ebookland Chapter 289 True Chapter Pill
Chapter 289 True Chapter Pill
Chapter 289 Truth Pill
Upon hearing Consort Li's words, the Empress Dowager frowned deeply, as if she could trap a fly in her brow. She felt increasingly that there was something strange about the matter.
Her gaze shifted back and forth between Su Yinyin and Li Cairen, her eyes filled with scrutiny and contemplation.
She slowly opened her mouth and said, "Lady Li, I have always thought you were well-behaved and sensible. What happened today is really beyond my expectations."
You'd better tell the truth and stop making pointless excuses.
If it truly has nothing to do with you, I will certainly clear your name.
But if you truly commit such a heinous act, I will not tolerate it and will punish you severely without leniency.
The emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, his face as gloomy as the sky before a storm.
Lightning and thunder could strike at any moment; his eyes were wide open in anger, like a raging lion.
He stared intently at Lady Li and shouted sternly, "Lady Li, I'm giving you one last chance. Do you really know nothing about this matter?"
"If you dare to deceive the Emperor, I will surely cast you into the Cold Palace, so that you may never rise again, and repent for your sins in that dark and sunless place!"
At this moment, Li Cairen's mind was in a state of panic, and large beads of sweat kept rolling down her forehead, soaking her temples.
But she still clung to a sliver of hope, fantasizing that she might be able to get away with it. So, gritting her teeth, she said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I am truly innocent! There must be some enormous misunderstanding involved. I beg Your Majesty and Empress Dowager to investigate thoroughly!"
Seeing that Consort Li still refused to admit it even in this state, Su Yinyin couldn't help but sneer inwardly. She slightly turned her head and gave the Regent a wink.
The regent was incredibly astute and immediately understood, ordering his men to bring the maidservant before everyone.
Su Yinyin calmly took out a delicate little bottle from her sleeve. The bottle was smooth and translucent, shimmering with a soft light under the candlelight.
Inside was a pill that emitted a strange light, which was the "Divine Physician's Truth Pill" she had mentioned.
She raised the bottle high and said in a clear and loud voice, "Listen up, everyone! This pill in my hand is the Divine Physician's Truth-Telling Pill. It is incredibly magical. After taking it, you will involuntarily tell the truth."
Whether this maid was acting under Lady Li's orders or not, a single test will tell.
Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately began to whisper among themselves, casting curious and surprised glances at this miraculous elixir.
Whispers spread like a tide throughout the hall, everyone filled with curiosity and anticipation about the miraculous effects of the elixir.
Upon hearing the words "Divine Doctor's Truth-Telling Pill," Li Cairen's face instantly turned ashen, devoid of any color, and a deep despair flashed in her eyes.
She knew perfectly well that once the maid took the pill, her carefully planned conspiracy would be completely exposed, and she would be doomed.
With steady steps, Su Yinyin slowly walked to the maid, gently opened the bottle, and a strange fragrance immediately filled the air.
She looked at the maid with a hint of authority and scrutiny in her eyes and said, "If you don't confess, I'll have no choice but to make you take this pill."
"Then you'll have no say in what you say. Tell the truth now, and perhaps there's still a glimmer of hope."
The maid stared at the pill in horror, her body trembling uncontrollably like a leaf.
She knew in her heart that if she took this pill, everything she and Lady Li had done would be exposed to everyone without reservation.
But at this moment, under the powerful intimidation of Su Yinyin and the Regent, she dared not remain silent.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally couldn't bear the fear in her heart and broke down crying, her voice trembling with sobs as she cried out, "Princess, spare me! Your Highness, spare me! It was indeed Lady Li who instructed me to do it."
She ordered her maid to carve curse words on the bottom of the Empress Dowager's longevity noodles.
When Lady Li heard that her maid had confessed, she was so angry that she trembled violently, like a leaf in the wind. She pointed her finger at the maid.
Her voice was shrill as she cursed, "You wretched servant, how dare you betray me! I have always treated you well, providing you with the best food and drink, why would you frame me like this! Where is your conscience!"
Su Yinyin looked coldly at Consort Li, her eyes filled with disdain and anger, and said, "Now that things have come to this, do you still want to deny it? This maid has already admitted it herself, the evidence is irrefutable, what else do you have to say?"
Li Cairen collapsed to the ground, her eyes vacant and lifeless, as if her soul had left her body. She knew she was powerless to argue, and everything was beyond redemption.
But the resentment in her heart burned like a raging fire, growing ever stronger. Suddenly, she raised her head and glared fiercely at Su Yinyin.
She said through gritted teeth, "Princess Protector, I only failed to bow to you, why are you so determined to frame me?"
"You must have bribed my maid to fabricate this lie to slander me. You are truly narrow-minded, despicable, and utterly shameless!"
Su Yinyin frowned slightly, puzzled as to why Li Cairen harbored such resentment towards her; it was simply beyond reason.
She stared at Consort Li, her gaze probing, and asked, "I have never met you before. Even though I said some harsh words to you, the hatred in your eyes is truly illogical. Since Consort Li is unwilling to be honest, why not give it a try!"
When Li Cairen heard Su Yinyin ask her to try the Truth Pill, she was so frightened that her face turned even paler, as white as a sheet of paper, completely devoid of color.
She was truly terrified. If the Truth Pill was real, then her conspiracy with others to frame Su Yinyin would be exposed.
Once the truth comes out, not only will she be finished, but her entire family will also be doomed.
She was filled with remorse, unable to understand how she could have been so blinded by sweet talk and cooperated with the other party, only to end up in this predicament.
Thinking of this, Li Cairen felt a wave of despair. She shook her head repeatedly, her voice trembling with tears, and said, "No...no, I won't eat it. Every word I said was the truth, not a single lie!"
When the emperor saw that Consort Li was so stubborn and unyielding, he was furious and slammed his hand on the table, making the cups and saucers on the table rattle loudly.
He shouted, "You're still so stubborn! Why don't you confess now? Do you think you can escape punishment by denying it like this?"
The Empress Dowager's face was also frosty, like ice and snow in winter, her eyes filled with disappointment and anger. She said, "Consort Li, I ask myself, I have never made things difficult for you, and I have always been kind to you."
Yet you have committed such a heinous act, and still show no remorse. This has utterly disappointed and pained me deeply.
Looking at the collapsed Li Cairen, Su Yinyin couldn't help but ponder. The intense hatred Li Cairen harbored for her must have some hidden story behind it.
But at this moment, the most urgent task is to deal with the immediate issues.
She turned around and respectfully said to the Emperor and Empress Dowager, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, it seems that Consort Li is determined not to speak."
Perhaps we should let Li Cairen take the Truth Pill from Yin Yin; maybe that will make her reveal the truth.
Perhaps we really have wronged Lady Li.
The emperor nodded slightly, a resolute look in his eyes, and said, "Very well, in that case, I will trouble Princess Protector of the Nation."
"I want to see who is stirring up trouble behind the scenes, daring to commit so many outrageous acts at such an important occasion as the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet."