Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 405 Urgent Detoxification (3)

Two days had passed since the emperor was poisoned. Zhuifeng went to investigate the poisoner, while Zhuisu sneaked into Liuxia Palace like a thief every night, searching for the seven-colored lotus. He nearly turned the entire Liuxia Palace upside down, yet the seven-colored lotus was nowhere to be found.

"Master, please forgive me, I am incompetent, I’ve turned the entire palace inside out, but still have not found it," Zhuisu, dressed in black, knelt on the ground, his expression filled with regret.

Dugu Han snorted coldly, he should have known that old woman was extremely cunning.

"You may leave."

In the afternoon, in a side hall of Liuxia Palace, the Empress Dowager and Dugu sat facing each other, savoring the flower tea in their hands.

"Ah, this flower tea always tastes so refreshing and leaves a lingering fragrance in the mouth," the Empress Dowager greatly enjoyed flower tea, feeling thoroughly relaxed after each cup.

Dugu Han strongly agreed with his grandmother’s words, he also enjoyed it quite a bit and had already ordered the Internal Affairs Department to purchase more to provide for the enjoyment of all the ladies in the palace.

"Indeed, it is very good, I also like it very much."

Nangong Ruoxi raised her eyebrows slightly and sneered inwardly. For two consecutive nights, he had come to her palace to search for the antidote to the poison, sadly to no avail. Now he no longer addressed her as grandson, instead referring to himself as "I," quite the swift change in demeanor.

Nangong Ruoxi smiled faintly, said nothing, put down her tea cup, and let out a light sigh, her somewhat cloudy eyes misting over.

Seeing this, Dugu Han slightly lowered his gaze and waved his hand, leading the Eunuch Shi and others to withdraw from Liuxia Palace.

Upon noticing this, Nangong Ruoxi’s mouth curled into a mocking smile. She glanced sideways at the Palace Attendant and nodded to her, prompting the attendant to lead people out. Now, only the two of them remained in the hall.

"Let’s cut to the chase. My health is ailing, and I hope Grandmother can produce the seven-colored lotus to save your grandson’s life," he said, looking intently at the aged figure before him.

Upon hearing this, Nangong Ruoxi’s wrinkled face broke into a small smile, "Your Majesty loves to joke. If you are unwell, you can summon the Imperial Physician. Why would you need my seven-colored lotus?"

"I have been poisoned and the Imperial Physician cannot cure it, which is why I have come to you, Grandmother."

"Ah, what bad luck, that seven-colored lotus was accidentally exposed by a Palace Maid who carelessly opened the box, and in one night all the ice melted, causing the lotus too to wither away," she said, patting her chest as if in pain.

Dugu Han’s face instantly stiffened, after humbling himself to ask her for help, to be told it withered—such an excuse seemed too convenient.

"Grandmother really knows how to joke, would such a precious thing be left for a mere Palace Maid to guard? No one would believe that!"

"Ah, if Your Majesty does not believe it, you can follow me to see for yourself whether it is true or not," she said, her pained eyes glancing at Dugu Han as she rose, trembling, and moved step by step towards the sleeping chamber.

Dugu Han hesitated for a moment, then stood and followed her. The side hall was not far from the bedroom, and in a short while they arrived at the bedroom where Nangong Ruoxi pulled out a delicate box from underneath the bed and handed it over to Dugu Han without a second thought, "Your Majesty, take a look for yourself and see whether I have deceived you."

Dugu Han looked coldly at Nangong Ruoxi but did not take the box. Seeing that he did not dare to open it, she laughed with scorn, "What, Your Majesty doesn’t dare to open it?"

"Hmph, how do I know you haven’t switched it inside?"

"Hehehe, you are welcome to take it to Xuanyuan Jueqing with a hedgehog inquiry; one question will reveal if I have lied to you or not."

Dugu Han took a deep look, reached out to take the box, and upon opening it, aside from a withered lotus, there was nothing else inside.