pdf-ebookys Chapter 901 Trying to Smear Her? Scolding Prince Jin!
Chapter 901 Trying to Smear Her? Scolding Prince Jin!
Prince Su's words drew everyone's attention to Qiao Lian'er's face.
Prince Jin looked even more suspicious, and suddenly he sneered.
"I was wondering why Princess Zhenguo was acting like she was invisible, trying so hard to make herself invisible. So she was feeling guilty. You were so careless about the Emperor's food. Oh, it's not necessarily careless. I'm afraid it was intentional. It seems the Emperor trusted you too much, which made you arrogant and even had the idea of killing the Emperor."
When Qiao Lian'er saw that he had put on his hat, her eyes suddenly sharpened, and she stared at him coldly.
Such an imposing aura made Prince Jin feel uneasy, and he touched his chin and turned his face away.
“Prince Jin, please watch your words. I have been serving food to the Emperor for several years without ever making a mistake. I have a clear conscience and am not afraid of investigation. This time, the Emperor has fallen ill. You have no evidence and you want to blame me. That is too naive.”
“This is a serious matter. You think it’s just childish play and can say whatever you want about it? You’re thirty years old, why be so naive?”
"You, you say I'm naive, you say I'm childish." Prince Jin was furious.
"Isn't that right? To throw mud without any evidence is something that no adult with a brain would do. As a prince, it is even more disgraceful to the royal family."
Qiao Lian'er had been tolerating Prince Jin for a long time, but she showed absolutely no mercy.
Out of consideration for Prince Jin being the emperor's brother, she didn't want to openly break ties with these royals. She wouldn't go too far with them unless absolutely necessary.
Since he's spouting nonsense, what harm is there in verbally abusing him to death?
Prince Jin, breathing rapidly, said, "At least you presented food to the Emperor. Since illness enters through the mouth, if it wasn't the Imperial Kitchen, it must be you."
"Illnesses can enter not only through the mouth, but also through the skin and eyes. I think the reason why Prince Jin is so annoying is probably because you come to the morning court every day. The Emperor sees you too much and his health is affected," Qiao Lian'er mocked.
Prince Jin took two steps back. He hadn't expected Qiao Lian'er to be so fierce when she started cursing. In the past, when he tried to find fault with her, Qiao Lian'er would ignore him completely, treating him like he was invisible.
He felt that Qiao Lian'er looked down on him and wished she would respond to him and argue with him. Now he realized he had underestimated her.
This girl has a sharp tongue that can kill.
His gaze sought help from the other princes, but Prince Heng looked up at the sky as if he hadn't seen them.
Prince Guangping disagreed, saying, "Eleventh brother, that's where you're wrong. Princess Zhenguo has been presenting delicious food to the Emperor, making him happy and cheerful. Everyone has witnessed this over the years. Yet you say there's something wrong with what Princess Zhenguo presents. Isn't that disheartening? Besides, you can't make a judgment without investigation."
"You uttered such vile words as regicide again. These two words should not even exist in your mind. No wonder the Duke of Zhenguo was angry and did not give you face."
Prince Heng's face also became more serious: "Eleventh brother, if you ask me, the whole court knows that you have a problem with Princess Zhenguo. Now you want to use this matter to frame her, which is understandable out of personal motives. However, in front of the Golden Palace, you should be careful with your words and actions. You need to know what to say and what not to say."
"You, am I your brother, or is Qiao Lian'er your sister, your daughter? You should speak up for her." Prince Jin was so angry he felt like he was going to vomit blood.
“We are seeking justice and evidence. If you say it’s related to Princess Zhenguo, then provide concrete proof,” said Prince Heng.
Qiao Lian'er knew that the Emperor could hear what they were saying.
She said, "Besides me, is there no one else who offers things to the Emperor? Not only food, but also smells and touches, all of which could cause people to get sick."
“Even if you attend the morning court session and something unclean gets on your clothes and accidentally gets into the Emperor’s nose, it could be dangerous.”
“Since we’re going to investigate, let’s thoroughly investigate everyone the Emperor can see and come into contact with. Only then can I, as his subject, feel at ease.”
I have to admit that what Qiao Lian'er said makes sense.
Prince Jin retorted, "Princess Zhenguo is trying to muddy the waters."
"Just telling the truth." Qiao Lian'er raised an eyebrow, her expression full of disdain.
The Prince of Yan seemed to have been thinking for a long time before saying, "Who to investigate and what to investigate are matters for the Imperial Academy to decide; we don't have the final say. Alright, everyone, there's no point in arguing. Go back to your respective homes."
"You all go first, I need to see the Emperor," said Prince Jin.
Everyone ignored him and went down the steps on their own.
Just as Prince Jin was about to have someone announce his arrival at the inner palace, a voice came from inside.
"Eleventh brother, you should go back too."
The emperor's voice was somewhat hoarse, weak, and lacking in energy.
Prince Jin looked embarrassed and had no choice but to retreat awkwardly.
Qiao Lian'er was too lazy to laugh at him. As she stepped down the stairs, she thought to herself that Prince Jin's attitude towards her had always been bad, and Prince Su was suspicious. Their suspicion of her didn't prove anything.
If the emperor's illness was caused by someone's interference, she had two theories as to why that person would do such a thing. The first was to shift the blame onto her, and the second was that someone wanted to usurp the throne. Since the emperor was no longer useful, that person would have an opportunity. These people were most likely princes or princes.
Either it's a combination of both reasons: dealing with her while simultaneously fulfilling his own ambitions.
As they arrived at the palace gate, Prince Jin was still muttering to himself. Prince Su looked at her with suspicion. Prince Heng and Prince Guangping comforted her and expressed their belief in her, but then impatiently rebuked Prince Jin a few times, forcing him to shut up. Prince Yan remained as stern and unsmiling as ever, as if these matters had nothing to do with him.
Just as Qiao Lian'er was about to get into the carriage, she stopped. She was going to see the Crown Prince.
They turned back and headed towards the East Palace.
The crown prince stood with his arms crossed in the front courtyard of his bedchamber, his brows slightly furrowed.
It seems that the Emperor's illness has also added to the Crown Prince's worries.
Qiao Lian'er came to the East Palace to offer a reminder.
"If anyone tries to usurp the throne, the Crown Prince should be careful during this period."
The Emperor has already appointed a Crown Prince; the throne will absolutely not fall to a prince.
"I understand." The Crown Prince nodded to her and also revealed a secret to her: "My father summoned me yesterday. The Imperial Household Department has been under my command for some time now, so I believe they won't make things difficult for you."
Qiao Lian'er's expression shifted. If the School Affairs Office was handed over to Chu Yaoce, then the pressure on her would be reduced.
"I'm afraid we need to thoroughly investigate everyone who has been in close contact with the Emperor during this period."
"That is exactly what I was thinking."
Prince Jin would not let Qiao Lian'er off so easily. After some investigation, he happily went to find Prince Su.
"Eighth Brother, guess what I found out?"
"This is a big deal, an extremely big deal."
“Just a month ago, in front of Qiao Ji’s main store, some customers caused trouble, saying that after eating snacks bought from Qiao Ji’s store, they experienced dizziness, abdominal pain, and vomiting, just like the Emperor’s reaction.”