Chapter 304: Chapter 247: Orchestrated by the Eldest Princess

The Empress Dowager instantly erupted in fury. Her phoenix eyes glared sharply at Xiao Chengyu, and she shouted angrily, "Speak, what exactly happened?"

Xiao Chengyu’s face was as pale as paper, her body trembling, but she still gritted her teeth and argued, "Empress Dowager, please judge clearly. This humble girl has genuine feelings for the Prince, and only intended to take care of him. This matter truly has nothing to do with me."

"Xiao Chengyu, do you take me for a fool?" Jun Moling’s anger was uncontrollable. Having taken the antidote given by Shen Ruoxi, he was much better now.

"First, you arranged to send away my wife, who understands medicine, and then you added something to my wine.

If I hadn’t retained a bit of sanity and managed to subdue you and throw you to the ground, what exactly did you intend to do to me?"

Xiao Chengyu could only clench her teeth, refusing to admit, "Prince, this matter truly has nothing to do with me.

I undressed you because I saw you sweating, and it seemed you were uncomfortable sleeping in your clothes. I just wanted you to be able to sleep more comfortably, so I thought of taking off your outer garments."

What a smooth talker! Shen Ruoxi’s lips curled into a cold smile, "Xiao Chengyu, do you think just because there’s no wine cup as evidence or witnesses that you can truly detach yourself from this affair?

You are wrong. Nothing can be flawlessly covered up. First, you intentionally soaked my clothes. That maid will speak the truth, won’t she?"

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Qilin immediately replied respectfully, "Princess Consort Zhan, this old servant will personally bring her here."

"Thank you, Eunuch Qilin." Shen Ruoxi nodded slightly.

"Princess Consort Zhan, you flatter this old servant." Eunuch Qilin knew well that Shen Ruoxi’s words weren’t a genuine demand but a sign of trust in him.

For this reason, he felt even more valued, determined to give his all for this matter.

The Emperor furrowed his brow slightly. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to intervene in this matter, but in reality, he had the intention of offering Xiao Chengyu to Jun Moling.

Thus at this moment, he felt somewhat displeased, but in front of everyone couldn’t show it, so he could only reluctantly nod.

The Empress Dowager’s expression was extremely grim as well. She never expected anyone to dare cause trouble at her birthday celebration.

Her expression turned dark, and she was determined to get to the bottom of this matter.

So she softened her tone, saying, "If this matter was indeed done by Miss Xiao, then surely she couldn’t have acted alone.

Rest assured, anyone involved shall not escape my punishment."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ruoxi respectfully bowed and said, "Thank you, Empress Dowager."

Very soon, Qilin brought the woman forward.

As soon as she saw the Emperor and Empress Dowager’s angry expressions, the woman hurriedly knelt, trembling and respectfully said, "This servant greets the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty."

The Emperor’s expression was severe, and his voice was cold, "Speak! Who exactly instructed you to poison Prince Zhan’s wine cup and deliberately soak Prince Consort Zhan’s clothes?"

However, the maid still tried to deny it, arguing, "May Your Majesty discern clearly, this servant truly only slipped, it was not intentional."

Who would believe such an excuse?

Shen Ruoxi couldn’t help but let out a cold chuckle, "You can refuse to tell the truth, but I’ve heard that the punishments of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review have quite the ability to make people spill their secrets."

As soon as she finished speaking, the maid’s face turned as white as paper, her entire body trembling violently in fear.

It wasn’t the corporal punishment of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review that was terrifying, but the sight of the cruel and unbearable instruments of torture displayed there. Just a glance could make one’s skin crawl.

If truly used, the consequences would be unimaginable. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

The maid gritted her teeth suddenly, but Shen Ruoxi, quick-eyed and deft, swiftly pinched her jaw.

Yet, even so, poisonous blood still seeped from her mouth.

Shen Ruoxi snorted coldly, "Dare to commit suicide in front of this Princess Consort, you won’t have that chance now!"

Shen Ruoxi moved with exceptional swiftness, first sealing the acupoint on her chest, then roughly dislocating her jaw, scooping out the poisoned blood, and immediately putting a Detoxification Pill into her mouth.

This series of actions was completed in one continuous motion, like floating clouds and flowing water, leaving those present utterly stupefied.

The maid, having been pulled back from the brink of death, could only mumble incoherently.

Shen Ruoxi fed her another pill, closed her mouth, and said with a cold smile, "You refuse to tell the truth, is that it? Then don’t blame me for being ruthless!"

Just then, Jun Moling suddenly reached out to seize her hand, his face full of worry as he said, "My dear, don’t..."

He knew she was with child, and for the sake of accumulating merit for the unborn Prince, she shouldn’t be involved in such bloody matters.

Shen Ruoxi smiled gently, reassuring him, "I just want her to tell the truth, don’t worry!"

Her voice had barely fallen when the maid suddenly let out a wretched scream, "It hurts, it hurts, what did you give me?"

"A gut-wrenching poison, if you don’t speak, you’ll suffer a fate worse than death." Shen Ruoxi’s expression was cold, devoid of any compassion.

Everyone was shocked speechless by her harsh methods.

Usually soft-spoken, Princess Consort Zhan had never raised her voice. Her transformation was so extreme, it was as if she had become a different person, frightening everyone present.

"I’ll talk, I’ll talk." The maid couldn’t bear the torture any longer and burst into tears, crying out loud.

Unknown what Shen Ruoxi did again, but soon her screams ceased abruptly.

However, at this time, her face and forehead were covered in cold sweat, her entire body like she had just been fished out of cold water, seemingly drained of all strength.

"It was the Eldest Princess..." The truth finally came out.

At that, the room fell into a deathly silence, disbelief written on everyone’s faces.

From the moment the Eldest Princess entered the hall, she had been contemplating a strategy. After all, they weren’t professionals at handling such confrontations, and avoiding confession was nearly impossible.

Thus, she was firmly convinced, as long as she didn’t admit it, no matter what anyone said, it wouldn’t matter.

"Wretched servant, how did this princess offend you that you would slander me with such impudence?" The Eldest Princess, unfazed, rebuked sternly.

Shen Ruoxi pressed her lips gently, speculating secretly. Could the Eldest Princess be avenging her daughter?

Why had she remained silent earlier, when she took such actions only now?

Though filled with doubt, her emotions weren’t too agitated. Her intuition told her there might be unknown secrets hidden within.

"I beg the Eldest Princess for forgiveness." Oppressed by the Eldest Princess’s aura, the maid trembled all over, filled with trepidation.

"Do you realize the consequences of blaming the Royal Family?" The Empress Dowager’s face was full of anger as she questioned sternly.

"This servant knows. It’s an extermination of nine generations. This servant speaks no lies. The Eldest Princess bribed me, and the money is under my bed, untouched!"

"Are you saying that the Eldest Princess personally discussed this with you?"

The maid shook her head desperately, "No, it was Nanny Gui by the Eldest Princess’s side."

"Search under her bed." The Emperor ordered coldly.

Originally, the Emperor did not wish to be too involved with this matter. But now, as it nearly caused a death, he couldn’t stand idly by no matter what.

Soon, they found a silver note of one thousand taels beneath the maid’s bed, which Qilin respectfully handed to the Emperor.

Looking at the silver note in his hand, the Emperor’s face turned even darker, "Aunt, what else do you have to say about this?"

The Eldest Princess, however, smiled lightly, maintaining her composure as she said, "Your Majesty, this matter truly has nothing to do with me. Nanny Gui, come and face her."