Chapter 498: Chapter 498: She is My Strong Support

These symptoms, they all suggest poisoning.

Jiang Ning frowned, feeling a sense of anxiety.

In this deep palace, it seemed like an invisible hand was pushing the development of the entire incident, but she was temporarily unable to investigate, and could only passively follow the flow of events.

She disliked this feeling greatly.

The anxious Emperor kept questioning the Imperial Physician.

After discussing in whispers with his colleagues, the Dean of the Imperial Medical Academy finally spoke up.

“Your Majesty, it appears that Concubine Jin has been poisoned,” he said.

“Poison?” The Emperor’s face changed drastically. He turned to the maids who were usually close to Concubine Jin and said, “You scoundrels, how did you serve her? Who dares to harm Concubine Jin?

All the eunuchs and the maidservants knelt down in unison.

The Dean further added, “Your Majesty, we should investigate what Concubine Jin has consumed recently, so that we can identify the poison and provide appropriate treatment.”

“Investigate it back to its roots!” the Emperor ordered.

Through the investigation, they pinpointed Jiang Ning as the likely suspect.

Because before Concubine Jin fainted, she was eating food, cooked by Jiang Ning herself and delivered by Li Hongyuan.

The Emperor’s gaze turned towards Jiang Ning and Li Zhongci.

Li Hongyuan frowned, glancing at Jiang Ning.

“Are you suspecting me?” Jiang Ning looked shocked, “Heaven can testify. You and Xiaoqian have eaten the same food I cooked. If it was truly poisoned, why are you still fine? Moreover, why would I hurt Concubine Jin? She holds my place in court, I should be flattering her instead of hurting her.”

The Emperor slammed on the table and said, “You are full of excuses! These days Concubine Jin has lost her appetite. She has mostly been consuming the food prepared by you. How can you say that you are not responsible!”

Jiang Ning ridiculed, “Even if I cooked the dishes, it was your son who delivered it. Why do you not suspect him of poisoning in the meanwhile?”

Li Hongyuan was taken aback by her accusation.

“Why would the Crown Prince harm his own mother?” The Emperor questioned.

“And why would I harm my own mother-in-law?” retorted Jiang Ning. “Let’s be honest, during this period, hasn’t Concubine Jin been treating me the best? She treats me even better than her own son. Why would I harm her?”

The Emperor was infuriated by her words. “You have such a slick tongue! I did not conclude your crime, why are you protesting so much!”

“Even if they wrongly accuse me, do I not have the right to defend myself?”

“Princess Consort, please say less and not infuriate His Majesty,” the Empress said, attempting to stop Jiang Ning.

Her tone was rather gentle.

The Empress knew very well that besides Concubine Jin and Jiang Ning, no one else would dare to speak to the Emperor this way.

The underlying reason was that they both bore resemblance to a certain someone.

The Empress used to be jealous of them, but as the years passed by, she took it lightly.

Jealousy was pointless.

Her face could not compare to theirs.

At this moment, a maidservant rushed forth, “Your Highness has regained consciousness!”

The Emperor quickly turned and sat by the bed, taking Concubine Jin’s hand in his. “Zhuzhu, you are finally awake. How do you feel?”

Concubine Jin appeared feeble. Her usually beautiful and rosy face had turned pale and had even slightly swelled up.

But the Emperor could not see it. He was only nervously staring at her face.

Concubine Jin seemed rather indifferent, she did not respond to the Emperor’s excitement.

She did not respond to his inquiries, and even withdrew her hand from the Emperor’s grip. She shifted her gaze towards Li Hongyuan and Jiang Ning..