Chapter 275

Chapter 0275: Death by Imperial Decree

"Inevitably leaving behind numerous sequelae. If a larger dose is ingested, blue bruises appear on the ribs from the start, yet the patient remains unaware, and after seven to eight days... even divine intervention might not save them."

"When I was learning medicine, my grandfather died from Aconitum karakolicum poisoning. He was fortunate to have visited the State of Anluo and seen the plant in person. Upon returning to the capital, he argued with my granduncle, who, in a fit of rage, used the Aconitum karakolicum they brought back from the Western Regions. I was only eight years old then, and my father and brother, both medical practitioners, tried to save him but to no avail due to the excessive amount ingested. Later, my brother went to the Western Regions to study this poison and eventually discovered an antidote after testing it on himself."

"What's the antidote?" He Jinli asked urgently.

"Your Majesty, it's another plant from the Gobi Desert of the Western Regions, known as Chatwood. It's common there, unremarkable in appearance. I have a drawing," Doctor Zhu said.

He Jinli's most trusted physician was him.

Although there were suspicions at this moment, such a significant issue made it impossible for him not to be anxious.

Soon, the Imperial Medical Bureau sent over the medical drawings from Doctor Zhu.

"Your Majesty, although we don't have Chatwood in the Imperial Medical Bureau, it can be found among the people. Dried, it remains effective for ten to eighteen years and is an herb that can stop coughing. Western Region traders always bring it in exchange for other goods," Doctor Zhu explained.

"Send someone to find it," He Jinli ordered.

Meng Chang hurried off.

Yun Li sighed: "It seems the person behind this deeply hates me. They went straight for the kill."

"Don't be afraid, we have Chatwood, right? Drink it and you'll be fine," He Jinli came over to embrace her.

"Your Majesty, what if I weren't so important? Today you called for me, and I didn't go. Would you have bothered with me? I thought I was just tired from walking all day, completely unaware of the reason. By the time I realized something was wrong and called for a physician, wouldn't it have been too late? Or, if Doctor Zhu hadn't personally encountered this poison in his family, could other physicians have missed it?"

"No, haven't I come?" He Jinli touched her face: "Yun'er, don't be afraid, with me here, nothing will happen to you."

"Your Majesty, I might be safe this time, but what about next time? Could you find the person behind this, please?" Yun Li clutched his hand.

"Rest assured, I will conduct a thorough investigation," He Jinli said.

Yun Li nodded: "I'm really tired, I want to lie down."

"Alright, I'll carry you there," He Jinli picked her up.

At this moment, Yun Li didn't feel anything except tiredness; she wanted to sleep. She couldn't stand or even sit up.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, after taking Chatwood decoction three times, the poison will be neutralized. After detoxification, the consort will only feel weak for a few days without any other sequelae," Doctor Zhu said.

"Good, Zhu Heng, you've done well. If Consort Qiong Zhao Yi comes out of this unscathed, I will surely reward you handsomely," He Jinli said as he placed Yun Li on the couch and pulled up the blanket.

"It's my duty, I dare not take credit," Doctor Zhu was also relieved.

Fortunately, his Zhu family had truly experienced Aconitum karakolicum poisoning, otherwise, he wouldn't have known what was wrong today.

If Consort Qiong Zhao Yi had been harmed in the future, he feared even his official hat would not be safe.

"How did this Aconitum karakolicum end up in Consort Qiong Zhao Yi's system?" He Jinli asked.

"Did the consort consume any medicine today?" Doctor Zhu inquired.

"Yes, recently, the consort has been taking Angelica sinensis pills from the Imperial Medical Bureau. After giving birth to the Ninth Prince, her menstrual cycle has been irregular and sometimes uncomfortable. Disliking to drink decoctions, she requested the Imperial Medical Bureau to prepare Angelica sinensis pills. She takes them for a month or two each year, and recently it was the time for her to take them."

"Is there any left?" Doctor Zhu asked.

"Yes, I'll go get it," Zhuyu hurriedly said.

Soon she returned with a box containing three white porcelain bottles.

One bottle was empty, one was half-used, and one was unopened.

Doctor Zhu poured out the contents of the opened bottle, examined it closely, and after sniffing it, his expression changed: "Your Majesty, it's this. Not every pill is poisoned, but this one contains Aconitum karakolicum. It seems Aconitum karakolicum was ground into powder and mixed into the Angelica sinensis pills. The two have similar scents. Even those knowledgeable in medicine would find it hard to distinguish."

"Girl, bring two bowls of water and a pair of chopsticks," Doctor Zhu instructed.

Lu Wei quickly complied, bringing two bowls of water with Zhu Que.

Doctor Zhu then crumbled two pills into the water bowls separately.

Stirring each bowl with a chopstick, one of them turned murky, which was expected if a medicine pill dissolved.

But the other bowl's dissolving pill changed color, turning darker, almost black.

He Jinli's expression darkened.

He quickly sent Meng Chang with the evidence to the Imperial Medical Bureau, accompanied by Zhu Taiyi.

Such a significant matter could not be decided by Zhu Taiyi alone.

Although others might not recognize a gold crow head, identifying the poison was straightforward.

Soon, Chatwood was brought in; it's a common substance.

According to Zhu Taiyi, preparing the medicine had no special technique; it involved boiling Chatwood alone, without adding anything else.

What's referred to as "wood" is actually a type of wild grass, boiled whole, roots and all.

Naturally, someone had to test the medicine.

The test wasn't directly with the Liaomu but involved taking the toxic Jinwutou first, then trying the Liaomu soup.

This task had many volunteers, and the one who secured it was Zhu Xiu.

Thus, Yun Li couldn't take the medicine immediately; she had to wait until the next morning.

At this moment, she entrusted the matter to He Jinli with confidence. Despite facing life-and-death situations, He Jinli was trustworthy at this time.

If he had poisoned her, he wouldn't have urged her to see the imperial physician, nor would the physician have wasted words.

So, since the emperor didn't wish for her demise, slacking off a bit wouldn't hurt.

She was truly exhausted.

She didn't eat a single bite of her evening meal.

Zhu Que showed symptoms of poisoning at midnight and immediately took Chatwood decoction. By morning, the petechiae under his ribs had dissipated.

He was still weak, but at least it proved the method worked.

Yun Li could start her treatment today.

That night, the Imperial Medical Bureau was turned upside down.

Anyone who had come into contact with Yun Li's medicine was detained for interrogation.

He Jinli didn't go through the Empress, conducting the investigation himself.

Also, early that day, the Empress sent the testimonies of Xu Beauty's servants to the Emperor.

He Jinli, reading the signed testimonies, scoffed coldly: "Consort Jin De's miscarriage was Xu Beauty's doing? Such capability. Yun Xiao Yi's miscarriage too? And attempts to harm the Crown Prince? Poisoning Jing Jiyu, just to have her give birth on Dragon Boat Festival?"

He Jinli scoffed coldly: "Such capability indeed."

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger," Meng Chang and others knelt.

"Tell the Empress, such a venomous woman need not be spared. Xu Shi is to be granted death. Bury her in the imperial concubines' tomb," He Jinli said indifferently.

Hearing the decree, the Empress sneered: "In the end, His Majesty still holds her in regard, allowing her burial in the imperial concubines' tomb."