Chapter 18 Whoever touches it is doomed
Since meeting Qin Jinzhi, Liu Yiyi's medical skills have improved rapidly.
Not only that, she was also quite skilled in using poison.
However, Qin Jinzhi's mind kept coming up with novel ideas every now and then.
Most importantly, what she was thinking was very much to her liking.
Over time, Liu Yiyi developed various secret medicines with different functions.
Now, if anyone gets close to her, she can silently administer ten kinds of poison.
But she's not a serial killer; she's destined to become the world's most famous and divine female doctor!
If she can cure Qin Jinzhi's cold poison, the title of the world's number one goddess doctor will be within her reach!
Liu Yiyi came out of the room, where the Empress and others were already waiting at the door.
Even the emperor was there.
Liu Yiyi was still a little guilty, but she mustered her courage and said, "The princess is out of danger for now, but it will still be a bit troublesome to cure the poison."
The emperor immediately asked, "What kind of poison has Jinzhi been poisoned with?"
Liu Yiyi lowered her head and said, "The poison on the brocade box is the Netherworld Flower."
"Netherworld Flower?"
After pondering for a moment, the emperor was furious but laughed instead, "What a fine marriage alliance between Cui and Pei!"
"Hong Dequan, summon Vice Minister Pei and Prime Minister Cui to the palace!"
The Netherworld Flower blooms once every five years. Its petals are deep purple and emit a strange fragrance. At night, when moonlight shines on the flower branches, it refracts light like scattered stars, which is very beautiful. However, this flower is extremely poisonous. If ingested, it will kill a person instantly, so it is also known as the Flower of Death.
Its growing environment is extremely demanding and it is very difficult to cultivate. Many young ladies in the capital have tried to cultivate it, but only Miss Cui Ying of the Cui family succeeded.
In the capital, there is only one such cup!
In the imperial study, the emperor and empress sat in the highest positions.
As soon as Prime Minister Cui and Vice Minister Pei entered, they saw the Emperor's icy expression.
The two exchanged a glance, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to Your Majesty, and Your Majesty the Empress."
The emperor's voice was filled with anger, "Minister Pei, how dare you! You actually dared to poison the princess in the palace! What is your punishment!"
Pei Hong immediately looked puzzled and said, "Your Majesty, I do not understand your meaning."
The Empress snorted coldly, "Minister Pei, you are quite the schemer. Jinzhi only wanted a lingzhi mushroom from your Pei family, yet your Pei family wants my life. The Pei family has some nerve!"
Pei Hong was even more confused after hearing this. "What does Your Majesty mean by this? I gave the Fire Spirit Mushroom to the Princess this morning. How could I have poisoned the Princess?"
The Empress slammed her hand on the table and stood up abruptly. "Jinzhi was poisoned because she took your Ganoderma lucidum. She is now unconscious and her life hangs in the balance. Minister Pei, what are your true intentions? Are you worried about the Ganoderma lucidum or are you seeking justice for your betrothed daughter-in-law?"
Prime Minister Cui understood what was going on, but how did it get to him?
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please calm your anger. We are unaware of what happened, but there must be some misunderstanding!"
The emperor looked at Prime Minister Cui with a grim expression. "Prime Minister Cui, do you know what poison the princess has been given?"
Prime Minister Cui respectfully replied, "Please enlighten us, Your Majesty."
"Netherworld Flower!"
Prime Minister Cui was startled. What?!
Everyone in the capital knows that there is only one Netherworld Flower, cultivated by her daughter, Cui Ying.
Several flower viewing parties have already been held.
Her daughter and Qin Jinzhi had a long-standing feud, and Qin Jinzhi was poisoned by the Netherworld Flower!
Prime Minister Cui immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty! We had absolutely no intention of poisoning the princess!"
The emperor said coldly, "Then tell me, who else in the whole world possesses this Netherworld Flower!"
Prime Minister Cui calmed down at this point. Qin Jinzhi's poisoning had dragged both families into the mess.
The apology gift from the Pei family contained poison, but it was unique to the Cui family.
This must be someone targeting both of them with ulterior motives.
Prime Minister Cui immediately said, "Your Majesty, someone must be framing the Cui and Pei families. Please, Your Majesty, see the truth!"
Vice Minister Pei quickly added, "Your Majesty, just as Prime Minister Cui said, someone must be trying to frame the Cui and Pei families. The Pei family has absolutely no intention of poisoning the princess!"
Even if he were stupid, he wouldn't poison Qin Jinzhi in front of everyone.
Countless eyes of the civil and military officials in court saw him give the Fire Spirit Mushroom to Qin Jinzhi.
He even used a flower that was unique to Miss Cui, which everyone knew about, to poison her.
Isn't this announcing to the world that the two families are conspiring together?
To poison a princess personally appointed by His Majesty in the palace—if this is taken too seriously, it's either a coup or a rebellion. Where does that leave His Majesty?
Someone must have framed him!
What kind of mess is this?!
Prime Minister Cui then spoke up, "Your Majesty, please give me a few days. I will definitely investigate thoroughly and clear the name of the Cui and Pei families!"
The Empress snorted coldly, "Prime Minister Cui is quite cunning. My Jinzhi's fate is still unknown. Sending you to investigate is a perfect opportunity for you to destroy evidence."
Prime Minister Cui had no way to express his suffering, as the Empress was usually very approachable.
Rende governed the inner palace without interfering in court affairs.
But that little devil was loved so much he was practically eyeballs.
The emperor's expression was also grave. "Since both of you claim to be innocent, then investigate thoroughly. However, the empress's words also make sense. There's no need to trouble Prime Minister Cui with the investigation. Summon Hong Dequan, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, to an audience."
After Eunuch Hong left the Imperial Study, the Emperor spoke again: "Until the matter is thoroughly investigated, I will trouble you two ministers to stay in the palace for the time being."
The two were taken aback; the emperor had placed them under house arrest in the palace.
Upon hearing this, the Empress stood up and said, "If anything happens to Jinzhi, I will never let you off the hook!"
The hatred in his eyes, hanging on his usually kind and gentle face, was terrifying!
Prime Minister Cui considered himself a capable person.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to stand out from the vast Cui clan.
Besides the strong support of his family, the most important reason he became prime minister was his own ability and intelligence.
However, when he encountered Qin Jinzhi, his shrewdness and deep-seated schemes all became useless.
They acted completely unpredictably, making a complete mess of things.
He believed that Qin Jinzhi had many enemies and many people who wanted her dead, but on the surface, their two families had a greater grudge against Qin Jinzhi, so they framed the Cui and Pei families.
It's astonishing that a prime minister of a nation would be placed under house arrest and imprisoned for something as trivial as poisoning a junior.
Is Qin Jinzhi some kind of jinx? Anyone who touches her is doomed!
Pei Hong was utterly devastated. He had just brought his son home, and now he was being held captive in the palace. Had he recently run into some bad luck?
Unlike the two men who looked worried, the culprit who framed them was leaning against the bed eating fruit.
Feiyan sneaked in like a thief.
"Princess, Prime Minister Cui and Vice Minister Pei have been detained in the palace by His Majesty. Originally, His Majesty intended to send them to the inner prison, but due to their status, His Majesty has placed them under house arrest in the inner courtyard."
Just as Qin Jinzhi had expected, she put the fruit aside.
"Tell Liu Yiyi to tell Grandmother that I will wake up tomorrow."
Feiyan frowned. "Why tomorrow? Her Majesty the Empress is worried sick."
Qin Jinzhi tapped her head, "Grandmother usually keeps her troubles to herself. It's good to let her vent. If I wake up too quickly, how can I highlight the danger of this poison?"
Feiyan sat down on the footstool and nodded thoughtfully. She secretly reached into the fruit plate and took a fruit, but spat it out after just one bite, her face scrunched up. "Ptooey! This fruit is too sour! Princess, how could you eat it!"
Qin Jinzhi smiled and said, "These are sour apricots, of course they're sour. Liu Yiyi sent them over."
However, a fleeting look of melancholy crossed her eyes before disappearing.
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