"Where is the tea bowl? Did the imperial physician say what kind of poison it contained?" Qingman then asked.
"The imperial physician said it was poison."
Poison is difficult to detect, and silver needles are also difficult to use.
However, there is a kind of lead powder left over from alchemy in the Taoist temple. When it is mixed with poison, it turns red.
Wearing gloves, Qingman used a small knife to pry open her belly and observe the color of her internal organs.
She turned around and sprinkled the lead powder used to convict Xiao Lanhua onto He Qing's throat. The gray powder immediately turned bright red. Then she made a small incision in her stomach and poured the lead powder in.
"The poison was in the throat, but not in the stomach. The poison was administered later, and the person died first."
Harumi placed the knife on the tray, took off his gloves, and said to everyone while washing his hands.
"The fingernails of people poisoned with poison turn black; this is common. Are you trying to exonerate Consort Xiao?"
The palace maid beside Consort Qing was still kneeling on the ground, looking at Qing Mandao with resentment.
The woman replied expressionlessly and coldly.
"Who could stomach the smell of poison? Even pigs wouldn't drink it. Would your pampered master drink it?"
"Then tell me, how did Consort Qing die? If you can't answer, Consort Xiao is a suspect, and she should be dealt with according to palace rules."
The Empress Dowager raised her cane and tapped it lightly on the floor twice.
This carries a sense of threat and swagger.
Even if you can exonerate Xiao Lanhua, no one in the harem is more powerful than me. If I say she is a suspect, then she is a suspect, and she will not escape being sent to the Cold Palace.
Even Qingman, who had never experienced palace intrigue, realized this. The woman, instead of a handkerchief, covered her hands with a white cloth, stretched her belly open again, and pointed to her spleen and stomach, saying to the Empress Dowager...
"This servant believes that Consort Qing has been poisoned by the Western Regions' sand flower, which is colorless and odorless. If a person smells it continuously for several months, he will be poisoned and die. After death, his fingernails will turn black."
"As for the evidence, this is the evidence."
“Smelling this fragrance for a long time will make your spleen and stomach look unwell. Your Majesty, look, Consort Qing’s spleen and stomach have turned gray. If you don’t believe me, you can call the people from the Imperial Hospital to ask her.”
“Three months ago, my lady was still in Dongyu, not in the palace.”
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager leaned back.
To everyone's surprise, Xiao Lanhua brought back something like this from outside the palace.
The original plan was to set fire to the person en route to the Prefect of the Capital, but now it's too late, so they have to find a new scapegoat.
"Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. You must pay close attention to it. Consort Xiao will not be able to help you this time."
The empress's face was deathly pale, but the woman forced a smile.
"Yes, Mother."
"Sis, have you been wronged?"
The Emperor and Huo Xiaolong arrived late. Actually, Huo Xiaolong had already run quite fast. The Emperor rode in a sedan chair, while she walked on foot below. The group of eunuchs did not dare to keep up with her pace.
Yuwen Xuanhong followed behind the girl. Long'er looked Ruyi up and down, and only felt relieved when she saw that the woman was safe and sound.
"His Majesty told me about it. Your Highness, please rest assured, His Majesty will definitely stand up for you and Madam Xiao."
Xiao Lanhua nodded and handed Long'er a handful of melon seeds.
Huo Xiaolong didn't stand on ceremony and directly opened his purse for her to put in.
"Mother, if something like this happens again, please have someone inform me."
Yuwen Xuanhong was a little angry today. This matter was related to Consort Xiao, and his mother hadn't told him about it.
He had told his mother long ago that as long as Xiao Lanhua didn't harm the imperial heirs in the harem, she could do whatever she wanted.
Do they really think Xiao Lanyi is willing to risk his life for the Yuwen family?
If Xiao Lanhua is dealt with privately today, even if she is banished to the Cold Palace and left alone, Xiao Lanyi, who is fighting in Dongyu, will not be happy.
The war has just ended. As soon as Xiao Lanyi returns to the capital, Da'an will launch a counterattack.
The Empress Dowager tightened her grip on her cane. The child was older now, and not as easy to control as when he was little. She nodded slightly.
"I am old and forgot to tell you about today's events. Next time, I will definitely tell you next time."
"As you know, Consort Qing is the one who has served me the most, and we have a deep bond, which is why Mother is so angry."
The man nodded in reply.
“I know Mother’s intentions, but you don’t know this. In the previous dynasty, the Prince of Zhenbei just finished complaining to me, and then an assassin committed murder in his mansion.”
"Fortunately, the household is full of female warriors, which prevented the thieves from succeeding. Mother, they were all after Marshal Xiao, and today's events in the harem were directed at the Consort. This must not be a coincidence."
The Empress Dowager calmed herself down. This time, she didn't let a single pawn from the grasslands make a move; they were all people sent by Da'an, all to make Xiao Lanyi a rebel.
"In that case, I, the Empress Dowager, will not interfere in this matter. Why don't you send someone over to investigate?"
"Thank you for your understanding, Mother."
Huo Xiaolong looked at the head palace maid in the Empress Dowager's palace who had just confronted Qingman and couldn't help but feel a little suspicious.
She was usually very quiet, and the Empress Dowager didn't like to show off either. She would never go to such lengths for a mere Consort Qing.
"The Prince of Zhenbei."
"Your subject is here," Long'er stepped forward and bowed.
"The Empress Dowager is old, and the Empress is in poor health. According to the rules, the Consort cannot interfere this time. You are a woman, so it is convenient for you to come and go in the inner palace. You can investigate the affairs of the inner palace and the court yourself, and let the Ministry of Justice assist you."
"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."
Having achieved the result he wanted today, Huo Xiaolong skipped out of the palace, holding Sister Ruyi's hand.
Ruyi walked ahead, and she followed slowly behind.
The married woman loved flowers, especially the various exotic flowers she had never seen before in the imperial garden. Even though it was already winter, there was still a garden in full bloom.
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