Jinwei joins hands in rebirth: villains can also eat at the table

"On the way here, Li Yu told me about Concubine Mei's situation. It was my fault for not managing the harem properly. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

Seeing that the emperor's face was not very good, Ruyi quickly apologized.

Seeing her like this, the emperor couldn't bear to blame her and just helped her up: "Never mind, someone secretly did it. The harem is busy with affairs, how could you have predicted it in advance? Let's listen to what Doctor Bao has to say."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the food was indeed poisoned. Unfortunately, I am incompetent and cannot determine what kind of poison it was. Fortunately, it seems that the poison has been prepared for a long time and its toxicity has weakened. In addition, Concubine Mei only ate a small amount and has already swallowed the detoxifying decoction. She will be healthy if she continues to take the medicine. Unfortunately, Concubine Mei's baby is still young, less than a month old, and cannot withstand such poison. Therefore... I am incompetent and I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."

Doctor Bao could no longer continue speaking at this point and could only kowtow and confess his guilt.

"Who on earth is so vicious that he wants to harm Concubine Mei and her child? What's wrong with you palace servants? Don't you test for poison before eating?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the palace maids became agitated and hurriedly distanced themselves from the matter.

"Replying to Her Majesty, Concubine Ling, we servants truly didn't know. When the food was brought back, we tested it with a silver needle, and it was indeed non-toxic."

"Yes, the servants really don't dare to touch the ladies' meals!"

"In reply to your Majesty, the silver needle did not change when I tested the poison just now. It seems that this poison is not from the Central Plains." Doctor Bao knelt down and replied cautiously.

Seeing that the emperor remained silent, Yan Wan's face was full of fear. Her face was pale and her eyes were full of fear and worry.

"All those who have experienced the food served by Concubine Mei will be taken to the Ministry of Punishment for severe torture. Anyone who deliberately approached the food will also be arrested and tortured. Ruyi, this is a matter of the harem. I don't want such things to happen in my harem in the future. You have only taken over the position of Queen for a short time, so I can understand..."

"When you have nothing to do, learn how to handle things as Empress Xiaoxian did when she was still alive. After tomorrow's morning court session, I want to know who the real culprit is. Okay, I have some government affairs to attend to in the Yangxin Palace, so I'll be leaving first. Shu Fei, Ling Fei, take good care of Mei Fei. I'll come visit her again when I have time."

After the emperor finished speaking, he glanced in the direction of Bai Ruiji's bedroom and left.

When Ruyi heard the words "learn from Empress Xiaoxian", she almost felt dizzy.

This is true for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor as well.

As soon as she took the throne, people began comparing her to Empress Xiaoxian, even her husband, her bedmate. Ruyi felt a chill radiate from the soles of her feet, enveloping her whole body. She froze in place, almost unable to breathe.

The servants of Yonghe Palace, kneeling below, immediately begged for mercy upon hearing they were being sent to the Ministry of Punishment. What was the Ministry of Punishment? Once inside, you'd be skinned alive, if not dead.

While Ruyi was stunned, a young eunuch immediately knelt and kowtowed, "Empress, please spare me! Empress, it was Sister Lixin from Qixiang Palace. When I went to collect today's meal, it was Sister Lixin who came with a silver needle to test for poison. She was the only outsider who touched the meal from the Imperial Kitchen to Yonghe Palace. We, your servants, would never dare to murder Concubine Mei! Please, Empress, have mercy on us and let us go! Spare me, Empress!"

"It turned out to be her. If Li Xin really poisoned Sister Mei Fei, I'm afraid Concubine Jia will not be able to escape the blame either!" Yan Wan said hatefully.

Ruyi suddenly woke up, glanced at Yanwan, and said calmly, "Sanbao, quickly order someone to search Lixin's residence and take her and everyone else to the Ministry of Punishment. Lock her up first. If nothing is found on Lixin, then torture the people in Yonghe Palace. If the poison is found, give it to Imperial Physician Bao to verify whether it is the same poison planted by Concubine Mei, and then torture her severely."

This matter actually involved Concubine Jia. Ruyi was very troubled and raised her hand to rub her eyebrows.

After instructing Rong Pei, she looked at Doctor Bao, who was kneeling below her, then glanced at Concubine Shu and Concubine Ling, and continued, "I will go see Concubine Mei later before returning to Yikun Palace to handle this matter. You will have to take care of Yonghe Palace first. Doctor Bao, please wait here until Concubine Mei wakes up and is sure she is fine before returning."

"The minister obeys the order."

"The minister and concubine follow the order."

After saying that, she was supported by Rong Pei and went down to Bai Ruiji's bedroom. Doctor Bao was also invited to rest in another side hall.

Yihuan was extremely worried by this incident. As a new mother, she had also been looking forward to the birth of her own little prince for many years. No one understood this feeling better than she did.

She was extremely lucky to have given birth to the Tenth Prince, but if Rui Ji woke up and knew that the child she had waited so long for had been killed, she would probably go crazy.

When she thought of this, her eyes became wet and she felt sad for Ruiji.

The same thing happened to Yanwan. She lowered her head and wiped her tears with a handkerchief, then turned her head to comfort Yihuan.

"Sister Shu Fei, please don't be too sad. You just gave birth to the Tenth Prince. Although you are just one month old, it is time to recuperate. Don't cry so hard that your eyes get hurt. Go back and rest well. Don't get sick. Sister Mei Fei is here with me. I will comfort her."

"Can......"

Yan Wan raised her hand to help Yi Huan adjust the tassels hanging from her headdress, saying softly, "Don't worry, sister. I will comfort her well. Besides, you just gave birth to the Tenth Prince. If Concubine Mei wakes up and finds out, she might be reminded of you. It's better to wait until she's better before comforting her."

Yes, Ruiji had just lost her pregnancy, how could I not be sad when I saw her?

Yihuan thought this was the truth, and holding Yanwan's hand, she said softly, "This is all thanks to you. Without you, who knows how bad things would have been. Chengqian Palace is not far from Yonghe Palace. If anything happens, send someone to tell me."

"This is what a younger sister should do. It's getting late. It will be dark and windy soon. You should go back now. He Xi, take good care of your mistress and don't let her get caught in the wind. She needs to avoid being caught in the wind even after the confinement period. Otherwise, she will easily develop a chronic illness."

As soon as these words were spoken, Yihuan looked at Yanwan's sincere face, and a warm feeling surged in her heart.

Yanwan was always so attentive. She was clearly the youngest, yet she was more thorough than her and Ruiji. Perhaps it was her early experiences that had given her so much to think about. Thinking of this, Yihuan couldn't help but feel distressed.

In this palace, how many people could think as carefully as she did? But what made her so versatile and adept at dealing with people?

Gradually, as she got to know him better, Yihuan began to feel that the emperor was too busy with government affairs to be with her often, but Yanwan gave her the feeling that she was more reliable than the person next to her.

When Yihuan returned to Chengqian Palace, Ruyi had also gone back to deal with the matter. At this time, only Yanwan and Bai Ruiji were in the bedroom.