The Enchanting Imperial Concubine (Book 2)

Chapter 218

She didn't linger for even a moment, turning around and exiting Weirui Palace.

This sudden retreat and show of weakness seemed to indicate that she had resigned herself to a hasty conclusion, allowing the case to be wrapped up casually.

Especially that last sentence: "It has always been this way."

Isn't it true that the disputes and injustices in the palace have always been like this?

A person who usually takes things seriously suddenly stops doing so; such a stark contrast is the most provocative.

Ning Chen finally stopped hesitating. He took a deep breath and instructed Yuan Jiu.

"You personally take people to search YuLan Courtyard, but remember not to alarm the First Prince."

"Your Majesty, rest assured; this servant understands." Yuan Jiu cupped his hands in respect.

He immediately took a few clever servants and set off.

From this moment on, Wen De Fei's expression quickly turned pale, while Bai Shuang kept her head lowered, not daring to look up.

Although she forced herself to sit down and drink tea with an air of calmness, her tense demeanor was impossible to conceal.

Ning Chen observed this and felt his disappointment intensify, accompanied by a hint of anger.

If it really was Wen De Fei, what kind of person was the woman he had cherished for so many years?

What surprised him even more was that Yuan Jiu had brought back two things that made it even harder for him to face the situation.

Yuan Jiu held a tray containing two palm-sized porcelain bottles and a small bag of dried safflower.

"With people and stolen goods caught red-handed, Wen De Fei, what else do you have to say in your defense?" The Empress's expression was one of undeniable triumph.

A cold sweat broke out on Wen De Fei's back as she gritted her teeth.

Bai Lu suddenly knelt down. "Your Majesty, this safflower belongs to this servant. I accidentally twisted my waist a few days ago, and safflower has the effect of promoting blood circulation and alleviating bruising, so I used it as a poultice on my waist to heal faster."

"Such words are rather forced," Ding Momo snorted coldly.

Ning Chen's gaze, however, was fixed on the other two porcelain bottles.

"What are these things?"

If they were not illicit items, Yuan Jiu wouldn't have brought them forward.

Moreover, Yuan Jiu not only presented them but had also looked unwell since entering the palace, indicating that there was certainly something amiss.

"Your Majesty... this servant doesn't dare to say, for fear of sullying Your Majesty's ears."

"Speak!" Ning Chen slammed the table, the veins on his forehead faintly protruding.

Yuan Jiu gritted his teeth and spoke word by word, "The white bottle contains... Hehuan Lu. It's a potion for enhancing intimacy between men and women. The blue bottle contains... Zhuan Yang Dan."

The first item was already shocking enough to cause a cold sweat, and the second was even harder to believe.

"Wen De Fei, how could you use such heinous things?"

Even the Empress hadn't anticipated that these items would be involved, and her expression was difficult to describe.

Zhuan Yang Dan was a closely guarded secret in the palace.