The Lotus Pavilion

Deng Hui was trembling in fear. The Palace maid brought the water for her and forwarded the water glass to the Empress. Deng Hui grabbed the water glass with a trembling hand. She brought the glass closer to her lips when it fell from her hand. 

The Palace maid got on her knees and started to plead with the Empress. "Clean the floor and leave," Deng Hui ordered her. 

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the Palace Maid cleaned the floor quickly and left. Deng Hui called Eunuch Zhen inside. 

"Your Majesty," he bowed in front of her.

"Tha-that poison bottle was with me, then how did it reach the hands of Minister Xi?" Deng Hui questioned. "Did someone come here?" She asked him. 

"Your Majesty, it is confusing for me as well," Eunuch Zhen replied. 

"The Crown Prince does not know that the poison was arranged by me. But that Minister took my name, and I do not know what will happen in the morning," Deng Hui stated.