Even without this poisoning incident, Li Qitian would have found a way to orchestrate an “accident” to test Pang Xiao’s attitude. Since this matter coincidentally arose, Li Qitian simply decided to use this incident to make his move.

He just hadn’t expected that poisoning was one thing, but such a huge loophole would emerge in the middle of it all.

Li Qitian now didn’t know whether he should be angry that his legitimate son had been poisoned, or furious that this group of fools had handled matters so unreliably.

Li Qitian’s rage was surging, but the angrier he became, the calmer his facial expression grew, and his voice took on a gentle quality.

“Princess Consort Zhongshun, rise. Grant her a seat.”

“Your Majesty’s keen perception is beyond measure. This subject’s wife is endlessly grateful.” Qin Yining performed a bow, but when she rose, her knees ached terribly and she involuntarily staggered.

Ji Yun and Bingtang quickly supported her arms from left and right.

Just looking hadn’t revealed it, but actually grasping her wrists, Bingtang and Ji Yun could feel how much weight Qin Yining had lost. The bones in her wrists protruded so sharply they were almost painful to touch.

Tears immediately welled up in Ji Yun’s eyes, and she expended great effort to keep them from falling.

During these days, she and Bingtang had been eating and living well in the Empress’s palace, but their mistress had suffered under the Empress Dowager’s confinement. Yet they were too lowly to beseech the Empress to go against the Empress Dowager at Ci’an Palace to treat Qin Yining kindly. The Empress had already shown utmost benevolence by giving them time and materials to research the poisons – they could only wait anxiously.

If the Prince were to learn that their mistress had suffered so much, he would surely go mad.

Xiong Jinshui called for small eunuchs to bring over an armchair, placing it at the head of the nobles and family members’ seating area, then courteously invited Qin Yining to be seated.

At this moment, everyone was waiting for Li Qitian’s statement.

The matter was already very clear. Since it was unrelated to Qin Yining, someone must have framed her, and the problem obviously lay with Consort Yu.

Li Qitian had summoned everyone to observe, determining Qin Yining’s guilt without investigation to demonstrate his righteousness. Now that the truth had emerged, the best approach would be to interrogate Consort Yu on the spot, restore justice for Qin Yining, and completely clear his own name.

However, everyone waited for a long time without seeing Li Qitian make any statement, much less show any intention to interrogate Consort Yu.

The perceptive ones mentally formed several versions of their speculations, lowering their eyes to conceal their inner thoughts.

Li Qitian was in a difficult position. He didn’t want to reveal secrets he preferred kept hidden through a public trial, yet he had to provide an explanation before everyone.

He hoped Consort Yu was clever enough.

Otherwise, he would make Consort Yu regret her actions.

“Consort Yu.” Li Qitian’s ice-cold gaze shot directly toward Consort Yu.

Consort Yu had long been trembling like chaff in the wind, her whole body weak. Li Qitian’s voice brought back her awareness. She immediately tried to rise, but having no strength in her body, she slid directly from her chair to the floor, shaking and trembling for quite a while before managing to kneel properly.

“Your Majesty, this subject is here.”

Li Qitian said, “Speak. Why did you feed your pet dog arsenic, then happen to find the route Princess Consort Zhongshun had to take, coincidentally knocking over the food box at precisely that moment, and insist that your pet died from eating the bird’s nest soup?”

Consort Yu trembled like a leaf in the wind. Cold sweat continuously streamed down her forehead and temples. Her exquisite makeup and crimson lips made her face appear even more pale by contrast.

She remembered the words the Empress Dowager had spoken when summoning her alone to admire flowers that day, and recalled the strange smile on the face of the Empress Dowager’s nanny when handing her the small paper packet containing arsenic. She wanted to reveal everything – she didn’t want to be anyone’s scapegoat.

But now Consort Yu had come to her senses. If she didn’t serve as this scapegoat now, even if the Empress Dowager didn’t retaliate against her family, His Majesty wouldn’t spare them either. Hadn’t she seen His Majesty’s manner when he was about to kill Princess Consort Zhongshun without asking questions? She was merely an unfavored consort – how could she compare to a princess consort whose status came from her husband’s nobility?

Thinking of this, Consort Yu couldn’t help but feel frightened, afraid, and wronged. With tears streaming down her face, she said, “Your Majesty, this subject knows her error. It was this subject – this subject deliberately framed the Princess Consort.”

The Empress straightened in her seat, her muscles tense as she asked, “You did this yourself? What grievances do you have with Princess Consort Zhongshun? Why would you do such a thing? Someone must have instructed you to act this way!”

“Correct!” The Empress Dowager’s voice immediately followed, her tone sharp: “Someone must have instructed you! Consort Yu, just tell the truth!”

From these words of the Empress Dowager’s, Consort Yu clearly understood this was a warning.

Consort Yu’s tears flowed even more fiercely. But thinking of her parents and relatives, her heart to reveal the truth was completely extinguished. Even if she was used as a weapon, gritting her teeth and enduring might allow her family to survive. If the imperial family had even a bit of conscience, her family might even live somewhat better.

Having made up her mind, Consort Yu kowtowed and said, “It was this subject herself. This subject… this subject saw that Princess Consort Zhongshun was beautiful and able to bear twin sons. This subject became jealous and… and schemed to slander her.”

“Is that so? Then can you explain…”

“Empress.”

Li Qitian interrupted the Empress’s questioning. Privately cursing this tactless woman, his expression dark as he addressed Consort Yu: “You became jealous, so you could poison someone? You dared to hide deadly poison in the palace – you must harbor treacherous intentions!”

Consort Yu cried even more desperately, “This subject didn’t, this subject didn’t! This subject obtained it from… this subject was instructed by someone…”

“Guards!” Li Qitian rose angrily, “Consort Yu privately harbored deadly poison, intending to harm the imperial heir and frame Princess Consort Zhongshun – truly detestable! Order her immediately confined to the Cold Palace! All her palace servants and attendants – execute them all with beating!”

“By your command!”

Xiong Jinshui immediately followed each order with action. He rushed forward in one swift movement, covering Consort Yu’s mouth with his large hand to prevent her from saying anything more that would displease His Majesty. He called for two eunuchs to drag Consort Yu away from left and right.

The nanny and eunuchs who had come with Consort Yu all loudly proclaimed their innocence, but were still mercilessly taken away.

Seeing this, Li Qitian secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Since there was an opportunity to conclude this matter, he had to decisively seize it lest the situation grow larger and become unmanageable.

The Empress gradually relaxed her grip on the chair arms. Her disbelieving gaze fell on Li Qitian’s profile, then slowly leaned back into her chair.

This man no longer cared about flesh and blood kinship for the sake of his grand design. What more could she hope for?

Li Qitian said gravely, “Today’s matter has been thoroughly resolved, and I have made my decision.”

“Your Majesty is wise and brilliant.” The nobles and female relatives all rose in unison to pay their respects.

Seeing the matter had been glossed over, Li Qitian had no intention of keeping these people longer. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard a commotion from outside. Then came the sound of orderly footsteps approaching from far to near.

Everyone’s hearts jumped, and Ji Zeyu leaped to his feet.

“What’s happening!” the palace attendants before the hall called out loudly.

The guards outside shouted, “Your Majesty, Qianqing Palace is on fire! The palace is in chaos!”