After the clothes were soaked for a stick of incense, the originally clear and transparent water in the four wooden basins gradually became different.
Judge Wu, Judge Wang, and Sheng Xiyan each scooped out four small bowls for inspection.
Look and smell, then use soapnut water to clean the silver needles and test them one by one.
The three people replied in unison:
"Your Majesty, the water contains sap from the herb Achyranthes bidentata, which has the effect of promoting blood circulation and menstruation. If it comes into contact with the skin during pregnancy and seeps into the body, it will cause uterine contractions."
Xuan Ling nodded, and saw Sheng Xiyan was still in deep thought.
"Yanyan, do you have any other discoveries?"
Sheng Xiyan didn't say anything, Xuan Ling waited patiently, and no one around dared to speak.
After a moment, Sheng Xiyan suddenly realized:
"Your Majesty, I just smelled the fragrance on Concubine Lian's body that came from Huang Dujuan.
Xuan Ling asked, "You mean to use Huang Dujuan to cover up the smell of hyssop on the clothes?"
Sheng Xiyan is determined,
"It's a cover-up. Huang Dujuan itself contains toxins. If a pregnant woman accidentally eats it or comes into contact with it frequently, the toxins will enter her body and cause miscarriage or premature birth."
Judge Wu and Judge Wang also nodded and said:
"What Empress Zhaoyi said is correct. These two substances combined are extremely powerful. Furthermore, Tianxiang Silk is a fabric with a unique fragrance, making it even harder for anyone to detect tampering."
Queen Duan glanced at the four concubines and walked forward to smell the water in the bowl.
"Your Majesty, someone must have poisoned Consort Lian and her unborn child. Unfortunately, the child is already over eight months old and is about to be born."
She was heartbroken and wiped her tears with a silk handkerchief. The prince she had been waiting for for several months was gone just like that, and she hated the people who were behind it even more.
Xuan Ling said sternly, "Immediately arrest the relevant personnel from the Clothing Bureau and the palace maids who serve Consort Lian, and bring them to the Shenxing Division for strict interrogation."
"Your Majesty, rest assured. I will definitely find out the real culprit behind this and give this poor mother and son an explanation."
Xuan Ling nodded slightly, stood up and led Sheng Xiyan out, and called the general in the yard.
"General, follow father to the Yangxin Palace."
"Um."
After the imperial carriage left, Queen Duan took the seat and looked at the four concubines fiercely.
Concubine Jia yawned and said, "This is none of my business. I'm so sleepy. I'm going back to rest."
He walked away with a swagger.
Concubine Shu stood up and said, "I will go back to take care of the Second Prince. I will take my leave."
She bowed and was about to leave, but Empress Duan stopped her with a hidden message.
"Shufei, Lian Zhaoyi's heir is gone, so you must take good care of Yuqing."
"I will remember the Queen's teachings."
After she left, Liangpin said, "Empress, who would be the most threatening when the prince of Lian Zhaoyi is born? The more suspicious this person is, the greater his suspicion."
Empress Duan asked, "Liangpin, what do you mean? There are no outsiders here, so why not explain it clearly?"
Liangpin stood up and said with a smile: "Sister, what I mean is that this difficult matter depends on your ability. You must find the murderer and avenge the unborn prince."
After she left, Concubine De went out with Queen Duan.
"De Fei, who do you think it is?"
"Everything requires evidence, so I can't jump to conclusions, but what Liangpin said just now makes some sense."
The person that Empress Duan thought was most likely to murder the royal heir was one of the four concubines, and among them, Concubine Shu was the most likely.
Qing Dai said, "Your Majesty, if evidence can be found, Concubine Shu will no longer be able to raise the Second Prince."
Empress Duan ordered, "You go to the Shenxingsi personally to oversee the interrogation. I must not let this rare opportunity slip by."
Lian Zhaoyi's child is gone, so she must snatch Yu Qing away.
"Yes, my lady, I will keep a close eye on it right away."
The palace lanterns were dim at night, and a rare summer breeze blew, and crows flew up from the trees with a caw.
It also seemed to be mourning for a deceased mother and child.
The emperor came up to the palace and asked:
"Father, where will the baby in Empress Lian's belly go?"
Xuan Ling touched his head and remained silent for a long time.
Even if he had no feelings for Lian Zhaoyi, the child who passed away was truly his own flesh and blood. How could he not feel sad?
"That child went to heaven."
"Is anyone feeding him? He can only grow taller if he drinks cow's milk."
Xuan Ling replied in a deep voice: "Yes."
Jiang Jiang touched his chin and murmured, "That's good, it's a pity that I haven't seen what he looks like yet."
The lights in the Hall of Mental Cultivation were brightly lit.
Xuan Ling walked in holding Sheng Xiyan's left hand and Jiang Jiang's right hand.
"Yan Yan, I still have some memorials to read. Please take the general to the back hall to rest first."
Both mother and son stared at him in amazement, the three of them still immersed in the complicated events of the day.
"I understand."
Sheng Xiyan felt sorry for Xuan Ling for losing a child, and she also felt sorry for Lian Zhaoyi. She was depressed and had no energy.
He led his general to the back hall and just got on the dragon bed.
Eunuch Fu brought in a sandalwood basket with people who hadn't read the memorials yet, and moved the incense table to the side of the dragon couch.
Then Xuan Ling walked in.
"You guys go down."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Xuan Ling sat beside the dragon couch, and Sheng Xiyan and Jiang Jiang snuggled into his arms at the same time.
"I know you two are scared. I'm here to read the memorials and keep you company. Go to sleep."
"Father, you should go to bed early too."
"good."
Jiang Jiang slept obediently on the inside, and Sheng Xiyan covered her with the yellow dragon-patterned quilt.
After a gentle pat, Jiangjiang fell asleep in a short while.
Sheng Xiyan moved quietly to Xuan Ling's side, handed him a vermilion pen, handed him a memorial, and collected the memorial.
The hall was filled with the aroma of agarwood and was extremely quiet, with only the sound of flipping papers.
An hour later, Sheng Xiyan was so sleepy that she fell onto Xuan Ling.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
