I woke up as the Villainous Empress

159 New Hope

Zheng Liang was surprised by Yang Ning’s interrogative questions and stared at her in wonder. He was silent for a moment before turning to Master Jiang Tai, “Master Jiang, are you checking the medicines given to His Majesty regularly yourself? Because you can trust your disciples but I only trust you. So I need your word for it.”

Master Jiang was stuck in a complicated position after Yang Ning’s question and said, “I do prescribe the medicines and brew them myself. However, there is an assistant physician of mine who is in charge of delivering the medicine to His Majesty and feeding him.”

“So you are saying that you don’t check the medicines before feeding His Majesty?” Zheng Liang’s voice became cold when he asked him this question.

Master Jiang frowned and he could see the disappointment in Zheng Liang’s eyes. “Your Highness, if you’re doubting my disciple, then I can vouch for his character. He is young and is a good child with a promising future in medicine.”

“There is no way that he will dare to harm His Majesty and stain my name and reputation.”

“Master Jiang, I am sure he must be a man with great capabilities since he is your disciple. We’re not doubting your loyalty towards His Majesty by doubting him.” Yang Ning interrupted.

“However, in this vicious world, you can never vouch for another person’s sincerity. You never know when people will change their minds and will stab you from behind ruthlessly. Even the closest friend of yours can betray you, he is still your disciple.” She said,

While talking about betrayal, the glint in her eyes dimmed when the image of her friend who betrayed her and framed her for the crime of cheating in the game came in front of her eyes.

If she went back to her world, she would not let her live in peace. She might have forgiven a stranger for a moment but not someone who was by her side for such a long time and was fooling her with her smile.

.....

Zheng Liang noticed the change in her expressions and unlike the soft expressions from before, her gaze was sharp and filled with strange vengeance.

“Moreover, it is just a suspicion of mine. I can be wrong as well. However, there is no harm in re-checking this doubt since we all wish the best for His Majesty.” Yang Ning said to persuade Master Jiang to keep an eye on his disciple.

Zheng Liang nodded in agreement to her words and turned to Master Jiang Tai and said, “Then it’s final. Master Jiang, from now on, you will be in charge of His Majesty’s medicine and treatment and no one else. As the Crown Prince, it is my order.”

“Also, you will cooperate with the guards to investigate if His Majesty has been exposed to any kind of poison or drug in any way which has caused his health to deteriorate like this.” He announced.

“Yes, Your Highness. I will do as you say.” The old man said.

Jiang Tai pursed his lips and reluctantly agreed to this arrangement. He does not believe that any of his disciples could attempt a grave crime like this. However, if Zheng Liang also believes in Yang Ning more than him, then what can he do other than agree to his arrangement?

Yang Ning noticed the bitterness on the face of Master Jiang and could see that he was not pleased with this arrangement. He was disappointed because he thought that she and Zheng Liang were doubting his intentions.

However, it is not the time to please someone. If her suspicion is right, then His Majesty is not sick but has been drugged with poison. If they could act in time, they might be able to prevent the death of His Majesty.

By doing this, they might be able to change the story of the novel and flip her miserable fate which follows after his death like a domino effect.

“Master Jiang, if you will be checking the medicines that are being given to His Majesty, then I will suggest that you examine everything. From brewed tonics to acupuncture needles. You should not leave anything.”

“When we visited His Majesty’s chamber earlier, I noticed that there was a pot filled with hot water near the bedside table of His Majesty.” Yang Ning said.

Master Jiang furrowed his brows and said, ” Yes. The hot water is used to create steam to hydrate the atmosphere in the chamber. The hot steam from the water will help His Majesty to fall asleep with ease and also helps him with the congested chest and nose.”

She raised her brows as if she realized something and asked, ” Do you add any kind of medicine or herb in the hot water which makes steam in the atmosphere?”

“We don’t add any kind of medicine but natural oil to increase the effectiveness of the steam from the water. Princess, do you have any more questions regarding this? Because I need to brew His Majesty’s medicine which he will be taking at night.” Master Jiang said in an indifferent voice, as he was annoyed by her interrogating rude attitude.

“Then you better check that steam water as well. Since you’re a great physician, I am sure you will be aware that drugs are not only consumed by eating and drinking. There are other ways to ingest drugs in someone’s body as well.” She warned him and suggested and asked him to not leave the steam water from his investigation.

Master Jiang pursed his lips when he realized that Yang Ning’s words were making sense. If the poison has been added to the hot water that is being used to make steam in the chamber, then its effect will be relatively slower than the regular poison and will not appear in the results of His Majesty’s blood.

How can he miss this point in checking His Majesty’s Health?

“Yes. I will do that.” He responded to Yang Ning politely when he realized that she wasn’t speaking carelessly and has knowledge about such things as well. How did she know about such things anyway? He wondered.

“I will check all kinds of doubts of His Majesty being poisoned and will report to His Highness as soon as possible.” He turned to Zheng Liang and gave him his word to look into this matter once again and with more cautiousness.

” I will wait for your report then. I hope you will find the cause of His Majesty’s condition this time so that you could start the treatment accordingly.” Zheng Liang said.

By doing this, they have a new hope emerging in front of them. If it is happening because of poison, then Master Jiang can start the treatment as soon as possible accordingly.

However, if it turns out to be a poison, then the royal court will emerge into real chaos then. Because it is a sign of treason and no one will be able to get away from it if the crime was confirmed.