Feng Qiuli noticed that Cui Lin was about to speak and subtly tugged his sleeve.
Cui Lin swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue and fell silent again, quietly observing from the side.
Even when scolded by the Old Madam Zhao, Yu Yanfeng remained calm. “These were Madam Zhao’s own words. I do not know whether they are true or false, but she was indeed poisoned. If not for the timely help of an imperial physician, she would likely have died from the toxin.”
“Madam Zhao kept begging to see His Majesty, saying she had something important to report. She also claimed that the Zhao family tried to kill her to silence her. Fearing an accident, I brought her and Princess Xiangning back to the palace. Eunuch Feng and Physician Jiang went to Jiyun Alley.”
In just a few sentences, Yu Yanfeng made the situation clear—and the Zhao family immediately fell into chaos.
“Nonsense! Why would we harm Madame Yue?”
“Your Majesty, please do not believe such slander. This must be some terrible misunderstanding.”
One after another, members of the Zhao family paled and spoke up.
Cao Dejiang, hands calmly folded, said, “Why the panic, General Zhao and Madam Zhao? If it’s all a misunderstanding, then bring in Madam Zhao and let her clarify things.”
Old Madam Zhao quickly said, “My daughter-in-law had a fever from last night’s chill. I fear it’s muddled her mind…”
Cao Dejiang raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t Commander Yu just say an imperial physician was with her? Surely they can tell the difference between a fever and poisoning. If not, Your Majesty, I’d question whether those physicians are even competent enough to diagnose Commander Xiao.”
Old Madam Zhao’s expression changed instantly. Sitting at the top, Emperor An’s face darkened.
“Yu Yanfeng, where are Madam Zhao and the others?”
“They are just outside the hall, Your Majesty. Physician Yuan is with them.”
“Bring them in.”
Yu Yanfeng left to summon them. Meanwhile, Emperor An cast an unreadable gaze toward the Zhao family.
His chronic headaches had been flaring up more frequently, and today was the first good rest he’d had in a while—only to be disrupted by the Zhao family.
The death of the Fourth Prince’s consort had shocked him and planted doubt in his mind about Xiao Yan… but the Zhao family—
When Tang Ning entered the hall with Madam Zhao, Physician Yuan followed closely behind.
She quickly scanned the room—no sign of Canglang. Aside from Cao Dejiang, Cui Lin, and Feng Qiuli, there were two other familiar faces. Both had attended the Rongsheng Academy’s opening: one was the Minister of Justice, the other a Vice Minister from the Dali Temple.
Her gaze paused briefly on Feng Qiuli, then glanced at Cui Lin beside him, before calmly looking away.
The court was stunned when they saw Madam Zhao being carried in, silver needles still in her body.
Zhao Yuanlang immediately panicked and rushed forward. “Madam, what happened—?”
“Don’t come near me!!”
Madam Zhao suddenly shrieked in terror.
“Get away… don’t come near me…”
Her fear was overwhelming. In the next moment, her face went pale and she vomited blood.
Physician Yuan jumped in alarm and grabbed her wrist. “Madam Zhao, calm down. The poison in your system has only been temporarily suppressed. Don’t get agitated. If the toxin reaches your lungs, we won’t be able to save you…”
With blood at the corners of her lips, Madam Zhao clung to Tang Ning for protection.
“Don’t be afraid, Madam Zhao. His Majesty is here. No one will dare hurt you. You’re safe now.”
Physician Yuan applied more needles to her hand, and with Tang Ning’s reassurance, Madam Zhao’s panic slowly subsided. But her gaze toward Zhao Yuanlang was still full of terror and hatred.
“Madam…”
Zhao Yuanlang tried to step closer, but Tang Ning blocked him.
“General Zhao, didn’t you hear what Physician Yuan just said? Madam Zhao is gravely poisoned. She must avoid emotional distress. If her emotions spike, the toxin will invade her lungs and cost her life.”
“You’ve been husband and wife for decades. Do you care nothing for your wife’s safety?”
The crowd, already shocked by the bloodied scene, now looked even more disturbed.
Zhao Yuanlang’s face turned steel grey. “No! I—I’m just worried about her…”
“If you truly care, then keep your distance. Madam Zhao is afraid of you.”
Tang Ning’s blunt words made Zhao Yuanlang glare at her.
But what unsettled him most was how Madam Zhao instinctively shrank away behind Tang Ning when she heard this—her fear of him clear as day. Zhao Yuanlang’s unease deepened.
“That’s enough,” Emperor An said from above, rubbing his brow with irritation. “General Zhao, step back.”
After Zhao Yuanlang was dismissed, the Emperor asked with a sour expression, “Physician Yuan, what’s Madam Zhao’s condition?”
Physician Yuan wiped his brow and stood. “The poison in Madam Zhao’s body is extremely potent. Without timely rescue, she would’ve died. I’ve temporarily suppressed it, but she must be detoxified soon. Still, she insisted on seeing Your Majesty before receiving treatment.”
Emperor An turned to Madam Zhao. “Madam Zhao, why were you so adamant about seeing Us?”
Sitting on the floor, supported by a young eunuch, Madam Zhao looked around fearfully before trembling as she spoke in a hoarse voice:
“I… I overheard the Zhao family’s secrets… they want to kill me…”
“Yue Shi!!” Old Madam Zhao roared.
Madam Zhao’s face turned white. Cao Dejiang frowned and said sternly, “Old Madam Zhao, we still address you as Princess Jialin, but this is the palace not your Zhao estate.”
“His Majesty hasn’t spoken, yet the Zhao family repeatedly interrupts before the throne. Do you take His Majesty for nothing? Or do you believe the Zhao family stands above the crown?”
Old Madam Zhao turned and saw the Emperor’s dark, brooding eyes. She dropped to her knees. “This humble woman would never dare.”
The Emperor only gave her a cold glance before turning to Madam Zhao. “Continue.”
Madam Zhao’s pale face made the blood on her lips seem all the more striking.
“Last night, I couldn’t sleep, worrying about my daughter in prison. I thought of discussing it with my husband, maybe we could go to Jiyun Alley and plead with Princess Xiangning to speak up for her.”
“I know Princess Xiangning is fair and clear-minded. Although Yingxuan did try to harm her, she was manipulated, and has already been punished at Lingyun Temple.”
“I was ready to kneel and beg Princess Xiangning to spare Yingxuan’s life. Even if she were disowned by the royal family and forced to become a nun, I’d accept it.”
“But I never expected…”
She turned her gaze to Zhao Yuanlang, her voice hoarse with pain:
“I went to my husband’s study and saw he was entertaining a guest late at night. The outer courtyard was guarded. I assumed it was state business and waited outside.”
“Later, he escorted the guest out himself, and the attendants dispersed. I went in to wait. I accidentally knocked over a lamp and went behind the screen to clean it up. That’s when I heard my husband and the Old Madam come in.”
“After entering, the Old Madam asked whether the arrangements with the Lu family were finalized. I was startled and remained hidden.”
The Lu family?
Several people in the hall were visibly surprised. Emperor An narrowed his eyes, while Cui Lin appeared secretly excited.
Heavens… this involves the Lu family too?!
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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