The discovery of this fact, Zhu Yuanzhang glared, his tiger eyes bulging, and said imposingly, "Your Excellency the True Man, just state your demands. In this world, there are not many things I cannot do..."
Wu Tao heard this, shook his head with a wry smile, and replied, "Your Majesty, this matter is not as simple as it seems..."
"The main reason I asked you to send the Empress and the others away is because the Empress is poisoned by the Thousand Changes Poison."
"Thousand Changes Poison is a rare mixed poison in the martial world, a strange poison formed by the fusion of five or six deadly toxins!"
"It is extremely difficult to cure this poison. I, a humble Taoist, have no other immediate method, and can only temporarily suppress the spread of the poison..."
"Moreover, this poison has been spreading in the Empress's body for at least three to five years, or even longer..."
"The poison has already invaded her internal organs, as well as her meridians and flesh. To completely cure it, it is necessary to find the poisoner."
...
Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression could no longer be described as displeased; his expression was truly ferocious enough to devour people.
...
One day later.
The Imperial Palace, Phoenix Palace, Southern Banquet Hall.
"Miss Jiang, long time no see."
A middle-aged noblewoman, dressed in the attire of a fourth-rank maternal lady, still possessing a graceful demeanor, was greeting Jiang Li'er.
This middle-aged noblewoman, dressed in the attire of a fourth-rank maternal lady, was named Jiang Xin, and she was greeting Jiang Li'er.
Jiang Xin was the highest-ranking official of the Dali Temple, the wife of the fourth-rank Dali Temple Minister.
And Jiang Li'er was the legitimate daughter of a third-rank Jingzhao Yin.
...
The two families were old acquaintances, so both Jiang Xin and Jiang Li'er knew each other.
Today was Empress Ma's birthday, so a grand birthday banquet was held in the Imperial Palace.
This birthday banquet invited the wives and daughters of many high-ranking officials in the capital.
Of course, due to differences in status, position, and backing, they were arranged in two halls, the Northern Hall and the Southern Hall, respectively.
In the Southern Hall were the wives and daughters of officials of the second, third, and fourth ranks, whose status and position were slightly inferior. There were hundreds of them.
The number of people in the Northern Hall was much smaller, consisting of the most elite nobles of the Great Ming Empire, almost all of whom were founding heroes.
The majority were wives and daughters of first-rank officials and various Dukes and Marquises, numbering only a few dozen.
...
Seeing her, Jiang Li'er also smiled and walked over.
"Madam Jiang, hello, it's been a long time since I've seen you!"
As soon as these words were spoken, a smile appeared on Jiang Xin's face, surprised that she had actually managed to greet Jiang Li'er.
Beside Jiang Xin, many other wives and young ladies also showed expressions of pleasant surprise.
One must know that although the Jingzhao Yin was a third-rank official, he was no ordinary third-rank official; the power he wielded far exceeded that of second-rank officials without real power.
Madam Jiang Xin has such extensive connections! She actually knows the daughter of the Jingzhao Yin. Quickly, go over and find a way to get acquainted.
With that said, many wives and young ladies gathered around Jiang Xin, of course, these were the wives and daughters of third and fourth-rank officials.
The wives and daughters of second-rank officials and above had their own small cliques,
and disdained to mingle with them.
...
Furthermore, the wives and daughters of second-rank officials and above had long received news that the legitimate daughter of the Crown Prince's mansion was very likely to visit the Southern Hall.
Therefore, when they saw Jiang Xin and Jiang Li'er conversing so enthusiastically, with so many people gathered around...
Their eyes, instead of showing any envy or jealousy, held a hint of mockery.
Approximately the time it took for one stick of incense to burn, Zhu Xiaoyan, the legitimate daughter of the Crown Prince's mansion, came skipping into the Southern Hall.
Seeing this, those wives and young ladies of second-rank officials and above, who had received the insider information beforehand, were immediately abuzz.
Many beautiful women lifted their skirts and hurried towards the entrance.
Quick, hurry over and find a way to get acquainted! This is the eldest daughter of the future emperor. When the new emperor ascends the throne, she will be the Grand Princess.
Quick, let's go and see if we can strike up a conversation with Zhu Xiaoyan!
Among these people, Jiang Chenxi, the daughter of the second-rank Minister of Revenue's Right Attendant, ran the fastest.
After all, she was the behind-the-scenes planner who had lured Zhu Xiaoyan, the legitimate daughter of the Crown Prince's mansion, over.
She had paid a great price to lure Zhu Xiaoyan here.
Therefore, how could she allow others to approach Zhu Xiaoyan first, gain an advantage, and steal her thunder?
"Little County Princess Zhu Xiaoyan, you are so beautiful!"
As soon as Jiang Chenxi rushed in front of Zhu Xiaoyan, she immediately praised her. After all, nice words cost nothing.
Hearing Jiang Chenxi's praise, Zhu Xiaoyan's face blushed, and she waved her hands repeatedly, replying, "Not at all! Sister Jiang Chenxi, you are the one who looks so beautiful!"
...
"Hehe, you are all very beautiful, and also very intelligent!"
Wang Fei, the daughter of the Minister of War's Right Attendant, joined in familiarly, her flattery skills reaching their peak. One wondered whose genes she inherited.
Afterward, more women gathered around.
"Little County Princess Zhu Xiaoyan, I am Luo Yi, daughter of the Minister of Revenue's Left Attendant."
"Little County Princess Zhu Xiaoyan, I am Bai Baihua, daughter of the Minister of Personnel's Right Attendant."
"Little County Princess Zhu Xiaoyan, we met last year in the Imperial Palace. I am Zheng Meishuang, the sister of the Commander of the Imperial Guard!"
"Little County Princess Zhu Xiaoyan, I am Yang Ying, daughter of the Minister of the Central Secretariat's Left Assistant."
...
Thirteen-year-old Zhu Xiaoyan smiled and returned the greetings to everyone, clearly very polite.
At this moment, Zhu Xiaoyan was in a very pleasant mood because compared to the dull Northern Banquet Hall, this place was much more lively.
Due to her special status, Zhu Xiaoyan had always had few friends. It was the same in the Crown Prince's mansion, and it remained the same even outside the mansion, with no change at all.
Therefore, Zhu Xiaoyan was very happy to be able to make new friends.
...
"What were you all talking about just now? May I join in?"
Everyone was overjoyed.
"Of course, Your Highness the County Princess, it is our honor!"
"Palace maids, palace maids, quickly bring a glass of glazed ware for His Highness the County Princess!"
"Your Highness the County Princess, come, let's sit over there and chat slowly!"
Zhu Xiaoyan nodded and said, "Okay!"
Thus, with the arrival of Zhu Xiaoyan, the legitimate daughter of the Crown Prince's mansion and a County Princess, the entire Southern Hall became exceptionally lively.
A continuous stream of tinkling laughter came from their mouths...
However, at this moment, no one knew what would happen next?
No one knew what kind of changes would occur in this Southern Banquet Hall?
It would be an extremely momentous event that would shake the entire Great Ming Empire and cause rivers of blood to flow through its upper society.
Chairs made of golden nanmu were placed together, and women of extremely high status and rank sat together.
Their voices, like musical notes, flowed continuously...
"Liu Meili, the Jiangshan Mingyue painting you bought last time cost tens of thousands of taels of silver. When will you show it to us..."
"You were stingy and wouldn't show it to me when I wanted to see it last time?"
Zheng Qingshuang said, half-jokingly, half-complaining.
"Oh, really? I've also heard of that painting. It's truly a masterpiece by a famous artist!"
"Sister Meili, please show it to us?"
"Moreover, the Little County Princess is here, what else do you have to say?"
...
Hearing the words of her group of girlfriends, Liu Meili gave an awkward smile and then said, "I also want to show it to you, but my father is still guarding this painting very closely..."
"And my father is very strict. I am afraid of my father, so..."
Liu Meili did not finish her sentence, but the ladies present understood.
Laughter immediately erupted, one after another, ceaselessly.
"So that's how it is. No wonder you still wouldn't show it to us even though we all said so!"
"I thought you had really become stingy?"
"Little girl, what are you guessing? Meili wouldn't be so stingy!"
...
Upon hearing this, the many wives and young ladies burst into joyful laughter, causing ladies and young ladies from all over the Southern Banquet Hall to look in their direction.
Among these ladies and young ladies, a few wearing luxurious clothes were whispering as they looked.
Their gazes revealed a hint of ferocity, and their voices were kept very low, clearly afraid of being overheard.
"Zhang Lihua, have you really decided?"
The woman named "Zhang Lihua" was a young woman, about seventeen or eighteen years old.
Although she was very beautiful, her eyes revealed a glint of cunning.
Hearing her aunt's words, Zhang Lihua nodded: "I have decided! If we succeed, our family's status will greatly improve, and perhaps there will be opportunities for meritorious service in the future. At that time, you will also receive countless benefits."
With the enticement of immense benefits, these women immediately became less timid.
So what if it's the Imperial Palace? Hmph, anyone who stands in their way, no matter who they are, must die.
"Act according to the opportunity!"
"Don't worry, we've already prepared!"
The hushed conversation temporarily ended. At this moment, smiles returned to the faces of these wives and young ladies, and they all appeared upright and dignified.
They, as a group, walked towards the wives and young ladies of second-rank officials and the Little County Princess Zhu Xiaoyan, who were sitting on the golden nanmu chairs.
"Little County Princess Zhu Xiaoyan, hello. My name is Zhang Lihua, daughter of the Director of the Transportation Department!"
Zhang Lihua said with a smile, interrupting everyone's conversation.
The wives and young ladies of second-rank officials heard this and looked up, casting doubtful glances at her and her companions.
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