A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 774

Noble Concubine Shih looked at Xia Ruqing with a faint gaze and sneered. "To ensure fairness, let none of us interfere. Let the people from the Imperial Kitchen conduct the search. Do you dare?"

Xia Ruqing laughed. "Noble Consort jests! As everyone knows, Your Highness oversees The Six Palaces, and the Imperial Kitchen is among them! Since Your Highness dares, why would I be afraid?"

Noble Concubine Shih snorted coldly, saying no more. She simply commanded, "People from Xifu Palace and Qingya Residence are not allowed to participate; have them all withdraw!" After speaking, she cast a triumphant glance at Xia Ruqing.

Xia Ruqing also said nothing more, simply standing there. Just as the atmosphere quieted, a Little Eunuch called out from outside, "Eunuch Li is here!"

A moment later, Li Shengan entered with a few of his trusted young disciples, a dust whisk in hand. Seeing both Consorts seated, Li Shengan hurriedly paid his respects.

Xia Ruqing glanced at Noble Concubine Shih and remained silent. It was Noble Concubine Shih who bid him rise.

"Thank you, Noble Consort!" Li Shengan said.

Noble Concubine Shih simply smiled. "May I know what brings you here today, Eunuch?" She continued, "If my memory serves me correctly, the Emperor hasn’t ordered meals from the Imperial Kitchen for quite some time now!" She clearly meant: he’s certainly not here to fetch food for the Emperor, so he shouldn’t try to deceive her. He should confess!

Eunuch Li hadn’t intended to hide anything and immediately replied respectfully, "The Emperor, upon hearing that an Imperial Physician was summoned to Qingya Residence, became concerned and inquired about the matter. I dared not deceive His Majesty, so I first investigated at Qingya Residence and then reported the truth. And then... I was sent here by the Emperor to get to the bottom of this!"

After all, plotting against imperial heirs was a grave offense, especially concerning the twins born to the Emperor’s most beloved. Therefore, despite her anger, Noble Concubine Shih had no choice but to force a smile. "It is my poor management that has troubled Eunuch Li to relay messages to His Majesty! Tell him... that we are already investigating, and I will ensure it is handled thoroughly! I will secure justice for Consort Xian!"

Her words were far too self-righteous and sanctimonious. Even Li Shengan found them somewhat hard to bear. He smiled and said, "Your Highness need not rush to reply. It is best to investigate thoroughly first!"

Noble Concubine Shih was choked by his words, her simmering anger evident, yet she said nothing more.

「After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.」

The searchers began to emerge one by one, reporting to Noble Concubine Shih in succession.

"Your Highness, we found nothing amiss with any of the items in the Imperial Kitchen!"

"Indeed, I have also examined them, and there are no issues!"

"Yes, and we did not find any medicated diet for the symptoms Consort Xian described!"

Xia Ruqing rolled her eyes. Medicated diet, my ass! It’s your family’s medicated diet that causes vomiting and diarrhea! She felt a surge of dismay. Noble Concubine Shih is audacious, actually trying to deceive everyone so blatantly! But... she’d have to ask for my permission first!

Xia Ruqing waited a moment longer with a cold smile. Suddenly, a Little Eunuch ran out from inside, holding up a pouch and shouting, "Reporting to Noble Consort and Consort Xian, this servant has found a medicine pouch!"

Xia Ruqing stood up abruptly. "What medicine pouch? Where was it found? Speak quickly!"

The Little Eunuch panted heavily. "Reporting to Consort Xian, it was found in Chef Li’s cupboard! It was initially secured with a small lock. This servant was curious and ordered it opened. To our surprise, it was full of this type of medicine!"

Xia Ruqing’s heart pounded in horror. "All of it?!" She commanded, "Someone, bring all of it in! And quickly, go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and summon an Imperial Physician! Zi Yue, also bring the Imperial Physician who just diagnosed the Wetnurse Nannies!"

No matter what, the truth of this matter must come to light today! She thought. She must teach Noble Concubine Shih a lesson! Otherwise, she’ll only become more brazen, pushing her luck until I have no place left to stand!

「After another incense stick’s worth of time.」

Aside from the Emperor, everyone who needed to be there had arrived. Fortunately, with Li Shengan present, Xia Ruqing wasn’t afraid. Of course, even if Li Shengan weren’t there, she wouldn’t be afraid. Though she wasn’t one to strive or compete, she had still spent many years in the Harem. She was no longer the insignificant ant who worried about her life daily. She was no longer the person with nothing to her name, relying solely on her wits to survive. She had her brother, the Marquis, and her three children to support her. She had long since carved out her own place in the world. So, what was there to fear?

Imperial Doctor Liu arrived first. He was on duty today and was the one who had gone to Qingya Residence to take the pulses of the Wetnurse Nannies. After exchanging formalities, Imperial Doctor Liu stated the facts. "Reporting to Consort Xian, the Wetnurse Nannies’ vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms of poisoning. However, it is not a potent poison; it is not lethal. This humble physician has already prescribed a remedy. Taken three times a day, they will certainly recover soon!"

As soon as the word "poisoning" was uttered, the rest of his words were largely ignored.

Xia Ruqing was startled. "Poisoning?"

Noble Concubine Shih also stood up abruptly. "Nonsense! Are you senile, Imperial Physician? Where would poison come from in the palace?! This is a serious matter; you had better think carefully!" If he dares to speak of this... Noble Concubine Shih’s gaze was sharp and filled with threats.

The Imperial Physician trembled, clearly frightened. But after glancing at Eunuch Li, who stood to the side, he didn’t dare lie. After much deliberation, he decided to risk it all. "Yes! It is poison!"

Li Shengan was very pleased with this answer and gave him an approving look. The Imperial Physician’s wildly POUNDING heart instantly calmed.

After that, identifying the poison, apprehending the suspects, and taking them into custody all proceeded with exceptional smoothness.

Noble Concubine Shih was terrified. When she left the Imperial Kitchen, her steps were unsteady. She didn’t even want to ride in her warm palanquin, choosing instead to walk slowly back through the Imperial Garden, draped in her cloak.

Someone caught up to her from behind: it was Xia Ruqing. Seeing Noble Concubine Shih in such a state, she stepped forward and sneered, "Noble Consort, you seem quite distraught!"

Noble Concubine Shih’s almond eyes widened in a glare. "Xia Ruqing, you lowlife!"

Xia Ruqing feigned alarm, taking two steps back and patting her chest as if terrified. "Oh dear! Noble Consort, my elder sister, why are you resorting to insults? Those two vile scoundrels from the Imperial Kitchen, aren’t they the most depraved people imaginable? After getting rid of such a cancer today, isn’t Noble Consort pleased?"

Noble Concubine Shih was so angry she felt she could vomit blood. "Pleased? Lady Xia, your schemes are truly impressive! You fabricated some unknown poison to frame good people, and you still have the gall to act so high and mighty!"

Xia Ruqing also exploded. "Good people? Noble Consort, your standards are truly low! If people who would even harm Wetnurse Nannies are considered good, then there are no villains left in this world! Wouldn’t you agree, Your Highness, Noble Consort?"

Noble Concubine Shih was choked with fury, speechless. Unsure of what else to say, she finally flung her sleeves. "Xia Ruqing, you just wait!"