When Xiao Xuan arrived, Ning Yin had already regained consciousness and was lying on the couch in the main hall, drinking medicine to prevent miscarriage.
"What happened?"
He had just finished court when a young eunuch came to report that something had happened to the Empress, so he rushed to Zhaoyang Palace.
Granny Zhang and Su Xin hurriedly knelt on the ground and recounted what had happened that day. They also handed over all the food that Ning Yin had eaten to Bai Meng for inspection, and the Qingyu Guards had already conducted a comprehensive search of the bedroom.
Xiao Xuan lifted his robe and sat down next to Ning Yin, carefully examining the woman's condition, his worry evident in his eyes.
Is there anything else that's bothering you?
Ning Yin shook her head and touched her lower abdomen. She had no idea that even though she hadn't offended anyone, someone was already plotting to get rid of her when she was only a little over a month pregnant.
Thinking back to the perilous situation just now, if it weren't for Granny Zhang coming in in time, she and her child would probably be...
Ning Yin looked at the silver needle in Bai Meng's hand with lingering fear. Even after all the food was examined again, nothing was found.
Each of these foods was carefully inspected by Granny Zhang; how could there possibly be any mistakes?
Xiao Xuan stared at the unchanging silver needles, his eyes turning icy cold. It seemed that the person who wanted to harm A Ning was quite cunning.
The man's brows and eyes held a strong sense of ferocity, and his handsome face exuded a majestic and cold aura, like a wild beast about to unleash its power.
Su Xin and Granny Zhang hurriedly and carefully recalled everything that had happened that day.
It wasn't until Qingying hurriedly arrived at the main hall with a pot of night-blooming jasmine that the situation changed.
"Your Highness, the source has been found. It was a pot of night-blooming jasmine found deep under Her Majesty's bed."
As healers, Ningyin and Baimeng understood upon seeing the night-blooming jasmine that this plant had a unique and strong fragrance that could be used to repel mosquitoes in the summer and was not inherently harmful.
Because of its extremely strong fragrance, it is usually kept outdoors. If it is kept indoors for a long time, it may cause headaches, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, there is a risk of suffocation and death.
Ning Yin's physical condition was not as strong as that of ordinary people after she became pregnant. Although she smelled the fragrance, she did not think much of it and assumed that it was incense lit by Zhang Mama.
In addition, Zhang Mama was afraid that Ningyin would be bitten by mosquitoes, so she did not open the windows, only opening them for a short while when no one was around.
"This is the culprit?"
Xiao Xuan looked coldly at Bai Meng and the others, and questioned them.
"Your Highness, the fragrance of night-blooming jasmine is too strong and should not be placed in the room, especially the room of a pregnant woman."
"That's why Her Majesty almost suffocated. Someone must have been plotting to harm her, actually stuffing this thing deep under the bed."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Mama and Suxin turned pale with fright. They cleaned the bedroom spotlessly every day, not even leaving the space under the bed untouched. How could they not have known about the extra potted plant?
"Give me your intelligence, you must find this person!"
Xiao Xuan's face grew increasingly grim. He turned to look at Ning Yin, who was still in shock, and his murderous aura intensified.
"Yes, Your Highness!" Qingying bowed and accepted the order, then carried the pot of night-blooming jasmine outside.
Zhang Mama and Su Xin trembled slightly, kneeling on the ground, not daring to speak. It was indeed their negligence this time, and they almost harmed the Empress. Both of them felt extremely guilty.
Seeing the fierce look in Xiao Xuan's cold eyes, Ning Yin reached out and took his hand to comfort him, "Jingyuan, I'm fine, don't worry. But the people in the East Palace really need to be thoroughly investigated. Send away any unnecessary ones. I have Suxin and Zhang Mama here, that's enough."
Ning Yin said this because she was also wondering if there was something wrong with the three old women. At first, the three women did do their best, but no one knew if they were just putting on an act.
She no longer trusts anyone except Su Xin and Granny Zhang.
"Ah Ning, I will investigate every single person in the Eastern Palace. If I find out who is guilty, I will make them wish they were dead!"
"You don't need to stay in that room anymore. I think I'll feel more at ease if you move to Changxin Palace. My trusted confidants are all there, and I can keep an eye on you at all times."
Changxin Palace was indeed like an iron barrel; all personnel had undergone rigorous screening and were utterly loyal to Xiao Xuan, with no disloyalty whatsoever.
As for the three old women, Xiao Xuan will send people to investigate them thoroughly. If they were indeed instructed by Empress Dowager Zhang, he wouldn't mind breaking ties with her.
Daring to harm his own wife and children is simply suicidal.
In less than half a day, the matter was quickly resolved. After investigating all the personnel in the East Palace, it was confirmed that one of the three matrons was indeed the culprit.
Just as Ningyin and Xiao Xuan arrived at Changxin Palace in their sedan chairs, Qingying grabbed the nanny who was in charge of making clothes.
The sedan chair landed, and Xiao Xuan helped Ning Yin into Changxin Palace, while Qingying escorted the old nanny inside as well.
The old woman had disheveled hair, her face was covered in bruises, and several of her teeth had been knocked out. She knelt on the ground, not daring to move.
“Your Highness, I have found out that it was this old woman who secretly stuffed the night-blooming jasmine under Her Majesty’s bed, and she has confessed to what she did.”
Qingying bowed to Xiao Xuan and Ning Yin, and then explained what had happened.
It turned out that this old nanny had been caught having an affair with Eunuch Zhuang, who served the emperor, by Consort Chen. Consort Chen then harbored evil intentions upon learning that the old nanny was now working in Zhaoyang Palace.
If Ning Yin's child is born, the Emperor and Empress Dowager's already limited favor will likely be entirely given to Xiao Xuan's son.
What will happen to her grandchildren? This time, Xiao Xuan and Chong Ning have stolen the limelight. Everyone is praising Xiao Xuan for his wisdom and courage, while her own son is just a good-for-nothing.
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