A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 137 The Truth Revealed to the World (23)

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager frowned and asked with suspicion, "How could it be your father's order? When was it given? Why don't I know about it?"

Song Shuyu appeared very sincere, saying, "My father sent another letter home last night, which I haven't had time to tell my aunt yet. My father is the head of the Song family and always puts the interests of the Song family first. The daughters of the Song family are not my father's legitimate children, so their status is lower. However, if they can marry into the Marquis of Huai'an's mansion and become the head mistress, they will surely be able to strengthen the collateral branches of the Song family and protect the glory of our Duke's mansion's direct line."

At this point, he took out a letter from his pocket and presented it to the Empress Dowager with both hands, saying, "This is a letter that I have not yet given to my grandmother. I am bringing it here for my aunt to take a look at."

The Empress Dowager paused, the fierceness in her eyes vanishing completely, replaced by confusion and excitement. She stared at the opened letter in Song Shuyu's hand, lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly stood up, strode forward, and snatched the letter away.

The Empress Dowager was very familiar with the handwriting of Song Yan, the Duke of Song. She read it word by word, and even though the letter did not mention her at all, she could not hide her joy.

As Song Shuyu quietly watched the Empress Dowager read the letter, her shy, girlish demeanor revealed unintentionally, she felt a wave of nausea rise in her stomach.

He could imitate his father's handwriting so well that even his father himself couldn't tell the difference.

From this day forward, it will be his turn to control this old hag!

The Empress Dowager read it twice, still not satisfied. She said, "Last month, I sent someone to the border to deliver the medicinal herbs to your father to help him recover. I wonder if he took them? How were the effects? Why didn't he mention it in his letters?"

Song Shuyu shook her head. "I guess he didn't take it. My father is very stubborn. He will only get medical treatment if he is seriously injured. If you ask him to take medicine when he is not sick, he will not bother."

"Oh dear, he's been leading troops into battle all year round, braving wind and rain. How can his body not be weak? He must be properly nourished!" The Empress Dowager's eyes reddened with worry.

Song Shuyu struggled to suppress the nausea and managed not to vomit on the spot. He put on a grateful expression and said, "Nephew thanks Aunt for her concern for my father. When I reply, I will definitely convey Aunt's instructions to my father."

"Good, good." The Empress Dowager breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at Song Shuyu again, she found him much more pleasing to the eye. However, recalling the case, her face darkened again. "Shuyu, since it was your father's order, I will not blame you. But you must try and judge this case quickly, and do not let it get out of control, understand?"

Song Shuyu was puzzled. "Aunt, what do you mean by 'out of control'? Now the entire capital is watching the Jingzhao Prefecture closely. Whether I can hold onto my position as the Jingzhao Prefect depends on this case!"

The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes, her tone enigmatic, "Don't ask questions you shouldn't. In short, listen to me, don't get overly bogged down in the details, settle the case as soon as possible, and don't implicate too many people!"

"Yes, nephew understands." Song Shuyu didn't press the matter; he agreed first, hoping to appease the old hag.

At this moment, the old woman came in carrying a red tray with a small white porcelain bowl on it. Even through the lid of the bowl, Song Shuyu could smell the horrifying odor!
The old woman curtsied and asked, "Your Highness."

Song Shuyu's noticeably pale handsome face successfully pleased the Empress Dowager. She enjoyed seeing this little brat's frightened expression, so she asked with a smile, "Shuyu, tell me yourself, should you be punished?"

The woman's bright red lips opened and closed like a gaping maw, ready to devour the young Song Shuyu. But now, she faced the adult Song Shuyu.

He tried hard to banish the memory, not wanting to recall those horrific scenes. He said, "Aunt, my father has an army of 200,000. What do you think he would do if he knew that his most beloved youngest son was suffering a fate worse than death at your hands?"

Song Shuyu slowly stood up.

He picked up the small white porcelain bowl from the tray, and suddenly laughed triumphantly, "My aunt said that there is no antidote for the 'Traction Poison,' and you can only suffer in silence. If you survive, you will live; if you don't, you can only blame your bad luck. But I don't believe it. What poisoner wouldn't have an antidote? What if I were unfortunately poisoned myself?"

The Empress Dowager's expression changed drastically, "You..."

Unfortunately, before she could utter a single word, Song Shuyu's iron-like hand suddenly gripped her chin, and before the nanny could react, he poured the bowl of poison into the Empress Dowager's mouth!
"Miss!"

The old woman screamed in alarm, and Song Shuyu kicked her away!
The Empress Dowager's eyes widened. She tried to call for help, but her throat was filled with venom, and she couldn't utter a sound. She desperately tried to pry Song Shuyu's hands off, but she never knew that Song Shuyu had been practicing martial arts behind her back for many years. He hadn't resisted before because his father's military power wasn't strong enough, and it was for the safety of his grandmother and the Song family!

Now, he no longer needs to endure it; he will walk out of Shou Kang Palace with dignity!

"Your Majesty..." The old woman lay on the ground, unable to get up, tears streaming down her face, but to no avail.

Every time the Empress Dowager punished Song Shuyu, she would dismiss all the palace servants in advance, because the evil deeds she had committed were so heinous and unspeakable that she would never dare to reveal a single word about them!
Because the Empress Dowager never imagined that one day, the boy who had been tormented for so many years would rise up in rebellion!
Therefore, the current situation is a consequence of their own actions!

After the Empress Dowager was forced to drink the entire bowl of poison, Song Shuyu threw down the bowl and loosened his grip, causing her to fall limply to the ground!

Before the poison took effect, the Empress Dowager struggled to sit up halfway, her eyes blazing with fury as she roared at Song Shuyu, "I am the Empress Dowager, your own aunt! You madman, how dare you defy your superior? How dare you murder your elder?"

"madman?"

Song Shuyu seemed to have heard the funniest joke in the world. Looking at the Empress Dowager, who was as disheveled as a drowned rat, his smile widened. "Why did I go mad? Wasn't it all thanks to my aunt? I was merely acting in self-defense, giving her a taste of her own medicine. Does my aunt think it's inappropriate? Isn't this punishment funny? Hahaha..."

He kept laughing until tears streamed down his face, then, with bloodshot eyes, resolutely left.

The poison seeped into her limbs and bones bit by bit. The Empress Dowager curled up in pain, her hands grabbing at her body haphazardly. Many of her hairpins and ornaments fell off, and her hair was disheveled. She felt as if countless insects were desperately trying to burrow into her blood vessels. The pain was so intense that even screaming became a luxury!

The old woman coughed up several mouthfuls of blood, struggled to her feet, and cried uncontrollably, "Your Highness, please bear with it, I will go and prepare the antidote right away!"

(End of this chapter)