Ye Tingyan's expression dimmed as he heard this, his eyes narrowing before he spoke again.
"As Your Imperial Grandmother has seen, naturally, she is the concubine of Prince Mo."
While they were speaking, Feng Yinwan's sword remained at Ye Tingyu's throat. Her face was cold, her expression stern, truly making her look like a rebel.
The Empress Dowager's eyes flickered slightly, and she then said, "What crime has Concubine Wan committed that you call her a rebel?"
The subtle favoritism in her words made Ye Tingyan's eyes flash. He nodded and respectfully said,
"My grandson received news that someone in the palace intended to harm His Father the Emperor. When my fourth brother and I rushed over, His Father the Emperor had already been poisoned. The ones who remained in the Hall of Mental Cultivation attending to him were my third brother and Concubine Wan."
The Empress Dowager's tone remained calm.
"Based on this alone, you can conclude that Concubine Wan poisoned the Emperor?"
Ye Tingyan's expression remained unchanged as he emphasized, "Imperial Grandmother, your grandson has a witness."
"Oh?"
A collective sigh swept through the hall. Ye Tingyan turned his gaze towards the area behind Feng Yinwan.
"Where is Imperial Physician Jiang?"
Almost the moment the words fell, a long-silent figure from the back of the crowd responded.
"This humble servant is here."
As the person stepped forward, a rustling sound rippled through the hall, but the atmosphere seemed to freeze, dropping to an icy point.
Ye Tingyun could hardly believe his eyes. He glared fiercely and exclaimed in astonishment,
"Jiang Rumao, you…!"
Jiang Rumao respectfully lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable.
Ye Tingyan glanced at him before turning back to the Empress Dowager.
"When serving His Father the Emperor his medicine today, Imperial Physician Jiang was present. Imperial Grandmother can ask him anything she wishes."
The Empress Dowager's brow furrowed slightly. Her gaze fell upon Jiang Rumao, pausing for a moment as if in doubt.
"Imperial Physician Jiang, what exactly is going on?"
Jiang Rumao nodded. "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, it is true that this humble servant and Eunuch Gao served His Majesty the medicine today."
"Just now, as this humble servant was about to leave the palace, he was intercepted by a young eunuch from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, who said His Majesty was suddenly poisoned after taking the medicine. This humble servant returned to check and found traces of the medicine indeed contained potent poison."
"This medicine was personally verified by Eunuch Gao and then sent into the hall. During this period, only Concubine Wan handled it."
After the medicine was brought in, Eunuch Gao went to prepare a clean towel for the Emperor's grooming after he finished drinking. The two steps from the doorway to the hall were carried by Feng Yinwan as a casual gesture.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's face became stern.
The ministers brought by Ye Tingyan, however, reacted like cold water hitting hot oil, immediately erupting.
"Empress Dowager, Imperial Physician Jiang has always served His Majesty. His words cannot be false. The verification and administration of the medicine were done in full view of everyone, leaving no opportunity for poisoning. In this old minister's opinion, this matter must have been Concubine Wan's doing."
"This old minister implores Your Majesty to issue an edict to have her apprehended and sent to prison for immediate trial, to interrogate the mastermind behind this and punish them severely, to eliminate the rebel and stabilize the imperial court!"
"Your humble servants implore Your Majesty to issue an edict to thoroughly investigate this matter and stabilize the imperial court!"
The crowd behind them immediately echoed their sentiments.
For a time, their voices drowned out any possibility of the Empress Dowager interjecting.
Seeing that the situation was entirely one-sided, Ye Tingyu also grew bolder. He stretched his neck out and angrily exclaimed,
"Yes, Imperial Grandmother, she poisoned my Father the Emperor, and then, after being discovered, she held your grandson hostage. This is clearly a desperate act, a cornered dog leaping at its pursuer!"
"Please issue an order to arrest her and send her to prison for a good interrogation…"