On the day of the Empress Dowager's birthday, the Forbidden City seemed to be enveloped in auspiciousness, as if emerging from ancient legends. The towering vermilion palace walls, sculpted by the passage of time, exuded an air of solemn dignity. Along the walls, palace lanterns adorned with patterns of dragons and phoenixes soaring together, as well as cranes and pines symbolizing longevity, were hung in an orderly manner. The flickering candlelight merged with the rising sun, casting a dreamlike radiance on the glazed tiles, embellishing the palaces with both solemnity and a festive atmosphere. As the gentle breeze blew, the faint fragrance of sandalwood drifted, seemingly carrying the prayers of all the people, devoutly blessing the Empress Dowager on her birthday, adding a touch of tranquility to the solemn occasion.
Entering the Hall of Supreme Harmony, among the carved beams and painted rafters, exquisite silk fabrics swayed gently in the wind, as if whispering the nobility and glory of the imperial family. Envoys from various countries, dressed in diverse and luxurious attire, gathered here, adding a unique liveliness and diversity to the banquet. The envoys from the Western Regions wore long robes embroidered with exotic patterns. Gems embedded among the fine stitches sparkled brightly under the lights, and curved sabers inlaid with large gems hung at their waists, exuding a bold and unruly charm reminiscent of the desert winds in every gesture. The envoys from Southeast Asia wore bright and elegant gauze garments. The soft fabric fluttered like the clouds in the sky, and they wore towering and resplendent golden crowns adorned with dazzling jewels, moving with a graceful and mysterious rhythm, carrying the agility of the ocean. With sincere smiles on their faces, they respectfully held carefully prepared congratulatory gifts in their hands and showered the Empress Dowager with auspicious words. "May the Empress Dowager's blessings be as boundless as the eastern sea and her longevity exceed that of the southern mountains!" "May the Empress Dowager enjoy good health and the imperial dynasty endure for generations to come!" The words of congratulations echoed continuously.
In the hall, a dazzling array of delicacies was displayed. The roasted suckling pigeons had a golden - brown, crispy skin that crackled with a "crunch" at the slightest bite, revealing tender meat that melted in the mouth. The steamed perch was served with a savory broth, garnished with green scallions and bright red wolfberries, a perfect combination of color, aroma, and taste. The rich aroma of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall filled every corner of the hall. Ingredients such as abalone, sea cucumber, and shark fin, after long hours of stewing, blended their flavors perfectly, making mouths water. The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments drifted gently from the corners of the hall. The harmonious melodies of the qin and se were like a gurgling stream, while the plucking of the pipa resembled pearls falling on a jade plate, each note tugging at the heartstrings like the music of the gods. Everyone was immersed in this joyous and peaceful atmosphere, raising their glasses frequently. Laughter and cheerful voices echoed in every corner of the hall as they jointly wished the Empress Dowager a long and prosperous life.
Just as the banquet reached its climax and everyone was lost in the merriment, an unexpected incident occurred. A Western Regions envoy, who had been chatting with others with a broad smile, holding a wine cup in his hand and enthusiastically recounting the wonders of the Western Regions, suddenly clutched his throat with both hands. His face contorted in excruciating pain, as if being squeezed by an invisible hand, turning grotesque and terrifying. Beads of sweat the size of soybeans rolled down his forehead, soaking his clothes. His eyes widened in horror and agony, as if conveying endless despair. Then, with a "wow," he spat out white foam, and his body fell backward uncontrollably, hitting the ground with a loud "thud." The dull sound made the hearts of those around him tremble, and time seemed to stand still.
"Ah!" A palace maid let out a terrified scream, and this scream sliced through the peaceful atmosphere like a sharp blade. The entire hall instantly descended into chaos. The palace maids and eunuchs turned deathly pale with fright. Some stood rooted to the spot, their eyes filled with
fear and confusion, muttering to themselves, "What should we do?" Others scurried about in a panic, their hasty footsteps knocking over cups and plates on the tables. The sounds of breaking porcelain and spilling wine filled the air. The envoys also looked terrified and rose to retreat. Tables and chairs crashed into each other, emitting ear - piercing noises. Shouts and screams intertwined, creating a scene of utter chaos. Then, someone shouted, "Summon the imperial physicians quickly!" The voice stood out sharply amidst the commotion.
No one expected that the mastermind behind this incident was a seemingly insignificant little palace maid beside the Empress Dowager—Cui'er. Born into a poor family, she entered the palace as a servant at a young age. Her long life in the palace had made her timid and shy. She always kept her head down, silently serving others in the corner, like a shadow unnoticed by anyone. But today, she became the center of this storm.
A few days ago, while Cui'er was sweeping fallen leaves in the Imperial Garden as usual, a mysterious figure suddenly appeared behind her, startling her so much that she almost dropped the broom in her hand. The mysterious person spoke in a low, cold voice, telling her that if she wanted her family to be safe, she must poison the designated envoy at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Cui'er was filled with fear and resistance. She knew full well that this was a capital offense, but when she thought of her family, her heart felt as if it was being torn apart. Back in her tiny quarters, she tossed and turned in bed all night, unable to sleep.
For the safety of her family, although Cui'er was extremely reluctant, she had no choice but to agree. After that, she went to great lengths to seek out skilled craftsmen and used her meager savings accumulated over the years to carefully create a fingernail sheath with a cleverly hidden mechanism. She carefully hid the poison inside it, which was wrapped in an extremely thin but tough special film to ensure it wouldn't leak before the operation. She secretly practiced the poisoning movements every day, repeatedly confirming every detail, but the fear in her heart grew with each passing day.
When pouring wine for the envoy, Cui'er's heart raced so fast that it seemed about to leap out of her chest. She forced herself to appear calm, leaning forward slightly as if by chance, and quickly scanned the surroundings with her eyes. When she was sure no one was paying attention, she gave a slight flick of her finger. The mechanism on the fingernail sheath was triggered, and the special film instantly ruptured. The colorless and odorless poison dissolved into the wine cup in an instant. Her movements were smooth and natural, as fluid as flowing water. She kept her eyes lowered the entire time, deftly avoiding the gazes of others. The whole process of poisoning was completed flawlessly, as if nothing had happened. But her hands trembled slightly, and her heart was filled with guilt and unease.
Upon hearing about the incident, Lin Yue was extremely anxious and rushed to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Dressed in a simple and elegant long robe with a light blue silk ribbon tied around her waist, the ribbon fluttered in the wind as she quickened her pace. Her expression was solemn, but her eyes were filled with unwavering determination and calmness. She swiftly made her way through the panicked and disorganized crowd, her steps steady and forceful, exuding an air of authority. Along the way, people kept telling her what had happened, and she merely nodded slightly while quickly thinking of countermeasures in her mind.
When she reached the poisoned envoy, Lin Yue slowly bent down, her movements gentle yet professional and efficient. She carefully examined the envoy's symptoms. His lips were as purple as if stained with thick ink, his face was as ashen as dying embers, devoid of any vitality. His pulse was faint and erratic, like a candle flame on the verge of being extinguished in the wind, extremely precarious. With her years of medical experience, Lin Yue immediately determined that it was a case of poisoning. She gently pried open the envoy's mouth to check his tongue coating and then lifted his eyelids to observe his pupils. Her expression grew even more serious.
Then, she carefully picked up the wine cup used by the envoy and sniffed it gently, trying to detect the smell of the poison from the remaining wine. After that, she meticulously inspected the remaining food. Every movement was focused, leaving no corner that might hold a clue unexamined. However, she found nothing unusual. Lin Yue thought to herself that with the strict security in the palace, where guards were stationed every few steps, for someone to successfully poison the envoy in full view of everyone, that person must be extremely meticulous and skillful. She stood up and looked around, silently analyzing all possibilities.
Lin Yue slowly rose to her feet, her gaze cold and sharp, scanning the surroundings like a drawn sword, attempting to find hidden flaws in the panicked expressions of the people. Just then, a figure caught her attention. The little palace maid Cui'er was hiding behind a thick pillar, her body trembling slightly. Her hands were tightly clutching the corners of her clothes, and her fingertips turned white from the excessive force, as if desperately clinging to the last bit of security. Her eyes were shifty, like a frightened fawn, full of fear and unease, and she dared not meet anyone's gaze. Lin Yue noticed that Cui'er's eyes always deliberately avoided the direction of the poisoned envoy, and she began to suspect something.
A thought flashed through Lin Yue's mind. Could it be her? She walked towards the little palace maid nonchalantly, as if just strolling casually, but secretly keeping a close eye on Cui'er's every move. When she got close, she suddenly turned around, her gaze intense as she stared straight into the little palace maid's eyes. Her voice, though not loud, carried an irresistible authority and pressure. "Did you notice anything unusual when you were pouring the wine just now?" Cui'er was so startled by this sudden question that she trembled all over, as if struck by lightning. Her body froze instantly, and panic filled her eyes.
Cui'er was so shocked by the sudden question that her whole body trembled and froze. Her face turned deathly pale, and her lips quivered violently. She tried to say something, but fear choked her throat, and no words came out. Her mind went blank, and all she could think about was the safety of her family, filled with despair.
Seeing this, Lin Yue was certain. She took a step forward and spoke in a cold, stern voice that seemed to pierce the heart. "You're the one who poisoned him! I can tell from your expression and behavior. Now, confess quickly. Who ordered you to do this, and why did you commit such a heinous act at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet?" Cui'er's legs gave way, and she knelt to the ground with a "thud," tears streaming down her face like a flood breaking through a dam.
Cui'er's legs gave way, and she knelt down, tears gushing out like a flood. With sobs, she confessed everything about being ordered to poison the envoy. It turned out that the mysterious person had given her a note clearly stating the location where her family was being held captive and threatened her with cold words that if she didn't comply, her family would lose their lives. After hearing this, Lin Yue felt both sympathy for Cui'er's plight and anger at the actions of the mastermind behind the scenes.
With her wisdom and excellent medical skills, Lin Yue quickly defused the crisis, and everyone admired her greatly. The Empress Dowager also highly praised her and bestowed many rare treasures upon her. However, Lin Yue knew that this was just the tip of the iceberg. The conspiracy hidden behind it was probably far more complex and unfathomable than she could imagine.
She remained vigilant and began to carefully review the entire incident in her mind. Why did the mysterious person want to poison the envoy at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet? Was there a greater political conspiracy hidden behind this? Were they trying to provoke a dispute between the two countries and start a war, or did they have other ulterior motives? Lin Yue made
up her mind to follow the clues provided by Cui'er and secretly conduct an investigation. No matter how difficult it might be, she was determined to unmask the mastermind lurking in the darkness and restore peace and tranquility to the palace. She knew that this would be a tough battle, but for the sake of justice, she was fearless.