Jiang Yunshan entered the palace, her face pale with a mix of anger and determination. She insisted that someone had poisoned her and fervently requested the Empress to investigate the culprit hidden in the shadows.
At this time, the Emperor was attending morning court. Although he had become increasingly wary of the Crown Prince's household, he still valued Jiang Yunshan, who was seen as a significant political asset. Furthermore, the guards at the Crown Prince's residence were known for their stringent security, akin to an impenetrable fortress. If someone could bypass them to poison one of the prince's consorts, it raised alarming questions about the security of the palace itself. If this went unchecked, what stopped them from targeting the Emperor next?
The Emperor immediately ordered a thorough investigation.
Ji Yu received news of this and smiled faintly, his expression both amused and calculating. "Let them investigate," he muttered. "I've prepared something quite entertaining for them."
The Investigation Unveils Shocking Secrets
While the investigation into Jiang Yunshan's poisoning initially yielded little progress, it soon uncovered something unexpected in the Crown Prince's residence: an exotic flower known as Dreambloom Lotus. This rare plant, originating from distant lands, was known for its potent hallucinogenic properties. When its essence was mixed into food or drink, it induced vivid dreams and altered perceptions.
The Imperial physicians, upon analyzing the flower's effects, confirmed its hallucinogenic nature. This revelation brought back unsettling memories for the Emperor—specifically, the recurring dreams he and the Empress had shared. These so-called prophetic dreams had been touted as divine signs, yet no tangible blessings had followed. Instead, the dreams had coincided with increased disturbances in the Crown Prince's household and Jiang Yunshan's poisoning.
Doubt began to creep into the Emperor's mind. Could someone have tampered with his dreams for personal gain?
His suspicions deepened when a thorough search of the Emperor's private quarters revealed several inconspicuous sachets filled with Dreambloom Lotus. They had been discreetly placed in corners of his residence, likely to go unnoticed.
The Emperor's fury erupted. If someone could infiltrate his chambers to plant this flower, what else might they do? Today it was dreams—tomorrow, it could be his life.
A Grim Determination
The Emperor's suspicions naturally turned to those closest to him. Who stood to gain the most from manipulating his thoughts and dreams? His gaze fell heavily on the Crown Prince and even the Empress. Without alerting them, he ordered an exhaustive investigation of the palace and its residents.
This unprecedented directive created a stir in the palace. The Empress, upon hearing of the investigation, hurriedly dressed and rushed to the Emperor's chambers. Her appearance, though still dignified and mature, showed signs of unease.
"Your Majesty, what has caused such a drastic measure?" she asked, her tone a careful blend of concern and deference.
The Emperor studied her closely, his expression unreadable. He was no longer certain of her loyalty. The dreams they had both experienced, which had once seemed like divine guidance, now felt tainted by manipulation. What role had the Empress played in this?
"The ancestors came to me in a dream," he finally said, his voice heavy with implication. "They warned me of evil forces lurking in the palace and commanded me to uncover the truth."
The Empress's reaction—a fleeting look of alarm before regaining her composure—only deepened the Emperor's suspicions.
Revelations and Consequences
The investigation dragged on for ten days, its proceedings shrouded in secrecy. Nevertheless, rumors began to circulate among the noble families in the capital. Whispers of treachery within the palace reached even the Jiang household, prompting them to adopt a cautious silence.
When the investigation finally concluded, the results were devastating.
Armed with damning evidence, the Emperor stormed into the Empress's chambers. His face was a mask of fury, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. "My dear Empress," he began, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "it seems there are many things I did not know about you. Shall we discuss the secrets you've kept hidden for the past twenty years?"
The Empress paled, her carefully cultivated composure beginning to crack under the weight of his wrath. For the first time in decades, she found herself at the mercy of a man who had once trusted her implicitly—but now viewed her as a potential traitor.