Madame Liu sat to the right of Ban Han. She whispered in Ban Han's ear: "The tea here isn't very good. Because the Queen once said that as the children of the Emperor and the Phoenix, they cannot indulge in pleasure. Therefore, the tea in the imperial fields is bitter and astringent. At most, it can be used to quench thirst."
Ban Han saw that even though the other noblewomen looked troubled, they all held their cups and took a few sips to show their determination to share the hardships of the common people.
"This tea …" Ban Han picked up the teacup and sniffed it lightly, "Is it damp?"
"Damp?" Madame Liu laughed, "The tea isn't good, but the servants don't dare to take out damp tea."
Ban Han examined the cup of yellow tea in her hand. She forced herself to take a small sip and then put down the teacup. But the taste was really disgusting. Ban Han took the handkerchief that Ruyi handed her and spat the tea on the handkerchief.
At this time, the Crown Princess came in. The womenfolk all stood up to welcome her. The Crown Princess' face was covered in sweat. She said to everyone: "Everyone, please sit. No need to be so courteous." She drank a few sips of tea without any reluctance on her face. It wasn't clear if she was really thirsty or if she was good at acting.
But from her words and actions, she was a qualified Crown Princess.
The womenfolk sat down again. The Crown Princess smiled at Ban Han: "Princess Fule, this is your first time here. Are you used to it?"
"Thank you, Crown Princess, for your concern," Ban Han felt that her throat was hot. She shook her head and said, "Everything is fine."
The Crown Princess saw that the tea in the teacup in front of her was barely touched. She knew that this princess, who had been spoiled since childhood, couldn't endure any hardship. But now that the Crown Prince wanted to win over Marquis Cheng'an, she had to cover for her, "I saw that you scattered a row of seeds by yourself. Be careful, don't tire yourself out."
If she didn't drink the tea, then she didn't drink it. In any case, there were no scribes among the womenfolk. It wouldn't hurt to drink a few sips of water.
"It's almost noon." The Crown Princess wiped her face with a handkerchief. Her cheeks were a little red from all the hard work. "Let's prepare for lunch."
They had already tasted the coarse tea, so naturally, lunch would not be too sumptuous. Half a bowl of coarse rice and a few dishes of boiled wild vegetables that did not contain any meat. As picky as Ban Han, she ate a mouthful of bitter and fishy wild vegetables and became more worried about her life in a few years.
The lives of ordinary people were not easy. These things tasted so bad that they might not even be able to eat their fill. Thinking about how Jiang Luo had sent troops to suppress the disaster victims and caused countless casualties, Ban Han didn't know why, but he felt extremely disgusted and almost vomited.
"Princess Fule, this meal really doesn't taste good. But if the common people can eat it, and the Crown Princess can eat it, you should at least eat some." A womenfolk sitting opposite of Ban Han seemed to be comforting her, but in reality, she was deliberately finding fault. "You only ate one meal, but some people will eat for a lifetime."
Ban Han glanced at this person. This person seemed to be her mother's half-sister. She was married to a fourth-ranked county magistrate and could barely participate in this kind of activity. But because of her low status, she didn't have the right to speak here.
Ban Han was a first-ranked county princess personally bestowed by the Emperor. Her rank was the same as her father, Ban Huai. She didn't care about the thoughts of this small Yin Clan.
She sneered and used the method she used to kill countless enemies, ignoring the law.
A fourth-ranked madam was not tactful enough to criticize a first-ranked county princess and was even ignored. This kind of embarrassment couldn't be described with words.
Madam Liu opened her mouth and said, "This madam is sitting below, but she knows how much Princess Fule ate. It seems that you haven't learned enough manners."
One shouldn't speak while eating, and one shouldn't look at the Honored Ones for no reason. This was the most basic rule. Madam Liu's words were just short of saying that this small Yin Clan had no manners.
A few madams laughed out loud. They were all noble madams with face. These dishes were indeed difficult for them to swallow. Now, a person who they didn't know dared to point fingers at the princess. He really thought he was someone important.
The small Yin Clan was embarrassed and angry after being ridiculed like this. She angrily said, "Madam Liu, although my status is low, I am still Princess Fule's elder. It's not wrong for me to say a few words."
When Ban Han heard that this small Yin Clan dared to claim kinship with his family, his face immediately darkened. He said, "Who do you think you are? How dare you claim kinship with our family? If you don't want shame, then get out of here."
Many people knew about the grudges between the Duke Of Jingting and her family. Over the years, the Duke Of Jingting had never returned to her family. However, because of the disgusting things that the Yin Clan had done, and because the Duke Of Jingting had the support of her husband's family, no one dared to say that she was unfilial. At most, they would laugh behind her back at the Yin Clan for not treating their eldest daughter well. As a result, she couldn't rely on anyone.
Ban Han had embarrassed this small Yin Clan. She wanted to say something else, but the Crown Princess, who was sitting at the head of the table, said, "This madam is not feeling well. Immediately arrange for someone to send her out."
"Crown Princess …" The small Yin Clan looked at the Crown Princess in surprise.
The Crown Princess slowly wiped her mouth. "No need to say anything else. You can leave."
The small Yin Clan's body was on the verge of collapsing. She turned around and was' escorted 'out by two female officials.
These years, the Yin Family didn't have a good life. Because Jingting Duke and the nobles he was on good terms with purposely made things difficult for them, the younger generation of the Yin Family had a hard time moving forward in the court. This was especially true for the children of the second wives. Their lives were actually not as good as the children of concubines.
She had been unwilling to accept this and had cursed. However, the Ban Family was favored by the imperial family. What could the Yin Clan do? The Yin Clan had tried to reconcile with the Ban Family, but her eldest sister didn't give them any face. She didn't even let the Yin Clan enter the door.
"Princess Fule's complexion doesn't look good. Are you not feeling well?" After the Crown Princess drove away the small Yin Clan, she turned around and saw Ban Han's pale face and black lips. She hurriedly said, "I'll ask the imperial physician to come in and take a look."
"No need." Ban Han shook her head. "I'm just …"
She paused and spat out a mouthful of dark red blood.
"Princess." Madame Liu couldn't keep the smile on her face. She panicked and supported Ban Han, "What's wrong?"
Ban Han wiped the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand. The back of her hand was covered in blood. She clutched her burning chest and felt very unwilling.
She didn't wear any makeup today. She didn't have any beautiful clothes or hairpins. She couldn't die in such a simple way. If she died, she should wear the most beautiful clothes, the most beautiful makeup, and the most beautiful jewelry that all women in the world would envy. Only then would her life not be in vain.
She couldn't accept this!
She didn't want to die!
"Quickly! Quickly summon the imperial physician. Summon all the imperial physicians. "The Crown Princess's voice was trembling. She was in charge of the refreshments for the womenfolk. If something happened to Princess Fule, she wouldn't be able to explain herself even if she had a hundred mouths.
"Immediately arrange for the Imperial Guards to guard this place. No one is allowed to leave. Investigate all the palace maids and eunuchs." The Crown Princess gritted her teeth. There were so many womenfolk here. It would be better if something happened to any one of them than to Ban Han, "We can't let go of any suspicious person."
The other womenfolk were also frightened. Normally, they would at most bicker and make a few sarcastic remarks. Most of them weren't ruthless enough to poison someone. Now, seeing Princess Fule's sallow complexion and spitting out blood, the timid people couldn't help but scream.
The Crown Prince was eating with the courtiers. When he heard the screams from the womenfolk and the movement of the Imperial Guards, he hurriedly called for the eunuch next to him: "Quickly go and see what happened to the Crown Princess."
The Crown Princess had a steady personality. If it wasn't a major event, she wouldn't easily mobilize the Imperial Guards.
"Report!" A eunuch next to the Crown Princess ran in panic. He didn't have time to see the people in the room before he knelt down heavily: "Your Highness, Princess Fule has been poisoned."
"What did you say?" Rong Xia suddenly stood up. The small table in front of him was overturned, and the food splashed to the ground.
"Princess Fule has been poisoned. The imperial physicians have all been transferred to …"
Rong Xia only felt a buzzing sound in his head. He pushed aside the officials who wanted to comfort him and strode out.
The remaining officials looked at each other in dismay. After the shock, they felt a lingering fear. Poison was mixed into the food and tea. If this person wanted their lives, how could they still be alive?
"Crown Prince …" The Crown Prince's subordinate saw the Crown Prince walk out and wanted to stop him. Unfortunately, the Crown Prince didn't pay any attention to him.
"Deputy Commander Shi, something big has happened." Commander Yang walked in front of Shi Jin. "Princess Fule is in trouble. The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess have ordered us to immediately guard the imperial fields and not let anyone leave."
"Who did you say is in trouble?" Shi Jin's hand tightened around his saber. He bit his cheeks tightly. "Who?"
Commander Yang was a little flustered by Shi Jin's strange reaction: "It's Madame Marquis Cheng 'an and Princess Fule."
Shi Jin silently bowed to Commander Yang and turned to walk in the direction of the womenfolk. Commander Yang saw this and hurriedly called out to him: "Shi Jin, where are you going?"
Shi Jin ignored him and continued to walk forward without looking back.
"Hey …" Commander Yang sensed that something was wrong with Shi Jin. Princess Fule was poisoned. Why was Shi Jin so agitated?
Shi Jin hadn't walked far when he saw Rong Xia in the distance. This elegant man was running without a care for his image, just like … a homeless dog.
He stopped and watched as Rong Xia fell on the ground. Rong Xia patted the ground and continued to run forward. He didn't care about the dust on his body, nor did he care about his loose hair. He just ran in a hurry without any hesitation.
"Deputy Commander Shi?" Commander Yang caught up with him. "What's wrong?"
"I'm fine." Shi Jin withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Commander Yang. "I'll arrange for the Imperial Guards to surround this area."
Commander Yang looked at Shi Jin's stiff back and then looked in the direction of the womenfolk. He frowned thoughtfully.
Rong Xia rushed into the womenfolk's room and saw Ban Han lying on a makeshift bed. The imperial physician was feeding her a bowl of black medicine.
After a few mouthfuls of the medicine, Ban Han vomited. Not only did she vomit out the medicine that was fed with difficulty, but she also vomited out a large amount of blood.
"Marquis Cheng 'an …" The Crown Princess saw Rong Xia come in and wanted to comfort Rong Xia. However, Rong Xia raised her head and looked at her. The Crown Princess felt as if there was an endless chill running from the bottom of her feet to her chest. She couldn't help but shiver and didn't dare to speak again.
"Huahua." Rong Xia walked to Ban Han's side and reached out to hold her hand. However, her fingers were cold. Rong Xia couldn't help but reach out to touch the tip of Ban Han's nose. After confirming that she was breathing, he trembled and pressed Ban Han's hands to her chest. He looked at the imperial physician with red eyes. "How is the Princess?"
"Marquis, I'm trying to induce vomiting. After the poison is vomited out, perhaps …" The imperial physician wanted to say that there was still hope, but when he saw Marquis Cheng 'an's red eyes, he swallowed the rest of his words.
"Continue."
"What?"
"I said continue to induce vomiting." Rong Xia's eyes were misty, but the imperial physician didn't dare to look closely. He just held the bowl of medicine and fed it to Princess Fule. However, an unconscious person couldn't swallow. If she was an ordinary person, he could feed her with a funnel. However, this was the Princess that His Majesty valued. If he dared to do so, he would be expelled from the Imperial Hospital tomorrow.
"I'll do it." Rong Xia snatched the bowl from the imperial physician's hand and held Ban Han in his arms. He raised his head and drank a mouthful of the strange medicine. Then, he lowered his head and fed it to Ban Han.
The surrounding women looked away in embarrassment, but they couldn't help but steal a few glances.
One mouthful, two mouthfuls, three mouthfuls.
The unconscious Ban Han frowned and spat out a few mouthfuls of dark brown medicine. Then, she spat out mouthfuls of blood. At first, the blood was dark red, but it gradually became normal.
Rong Xia looked at the blood in the basin. His hands trembled more and more, and he almost couldn't hold the bowl.
"Marquis, it's done." The imperial physician observed the color of the blood. "The poison in the Princess's abdomen has been almost completely removed. This official sees that although the poison is very strong, the amount that the Princess was poisoned with should be very small. That is why there is a chance to save her."
The Crown Prince turned to look at the other imperial physicians. "What poison did the Princess get poisoned with, have you found it?"
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, this official found a small amount of wormwood on the snow in the teacup that Princess Fule used."
"Wormwood on the snow?" The Crown Prince thought the name was beautiful. "What medicine is this?"
"It also has a common name called aconite. It is a medicine used to treat bruises. But if taken orally, it is highly toxic. Princess Fule only took a small amount, so there shouldn't be any danger. " What the imperial physician didn't understand the most was that the person who poisoned the Princess was too difficult to understand. If they wanted to kill her, why did they only put a small amount of poison?
Aconite was poisonous, but if the amount was small and it was vomited out in time, there wouldn't be any danger to her life.
"I remember," Liu furen suddenly said, "Just now, a palace maid was pouring tea for the Princess and accidentally spilled the tea. The Princess also rewarded the palace maid with a handkerchief. The palace maid poured the tea and refilled the Princess's tea … … "
In other words, the original cup of tea was highly toxic. But the palace maid had poured the original tea and refilled it with new tea, so the amount of poison was much smaller.
If someone wanted to kill, the poison must have been refined. Just one sip was enough to kill. Even if the Princess was picky, she would still take a sip out of courtesy. Just one sip was enough to take her life. The only accident was that the palace maid refilled the Princess's tea.
Was this a coincidence, or did the palace maid regret at the last moment and save the Princess Fule's life?
"Bring that palace maid in." The Crown Prince looked at Rong Xia, who was holding Ban Han. If he didn't give the Ban Family and Rong Xia an explanation, he would be too embarrassed to see them in the future.
As early as when Ban Han died, the Crown Princess ordered that these palace maids and eunuchs be strictly guarded. Even if they wanted to kill themselves, they wouldn't have the chance. Now that the Crown Prince wanted to see someone, the palace maid was quickly brought in.
"What is your name?" The Crown Prince saw that the palace maid was still young and had a childish air, "Why did you poison Princess Fule?"
"This servant … … this servant is called Xiao Yu," the palace maid kowtowed to Ban Han, who was lying on the hard bed, "This servant knows that it is a crime punishable by death. This servant is willing to accept the punishment."
"Who instigated you?" the Crown Princess pressed. "How great of a grudge do you, a palace maid, have against the commandery princess that you want her dead?"
The palace maid shook her head: "The Princess is a good person."
The Crown Princess sneered: "Since you say that she is a good person, why did you poison her?"
The palace maid still shook her head: "This servant is sorry for Princess Fule. This servant is willing to repay her kindness in the next life." After that, she stood up and rushed to an imperial guard who pulled out a sword. Du Jiu quickly stopped her.
"Do you think that you can just die?" The Crown Princess coldly looked at the palace maid, "Your family, your fellow villagers, they may be implicated because of this matter. If this Crown Princess was you, I would say who is the mastermind behind this. At least I won't implicate the poor innocent people. "
The palace maid's shoulders trembled slightly. She carefully looked at the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess: "This servant has nothing to say."
"In that case, drag her out … …"
"Your Highness," Rong Xia suddenly opened his mouth. His eyes were red, as if he had cried, but also as if he had calmed down after a rage, "Let this servant say a few words to her."
"Marquis Cheng'an, please." The Crown Prince did not dare to look at Rong Xia. He always felt that he had wronged Rong Xia and Chuang girl, so he was very guilty.
"I know that you have important people who are being threatened, so you don't dare to say who is the mastermind behind this," Rong Xia looked at the palace maid who was kneeling on the ground and trembling. There was no trace of warmth in his eyes, "But I suspect that you are not only targeting Princess Fule. You also want to murder the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. Since you dare to do such a thing, you must have the courage to bear the consequences. "
"Marquis!" The palace maid hurriedly said, "This matter is done by me alone. It has nothing to do with others. Marquis, please show mercy."
Rong Xia sneered: "If I show mercy to you, who will suffer for Huahua today?"
The palace maid kowtowed heavily: "This servant is willing to pay with my life."
"I don't care about your life." Rong Xia turned to look at Ban Han on the couch. Her face was pale and lifeless. Her red lips were also deathly pale. His heart was burning with anger, but his mind was so calm that it surprised himself.
He only hated that he did not do well enough. He did not protect Huahua and let her suffer so much. She almost lost her life.
The Crown Princess saw the endless murderous intent in Rong Xia's eyes. Clearly, this matter had nothing to do with her, but she was unspeakably afraid.
"Crown Prince …" The Crown Princess turned to look at the Crown Prince. She wanted the Crown Prince to say something to break the current stalemate, but the Crown Prince only shook his head slightly. He planned to give the initiative to Rong Xia. He turned to look at the other women and had them all leave.
"I don't have any relatives," Rong Xia grasped Ban Han's hand. His tone was calm, "Huahua is the only person by my side. You hurt her, don't talk to me about begging for mercy. It doesn't matter if you had no choice, or if you were forced, it has nothing to do with me."
"I only want the lives of your nine generations."
"Du Jiu," Rong Xia called for the guards, "immediately investigate who this palace maid is close to, and what relatives she has in her family. If there are any suspicious people, arrest them all. This official suspects that she is colluding with the rebels and is plotting against the Imperial Family. "
"Yes."
"Marquis have mercy, Marquis have mercy." The young palace maid kowtowed repeatedly to Rong Xia.
Bang bang bang.
She kowtowed again and again. Soon, blood seeped out of her forehead. The Crown Prince couldn't bear it. He turned his head and wanted to say something, but when he saw the way Rong Xia looked at Ban Han, he didn't speak.
He had never seen Rong Xia look at anyone like that. He even felt that if Huahua died today, Rong Xia would go crazy.
"Stop kowtowing. Don't disturb Huahua's rest," Rong Xia used a handkerchief to carefully wipe the blood from Ban Han's lips, "If you want to kowtow to death here, then do it outside. No matter if you live or die, you won't be lonely down there. This official will send your friends and relatives to accompany you. "
Was Marquis Cheng'an crazy?
The Crown Princess looked at Rong Xia in disbelief. Was this something that a gentleman could say?
Was Ban Han really that important? So important that he had abandoned his principles of being right, his reputation, his elegance, and even his last shred of dignity. He would use such methods on a mere palace maid?
The Crown Princess didn't doubt Marquis Cheng'an's words. She didn't know why, but she felt that if this palace maid didn't tell the truth, Marquis Cheng'an would really implicate her friends and relatives.
Tears of a beauty, a hero's mound. Marquis Cheng'an was a man in the end. No man could escape the temptation of beauty. He had been bewitched by Ban Han and had even abandoned his sense of self.
This was also why the Crown Princess didn't like Ban Han in the beginning. She didn't hate women who were more beautiful than her. There were so many beauties in the capital. If she wanted to be jealous, how could she be jealous? But Ban Han was different. Her beauty was too charming, too seductive. This kind of woman, even if she wasn't an enchantress who could bring disaster to the country, she was still a woman who couldn't stay put.
She didn't like women who couldn't stay put, including the Crown Prince's biological sister, Princess Anle. She didn't like her very much.
In her opinion, Ban Han and Princess Anle were the same. They lived without a care in the world and weren't content with their wives. Marquis Cheng'an's deep affection for Ban Han was like the sun on a rainy day. It was strange and incomprehensible. There were many good women in the world. There were also many beautiful and talented women. What kind of demon had Marquis Cheng'an been bewitched by such a woman?
"Marquis Cheng'an," the Crown Princess couldn't help but say, "What's the use of forcing her like this? It's better to send someone down and slowly investigate. See who she's been in contact with. The truth will come to light."
"I can't wait," Rong Xia looked coldly at the Crown Princess, "Huahua is my wife. The Crown Princess doesn't understand this official's feelings for her. This official has no complaints. I only hope that the Crown Princess won't obstruct this official's decision."
The Crown Princess's expression didn't look too good: "Marquis Cheng'an, what do you mean by this?"
What feelings?
Love in the world was nothing more than benefits. Was Rong Xia mocking her and the Crown Prince for not having a good relationship? Or did he mean something else?
Rong Xia ignored the Crown Princess. He wrapped a thin quilt around Ban Han, picked her up by the waist, and turned to walk out.
"Marquis Cheng'an …"
The Crown Prince stood up and called out to Rong Xia: "Where are you taking this girl?"
"Huahua likes a softer bed. I'm taking her back to the residence to rest," Rong Xia nodded slightly to the Crown Prince, "Please forgive this official for not being able to bow to you."
The Crown Prince shook his head and sighed: "I'll go and ask the imperial physician to come to your residence."
"Thank you, Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince said: "This girl is my cousin. Seeing her like this makes me feel bad. You don't have to thank me."
The Crown Princess looked a little lonely. She was insulted by Marquis. Not only did the Crown Prince not help her regain her dignity, but he was also worried about a distant cousin. When did the relationship between her and the Crown Prince become so cold?
She remembered that when she first married into the Crown Prince's residence, the Crown Prince treated her very well.
Was it because … she couldn't give birth to a legitimate son for him?
Rong Xia walked out of the room with Ban Han in his arms. He raised his head and looked at Shi Jin, who was standing guard outside.
The cold wind blew, blowing Rong Xia's loose hair.
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