Li Wenchang organized his thoughts before speaking, "Today is a minor court session. His Lordship had his breakfast pastry as usual in the morning and rode his horse to the palace. The journey was no different from usual; he exchanged greetings with the other officials he met along the way."
Li Shu was a military man and preferred riding horses to being carried in a sedan chair. He always rode to court.
Cui Shi asked again, "Who did he meet? Did they interact at all?"
"He met Minister Min from the Ministry of Revenue and Vice Minister Qin from the Ministry of Rites," Li Wenchang recalled and added, "His Lordship merely greeted them and did not dismount. There was no substantial interaction between them."
Cui Shi nodded, indicating for him to continue.
"Later, His Lordship went into the palace for his usual duties. Everything was normal during the court session, but when he heard that the Eldest Young Lady had caused trouble at the Grand Princess's residence, he rushed there in a hurry."
Upon hearing this, Cui Shi's eyebrows twitched involuntarily. "And then?"
"The people at the Grand Princess's residence dared not trouble His Lordship and stated directly that the Eldest Young Lady had already left. I followed His Lordship and found the Eldest Young Lady and the Young Master at Zuihu Lou," Li Wenchang recounted the events concisely. "Just then, the Golden Banner Commander arrived and summoned His Lordship to the palace. I followed His Lordship into the palace and waited for two to three hours before he emerged."
After leaving the palace, Li Shu urgently stated his intention to go to the Xishan Grand Camp. He took a detachment of personal guards with him, and the journey was uneventful.
"Midway, His Lordship suddenly suffered a relapse from the poison and fell from his horse," Li Wenchang said, a chill running down his spine. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious Li Shu's poisoning seemed, as if he had been targeted within the palace.
However, these were dangerous words, and he dared not speak them.
Cui Shi, also aware of the gravity of the situation, asked, "Did you encounter anyone unusual while waiting for His Lordship?"
Unusual people?
Li Wenchang shook his head, but then he remembered that as His Lordship was about to leave, the Grand Princess had arrived. She had come from the inner palace and was likely going to see the Empress Dowager.
As the Grand Princess entered the hall, her gaze was straight ahead, leaving behind a proud silhouette.
Was the Grand Princess considered an unusual person?
The thought only flickered through Li Wenchang's mind before he suppressed it.
Regardless, the Grand Princess would not harm His Lordship. His Lordship was responsible for the training of the Capital Garrison and also oversaw the Left Estate's affairs. Sixty percent of the responsibility for guarding the capital rested on his shoulders. His misfortune would bring the Grand Princess no benefit.
"Did you think of something?"
Li Wenchang replied, "Just as His Lordship was about to come out, the Grand Princess entered the hall. She likely came from the Empress Dowager's side."
Cui Shi was startled but asked no further questions, merely dismissing him.
Li Wenchang cupped his fists and departed. As he reached the courtyard, he met Bai Shi. He quickly bowed in a half-salute, and Bai Shi nodded slightly, entering the main room without looking his way.
Upon hearing of Bai Shi's arrival, Cui Shi immediately inquired, "How is His Lordship?"
"Mother, His Lordship had not yet woken when I arrived. The imperial physicians and several doctors are still examining him. Eldest Sister-in-law and the children are here, so there should be news soon."
Cui Shi's spirits were flagging. She leaned back against a bolster and sighed softly, "Truly a tumultuous time."
"Mother, you should rest for a while!" Bai Shi said solicitously, "If there is any news, I will inform you."
Cui Shi waved her hand. With Li Shu's life hanging in the balance, how could she sleep?
At that moment, Nanny Wang hurried in with a stern expression. "Old Madam, someone has arrived from the palace."
Cui Shi blinked and then immediately sat up, her voice grave. "Is it someone sent by the Consort? How did she hear so quickly?"
"It is not someone from the Consort, but Eunuch Xia, who is close to His Majesty. He brings an imperial oral decree, and two imperial physicians are accompanying him."
Cui Shi did not dare to delay. She quickly changed her clothes and instructed, "Although an oral decree is not a formal imperial edict, we should still have gentlemen present. Go and summon Second Master and the Heir." With that, she led Bai Shi towards the front courtyard.
Li Yi and Li Qingyun also hurried over.
"Mother, why would His Majesty issue a decree? Has news of Eldest Brother's situation reached the palace so quickly?"
Quickly?
Cui Shi merely said, "Let us receive the decree first."
The group followed her to the main hall of the principal courtyard.
Eunuch Xia sat in a chair, sipping tea. Upon seeing Cui Shi arrive, he put down his teacup and rose to greet her.
"Greetings, Old Madam. It has been some time since I last saw you."
Cui Shi quickly bowed. "Thank you for your concern, Eunuch. It is this old woman's fault." Although Eunuch Xia was not the Emperor's foremost favorite, he was one of the most influential figures in the Directorate of Imperial Attendants, and he could not be underestimated.
"Old Madam, His Majesty is already aware of His Lordship's poisoning. I shall first read the Emperor's oral decree."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately knelt to receive the decree.
"Imperial oral decree: Marquis Tiejian is a pillar of the state. Those who plot to take his life are deserving of death. The Ministry of Justice and the Grand Court of Judicial Review are ordered to thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure justice for Marquis Tiejian."
Cui Shi quickly kowtowed. "His Majesty is wise. This humble woman thanks you for the imperial grace." Although it was an oral decree, the proper etiquette between sovereign and subject must be observed.
"Old Madam, please rise quickly," Eunuch Xia said, supporting Cui Shi's arm to help her up.
Bai Shi quickly helped Cui Shi to her feet, her eyes downcast.
"Thank you, Eunuch."
"I am merely a messenger, Old Madam. I do not deserve your thanks." Eunuch Xia suddenly lowered his voice. "Consort Shu is also very worried about His Lordship's condition. However, it is not convenient for her to speak at this time. Old Madam, do not fret. His Majesty and the Consort will certainly see justice done for His Lordship."
Cui Shi's mind raced, but she showed no outward emotion. "His Majesty's grace is profound."
"Furthermore, His Majesty has specifically sent two imperial physicians to treat His Lordship. They are already at the residence. Old Madam, please do not hesitate to state any requests. His Majesty's intention is that a meritorious official must not suffer any indignity."
This was truly a sign of immense favor.
Bai Shi's heart rejoiced. Although her husband was merely a sixth-rank compiler, with the support of the Marquis's mansion, she had no fear of missing out on future benefits.
Cui Shi did not play coy. After expressing her gratitude for the imperial favor, she directly instructed Nanny Wang to present Eunuch Xia with a large red envelope.
The red envelope felt light; it contained a banknote. Eunuch Xia deftly pinched it, his smile widening, and he unobtrusively tucked the red envelope into his sleeve.
"In that case, I shall return to report to His Majesty."
"Second Son, escort the Eunuch for me."
Li Yi stepped forward immediately and cupped his fists. "Eunuch, please."
Eunuch Xia smiled brightly and returned the bow. "Thank you, Lord."
As the two were about to walk out, a servant announced, "Old Madam, the Ninth Prince has arrived."
Who?
Cui Shi's face paled, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "Who has arrived?"
The servant's legs trembled, and he stammered, "The Ninth Prince."