From cute to empress

Chapter 162: Toxicity Suspicion

The night was cool, yet I felt a burning sensation. Zhen Youcai's presence enveloped me, his promise the most beautiful oath in the world, yet I couldn't accept it. The truth weighed on my heart like a huge rock, suffocating me.

I forced a smile and said, "Youcai, you've worked hard all the way. Go and have a rest first. We'll talk tomorrow."

He seemed to want to say something more, but finally nodded and turned to leave. Watching his back, my heart was like a knife.

I lay awake all night, my mind replaying every moment of my time with Zhen Youcai. His gentleness, his thoughtfulness, his bravery... could it be that all of this was fake?

No, I can't let myself be tortured by speculation and suspicion. I must get to the bottom of this!

The next morning, I summoned Divine Doctor Sun and Coroner Zhao to the palace. These two were the people I trusted most, and they were also the most crucial figures in the investigation of Zhen Youcai's life story.

"I am here to see you, Your Majesty."

"My two dear ministers, please stand up." I took a deep breath and told them the news that Prime Minister Li brought yesterday and my concerns.

Divine Doctor Sun and Coroner Zhao were both shocked after hearing this. After a long silence, Divine Doctor Sun slowly spoke, "Your Majesty, when I rescued General Zhen, he was seriously injured and unconscious. When he woke up, he had lost all his memories except his own name."

Coroner Zhao also said, "Your Majesty, based on General Zhen's injuries and his belongings, I concluded that he was not from our dynasty. However, I have no way of verifying his specific identity."

"Then according to your two dear ministers, Zhen Youcai..." I hesitated to speak, feeling uneasy.

Divine Doctor Sun stroked his beard and mused, "Your Majesty, I have been with General Zhen for many years, and judging by his words and deeds, he is not a treacherous person. Moreover, he has made great contributions to our dynasty over the years and has never had any second thoughts..."

Coroner Zhao also nodded in agreement: "Your Majesty, I also believe in General Zhen's character. Perhaps there is some misunderstanding."

Their answers made me feel a little relieved, but the doubts in my heart were not completely eliminated.

"I understand. My two beloved ministers, please withdraw first."

After seeing off Doctor Sun and Coroner Zhao, I paced back and forth in the imperial study alone.

Should I trust Zhen Youcai? Should I gamble the fate of my country and my own happiness?

No, I can't gamble! I still have my people, and I still have my responsibilities!

I took a deep breath, made up my mind, walked quickly to the desk, and wrote a secret letter...

I clutched the secret letter tightly in my hand, yet I hesitated to affix the imperial seal. Once this letter is sent, Zhen Youcai's army will be surrounded by our soldiers, and he will become a target of public criticism. If I don't do this, my dynasty will be in danger.

I paced anxiously in the hall, finally deciding to go see Zhen Youcai first. There were things I wanted to tell him in person.

I arrived at the side hall, where Zhen Youcai was waiting anxiously. He immediately came forward upon seeing me come in, and asked worriedly, "Mengmeng, what's wrong with you? What happened?"

I took a deep breath, suppressed the uneasiness in my heart, and said to him, "Youcai, there are some things I want to be honest with you."

I told him everything about the news Prime Minister Li had brought me, along with my concerns and worries. I looked at him, hoping to see a hint of panic, a hint of evasion, a hint of... a flaw that didn't belong to him.

However, he just listened quietly, without a trace of emotion in his eyes.

"Mengmeng, do you believe me?" he suddenly spoke, his tone firm and serious.

I looked at him, feeling mixed emotions.

He held my hand and continued, "I know this is very difficult for you, but I can assure you that I have no second thoughts about you or this country. I am willing to give up the throne and stand with you to protect our homeland."

I looked at him in disbelief. The sincerity and determination in his eyes made it impossible for me to doubt him.

"You...really want to do this?"

He nodded and said firmly, "I love you more than anything. I'd do anything for you."

He held me in his arms, and I could no longer hold back my tears, which burst out.

"You are talented, thank you..."

"Silly boy, do we even need to say thank you?"

I raised my head and looked at his resolute face, and suddenly an unprecedented strength surged in my heart.

"Talented, I..."

"Your Majesty! Something bad has happened!" Suddenly, the panicked voices of the guards could be heard from outside the palace...

The guard's exclamation interrupted the warmth between Zhen Youcai and me. My heart sank suddenly and an ominous premonition came over me.

"What happened? Why are you so panicked?" I tried to keep my voice steady and restore my imperial dignity.

"Your Majesty! Doctor Sun and Coroner Zhao request to see you. They say they have something important to report..." The guard's voice was trembling and intermittent.

My eyes met Zhen Youcai's, and we both saw a solemn expression in each other's eyes. Could it be... related to what was mentioned in the secret letter?

"Xuan!" I took a deep breath and tried to keep myself calm.

A moment later, Doctor Sun and Coroner Zhao hurried into the hall. Both of them had serious expressions on their faces, which was very different from their usual calmness.

"I see your Majesty!"

"Excuse me, my dear ministers, why are you in such a hurry? What's the important matter you want to report?"

Doctor Sun and Coroner Zhao exchanged glances, and finally, Coroner Zhao stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, we, following your Majesty's order, have examined Prime Minister Li's body and discovered..."

He paused, as if choosing his words, and my heart tightened with his pause.

"It was discovered... Prime Minister Li didn't die of illness, but rather, died of poisoning!"

"Poisoned?!" I exclaimed, and the atmosphere in the hall instantly dropped to freezing point.

"Have you found out who did it?" Zhen Youcai's voice sounded beside me, steady and powerful, but it couldn't hide a hint of anger.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, according to the deduction of this minister and Divine Doctor Sun, this poison is not from our dynasty. It should be... should be from..." Coroner Zhao hesitated again, his eyes flickering, as if he dared not say it out loud.

"Speak!" I shouted sharply, already having a bad guess in my mind.

"It should be from... the northern border..." The voice of Zhao the coroner became lower and lower, almost inaudible.

My body swayed and I almost fell. Zhen Youcai quickly reached out to support me. His hands were warm and strong, but they couldn't dispel the chill in my heart.

Northern Xinjiang...it's actually Northern Xinjiang!

Everything connected at this moment: the secret letter, Prime Minister Li's death, the poison in Northern Xinjiang... all of it pointed to a terrifying truth - this rebellion was not accidental, but a carefully planned conspiracy! And Zhen Youcai was the victim of this conspiracy!

"Your Majesty..." Zhen Youcai looked at me worriedly, his eyes full of heartache and self-blame.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my surging emotions, and looked up at him with determination in my eyes.

"Pass the order and gather all civil and military officials. I have an important announcement to make!"

……

In the Golden Palace, civil and military officials gathered together, and the atmosphere was unusually solemn. Everyone's eyes were focused on me, waiting for me to announce this sudden decree.

I slowly stood up and looked around, my gaze finally landing on Zhen Youcai. He stood at the head of all the civil and military officials, his expression calm, but a determined light gleamed in his eyes.

"My dear ministers, I have summoned you all here today to announce two things." My voice echoed throughout the empty hall. "First, Prime Minister Li did not die of illness; he was poisoned! And this poison came from the Northern Frontier!"

As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar in the palace.

I ignored everyone's comments and continued, "Secondly, I want to introduce someone to you today—the current great general protecting the nation, Zhen Youcai!"

I pointed at Zhen Youcai beside me and said word by word, "He is the biological son of the King of Northern Frontier!"

As soon as I finished speaking, the entire Golden Palace fell silent. Everyone looked at me in shock, then at Zhen Youcai, as if they couldn't believe their ears. I knew how much pressure and suspicion I would endure if I revealed Zhen Youcai's identity, but for him, for our future, I had to do this!

"I know many of you have doubts, even dissatisfaction." I looked around, my tone firm, "But I can assure you that General Zhen is loyal to me, the court, and the people! He has never considered hiding his identity. It is I who asked him to keep it secret for the time being, so that we can find out the truth about Li Chengyu's murder!"

My eyes swept across the ministers who looked skeptical, and finally stopped on Zhen Youcai. The determination and affection in his eyes gave me infinite strength.

"The King of Northern Frontier is ambitious and intends to provoke war, but General Zhen is wise and has turned from evil to good, helping me to quell the rebellion. Isn't such a righteous act worthy of reward?" I raised my voice and asked in a resounding voice.

My words echoed in the hall for a long time. The ministers looked at each other, whispered among themselves, and finally lowered their heads, not daring to raise any more objections.

I declare Zhen Youcai not guilty and restore his official position. At the same time, I order a thorough investigation into the murder case of Li Chengxiang and vow to bring the mastermind behind the scenes to justice!

My actions not only won the support of the people at home, but also made neighboring countries realize that the unity between Zhen Youcai and I is unshakable, and their desire for peace has become stronger.

Just as the two sides were about to reach a peace agreement, a new crisis quietly arrived.

"Your Majesty, I have a secret report!" A man dressed as a secret guard knelt on one knee in front of me and spoke in a low voice.

"Speak." I put down the memorial in my hand, feeling a little uneasy.

"The envoys from the neighboring country are ostensibly here to seek peace, but they actually have other purposes..." The secret guard lowered his voice, leaned close to my ear, and told me all the information he had gathered.

My face became increasingly ugly, and my hands unconsciously tightened around the armrests.

"They... actually dared..." I gritted my teeth, my heart burning with anger.

"Your Majesty, please consider the overall situation!" the secret guard reminded in a low voice.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my surging emotions, and my eyes gradually became sharp.

"Pass the order down, strengthen the guard, no one is allowed to approach the peace envoys without my order!"

"Yes!" The secret guard took the order and left.

I looked at the dark night sky outside the window, my heart filled with anxiety and worry.

"Zhen Lang, do you think this war can really be avoided?" I murmured to myself.

Outside the window, a dark shadow flashed by and disappeared into the night...