Chapter 353: Wanshou Shocks, Poisonous Plot Revealed
Yongqi's vow, "Let's end this together," burned heavy and scorching into Xiaoyanzi's heart like tempered steel. The cold despair of a past life's poison death intertwined with the searing warmth of being held tightly in the arms of her lover. She trembled slightly in his embrace, no longer out of fear, but with a resolve, akin to a rebirth. She hugged him back tightly, then raised her head from his embrace. The tear-stained cheeks were no longer vulnerable, only a resolute glow, ignited by rage.
"Okay!" Her voice was hoarse but remarkably clear, her eyes as sharp as a drawn dagger. "This time, we'll do it together! We can't let those venomous snakes succeed again!"
Yongqi gave her a deep look, one filled with endless heartache, a cherished memory now lost, and the ruthless intensity of a bloody storm. He released her and turned to face the kneeling, breathless Xiao Dengzi. His voice regained the cold, commanding authority that belonged to Prince Rong. "Tell me! What else did you find at the Sticking Rod Office? Are there any unusual movements at the Xilin Jueluo Mansion?"
Little Dengzi kowtowed quickly, speaking rapidly, "Your Highness! The brothers from the Sticking Rod Department found not only the half-copied account book in the secret room of Qingfeng Pavilion in Taiping Lake, but also several packets of black powder sealed with oil paper! The imperial physician's secret investigation identified it as... the finely ground powder of the highly toxic 'Crane's Beak Red' that kills instantly! And..." his voice was filled with horror, "there are also more than a dozen bundles of specially prepared reeds soaked in poisonous oil and phosphorus powder! Exactly the same reeds left over from the West Courtyard arson, but even more poisonous! They explode on contact with fire, filling the air with poisonous smoke!"
"Poison powder... poison reeds..." Xiaoyanzi gasped, her fingertips instantly freezing cold! Poison again! This old scoundrel, E Min, is a hundred times more ruthless than Concubine Gao in her previous life! Not only did he destroy the evidence, but he also planned a mass poisoning at the palace banquet?!
Yongqi's face was so gloomy it looked like water could drip out of it, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "What a vicious heart! Their target is indeed the Emperor's Longevity Banquet!" He glanced fiercely at Xiaoyanzi. "That box of 'tea' that wasn't completely burned in the west courtyard was probably just a cover! The real killer move is hidden in these poisonous reeds and the red scorpion! They want to take advantage of the chaos to sprinkle the poison powder into the lamps or incense, and then use the poisonous reeds to cause a chaotic fire, causing an 'accidental' poisoning and trampling! They can destroy the evidence pointed to in the account books, get rid of the thorn in their side, or even... kill the king!"
Xiaoyanzi shuddered. The painful memories of being eroded by chronic poison in her past life overlapped with the even more sinister conspiracy before her, sending a chill down her spine. Then, a surge of rage! She fiercely grasped Yongqi's arm, "We can't let them succeed! The Emperor... and so many other relatives, ministers, and wives..."
"Don't worry!" Yongqi grasped her cold hand with his backhand, his strength steady and powerful. "The Sticking Rod Division has set up tight surveillance. Xilin Jueluo Mansion is loose on the outside but tight on the inside. All suspicious individuals are under surveillance. E Min thought he could hide his true intentions by feigning illness, but he didn't know that the secret passages leading to Taiping Lake and the exits to his former subordinates have been blocked by our men! He can't escape!"
He walked to the desk and spread out a detailed map of the palace banquet layout, his fingertips heavily pointing at several key locations: "Erkang has secretly mobilized the most reliable palace guards to replace the palace servants who may be exposed to the lights and incense in these areas. Brother Xiao Jian and his friends in the martial arts world will set up a tight net outside the palace banquet to specifically deal with those assassins who may be carrying poisonous reeds. As for E Min and his followers in Xilin Juelu Mansion..." Yongqi's mouth curled up in an extremely cold arc, "The Emperor has issued a secret decree. On the day of the Emperor's birthday, their heads will be chopped off and their entire clans will be exterminated!"
Xiaoyanzi looked at the detailed deployment on the map and listened to Yongqi's decisive instructions, and her pounding heart gradually calmed down. With Yongqi here, the Emperor's strategic planning, and reliable people like Erkang and Xiao Jian... this time, they would never repeat the same mistakes!
"So...where's Zhihua?" Xiaoyanzi suddenly asked, a complicated look in her eyes. The West Courtyard arson and Nanny Li's confession had both pointed directly to Zhihua's collusion with Emin.
A trace of disgust and cold determination flashed in Yongqi's eyes. "She? She's nothing more than a pawn used by E Min to disrupt the palace's backyard and contain me. She's also a conduit for information. The west courtyard has been cordoned off like an iron barrel. She and the Li Ma beside her are witnesses! When E Min is executed, her crimes will be settled together! The Emperor has promised to deal with her and Chen Bangzhi together to serve as a warning to others!"
He looked at Xiaoyanzi again, his eyes deep: "Now, the only thing you have to do is to take good care of yourself. You must attend the Wanshou Festival Palace Banquet."
Xiaoyanzi was stunned.
Yongqi held her shoulders, his eyes filled with unquestionable determination: "You must stand upright by the side of the Emperor, by my side! Let everyone watch how the treacherous villains who framed loyal officials and harbored evil intentions are destroyed! Watch how our family protects this hard-earned peace and happiness! This is also... the best consolation to the innocent Xiaoyanzi who died in the previous life!" His words were resounding, carrying with them the majestic momentum of washing away the past and creating the future.
Xiaoyanzi looked at the fire burning in his eyes, his fearless commitment, and the last shred of gloom in her heart was completely dispelled. She nodded vigorously, and a determined and powerful light finally blossomed on her pale face. "Okay! I'll go! I want to see those venomous snakes reduced to ashes with my own eyes! I want everyone to know that I, Fang Ci (Xiaoyanzi), and my family are not to be trifled with!"
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**Wanshou Festival, Qianqing Palace.**
The palace lanterns shone brightly, illuminating the hall as bright as day. Within the magnificent palace, the melodious sounds of stringed instruments echoed, and dancers fluttered their sleeves. Imperial family members, civil and military officials, and women of high rank sat in their respective seats, toasting each other in a scene of prosperity and peace, a joyous occasion celebrating the emperor's birthday. Emperor Qianlong sat atop a gilded throne adorned with nine dragons, wearing a bright yellow formal attire with a dragon pattern. With a graceful smile on his face, he accepted the congratulations of his ministers. The Empress sat at his side, her demeanor elegant. Concubine Ling, Qing'er, and other concubines also attended in their finest attire.
Xiaoyanzi sat slightly to Yongqi's side, dressed in the ceremonial attire customary for a prince's consort. Though lightly powdered, her postpartum frailty and pallor were barely concealed. But her back was straight, her eyes clear and sharp, like a female leopard poised for action, scanning every corner of the hall inconspicuously. Beneath Yongqi's wide robe sleeves, his hand remained tightly clasped around hers, conveying a constant flow of warmth and strength.
The banquet reached its climax, with the eunuchs announcing the birthday gifts. When it was the turn of the senior officials, E Min claimed to be ill and could not come, but his eldest son came forward on behalf of the E family and respectfully presented a large jade statue of the birthday god. Just as the jade statue was carried to the front of the imperial steps, everyone's eyes were fixed on it.
Something strange happened suddenly!
Without warning, several massive palace lanterns in the corners of the hall exploded simultaneously with a series of "puffs"! It wasn't the ignition of lamp oil, but rather the instantaneous explosion of vast clouds of choking yellow smoke, carrying the pungent smell of sulfur and... a sweet, fishy smell (Crane's Beak Red Poison Powder)! Simultaneously, in several inconspicuous corners of the hall, bundles of reeds disguised as decorations suddenly burst into eerie, blue flames. The flames spread rapidly, and thick smoke billowed out as well!
"The fire is happening!"
"Toxic smoke! Protect the Emperor!"
Screams, coughs, and the sound of shattering cups and plates suddenly exploded! The previously orderly palace banquet suddenly became chaotic! The screams of the women rose one after another, and the crowd pushed and shoved in fear. The situation seemed to be getting out of control and a stampede was imminent!
"Protect the emperor!" the chief of the imperial guards beside Qianlong shouted fiercely, and the well-trained guards instantly formed a human wall, firmly protecting the throne. However, the poisonous smoke spread rapidly, and a minister near the explosion site collapsed to the ground, covering his mouth and nose in pain!
At this critical moment!
"Erkang! Do it!" Yongqi shouted loudly, like a thunderclap!
Like an arrow shot from a bow, Falcon, accompanied by a team of elite guards, pounced with lightning speed upon the palace servants, dressed as assassins, who were hurling poison powder and lighting poisonous reeds! A clashing battle erupted in a flash of swords and sabers! Simultaneously, the windows around the hall were violently flung open. Xiao Jian, accompanied by several agile warriors, descended like divine troops, their specially prepared, soaked thick cloths precisely covering the burning poisonous reeds, instantly suppressing the flames and toxic smoke! Others, armed with water bags, poured clean water onto the pervasive poisonous fog, diluting it.
"The Sticking Rod Division, listen up! All the rebels from Xilin Gioro Mansion, leave no one behind, capture them!" Qianlong's commanding voice pierced through the chaos, carrying with it the fury of the emperor! Instantly, the sounds of fierce fighting and screams rang out outside the hall—those were the elite members of the Sticking Rod Division clearing out the Xilin Gioro Mansion's death squads who were responding from the periphery!
In the chaos, a man with a sinister face and dressed in low-level guard clothes (the leader of E Min's trusted death squad) saw that his plan was exposed, and he was desperate. He suddenly pulled out a dagger soaked in blue venom from his boots, and like a ghost, he bypassed the battle group and rushed straight to the queen who was coughing due to the poisonous smoke and was slightly forward!
"My queen, be careful!" Qing'er, who was closest to her, screamed in surprise.
In a flash!
An apricot-yellow figure, like the most nimble swift, suddenly darted out from Yongqi's side at incredible speed and angle! It was Xiaoyanzi!
She was indeed weak after giving birth, but the instincts honed in her past life, etched deep into her bones, remained. She tapped her toes on the overturned table and spun lightly, not only dodging the chaotic crowd but also precisely positioning herself in front of the Queen. Meanwhile, she had unknowingly acquired the silver chopsticks that had been stuck in the fruit bowl.
"bite!"
A resounding clang of metal clashed! The fatal blow from the poisoned dagger was narrowly parried by Xiaoyanzi with a single silver chopstick! The poisoned blade grazed her sleeve, leaving behind a ripping sound!
The leader of the assassins obviously didn't expect that this seemingly frail princess would have such skills. While he was stunned, Yongqi's roar came behind him: "You are looking for death!" A fierce palm wind with the force of a tidal wave hit his back hard!
"Puff!" The leader of the assassins spit out a mouthful of blood as if hit by a heavy hammer. The dagger flew out of his hand and the whole person was knocked out like a broken sack, hitting the Panlong golden pillar heavily and died on the spot!
"Little Swallow!" Yongqi was still in shock. He hugged the pale-faced Little Swallow, who was standing in front of the Queen, tightly in his arms. His heart was beating so wildly that it almost burst out of his chest! At that moment, he almost thought he was going to lose her again!
The Queen had just recovered from her shock and looked at Xiaoyanzi, who was standing in front of her with a thin figure but a determined look in her eyes. Her eyes were filled with shock and fear, as well as a hint of indescribable emotion.
At this point, the chaos in the hall had been quickly brought under control by the swift actions of Erkang, Xiao Jian, and the others. The poisonous smoke was suppressed and diluted by the water mist, the flames were extinguished, and the stubborn resistance was completely destroyed. The leader of the Sticking Rod Department quickly entered the hall, knelt on one knee, and said in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty! Seventy-three people from Xilin Jueluo Mansion and their followers have been apprehended! The rebel leader, E Min, attempted suicide by poisoning himself in a secret room in his mansion, but has been subdued! The Shuntian Prefecture Governor is leading his men to search his residence, and the evidence of his crimes is irrefutable!"
A deathly silence fell within the hall. The thrilling experience just now was still fresh in their minds. The ministers and their wives looked at Xiaoyanzi, her face pale but her eyes clear, held tightly in Yongqi's arms. Then they looked at Emperor Qianlong, seated high on the throne, his face as sullen as water, his imperial majesty awe-inspiring. Finally, their gaze fell on the body of the assassin being dragged away and the kneeling commander of the Sticking Rod Division reporting... A chill ran from the soles of their feet to their heads!
How dare Emin… Xilin Gioro… create a sea of poisonous smoke and fire at the Wanshou Palace banquet, intending to murder the emperor and cause chaos?! If it weren't for Prince Rong and his wife's foresight, if it weren't for the Emperor's early arrangements… the consequences would be unimaginable!
Qianlong slowly stood up, his bright yellow robe emitting a suffocating aura of power under the dazzling palace lanterns. His cold gaze swept across the silent ministers, finally landing on Xiaoyanzi, who was held in Yongqi's arms. His majestic voice echoed throughout the hall:
"The traitor E Min, colluded with his cronies, secretly concealed evidence of rebellion, committed arson and murder, and even dared to plot against me on my birthday, poisoning my father and the emperor, and causing chaos in the palace! His crimes are unforgivable! He must be executed by slow slicing, and his entire clan must be exterminated! The entire Xilin Gioro clan, aiding and abetting the tyrant, must be punished with equal guilt! Chen Bangzhi and his daughter, who colluded with traitors to murder the heir to the throne, have irrefutable evidence of their crimes, and must be executed together as a warning to others!"
The cold and merciless verdict, like hail in the cold winter, struck everyone's heart, announcing that this thrilling palace coup would end with the complete destruction of the rebels.
The dust settled. Little Yanzi leaned against Yongqi's firm, warm embrace, listening to Qianlong's voice, filled with murderous determination, feeling the heartbeat of a survivor, and slowly closed her eyes. It seemed as if the endless darkness and coldness brought by the cup of poisoned bird's nest in her previous life had finally been completely consumed by the blazing flames of this life, a fusion of blood and fire, yet ultimately ushering in light.
Yongqi felt the woman in his arms relax, lowered his head, and placed a cherished kiss on her sweat-soaked forehead. His gaze passed over the gradually subsiding chaos of the hall, gazing out at the deep night sky beyond. E Min had been executed, his murderous plot thwarted… but there was still one person who needed to be dealt with once and for all. A cold glint flashed in his eyes—West Court, it's time to settle accounts.
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