The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

In the small pharmacy of the Crystal Palace...

The two had already begun preparing antidotes for the Empress Dowager and the Empress. Tang Yulu's reputation for being a master of both medicine and poison was well-deserved; she quickly identified the poison's components and began concocting the antidote. Gongsun Ruotang assisted her from the side.

"Master, this poison seems to be a slow-acting poison. Although its toxicity is not strong, it will have a great impact on the body if it accumulates over a long period of time," Gongsun Ruotang said in a low voice while grinding the medicinal herbs.

Tang Yulu nodded: "That's right. This poison is extremely difficult to detect. If we hadn't discovered it in time, the Empress Dowager's body would probably have suffered irreversible damage after a while."

A flash of anger crossed Gongsun Ruotang's eyes: "Consort Hui is indeed ruthless, resorting to such insidious methods!"

Tang Yulu gently patted Gongsun Ruotang's shoulder and comforted her, "Ruo'er, now is not the time to be angry. We need to detoxify the Empress Dowager as soon as possible, and then find out whether it was Consort Hui who did it."

Gongsun Ruotang took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and nodded, saying, "Master is right. Right now, the most important thing is Grandmother's health."

After a lot of work, the antidote was finally prepared.

"Master! Hurry up, let's go to Grandmother's palace!" Gongsun Ruotang shouted excitedly, her little hands eagerly grabbing the pills her master had just refined, carefully placing them one by one into a delicate porcelain bottle with exquisite patterns. Her movements were swift and efficient, but the anxiety in her eyes was hard to hide.

However, just as Gongsun Ruotang turned to run away, a warm and strong hand gently pulled her back. It was Tang Yuluo. Looking at the energetic young girl before her, she couldn't help but smile slightly: "Ruo'er, slow down, don't rush. Besides, aren't you afraid of attracting attention by running off like this?"

Reminded by her master, Gongsun Ruotang stopped in her tracks, a hint of regret on her face. "Oh dear, Master, you're right! But... how are we going to deliver these pills to my grandmother and aunt? We can't just go openly, can we..." As she spoke, she frowned, her lips slightly pouting, looking extremely troubled.

Seeing this, Tang Yulu reached out and patted Gongsun Ruotang's head, gently comforting her, "Don't worry, Ruo'er, concern can cloud judgment. Think about it, we still haven't found out who poisoned your grandmother and aunt. If we act rashly, we might alert them."

Hearing her master's words, Gongsun Ruotang gradually calmed down. She blinked, nodded, and said, "Yes, Master, I know I was wrong. So what should we do next?"

After a moment's thought, Tang Yuluo said, "Let's go back to Lanyue Pavilion and discuss this further." With that, she took Gongsun Ruotang's hand, and together they walked towards Lanyue Pavilion. The two remained silent the entire way, the atmosphere heavy with tension.

Just as they were about to reach the entrance of Lanyue Pavilion, Gongsun Ruotang suddenly stopped as if she had remembered something, turned to Tang Yuluo and said, "Master, wait! I'll have Rendong go and call Yingqi over."

Tang Yulu nodded in agreement.

"Ren Dong, quickly go find Ying Qi and tell her to come to Lan Yue Pavilion as soon as possible." Gongsun Ruotang gently instructed Ren Dong, who stood gracefully beside her. Ren Dong nodded slightly in agreement, and then disappeared from the spot like a light breeze.

Gongsun Ruotang, with graceful steps, slowly returned to the serene and elegant Lanyue Pavilion with Tang Yuluo. The two sat facing each other in silence, quietly awaiting Ying Qi's arrival.

Time passed quietly, and before we knew it, not much time had gone by. Suddenly, a dark figure, like a ghost, silently slipped into the Moon-Gazing Pavilion.

Once she stood still, everyone could see that the newcomer was Ying Qi. She was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit, her figure lithe and agile, her face cold yet respectful. She strode forward, bowed deeply to Gongsun Ruotang and Tang Yuluo, and said in a low, respectful voice, "Your Highness, Madam Yuluo, may I ask why you have summoned me here?"

Gongsun Ruotang's expression was serious as she said in a low voice, "Ying Qi, I need you to go to my maternal grandmother's and aunt's place tonight and tell them to find a reason to come to Liuli Palace tomorrow. They have both been poisoned, and we still don't know who did it. I want to keep the matter of the antidote a secret."

A cold glint flashed in Ying Qi's eyes as she nodded and said, "Princess, rest assured, I understand. Compared to others, our Liuli Palace is still safer."

Tang Yuluo added, "Ying Qi, this matter is of great importance, so please be extremely careful. When you deliver the message, make sure to avoid everyone. The poison that the Empress Dowager and the Empress contracted was slow-acting, so it was probably done by someone close to them."

Ying Qi nodded solemnly: "Madam Yu Luo, rest assured, I will act carefully."

Gongsun Ruotang nodded in satisfaction: "Alright, Yingqi, I'll leave this matter to you."

Shadow Seven responded and withdrew, his figure quickly disappearing into the night.

"Master, you must have exhausted yourself researching antidotes for Grandmother and Aunt today! You must rest early. Tomorrow morning, I will bring you and Grandmaster breakfast." Gongsun Ruotang composed herself slightly, looking at her master with her beautiful eyes, and said softly.

"Alright, I am indeed quite tired today. My child, you should rest early when you get back. You are still growing, so you must not stay up so late all the time. It's not good for your health." Tang Yulu reached out and gently patted her little disciple's frail shoulder, earnestly advising him.

Gongsun Ruotang nodded obediently, a sweet smile slowly blooming on her delicate face: "Master, don't worry, Ruo'er knows how to take care of herself. You should also go and rest, there are important things waiting for you tomorrow - to detoxify Grandmother and Aunt."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yulu smiled slightly, her beautiful eyes filled with affection: "Alright, you should go back to your room and rest early too."

Gongsun Ruotang bowed respectfully, then turned and left. Her petite figure gradually disappeared outside Lanyue Pavilion.

After Gongsun Ruotang returned to her palace, she did not immediately lie down to rest as usual. Instead, she walked gracefully to the table and slowly sat down. She gazed quietly at the candlelight on the table, seemingly lost in deep thought, and did not move her body for a long time.

She knew all too well that although the life-saving antidote had been successfully concocted, the lurking danger remained ever-present, showing no signs of abating. Especially the treacherous and ambitious Consort Hui, whose sinister nature had already been fully exposed. If irrefutable evidence of her numerous evil deeds could not be uncovered in time, the safety of the Empress Dowager and the Empress would still be difficult to guarantee.

"Honeysuckle," Gongsun Ruotang called softly, lowering her voice slightly. Before she finished speaking, a figure swiftly entered the room like the wind—it was the clever and obedient Honeysuckle. She stood respectfully before Gongsun Ruotang and asked softly, "Princess, is there anything I can do for you?"

Gongsun Ruotang leaned closer to Rendong and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Go quickly and deliver a message to my cousin, the Crown Prince, and ask him to come. Remember, this matter is of utmost importance; do not let a word of it leak out."

Ren Dong nodded without hesitation and replied, "Yes, Princess. I will certainly fulfill my mission and handle this matter properly." Having said that, she turned to leave, but Gongsun Ruotang quickly added, "Be sure to be careful and avoid attracting attention."

Honeysuckle nodded solemnly again. Then, she walked out with light and steady steps. Along the way, she skillfully avoided the palace guards who patrolled back and forth, like a nimble raccoon cat darting through the dark night.

Gongsun Ruotang sat at the table, the candlelight flickering, illuminating her slightly youthful yet resolute face. Her fingers tapped lightly on the surface as she pondered Consort Hui's various actions and how to respond.

Before long, a light footstep sound came. Gongsun Ruotang's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly stood up. Only when she saw that the person who came was the Crown Prince did she relax slightly.

"Crown Prince Cousin, you've arrived." Gongsun Ruotang greeted him, her tone slightly coquettish.

The Crown Prince looked concerned and glanced at Gongsun Ruotang: "Ruo'er, why did you call me here so late? Is something important?"

Gongsun Ruotang nodded slightly and told the Crown Prince in detail about discovering that the Empress Dowager's maternal grandmother and the Empress's aunt had been poisoned, as well as her suspicion that it was a conspiracy by Consort Hui.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's expression instantly turned serious. His brows furrowed into a deep frown, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes: "This Consort Hui is so audacious as to commit such a treasonous act! Ruo'er, rest assured, I will investigate this matter thoroughly and will not allow her to escape justice."

Gongsun Ruotang gently bit her lower lip and said worriedly, "Cousin Crown Prince, Consort Hui is cunning and meticulous in her actions. We don't have any solid evidence. If we investigate rashly, we might alert her."

The Crown Prince nodded slightly, paced back and forth in the room, and after thinking for a moment, said, "What you say is very true. This matter does indeed need to be considered carefully. I have heard that Consort Hui has close ties with several ministers in the court. Perhaps we can start from this point and see if we can find some clues."

Gongsun Ruotang's eyes lit up, but then she shook her head: "But those ministers are all cunning and treacherous. If they find out that we are investigating, they will definitely try their best to hide it, and may even tip us off."

Suddenly, neither of them spoke, and for a moment the entire room was so quiet that only the crackling sound of the burning candle could be heard. The sound seemed particularly clear and abrupt at this moment, as if it too was telling the story of the solemn atmosphere.

The Crown Prince slowly broke the silence: "Ruo'er, it's getting late, you should rest as soon as possible. If anything happens later, remember to keep in touch with me." His tone was gentle and concerned, and his gaze was fixed on Gongsun Ruotang.

Gongsun Ruotang nodded slightly and replied softly, "Understood, Crown Prince, please take care."

Then, she silently escorted Crown Prince Si Yunchen to the door, quietly watching his figure gradually disappear into the distance until he was completely absorbed into the boundless night before turning back into the house.

After returning to the table and sitting down, Gongsun Ruotang couldn't help but be somewhat lost in thought.

At this moment, Honeysuckle, who had been waiting by her side, said softly, "Princess, it's past midnight now. You really should go and rest."

Gongsun Ruotang came to her senses and nodded gently in agreement: "Okay, then." She slowly stood up, walked towards the dressing table, and sat on the exquisite stool.

Ren Dong hurriedly stepped forward and carefully helped Gongsun Ruotang remove the exquisite ornaments from her hair. With each piece removed, Gongsun Ruotang seemed to feel a little less constrained, and her mood relaxed slightly.

After all the ornaments were removed, Gongsun Ruotang got up and walked towards the private room. There, a tub of steaming hot flower petal bath water, exuding a captivating fragrance, had already been prepared.

She gently stepped into the water, feeling the warm current enveloping her body and the smooth, silky touch of the flower petals caressing her skin. At that moment, she stretched out her limbs, allowing her tired body and mind to find immense relief and relaxation after a long day.

Before long, weariness gradually crept in, and Gongsun Ruotang's previously tense nerves finally relaxed completely. In this tranquil atmosphere, she closed her eyes, enjoying this moment of peace and comfort.

Gongsun Ruotang gradually relaxed in the warm bathwater, but her thoughts still lingered on Consort Hui's intrigue. She knew all too well that the power struggles in the palace were like an invisible net, and the slightest carelessness could lead to utter ruin. However, she also understood that she had to remain calm at this moment in order to remain undefeated in this turbulent game.

After bathing, Gongsun Ruotang changed into soft nightgown and lay down on the bed. Ren Dong gently tucked her in and said softly, "Princess, please rest assured. I will stand guard outside the door."

Gongsun Ruotang nodded, closed her eyes, but the image of the Empress Dowager and the Empress's haggard faces still lingered in her mind. She secretly vowed to find out the truth as soon as possible and bring them justice.

In the stillness of the night, only the rustling of the wind through the treetops could be heard outside Lan Yue Pavilion. Gongsun Ruotang gradually drifted into sleep, but her dream was far from peaceful. In it, she seemed to be enveloped in a mist, surrounded by unknown dangers. She tried desperately to see the path ahead, but remained trapped by the fog, unable to move forward.

Just when she felt helpless, she suddenly heard a familiar voice calling out, "Ruo'er!"

Gongsun Ruotang suddenly woke up, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. She sat up and noticed that the sky was already turning a pale white, a new day was about to begin.

Hearing the noise, Ren Dong gently pushed open the door and came in: "Princess, are you awake? Would you like to rest a little longer?"

Gongsun Ruotang shook her head, her expression firm: "No need, there are still many things to do today. Rendong, go and prepare, we'll go and deliver breakfast to Master and Grandmaster later."

Ren Dong withdrew upon hearing this, while Gongsun Ruotang rose to wash and dress. Looking at herself in the mirror, a resolute glint flashed in her eyes.

Gongsun Ruotang carefully selected several exquisite breakfast items and packed them into a food box. Then, she and Rendong headed to Lanyue Pavilion, the residence where their master and grandmaster were staying in the palace.