Yixiu is reborn, fights against her elder sister, and becomes the queen mother

Jiang Cheng said firmly, "Empress Hua, at this point, we can no longer be soft-hearted. This move is indeed somewhat inappropriate, but haven't the Empress and the Crown Prince considered this? They knew there was something wrong with the prescription, yet they deliberately leaked it to me. Who knows what they were thinking? Your Majesty, a man without ruthlessness is not a man!"

Jiang Shen said, "Your Majesty, don't worry. They were just some slaves used for the experiment. If they die, they die. It's no big deal."

Hua Fei thought about it carefully and finally nodded in agreement.

…………

Broken Yuxuan

After Wen Shichu's treatment, Zhen Huan's symptoms gradually improved and she is now much better.

However, her body was still a little weak. Wen Shichu was very worried, so he secretly modified Zhen Huan's medical records, making her father think that Zhen Huan's illness had not yet recovered and that he had to stay here to take care of her for a period of time.

Now that Zhen Huan is no longer contagious, Shen Meizhuang can come in boldly and take care of Zhen Huan personally.

She sat on the bed and chatted with Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, you've scared me to death these past few days. I'm lucky to have you by my side in this palace. I still feel a little warmth. I hope nothing happens to you."

Zhen Huan was very touched when she learned that Shen Meizhuang came to Suiyuxuan from Xianfu Palace without fear of danger after she contracted the epidemic, and stayed with her and guarded her every day.

She held Shen Meizhuang's hand tightly, couldn't help crying, and said, "Thank you, Sister Mei. I don't know what to say, thank you so much during this time."

Shen Meizhuang shook her head and chuckled softly, "We two sisters are talking about thanking each other, but speaking of thanking, you should really thank that Imperial Physician Wen Shichu. If it weren't for his careful care of you every day these days, you probably wouldn't have recovered so easily."

A hint of unnaturalness flashed across Zhen Huan's eyes. She had originally thought that she would become a stranger to Wen Shichu after entering the palace, but she didn't expect that after she contracted the epidemic, Wen Shichu would stay by her side every day.

"Doctor Wen is a good man, and our two families are friends, but I still have to thank him. No matter what, I will always remember his timely help and will never forget it."

Shen Meizhuang smiled gently and said softly, "Since your two families already have a relationship, he's not an outsider. If we just give him ordinary gold and jade as a reward, it would seem cold and indifferent. We really need to think carefully about how to thank him. But there's one thing I've always wondered about: how could you, who was perfectly fine, be infected with the epidemic?"

Zhen Huan has been ill these days, but she has been thinking about this problem in her heart.

When she learned that an epidemic had broken out in the capital, she became cautious every day and never overstepped the line. Even Jin Xi Liu Zhu, who was beside her, was not infected with the epidemic, but she was.

This matter is really strange.

Zhen Huan glanced around, then lowered her voice and whispered, "I suspect this matter is about someone trying to harm me."

When it comes to harming people, Shen Meizhuang's first thought is Concubine Hua. After all, this is not the first time she wants to kill Zhen Huan and herself.

Shen Meizhuang clutched her sleeve tightly, "Hua Fei, it must be Hua Fei again. She is the only one in this palace who always wants to kill us."

Zhen Huan also nodded. Apart from Concubine Hua, she couldn't think of anyone else in the palace who wanted to harm her.

After a brief thought, Zhen Huan said, "To contract the disease, besides coming into contact with infected patients, one must use things used by infected patients or eat the same food as infected people."

Shen Meizhuang pondered this while slowly replying, "The palace has always maintained strict control over epidemics. If someone had contracted the disease, they would definitely not have been able to see you. Now there is only one possibility: you ate or used something from someone infected with the disease. Huan'er, what did you use the day before you contracted the disease? Is there anything different from usual?"

Zhen Huan reacted instantly. She slapped her head and said, "There seemed to be a new dessert on the table that day. They said it was newly made in the kitchen. It seemed to be osmanthus cake."

Shen Meizhuang shook her head and said, "I checked the small kitchen. If there's something wrong with the osmanthus cake, then the cook would also be infected. Huan'er, think about it, is there anything else different?"

Zhen Huan was very sure that it must be the plate of osmanthus cake. She carefully recalled the circumstances of that day. Usually, it was Pei'er who served the dessert, but for some reason that day, Cuihuan was replaced.

"The person who came to serve snacks that day was Cuihuan. She doesn't usually come to this room to serve, and I don't see her often. Also, the snack plate looked a little strange. The palace has a set of utensils, but that plate didn't look like something someone of my rank should use. It looked old and a little broken, so it looked like it belonged to a high-ranking concubine. I didn't need it anymore and put it in the storeroom."

The two were almost certain that there was something wrong with Cuihuan, but in order not to alert the enemy, Shen Meizhuang asked Zhen Huan to lie down and rest first, and she went to interrogate Cuihuan alone.

Caixing called Cuihuan to Shen Meizhuang's room. Cuihuan looked a little nervous and didn't dare to look up after entering the room.

Shen Meizhuang smiled gently and said, "Don't be afraid. I called you here today for no other reason than that Concubine Wan's health has improved. You have been serving here for a long time and you must have worked hard. I will be leaving soon, so I wanted to give you something before you leave."

Cui Huan breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Madam Huipin, for your grace."

Shen Meizhuang asked Cuihuan questions in a haphazard manner, deliberately delaying time.

"How many years have you been in the palace?"

"Do you have any relatives or friends outside? Do you have any acquaintances in the palace who can take care of each other?"

"…………"

Cui Huan also sensed something was amiss. She knelt on the ground and pleaded, "Empress Hui, I have always served Concubine Wan with all my heart and soul, never slacking off for a single day. What are you trying to do?"

Shen Meizhuang remained silent. Cai Xing sneered, "The Empress saw how well you served Concubine Wan, so she wanted to reward you with a plate of osmanthus cake!"

Cuihuan's body trembled noticeably. She cried and said, "What sweet-scented osmanthus cake? I'm just a maid who's responsible for sweeping outside. I don't know anything."

There was a hint of coldness in Shen Meizhuang's tone. She was usually gentle and kind, but that didn't mean she would allow herself to be bullied.

"Cai Xing, go get a needle and poke her mouth open. See when she can finally tell the truth. She's just a palace maid. Even if you kill her, who's going to say anything?"

Cui Huan was terrified and kowtowed, begging, "Please spare my life, Madam Hui, please spare my life. I really don't know anything. Please spare me."