Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince
Chapter 127: Who Instructed You?

Chapter 127: Chapter 127: Who Instructed You?

As these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone present changed, all but Qi Yu and the Noble Consort, who remained unperturbed.

The most drastic changes in expressions belonged to Noble Consort An and Qi Anran.

One harbored a guilty conscience, and the other felt uneasy; it could be said that both were thrown into panic.

As the poisoner, Noble Consort An’s primary concern was to dissociate herself from the poison.

And Qi Anran, feeling the packet of poison hidden in her clothing burning a hole in her pocket, found herself in a bind, unable to dispose of it with so many eyes upon her.

Moreover, any suspicious move on her part would surely implicate her with the poison.

Qi Yu observed the reactions of these two with a corner of her eye and sneered inwardly.

Truly a splendid drama.

Kong Ran was still unaware of what had occurred and, seeing so many people, hid fearfully behind Qi Yu.

Qi Yu patted his head and whispered softly, "Don’t be afraid, I’m here."

Trusting her deeply, Kong Ran nodded and continued to hide behind her, only daring to show his eyes.

The Empress, seizing the opportunity to condemn Noble Consort An, was pleased with the Imperial Physician’s words and smiled inwardly. Yet she spoke with feigned sorrow, "Such an incident occurring in the harem is truly horrifying. I have already sent for the Emperor, and today we must provide an explanation to the Noble Consort!"

Having said this, she gave Noble Consort An a meaningful glance.

Noble Consort An had long felt that the Empress was insinuating something and when the Empress glanced at her, she felt a jolt of shock.

Could it be that she already knows?

In her panic, she instinctively looked towards the palace maid she had bribed, who stood behind the Noble Consort with her head lowered, not daring to meet her gaze.

"The Emperor and Prince Qi have arrived!" a palace attendant guarding the door hurried in to announce.

The Empress immediately rose to welcome them as Li Tianze and Li Mingjue entered, their expressions distinctly different.

Li Tianze had just been discussing important matters in the Imperial Study Room with Li Mingjue and a few other ministers.

Suddenly, a eunuch from the Empress’s side reported that poison had been found in the Noble Consort’s palace.

Li Mingjue immediately rose and, leaving the ministers behind, made his way towards the Noble Consort’s palace.

On the way, he learned that Qi Yu had also entered the palace that day.

Upon realizing this, Li Tianze’s expression changed.

He detested the filth of the harem and typically turned a blind eye to the inconsequential matters within it.

But now, someone had dared to brazenly use poison in the harem.

Angered, he threw down the memorial in his hand, frightening several ministers into kneeling.

Now inside the palace, he looked at the Empress kneeling on the ground and demanded, "As the head of the harem, how are you managing it!"

The Empress forced a wry smile and replied, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I only learned of it today. Moreover, had the Princess Qi not discovered the poisoning, I would still be in the dark."

"The Princess Qi?" Li Tianze, who hadn’t noticed Qi Yu before, frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Qi Yu, named directly, could no longer hide and had to step forward, explaining, "My mother has been unwell for the past few days; in my anxiety, I wished to visit her in the palace."

These words were phrased flawlessly, but Li Tianze snorted coldly, "It seems the Princess Qi does not take my decree to heart."

She had dared to leave her estate openly before half a month had passed.

Qi Yu touched her nose, feeling somewhat abashed.

But inwardly, she thought, what a fuss the old Emperor is making.

This critical matter of life and death he leaves unaddressed, preferring instead to reproach her.

He doesn’t consider that had she not entered the palace today, the poison might have remained undiscovered for who knows how long.

Li Mingjue stood in front of her and said to Li Tianze, "Father Emperor, we should first ascertain who the poisoner is."

Seeing this, Li Tianze glanced indifferently at Qi Yu and held his peace.

He first questioned the Imperial Physician to confirm that there was indeed something wrong with the incense burner. Only then did he summon all the Palace Attendants serving in the concubine’s palace and ordered them to kneel down, "Drag them all to the Imperial Prison for interrogation and send them back once they confess."

The Palace Attendants pleaded for mercy, kowtowing urgently.

What was the Imperial Prison, and how many could come out alive once they went in?

The Empress also persuaded, "Your Majesty, the incense burner was in the consort’s room, which ordinary people can’t approach. Why not question the maids first before making further plans?"

Her words were reasonable, and Li Tianze, with a wave of his hand, readily agreed.

The Noble Consort Anran’s heart pounded like a drum at the side, but with the Emperor and Empress present, it was not her turn to give orders.

She could only watch with fear and trepidation, dreading the investigation might turn towards her.

Qi Anran stood quietly farther away. Those who usually opposed Qi Yu were now well-behaved, not daring to breathe too loudly.

The Empress had the four personal maids kneel and interrogated them one by one. Seeing that none would tell the truth, she threatened sternly, "This palace has been merciful, wishing to give you a chance of survival. If none of you will speak the truth, then off to the Imperial Prison you will go together!"

The maids panicked, quickly kowtowing in desperation.

The head maid gritted her teeth, looked up at the Empress, and said, "Empress, this servant believes that the poisoner is Ruoxue!"

Ruoxue, the maid being accused, turned pale and gave a fierce glare at the maids nearby, protesting for justice, "Princess, please take up my cause!"

The Empress, eyeing Ruoxue’s pretty face which bore some resemblance to Noble Consort Anran, felt a flicker of disgust flash in her eyes.

After glancing at a Palace Maid by her side, someone understood and stepped forward to silence Ruoxue’s mouth.

This was the first time Qi Yu had witnessed such a scene and found it extremely brutal.

She clucked her tongue softly and shielded the little monk’s eyes.

The child was still young; if he were to see something inappropriate, he might have nightmares.

Li Mingjue noticed her actions, pressed his lips together slightly, and had someone take Kong Ran to the Imperial Garden to play.

Qi Yu thought this man was simply too much; she knew he was jealous, but to be jealous of a child seemed rather excessive.

But at this moment, she had no time to criticize his childish behavior. She gave him a mockingly amused glance, then turned her head to continue watching the Empress ’perform.’

The Empress asked the maid to continue, "Why do you believe Ruoxue is the poisoner?"

The maid replied, "Your Majesty, Empress, it was Ruoxue who attended to the consort these past two days, and she was the one who personally lit the incense burner."

After hearing this, the Empress was already convinced that Ruoxue was the poisoner.

She waved her hand dismissively, allowing Ruoxue to be unbound, and asked coldly, "Do you have anything else to say?"

Ruoxue cried out her innocence before sobbingly saying, "Empress, it truly wasn’t me!"

The maid snorted coldly after hearing this, "Empress, do not be deceived by her. Whether it is Ruoxue who poisoned or not, a search of her room will reveal the truth!"

Ruoxue, remembering the packet of Love Potion hidden under her pillow, finally collapsed, her vision darkening as she fell to the ground.

The Empress hastily ordered a search, and indeed, having found evidence, she sneered, "Caught red-handed, what else can you say?"

Ruoxue, already crying hoarsely, knowing she could not escape her fate today, changed direction, crawled to the consort’s side, and wept, "Princess, spare this servant, please. I was just momentarily blinded!"

The consort, who rarely got angry, was now filled with rage, and even her tone changed as she pointed at Ruoxue, "Haven’t I been good to you?"

She believed she never punished or yelled at the Palace Attendants, always shared any good things with them, and even allowed them to leave the palace during holidays.

Yet, she found it chilling how they could not resist a few pieces of silver.

Li Mingjue kicked Ruoxue aside, his eyes glaring with ruthless ferocity, and he demanded in a threatening tone, "Speak, who instructed you to do this?"