Chapter 687 - Killing By Poisoning
Due to Royal Princess Jinan’s imminent marriage, the old official, who had the wellbeing of the people in mind, patiently waited for over half a month in the capital. He spent every day in the experimental fields located in the suburbs of the capital. He ate and lived with the tenant farmers; they exchanged planting methods and techniques.
The more he interacted with them, the more apprehensive he became. They obviously used the same steps when planting the seedlings, used the same types of fertilizers, and the managing procedures were also the same, so why was there such a difference between the seedlings they planted? The seeds were personally approved by the emperor and the old official had personally transported the seeds. There was absolutely no difference between the seeds or the planting process! Could the only difference be Royal Princess Jinan, who was now Princess Consort Xu?
Could the rumors actually be true? The farther the rumors spread, the more exaggerated the rumors became. It was rumored that Princess Consort Xu was a fairy of farming that descended to the mortal world from heaven. Because she took pity on how hardworking the emperor was for his country and the people, she descended to the mortal world to help with his worries and difficulties. She gave him high-yielding seeds to increase the production of the crops. There were even rumors that stated that the emperor vomited blood because he worked his heart out, trying to improve people’s livelihood. Heaven was filled with emotions because the emperor loved the common people like his own children, so heaven sent down an immortal to assist him. It was not without reason that the emperor placed such great importance on Princess Consort Xu when she was merely a teenager!
Therefore the old official sent a sincere and moving memorial to the emperor. There was only one purpose in the sincere and moving memorial he wrote and that was to stir the emperor’s emotions about the common people of the Jiangnan region and ask him to send Official Yu to Jiangnan. He wanted Official Yu to give guidance to the people in charge of the experimental fields in Jinling.
The emperor was worried when he received the memorial. He would’ve readily approved the memorial if the old official asked for any other official to be sent to Jiangnan. But the crucial point was that Yu Xiaocao was only on the fifth day of her honeymoon. Her seven-day honeymoon was not yet over, so it wasn’t proper for her to intrude and send her on a business trip in the middle of it!
However, if he didn’t keep this under control and give an official reply to the old official, he was afraid that they would miss the optimal farming period. He was a wise emperor that paid close attention to the farming development of his country and placed great importance on the people of his country. He was still frowning when he returned to the imperial harem from the imperial study. The empress couldn’t help but ask about his concerns, and Zhu Junfan poured out his worries and misgivings.
The empress pondered for a moment and then gave him a suggestion, “The emperor can summon Miss Yu to the imperial palace and ask her for her opinion. Wouldn’t that solve everything?”
In her eyes, Yu Xiaocao was not only a woman with outstanding abilities, courage, and insight, but she was also a woman who knew how to prioritize the overall situation over personal affairs. Ever since the time she courageously entered the dangerous northern region alone to save the horse farm, it was sufficient enough to display her courage and bravery. It was cruel to force the young couple to part early in their honeymoon since they were barely able to enjoy their time together. But...what if she was willing to leave?
On the sixth day of her honeymoon, Yu Xiaocao was summoned to the imperial palace. On her way to the empress’s Kunning Palace, she ran into His Imperial Highness, the crown prince, who was heading to the imperial study.
“Official Yu, you don’t need to act too polite…” Zhu Hanwen paused for a moment, but he still couldn’t help but ask, “I heard that the day before yesterday, a party to start a new store was hosted at Imperial Prince Xu’s Estate. It was lively and very successful. A few of my study companions from the imperial study were fortunate enough to be invited to the party. They even asked me to taste some of the cookies they personally made when they returned…”
The crown prince’s expression was filled with grievances and regret. His expression seemed to be asking her, “Why didn’t you invite me?”
‘Can you stop staring at this official with such a cute expression on your face? It makes this official feel immensely guilty.’ Yu Xiaocao was sweating buckets internally! ‘Your Highness, your status as the crown prince is too precious, so I dare not to invite you. If something happened to you while you’re traveling incognito, then wouldn’t this official lose my head?’
“Then...if the crown prince wishes to have some cookies, then this official will bring a variety of flavors of cookies for you to choose from next time. The emperor has summoned me because he has an urgent matter he wants to discuss with me, so this official will be leaving first…” Chief Steward Su Chi watched as Official Yu sprinted towards Kunning Palace like her bottom was set on fire. He found the scene to be quite humorous. He held back his smile before he excused himself from the crown prince and also left.
Zhu Hanwen was stunned for a moment——Although Official Yu’s legs were short, it seemed like she was quite a fast runner. Was he someone dangerous? Why would people avoid him in fear? ‘Official Yu, my good cousin-in-law, it’s not the cookies that I want. I also want to experience the joy in making cookies and be able to relax my body and mind!’
‘A Buddhist monk can run, but in the end, he won’t be able to run away from the temple! Isn’t your shop, “Creative Pastries” having a grand opening soon? I don’t believe that I won’t be able to find an opportunity to go there and experience it myself!’ “Xiao Dezi, let’s go. Let’s go to the imperial study!!” He needed to ask his study companions about the date the pastry shop will be open and obtain some first-hand information. This way, he will be prepared once the time comes!
Yu Xiaocao had successfully fled from the Crown Prince. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and slowed down. When she turned around, she realized that she was standing opposite of Imperial Princess Yi. Yu Xiaocao hurriedly bowed at one of the imperial princes and princesses again.
“We’re all a family, so Auntie Yu doesn’t need to act overly courteous.” Imperial Princess Yi was twelve years old and was born with a slender and elegant build. She had inherited the imperial household’s beautiful appearance with red lips and white teeth, big eyes, and a tall nose. She looked as adorable as a doll.
“I don’t dare have Imperial Princess Yi address me like that!” Yu Xiaocao could tell that Imperial Princess Yi had something she wanted to say, so she couldn’t help but began to sweat internally again. Had they all planned ahead to obstruct her path, right? Fortunately, she headed out early today, otherwise, the emperor would’ve punished her for being late!
“Why can’t I address you like that? Official Yu has married my uncle, and I still haven’t congratulated you yet!” Consort Li had given birth to Imperial Princess Yi and she had inherited her mother’s gentle temper.
“Thank you, Imperial Princess Yi. Imperial Princess Yi is very considerate!” However, Yu Xiaocao was complaining in her heart; she thought that the palace gate was located too far away from the Kunning Palace. She couldn’t help but wish she could step into Kunning Palace with just one step right now.
She had merely hosted a party to teach people how to make pastries, so what were all the imperial princes and princesses all concerned about it? Sigh...the people living in ancient times were quite pitiful, especially the imperial princes and princesses that lived deep inside the palace. They had a limited source of entertainment. Xiaocao cried out tears of sympathy for them, but she also felt she was fortunate: Fortunately for her, she didn’t transmigrate into the palace, otherwise...her small life would be tormented left and right.
“That...When Auntie Yu hosts another party to teach people how to handcraft something, can you also send an invitation card to me? Danyi wants to personally make a cake for my imperial father and consort mother…” Imperial Princess Yi blinked her beautiful big black eyes as she looked at Yu Xiaocao expectantly.
Yu Xiaocao wondered whether she should build a small handcrafted DIY cake workshop in the palace to satisfy the curiosity of the princes, princesses, and the imperial concubines. She didn’t dare to freely send invitations to the imperial children living in the palace. Who would be responsible if something happened to them?
“Uh...if the emperor and Consort Li agree, then the door to the Xu Estate will always be open to you.” Yu Xiaocao didn’t dare agree to disagree, so she played dumb and pushed all the responsibility onto Imperial Princess Yi’s parents.
Chief Steward Su Chi had promised his teacher that he would take care of Miss Yu when she was in the palace. He stepped forward just in time to save Official Yu who was being thrown into a dilemma, “Official Yu, the emperor is still waiting for you in the Kunning Palace...”
Although Imperial Princess Yi didn’t receive a satisfying answer from her, she knew that her imperial father had summoned Official Yu into the palace for official business. As such, she could only helplessly watch as Official Yu left!
“Princess, you don’t need to be sad. Didn’t Princess Consort Xu tell you? You can just ask the emperor for permission to go to the Xu Estate! I heard rumors that Princess Consort Xu enjoys personally making pastries. She should have equipment and ingredients ready at home, so if you want to experience the process of making cakes, it’s not impossible ah!” The young palace maidservant gently comforted her master softly.
“But…it’s so boring if I learn how to make pastries alone. It’s more fun to do it with everyone else!” Imperial Princess Yi had learned from Consort Li’s niece about the party Princess Consort Xu hosted. It received many praises from all the noble ladies in the capital a few days ago. It was a pity she was one of the imperial children, so she couldn’t leave the palace at will. As a result, she missed this fun and creative party.
Yu Xiaocao finally let out a sigh of relief when she stepped into the doorstep of the Kunning Palace. She was really afraid that her path would be blocked by another imperial prince or princess again.
When the empress saw her arrive empty-handed, the empress jokingly said, “The delicious fragrance from the Imperial Prince Xu’s Estate spread throughout the entire imperial city a few days ago. Why didn’t you bring some pastries for me when you came to the imperial palace today?”
“Uh…” Yu Xiaocao choked on the empress’s words. She pretended to be serious and righteous as she said, “This official was afraid that if anything goes wrong with the food this official brings into the imperial palace, then it would be used against me…”
“Alright ah! Your response is too fake. It’s not like you haven’t brought food into the imperial palace before. If I can’t even trust you, then who would I trust?” Zhu Junfan said after she took a seat. He hinted at her to do as she wished.
Yu Xiaocao laughed mischievously and said, “This official is terrified of losing your favor…”
“That’s enough! Stop with these empty words!” Zhu Junfan pointed at the cakes that were placed next to Xiaocao and said, “Have a taste of the craftsmanship of the new imperial chef from the palace. These are authentic pastries and snacks from the capital.”
“Your Majesty, thank you for the reward——” Yu Xiaocao respectfully responded. Then, she picked up a piece of Glutinous Rice Rolls with Sweet Bean Flour and ate it with gusto. Hmm...it tasted pretty good! Huh? There seemed to be a strange taste inside the bean paste. If she hadn’t been baptized by the mystic-stone water, then her five senses wouldn’t have been this sensitive and she wouldn’t have detected the abnormality! She suddenly felt a burst of sharp pain from her stomach——damn it! It couldn’t be! If the emperor wanted her to die, then he didn’t even need to use poison ah!!
“What happened? What’s this?” When the empress saw the expression on her face change into a painful one, how her lips turned purple instantly, and how she was holding her belly, she panicked and shouted, “Quickly summon an imperial physician!!”
“Who! Who actually managed to conceal themselves so deeply in the imperial palace?!” Zhu Junfan slammed the table in anger. Everyone in the imperial court was aware that he had summoned the Clerk of the Capital for Grain into the palace today. Yu Xiaocao’s current identity was not as simple as a mere fourth-rank official, but she was also Imperial Prince Xu’s wife. If something happened to her in the palace, Imperial Prince Xu might do something impulsive due to anger!! The person who poisoned Xiaocao wanted him to lose loyal officials and have those loyal officials turn against him. This would cause the entire country to become unstable! That person wanted to kill three birds with one stone with such a ruthless and extreme method!
“Uh...does that mean that the emperor didn’t order the cake to be poisoned?” Yu Xiaocao became much calmer after she saw the emperor’s and the empress’s reaction.
“Are you doubting me? Do you have feces clogging your brain? You and Junyang are my right and left arms. How brainless do I have to be to cut off my own arms?” Zhu Junfan was so angry that he collapsed back onto his chair. He wished he could pry open her brain and check to see whether or not her brain was empty!
The empress walked forward and personally supported Xiaocao, who had slipped off the chair and onto the ground. Along with the palace maidservant, the two supported Xiaocao onto a soft couch. When the empress heard the emperor’s words, she glanced at the emperor. For the emperor to be anxious to the point where he would start to curse, that just showed how much he valued Official Yu.
“Uh...since this was not...the emperor’s intentions, then this official...will take the antidote…!” It was very, very painful! Her stomach was experiencing the same pain she felt when she needed to have surgery on her appendix when she was a child in her previous life. It was painful enough to cause her to die!