Chapter 262 Complaint
Lu Zhiran got straight to the point. "The problems with the medicinal materials are obvious to the naked eye. If Taicang Trading Company really had been passing off inferior products as genuine, with so many people watching, how could they have concealed this? They would have been discovered at the time."
"Over half a year has passed since this incident. There's no way to prove the fault lies with the medicinal ingredients at this point, and I, your servant, have no chance to defend myself. It's truly unfair. I can't help but wonder if there was something wrong with the original prescription itself, which led to the subsequent series of health problems among the soldiers and civilians. It's hard to fool around with the medicinal ingredients, but if it's a problem with the prescription, we all lack medical knowledge and naturally won't be able to detect it."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Defeng couldn't help but look thoughtful.
If you think about it carefully, it is true.
The original prescription was provided by Zhao Shuning.
Right now, Zhao Shuning is also in Xiping.
Moreover, she went there alone despite being injured, and arrived earlier than the army he sent out to fight the epidemic.
Is all this really a coincidence?
Did she know about the situation in Xiping and guess that she was involved in this matter, so she rushed to Xiping in a hurry to deal with the aftermath?
If someone else took the blame for this, she would naturally be able to get away with it.
When Emperor Defeng thought of what Zhao Shuning had done in the past, his eyes darkened a little.
"Do you have any evidence for what you said?"
Lu Zhiran shook her head. "I have no evidence, but as long as I get the original prescription for the epidemic and ask the imperial doctors to study it, they will naturally be able to determine if there is any problem with it."
Emperor Defeng narrowed his eyes.
If Zhao Shuning really knew that there was something wrong with his prescription, he probably wouldn't hand it over easily.
Even if it is handed over, it is still possible to tamper with it.
Lu Zhiran naturally knew the prescription, but she couldn't take it out, otherwise in the eyes of Emperor Defeng, she would be seen as the one who had planned it.
"I'm not familiar with medicine, so I don't know the prescription. However, there were many doctors who handled the epidemic before, and they will definitely be able to guess the specific ratio of the prescription. If it is ultimately proven that the prescription is correct, then this is just my own petty behavior. I am willing to accept the emperor's punishment."
Since the other party has already taken action, there is naturally no reason for Lu Zhiran to show mercy.
No matter how much the emperor listened to her words, Lu Zhiran had to file the complaint. At the very least, she had to plant a seed of suspicion in the emperor's mind and make him focus his investigation and suspicion on Zhao Shuning.
In this case, if Zhao Shuning still wants to continue to make secret moves, it will not be so easy.
Emperor Defeng pondered for a moment. "I will personally investigate what you just said. If this is truly Zhao Shuning's doing, I will not let him off lightly. But before that, your Taicang Trading Company remains a suspect. Although you have offered me artillery this time, I still have to give an explanation before everyone. Do you understand?"
Lu Zhiran said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I understand and I can comprehend. Your Majesty, I will punish you without hesitation."
Lu Zhiran's attitude made Emperor Defeng feel somewhat satisfied. A superior naturally likes subordinates who know how to handle affairs of state and do not cause trouble for him.
In this regard, Lu Zhiran did a very good job.
"You will stay in the Lu Mansion for the time being. I will inform you of any investigation results as soon as possible."
This is what it means to ground her.
She was only confined to her house. Her business was not closed for rectification, and there was no other punishment. This punishment was not very painful for her. Lu Zhiran knew that it was her artillery shells that worked.
The complaint just now also more or less touched Emperor Defeng's heart.
Lu Zhiran bowed respectfully and took his leave.
She looked calm, without a trace of anxiety, but in fact, there was a layer of gloom in her heart.
It’s not because of myself, but because I’m worried about Xiao Yanci.
The situation in Xiping was even more serious than she had expected.
This time, not only was he sued, but Xiao Yanci was also among them. The other party dared to challenge him like this. Was he in danger?
As Lu Zhiran was being led out by the palace maids, she was stopped by someone.
It’s Aunt Jinse from Xiyan Palace.
Lu Zhiran knew that Concubine Rou had also heard about the events of the previous dynasty, and she must be worried.
Lu Zhiran went to Xiyan Palace with Aunt Jinse and met Concubine Rou.
Her face was indeed full of anxiety, and before Lu Zhiran could even salute, she grabbed him.
"Zhiran, why did you enter the palace this time? Did the emperor punish you? Have you been punished?"
Lu Zhiran felt warm in her heart and held Concubine Rou's hand.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. The Emperor has only confined me to my palace. He hasn't punished me otherwise. His attitude towards me remains the same as before. We just need to investigate this matter, and everything will naturally be resolved."
Concubine Rou seemed to be relieved, but the worry on her face had not completely faded away.
She was not only worried about Lu Zhiran, but also about Xiao Yanci, and even more worried about that person.
Judging from the time, Concubine Rou could not tell whether the memorial was submitted after Gu Qishan woke up.
Deep down, she was inclined to believe that this was not his fault.
But if it weren't for him, the situation would have been even worse.
The fact that someone dared to submit this memorial in his name meant that his situation was not good and he had lost control of Xiping.
If it was his memorial, then...
Concubine Rou was in a state of confusion, and her expression changed several times.
Lu Zhiran held her hand a little harder, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. This is just a trivial trick. Your Highness will definitely be able to deal with it. Nothing will go wrong."
Lu Zhiran comforted Concubine Rou again before leaving the palace.
Lu Zhiran was ordered to be under house arrest by the emperor. The inside story of this matter spread quickly and instantly became a hot topic of conversation among people after dinner.
Some people believed in Taicang Trading Company, but there were also people who followed the crowd and gloated over its misfortune. As a result, Taicang Trading Company's business was inevitably affected.
Lu Guanxuan went to Yaoguang Pavilion, and his words were full of questioning and blaming Lu Zhiran, as if he wanted to completely distance himself from her if something went wrong.
He had originally placed all his hopes on Lu Zhiran, who could have expected such a change to happen?
Thinking of the lessons learned from the Jiang and Sun families, Lu Guanxuan shuddered.
Fang Chengcai came to the door at this time and took the opportunity to flatter Lu Guanxuan.
Lu Yingxi also returned to her parents' home with a big belly. The uncle and nephew worked together to persuade Lu Guanxuan to release Fang and take charge of the household again.
"Father, it's not that I'm trying to sow discord, but it's the truth. My sister and you are not on the same page at all. She will only drag down the Lu family. The Fang and Lu families are truly in the same boat. Uncle is gaining respect in front of the emperor now. If the emperor comes to question you in the future, uncle can also plead for you."
Fang Chengcai also took on the responsibility and showed an attitude that he would never ignore Lu Guanxuan.
Lu Guanxuan's fence-sitter nature was completely exposed at this moment. He finally gave in, put aside his past grudges, released Fang from Zhichun Garden, and handed the household affairs of the mansion back into her hands.
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