The envoys from the Western Regions coming to the Kingdom of Li to pay tribute was a major event, concerning the friendly relations between the two countries. The emperor gave full authority to Li Han on this matter, which was naturally a sign of his trust in her. However, now that something like this had happened, even though she was the eldest princess, she could not escape blame.
Lu Li was also very worried. He knew Li Han's character. Although she was usually noisy, she was still very serious and responsible when doing things. The chefs and dishes in Huayun Pavilion were all carefully selected by her, so there couldn't be any problems.
Moreover, Li Han and Tuoba Jun met for the first time today. There was no hatred or resentment between them, so she had no reason to frame her. If there really was some hatred between them that he didn't know about, according to Li Han's thinking, she would not be stupid enough to target her at a grand banquet in front of the emperor, envoys from the Western Regions, and many concubines and officials.
Therefore, Lu Li still had doubts in his heart. There must be some misunderstanding in this matter. If it was not an accident by the people in the imperial kitchen, then someone deliberately framed Li Han. Lu Li was more inclined to the latter. After all, people in high positions will always be envied.
Now Li Han is considered the most favored princess in front of the emperor. As the eldest princess, it is inevitable that people will be jealous. There are some cunning people in the palace. In addition to those who want to curry favor with her, there are naturally those who are unwilling and will make trouble behind the scenes. These scandals are not uncommon in the deep palace.
As soon as the incident happened, Lu Li immediately brought a small group of people to the imperial kitchen and surrounded the entire room to prevent anyone from escaping.
After all, they were still in the palace, so Lu Li naturally didn't dare to use the army directly. Otherwise, it would be terrible if he was misunderstood as a rebel and accused of forcing the emperor to abdicate.
After Lu Li arrived at the imperial kitchen, he called out everyone in the kitchen, from the chief steward to the eunuch who poured out the slop, and checked them one by one according to the registration roster, and asked them to line up in the yard.
"You all know what happened at the banquet for the envoys from the Western Regions today. The third princess of the Western Regions ate dishes with lemon in them and then had an allergic reaction. Who did this? Get out here right now!" Lu Li shouted angrily to the people in the yard.
After all, Lu Li was a general, and his methods were ruthless, which was known to everyone in the palace. Seeing General Lu Li so angry and emitting a chill, these young palace maids and eunuchs who had never seen such a big scene were so frightened that their legs went weak. They all knelt on the ground, trembling and saying in unison: "General, it's unfair!"
"Unfair?" Lu Li snorted coldly, "Then why was there lemon in the food sent to the Third Princess of the Western Regions? You're the only ones in the entire imperial kitchen. Is this a ghost?"
The steward of the imperial kitchen said, "General, we really don't know what's going on. Before preparing the dishes, the princess repeatedly told us not to put any lemon in them. Not at all. She also told us to check everything carefully before serving, and there was nothing wrong. We really don't know anything!"
The steward of the imperial kitchen kowtowed to Lu Li several times and said, "General Lu, we are all veterans of the palace. Even if we were given more courage, we would not dare to make such a mistake. Please believe us, General Lu!"
Seeing the nervous and timid expressions of the imperial kitchen steward and the people kneeling in the yard, Lu Li knew that none of them had the courage to do such a thing. However, Lu Li still felt something was wrong. Why would there be lemons in the dishes? "Did you see anyone suspicious today?"
Everyone in the courtyard shook their heads. The steward of the imperial kitchen said, "General, the people in this imperial kitchen have been there for decades. Even the eunuchs who deliver slops are from childhood. I have personally seen them grow up. It is impossible for them to do such a heinous thing. But..." The steward paused and glanced to the side, "But those people the princess brought in may not be so sure!"
The person the steward was talking about was the chef from Huayun Pavilion whom Li Han brought into the palace for this banquet.
Lu Li frowned, knowing that the steward was implying that the incident today was caused by the people from Huayun Pavilion. Lu Li said coldly: "You guys made all the dishes today. Did you put lemon in the dishes?"
The people from Huayun Pavilion hurriedly shook their heads: "General, the princess has long ago specifically instructed that lemons not be added. We must not forget that. We will never betray Her Royal Highness!"
Compared to the people in the palace, Lu Li still trusts the people in Huayun Pavilion more. Although Lu Li doesn't know these people, Lu Li trusts Li Han and believes that she would not just pick some people and send them to the palace. Since they are in the palace, they must be people she trusts. Li Han cannot be confused about this.
Lu Li was in a dilemma at this time. She knew that the lemon had nothing to do with Li Han, but now all the signs pointed to Li Han, which made Lu Li not know what to do for a while.
After Hua Yunyun completed Shen Lingli's plan, she took An Shizi out again. Shen Lingli's people met them on the way. The two of them worked together inside and outside, and they thought their cooperation was seamless, but there is no wall that is impenetrable.
Hua Yunyun had made all her previous plans very carefully, but unfortunately, the whole thing was seen by Shen Yuaner who happened to pass by.
Shen Yuaner vaguely saw Shen Lingli. At first, she didn't believe her eyes and thought she was dazzled. It was not until she quietly walked to a small corner and took a closer look that she was sure that the person in front of her was really Shen Lingli.
"Chen Lingli, why are you here?" Shen Yuaner whispered to herself.
Shen Yuaner felt a little surprised. She didn't expect that Shen Yuaner, who was supposed to be at the border, would secretly come to the capital. No wonder Li Han asked her if she had seen Shen Lingli before.
Although she didn't know why Shen Yuaner came back or how she came back, she knew that Shen Yuaner's appearance was definitely not a good thing, so she watched Shen Lingli escape, and in order to avoid alerting the enemy, she did not follow her and left quietly.
When Shen Yuaner learned that Li Han was imprisoned by the emperor because he put lemon in the food of the Third Princess of the Western Regions, causing her to have an allergic reaction, she was extremely anxious. Suddenly, she remembered that she had seen Shen Lingli in the palace before, and she knew that Li Han must have been wronged, and this must have been Shen Lingli's doing.
Although she knew that Li Han was innocent, no one would believe her with Shen Yuaner's current power. She had no choice but to walk around the house anxiously. Suddenly, she thought of someone, Lu Li!
Shen Yuaner hurried to the general's mansion, found Lu Li, and pulled him aside, saying, "Han'er was wrongly accused. Shen Lingli did all this. I saw it with my own eyes!"
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