Chapter 229: Ally
Su Qingyun looked at Wen Mingqian, his expression unreadable.
Wen Mingqian held the ginger slice between her fingers, a playful look on her face. “You used the bowl lid to hide this piece of ginger and put it in, intending to frame me. Of course, if you could have poisoned the Empress, you would have been even more satisfied.”
“On what grounds do you say I put this piece of ginger in? And on what grounds do you say it’s poisoned?” Su Qingyun retorted.
“Imperial Physician Su, every time I prepare medicinal cuisine for the Empress, I only use three slices of ginger. This slice is extra. At first glance, this slice of ginger appears normal, but it hides a secret.” Wen Mingqian said, slowly tearing the ginger slice apart. “There are many small wax beads inside. They melt when heated, and they contain poison.
So even if you put the ginger slice in, you wouldn’t be able to detect the poison with a silver needle in a short time. However, the time it takes from the Imperial Kitchen to the Empress’s Palace is enough for the wax beads inside to melt.”
Su Qingzhu fell silent again, merely staring coldly at Wen Mingqian.
Wen Mingqian naturally knew his intentions: as long as he wasn’t caught red-handed, he would deny everything.
“Did you think I was really here to prepare medicinal cuisine for the Empress? No, I went to the Imperial Kitchen just to find you.” Wen Mingqian tossed the ginger slice aside. “I found a clue on the green tangerines before, and I deduced that the person who poisoned them must be connected to the Imperial Kitchen. However, there were too many people involved, making it difficult to determine immediately. Only by going there myself could I investigate slowly.
Actually, I didn’t suspect you at first, because Qing’er told me that the Empress doesn’t eat seasonal offerings like green tangerines, so they don’t need to be inspected by an Imperial Physician.
I figured you must have taken advantage of this point, which is why you poisoned them.
After all, you often go to the Imperial Kitchen, so poisoning them would be incredibly easy! Based on the poison powder found on the green tangerines, I can tell you sprinkled it there. With the cover of your wide sleeves, how easy it is to sprinkle a handful of poison powder!
I observed carefully for a few days, and then deliberately let it be known that I was the one who stopped the Empress from being served those green tangerines. This way, you would naturally transfer your hatred to me.
Or rather, you would deepen your hatred for me, because of me, the Empress can maintain her peace of mind. You must have already hated me in your heart.”
As she spoke, Su Qingyun’s eyes visibly flickered, a mixture of disgust and surprise.
It was clear that he had not expected Wen Mingqian to be so astute, having already deciphered all the hidden truths.
“Imperial Physician Su, let’s return to what I said earlier: you are truly not a clever person.” Wen Mingqian smiled. “Otherwise, you would be asking me right now why I didn’t expose you on the spot?”
“Why?” Su Qingyu’s tone was stubborn, but he still asked.
“Because I only wanted to stop you, not harm you.” Wen Mingqian said. “Of course, if you believe me.”
Su Qingyun did not believe her; his gaze was enough to show it.
“I know why you don’t believe me. Because in your eyes, my efforts to please the Empress would only make me your sworn enemy, right?”
Su Qingyun remained silent, merely sneering.
Even though he was silent, Wen Mingqian didn’t mind carrying on the monologue. “Anyone who dares to poison the Empress is certainly not a coward, and they must have their reasons. Lord Su, what are you doing this for?”
Su Qingyun remained silent, even though Wen Mingqian knew what he had done.
“Agastache, gypsum, honeysuckle…” Wen Mingqian suddenly recited a prescription.
Su Qingyun’s eyes widened, then widened further, finally asking in disbelief, “What… what are you reciting?”
“Lord Su is an Imperial Physician, can’t you tell I’m reciting a prescription?” Wen Mingqian smiled. “This prescription originated from the palace and saved many lives. Unfortunately, it was burned long ago and can no longer be used.”
“Who are you?” Su Qingyun stared intently at Wen Mingqian. “Who sent you?”
“Lord Su, given the current situation, you are not in a position to ask me.” Wen Mingqian reminded him. “If you want to know, you must first answer my question: what was your motive for attempting to harm the Empress?”
“Because she deserves to die!” Su Qingyun gritted his teeth. “She’s a vicious woman! I hate her!”
“But as far as I know, the Empress has never harmed you or your family.” Wen Mingqian asked again. “Where does your hatred come from?”
“This is all I can tell you.” Su Qingyun said. “Who told you about that prescription?”
“Lord Su’s hatred is related to this prescription, isn’t it!” Wen Mingqian refused to be led astray. “During the plague that ravaged the palace years ago, two people were instrumental. One was you, Lord Su, and the other…”
“You’ve been beating around the bush, but you actually know everything, don’t you?” Su Qingyun finally lost his patience. “What do you want?”
“Whatever Lord Su wants, I want.” Wen Mingqian’s smile faded.
“Impossible! I am seeking revenge for her, and you…” Su Qingyun shook his head.
“I am also seeking revenge for her.” Wen Mingqian looked directly at Su Qingyun. “Otherwise, why would I be here talking to you? Wouldn’t it be better to just report you?”
“How is that possible?” Su Qingyun laughed. “My poison was administered very subtly. In a few more years, that vicious woman would have lost her mind and become a lunatic. But you stopped me, causing my efforts to fail…”
“Imperial Physician Su, you’ve oversimplified things.” Wen Mingqian asked him. “Once your poisoning is discovered, even if it doesn’t lead back to you, innocent people will be implicated.
Moreover, even if you turn the Empress into a lunatic, or even poison her to death, what then? Will the injustice she suffered be cleared?”
“You… are you really doing this for her?” Su Qingyun couldn’t believe it. “Then what relation are you to her?”
“We call each other sisters. Though we are not related by blood, our bond is stronger than that of kin.” Wen Mingqian said. “Since you both dealt with the plague together, she must have told you about her experience with the plague when she was young and how she cared for those who were ill. I was the one who survived under her care…”
“So you are…” Su Qingyun’s eyes lit up. “She mentioned you, you were on the mountain…”
“Shangyin Peak Bodhi Nunnery,” Wen Mingqian said. “Elder Sister Shen and I lived there together for three years.”
“You really are… she… is she…” Su Qingyun’s expression was agitated. It turned out he wasn’t the only one who remembered Consort Shen after all these years.
When he learned that Wen Mingqian was an old acquaintance of Shen Fu and heard her mention the past, he suddenly wondered if Shen Fu was still alive.
“Sister died in the chaos of war…” Wen Mingqian’s eyes reddened. “By chance, I met her briefly before she passed away.”
“Oh…” Su Qingyun lowered his head. Yes, that person was long gone.
How could she possibly still be alive?
