Shen Ruihua composed herself, "she only had tea with me. I also drank the same tea yet I'm completely fine"
He Yu felt Lingxi's hand increasing in temperature and being sweaty.
"Physician Du, her body heat is increasing and she's getting sweaty", he said.
Physician looked at Lingxi who was now having trouble breathing, "her heartbeat is becoming irregular and that's dangerous. I'll go prepare a Yin decoction to cool her down", he said and rushed off. "I'll go get some ice", Xin Lan said rushing off.
He Yu's eyes looked at Lingxi. Chi yun watched him. This was the first time he had seen He Yu so worried and his eyes having a hint of fear.
"Prince Jing", He Yu called without looking away from Lingxi.
"Here", He Rui answered.
"Investigate what happened from top to bottom. Nothing and...." He turned to look and Shen Ruihua, ".....and no one should be left out. I want answers within twenty-four hours"
The air felt surprisingly chilly. This was the first time anyone had seen such sharpness in his eyes and it was clear that Lingxi was his bottom line.
Shen Ruihua showed no fear despite the coldness she felt on her spine.
"Yes", He Rui answered and left. He had his suspicions but didn't say anything aloud till he found evidence.
"I thank everyone for their concern but Lingxi needs to rest. I won't keep you any longer", He Yu said.
"Take care of yourself too. She'll be fine", He Jingcheng said and left.
Shen Ruihua followed with no hesitation.
Gu Wenlan looked at Lingxi for a minute longer and felt there was more to the story.
The others walked out slowly and Princess Yuhua, He Qing, the fourth princess dragged her brother, He Zhen with her despite his reluctance.
Only Chi Yun, He Xuan and Sang Xue'er remained.
"She'll be all right", Sang Xue'er spoke breaking the silence.
She paused, "seeing that my sister has someone who loves her this much makes me feel relieved"
Xin Xie walked in with a bowl of water that had ice in them. She dipped the towel in the water and wanted to place it on Lingxi's forehead but He Yu stopped her, he did it himself.
"Your highness..." Chi yun wanted to say he was sensitive to cold and should not come in contact with cold water but stopped himself seeing that He Yu was not in the mood to listen to anything.
Watching He Yu silently take care of Lingxi, He Xuan knew it was the right time to leave. He gave a sign to Chi Yun and they both walked out. Xin Xie and Xin Lan took the cue and followed. Sang Xue'er hesitated for a minute but on a second thought, followed.
He Yu was left alone with Lingxi.
He placed the towel on her forehead, neck and hands. He held her hand with both hands and the cold towel between them. He looked at her face that was slightly flushed due to the heat.
"Why hurt yourself like this?" he asked quietly.
There was silence in the air that you could hear the sound of a pin drop. He leaned close to her lips and wanted to kiss her but stopped himself and went on to kiss her forehead.
"I won't take advantage of you while you are unconscious but that does not mean I'll let you go once you're awake", he said.
He kissed her hand he was holding and rested his chin on it as he tenderly watched her.
---
He Xuan and Sang Xue'er were walking in the same direction silently.
Sang Xue'er broke the silence, "My conduct was improper when we first met. I hope prince Ning did not take offense"
He Xuan opened his folding fan, "I don't bother with such trivialities"
"Are you close to Lingxi?" Sang Xue'er asked. "I am her favorite grandnephew", He Xuan claimed.
"Grandnephew? The imperial family hierarchy is surely messed up", Sang Xue'er commented.
He Xuan stopped walking for a moment and turned to her, "it's fine for you to say those words to me because I don't care. However, you should be mindful of your words when speaking with others. Not everyone is as easy going as me", he advised with his usual carefree smile.
"Noted", Sang Xue'er answered.
"I'm leaving now", he said walking off.
Sang Xue'er did not curtsy as per etiquette but he did not mind.
She stopped him, "Prince Ning", she called.
He turned back. They were quite far apart.
"I did not curtsy to you. Are you not offended?" she asked.
"I have never bothered with formalities. Besides, I have already exempted you from those formalities, haven't I?" he responded as he walked on with a faster pace, almost hopping, as though he couldn't wait to leave her.
He waved his hands from behind, "good bye".
Sang Xue'er watched his disappearing back and wondered how someone, especially an Imperial Prince, could be so carefree.
She suddenly felt that marrying someone like him would be interesting.
Though, he did not look like a husband material, he was a gentleman, after all.
She was not at all worried about Lingxi. She knew that if something like this happened, for letting it happen, Lingxi had her own plans. She was just waiting for the results at the end if the show.
Meanwhile...
While Sang Xue'er was on her way back to her residence, He Rui was with his investigation team.
Liu ying was looking worried. She was at the banquet too and wanted to visit Lingxi too but nobles were not allowed to follow, only the Imperial family was allowed into Channing Palace.
Channing Palace hardly received guests so with the entire imperial family allowed entry, she understood the situation was serious.
"How is Sister Xi doing?" she asked.
"Her condition is critical but the imperial physician is working on it. She has been poisoned", He Rui answered.
"Poisoned?" Lv Chi, Liu ying and Fu Jiu echoed at the same time.
"Yes, poisoned", He Rui confirmed.
"As far as I know, due to the Grand Prince's health, he had lived in Channing Palace in seclusion. It was during Her Highness's return to the capital and marriage that Channing Palace started opening its doors", Lu Qian said.
"Yes, one can hardly visit without being summoned", Lv Chi added.
"Before anything enters Channing Palace, they are thoroughly screened. It should be practically impossible for poison to get in", Fu Jiu gave his point.
"According to her maids, the only time she ate something outside Channing Palace was when the empress summoned her to Fengyin Palace and had tea with her", He Rui told them.
There was a pause.
"So, are we going to interrogate the empress? I don't think we have that right", Lv Chi said.
"Grand Prince has given the order that anyone and anything related in the case must be investigated. The empress is no exception", He Rui said firmly.
"Isn't this ...… a bit .....too much?" Fu Jiu was skeptical.
"He gave this order in front of His Majesty and there was no objection", He Rui reassured them.
"Then let's pay a visit to Fengyin Palace", Liu ying said looking charged up.
"You and Fu Jiu are not coming along", He Rui poured cold water on her flames.
"What? Why?" Liu ying protested.
This was the second time He Rui had refused her to do something she wanted to do.
"You're minister Liu's daughter, a noble. Getting involved in Imperial disputes is not a very wise option", Lv Chi explained.
Liu ying wanted to argue but instead took a deep breath, "since Brother Lu has said it, I won't argue further"
To her, and to everyone, Lu Qian was the most mature and sensible member of the team.
"You and Fu Jiu will investigate the servants involved in the food and drinks", He Rui instructed.
"I am not an investigator, I'm just a Medical Officer..." Fu Jiu was saying when He Rui gave him 'the look'.
He changed his statement, "...so I'll try my best to find out what poison it was"
Lv Chi almost laughed.
"Lv Chi, Lu Qian, we go together" And so, the group dispersed. One - to the servant's quarters and the other - to Fengyin Palace.
[Fengyin Palace]
"Grand Consort has barely been proven poisoned and you are already here to question me? Prince Jing, you are very bold", Shen Ruihua said very calmly like she wasn't threatened at all.
All the servants had been sent out so they could question Shen Ruihua privately.
"The grand prince has ordered that everyone related to the case must be investigated. Forgive me for saying this but your highness is the most suspicious", He Rui said.
"Prince Jing, I advise you to mind your tongue. When I served her tea, every servant could bear witness that I drank the same. How does that make me suspicious?"
"Forgive me for interrupting your highness but the testimonies from Fengyin Palace cannot count because they are all under your jurisdiction", Lu Qian said with a straight face.
Shen Ruihua glanced at him, "it seems that just anyone can spout nonsense in front of me. Have you forgotten? I'm the empress", she said with firm authority.
"Then let me remind your highness. Putting aside the power of the grand prince, the grand consort is no less. She is the daughter of the Chief Censor of the Imperial Censorate. Her older brother is the Chief Commander of the Imperial Guards. As for her biological family, her cousin is the Commandary Princess and her uncle is Duke Su, guarding the Southeast. Whether adopted or biological, she is deeply cherished. Censor Mo excused himself from the banquet and is yet to find out anything. Her brother is currently on his way back to the capital and her cousin, Commandary Princess Anning is waiting for results. What does your highness think will happen if they all come at you?" He Rui asked.
Shen Ruihua's fingers tensed from beneath her sleeves as she maintained her perfect composure as she listened to him.