Abandoned Woman Busy Farming-Chapter 1541 Silver-haired_1

Upon hearing the mention of Western alphabets, Mr. Liu couldn’t help but regard Bai Ruozhu with additional respect. At this time, those who could come into contact with Western alphabets were invariably distinguished and special individuals.

But hadn’t he heard earlier that the wife of Mr. Jiang was of simple Agricultural Family origins?

He reined in his wandering thoughts, compared the two Porcelain Bottles, then turned to the Queen and said, "Your Majesty, what Bai has said is indeed true."

The Queen glanced at them and nodded, "It is indeed as Doctor Bai described. However, how did this bottle appear in Cining Palace? This matter must be thoroughly investigated. Nevertheless, just because the bottles are different does not completely prove Doctor Bai’s non-involvement, so you must remain in the Palace."

"Yes, I am willing to submit to Your Majesty’s investigation," Bai Ruozhu cooperated and said.

At this moment, an eunuch from the Department of Precautionary Punishment hurried in, bowed to the Queen and Mr. Liu, and said, "There’s a palace maid who claims to have seen Doctor Bai touch Liu Fei that night with her own eyes."

Both the Queen and Mr. Liu turned to look at Bai Ruozhu, meaning it was her turn to explain.

After thinking for a moment, Bai Ruozhu said, "Since it’s an interrogation, we should record the testimony of everyone present that night. We’ll isolate them and I will come up with a few questions. Both Your Majesty and Mr. Liu can add to them, and then we can compare everyone’s answers."

"Haven’t the palace maids and eunuchs been questioned before? What more is there to investigate now?" The Queen spoke with some dissatisfaction, feeling that Bai Ruozhu was engaging in a pointless effort.

"A palace maid claimed to have seen me touch Liu Fei; we need to ask everyone whether they saw me touch her. If so, exactly where did I touch her? Which hand did I use? Was I standing to the left or right of Liu Fei, and did I touch the left or right side of her body? If someone lies, questioning in detail will inevitably reveal inconsistencies," Bai Ruozhu stated.

Mr. Liu couldn’t help but nod; as an expert in interrogation and investigation, he immediately understood the crux of Bai Ruozhu’s point.

"Doctor Bai’s reasoning is sound. I will arrange for the interrogation to take place immediately," Mr. Liu said.

The Queen scrutinized Bai Ruozhu, wondering to herself, could it really have nothing to do with Bai Ruozhu?

She disliked Bai Ruozhu, but not to the extent of condemning her to death. If Bai Ruozhu indeed had not harmed Liu Fei, it would be improper for her to continue pressing, lest she appear lacking in grace.

"Mr. Liu, this matter must be thoroughly investigated. I await the results of your interrogation. Make sure no one takes advantage of loopholes and tarnished the innocence of the blameless," the Queen said, projecting a gentle and magnanimous demeanor.

As the Queen left, Bai Ruozhu curtsied to Mr. Liu before departing from Liuyun Hall as well.

She didn’t rush back to Cining Palace but went to find Wang Shun, quietly explaining her purpose to him.

"This task asks for your assistance, Director Wang. Please notify the authorities to send someone to covertly monitor the situation. Since the interrogations are separate, any underhanded actions would be greatly detrimental to me." Having suffered a setback once, Bai Ruozhu dared not be careless anymore.

"Doctor Bai, you have considered the matter thoroughly. I will pass on your message right away," Wang Shun gave her a knowing look and glanced at the Imperial Study Room, implying he would also privately inform the Emperor.

"My thanks to you, Director Wang," Bai Ruozhu said, bid him farewell, and then returned to Cining Palace.

In the afternoon, Yuxuan came to see Bai Ruozhu and said, "Doctor Bai, you were right. Someone in the Department of Precautionary Punishment was secretly communicating with the servants of Liuyun Hall, instructing them on how to answer during the interrogations. They were caught on the spot by the Shadow Guard. Mr. Liu was furious and is still interrogating that person. Mr. Liu should soon be able to inform you of the outcome."

Bai Ruozhu bowed to Yuxuan in gratitude, "Thank you, without your help, I would have been truly at a loss this time."

Lü laughed and waved her hand, "This is what we should do."

After Lü had left for quite a while, the Queen and Lord Liu came to Cining Palace. Both paid their respects to the Empress Dowager, and then the Queen explained the purpose of their visit.

"It seems now that someone wants to smear Lord Bai; our palace absolutely cannot allow such a thing to happen. Liu Fei has truly disappointed me greatly," the Queen said as she shook her head.

"Your Majesty, the poisoning of Liu Fei is real, it doesn’t seem feigned. I fear that there is someone else orchestrating this matter; even people from the Department of Precautionary Punishment have been bought off. I am truly ashamed. Once the matter is thoroughly investigated, I will come to Your Majesty to receive punishment," Lord Liu said in dismay.

Bai Ruozhu, now that her suspicions had been cleared, spoke up, "Although I was not able to take Liu Fei’s pulse, I suspect that the poison she was afflicted with was not one that could be contracted by mere touch. It seems it was added to the food, a poison ingested orally. Your Majesty might want to invite the venerable Yao Yuxuan to take a look. If the poison entered through the mouth, then it has nothing to do with me at all."

The Queen nodded, "Good, I will send someone to invite Mr. Yao."

Bai Ruozhu secretly snickered in her heart. Yao Yuxuan would probably be hopping mad; he dreaded the heat so much that he loathed going out. Was she perhaps setting him up?

That evening, the eunuch who went to carry the imperial decree returned, saying that Mr. Yao would enter the Palace early the next day to examine Liu Fei. When Bai Ruozhu heard the news, she couldn’t help but sigh; only Yao Yuxuan could be so brash. Would anyone else dared to not immediately enter the Palace upon receiving an imperial edict?

...

The next morning, at the dawn court session, Prince Saihan of the Turkic Country appeared once again, his demeanor just as aggressive as before.

"I wonder how the Danliang Emperor has considered our proposal? When will Princess Diao Bin marry this Prince?"

Prince Saihan’s high-handedness provoked the displeasure of many officers in the court, and Tang Yin also turned cold, saying, "Prince Saihan, as a guest, you should also know to respect the host. The marriage alliance is based on the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Does Prince Saihan wish to turn this alliance into enmity?"

"This is a misunderstanding," Saihan sneered, "Since the marriage alliance was agreed upon yet there’s been no clear commitment, isn’t Danliang afraid of being ridiculed by the world for being untrustworthy?"

"Audacious!" Jiang Yichun stepped forward, "Can Prince Saihan represent the will of the Turkic king? Are you here for an alliance or are you here to destroy the diplomatic relations between the two countries?"

The officers also spoke out in turn to condemn him; for a time, the court was filled with rebukes, but it was futile. Prince Saihan, without even blinking an eye, kept a face full of disdain, not caring in the least about anyone’s words.

It was indeed difficult to handle someone who was unreasonable, shamelessly brazen, and not so easily condemned.

Suddenly, a slender figure rushed into the hall from outside, the guards wanted to stop her, but they were cowed by her princess’s token.

The woman charged into the Main Hall and in one motion pulled off the large hood covering her head, and said loudly, "Prince Saihan, don’t you trust the words of my imperial brother? Then let me show you clearly!"

With a whoosh, Diao Bin’s hood fell off, and a cascade of silver hair tumbled down, instantly stinging everyone’s eyes!

"I have contracted a strange disease; my hair has all turned white and it cannot be cured. Would Turkic Country accept a queen with white hair?"

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Uh, I met up with a friend today and came back late, boo hoo, I will definitely update more tomorrow, must reach at least ten thousand words!

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