Chapter 53 The Real Murderer
After returning to the villa, Su Ci dismounted obediently under the gazes of the Queen and others.
"I am useless and have made Your Majesty tired. I will take my leave first."
The hunting teams have returned one after another, and Xuan Yi has no time to accompany them since he wants to reward them according to their merits.
"Have a good rest. I'll come to see you after dinner."
"I obey your command."
Su Ci glanced at the queen, whose face was stiff, and smiled sweetly: "Your Majesty, I haven't seen my father and brother for a long time. Can I meet them in the pavilion in the courtyard?"
"allow."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Su Ci watched the emperor leave before turning around and kneeling before the empress, "Your Majesty, I will take my leave."
"Thank you for your hard work in attending to Your Majesty, Concubine Shu."
Um?
Su Ci raised her eyes and their eyes met.
"I dare not. Thank you, Your Majesty."
The queen snorted silently, turned around and walked into the yard gracefully.
Su Ci raised her head and narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Fulu, go ask my father and brother to come to the pavilion in the courtyard and wait for me. Yanyu will go back to my bedroom with me to change clothes."
"yes."
**
After entering the dormitory, Yanyu showed a frightened expression, swallowed her saliva and leaned close to her master's ear.
"The master got the medicine and asked the young master to rush to the other courtyard to find a doctor for examination. The young master came back pale and said that it was not poison, but... it was a fertility-inducing soup. If the master drank it, he would never be able to get pregnant in this life..."
"Oh, as expected."
Su Ci sneered: "No wonder it's still calm, it turns out they don't want to kill me."
When she saw the Queen's expression just now, she had a rough idea.
"Yes, is it the Queen?"
Yanyu looked a little flustered: "Then the master had better not eat any food from this villa. What if the queen drugs it again?"
"Since she already thought I drank the broth, she probably wouldn't risk it a second time."
Su Ci took off her riding coat: "Dad and brother should have guessed it. Let's change clothes first, stay calm and don't show our true colors."
"yes."
After a while, Su Ci walked out of the inner room and saw the father and son standing in the pavilion in the yard with serious expressions.
"You may withdraw first. I will have a conversation with my father and brother."
"Yes, my lady."
Fulu led the palace maids and eunuchs out of the courtyard, and Yanyu half-closed the courtyard door.
The father and son looked at the man solemnly and raised their hands to salute.
"Your Highness greets the Consort Shu."
"No need to be polite."
Su Ci carefully glanced around and sat down, saying in a low voice: "Dad and brother, don't worry, I didn't drink the soup. Time is running out, so tell me quickly."
“…”
Su Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead, his voice trembling.
"My father once helped that doctor, so his words couldn't be false. The medicine is called Zixi, a secret medicine unique to the Chen family of Medical Officer Chen. He had seen it before in a brothel, so he remembered the aroma mixed in the soup."
"The most unique thing about this medicine is that it causes no symptoms to those who take it, making it difficult to detect that they have been poisoned. For a man, it's as harmless as water, but for a woman, it will render her infertile for life. If a pregnant woman takes it, she will also suffer a miscarriage without any warning."
"Medical Officer Chen?"
Su Ci frowned slightly: "Dad, do you know this family? Why did they harm me?"
Su Li paused and spoke first: "Your Majesty, maybe it has something to do with Wei Xiuyuan in the palace."
“…Wei Xiuyuan? The former Wei Zhaorong?”
Su Ci thought about it and then remembered Wei Shuangyun, who was demoted by her using the sound of the pipa.
"Yes, Wei Xiuyuan's eldest concubine sister married the medical officer Chen Zhong a few years ago. Because she gave birth to two daughters in a row, she was not valued by her in-laws. After Wei Xiuyuan entered the palace, she helped support her concubine sister. The sisters have a deep relationship, and this concubine sister often comes to the palace."
"I see."
Su Ci raised her eyebrows. "Then I know what's going on. Daddy and brother, I don't want to make this public for now. Just pretend you don't know and dispose of the medicine."
"How can such a major event be taken lightly?"
Su Yan frowned: "Your Majesty is deeply favored by the Emperor now. If His Majesty knew, he would definitely be able to find out the murderer Wei Xiuyuan. Why did Your Majesty keep it secret?"
"Of course, it's to expose the real murderer behind Wei Xiuyuan."
"…What?"
"The real murderer?"
Su Yan took a breath: "Could it be..."
Su Ci looked at the stunned father and son and nodded slightly. "Now the real murderer thinks I've already drunk that bowl of soup. There are so many people in the courtyard, she won't take the risk of attacking again. I can handle it."
Su Yan pursed his lips in fear and stared at his daughter.
"Ci'er, you, you have to be careful about everything, okay? If anything happens, be sure to send someone to tell Daddy."
"Um."
Su Ci smiled: "Don't worry, if I can't hold on any longer, I will naturally ask His Majesty for help. Daddy and brother, just act as usual and don't reveal your true intentions in advance."
…
At dinner time, the king ate with his ministers in the main hall in front, while the women gathered in the Queen Mother's Kangshou Garden.
Today, Concubine Shu rode on the same horse with Your Majesty. Your Majesty asked Concubine Shu to return halfway because he was not feeling well. You also agreed to let Concubine Shu meet with her father and brother to relieve his longing. This is truly a unique favor and respect.
The clan wives at the banquet toasted one after another and spoke respectfully.
Su Ci responded politely with a smile and they had a very pleasant conversation.
The queen also looked very gentle as usual, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
After the meal, the ladies of the clan followed the queen to take their leave, and Su Ci was left in the hall.
"Come and sit down, and talk to me."
"yes."
Su Ci walked forward and sat down obediently, blinking her innocent eyes and letting the empress dowager look her up and down.
Alas, it is said that being a favorite concubine is difficult.
Your superiors want you to be favored, but are also afraid that you will be favored too much and disrupt the balance rules.
But she has only been in the palace for a short time, why should she be so anxious...
"Shufei, I am the Emperor's mother. I am deeply pleased to see that the Emperor loves you. However, I am also the Empress Dowager of Dayong. I must consider Dayong's future."
The Queen Mother took a sip of tea, her expression indifferent. "Have you ever heard of Emperor Chong of Jin? The emperors of the Great Yong Dynasty throughout history were all diligent and devoted to their people, wise rulers who strategized strategically. However, Emperor Chong of Jin alone, because of his exclusive favoritism towards a concubine who brought chaos to the harem, left behind an eternal infamy."
Su Ci sat like a primary school student, with a frightened look on his face, listening to the lecture silently.
Knock, go talk to your son if you have the guts.
The Queen Mother glanced at the little girl's expression and couldn't help but soften her tone.
"You are still young, but you must understand that the greater good is paramount. As the ruler of a nation, the Emperor shoulders the responsibility of the people of the world and the burden of continuing the lineage of the royal family. A monarch's exclusive favoritism towards his concubines is a hidden danger. The right path is to treat all equally. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand."
Damn, if you have the guts, go and scold your son.
Su Ci nodded obediently: "My humble appearance makes me feel so blessed to be loved by the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty. I will strictly abide by the palace rules and will not dare to disobey the Empress Dowager's teachings."
"Yeah, very good."
The Queen Mother nodded in satisfaction: "You are a smart and clever child, and you have a sensible father and brother. You will definitely be blessed in the future."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager."
"Your Majesty should have finished his dinner by now, so please serve him well."
"Yes, I'll take my leave."
Nanny Yi sent the person out and came back with a look of helplessness on her face.
"It looks like Concubine Shu is frightened and crying."
…
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