He jumped up with joy and shouted, "Great! I'm going to have a little brother or sister!"
However, when he saw the bandaged wound on Xu Yuehuai's abdomen and Xiao Lian, who was unconscious from poisoning, his smile froze on his face, replaced by deep grief and anger.
He sat on the edge of the bed, holding Xu Yuehuai's hand tightly, his eyes shining with determination: "Mother, I will definitely find the people who harmed you and sister-in-law and make them pay the price!"
Xu Yuehuai looked at him, smiled and nodded: "Okay! Mother is waiting for you to avenge us!"
She never expected that Qi Ziang would actually use his own strength to help find the culprit behind it all.
In the days that followed, Qi Hanlin's life seemed to be revitalized. He immersed himself in taking care of Xu Yuehuai and Xiaolian every day, filled with anticipation and hope.
He arranged for the best imperial physicians in the palace to spare no expense in order to ensure their safety and health.
Xu Yuehuai's body gradually regained its vitality. Although the wound on her abdomen was deep, under the careful care of the imperial physician, it not only did not affect the child's growth, but also highlighted her maternal radiance.
Her complexion gradually regained its rosy hue, and her eyes returned to their former brilliance.
Whenever Qi Ziang and others came to visit her, she would face them with a smile, radiating a special kind of sunshine.
Although Xiaolian's condition was somewhat complicated, she gradually woke up thanks to the tireless efforts of the imperial physicians. Although the toxins in her body were not completely eliminated, she was no longer in danger of dying.
Although her consciousness was still somewhat hazy, every time she saw Qi Hanlin's anxious expression, she would try to force a smile and say softly, "Your Majesty, I'm sorry to have worried you."
These words were like a warm current, instantly dispelling Qi Hanlin's anxiety.
Meanwhile, Qi Ziang and Tie Xiong were also investigating the murders of Xu Yuehuai and Xiaolian in earnest.
They traveled day and night, leaving no stone unturned. They knew that this incident concerned not only the safety of two people, but also the safety of the entire palace.
Therefore, they vowed to find the real culprit among those who attended the last banquet and to give Xu Yuehuai and Xiaolian justice.
During this process, although Qi Hanlin was busy taking care of Xu Yuehuai and Xiaolian, he also kept a close eye on the progress of the investigation.
Whenever Qi Ziang and Tie Xiong reported to him, he would listen attentively and analyze every detail.
"There were 1,671 people at the banquet. We have searched them all and found some suspicious people among them..." Tie Xiong said.
Qi Zi'ang said, "Among those people, we have particularly strong suspicions..."
His gaze was firm and profound: "No matter who the real culprit is, I will not let him go!"
"Yes! We will find the murderer as soon as possible!" Tie Xiong and Qi Ziang replied in unison.
They have found a lot of evidence in the past few days, and now they need to focus on investigating specific individuals.
The tense atmosphere of this struggle could be felt in every corner of the palace. Everyone was on edge after what happened last time, being especially cautious, worried that they might be affected by the assassination attempt.
But in this difficult time, Qi Hanlin displayed unparalleled strength and determination. He was not only a loving husband and father, but also a responsible monarch. His actions moved and impressed everyone.
Under Qi Hanlin's meticulous care, Xu Yuehuai and Xiaolian gradually recovered.
Xu Yuehuai also wrote a letter to the Ghost Doctor, hoping that the Ghost Doctor could take some time to come over and help Xiaolian remove the toxins from her body.
Under Qi Ziang and Tie Xiong's close investigation, the true culprit's trail gradually became clear, like a scene in the morning mist, which was hazy at first but became clearer and clearer as time went by.
On this day, Tie Xiong led the Regent's Palace's elite guards to Minister Li's residence in the capital, intending to confiscate his property.
Minister Li's residence, usually bustling with activity, was unusually quiet at this moment.
The stone lions at the gate seemed to sense the approaching storm, silently guarding the mansion. As Tie Xiong and his group arrived at the gate, the guards quickly dispersed, surrounding the mansion to prevent anyone from escaping.
"Everyone stay here and guard this area. Do not let anyone leave, or you will be subject to military law!"
Then, Tie Xiong stepped forward and gently knocked on the gate.
"Knock knock knock!"
A faint light shone through the crack in the door, indicating that the mansion was not completely shrouded in darkness. After a moment, the door was slowly opened, revealing the face of the Li family woman. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure, attempting to meet Tie Xiong's gaze with unwavering resolve.
"Who are you? Why are you trespassing on my property?" The Li family woman's voice trembled, but she tried her best to keep her tone firm.
Tie Xiong presented His Majesty's edict with a blank expression and said coldly, "By order of His Majesty, we have come to confiscate your property. The evidence of your harm to the future Empress of the Great Zhou Kingdom and the Regent's Consort is irrefutable!"
Minister Li rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, a long sword gripping his hand, his eyes gleaming with determination. He stood in front of the Li family woman and shouted, "I must see His Majesty! There must be some misunderstanding!"
Tie Xiong did not back down, his gaze meeting Minister Li's with piercing intensity: "Does His Majesty exist so easily to be seen? Your crimes are undeniable, surrender immediately!"
Upon hearing this, Li's daughter angrily shouted, "How could that little palace maid be worthy of being the Empress of the Great Zhou Kingdom?" Her words were full of disdain and contempt.
Tie Xiong frowned and said in a deep voice, "The selection of the Empress is His Majesty's decision, and it is not something you or I can interfere with. If you continue to be so stubborn, don't blame us for being impolite!"
Minister Li and the woman of the Li family exchanged a glance, a hint of hesitation flashing in their eyes. They knew that things had come to this point, and turning the tide was now virtually impossible. But the resentment and anger in their hearts surged like a tidal wave, impossible to quell.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps sounded within the mansion. A guard rushed in, holding a secret letter in his hands: "My lord, this is a secret letter that just came from the palace!"
Minister Li took the secret letter, glanced at it quickly, and his expression changed drastically.
He looked up at Tie Xiong, a hint of despair flashing in his eyes: "We...we lost."
Upon hearing this, Li's daughter's body went limp, almost collapsing to the ground. She bit her lower lip tightly, trying hard not to let the tears fall. She knew that everything was beyond redemption, and her fate and his were sealed.
Tie Xiong ignored their despair and sorrow, and coldly ordered, "Take them down!"
The guards quickly stepped forward and subdued Minister Li and the woman from the Li family. Minister Li did not resist, but silently lowered his head.
"Let me go, you wicked scoundrels! I am the future Empress of the Great Zhou Kingdom!"
The Li family woman struggled to break free of her restraints, but was ultimately forcibly taken away by the guards.
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