Locking up Jiang Yunyao

"Replying to the Empress Dowager, Imperial Physician Yu told this Concubine to rest but this Concubine did not want to disobey Empress Dowager's words and lost face in front of Empress Dowager and His Majesty."

Her words caused the Empress Dowager to frown. But before she could say something her words were cut short by the cries coming from outside.

The Prince's and the Eldest Princess were playing outside and the Second Princess and Third Princess were inside the banquet hall because they were too young being only three and one.

The children were playing outside and there were palace maids looking after them. So, no one expected anything to go wrong.

But unexpectedly, they suddenly heard the crying and shouting noises coming from outside.

Hearing this, the first one to react was the Emperor. He stood up and dashed out, followed by the Empress, Empress Dowager and everyone else.

Jiang Yunyao also rushed out alongside others to see what happened, but looking at the scene made her heart turn cold.

The First Prince's face was contorted in confusion, then fear. He was lying on the ground, clutching his stomach with the Prince's surrounding him while the Princess stood aside, watching with fear in her eyes. Gasps ripple through the crowd as their eyes widen in shock.

Imperial Consort Shu rushes forward, her maternal instincts taking over as she kneels beside her son, panic etched across her face.

First Prince: "Mother! I feel…sick!"

Imperial Consort Shu: "What is wrong with my son? Someone call the Imperial Physician!"

Panic erupts in the crowd. The Emperor immediately turns serious, his expression shifting from joy to alarm.

Emperor: "Fetch the Imperial Physicians! Quickly!"

The air in the Shoukang Palace grows tense as the Imperial Physicians rushed in, their expressions grim. The Emperor, still reeling from the news of the First Prince's sudden collapse, awaits their diagnosis with bated breath.

Imperial Physician Zou: "Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince has been poisoned with a toxin known as "Silken Death." It is a rare and insidious poison that acts swiftly on the body, especially in young children."

Hearing those words, Jiang Yunyao felt her mind go blank for a few seconds . She glanced at the Emperor who was seething in anger and then at the Empress who was trying to hide her smile. Her brain worked rapidly as she whispered something to Jiang Yu Heng who immediately left from there.

But, unknown to her, Empress Dowager was observing all the Royal Consorts.

The Emperor's face darkens, fury igniting within him.

Emperor: "Who would dare commit such a heinous act against our children?"

As the physicians hurriedly discuss treatment, the Emperor called the second prince to explain what happened.

The Second Prince stepped forward, his voice trembling.

Second Prince: "Imperial Father, we were playing in the snow when my First brother suddenly collapsed."

The Emperor gently asked the seven year old Prince who was still frightened: "Then, Jinzhi (Personal name of Second Prince), can you remember what your First Brother ate?"

Second Prince, Dongfang Jinzhi thought carefully for some time before answering: "Imperial Father, your son remembers that First Brother ate some snacks before the banquet. The maids say those snacks were sent by Mother Xi for all the princes and princesses."

The murmurs of the court grow louder. Other princes shake their heads, recalling that they had deemed it inappropriate to eat before the banquet.

Second Prince: "But my First Brother… he didn't care. He just ate them."

Emperor: "What did you say? The snacks?"

Naturally, the Mother Xi in Second Prince's words is Imperial Noble Consort Xi.

Imperial Noble Consort's face pales as she realizes the implications.

Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "Your Majesty, it is impossible for anything to be wrong with the snacks! This Concubine made sure they were prepared with the utmost care. Your Majesty, please investigate this matter thoroughly and prove your Concubine's innocence!"

The Emperor nodded, his gaze sharp.

Emperor: "Bring the remaining snacks to us at once!"

The palace maids rushed to comply, bringing forth the leftover snacks from the banquet table. The physicians begin their examination, and after a few tense moments, they confirm Imperial Noble Consort Xi's worst fears.

Imperial Physician Zou: "Your Majesty, we have found traces of Silken Death in these snacks."

Imperial Noble Consort Xi steps forward, desperation etched on her face.

Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "This Concubine sent those snacks out of kindness, fearing the children might be hungry. Your Majesty, Your Concubine would be a fool to poison them! Such a risk could endanger my family!"

The Empress, with a calculated smile, interjects sharply.

Empress: "Imperial Noble Consort Xi, it seems your high position and the Emperor's favor have indeed made you reckless! You dare to risk the lives of our princes? You should be punished with death for this heinous act!"

The Empress Dowager, watching from her seat, raises an eyebrow but remains silent, observing the unfolding drama.

The Emperor's piercing gaze is fixed on Imperial Noble Consort Xi as he questions her.

Emperor: "Imperial Noble Consort Xi, how do you explain this? You sent the food, yet poison was found within it. How can we trust your innocence?"

Imperial Noble Consort Xi, panic rising, speaks fervently.

Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "Your Concubine has been framed, Your Majesty! Since Your Concubine sent the food in my own name, I would be a fool to poison it! Harming a prince would result in the death of nine generations of my family. Your Concubine would never risk my life or my family's honor for such a foolish act!"

The Emperor considers her words, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

Emperor: "Your explanation is compelling, but we must uncover the truth. We will order a thorough search of all the palaces."

The eunuchs quickly disperse to carry out his command.

As the search progresses, the eunuchs return, their faces grim.

Eunuch: "Your Majesty, we found the poison in Cun Shan Palace."

Imperial Noble Consort Xi gasps in disbelief, her eyes wide.

The Empress smirks, believing her plan is unfolding perfectly.

Empress: "See, Your Majesty? This only confirms her guilt!"

Imperial Noble Consort Xi, glaring at the Empress, recognizes the plot unfolding.

Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "This is madness! Empress, this Concubine has no children, and always treats the Emperor's children as my own! This Concubine would never poison them!"

The Empress, emboldened, takes the opportunity to shift blame.

Empress: "It appears the evidence is clear! You must have intended to harm all the Princes but unfortunate for you, the Princes did not eat the food!"

But before Imperial Noble Consort Xi can respond, another eunuch interrupts.

Eunuch: "Your Majesty, we have found the poison in Willow courtyard not in Golden Jade Courtyard."

The room falls silent and shock ripples through the hall.

Both the Empress and Imperial Noble Consort Xi freeze and exchange shocked glances, while Jiang Yunyao, visibly shaken, steps forward.

Willow courtyard of Cun Shan Palace, it is Noble Lady Hai aka Jiang Yunyao's residence.

Jiang Yunyao, pale and trembling, steps forward, her face a mask of panic.

Jiang Yunyao: "Your Majesty, *Cough cough* please! Do you really believe Your Concubine would do such a thing?"

The Emperor's cold gaze meets hers, causing her heart to sink.

Jiang Yunyao: "Your Concubine has only been in the palace for three months and served you in bed once and have no need to poison a prince. With my low status, Your Concubine would gain nothing but lose my life and put my family in danger! Today was the first time Your Concubine even met the First Prince!*Cough cough cough*"

Tears begin to stream down her face as she continues, her voice breaking and as she spoke more and more, the coughing increased.

Jiang Yunyao: "Your Concubine has no motive to harm your son. Your Concubine is being framed, and trusts that you, Your Majesty, will find the true culprit. Until then, Your Concubine is willing to accept punishment for my negligence, for failing to discover the poison in my courtyard before it harmed the First Prince."

She bows deeply, her tears falling onto the floor.

Jiang Yunyao: "If Your Concubine had found the poison sooner, it might have saved the First Prince from his suffering. Your Concubine is accept any punishment you deem fit, Your Majesty.*Cough cough cough*"

The Emperor's gaze softens slightly, moved by her words, but as the Emperor, he has to maintain order.

Imperial Noble Consort Xi: "Your Majesty, please, we must investigate this matter carefully! The life of prince is at stake!"

The Empress, sensing her own impending danger, urges the Emperor to punish Jiang Yunyao.

Empress: "Look at the evidence, Your Majesty! It is clear she is the one to blame! Punish Noble Lady Hai, for she has no excuse!"

The Empress Dowager, who has been silent until now, finally speaks up.

Empress Dowager: "Your Majesty, it is essential to investigate clearly. This Grieving One suspects that there is someone else's hand in this matter. We must dig deeper."

The Empress grits her teeth upon hearing those words.

The Emperor, torn between the conflicting claims, takes a deep breath.

Emperor: "Noble Lady Hai, your kindness has moved us, but we cannot overlook this incident. For now, you will be locked in your courtyard with no one servants to attend to until we find out the truth."

Jiang Yunyao's heart sinks, but she nods, tears still glistening in her eyes.

Jiang Yunyao: "Your Concubine understands, Your Majesty."

With grace, she wipes her tears, then bows deeply to the Emperor.

Jiang Yunyao: "Your Concubine will accept my punishment, for failing to protect the First Prince."

As she walks away, her figure becomes smaller, but her dignified posture leaves a profound impression on the Emperor. He watches her go, feeling a mix of sorrow and frustration.

The drama of this day finally came to a temporary stop.

The Willow Courtyard where Jiang Yunyao lived was locked, and the palace maids were not allowed to serve at her side. Even Jiang Yu Heng was prohibited from serving Jiang Yunyao.