Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 242 - 240

The Emperor nodded and then turned to the First Prince, "Do you have anything to say, son?"

"I only speculated based on common sense. I hope for Your Majesty’s wise discernment," the First Prince replied respectfully.

The Emperor nodded again, "Is that all?"

"Yes, that’s all," the First Prince confirmed, without any hesitation.

"Good." You have been given an opportunity, if you do not realize your wrongs then do not blame me for cutting ties.

The Emperor nodded once more, this time to the crowd in the main hall. "Does anyone else have anything to say? Does anyone else think that the Marquis Shengping is the one who poisoned the food?"

All the ministers exchanged glances, then shook their heads collectively. "We dare not jump to conclusions so recklessly. This matter is serious, and we implore Your Majesty to issue a decree for a thorough investigation. We cannot wrongly accuse an innocent person."

"I knew someone would be poisoned at this banquet as soon as the fruits and desserts were served," said the Emperor, rising and slowly descending the dragon steps.

Upon hearing this, Consort Yang swayed slightly, and the First Prince quickly steadied her.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing one word in each other’s eyes: Doomed!

The ministers looked at each other in shock. So the Emperor has known all along? That’s why the antidote was brought immediately, as if it was prepared in advance.

The Emperor, noticing everyone’s reactions, continued, "Miss Rui’an, share with us what you know about this poison."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiao’er bowed solemnly and calmly explained, "I once read in an ancient text that if one consumes a significant amount of sea buckthorn, fresh jujube, sour jujube, tangerine, kiwi, prickly pear, hawthorn, and other fruits with shellfish like shrimp and crab in large quantities, it can generate arsenic and cause poisoning. The combined effects of sea buckthorn, kiwi, sour jujube, hawthorn, and shrimp are even more severe. However, consuming a small amount is harmless, and arsenic can even be used in medicine sometimes."

When the words fell, people suddenly understood why some people were poisoned while others were not, even though they ate at the same table.

The people who were not poisoned felt lucky, grateful they were too full to eat any additional fruits and desserts.

Or they felt fortunate that they didn’t enjoy those sweet yet deadly desserts and only feasted on grapes and melons.

"Miss Rui’an discovered the potential danger when she noticed that these specific fruits formed the majority on the table, and she sent someone to inform me," Shangguan Xuanyi spoke up.

At this time, the ministers recalled how a eunuch had whispered something to the Emperor and the Sixth Prince after the dishes were served.

The women remembered how a maid had mentioned something to the Empress as well.

Then, they recalled how Empress had said at the banquet, the sea buckthorn juice, sour jujube pastries, and hawthorn pastries were specially arranged by Consort Yang for them.

Having made these connections, the ministers now had a clearer understanding. No wonder Consort Yang didn’t drink that juice herself and even looked uncomfortable eating the desserts served by the Empress, as if it were poison!

The Empress rose at this moment, knelt down, and apologized, "Your Majesty, I am guilty. The banquet was arranged by me and so many ministers and noblewomen have been poisoned. I beg for your forgiveness."

"Get up and speak. You are not at fault if you did not know," said the Emperor seeing the Empress kneeling and looking exhausted.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The Empress rose.

Seeing the Empress’s behavior, Consort Yang was filled with resentment. She always knows how to act innocent! She followed suit and knelt down, "Your Majesty, I am also guilty. I contributed ideas for the banquet, and hereby ask for your Imperial forgiveness."

"Very well, since you have admitted to your guilt. Guards! Demote Consort Yang to an ordinary servant and banish her to the Cold Palace!" The Emperor’s face became stern, and he ordered coldly.

Hearing this, Consort Yang got scared and quickly knelt down. "Your Majesty, please pardon me, I am innocent! I am as innocent as the Empress! I didn’t know that those food items would become poisonous when eaten together!"

Why am I being banished to the Cold Palace when the Empress is spared?

"Your Majesty, calm your anger. The Consort is also innocent. Isn’t ignorance not a crime?" The First Prince quickly pleaded on her behalf.

We always has been so partial towards them!

"Ignorant? Who was so certainly suggesting that the poison was arsenic just now? Surely, you haven’t forgotten, my dear eldest brother!" Shangguan Xuanhao’s face was full of sarcasm.

"That was just a guess," The First Prince glared at Shangguan Xuanhao furiously.

"Numerous poisons in this world can cause similar reactions, so why did you specifically guess it was arsenic among all possible poisons?"

"I..."

Shangguan Xuanhao did not give his older brother a chance to argue. He pressed on, "Let’s not even talk about the sea buckthorn fruit. As far as I know, it was originally intended for the royal banquet’s main dish to be Buddha Jumped Over the Wall. It was Yang Chongyi who suggested a seafood feast. And she was the one who managed to get hawthorn and sour jujube, which are not usually served at banquets, on the table! How can you explain this?"

Shangguan Xuanhao changed his form of address quickly. He had just been demoted, and he was already calling her by her name without any formality.

"All I wanted was everyone’s wellbeing, intending for everyone to have a better digestion of food. I did not have ulterior motives!" said Consort Yang, with a face full of grievances.

"The fruits served at the royal banquet in the past years were usually ones that bring auspicious symbols. So why did we end up serving fruits that can poison us when eaten with the shellfish during the seafood feast this year? One coincidence is understandable, but two, three, four... who would believe that these were not intentionally arranged? Do I need to summon the Imperial Chef to clarify?" Shangguan Xuanhao pressed, his voice filled with rebuke.

Consort Yang, upon hearing these words, collapsed to the ground. She knew she had lost her position. These people hated her so much, they wished for her death! Even if she was truly innocent, they would deliberately frame her!

Even the Emperor, whom she had loved with all her heart, did the same. He always held a grudge that she had drugged and seduced him when they were both young, when he had been drinking with her father and brothers and resting at her house, which kept him shamed in front of his beloved woman forever!

If she hadn’t gotten pregnant the first time, she believed that he wouldn’t have taken her in as his wife.

She had been alone in this cold palace for so many years. Was it really that different from being banished to the Cold Palace?

But her son couldn’t be harmed. He was the first grandson of the current emperor and had the status of a crown prince!

She made a miscalculation tonight and got her son involved as well, not seeing that the others were already waiting for her to fall into this trap!

How was it possible that the imperial doctor wouldn’t divulge what poison it was after taking pulses? Moreover, they had already drunk the antidote! freeweɓnøvel.com

Realizing this, she bit her lower lip, "Yes, it’s all my doing. His Majesty once tried to penalize my entire family by reducing us to commoners. Some were banished, others were forced to do heavy labor, and some were even sold as slaves! My parents couldn’t stand such hardships and passed away. I harbor hatred and want revenge!"

"Mother!" The First Prince looked in disbelief at Consort Yang. Had she gone mad? How could she confess to such things!

"My son, don’t speak any more. It is I who caused your downfall. I misspoke earlier and let slip that the poison was arsenic and gave you away. Your kind nature and your inherent filial piety would never let you expose your mother’s lie. So, you claimed that you guessed the poison was arsenic. You didn’t even speak a word to me just now. But the truth is that I intentionally arranged for this to happen. Now that we’ve come to this, I’m guilty and have no defense. Your Majesty, an individual’s wrongdoings should be attributed to that individual alone. I hope Your Majesty shows discernment. I confess to my crimes! I am willing to be banished to the Cold Palace, to spend my days in seclusion, praying for the wellbeing of the Emperor and Empress, and atoning for my sins!"