Five years after her death, she awoke on the dragon bed.

Chapter 201 Why Show Mercy?
Having identified the source and stopped the consumption of tea that could cause heat toxicity, the next step is to treat the symptoms accordingly.

Although this heat toxin was unusual, Imperial Physician Liu quickly found a suitable prescription.

By the next day, Empress Dowager Chen's tongue sores had improved, and she had a good nap during her afternoon rest.

Lou Suying was also busy that day, and she found out who had poisoned the woman. It turned out to be an old nanny who had worked at Shou'an Palace for many years.

And for the same reason, the old woman was hypnotized, but she couldn't remember who she had seen before she was hypnotized.

This is the most difficult part.

This old woman was clearly the one who did it, but she was being controlled. Although she should be punished, she was still a victim, while the real murderer remained at large.

When Empress Dowager Chen heard the results of Lou Suyi's investigation, she was displeased: "They always manage to succeed, and we can never find out the truth. Are we just supposed to let them run rampant?"

The thought of the murderer's audacity in attacking her again just two weeks after she fell into the lake filled her with rage.

She's been far too pathetic as Empress Dowager.

"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. I believe the murderer will eventually slip up. Aunt Fangruo has already begun investigating the places the old nanny has visited in the last half month. Perhaps she can find out who she has been in contact with. Then we can unravel the mystery step by step. I believe that the perpetrator cannot be without any flaws. Even the most powerful hypnosis will have its oversights!" Lou Suyi understood Empress Dowager Chen's feelings very well.

Seeing her resolute expression, Empress Dowager Chen sighed softly: "You haven't been in the palace long enough to know how dangerous it is. During the reign of the late emperor, emperors who were out of favor were often murdered, so you must not be careless. Especially since those people serve by your side, if they are hypnotized, you might not even know it. You must be careful in everything you do."

Lou Suyi had been worried about this ever since Empress Dowager Chen was murdered one after another, because the hypnotized person didn't even know that he was being hypnotized, but she had personally witnessed the symptoms of Consort Wan after being hypnotized.

Yesterday, she specifically asked the staff on duty at Shou'an Palace, and they said that the old woman sometimes had a blank stare and moved more slowly than usual. These were symptoms of being hypnotized, and there were clues to them.

However, no one paid much attention to it.

In the future, by carefully observing the behavior of those around you, you will be able to spot clues sooner.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I am very careful." As soon as Lou Suyi finished speaking, Fang Ruo came over and handed Lou Suyi a list.

"This list records the places the old lady has visited, and the people who have recently been to these places are also on the list. Please take a look, young lady."

Lou Suyi took the list and carefully looked through it.

The old woman had recently visited the Clothing Bureau, the Food Bureau, and the Ornament Bureau, and the records of those who had recently visited these three places and those who worked in these three bureaus were also kept.

After carefully reviewing the documents, she suddenly said, "Could the murderer have thought of the same things I can? Is it possible that the old woman was hypnotized while walking down the street?"

Empress Dowager Chen and Fang Ruo were both startled.

"Does the young lady mean that the other party can hypnotize a person's will anytime, anywhere?" Fang Ruo was extremely surprised.

Is hypnosis really that powerful?
“I’ve been reading a lot of books on hypnosis lately. Skilled hypnosis can hypnotize someone with just a glance. If the murderer is secretive, it’s unlikely we’ll be able to find any evidence against them,” Lou Suyi expressed her concerns.

Empress Dowager Chen couldn't believe it: "Hypnosis is that powerful? This is too bizarre. A single glance can control a person's mind."

“Yes, there is. At least one ancient book I’ve read has such a record. It’s just that there are very few people with such abilities. Ordinary people don’t see them. I didn’t expect there to be such a master in the harem.” As Lou Suyi said this, she saw Empress Dowager Chen frown. She then reassured her, “Your Majesty, don’t panic. I think the murderer has been making too many moves lately. Although he is deliberately targeting Your Majesty, his actions are somewhat strange.”

Empress Dowager Chen and Fang Ruo both looked at Lou Suyi upon hearing this, neither of them understanding the meaning behind Lou Suyi's words.

"Half a month ago on the pleasure boat in Yi Garden, the murderer hypnotized Granny Wang, clearly intending to kill the Empress. But this time, he only poisoned her with heat, which won't kill her immediately, and if discovered in time, she won't be in any danger. Since he wanted to kill the Empress the first time, why didn't he just poison her the second time?"

This is what makes it so strange and contradictory.

Empress Dowager Chen and Fang Ruo exchanged glances, feeling that Lou Suyi's words were indeed worth considering.

Moreover, this could easily alert the enemy. It doesn't make sense that they would be risking exposure only to be given poison.

After court, Murong visited Empress Dowager Chen and found the atmosphere in the room to be rather strange.

"What's wrong?" Murong asked Lou Suyi.

Lou Suyi explained the contradictions she had discovered, and Murong also found them illogical.

He was relieved yesterday that the murderer hadn't poisoned his mother, but he never expected that just half a month ago, the murderer had tried to kill his mother. Why did the murderer show mercy this time?

Lou Suyi saw that Murong was also confused and laughed, "So even Your Majesty has moments when you can't figure things out. You're not as clever as me. By the way, Your Majesty should also pay attention to the condition of your close attendants. There are telltale signs of hypnosis: their movements are slower than usual, their eyes are dull, and in short, the eyes of those who have been hypnotized are not clear."

As she spoke, she looked at Jiqing and said, "Jiqing, you are the closest person to His Majesty, so you must be even more careful."

Ji Qing understood. The Fourth Miss was worried that the murderer would harm His Majesty, so she hypnotized him and used him to deal with His Majesty.

He replied solemnly, "Don't worry, Fourth Miss, I will act carefully and keep a close eye on the other servants serving before the Emperor."

Empress Dowager Chen and Murong exchanged glances, both feeling that Su Yi was thoughtful and had a longer-term vision than they, mother and son.

Empress Dowager Chen could tell that Su Yi was indeed concerned about Murong.

Murong quietly grasped Lou Suyi's hand: "You should also be careful."

"I have already given the instructions. Everyone serving in Xianfu Palace is to keep an eye on each other. If anyone shows any abnormality, they must inform me immediately. Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will protect myself and Chen'er," Lou Suyi said calmly.

Afterwards, Imperial Physician Liu entered and said to Murong, "Your Majesty, I have investigated. The herb applied to the health-preserving teapot is a type of black grass that grows on the plateau. This black grass has undergone special treatment, making it even more toxic. It becomes even more toxic when it comes into contact with hot water. In particular, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is prone to getting overheated, which is why the reaction was so rapid."

"It seems the murderer knows the Empress Dowager's constitution very well," Lou Suyi said thoughtfully.

"Have you forgotten? The murderer is among the ten concubines who accompanied the emperor last time." Murong's eyes were cold and gloomy.

Lou Suying had indeed forgotten about this. Therefore, to investigate this matter, it was inevitable to investigate the past of those ten concubines. Even if it meant digging up their ancestors and those of their close attendants for eighteen generations, the real culprit would still be found.