Vice Minister Chen stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Li departed three days ago to inspect the western army under General Li Feng's command. He sends word that there have been.…complications with supply routes to the northern front. He felt his personal oversight was required."
"How convenient," someone muttered from the back of the hall.
The Emperor's expression darkened. "Convenient indeed. The Prime Minister leaves to inspect his son's army just days before poison appears in my palace." His voice was measured. "Minister Chen, you will send urgent word to Prime Minister Li that his presence is required at court. Immediately. I don't care about supply routes. He has three days to return, or I will consider his continued absence an admission of guilt."
Minister Chen's face went pale. "Y-yes, Your Majesty. I will dispatch riders at once."
"See that you do." The Emperor's eyes narrowed. "And until Prime Minister Li returns to answer questions, his ministry will be under direct imperial supervision. Vice Minister Chen, you will report all activities to me personally."
"With respect, Your Majesty," Vice Minister Chen said carefully, his voice shaking slightly, "the symptoms described by the foreign physician, perhaps they require verification by our Imperial Physicians? Lady Su's methods are.…unconventional."
"The patient is alive because of her unconventional methods," Prince Zhao Yifeng interrupted smoothly. "Unless you would prefer he died so we couldn't question him about who poisoned him? Or why he was poisoned?"
Minister Chen's mouth snapped shut, his face going from pale to ashen.
"Caution is wise," the Empress Dowager Ruolan said suddenly.
She sat serene and beautiful on her throne, her face a perfect mask of concern. But Prince Zhao Yifeng knew that mask, had grown up watching it.
"These are troubling times," she continued, her voice soft but loud enough for the hall to hear. "War in the north. Unrest in the provinces. Foreign influences entering our palace." Her eyes shifted to Prince Zhao Yifeng briefly. "We must remain calm. Investigate thoroughly. But we must not let fear rule us."
Prince Zhao Yifeng watched his grandmother carefully.
She looked too calm. It was almost as though she had been expecting this news.
He turned his gaze away, keeping that observation for later. His grandmother had attempted many things over the years to consolidate power, to control him, to eliminate threats. He wouldn't put it past her to orchestrate something like this.
But poison in the palace kitchens was sloppy. Dangerous. Too many potential targets, including himself.
Unless.…..
Unless someone wanted chaos. Wanted the palace in an uproar. Wanted suspicion and fear to spread.
To what end?
"We will investigate thoroughly," the Emperor declared. "Double the guard. Test all food before serving. Summon the Imperial Physicians to examine the victim and confirm Lady Su's diagnosis." He paused, his expression hardening. "And I want that foreign physician examined. Make sure she is not involved in this incident."
Prince Zhao Yifeng's jaw tightened. "Father Emperor, Lady Su saved the man's life—"
"And her arrival has coincided with increased incidents in the palace. First the attack on your brother. Now this." The Emperor's eyes were hard. "I want her questioned. Properly."
No.
"Father, I will vouch for her character—"
"Your vouching is not required." The Emperor's tone was final. "General Wei will handle the interrogation. Until her innocence is confirmed, she is to be confined to her quarters under guard. This court is dismissed."
The officials began filing out, their whispers filling the hall like a swarm of locusts.
"Prime Minister Li absent on the very day of a poisoning—"
"Too convenient by half—"
"But what about the foreign woman—"
"The Second Prince brings her, then disaster follows—"
Prince Zhao Yifeng stood frozen, fury coursing through him.
They were going to question her. Interrogate her. Treat her like a criminal when she had just saved a man's life.
He caught General Wei's eye as the old warrior passed. The General gave him a subtle nod.
She'll be treated fairly, the nod said. I'll make sure of it.