Chapter 628: Hiding Poison

Chapter 628: Chapter 628: Hiding Poison

Ye Chutang pondered for a moment, then inspected the room once more.

Other than a few bloody scratches Xiao Lansi had clawed into the bedframe before her death, there was truly nothing else out of the ordinary.

The Imperial Guard members assigned to watch the area gave the same answer as the palace servant—they had heard nothing last night.

Xiao Lansi had even eaten her dinner as usual, no different from any other day.

After finishing her investigation, Ye Chutang ordered them to seal off Yaohua Palace and returned to Qiyuan Hall.

She reported everything she had seen and heard to Emperor Muwu.

Emperor Muwu’s brow furrowed. "So you’re saying she died from poison?"

Ye Chutang paused. "It looks like arsenic."

"Looks like?"

"Yes." Ye Chutang lowered her gaze. "I only conducted a simple examination, not an autopsy on Princess Yuhe, so I can only make a rough guess. However, I can confirm that she likely breathed her last in the early morning hours. She also endured immense suffering before her death, but for some reason, she bore it all in silence, not making a single sound. That’s why no one realized something was wrong until a servant went to deliver her breakfast this morning."

Emperor Muwu’s frown deepened. "Are you saying she killed herself?"

Ye Chutang shook her head. "I do not know."

Emperor Muwu narrowed his eyes and asked in a low voice, "Then where did she get the poison?"

Ye Chutang paused.

"The poison must have been hidden in her teeth for some time, which is why it wasn’t found during the previous body search."

"Hidden in her teeth?"

Emperor Muwu laughed in a fit of fury.

"She’s really something else! A Princess of the court, resorting to such sinister tricks! What, did she have a guilty conscience and prepare in advance, just in case her crimes were exposed?! She got off easy by dying!"

Ye Chutang remained silent.

It wasn’t hard to understand why Emperor Muwu was so enraged.

He had never been fond of this daughter who had Alien Clan blood, and just recently, she had been exposed for committing numerous outrageous and evil deeds.

Emperor Muwu was already harboring deep resentment toward her.

Even if she hadn’t died today, Emperor Muwu wouldn’t have let her live much longer.

But Xiao Lansi’s sudden suicide had undoubtedly put Emperor Muwu in a bind.

No matter how furious he was, there was nothing he could do about it now.

But in the end, Emperor Muwu couldn’t just swallow his anger.

His face was grim as he gave a cold command, "Relay my imperial decree! Xiao Lansi framed her own brother and took her life to escape punishment. Her crimes are unforgivable! As of today, she is to be expunged from the Royal Family’s records! Furthermore, she is forbidden from being buried in the Imperial Mausoleum!"

...

「An hour later.」

Ye Chutang left the palace and headed home in a carriage with Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu studied her with a hint of curiosity.

’Why does my sister seem so preoccupied? Did something happen at the palace today?’

They hadn’t gone far when the shrill voice of a eunuch urging someone on came from outside.

"Hurry it up, will you?"

Xiao Wu moved closer and lifted a corner of the curtain, peering out through the gap.

Ye Chutang’s gaze flickered. She looked at Xiao Wu’s little face, his eyes wide as he looked outside, and raised an eyebrow slightly.

Xiao Wu, however, saw nothing wrong. After getting a clear look at the scene, he blinked, turned back to Ye Chutang, and even pointed for her to see.

Ye Chutang looked out and saw several palace servants hastily carrying a body wrapped in a straw mat.

A lock of long hair hung down, suggesting it was a woman, and a corner of a luxurious-looking garment was faintly visible.

Such sights were not uncommon in the palace.

If she wasn’t mistaken, the person inside... was Xiao Lansi.

Ye Chutang withdrew her gaze.

’Who would have thought that a dignified Princess would meet such a fate?’

The carriage continued onward, moving further and further away.

Suddenly, Ye Chutang’s heart skipped a beat.

"Wait!"