Chapter 25: Aconite

Xu Luoyan is too overbearing; although she has regained the Emperor's favor, Xiao Mingshu is, after all, the Empress.

As for Wan Tang, that's one thing; they don't regard Xiao Mingshu at all.

In her heart, the Empress is merely a sickly weakling. When she handled the Phoenix Seal, it became her possession.

Look, the Empress is about to die of anger; indeed, calling the Empress was the right move. Now there's no need for Wan Tang to act; the Empress wants to eliminate Xu Luoyan.

Wan Tang and Xu Luoyan grew up together; how could Wan Tang not be clear about her character?

Overbearing and tyrannical, if you give her even a single step, she would want to trample you into the mire.

Facing Xu Luoyan's myriad provocations, Xiao Mingshu remains calm, as if she doesn't care at all about what Xu Luoyan says.

Her eyes fixed on the rabbit, brows knit: "How did this rabbit end up in your hands?"

The Empress's reaction was flawless; she directly explained the rabbit's importance.

The harem is truly stifling; a decent person is still not as good as a rabbit.

Wan Tang's voice heavy: "The Emperor once entrusted me with raising it, but after it ate a bite of my medicine, it was poisoned and died."

"Attendants, inform the Imperial Medical Institute, thoroughly investigate this matter." Xiao Mingshu's demeanor changed completely; her gaze was icy, her words full of anger and tension.

Xu Luoyan felt irritated, saying bitterly: "Isn't this giving her too much face?"

"Fool." Xiao Mingshu smiled, her tone gentle yet unquestionable: "This rabbit is a snow rabbit brought as tribute from the Western Regions, only one of its kind. The Emperor loves it dearly and has assigned a specialist to raise it. I've asked for it several times, and the Emperor is reluctant to part with it."

"The rabbit is poisoned now; why don't you go report to the Emperor?"

Li Pin turned deathly pale, not daring to speak.

The Emperor's most beloved rabbit is dead; who can still laugh? Everyone trembles like sifted chaff, not daring to breathe.

"It's just a rabbit; the Emperor will give it to me," Xu Luoyan shouted defiantly.

Instead, her gaze at Lady of Grace Wan was icy, with a sly smile: "Lady of Grace Wan, the Emperor's rabbit is gone. You bear undeniable responsibility."

"I think we should send you to the Cold Palace as punishment."

Wan Tang sneered inwardly, then loudly: "My death is not a loss. I only ask the Empress to uphold justice for the Tuanrong."

"Matters here are under my authority. If the Noble Consort is tired, you may return to the palace to rest." Though Xiao Mingshu is usually gentle, her tone now is especially cold.

Xu Luoyan snorted: "I am only worried about the Empress, fearing you might be soft‑hearted."

After all, over the years Xu Luoyan has roamed the harem, relying on the Emperor's favor and her control of the seal, never having regarded the Empress seriously.

When the Empress does not inquire about matters, her faction's people have almost no voice.

Now the Emperor has been favoring Xu Luoyan for several consecutive days; who knows what will happen later?

Xu Luoyan shouted straight at the commotion, yet no one answered.

Wan Tang, seeing this, spoke without deference or arrogance: "The Empress is always the Empress, the Emperor's principal wife, the mother of the world, and also the ruler of the harem."

"Noble Consort, your words—do you not regard the Empress, or do you think even the Phoenix Seal holds no sway over you?"

Wan Tang's few sentences left Xu Luoyan staring dumbfounded.

She violently flicked her sleeve, gritting her teeth: "Lady of Grace Wan, you are sharp‑tongued; if later the true culprit can't be found and it's proven you staged it, let's see what I can do!"

"How the result turns out will be decided by the Empress herself," Wan Tang said loudly.

Xu Luoyan let out a light snort from her nostrils, flicked her hand, and sat aside.

At that moment, a shout came from the doorway: "The Emperor has arrived."

"Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, ten thousand years…" Cuivei Palace fell to its knees.

Chu Yunzheng entered, lightly supporting himself, and said: "Everyone, rise!"

"I happened to pass by, not expecting that after a long absence, Cuivei Palace would be so lively?"

"What coincidence? Clearly I just became happy, and then this person shows up."

"Long Long originally intended to be lovey‑dovey with Tangtang, but didn't anticipate such a grand spectacle."

"Just in time, perfect to back Tangtang."

"Your Majesty." Xu Luoyan cooed, stepping forward to cling to Chu Yunzheng's hand, pouting: "Didn't you say you were busy? Is it just to come here?"

Chu Yunzheng, expression unchanged, withdrew his hand and soothed: "Aren't you also here?"

The Emperor took his seat, while Xiao Mingshu carefully attended beside him.

After everyone stood according to protocol, Chu Yunzheng seemed only then to notice Wan Tang kneeling: "Lady of Grace Wan? It's so lively here; what happened?"

Wan Tang understood and, without looking up, kept her head low: "Tuanrong died of poisoning; the Empress, in her mercy, personally ensures justice for me."

"My pet, and yet someone dares to harm it!" Chu Yunzheng's gaze suddenly turned ferocious and terrifying, making people fear just to look.

Chu Yunzheng's hand rested on the armrest, the corner of his mouth seemed to lift. The expression shifted so quickly that no one could catch it.

He looked at those present, his tone icy, the overwhelming pressure leaving everyone breathless.

Chu Yunzheng, word by word, spoke as if a blade hung over some heads: "Investigate!"

"Anyone involved, I will not be lenient!"

"I, too, share that intention," Xiao Mingshu said.

Xu Luoyan hurried over, saying beside her: "Your Majesty, it's just a rabbit; I'll have my father fetch one for you. As for you, tonight I've specially prepared jade nectar, waiting for you to taste it."

"Yan'er, someone poisoned in my harem? And you think it's trivial?" The Emperor's gaze was odd, yet he smiled: "Yan'er, have you ever managed the harem like this before?"

Xu Luoyan's complexion turned suddenly pale, eyes panicked.

Li Pin hurried to smooth things over: "The Noble Consort only fears sullying the Emperor's ears; with the Empress here, the truth will naturally surface."

"Lady Guihe also considers the Emperor's duties busy, not wanting you to continue laboring."

Xu Luoyan nodded repeatedly, and only then did the Emperor relax his strained face, saying: "Yan'er, you have thought it through."

Wan Tang's gaze coldly swept over Li Pin. Having someone like Xu Luoyan beside her truly was like adding wings to a tiger.

The Emperor himself participated; who would dare be careless? Everyone behaved properly, not daring any discord.

"Lady of Grace Wan, speak up: what exactly happened?" Xiao Mingshu looked over, her gaze bearing scrutiny and doubt.

As Xiao Mingshu spoke, everyone's gaze fell on Wan Tang, their eyes all tinged with mockery.

How arrogant they once were, now kneeling before them, they must be so docile.

Chu Yunzheng sat down, seated on the Dragon Throne, turning the prayer beads in his hand repeatedly.

Looking at Wan Tang, he said, "You are also a victim; if the Snow Rabbit hadn't taken a bite first, you wouldn't even be able to kneel here."

"Get up first!"

"Thank you, Emperor," Wan Tang said, bowing respectfully and standing aside.

Li Pin glanced at Wan Tang and straightened her posture.

The head of the Imperial Medical Institute came personally to examine, carefully inspecting the medicine in the jar and then the residue. Furrowing his brows, he said after a long pause, "Report to the Emperor, this medicine is indeed not for treating wind‑cold."

"If it's not for wind‑cold, then what is it?" Xiao Mingshu asked.

Wan Tang's heart tightened; she looked up and met Chu Yunzheng's steady eyes, which put others at ease.

"Report to the Empress, this medicine was prescribed personally by Xie Taiyi, certainly adjusted to the condition, and poses no danger—just some tonic herbs. The Lady of Grace's illness has already healed; it is merely for maintenance," the head of the Imperial Medical Institute replied faithfully.

"How can a tonic kill the Snow Rabbit?" Chu Yunzheng asked.

The head bowed quickly, "Report to the Emperor, although the medicine is tonic, it contains a certain Aconite."

"Aconite is extremely toxic; even a single piece is enough to cause instant death."

Nearby, Xie Taiyi, who was examining the rabbit, also approached, his gaze sweeping over Wan Tang before bowing again, "Emperor, the Snow Rabbit was indeed poisoned to death by Aconite."

Chu Yunzheng turned the prayer beads once more, his gaze like a hawk's, making it impossible to tell whom he was staring at.

It felt oppressively heavy, as if everyone were under his stare.

"Empress, I have handed the Imperial harem over to you; why does the medicine for the harem's consorts contain Aconite?" Chu Yunzheng's voice was calm yet made everyone's hair stand on end.

Xiao Mingshu hurriedly rose from her seat, kneeling on the floor with cold sweat streaming, "I, your servant, was negligent; someone must have tampered with it, intending to harm Lady of Grace Wan."

"It seems Lady of Grace Wan must have offended someone to cause this."

Chu Yunzheng remained silent, merely turning the prayer beads.

Li Pin's face was already dotted with fine beads of sweat as she looked at Wan Tang.

Wan Tang observed proper etiquette and did not fear Li Pin's gaze.

"Empress, you have always treated me well. It's my fault; in arranging how to balance favor and sisterly relations, I fear I have earned someone's hatred."

As Wan Tang spoke, another tear track appeared on her face.

"Empress, the wrongful death of Tuan Rong cannot be tolerated in this Imperial Palace by such a malicious person."

"I request, Your Majesty, to search Cuivei Palace," Wan Tang pleaded again.

Xiao Mingshu knelt on the floor, looking up at Chu Yunzheng. Chu Yunzheng lightly gestured, "Empress, rise."

"Thank you, Emperor," Xiao Mingshu quickly expressed gratitude, then looked at Wan Tang and nodded, "Someone, search for me."

Her tone grew firmer; today's humiliation must be avenged against Xu Luoyan.

【Xu Luoyan is the female lead; thinking these tactics could topple her? Dream on.】

【Am I being stupid with Wan Tang? Isn't she not the Empress's person? Xi'er took everything; that house is now on Xi'er.】

【Searching the palace is essentially harming Xi'er, harming the Empress?】

【Something's off; why do I feel Wan Tang is planning a big move?】

Li Defu personally led a group there, and upon returning, brought back a pile of items.

Looking at a pink cloth sack, Li Ping'er's eyes flashed with panic.

Wan Tang silently shifted two steps, blocking the Emperor and Empress's view, shielding Li Ping'er behind her.

Li Defu placed the items on the ground, "Emperor, this was retrieved from Xi'er's room. This one was retrieved from Li Ping'er's room."

When the cloth sack was opened, even Li Pin let out a gasp.

Before the Empress could speak, Li Pin shouted, "A grandfather beside a Lady of Grace—this wealth is truly shocking!"

Most importantly, there was a box inside; when opened, it contained strange lump‑shaped objects.

Seeing this, the head stepped forward to inspect, and after a brief sniff, was so frightened that he quickly set it down.

He glared fiercely at Xi'er, bowed and said, "Emperor, this piece is Aconite!"