, felt it was about time.
When Emperor Qianlong went to the Zhongzheng Hall to pray for blessings, he accidentally discovered that Ji Huan had copied Buddhist scriptures for the Empress. He felt that she was sincere and, thinking that she was ill, he went to Xianfu Palace.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
As soon as Emperor Qianlong entered Xianfu Palace, he was blocked by Consort Li before he even saw Ji Huan.
"Your Majesty, I greet you. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Although Emperor Qianlong remembered her appearance, he couldn't immediately place her face and asked, "Who are you?"
Consort Li's face turned pale: "This concubine is Consort Li."
"Li Miao, right?"
Li Changzai's complexion recovered somewhat, at least she hadn't truly forgotten her: "She is a concubine."
"I understand. You may go back now. I'm going to see Consort Rou."
"I will accompany Your Majesty! My sister Rou is ill, and I am very worried about her."
"Since you're so kind, let's go in together."
Consort Li was a beauty, and the competition among beauties for the emperor's favor always pleased Qianlong.
Furthermore, he could witness the harmonious scenes within the harem.
Following behind Qianlong was Consort Li. The group entered Jihuan's east wing. Qingyin and the others saw Consort Li follow them in, but their expressions remained normal, though they were filled with hatred in their hearts.
Ji Huan already knew that Qianlong was coming, and when he entered, a look of surprise flashed across Ji Huan's pale face.
"Your Majesty, I greet you. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Emperor Qianlong smiled and helped her up: "You're still sick, sit down and talk, there's no need to stand."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Ji Huan then looked at Li Changzai with a hint of surprise in her eyes: "Why did Sister Li suddenly come here?"
Li Changzai didn't feel embarrassed at all: "Sister Rou is ill, and I just happened to accompany the Emperor to visit her. Sister Rou's face is pale, what did the imperial physician say?"
Ji Huan smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, sister. The imperial physician said it was just a minor cold, and I'll recover after taking a few doses of medicine."
As she spoke, Ji Huan coughed softly twice. It wasn't a loud noise, but it was clear that she was genuinely ill.
Emperor Qianlong frowned: "She has been sick for several days, why is she still not getting better? Li Yu, go and invite Imperial Physician Zhao to come and examine Consort Rou's pulse."
Li Yu: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Ji Huan looked at Qianlong with concern and said, "Your Majesty, I am sorry to have worried you. However, I am still ill and I am afraid of harming Your Majesty's health. Since Sister Li is here, why don't you stay with Your Majesty?"
After saying this, Ji Huan looked reluctant, her words clearly not from the heart.
Emperor Qianlong found her expression amusing and showed no displeasure at being chased away.
"It's alright, I've always been in good health. I'll wait for Physician Zhao to come."
Ji Huan's face softened with emotion, and she looked at him with eyes full of admiration: "Your Majesty~"
The two exchanged sweet nothings and flirted intimately.
Consort Li, standing to the side, felt extremely awkward. She felt superfluous, but she couldn't bear to leave. Thinking about the past few days, the laxity of the palace servants, and the perfunctory attitude of the Imperial Household Department, she had had enough.
Before long, Physician Zhao arrived.
After taking Ji Huan's pulse for a while, he frowned, then knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Rou has been poisoned."
Emperor Qianlong was also taken aback. He did suspect that there was something wrong with Ji Huan's condition. He originally thought that someone had slowed down her treatment, which would at most make her recover a little slower. However, the poisoning was still beyond his expectations. When did such a fierce person enter his harem? She was courting death!
Ji Huan's face turned pale instantly, and she looked at Qianlong in panic: "Your Majesty~"
She had the appearance of an innocent flower, with delicate features and a gentle temperament. When she looked at Qianlong, he instantly sensed her fear and her great need for his comfort and help.
"My beloved concubine, do not be afraid, Imperial Physician Zhao. What poison has Consort Rou been poisoned with? How can it be cured?"
Physician Zhao immediately said, "Consort Rou has been poisoned by two kinds of poisons. One is a secret medicine from the previous dynasty that causes colds when exposed to wind. If it is treated with ordinary cold remedies, it will only make the condition worse."
Although it won't kill, it can weaken the body, making one sickly and breathless even when walking. This poison has been identified as having an antidote. The other type is a poison that can cause mental impairment; this one requires long-term use to take effect. Since Consort Rou hasn't taken much, it's not a problem for her.
"Quickly prescribe an antidote for Consort Rou. Li Yu, you personally oversee the preparation and decoction of the medicine. Also, investigate for me. I want to know who dared to poison the inner palace. If they find out, I will punish them severely."
Emperor Qianlong was truly angry this time.
For an emperor who was skilled in health preservation, poison was something he truly detested. While it's one thing to argue and fight, poisoning was simply wrong.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ji Huan then nestled in Qianlong's arms, sobbing softly, her tears streaming down her face: "Your Majesty, I'm so scared~"
Emperor Qianlong felt a great sense of accomplishment at Ji Huan's dependence on him: "Don't be afraid, I'm here!"
Li Changzai, who was standing to the side, felt that she should have left earlier; she really didn't know something bad would happen.
"Your Majesty, I will not disturb you and Sister Rou any longer. I will take my leave."
Emperor Qianlong had no interest in paying attention to her and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, you can go back now!"
Ji Huan was poisoned, and people inside Xianfu Palace were the prime suspects. At this time, Li Changzai was already on Qianlong's list of suspects.
After returning home, Li Changzai became uneasy. She was not stupid to have entered the deep palace. After returning home, she realized that as Ji Huan's "neighbor", she was a strong suspect in the poisoning of Ji Huan.
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