From cute to empress

Chapter 155: Antidote

"A thorough investigation of General Zhen? A true disciple of Qingyun Temple, tell me how I'm going to investigate this thoroughly?" I suppressed my anger and asked word by word. This Taoist priest's appearance was strange, and his rhetoric was very skillful in inciting public anger. I wanted to see what he was up to.

“If Your Majesty really wants to conduct a thorough investigation, you should start with General Zhen’s deputy generals, or even his personal soldiers, and find out why they were able to come back alive, while General Zhen…” The Taoist wanted to say more, but was interrupted by a thunderous cheer.

"General! General Zhen is back!"

"General! I'm so glad you're okay!"

I looked up suddenly and saw a procession of people galloping towards the palace in the distance, a cloud of dust rising. At the front, a black horse stood out, and the rider was tall and straight. Even from such a distance, I recognized him immediately: Zhen Youcai!

He is back!

At this moment, my heart seemed to have finally found a home, and all my worries and anxieties turned into endless joy.

The crowd spontaneously made way for me. Zhen Youcai dismounted, walked quickly to my front, knelt on one knee, and said in a loud voice, "I have fulfilled my mission and quelled the rebellion on the border. However..." He paused, a hint of sadness in his tone, "The soldiers suffered heavy casualties. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"My dear, please get up quickly! Your safe return is a great achievement. What crime have you committed?" I personally stepped forward to help Zhen Youcai up, and glanced at him. Seeing that he was fine except for being a little tired, a big stone in my heart finally fell to the ground.

"Your Majesty..." Zhen Youcai looked up at me, our eyes met, and all the words he had to say turned into this affectionate gaze at this moment.

"Ahem..." Eunuch Li coughed twice at the right moment, breaking the slightly ambiguous atmosphere. I realized then that we were still outside the palace gates, the eyes of the people around us focused on us, and my cheeks couldn't help but flush slightly.

"Pass on my order and return to the palace!"

Returning to the imperial study and dismissing my attendants, I was finally able to express my concerns without hesitation: "Youcai, I'm so glad you're okay! What are those rumors about? Who is behind them spreading them?"

"Your Majesty, rest assured. I have found some clues." Zhen Youcai said solemnly, "The person spreading the rumors is colluding with the rebels on the border. I suspect the person behind this is in the court!"

"What?" I was shocked. "You mean, someone wants to take advantage of this opportunity to start a war and overthrow our dynasty?"

"That's exactly what I meant." Zhen Youcai nodded. "Also, I discovered something..."

He lowered his voice and whispered in my ear, "I suspect that this border rebellion and the plague that broke out in the capital are both related to the same person..."

"You mean..." My pupils shrank suddenly, "County Magistrate Li?"

"That's right," Zhen Youcai said solemnly, "I have already sent someone to escort County Magistrate Li back to the capital. He will arrive soon."

"Alright!" I stood up suddenly, a cold light flashing in my eyes, "This time, I will never tolerate evil again!"

As he was speaking, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door, followed by the voice of Zhao the Coroner: "Your Majesty, I have an important matter to report!"

"Xuan!" My heart was in my throat, and a premonition came to my mind. This matter was indeed related to County Magistrate Li.

Coroner Zhao hurried into the imperial study, fell to his knees, and presented a silk scroll with both hands: "Your Majesty, I have been ordered to examine the bodies of several poisoned civilians in the city, and I have made a significant discovery! Before being poisoned, they had all taken a drug called 'Biluo San', and this drug came from the residence of County Magistrate Li!"

"It's him!" I slammed the table and stood up, seething with rage. All my previous suspicions were finally confirmed. County Magistrate Li, he was so audacious, treating the lives of ordinary people like worthless grass! "Is the evidence conclusive?" I asked in a deep voice, suppressing my anger.

"Absolutely true!" Zhao the coroner kowtowed. "I also discovered residues of 'Biluo Powder' in the blood of these people. This poison is extremely rare, and the recipe is known only to Dr. Sun at Magistrate Li's residence!"

"What a great Magistrate Li, what a great Doctor Sun!" I gritted my teeth, a cold glint in my eyes. "I've treated them well, yet they're repaying my kindness with such ingratitude!"

"Your Majesty, calm down!" Zhen Youcai stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Now that the evidence is irrefutable, we must act swiftly to bring Magistrate Li to justice and appease the public anger!"

"You're right." I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. "Pass on my order. Secretly summon the six ministers and the nine governors to the palace to discuss matters tonight!"

Night fell, its darkness as dark as ink, masking the undercurrents surging within the palace. The imperial study was brightly lit, yet the atmosphere was suffocatingly solemn. The ministers of the six ministries, the governors of the nine gates, and others sat solemnly on either side, their faces etched with shock and disbelief.

"My dear ministers, I have summoned you here today to discuss a matter of utmost urgency." I sat on the dragon throne, my gaze sweeping over the crowd. "The evidence is irrefutable that County Magistrate Li is colluding with foreign enemies and plotting rebellion. I have decided..." I paused, emphasizing my words, "Immediately arrest County Magistrate Li and thoroughly investigate this matter!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" everyone responded in unison.

Next, Zhen Youcai and I explained Li Junshou's crimes in detail to everyone and formulated a thorough plan. To prevent Li Junshou from becoming desperate and harming the people in the city, we decided to secretly seize Li Junshou's mansion, then announce Li Junshou's crimes to the public and send the Imperial Guards to maintain order in the city.

"Remember, this operation must be swift, accurate, and ruthless. No word can leak out!" I warned in a deep voice. "Otherwise, if we alert the enemy, the consequences will be disastrous!"

"We obey your order!" Everyone responded in unison.

As the night deepened, a storm was about to sweep in… I looked up at the dark night sky outside the window and prayed silently in my heart: Dr. Sun, I hope you can bring me more surprises…

The flickering candlelight in the imperial study illuminated my anxious face. Outside the window, the wind blew violently and the rain poured down, as if foreshadowing the severity of the storm.

"Your Majesty! Divine Doctor Sun requests to see you!" A young eunuch rushed in, breaking the solemn atmosphere in the imperial study.

I stood up suddenly and walked quickly to the door, "Hurry up and announce it!"

Divine Doctor Sun hurried in, his face showing a hint of fatigue, but more of an unconcealed joy. "Your Majesty, I have lived up to your trust and have finally developed an antidote to 'Biluo Powder'!"

I excitedly grabbed Dr. Sun's hand and said, "Great! Dr. Sun, you saved the people!"

Divine Doctor Sun quickly said, "This is what this old minister should do. For all these years, I have been coerced by County Magistrate Li to develop poison for him. Now I finally have the opportunity to atone for my sins. I am very relieved!"

I nodded and immediately ordered the antidote to be distributed to treat the poisoned people. Soon, the good news of the people's recovery came from the city, and my heart finally settled down.

To completely thwart Li Jun's plot, Zhen Youcai and I decided to use his own strategy. We announced a border emergency and requested Li Jun's immediate support. We also held a farewell banquet in his honor at the palace.

On the day of the banquet, County Magistrate Li arrived at the palace unprepared. Dressed in military uniform and with a smug smile on his face, he was completely unaware of the approaching danger.

"Marquis Li, I offer you a toast!" I raised the glass and looked at him with a smile.

County Magistrate Li was flattered and took the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"Mr. Li, I have another gift for you." I put down my wine glass and clapped my hands.

As soon as he finished speaking, several guards came in, escorting a man.

"Sun...Sun the Divine Doctor?!" County Magistrate Li looked at the person in front of him in disbelief, his face turning pale in an instant.

Divine Doctor Sun walked to the center of the hall, pointed at County Magistrate Li, and tearfully accused him of his crimes: "Your Majesty, County Magistrate Li has colluded with foreign enemies and intended to rebel. He also forced me, an old minister, to develop poison for him, and has harmed the people. His crimes are unforgivable!"

County Magistrate Li was immediately panicked. He pointed at Divine Doctor Sun and argued incoherently, "You... you're talking nonsense! When did I..."

Before he could finish his words, Zhen Youcai rushed into the hall with a team of imperial guards and surrounded County Magistrate Li and his followers.

"Marquis Li, do you have anything else to say?" I looked at him coldly with an icy tone.

Li Junzhe collapsed to the ground dejectedly. He knew that he was finished...

I slowly stood up and looked around. Everyone's eyes were fixed on me, filled with admiration, fear, and... anticipation. County Magistrate Li collapsed to the ground, his once high spirits gone. He hung his head helplessly like a defeated rooster. I felt no joy, only deep exhaustion. The cruelty of the power struggle, the wickedness of human nature, was far more complex than I had imagined.

"Come here, take County Magistrate Li and his accomplices to the Sky Prison and await their fate!" I gave the order, and the guards rushed forward like wolves and tigers, dragging County Magistrate Li and his companions away.

In the hall, only Zhen Youcai, I, and a few guards were left. I turned to look at him, the man I loved so deeply. His face was filled with fatigue, but his eyes were still firm and gentle.

"Youcai, thank you for your hard work." I walked up to him and gently held his hand.

"It is my honor to share your majesty's worries." He held my hand in return, with stars twinkling in his eyes.

I took a deep breath, turned to face the empty hall, and announced loudly, "Pass the order down! County Magistrate Li was attempting rebellion and has been captured. He will be publicly tried at Caishikou at noon tomorrow!"

My voice echoed in the empty hall for a long time.

As the news spread, the capital erupted in jubilation. People spontaneously took to the streets, singing and dancing to celebrate the victory. They chanted, "Your Majesty is wise, General Zhen is mighty," their faces beaming with joy.

I know this victory was hard-won, earned at the cost of the blood and lives of countless loyal officials and generals. I secretly vowed to be a wise ruler and protect this hard-earned peace and tranquility.

In the evening, Zhen Youcai accompanied me back to the palace. I lay exhausted on the bed, and he sat beside me, gently massaging my temples.

"Your Majesty, you haven't had a good rest for several days. Go to bed early." His voice was low and gentle, like a breeze, soothing the anxiety in my heart.

I closed my eyes, felt his tenderness, and gradually fell asleep.

In my dream, I returned to the modern era, to that familiar yet strange world. I saw my parents and my friends, all smiling and waving at me...

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..." I heard a hurried call in my ears. I suddenly opened my eyes and found myself still lying in the bedroom. Zhen Youcai was looking at me anxiously.

"What's wrong?" I rubbed my sleepy eyes and asked.

"Your Majesty, the coroner Zhao requests to see you and says he has something important to report." He looked solemn and spoke in a hurried tone.

A bad feeling suddenly rose in my heart, "Xuan!"