Chapter 294: Confession
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Knowing that Qin Zhenzhen had already exposed the Jiang family’s scheme and was temporarily out of danger, Su Bin let out a sigh of relief.
From Qin Zhenzhen’s bag, he retrieved a long wooden box containing two seemingly inconspicuous stalks of dried grass.
As Su Bin surveyed his surroundings, confusion etched across his face. Could these unassuming blades of grass truly be Immortal Pills with extraordinary effects?
Moreover, the notion that this Immortal Pill was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity had him intrigued. Determinedly, he embarked on a quest to consult an ancient book. According to this treasured tome, the Immortal Pill could only be found in the depths of remote mountains and forests, a rare discovery requiring an abundance of luck.
The palace notice had further details, stating that the Immortal Pill typically made its appearance at specific times. In fact, it was said to have been unearthed once in the heart of Mount Daling, nestled within Huangshe County’s jurisdiction.
Huangshe County fell under the governance of Meijiang Prefecture City and was relatively close by. However, Su Bin pondered when Qin Zhenzhen had ever ventured into Mount Daling’s depths. Her audacity knew no bounds.
The notice also revealed that the Empress Dowager urgently required the
“Immortal Pill” for her ailment and was willing to purchase it for a handsome sum of one thousand gold coins.
It became evident that Qin Zhenzhen had set up this elaborate scheme as a trap for the Empress Dowager and her cohorts.
Firstly, she could employ the Immortal Pill to buy herself some time. Secondly, she could use it as leverage to extort a substantial sum of gold from the palace.
However, the Imperial Hospital’s physicians were not naive. These two stalks of grass had to possess unique properties.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Su Bin leaned closer to the box, taking in its fragrance. Indeed, a pleasantly subtle aroma wafted from the grass. It wasn’t overpowering, but it carried a refreshing quality.
Curiously, as he moved the Immortal Pill away from him, the fragrance inexplicably diminished, leaving him intrigued.
It was only at that moment that he realized the tenacity of the fragrance emitted by this medicinal herb. To truly appreciate its enchanting essence, he needed to draw nearer.
Acting swiftly, Su Bin sealed the wooden box tightly to prevent any further leakage of the fragrance.
Intriguingly, he couldn’t help but draw a connection between the fragrance of the herb and Qin Zhenzhen’s own unique scent. While their skin had never made contact, there had been moments when they were in close proximity, and he distinctly recalled encountering a similar fragrance before.
This revelation left Su Bin deep in thought.
Even the gods themselves would cower before the Empress Dowager’s formidable interrogation methods; thus, how could Imperial Concubine Jiang and Beauty Jiang hope to endure them?
One by one, the two women confessed their involvement.
Beauty Jiang’s knowledge was limited. She was only aware of her obligation to execute her family’s orders, driven by the dire threat that her parents and siblings would meet a gruesome fate if she refused.
Under the family head’s instructions, she had employed food as a means to suppress toxins within the emperor’s body, simultaneously inducing a sensation of heightened “Yang energy” in him, fostering a false sense of strength and lustfulness.
The Imperial Hospital’s physicians typically conducted their morning checkups on the emperor to identify any health issues. Consequently, as long as the emperor’s condition remained stable, the Imperial Hospital’s physicians would remain oblivious to her actions.
When pressed about the motive behind poisoning the emperor, Beauty Jiang claimed it was the Jiang family’s desire to expedite the Crown Prince’s ascension to the throne.
In essence, poisoning the emperor had been the idea of His Highness the Crown Prince.
Neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager found this explanation
credible, yet Beauty Jiang remained steadfast in her assertion, enduring near-torture in her unwavering commitment to her story.
The Empress Dowager reluctantly abandoned her pursuit of Beauty Jiang and focused her attention on dealing with Imperial Concubine Jiang.
Initially, Imperial Concubine Jiang professed complete ignorance, firmly placing the blame solely on Beauty Jiang’s actions.
However, she dropped a hint that when Beauty Jiang had entered the palace, she had a romantic interest. It was suggested that her attack on the emperor might have stemmed from a desire for revenge against him for taking her beloved away.
This explanation seemed dubious at best, leading the Empress Dowager to order the torture to persist. Eventually, under the relentless torment, Imperial Concubine Jiang altered her testimony to match Beauty Jiang’s account.
It was only after enduring continued torture that Imperial Concubine Jiang finally confessed to her involvement with the Eighth Imperial Uncle..