Chapter 460 Covered in Wounds

Chapter 460: Covered in Wounds

Since being brought to the palace and away from the troubles at Shangguan Jinghong's home, Xiao Ruilin's intelligence has rapidly improved. Under the care of Nanny Qin and the instruction of the Imperial Tutor, he has become much more intelligent than children of his age.

"Indeed, Lin'er speaks exceptionally well!" The Empress Dowager was also very pleased. This grandson of hers was initially dull and slow-witted, which pained her greatly. However, now everything has turned around, and all is well.

"So, how did poison end up in the food?"

The Empress Dowager looked sharply at Eunuch Zhu, her gaze piercing.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please calm your anger. This old servant will investigate immediately and ensure a thorough investigation!" Eunuch Zhu immediately knelt on the ground, kowtowing and pleading.

"Investigate? What can you possibly find out? You're just looking for a few scapegoats, aren't you?" The Empress Dowager coldly finished her words and turned her gaze to the two maids.

The two maids clenched their jaws tightly.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, this old servant truly does not know. Even if I had a hundred guts, I would never dare to harm His Royal Highness the Prince. I have been diligently serving in the palace, living a decent life, and have even become the deputy to Eunuch Gao. This old servant would never have any hidden motives!" Eunuch Zhu kowtowed.

"Oh, isn't there still a Eunuch Gao above you?" Xiaoyu Heng said indifferently from the side.

"Your Royal Highness, this old servant would never dare to disrespect you. Over the years, I have watched you grow up, and my heart has always been sincere towards you!" Eunuch Zhu pleaded.

"That is true!" Xiaoyu Heng stood up and walked to the Empress Dowager, saying, "Grandmother, may I handle this matter?"

"Yes, Heng'er, you are grown up now. Although matters of the inner court should not concern you, this is somewhat related to you. Handle it well, and I will watch from here," the Empress Dowager nodded.

Princes and royal grandsons naturally should not interfere too much in the affairs of the inner court, as it would invite criticism from the court officials for meddling in palace matters.

However, Xiaoyu Heng is still young, and this incident is related to him. Moreover, the Empress Dowager naturally wanted to see how well her eldest grandson had been learning.

From a young age, the Empress Dowager had been observing her grandsons. She quite liked Lü Yuanyuan, who was uncompetitive and mild-mannered. This eldest grandson was also lively and spirited.

But later, she discovered that Lü Yuanyuan had protected her son extremely well. No matter how Lin Rou tried to provoke or torment them, Xiaoyu Heng and his mother remained unscathed.

Thus, the Empress Dowager felt that this mother and son were truly remarkable.

And this, indeed, put her mind at ease.

In the palace, the kind-hearted never survive.

Therefore, after understanding the intentions of this mother and son, the Empress Dowager felt reassured.

Only those like them could assist the emperor!

"So, Eunuch Zhu, you mean that the poison was placed by someone unknown, and it somehow ended up in the food meant for me and Lin'er?"

"This old servant believes that these two lowly maids must have accepted bribes from someone and acted recklessly. Allow me to take them away and interrogate them thoroughly!"

"Yes, that is necessary. We must get to the bottom of this," Xiaoyu Heng nodded.

Imperial Doctor Wen stood silently to the side, showing no expression.

"Guards!" Eunuch Zhu turned and shouted.

Someone ran in from outside.

"No, no, I don't want to!" Guihua suddenly knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly. "Your Royal Highness, please spare me! I will tell you everything! It was Eunuch Zhu! He has been conspiring with others to harm Your Royal Highness. These past days, he has been adding small amounts of poison to Your Royal Highness's food. But since Your Royal Highness ate little, there was no reaction. If you don't believe me, you can have Imperial Doctor Wen check Your Royal Highness's pulse!"

"Nonsense! You are spouting nonsense! You two lowly maids, your skin must be itching for a beating!" This was Eunuch Zhu's usual threat, but as soon as he spoke, it became the final straw that broke Cui Guo and Guihua.

"No, no, no!" Cui Guo immediately rushed forward, prostrating herself at Xiaoyu Heng's feet, wailing loudly: "Your Royal Highness, save me, Your Royal Highness! Eunuch Zhu is a monster! He's been harming us, conspiring against you, and trying to poison you. Every time, he has someone lace your meals with poison. Thankfully, you eat little, but if you ate more, I... I deserve to die a thousand deaths!"

"That's a load of nonsense!" Eunuch Zhu immediately stepped forward, kneeling on the ground, saying: "Empress Dowager, Your Royal Highness, you must stand up for this old servant! These two lowly creatures are spouting nonsense! They wanted to climb onto the Prince's bed, but were stopped by this old servant. They're intent on harming this old servant!"

"Empress Dowager, look!" Nanny Gui knelt before the Empress Dowager, rolling up her sleeves and unbuttoning her clothes.

"Eunuch Zhu!" the Empress Dowager called coldly.

"I'm here, Your Majesty!" Eunuch Zhu quickly turned and knelt, glancing at the wounds on Nanny Gui's shoulders and arms, shaking his head: "This is pure slander! When have I ever done such a thing? How did you get these wounds? I know nothing about them!"

"This morning, after harming Cui Guo, you ran into me. I greeted you, and when you asked me to help with your clothes, you used your sharp nails to poke and pinch me, even in private areas, leaving bloodstains. Eunuch Zhu, have you forgotten?" Nanny Gui said.

The Empress Dowager glanced at Nanny Gui and Nanny Qin, who were indeed very formidable. They had already covered the little lord's ears and eyes when Nanny Gui unbuttoned her clothes, while Xiaoyu Heng had already stood up and retreated outside.

Thus, they did not hear the confrontation between Nanny Gui and Eunuch Zhu.

"Nonsense, utter nonsense!" Eunuch Zhu was furious, raising his hand to slap Nanny Gui.

Nanny Gui closed her eyes, but the next moment, she was knocked aside by a sharp burst of energy.

Nanny Qin glared at Eunuch Zhu and snapped: "Eunuch Zhu, this is Fu Shou Palace, not a place for you to act recklessly!"

"Nanny Qin, you, you have misunderstood! This old servant is truly being framed by this lowly creature! This old servant would never dare to act recklessly!" Eunuch Zhu shouted.

"Empress Dowager, look!" Cui Guo removed her clothes, revealing wounds large and small, similar to those on Nanny Gui: "This is what he did to me last night, for two whole hours, Empress Dowager! If I don't seek your help and His Royal Highness the Prince's, I fear he'll kill me!"