Song Chaoyu narrowed her eyes and looked at Eunuch Xiang, "What are you doing? Tiao Hong is my maid. How dare you lay hands on someone from the Chang Prince's manor now?"
Eunuch Xiang had heard that Song Chaoyu was not someone to be trifled with.
But Eunuch Xiang did not seem afraid of Song Chaoyu at this moment.
He sighed and said sarcastically, "Of course, the Chang Prince's Consort would say that. But today is the grand wedding of Prince Wen and Princess Ti Le. Are we just going to let Madam Xi die without knowing why? We merely want to confirm that the Consort is not involved in this matter. Does the Consort not wish for this?"
"Hmph!"
Song Chaoyu sneered but ignored Eunuch Xiang, looking at Ti Le instead. "Princess Ti Le, is this the outcome you desire? However, no matter what, I can tell you this. Even if Madam Xi dies today, your wedding with Prince Wen will proceed as planned. It's a pity for Madam Xi, to be murdered in the bridal chamber for no reason. Princess Ti Le, must you escalate things to this point?"
Hearing this, Princess Ti Le clearly froze.
She had hoped to use Madam Xi's death to postpone the wedding further.
She still harbored the fantasy of seeing Qian Shan and escaping with him!
"Yes, Princess Ti Le, please rest assured."
Eunuch Xiang, clearly unaware of Ti Le's thoughts, continued to "comfort" her. "No matter what happens today, this servant will definitely ensure that your grand wedding with His Highness Prince Wen proceeds smoothly. This is an imperial decree of marriage, an unparalleled honor. Nothing can obstruct the good relations between our two countries, Your Highness the Princess can rest assured."
Eunuch Xiang meant well, but Ti Le's expression grew increasingly unpleasant.
However, Ti Le could not afford to care about that at this moment. She knew she had to "corner" Song Chaoyu.
Thus, Ti Le looked at Song Chaoyu with an increasingly puzzled and sad expression. "Brother Chang Prince often said when he was in the Southern Kingdom that one must admit to what they have done. Even if they are wrong, they can correct it. But why do you refuse to admit it? I have always been very respectful of you because of Brother Chang Prince. Why do you want to ruin my wedding and treat Eunuch Xiang like this?"
She seemed to become more and more sorrowful as she spoke. "Although I don't know why you are doing this, Madam Xi was sent from the palace. Now that she has died here, how am I to explain to His Majesty, or to His Highness Prince Wen?"
Saying this, she began to cry even harder.
This naturally led Eunuch Xiang to believe that Song Chaoyu was bullying her at this very moment.
"Consort, don't mind me!"
At this tense moment, Tiao Hong, who was surrounded, spoke up. "Let them search me! I have nothing to hide and I stand upright. I absolutely wouldn't bring any poison in. And neither would the Consort!"
"Eunuch Xiang!"
Tiao Hong shouted at Eunuch Xiang, "If the poison were truly on the Consort, it would be inappropriate. Why don't you search me first? If you're still not at ease after searching me, we can report it to His Majesty and let him investigate the Consort!"
With Tiao Hong having spoken to this extent, Eunuch Xiang had no choice but to agree. "Alright! Miss Tiao Hong is a straightforward person! Since Miss is taking a step back, we will also take a step back. We will search Miss. If Miss is innocent, then it has nothing to do with you."
For some reason, at this point, Song Chaoyu felt a great sense of unease.
How did this Eunuch Xiang know the name of Tiao Hong, a mere maid?
But before Song Chaoyu could refuse, Eunuch Xiang had already led his men forward and began to search Tiao Hong.
At the same time, someone continued to examine Madam Xi's corpse and discovered that Madam Xi had been poisoned with "blood-sealing poison."
This type of poison was not common in the capital, and it was even more potent than "crane-top red."
Such a poison, let alone using it, Song Chaoyu had never even seen before.
Moreover, she felt that those who used poison were the most sinister.
It seemed that from now on, both she and Mu Changxi should stay away from Ti Le.
"Found it!"
Just as Song Chaoyu was thinking this, the people searching Tiao Hong suddenly exclaimed excitedly.
Song Chaoyu looked over and saw a wet nurse holding Tiao Hong's usual peach blossom sachet.
The sachet was bulging, and before the wet nurse opened it, she felt something inside. "Eunuch Xiang, I found it! There seems to be a bottle inside. The poison must be in it!"
Upon hearing this, Tiao Hong's expression also changed. "The sachet is naturally filled with peach petals. How could there be a bottle?"
But she quickly remembered something and suddenly looked at Song Chaoyu. "No, Consort! Yesterday, someone took my sachet and said they wanted to mend and refresh it because it was old!"
"Slap—"
However, before Tiao Hong could finish speaking, Eunuch Xiang stepped forward and slapped Tiao Hong across the face. "You insolent servant! Why aren't you kneeling quickly! You dare to secretly bring such poison into the palace, are you tired of living?!"
At the same time, the wet nurse had already retrieved a small porcelain bottle from the sachet.
Inside it was indeed the dreaded "blood-sealing poison"!
"Slap—"
But before Eunuch Xiang could speak, Song Chaoyu's slap landed on his face. "You think you can hit anyone around me as you please?"
"Let her go!"
Seeing the wet nurses restraining Tiao Hong, Song Chaoyu's imposing aura was immense and suffocating. "She won't run. But this is not the place for you to arrest people!"
Although Eunuch Xiang was unwilling, he was startled by Song Chaoyu's aura and finally ordered the wet nurses to release Tiao Hong.
As Song Chaoyu walked towards Tiao Hong, Tiao Hong also spoke hurriedly to explain, "Consort, I would never do such a thing! A young maid from downstairs came to me yesterday, saying my sachet was loose and wanted to mend it for me. I was busy these past two days and didn't think much of it."
"It's alright, Tiao Hong."
Song Chaoyu understood Tiao Hong perfectly. "I know you wouldn't do this. Now tell me the maid's name, and I will investigate."
Then Song Chaoyu turned back and looked at Eunuch Xiang. "Although this matter is linked to Tiao Hong, it doesn't mean she administered the poison, does it? Eunuch Xiang, today is Prince Wen's wedding, and I'm afraid things cannot be blown out of proportion. Once we have investigated thoroughly, we will naturally provide an explanation to Prince Wen and the Princess."
Seeing the coldness in Song Chaoyu's eyes, Eunuch Xiang shivered.
But he still bore the pressure and said to Song Chaoyu, "Then... I'm afraid we will have to take Miss Tiao Hong with us."
Song Chaoyu frowned. "Where are you taking her?"