"Qiao Aiqing, please get up."

Emperor Yong relaxed and his tone became much gentler.

"Tell me, what happened just now?"

Qiao Zhongguo was secretly grateful to the Queen.

If it weren't for the Empress' help today, he would have to put in a lot more effort to resolve Emperor Yong's anger and dissatisfaction.

Qiao Zhongguo did not stand up, but held up the teacup in his hand and said respectfully:

"Your Majesty, at the banquet just now, the palace servants poured this tea to my eldest daughter-in-law."

"I don't know if that palace servant is guilty of his crime, he looks a bit flustered."

"My daughter-in-law was chatting with Miss Xiao at the time, so I didn't think much about it, nor did I go to drink tea."

"Then my little daughter was naughty and found my daughter-in-law. While they were talking, my daughter-in-law inadvertently looked at the palace maid, and saw that her eyes were flickering and she had been paying attention to this side."

"My eldest daughter-in-law told me this story. I felt something was wrong and was going to find the palace maid to ask her about it. But as soon as I caught her, she took poison and committed suicide without hesitation!"

"When I looked back, I saw another palace maid reaching for the tea, intending to destroy the evidence. At this point, I was certain that there must be something fishy in the tea!"

"In a desperate situation, I saved the tea, and the palace maid also took poison immediately."

"Your Majesty, this is what happened before."

Qiao Zhongguo had already prepared these excuses on the way here.

True and false, real and fake.

Otherwise, he would have no way of explaining how he discovered that there was something wrong with the tea.

Emperor Yong did not doubt what Qiao Zhongguo said. After all, when their family stood together and talked in a low voice, others could not hear them at all.

At least what the palace servant just reported matches what Qiao Zhongguo explained now.

"Come here, announce Zou Qi." Emperor Yong said in a deep voice.

Since there is something wrong with the tea, let’s test it!

The queen was cautious and made arrangements immediately.

"Detain all the palace servants who are serving in the palace today, and replace them with a new batch. Also replace all the drinks!"

There was a palace banquet today, and a group of imperial physicians were on duty nearby. As soon as the message was received, they arrived very quickly.

Doctor Zou is a man of great experience, high medical skills, and extensive knowledge. He is an expert at testing medicines and poisons.

He took the tea and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, would you allow me to go down and take a closer look?"

Emperor Yong nodded, and Doctor Zou went to the side hall with the tea.

By this time, Emperor Yong had calmed down and couldn't help but comfort Qiao Zhongguo.

Qiao Zhongguo was very grateful and said a lot of nice words. The atmosphere in the hall became very harmonious for a while.

After a long while, when the banquet was almost about to start, Imperial Physician Zou came hurriedly from the side hall.

"Your Majesty!"

Emperor Yong asked in a deep voice: "Doctor Zou, what's the matter?"

Doctor Zou bowed and said, "Your Majesty, it is undoubtedly poison."

Although Qiao Zhongguo had been certain of this for a long time, he couldn't help but change his expression after getting confirmation from Doctor Zou!

He asked quickly, "Doctor Zou, what kind of poison is this?"

Emperor Yong and the Empress also looked gloomy and looked at Doctor Zou together.

Doctor Zou did not dare to hide anything and said truthfully: "This medicine will not kill people, but it is extremely cold. If a woman drinks it, she will be unable to have children for the rest of her life. It is a medicine that will end her family lineage."

When Qiao Zhongguo heard this, he was instantly horrified!

Sure enough, the future was exactly the same as what Jiaojiao had foreseen!

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yong and the Empress both changed their expressions.

They looked at Qiao Zhongguo almost at the same time, and saw that his face was pale and his whole body was shaking slightly, as if he was about to fall!

Huang Pei glanced at Emperor Yong's expression, and hurried forward to support Qiao Zhongguo, whispering:

"Master Qiao!"

Qiao Zhongguo covered his face with his hands and said in a trembling voice: "How cruel! This thief has such vicious intentions. He wants my Qiao family to be extinct!"

"Your Majesty, I...I am sorry for being disrespectful in front of you, but I really am..."

At this moment, Qiao Zhongguo's voice was choked with sobs.

Upon hearing this, the Queen's heart ached, and Emperor Yong could hardly hide his shock.

This was the first time he saw Qiao Zhongguo lose his composure like this!

The iron-blooded hero of that year, the world-famous General Zhenbei, seemed so helpless at this moment, completely different from the one he remembered!

Emperor Yong had also heard of the rules of the Qiao family. It was said that the men of the Qiao family only had one wife and did not take concubines. In this case, the thieves attacked Qiao Zhongguo's eldest daughter-in-law, which was indeed to cut off his chance of having children and grandchildren.

Thinking of this, Emperor Yong could no longer sit still, and he personally stood up and supported Qiao Zhongguo.

"My dear Qiao, please don't do this. I will definitely seek justice for you!"

Emperor Yong was also furious. The thieves were truly lawless. They actually dared to do such a heinous thing at his Wanshou Palace Banquet!

"Zou Qi, can you find out where this medicine came from?"

Doctor Zou bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I have just carefully examined it and found that the cold poison has completely dissolved in the tea. If you want to check the original material, you must spend some time and effort to check it carefully."

"But there is one thing. This medicine...is extremely cold and very rare in this dynasty."

"If possible, Your Majesty, please give me some more time. Perhaps I can find some clues."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yong suddenly raised his head.

"Is it rare in this dynasty?"

Almost at the same moment, everyone in the hall remembered the two major delegations from Nanli and Beiguo that had recently visited.

The people of Nanli are good at medicine, and the Beiguo and Qiao Zhongguo have a deep hatred. They may all be the ones who poisoned!

"Alright, now you've stretched your hand out to me! Check! Zou Qi, you must find out for me where this medicine came from!"

Dong, Dong, Dong———

At this time, three drums were heard outside, and it was time for the emperor and the empress to join the banquet.

After hearing this, Qiao Zhongguo finally raised his head.

"Your Majesty, this matter can be discussed later. Don't let it ruin your Majesty's birthday."

Emperor Yong turned his head and met Qiao Zhongguo's red eyes, and finally felt a sense of indebtedness.

"My dear, please be at ease. I will never let this matter go."

Qiao Zhongguo nodded heavily and said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

At this time, Emperor Yong and the Queen set off for the main hall.

Qiao Zhongguo followed behind, with a lot of thoughts in his mind.

He now had an idea of ​​the mastermind behind the scenes, which even Jiaojiao had not foreseen.

Thank God, the eldest daughter-in-law escaped this disaster!

Today's commotion actually brought me an unexpected gain.

Thinking of this, Qiao Zhongguo looked at Emperor Yong in front of him.

His Majesty felt guilty towards him, and although it wouldn't last long, it was enough to get him through tonight.

From now on, every slander from the Northern Kingdom delegation against him will increase His Majesty’s guilt and fuel His Majesty’s anger!

He is looking forward to the scene of losing the rice instead of gaining the chicken!

————

At the beginning of the You hour, the emperor and empress walked side by side into the main hall of Hua'e Xianghui Tower, and were kowtowed to by everyone.

After a while, the envoys from both countries came to the emperor for an audience.

Before anyone arrived, the sound of pleasant bells had already entered the hall.