General Xiao was following the Crown Princess to the Royal kitchen. "Your highness, why did you not let the food get tasted by the maid in front of the food inspector?" General Xiao confusedly asked the Crown Princess.
"Because I tasted it myself. Nothing happened to me," Ying Lili replied. "I was annoyed at him for making me cook the custard for everyone. I then realized he was adamant about eating custard made by me as if he knew that something was wrong with the custard that was served to him earlier. So, I made sure not to let anyone get a taste of it and checked it myself," Ying Lili affirmed.
"Your highness, it means the custard was changed right after you came to the Grand Hall. Do you remember where you left the bowl? The time you left its sight was the time when it was poisoned," Xiao Zhan opined. Ying Lili halted at her place and closed her eyes. She recalled every single moment when she was preparing the custard.
After a while, she opened her eyes, "I never left its sight. I made sure not to let it get touched by the others, then where did I make the mistake?" Ying Lili thought.
"Your highness, did you carry the tray all by yourself till the Grand Hall, or did you ask any maid to do that for you?" General Xiao questioned the Crown Princess.
"I did not let anyone grab that tray except there was one moment when I had to do so. The maids who served the custards to the others in the Grand Hall were confused. So, I handed the tray to one maidservant," Ying Lili proclaimed. "But that was only for a few seconds," Ying Lili further added.
"That's when the poison was added. Even those few seconds were enough to add the poison to it. I will summon all the maidservants for the interrogation. We do not know how many people are involved in this poisoning matter of the Crown Prince," asserted Xiao Zhan.
"The Prime Minister is the one who did all this. The way he was accusing me was truly showing his desperation to punish me. I had never thought that for power, people could get mad and approach the evilest ways. I wonder how Sheng Li survived here!" Ying Lili was anxious. Sheng Li had warned her many times but she never paid heed to his warnings.
Han Nianzu and Lei Wanxi came to them. "Sister Lili, we heard you are accused of poisoning and have till tomorrow morning to prove yourself," Lei Wanxi worriedly spoke. Ying Lili nodded.
"The First and Second Princes are involved in this! They were scheming about it," Lei Wanxi stated in a fit of rage.
"How can brother Wanxi be so sure? I am suspecting the Prime Minister because of the way he summoned every single witness against me is sceptical," Ying Lili declared and frowned.
"Let's think about this later. First, we have to enquire about the maidservants because someone among them poisoned the Crown Prince," General Xiao suggested to them.
~~~~~~
Jian Guozhi could be seen in a chamber with Yongzheng and Rong Zemin. "Did you poison Sheng Li?!" Jian Guozhi queried Yongzheng.
"What are you saying, elder brother? The poison-filled custard dish was already served to Sheng Li but, then he expressed his desire to eat custard made by his wife. Do you think I can do such a thing in that short a time?" Yongzheng questioned the First Prince.
"I think it is your consort. She had started accusing the Crown Princess the moment it was asked who could poison the Crown Prince?" Rong Zemin sceptically answered.
"Xue Yu-Yan does not have the capability to do this in such a short time. It seems the person who did this was being way ahead in making and executing the plans cleanly. I want Sheng Li to die, but I do not want anything to happen to Ying'er. I had my eyes on her even when Sheng Li did not know her. But father did the reverse and made them marry," Jian Guozhi muttered under his breath.
The anger and hatred in him towards the Crown Prince were visible on his face.
"Your highness, there is an important message," Eunuch Lu Hong announced in a loud enough voice.
"Come in," Jian Guozhi permitted him.
Eunuch Lu bowed his head. "Respected First Prince, the Crown Princess had asked for the poison from her uncle. They plotted together to kill the Crown Prince," Eunuch Lu informed them.
"What are you saying?" Jian Guozhi was bewildered.
"Yes, First Prince. But, the Crown Princess is refuting the charges against her. His majesty has given a chance to the Crown Princess till the morning to show her innocence. If she cannot do that, then she will be uncrowned and further punishment will be decided later, according to the Crown Prince's state," Eunuch Lu recounted the entire incident to the three princes.
"Who showed the evidence against the Crown Princess?" Jian Guozhi was curious to know.
"The Prime Minister," replied Eunuch Lu. Everything was now crystal clear for Jian Guozhi. The First Prince told Lu Hong to leave and told his brothers to go to their respective rooms as he wanted to take a rest. They nodded and left from there. Once they left, Jian Guozhi went to Xue Yu-Yan's chamber.
"Your highness is here," Xue Yu-Yan heard. In a few minutes, Jian Guozhi came in. Xue Yu-Yan immediately stood up from the bed and bowed her head. "Did you plan all this with your father? Why did you scheme against Ying'er? I warned you not to do anything to Ying'er, didn't I?" Jian Guozhi shouted at her.
"I did nothing. You have a misunderstanding here," Xue Yu-Yan cleared herself and turned to sit on the bed when Jian Guozhi gripped her arm and pulled her towards him.
"Your father was showing evidence against Ying'er. What do you think about this? Aren't you the one who is jealous of Ying'er?" Jian Guozhi questioned her.
"Father is always steps ahead of everyone. Good to know that your one-sided love will be punished soon for her crime," Xue Yu-Yan proclaimed and pulled her arm away from Jian Guozhi's hand.
~~~~~
Hello Dear Readers!
Is Sheng Li acting and if not, how will he get cured? Will Ying Lili be able to save herself? There are many doubts rising in your minds. Stay turned to the story to know more. On 20th May, I have decided to do a mass release.
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