Chapter 207: Evidence of Their Collusion Found
Pei Zhi and Xuan'er exchanged a glance. Pei Zhi seemed to pause for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, before he walked over and asked, "How is the Empress Dowager?"
"She's alright for now," Ye Wanning said calmly. "However, her medicine was poisoned with aconite, by someone who was a remnant of Consort Li's faction. It seems that Consort Li's family colluded with the remnants of the previous dynasty, trying to poison the Empress Dowager and cause turmoil in the court."
"Aconite? Consort Li's remnants have some nerve!" Pei Zhi's expression changed.
"Stop for a moment," Ye Wanning said coldly, halting in her tracks. "Recently, I've been investigating the remnants of the previous dynasty in court, and the clues have just pointed to Consort Li's family. Coupled with what happened in the harem, it seems that Consort Li's family colluded with the remnants of the previous dynasty to poison the Empress Dowager and bring turmoil upon themselves. The Emperor is already suspicious of you and me; if he discovers that you and I are communicating privately, it will only make him more suspicious."
"You don't need to worry about this." After saying this, Pei Zhi turned around.
"You!" Ye Wanning raised her head and looked directly at Pei Zhi. "The remnants of Consort Li's faction are backed by the remnants of the previous dynasty. This is not something you can handle alone. I need the accounts of Consort Li's family. Perhaps we can find evidence of their collusion in the accounts."
"Court affairs are complicated, let's talk about the accounts later." After saying that, Pei Zhi turned around and left her with a cold back view.
The rain hit my face, it was icy cold...
Ye Wanning watched his retreating figure, a growing sense of grievance and anger spreading through her. Shen Lixuan knew her situation, knew how serious the matter was, which was why he was so distant from her, refusing even this small favor. Was Lord Pei truly that important to her? Was she merely a burden, only meant to share his good fortune, but not his suffering?
Back at the Heritage Hall, Ye Wanning closed the door to her study, stared at the rain outside, and remained silent for a long time.
Chuntao brought over a cup of hot tea: "Miss, don't be angry. Lord Pei must have his reasons."
"His predicament?" Ye Wanning smiled bitterly. "His predicament is nothing more than fearing the Emperor's suspicion and being implicated."
She wrote down the medicinal properties of aconite and the methods of detoxification, but her mind was in turmoil. Without the accounts of Consort Li's family, it would be difficult to find concrete evidence of their collusion with remnants of the previous dynasty, and she could only watch helplessly as they continued their evil deeds. But she couldn't give up. The Empress Dowager believed in her, the palace maids and apprentices trusted her, and so many innocent people might be implicated; she had to persevere.
A few days later, Ye Wanning entered the palace daily to treat the Empress Dowager, secretly adding several antidotes to the prescriptions. The Empress Dowager's headache gradually subsided, and her complexion became rosy again. Qinghe continued to serve in the Cining Palace, but she was much more cautious than before and dared not tamper with the medicines again.
Xiao Lian returned with news that Qing He often sent the other palace maids away at night to secretly go out and meet a strange man—who looked like the steward of Consort Li's family.
What's meant to happen will happen eventually. But just then, bad news came from Pei Zhi's side.
Upon hearing that Pei Zhi was investigating their movements, Consort Li's remaining faction naturally seized the opportunity and spread rumors everywhere, saying that Pei Zhi and his wife were "colluding to plot against the emperor and want to seize control of the imperial harem!" They also listed some dubious "evidence," such as Pei Zhi's previous help to Ye Wanning to obtain medicinal herbs, and the special recruitment class for palace maids that she ran.
The emperor was already wary of Ye Wanning's "interference in the inner palace," and these rumors only fueled his suspicions. He summoned Pei Zhi to the imperial study, sat him on the dragon and phoenix chair, and said coldly, "Pei Zhi, I know you and Ye Wanning are deeply in love. But the court and the inner palace each have their own rules. As the prime minister, you cannot allow Ye Wanning to do as she pleases, nor can you allow outsiders to say that you two are colluding and undermining the foundation of the nation."
Pei Zhixin's heart sank, and he quickly knelt down: "Your Majesty, please understand, I and Wan Ning have never had such thoughts! Wan Ning is wholeheartedly devoted to practicing medicine and serving the country and its people. I am only doing my best to support her, and I have absolutely no intention of plotting anything."
"I hope so." The emperor sighed. "From now on, you and Wan Ning must not collude in private. You must not interfere in matters of the inner palace, lest you cause trouble."
Pei Zhi was extremely unwilling, but he had no choice but to obey the imperial decree. Leaving the imperial study, Pei Zhi's face was so cold it could drip water. He had long suspected that it was Consort Li's remaining faction trying to sow discord, but he couldn't disobey the imperial command; he had no other option.
When Ye Wanning learned the news, her last glimmer of hope was shattered. It turned out that Pei Zhi's coldness wasn't due to distrust, but rather pressure from the Emperor. Even so, he still chose to obey the imperial decree and sever ties with her.
Ye Wanning approached Pei Zhi, hoping he would retrieve the accounts of Consort Li's family: "Pei Zhi, as long as you produce the accounts, you can prove their crimes of colluding with the remnants of the previous dynasty. This will not only clear your name but also protect the Empress Dowager's safety."
Pei Zhi looked at Ye Wanning and shook his head: "Wanning, the Emperor has already decreed that you should no longer interfere in the affairs of the inner palace, and he also forbids me from having any more private contact with you. I cannot help you with the accounts."
"Can't you help me?" Ye Wanning looked at Pei Zhi. "Pei Zhi, we are husband and wife! In your heart, is the Emperor's decree more important than our relationship, the Empress Dowager's safety, or even the safety of the people?"
"I...I didn't mean that," Pei Zhi said anxiously. "I just don't want you to get involved in deeper danger! The Emperor is already suspicious of us. If he finds out we're colluding in secret, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
"Danger? I've never been afraid of danger since I decided to enter the palace to investigate!" Ye Wanning said. "I thought you would support me and face it with me, but I never expected that you would sacrifice me to protect yourself!"
After saying that, Ye Wanning returned to her courtyard and never looked back.
Pei Zhi felt a sharp pain in his heart. He wanted to chase after her and explain, but the Emperor's decree stopped him. He watched helplessly as Ye Wanning's figure disappeared, and the misunderstanding between them deepened.
The Cold War has escalated once again!
Ye Wanning no longer personally went to the palace to examine the Empress Dowager. The prescriptions she prepared were sent directly to the palace by Xiaolian, and then prepared by Chief Steward Li. She devoted all her energy to the Heritage Hall and the revision of the medical classics, ignoring Pei Zhi completely. She even had Chun Tao return the medicine and snacks that Pei Zhi sent her unopened.
Unexpectedly, Qin Song jumped out again that day and caused her a lot of trouble.
Qin Song's three-month period of self-reflection ended, but upon returning to the Imperial Hospital, he didn't repent; instead, his resentment towards Ye Wanning deepened. Instigated by the remnants of Consort Li's faction, he saw this as a golden opportunity to bring down Ye Wanning.
That day, Ye Wanning was feeling unwell and took a sick day. Qin Song then slipped into Cining Palace and found Chief Eunuch Li: "Madam Ye's prescription is wrong. It will cause the Empress Dowager to have diarrhea. His Majesty has asked me to revise the prescription!"
Chief Steward Li had his doubts, but Qin Song was an imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Academy and had brought a forged imperial edict. Chief Steward Li couldn't see any flaws, so he ordered Qin Song to change the prescription.
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