Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 821: Chapter 671

She entered the harem, originally a move by the Loulan Queen.

And this move unfolded its counterattack within twelve hours.

Last night at the banquet, Yan’er stood up for her.

Today, Yan’er was severely poisoned.

To say it’s a coincidence, it would be too coincidental.

The female official raised her eyes and saw Meng Qianqian, as if she had seen a lifeline: "Young Madam Lu! You’re finally here! Please save my lady!"

Yao Qingluan’s expression relaxed.

The imperial physicians also looked relieved.

Zong Zhengxi quickly stepped forward, grabbed Meng Qianqian’s wrist, and led her to the bedside, saying anxiously, "Yan’er is not going to make it, save her!"

Yao Qingluan looked at Zong Zhengxi’s hand, a hint of disapproval flashing in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything.

To Meng Qianqian, Zong Zhengxi was just a child.

The child was worried.

She said, "Your Majesty, I must trouble you and the Empress to leave for now, so I can carefully examine Yan’er."

"Alright!"

Zong Zhengxi looked at Yao Qingluan, "Empress."

Yao Qingluan nodded and said to the imperial physicians, "Gentlemen, please follow His Majesty and me outside."

"Yes!"

Everyone agreed.

As a group, they left the room.

Alina was about to leave but was stopped by Meng Qianqian: "Noble Consort can stay."

The female official hurriedly said, "Young Madam Lu, she is the one who harmed the imperial concubine!"

Meng Qianqian said, "With me here, no one can harm Yan’er."

The female official opened her mouth, clearly very averse to Alina, but out of trust in Meng Qianqian, she said no more.

Meng Qianqian began to check Zhou Nanyan’s pulse: "Tell me everything that happened today, what Yan’er ate, what she drank, where she went, whom she met."

The female official carefully recalled: "The lady slept late last night, had no appetite this morning, went to pay respects to the Empress, then returned to rest in Changchun Palace. After court, His Majesty came to Changchun Palace to have breakfast with the lady; the lady ate what His Majesty ate too."

After checking the pulse, Meng Qianqian undid Zhou Nanyan’s collar.

The female official continued, "For lunch, the lady had a small bowl of mung bean porridge and two pieces of osmanthus cake."

"Has Yan’er always had such a poor appetite?"

After finishing her examination, Meng Qianqian closed Zhou Nanyan’s collar.

The female official replied, "Since summer began, her appetite’s been poor. The imperial physician checked, saying it was due to the heat, and prescribed some remedies to cool down."

Meng Qianqian opened Zhou Nanyan’s eyelids to check her pupils: "You just said it was Noble Consort who harmed Yan’er?"

"Not me! I didn’t!"

Alina defended herself.

The female official said coldly, "The lady sat for a while in the Imperial Garden this afternoon and ate the pastries you brought. She was poisoned and fainted after returning!"

"I ate the pastries too!"

Alina said.

"Where are the pastries?"

Meng Qianqian asked.

"Here they are!"

The female official opened the food box and brought out a plate with only three pieces of pastry left.

These were pastries not commonly seen in the Central Plains, resembling milk blocks, emitting a strong milky fragrance.

"How many did Yan’er eat?"

Meng Qianqian asked again.

The female official said guiltily, "She ate quite a few pieces. I didn’t know the pastries were poisoned. Seeing her rare appetite, I didn’t stop her."

Meng Qianqian picked up a piece of pastry and smelled it.

"There’s no poison. If you don’t believe it, I’ll eat it to show you!"

Alina grabbed a pastry and stuffed it into her mouth, eating it in large bites: "You see, I told you I didn’t poison it!"

The female official snorted, "Maybe you took the antidote beforehand!"

Alina was anxious, "You... you... you Central Plains people are unreasonable! If I wanted to poison her, why would I deliver it personally?"

The female official said coldly, "Perhaps you thought doing so would avert suspicion."

"I..."

Alina clutched her heart, "I, I... I..."

She blacked out and fainted.

The female official was startled, "Did I anger her into fainting?"

Meng Qianqian squatted down to check Alina’s pulse: "She’s been poisoned too; the pastries are poisoned."

The female official lamented, "So it was her! Wait, didn’t she take the antidote?"

Meng Qianqian took out the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles, used the needle technique to protect Yan’er’s heart meridian, gathered the toxins in one place, and released the poisonous blood from her fingertips, then fed her a detoxification pill.

Zhou Nanyan’s forehead gradually faded from black, and her lips and nails slowly regained color.

Subsequently, Meng Qianqian glanced at the poisoned and unconscious Alina and detoxified her as well.

The female official puzzledly asked, "Young Madam Lu, why save her?"

Meng Qianqian replied, "She’s a Loulan envoy. If she dies here, Yan’er would have a hard time explaining."

The female official said, "But clearly she’s the one—"

Meng Qianqian placed Alina on a chair: "Loulan people could also bite back, claiming it was Yan’er’s ruse, and in the end, the one who survives is Yan’er, right?"

The female official was speechless.

What Meng Qianqian didn’t say was.

The poison was indeed Loulan sorcery, but it wasn’t Alina who administered it.

The poisoner was in the harem.

Who could it be?

Ayimulan, do you have helpers in the harem?

Meng Qianqian always felt things weren’t that simple.

If Ayimulan’s means were only this limited, they wouldn’t live up to their name.

Ayimulan’s move against those around her was decisive but somewhat crude.

This kind of sorcery wasn’t the most potent.

At least, it posed no difficulty for her to resolve.

Ayimulan must have a backup plan.

Meng Qianqian opened the door.

Zong Zhengxi and Yao Qingluan simultaneously looked her way.

"How is Yan’er?"

Zong Zhengxi couldn’t wait to ask.

Meng Qianqian said, "Yan’er’s life is no longer in danger. After a night’s rest, she should awaken by morning."

The large stone in Zong Zhengxi’s heart fell to the ground.

Yao Qingluan looked at Alina, who was unconscious on the chair, and asked, "What’s the matter with Noble Consort?"

"She ate some poisoned pastries, but she’s fine now."

Meng Qianqian answered her while staring intently at her face, not missing any expression.

If Ayimulan had a helper, could it be the Empress competing with Yan’er?

Zong Zhengxi clearly favored Yan’er more.

Would the Empress see Yan’er as a thorn in her side?

Yao Qingluan instructed, "Someone, take Noble Consort back to Yanxi Palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The palace maid responded.

Yao Qingluan said to Meng Qianqian, "Regarding the poisoning of the imperial concubine and Noble Consort, there are some details I wish to inquire from Young Madam Lu."

Meng Qianqian revealed all her findings without reservation.

Yao Qingluan pondered, "I will investigate thoroughly."

Just as Meng Qianqian was about to leave the palace, bad news came from the temple: the old lady was in trouble.

Yao Qingluan said to Meng Qianqian, "Regarding the poisoning of the imperial concubine and Noble Consort, there are some details I wish to inquire from Young Madam Lu."

Meng Qianqian revealed all her findings without reservation.

Yao Qingluan pondered, "I will investigate thoroughly."

Just as Meng Qianqian was about to leave the palace, bad news came from the temple: the old lady was in trouble.