The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 217 - Caught

The Empress, enlightened by the suggestion, found the plan quite clever and promptly set it into motion. Of course, she didn't simply let those servants go unmonitored; she secretly assigned people to watch them.

Word soon spread that the poisoner had been caught. It was said that the young maid attempted suicide but had been revived by the physician and was now unconscious, temporarily housed in an empty courtyard next to the Wutong Hall. The news implied that the maid would be interrogated as soon as she regained consciousness.

Additionally, the discovery of the silver notes was publicly revealed without concealment, creating a trail of clues that was half-hidden and half-exposed, effectively making the culprit uneasy.

Finally, on the third night, in the middle of the night, a tall eunuch snuck into the courtyard. Under the cover of darkness, he pulled out a packet of powdered medicine from his robes and poured it into the teapot on the table.

At that very moment, the small figure on the bed suddenly sprang up, shouting, "Thief!" Immediately, the guards stationed outside rushed in to capture him.

The eunuch tried to escape through the back window, but the quick-witted maid grabbed a feather duster from the table and struck him. That brief delay allowed the guards to apprehend the eunuch.

Someone was sent to report the incident to the Empress right away.

The sudden burst of lights from Wutong Hall in the middle of the night alarmed quite a few people. Upon seeing the eunuch's face, the Empress was shocked and immediately ordered someone to summon the Emperor. Another group of people was sent to Yulan Garden.

"Why has Momo come at this hour? Our mistress is asleep," Baishuang tried to block their entry.

Ding Momo chuckled, her gaze turning icy. "It seems that Wen De Fei possesses a kind heart, being able to sleep soundly after causing harm to others."

"Watch your words!" Baishuang's face changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "I respect you because you serve the Empress, and I've treated you with courtesy. But my mistress is your superior; how dare you, a mere servant, speak such slander!"

"Hmph, I am here on the Empress's orders to summon Wen De Fei, An Shi, to Wutong Hall to investigate the matter of the safflower. I hope you can be sensible and quickly wake Wen De Fei," Ding Momo declared, her commanding tone managing to intimidate those present.

Meanwhile, the commotion outside had already woken up Wen De Fei. In other words, she had not been able to sleep well for the past few days. She changed into a new outfit, and without having the time to style her hair elaborately, she was brought to Wutong Hall.

At this moment, Ning Chen was already present.

Ye Yun was also there...

The Empress hadn't notified her; she had come on her own. Given that she was a victim in this matter, it was understandable for her to be there, so she stayed to be part of the interrogation.

As Wen De Fei entered, she maintained her composure and first greeted the two individuals in the main seats.

"I pay my respects to the Emperor and the Empress."

"You have quite a lot of nerve, An Shi! How dare you conspire to harm a consort? If Ming Jieyu were truly pregnant, wouldn't you be putting the life of a potential heir at risk?" the Empress reprimanded sternly.

Wen De Fei's brows twitched slightly in response to the scolding, and she immediately knelt down. "Your Majesty, please speak with evidence. I haven't done anything. How could I possibly conspire to harm Ming Jieyu?"