Emperor Jingming turned to Director Zhang.
Director Zhang was quite advanced in age, his face lined with deep wrinkles and his beard snow-white.
Years of experience and his position at the Imperial Medical Academy had made him as steady as a mountain, yet now his expression betrayed unmistakable fear and anxiety.
Director Zhang bowed deeply to Emperor Jingming, his aged voice echoing through the hall: “Your Majesty, Prince Yan’s wife speaks truly. The source of the poison was indeed that patch of Mandarin Duck Vine!”
Hearing Director Zhang confirm this, the others suppressed their urge to object and held their breath, waiting for him to continue.
Director Zhang kept his head lowered as he explained: “While Mandarin Duck Vine is indeed a beneficial herb for clearing heat and detoxifying, there exists a plant nearly identical in appearance that only those with pharmaceutical knowledge can distinguish. This plant is a type of Breaking Bowel Grass—the Hook-Kiss Flower!”
Among common people, Breaking Bowel Grass was a general term encompassing several deadly poisonous plants, with the Hook-Kiss Flower being one variety.
Hook-Kiss Flower was highly toxic, especially its roots and young leaves. Even a tiny amount could cause death by poisoning in a short time. Its most deceptive feature was its striking resemblance to the commonly seen Mandarin Duck Vine.
However, Hook-Kiss Flower primarily grew in the south, and most people born and raised in the capital had never seen or even heard of it.
After hearing Director Zhang’s explanation, everyone felt a chill.
The existence of such a deadly poisonous plant resembling Mandarin Duck Vine was terrifying enough, but even more shocking was that Beauty Chen’s courtyard contained Mandarin Duck Vine, and Prince Yan’s wife and Director Zhang had discovered Hook-Kiss Flower among it… The implications were too disturbing to contemplate.
“Show me this Hook-Kiss Flower!”
Jiang Si opened her handkerchief, revealing the flowers and leaves within.
Everyone’s eyes widened as they saw the pale yellow flowers that indeed looked remarkably similar to Mandarin Duck Vine.
Emperor Jingming stepped forward, his gaze profound: “This… this is Hook-Kiss Flower?”
In his memory, he had only seen Mandarin Duck Vine once during an imperial sacrifice outside the palace, when the flowers had bloomed brilliantly in gold and silver, looking no different from what Prince Yan’s wife now held.
It had been just a casual glance then, and now he couldn’t be certain whether what he saw before him was Honeysuckle or not.
Unable to tell himself, he naturally deferred to the Imperial Physicians.
Each profession had its expertise, and Emperor Jingming had always understood this clearly.
“Your Majesty, please look—this is true Mandarin Duck Vine,” Director Zhang took out a folded handkerchief from his sleeve and opened it for the Emperor’s inspection.
Emperor Jingming examined them carefully, finally noticing some subtle differences.
“This Hook-Kiss Flower was found among that patch of Mandarin Duck Vine?”
Jiang Si replied: “Yes, indeed.”
Emperor Jingming stared at Jiang Si for a moment, then suddenly asked Pan Hai, who stood quietly to the side: “How is Fourteenth Princess?”
Pan Hai immediately responded: “Your servant has posted guards outside, but we didn’t dare disturb Princess and Beauty Chen…”
When it came to the Emperor’s consorts and daughters, Pan Hai naturally wouldn’t act without Emperor Jingming’s orders.
Emperor Jingming’s deep gaze swept across the hall, his tone cooling: “I and the Empress will go see the Fourteenth Princess. The rest of you wait here.”
Everyone immediately acknowledged.
Emperor Jingming extended his hand to the Empress.
In formal settings, Emperor Jingming always showed proper respect to the Empress.
The Empress placed her hand in his.
“Seventh Son, bring your wife and come with us.”
Yu Jin agreed, extending his hand to Jiang Si just as Emperor Jingming had done.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Jiang Si gracefully placed her hand in Yu Jin’s, and the couple followed the imperial pair out of Changsheng Hall, leaving the others staring at each other.
For Prince Yan and his wife to hold hands in public—how shameless!
What about the Emperor and Empress holding hands? That was different—imperial harmony was a blessing for the nation!
“Do you think Beauty Chen harmed Fifteenth Princess?”
“Fifteenth Princess was just unfortunate, the real target was—”
“I don’t understand how a mere Beauty could—”
Given the setting and subject matter, even the usually uninhibited royal relatives dared only speak in half-sentences.
The curiosity was maddening!
But at least Prince Yan and his wife weren’t…
Their gazes drifted toward the Crown Prince.
Considering that the Emperor only allowed Prince Yan and his wife to accompany him, while the Crown Prince and his wife had to wait in the hall like everyone else, perhaps things were somewhat balanced.
Crown Prince: “…” He hadn’t administered the poison, so why were they all looking at him?
Led by Emperor Jingming, the group proceeded grandly to the Fourteenth Princess’s residence.
Over a dozen palace servants stood guard silently, having not disturbed those inside.
Emperor Jingming’s steps faltered slightly.
Jiang Si spoke softly: “Father, though Breaking Bowel Grass was found in Jade Spring Palace, with the dancer dead, nothing can be proven—”
Emperor Jingming raised his hand, his tone heavy: “I understand these matters, don’t worry.”
Jiang Si said no more.
Hook-Kiss Flower, which should only grow in the south, mixed among Mandarin Duck Vine—calling it coincidence would be laughable, but nothing was absolute, so she felt compelled to offer this reminder.
Yu Jin squeezed her hand and said solemnly: “Father is wise and brilliant, he won’t wrong the innocent, nor will he let the wicked escape…”
Emperor Jingming gave Yu Jin a sideways glance, walked forward, and said quietly: “Announce us.”
The palace servant immediately called out: “His Majesty the Emperor arrives! Her Majesty the Empress arrives—”
The courtyard gates opened wide, and Emperor Jingming entered first.
Palace maids in the courtyard knelt in waves, and those emerging from the buildings immediately prostrated themselves.
A woman in a plain palace dress and light makeup hurried out: “This humble consort greets Your Majesty and Her Majesty.”
Emperor Jingming stopped before the palace-dressed woman, his tone unreadable: “Beauty Chen?”
Beauty Chen raised her eyes slightly, glimpsing not only the Emperor’s tense face but also many unfamiliar faces.
The color drained from her face.
“Do you know your crime?” Emperor Jingming asked, emphasizing each word.
These four words fell like heavy hammers on Beauty Chen’s heart.
Beauty Chen trembled violently.
Giving her no time to think, Emperor Jingming said angrily: “The dancer has already confessed. Do you still wish to deceive us?”
Hearing that the dancer had confessed, Beauty Chen could no longer hide her panic and collapsed in despair.
“Someone, bring Fourteenth Princess out. How dare she not pay respects when I’ve come?”
When Emperor Jingming specifically requested to see the Fourteenth Princess, Beauty Chen prostrated herself and begged: “Your Majesty, Fourteenth is ill. I will confess everything you wish to know, only please don’t trouble Fourteenth—she is innocent!”
“Very well, speak then.” Emperor Jingming stood in the courtyard, his expression icy.
Beauty Chen kowtowed heavily: “I beg Your Majesty to allow me one last look at Fourteenth, as a final farewell.”
Looking down at the pleading woman, Emperor Jingming, though furious, felt his heart soften slightly and nodded.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Fearing the Emperor might change his mind, Beauty Chen hurried toward the door but slowed as she reached it, adjusting her clothes before entering.
Yu Jin watched her figure disappear through the doorway and secretly shook his head.
It wasn’t even his beloved woman, yet Father still showed mercy—this weakness needed to change.