Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

The Crown Prince's residence, a temporary medical facility set up there.

The strong smell of medicine replaced the usual incense, and suppressed groans and the low murmurs of the physicians filled the air.

Sun Simiao personally oversaw the operation, and the two Imperial Physicians, Zhen Quan and Zhen Liyan, also rushed from the palace to assist.

Acupuncture needles probe acupoints, and medicinal soup is administered; a scene of bustling activity unfolds.

Fortunately, after emergency treatment, the conditions of all those poisoned, including Prince Li Tai of Wei, were quickly brought under control.

The severe vomiting and abdominal pain gradually subsided, and although the body was still weak, there was no longer any danger to life.

Sun Simiao stroked his beard and reported to Li Chengqian, who stood guard to the side with a sullen face:
"Your Highness, the poison that has been ingested by the gentlemen and His Highness Prince Wei is not a deadly poison that kills on contact with blood, but a mixed drug that induces vomiting, diarrhea, and severe colic."

"Although its medicinal properties are potent and its effects are extremely rapid, the dosage is controlled...quite exquisitely."

"Unless the patient is old and frail or has a hidden illness, they should be fine after timely treatment."

"Doctor Sun means that the other party is creating panic, rather than trying to kill?"

Sun Simiao thought for a moment, then stroked his beard and said, "If it were for the purpose of taking lives, Your Highness, I'm afraid not even one in ten of your household would survive!"

Li Chengqian narrowed his eyes slightly, then snorted coldly: "It seems that the person who poisoned me doesn't want to push things too far and cause an irreparable situation."

"What are the Crown Prince's plans regarding this matter?"

"Everything requires a result. Now, the result is not yet available, so I will naturally wait patiently."

Li Chengqian smiled, then asked Sun Simiao, "But Physician Sun, did my father summon you during his time back in Chang'an?"

"This"

Sun Simiao hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "His Majesty did indeed summon me, but he only asked about 'Qingwen Powder' and the smallpox vaccine."

"Heh, that's just like my father's character."

Li Chengqian smiled faintly and said, "I just don't know what kind of result he wants."

"Your Highness, there are some things to discuss."

"Your Highness! Commander Yang requests an audience!"

Before Sun Simiao could finish speaking, a report came from outside the door.

Li Chengqian was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Let her in!"

On the other side, the Crown Prince's residence, kitchen, and water source.

Pei Xingjian personally led the Imperial Guards to completely surround the kitchen of the Crown Prince's residence.

All the cooks, helpers, and servants responsible for purchasing and delivering food on duty that day were separated and detained in different rooms, where they were interrogated one by one by the skilled Imperial Guards.

"Speak! Were there any unusual items in the ingredients and tea you handled today?"

Whom have you come into contact with?

"Did you leave your post at any point?"

Faced with the cold gaze and sharp questioning of the Imperial Guards, the servants turned pale with fright, swearing oaths and recalling every detail, but for the time being, they found no obvious loopholes.

Meanwhile, several Imperial Guards carefully examined the sealed tea, snacks, and wine using specially made silver needles and jade pendants for testing poison.

The silver needles did not generally turn black; only a few snacks and a pot of specific tea caused the jade pendant to show an extremely faint, almost imperceptible, discoloration.

"Sir, the poison wasn't released on a large scale; it seems to have been targeted only at a few specific tea snacks and that pot of 'overseas tea'," a junior officer reported.

Pei Xingjian stared sharply at the pot of tea that had been separated from the main pot:
"Investigate! Who brewed this tea? Who handled it? And to whom was it ultimately served? Get to the bottom of this!"

"Yes!"

Just as this team of Imperial Guards began their relentless investigation, another team of Imperial Guards, like hunting dogs, meticulously searched every corner of the Jixian Garden, the location of the incident.

This includes places where garbage is dumped, flower beds, and ponds, trying to find packaging materials, medicine residue, or other suspicious items that may have been discarded.

At the same time, they began to check the records of all people who entered and left the Crown Prince's residence today, especially unfamiliar faces.

"Humph!"

Li Tai glanced at the busy Imperial Guards at the Crown Prince's residence and sneered, "Li Chengqian is just a hypocrite! Didn't he dare kill even his own brothers? How come he's poisoning them this time, but he won't admit it?" He then felt a sharp pain in his stomach, and, drenched in cold sweat, sat down, slamming his hand on the table.

"Where is the imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician to me!"

"Your Highness!"

A trusted guard quickly stepped forward and whispered to Li Tai, "Dr. Sun said you are out of danger and only need to rest for a few days."

"Are you alright?"

Li Tai's voice was hoarse, still filled with hatred: "If it weren't for the timely treatment, I... I'm afraid..."

He dared not think any further, and his hatred for Li Chengqian reached its peak.

"Li Chengqian! It must be him! Even if he didn't do it himself, it must be because he failed to manage his subordinates properly, and a traitor infiltrated his household!"

"He must give me an explanation!"

Although he suspected that the poisoner might not be Li Chengqian himself, this did not prevent him from blaming Li Chengqian for all the crimes.

"No! I must report this matter to my father, the Emperor, and let him decide this matter for me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a bold idea popped into his mind. He then beckoned to his trusted guard and whispered a few words in his ear.

The trusted guard immediately understood and turned to leave.

the other side.

The Imperial Palace, Liangyi Hall.

Li Shimin looked at the detailed secret report from the Crown Prince's residence that Wu She had presented again. It clearly recorded the poison, the results of the investigation, and Li Chengqian's handling of the matter.

After a long silence, he put down the report, his face still expressionless, and simply said to Chu Suiliang, who was standing to the side:

"Chu Qing, look, the mounting of this calligraphy copybook is made of ancient brocade from the palace of the previous dynasty. Its color is calm and serene, which complements the ink perfectly."

Looking at the emperor's calm and expressionless face, Chu Suiliang felt an even greater chill in his heart.

His Majesty was fully aware of everything that had happened at the Crown Prince's residence, yet remained unmoved.

This storm seems to have only just begun.

His Majesty's attitude is itself the most unpredictable eye of this storm.

"Your Majesty is wise. Although the calligraphy in this copybook is not by Wang Zhongjun, it still possesses a certain charm, especially the mounting, which further highlights its uniqueness," Chu Suiliang cautiously interjected.

Li Shimin looked at the calligraphy with satisfaction, then said to Wushe, "Wushe, place this calligraphy in the side hall!"

"Yes!"

Wu She respectfully responded.

But then Li Shimin turned to Chu Suiliang and said, "Minister Chu, what do you think of Zhinu's calligraphy?"

Chu Suiliang was taken aback, seemingly not understanding Li Shimin's meaning.

Li Shimin smiled faintly and said, "I want you to teach Prince Jin to write. He has never had a good teacher who is skilled in calligraphy!"

"Your Majesty, minister."

Just as Chu Suiliang was about to speak, Li Shimin interrupted him without any room for argument: "This matter is settled then. My dear minister, do not disappoint my expectations!"

After saying that, he picked up his tea and began to drink it by himself.

When Chu Suiliang saw Li Shimin serving tea, he knew it was a gesture of sending someone away, so he respectfully replied, "Your subject obeys!"

Immediately afterwards, he got up and left the Liangyi Hall.

Li Shimin, who was drinking tea, stopped drinking, looked at Chu Suiliang's departing figure, and then looked at the secret report from the Crown Prince's residence presented by Wu She. A cold smile appeared on his lips.

[Don't you want to fight? Don't you want to emulate the Xuanwu Gate Incident?]

[Hmph, then do you want to taste the same suffering I endured back then?] (End of Chapter)