Seizing the throne, abolishing the adopted son, the imperial concubine rose to prominence

"Zheng'er is still feeling very uncomfortable..."

"Since the imperial physician said the eldest prince is fine, the emperor should first investigate today's incident. I want to see who dares to cause trouble in Ci'an Palace."

The empress dowager, who had been silent until now, interrupted the emperor.

Empress Dowager Cui did not care about her grandson Xiao Yunzheng, but Xiao Yunzheng was the one who interpreted the celestial phenomena for her. If something happened to him, it might bring disaster to her.

This was why Queen Mother Cui was so angry.

"That's what the Queen Mother said."

"Cao Zhong and Eunuch Sun who is beside your mother are already investigating. They should be able to get the news soon. Your mother, please don't worry too much."

The emperor nodded and then turned his gaze to Xiao Shengzi. The woman's confused and helpless look was so heartbreaking.

"Damn slave."

Xiao Shengzi understood and knelt beside Gu Youning, explaining softly, "Today is my night watch. Before turning off the lights, I remembered that I had left a few windows in the house ajar. But when I felt very dizzy and stood up to check the house, I found that all the windows were closed tightly."

"If I had noticed it earlier, I wouldn't have let the eldest prince suffer."

"I don't blame you. It's easy to get sleepy at night. It's great that you noticed it in time and brought the eldest prince out."

Gu Youning actually knew that something was wrong today. When she heard the imperial physician's words, she had some guesses in her mind.

In winter, when burning charcoal in each palace, great attention was paid to ventilation.

Otherwise, the carbon gas accumulated in the house can easily cause people to feel nauseous, vomit, and become unconscious.

It is even worse for children like Zheng'er. If the condition is serious, even if they can save their lives, they will suffer from dementia.

She was extremely glad that she had instructed Xianyu and Xiao Shengzi during the day not to leave anyone on duty for several nights, and that the night watchmen had to stay awake. If they had just dozed off by the bed like other palace guards did, Zheng'er would have been killed today.

Gu Youning's eyes swept over the people in the palace. The Queen was used to using someone else's knife to kill someone, and she had met Gu Youxin before. Concubine Zheng had long been aware of Gu Youxin's intentions. She would rather temporarily suppress the matter of Shaoyaohua that day, which showed that she was also anxious to kill Zheng'er. And Xiao Yun'an...

At this time, Xiao Yun'an was standing quietly with his head down, and his presence was completely invisible in the hall.

For some reason, a deep chill surged up Gu Youning's back.

Yesterday, her mind was focused on what Xiao Yun'an said about Xiao Yunzi, and she forgot that Xiao Yun'an was also full of malice towards Zheng'er.

She remembered that when Xiao Yun'an entered the house yesterday, he was secretly looking around the room.

"emperor."

At this moment, Cao Zhong walked into the hall with a very bad look on his face.

"Has anyone confessed?"

When the emperor heard Gu Youning speak, he felt relieved and looked at Cao Zhong and asked.

Cao Zhong shook his head. "The eunuchs who searched the palace found the body of a eunuch next to the rockery at the back. The eunuch reeked strongly of alcohol. It looked like he had fallen while drunk and had hit his head on the rockery."

"The rest of the palace servants, including those serving the two princes, have been checked by Eunuch Sun and I, and none of them are suspects at this time."

Everyone in the hall understood what happened today. The biggest suspect was the eunuch who happened to be killed by himself.

Gu Youning glanced at Xiao Yun'an, and happened to see that Xiao Yun'an was looking at Cao Zhong with a puzzled look on his face.

"One more thing, there was a pearl flower dropped next to this eunuch."

As soon as Cao Zhong finished speaking, Gu Youning, who had been paying attention to Xiao Yun'an's expression, keenly noticed that he seemed to be relieved. Seeing that there was no flaw on the faces of the Queen and the Imperial Concubine, Gu Youning's heart and eyes turned cold.

"Send it up!"

The emperor's face was as gloomy as water.

Gu Youning also took a look at the pearl flower. The gems inlaid on it were quite luxurious, and even the unfavored low-ranking concubines in the harem might not be able to find one.

"what?"

Suddenly a doubtful voice was heard in the hall.

"This slave deserves to die."

The palace maid standing next to Xiao Yun'an saw that the masters in the hall were looking at her, and she knelt on the ground in panic.

"Don't be afraid. Do you recognize this pearl flower?"

The Queen asked gently.

"Yes, I think I saw Fourth Miss Gu wearing this pearl flower."

The palace maid replied in a low voice.

Gu Youning understood that what happened today was Xiao Yun'an's doing.

Her adopted son had indeed grown up. Yesterday, he told her the news that Xiao Yunzi and Gu Youxin had been in contact under the pretext of repaying a favor. Today, he asked his maid to point out on the spot that the pearl flower came from Gu Youxin. If she had not always been suspicious of her adopted son, she would have probably followed his lead.

"Mother, what do you think?"

Gu Youxin is now a favorite of the empress dowager. Although the emperor's face was very gloomy, he still turned around and asked a question.

"Sun Angong, go and bring the person here."

Queen Mother Cui frowned.

Soon, Gu Youxin was carried into the hall by two palace maids.

These two days were the time when the cold was at its worst. Gu Youxin was dragged out of the bed. She felt dizzy and weak in the legs. If it weren't for the palace maid supporting her, she wouldn't have been able to stand steadily.

Looking at the people in the hall, she was even more confused, but when her eyes fell on Gu Youning and his mother, her confused mind suddenly became clear.

Could it be that...

Everyone in the hall today is a discerning person. Gu Youxin was already suspicious, and with that guilty look on his face, how could they not be suspicious?

Even Empress Dowager Cui's expression suddenly turned ugly.

"Gu..."

The Queen was about to speak when she was interrupted by Concubine Zheng: "Why does Fourth Miss Gu look so frightened when she sees her own sisters?"

"Your Highness, please forgive me. I am just a little worried and confused. The Emperor and the Empress came here so late at night, and even my sister came with them. Has something big happened in the palace?"

Gu Youxin's explanation is quite reasonable.

"The eldest prince almost got into trouble. Isn't that a big deal? I thought you two sisters were very close and I knew it after just one glance."

Concubine Zheng said again.

Gu Youning held her son, who was beginning to fall asleep again, in her arms, with her brows slightly lowered. Concubine Zheng was so eager to attack Gu Youxin, it was likely that the matter of the peony flower would also be exposed tonight.

Although she hated Gu Youxin, the crime of murdering the empress dowager must not be placed on Gu Youxin.

The Gu family cannot afford this, and she cannot let this affect her and Zheng'er's future.

"Your Majesty, Zheng'er is a little sleepy. Can I take him to the side hall to sleep first?"

Inside the hall, Gu Youning suddenly stood up holding his son.

"Gu Jieyu, this matter involves the two people closest to you in the palace. Don't you want to hear it clearly?"

"And isn't Concubine Gu surprised that Fourth Miss Gu would do such a thing?"

The emperor was about to nod in agreement, but Concubine Zheng raised her eyebrows at Gu Youning in confusion.

"The Emperor and the Empress Dowager are here with us tonight. I believe they will make their own judgment on what is right and wrong, and..."

Gu Youning looked straight at Concubine Zheng and continued, "Whether tonight's incident is related to Fourth Sister is still unknown. Please consider Fourth Sister's reputation and do not jump to conclusions."

After saying this, Gu Youning carefully looked at the person in his arms.

"I……"

"Go down and take care of Zheng'er first. I will definitely give you and your son an explanation on this matter."

A six-year-old child already had some weight. When the emperor saw the woman's slightly trembling hands, his eyes fixed and he stopped Concubine Zheng from speaking.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Gu Youning carried his son to the side hall.

"I've met the master."

The people who served Xiao Yunzheng were just taken away for questioning by the emperor.

"Xiao Shengzi, go to the Imperial Hospital to fetch Tan Yin. The medicine will be delivered immediately."

"Don't worry, Concubine. I will definitely take good care of the medicine for the eldest prince. I will go right away."

Xiao Shengzi felt that he understood his master's intention. Today's incident had not been fully investigated yet, so he had to be on guard against someone tampering with the eldest prince's medicine.

"He'er, come here..."

After Xiao Shengzi hurried out, Gu Youning put his son on the couch and called He'er over to whisper a few words.