PDLP Chapter 41 She truly loved him to the core.
Chapter 41 She truly loved him to the core.
Xu Jiaojiao took out a bowl of red bean and taro ball milk tea from the hidden compartment, then turned to look at Marquis Ningde: "My lord, this is a bowl from your residence. Do you recognize it?"
The servant immediately stepped forward, took the bowl, and handed it to Marquis Ningde.
The latter raised the bowl high, glanced at the inscription on the bottom, and nodded slightly: "It is indeed a bowl from my residence, but what does it have to do with this matter?"
Xu Jiaojiao's gaze swept over everyone: "I have always liked cold drinks, so I brought some milk tea with me when I left the manor. I originally intended to keep this milk tea for myself, but I didn't expect that you noble ladies would like it, so I shared some with you."
She paused, then looked at Prince Chen with tender affection: "There wasn't much milk tea to begin with. I was worried that if it was all given to the nobles, Your Highness wouldn't have any. So I had a maid borrow a bowl from the Marquis's residence and specially left one for Your Highness. If the poison was indeed from me, then this bowl must also be poisoned."
Zhao Yunzheng felt a warmth in his heart.
That silly woman, she's always thinking about herself.
She truly loved him to the core…
Such a lovely girl, yet so many people want to harm her!
He will definitely not let those who hurt Jiaojiao get away with it!
Zhao Yunzheng looked at Marquis Ningde, a hint of murderous intent appearing in his eyes: "In that case, let the doctor examine him."
Startled by that look, Marquis Ningde's hand trembled, and he spilled a few drops of milk tea.
The maid on the ground was dumbfounded, staring blankly at the milk tea in the hands of Marquis Ningde, completely at a loss.
Neither Lady Cheng nor Lady Yongkang expected that the food box had a hidden compartment.
The hidden compartment was originally designed to store important medicines or food, but unexpectedly it helped Xu Jiaojiao by some twist of fate.
Perhaps this is what it means for those who attain enlightenment to receive divine assistance.
On the other side, Cheng's expression turned ugly again.
Lady Yongkang's hand tightened slightly as she began to think of a solution.
The doctor quickly examined the silver needles and found that they had not turned black and there was no poison in the bowl.
The crowd erupted in uproar once again.
In just a few short minutes, the poisoning incident took many twists and turns, and it's unknown how things will change next.
Seeing the silver needles, Prince Chen breathed a sigh of relief, but the person who had poisoned him could no longer sit still.
Before Marquis Ningde could speak, Madam Cheng hurriedly interjected, "Who knows if you stole the bowl from the Marquis's residence beforehand?"
Xu Jiaojiao frowned slightly, looking at Madam Cheng with unbearable humiliation. She was both angry and annoyed, but even her temper seemed weak and powerless: "Madam Cheng, I have never offended you. Why are you pressing me so hard?"
Zhao Yunzheng was heartbroken. His sharp gaze fell on Cheng Shi, causing Cheng Shi to tighten her throat and fall silent instantly.
Xu Jiaojiao held back her tears that were about to fall and turned to look at Marquis Ningde: "My lord, there are more than one style of bowls in your residence, are there?"
Marquis Ningde nodded slightly: "That's natural."
Marquises like them naturally had a wide variety of porcelain in their homes.
Xu Jiaojiao sniffed, looked directly at Madam Cheng, and asked aggrievedly, "The bowls and spoons that the steward of the Marquis's mansion lent to my maid today were all the same style. Does Madam Cheng mean that the steward of the Marquis's mansion colluded with me in advance?"
Marquis Ningde had no desire to get involved in this hot potato, so he immediately distanced himself: "The steward of my manor is a veteran who has served me for decades and is loyal to me. He would never do such a thing as betraying his master!"
Cheng's face turned deathly pale in an instant, and she trembled like a leaf.
Her heart pounded like a drum, and after a long pause, she managed to choke out, "This poison... this poison must have been put on the spoon by your maid on the way here!"
At this point, anyone with a discerning eye can see the signs of what's going on.
"Hmm, Mrs. Cheng is being rather talkative today..."
"Why is she in such a hurry to convict Xu? Could she be involved in this matter?"
"No way? Why would she do that?"
"Who knows? Anyway, Madam Cheng is acting strangely today, quite unusually."
"Madam Cheng has always been known for her strong sense of justice and hatred of evil. Could it be that she wants to stand up for everyone?"
"I don't know, let's wait and see..."
"..."
Lady Yongkang's eyes darkened as she listened to these words.
We can't let the investigation continue, otherwise it will definitely implicate her.
Her deep, dark eyes looked at Madam Cheng, a hint of malice appearing in them.
This matter involves many people, especially the eldest princess, so someone must step forward to take full responsibility.
She didn't want to die, so she had no choice but to wrong Cheng Shi.
Anyway, Cheng was a fool, so he's dead. She'll burn more paper money for him.
Thinking of this, Lady Yongkang said calmly, "If that's the case, then why not have the servants find the spoon that the poisoned person used and examine it to find out if it's true or not?"
Lady Cheng's pupils dilated as she looked at Lady Yongkang in shock.
Xu Jiaojiao's spoons were not poisoned at all!
These poisons were put into the bowls and chopsticks used at the banquet for these distinguished guests!
Before the banquet began, Madam Cheng bribed a maid who served in the banquet hall of the Marquis's mansion to tamper with the bowls and chopsticks used by these nobles.
If this investigation were to happen, wouldn't everything be exposed?
Others may not know about this, but Lady Yongkang does!
Why did she still need someone to investigate?
Sensing Cheng's unease, Lady Yongkang reached under the table and gently patted Cheng's leg, telling her to calm down.
Although Madam Cheng was anxious, she had always trusted the Lady of Yongkang Marquis and assumed that the other party had really thought of a solution, so she remained silent.
Many people present also agreed to go find the spoon, so Marquis Ningde followed their lead and immediately ordered his servants to begin the search.
Taking advantage of this brief moment, Lady Yongkang leaned close to Madam Cheng's ear and whispered, "Do you remember that maid who served you? Quickly send someone to find her and have her find those spoons for you, then smear the poison on them! Remember, you must be quick! Make sure you find those spoons before anyone else!"
Madam Cheng suddenly realized why Lady Yongkang had ordered someone to investigate the spoon; that was her plan!
She knew that since she had such a good relationship with the Lady of Yongkang, the other party would never harm her!
She looked at Lady Yongkang with gratitude, then ordered her maid to go find someone, and stuffed the remaining Heartbreak Powder into the maid's hand, instructing her to do her best to handle the matter.
As Cheng's maid left, Lady Yongkang's gaze turned deep and unfathomable.
At this moment, countless eyes are fixed on Cheng Shi and Xu Jiaojiao; anyone who dares to make a rash move will leave themselves vulnerable.
Once this maid leaves the banquet hall, her death is imminent.
Lady Yongkang subtly withdrew her gaze, sat upright in her chair without uttering a word, and minimized her presence.
On the other side, Jia Rong, who had been staring at Madam Cheng and Lady Yongkang, narrowed her eyes and quietly tugged at her second brother's sleeve, signaling for someone to leave.
Zhao Yunzheng twirled his fingertips and gave Yingyi a look.
The latter nodded slightly, turned around, and quietly left the banquet hall.
Inside the banquet hall, everyone waited for a long time before the servants who had gone out to find spoons finally returned.
The leader, wiping sweat from his brow, panted and looked anxious: "Reporting to the Marquis, we've searched the entire manor, and all the bowls and spoons we lent out are gone!"
"What?!" Marquis Ningde's pupils dilated in shock: "How could this be?!"