The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

Chapter 156 Discussion at the Crown Prince's Palace

So Yingqi led Gongsun Ruotang and her entourage through the many corridors.

These corridors meander and seem to have no end, yet each one is exquisitely and elegantly decorated, a truly magnificent sight.

Sunlight filters through the gaps in the eaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground and creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

After some twists and turns, the group finally arrived at the door of the study.

Yingqi first took a few steps forward cautiously, then stopped and listened carefully to the sounds inside the room before gently knocking on the door and saying in a low voice, "Your Highness, the princess has arrived."

As soon as he finished speaking, a gentle response came from inside the house: "Come in."

Immediately afterwards, the door slowly opened, and the tall and handsome figure of the Crown Prince appeared before everyone.

Today, the Crown Prince was not wearing a magnificent court robe, but rather a simple and elegant everyday outfit, which made him appear even more refined and dignified.

A faint smile graced his handsome face, as warm as the spring sun.

When he saw Gongsun Ruotang, the smile in his eyes deepened: "Ruo'er, you've come. I've been thinking of you."

Upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, Gongsun Ruotang felt a surge of joy.

He respectfully performed a standard court etiquette: "Greetings, Cousin Crown Prince!"

The Crown Prince reached out to help her up, his gaze falling on Tang Yuluo. He bowed slightly and said, "Madam Yuluo, thank you for saving my grandmother and mother."

Tang Yulu smiled generously and returned the greeting to the Crown Prince, saying, "Your Highness is too modest. There is no need for you to be so polite. Not to mention that the Empress Dowager and the Empress are role models for women all over the world, just considering the blood ties between them and Ruo'er, it is only natural that we should do our duty."

After speaking, everyone filed into the study and took their seats according to the order of host and guest.

Gongsun Ruotang parted her lips slightly and softly instructed her maid Tangqiu, "Quickly, bring up the snacks."

Before long, Tang Qiu gracefully brought over a plate of exquisite, delicious, and fragrant pastries and carefully placed it on the table.

Gongsun Ruotang smiled and pointed to the pastries, saying to the Crown Prince, "Cousin Crown Prince, I specially asked Aunt Rou to make these for you. Please try them and see if you like them."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince smiled slightly, reached out and gently picked up a pastry, then put it into his mouth.

After chewing it carefully, he couldn't help but nod and praise, "Mmm, it really tastes just like that! Ruo'er really put her heart into it."

After exchanging a few casual words, the Crown Prince's relaxed expression gradually turned serious. He frowned slightly, looked intently at Gongsun Ruotang, and slowly said, "Ruo'er, the poisoning of the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager this time is no small matter..."

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Ruotang's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a serious and earnest expression.

She nodded slightly and replied solemnly, "Cousin Crown Prince, my master and I have come to see you today precisely to discuss this matter with you."

Tang Yuluo, who was standing to the side, also nodded slightly, indicating her agreement with Gongsun Ruotang's words.

Then, Tang Yuluo said softly, "Your Highness, the situation is indeed troublesome. Previously, Ruo'er had sent Ying Qi to secretly monitor Consort Hui, but after many days of observation, no abnormalities were found."

She paused slightly at this point, seemingly considering how to phrase her next words.

After composing herself, Tang Yulu continued, "Just the night before last, I took Ruo'er and Ying Qi with me to sneak into the Imperial Hospital to investigate. That night was truly thrilling. Inside the Imperial Hospital, we carefully searched for clues and eventually discovered some unknown secrets."

Subsequently, Tang Yulu described in detail what she had seen and heard in the Imperial Hospital that night to Crown Prince Si Yunchen.

She vividly described every detail, including the clues hidden in the dark corners, the seemingly ordinary yet strange arrangement of the medicine cabinets, and so on.

However, throughout the narrative, Tang Yulu skillfully avoided mentioning the part about Gongsun Ruotang's special bloodline.

After Tang Yulu finished speaking, the study fell into a suffocating silence.

Crown Prince Si Yunchen sat at his desk, his hands clenched into fists, his face so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it.

Gongsun Ruotang stood quietly to the side, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, her eyes revealing a hint of worry and unease. Tang Yulu remained silent as well, only occasionally glancing at the Crown Prince's reaction out of the corner of her eye.

Time passed slowly, and a heavy, oppressive atmosphere filled the study.

Crown Prince Si Yunchen sat at his desk, having remained silent for a long time.

Finally, his tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, but he still couldn't hide the worry and doubt in his heart.

He slowly raised his head and said in a deep and serious voice, "Judging from this situation, the methods of this mastermind are extremely insidious and cunning! They dared to secretly tamper with things in the heavily guarded Imperial Hospital, and they were able to evade Shadow Seven's close surveillance without anyone noticing. This person must be no ordinary character."

Gongsun Ruotang, standing to the side, bit her lower lip tightly, until her lips turned slightly white.

Her beautiful eyes were now filled with flames of resentment and anger, as if they wanted to burn the whole world to ashes.

"Cousin Crown Prince, I simply cannot believe that this was solely the work of Consort Hui and the Third Prince. With their abilities, they could never have such meticulous planning and sophisticated methods. There must be other forces backing them up and devising strategies for them!" Gongsun Ruotang said indignantly.

Tang Yulu frowned slightly, her beautiful eyes fixed on the distance, as if she was pondering something.

Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, rhythmically tapping one after another, the crisp sound seemingly echoing her inner thoughts.

After a long while, she slowly spoke, "Judging from the current situation, the clues we have are pitifully few."

However, now that we've noticed something amiss with the Imperial Hospital, starting our investigation from there is a good option.

Those imperial physicians who are usually responsible for taking the pulse of the Empress Dowager and the Empress might slip up and give themselves away.

Therefore, their every move must be closely monitored, including their whereabouts and who they associate with. No clue can be overlooked; everything must be thoroughly investigated!

Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Si Yunchen, who was sitting to the side, nodded slightly, indicating his agreement with Lady Yu Luo's words.

A hint of appreciation flashed in his deep, sharp eyes, and then he said in a deep voice, "Lady Yu Luo is right. I will immediately arrange for men to secretly investigate the situation of these imperial physicians. Shadow Seven!"

With a soft shout from the Crown Prince, a dark figure appeared like a ghost, kneeling on one knee awaiting orders.

The Crown Prince's gaze sharpened as he stared at Ying Qi and instructed, "For the next period of time, you must focus on monitoring the movements of the imperial physicians. If you discover anything suspicious, report it to me immediately! There must be no mistakes!"

Ying Qi respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Highness! But... what should we do about the princess?"

Before the Crown Prince could answer, Gongsun Ruotang quickly interjected, "Yingqi, you don't need to worry about me. I still have Tangqiu and the others by my side."

As she spoke, she gestured to the maids behind her, a confident smile on her face.