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

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, there is indeed nothing wrong with this incense."

Yang Yuanpan said.

"The smell of camphor is soothing and calming, and it will naturally have no effect on the Queen Mother's health, but..."

Bang!

But as soon as he finished speaking, the rosewood box in Caiyuan's hand fell to the ground.

Naturally, everyone's attention in the hall was drawn over there.

Seeing that things were going smoothly as she expected, Concubine Zheng's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't help but clench the handkerchief in her hand, but quickly let go.

There will be no problem this time!

"This slave deserves to die!"

After the box fell, Cai Yuan stretched out her hand and was in a daze for a long time before she came to her senses, and a look of fear flashed across her face.

"It's just a thing that was dropped, why are you so panicked?"

The queen spoke gently, seemingly unaware.

The emperor's gaze was fixed coldly on Cai Yuan.

Cai Yuan became even more frightened, and her body, lying on the ground, kept shaking.

"The Queen has already said it. It's just a box that was knocked over. How can it cost you your life?"

Concubine Zheng frowned and said impatiently.

"This young lady probably knows about the peculiarity of Miss Gu Si's clothes?"

Imperial Physician Song asked.

"What's so strange about my clothes? If there's nothing wrong with the fragrance, then there's nothing wrong with my clothes either."

Gu Youxin, who was kneeling in front, was a little confused by Cai Yuan and couldn't help but speak loudly.

"Your Highness, I beg you to die. Fourth Miss Gu said that this incense mixed with camphor is the most unique fragrance. I really didn't know there was something wrong with the incense powder that Fourth Miss Gu gave me. I beg the Emperor and the Empress to forgive me."

Under Gu Youxin's puzzled gaze, Cai Yuan suddenly kowtowed heavily on the ground and begged for mercy.

The perfume she gave me?

Gu Youxin felt as if a bucket of ice water was poured over her.

"You bitch..."

"Miss Gu, there's no need to worry. If you're innocent, the Emperor and I will take care of you."

The queen spoke up to stop Gu Youxin from cursing.

"Is this palace maid from Changchun Palace? I think I've seen her once before."

Hearing the Queen's words, Gu Youning secretly curled his lips. It was rare that the Queen and the Imperial Concubine had the same goal and wanted to deal with him at the same time.

Concubine Zheng wanted to ruin her own future. The Queen didn't know the details, but she tacitly cooperated with Concubine Zheng's plan and easily revealed that Caiyuan was someone close to her.

Given Gu Youxin's jealousy towards him, he would soon bring trouble upon himself.

As for Concubine Zheng, even if she had not had this intention at first, she would probably be enlightened after hearing the Queen's words.

I just don't know what Concubine Zheng will choose. If she wants to put the blame on herself, she will have to give up Cai Yuan and be wary of Cai Yuan biting back.

As Gu Youning expected, Concubine Zheng was indeed hesitant at this time. Caiyuan was dispensable to her. Back then, she was curious about this woman who had given birth to a child for the emperor, so she asked Madam Lu to arrange someone in Changchun Palace. She just gave up this insignificant chess piece.

But she was also afraid that Caiyuan would be forced into a corner and say something unfavorable to her in front of the emperor, causing her to fail.

No, she couldn't bear the emperor's disappointment and coldness towards her.

Just as Concubine Zheng was about to give up this idea, Gu Youning said to the Queen, "Yes, Caiyuan is a very loyal person. She always behaves properly and takes good care of others. If my sister hadn't insisted on having Caiyuan serve me, I would have called her into the inner palace to serve her long ago."

After hearing what Gu Youning said, the emperor looked at Caiyuan again. She did look familiar. She should be a palace maid who could often enter the inner hall.

The palace maids who are able to enter the inner hall to serve are all valued by their masters.

"Gu Youning, it was you, it had to be you. You deliberately arranged for Cai Yuan to be by my side and had her frame me for murdering the Queen Mother. How could you be so cruel?"

Gu Youxin was indeed instigated by the Queen's words and became angry towards Gu Youning.

Under the gaze of everyone, Gu Youning stood up and walked in front of Gu Youxin, raised his hand, and slapped Gu Youxin in the face very neatly.

Everyone was shocked by Gu Youning's actions.

There was a look of great interest in the Queen's eyes as she glanced at the Emperor, who had a slightly frowned brow.

She probably knew why the emperor doted on Gu Youning so much, but what if this innocent beauty was obscured by dust?

If one dusting is not enough, how about a few more times?

Concubine Zheng looked at Gu Youning and Cai Yuan with a gloomy look. In her eyes, Gu Youning didn't know Cai Yuan's background. His words just now clearly showed that he always thought highly of Cai Yuan. Even the emperor seemed to agree with her.

"Cai Yuan is a maid I value. I agreed to let her follow you for the Queen Mother's sake."

"Even now, Imperial Physician Song hasn't finished speaking, and the matter hasn't been fully understood, yet you're already falsely accusing your own sister and accusing me of murdering the Queen Mother. Do you want to make the entire Gu family have no chance of survival?"

Gu Youning was supported by Tan Yin, looking down at Gu Youxin, whose face was full of hatred and humiliation. He was so angry that his chest was heaving, his face and words were full of harshness, but his hand that hit him was shaking slightly.

"To murder the Empress Dowager is a crime of treason. I dare not take the responsibility casually. Please, Your Majesty, make the decision for me."

Gu Youning bowed to the emperor and pleaded.

Since Concubine Zheng was still hesitant, she added fuel to the fire.

"Imperial Physician Song, please continue what you were saying."

The emperor gave the order in a cold voice, obviously standing on Gu Youning's side.

Seeing Gu Youning looking at the emperor with gratitude, Concubine Zheng became even angrier.

"Yes, Fourth Miss Gu's clothes were stained with Datura powder. This drug is poisonous, but it is very effective in relieving pain. If the Queen Mother inhaled this powder, she would feel some relief from the pain in the short term. However, it is a poison after all. If the Queen Mother is exposed to it for a long time, it will definitely shorten her life."

Perhaps Imperial Physician Song sensed the emperor's anger and impatience, and this time he quickly told the whole story.

"When I went there just now, the palace maid was still fumigating her clothes. I asked someone to bring the incense burner over as well."

"Also, I found a packet of medicine powder in Miss Gu Si's room. It's also here."

Imperial Physician Song signaled the eunuch behind him to come forward with the items on the tray.

"No wonder Fourth Miss Gu's music was able to cure the Empress Dowager's headache. It turns out she had evil thoughts. However, I've never heard of this mandala powder before. And when foreign ministers and their wives enter the palace, their belongings are carefully checked by the Shanggong Bureau and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. I wonder where Fourth Miss Gu got this stuff?"

"I also look at Fourth Miss Gu with a bewildered expression. Could it be that she really doesn't know?"

Seeing that Gu Youxin was silent, Concubine Zheng continued, "It seems that Miss Gu Si was frightened by the slap that Concubine Gu just gave her. Now she doesn't even dare to say a word."

The meaning of this sentence couldn't be clearer.

"Your Highness... Your Highness truly did not do this. Cai Yuan was already trying to please me when she was in Changchun Palace. She must have had other motives."

Gu Youning paused for a moment and then calmed down.

Although murdering the empress dowager is a serious crime, it would be a good thing for me if this crime fell on Gu Youning.

With this charge, Gu Youning's best outcome would be to be banished to the cold palace, but the eldest prince is favored by the emperor, and perhaps the emperor will choose someone close to take care of him, and her chance will come.

Moreover, Lady Wen had been on good terms with Gu Youning before, and had even used the Wen family's connections to frame her. She could have her mother use this incident to overtly and covertly threaten the Wen family to transfer the palace personnel to her.

"I didn't do that! I'm wronged!"

"I only know how to serve my master diligently and never dare to overstep the boundaries."

"Don't dare to overstep the line? Then how did all those headgear of mine come into your hands?"

Gu Youxin thought about the various benefits that Gu Youning would gain after losing power, and even his mind became much clearer.

"I don't have any of that... Those are all rewards from Fourth Miss Gu..."

"Ridiculous! I have maids given by the Empress, and I have never received such generous rewards."

"Your Majesty, Empress, and Imperial Concubine, I no longer wish to conceal this for my sister."