Imperial Concubine Zhou felt deep resentment; all their efforts as mother and son had finally brought about a favorable situation.

Who exactly concocted such a scheme? To deliver such a harsh blow to them?

King Kang and his son were also taken aback. They never would have expected a cup of poisoned wine to appear, especially one that was handed over by Huangfu Jinxuan.

They were well aware of Huangfu Jinxuan’s personality. Though he tended to cause trouble, he knew his limits. Even when causing issues outside, it never led to death, much less in the palace?

However, at this moment, Huangfu Jinxuan could not escape being implicated.

A life had been taken, and King Kang and his son could not exonerate him; they had already left their seats and knelt to plead for forgiveness!

Seeing Huangfu Jinxuan still standing there in a daze, Huangfu Rong pulled him aside, signaling him to quickly kneel and plead for forgiveness.

The Empress, along with all the concubines, Prince Liang and his son, Prince Lu’s son, and Prince Xin’s son were all dumbfounded. Just moments ago, someone who was so arrogantly looking down on others was now a lifeless body lying on the ground!

Truly, life is unpredictable.

However, this was soon followed by schadenfreude.

The one who died was Consort Xian’s grandson, the Crown Prince’s son. Involved in this was Imperial Concubine Zhou, and Prince Li was her son. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

As for them, they were just there to watch the drama unfold.

The bigger the commotion, the better the chance to reap the benefits.

If both parties ended up taken down, wouldn’t that remove many obstacles for them?

Huangfu Jinxuan, already frightened out of his wits, was brought back to reality by Huangfu Rong’s tug. He looked at the wine cup in his hand, then at Huangfu Jing, and suddenly exclaimed, "It wasn’t me, I didn’t poison it. I merely brought a cup of wine over to offer Brother Jing. I didn’t know the wine was poisoned!"

Imperial Concubine Zhou’s expression changed, and she instinctively scolded, "Nonsense, how could there be poison in the wine?"

No one was more cautious than her, for fear that someone would stir up trouble during such a critical moment. The cups and the wine had been checked countless times, and she only used people she trusted.

At this moment, Imperial Concubine Zhou desperately hoped that Huangfu Jinxuan was indeed the one who poisoned it.

That way, the situation wouldn’t turn against her.

After all, if someone within the Imperial Family had poisoned, even the best organizer could not completely prevent it.

She thought to herself, who exactly was trying to harm her? Or perhaps, was Huangfu Jing the real target and she merely got dragged into it? If both Huangfu Jing was harmed and she was implicated, who would benefit?

Prince Liang? The Empress?

Indeed, it must be them.

Having held the position of Crown Prince for decades and then being deposed suddenly, they surely felt discontent. Taking this opportunity to make a move seemed entirely possible.

Prince Liang might not have such means, but the Empress surely would! Thinking of this, she involuntarily looked towards the Empress.

The Empress observed coldly. Seeing Imperial Concubine Zhou’s gaze, she knew exactly what she was thinking. She merely let out a cold laugh and said, "There are still people capable of reaching your level that even this Imperial Palace must admire! Our Royal Family cannot tolerate such vile individuals! Sister, you must investigate this thoroughly!"

Imperial Concubine Zhou was infuriated by these words. Gritting her teeth, she said, "You’re right, sister! I will find that person and have them torn apart!" She turned her gaze towards Huangfu Jinxuan.

Whether or not this brat was responsible, he would have to take the fall now.

She fixated on Huangfu Jinxuan with a fierce gaze, "The Grand Young Master bore you no grudge, why would you act so cruelly?"

In truth, she knew it wasn’t likely Huangfu Jinxuan’s doing.

Though a playboy, Huangfu Jinxuan was not foolish. Such a public poisoning, especially of the Crown Prince’s eldest son, was something neither he nor the entire Prince Kang Mansion could bear!

If worse came to worst, the whole Prince Kang Mansion, including masters and servants, might have to suffer as an example. For now, she could only insist on blaming Huangfu Jinxuan, as it was the only way to clear herself.

Over there, hearing Imperial Concubine Zhou’s mention of the Grand Young Master, Huangfu Hongyi’s face subtly changed.

He was indeed a good-for-nothing, but previously, others called him the Grand Young Master respectfully. Now, that title was taken by someone else. Because his father was no longer the Crown Prince, and Huangfu Jing’s father was!

Serves them right! Serve them right if they all die!

He thought resentfully in his mind, with his expression inadvertently showing his feelings! Prince Liang knew nothing of this, but the Empress over there saw it and was so furious with this foolish grandson that she almost choked.

What timing is this?

Imperial Concubine Zhou had already directed suspicion towards them, and this fool exposed such an expression, like announcing his glee at their misfortune!

She glared harshly at him, and Huangfu Hongyi, meeting this gaze, was startled into clarity. However, even if forced, he couldn’t feign sorrow, only lamely shouted, "Brother Jing, your death is so tragic..."

Despite being terribly frightened, Huangfu Jinxuan’s mind remained clear. He instinctively defended himself, "The Empress has also said, I bore no grudge against the Grand Young Master. Why would I act so cruelly? Just now, when I went to offer the toast, all the brothers at our table saw it. They were watching me, it’s impossible for me to poison the Grand Young Master in the midst of it!"

Not admitting it yet?

As Imperial Concubine Zhou was about to speak, Huangfu Jing’s tablemate, his brother Huangfu Chi, exclaimed, "Huangfu Jinxuan, you harmed my elder brother! There was clearly wine on this table, why did you come with two cups? My brother was poisoned from the cup you brought over."

Although Huangfu Chi displayed a look of grief and rage, kneeling by Huangfu Jing’s corpse, his heart was secretly rejoicing. With the eldest son’s death, he, the second, now became the eldest.

Huangfu Chi’s words captured everyone’s attention; indeed, this was a major clue, the Emperor’s gaze turned dark, solemnly pressing down upon Huangfu Jinxuan.

No matter how much he usually indulged Huangfu Jinxuan, treating him better than the Imperial Grandsons, his grandson was now dead with Huangfu Jinxuan as a suspected murderer, how could he let this pass?

The authority of a ruler, particularly when directed at a single individual, was overwhelming.

Huangfu Jinxuan involuntarily knelt down, his eyes suddenly opened wide, and he cried out, "I understand now, the one behind the poisoning originally intended to kill Prince Cheng’s Heir Huangfu Jingchen!"

The Emperor solemnly asked, "How does this matter relate to Prince Cheng’s Heir?"

Huangfu Jinxuan replied, "Your Majesty, please see clearly. Brother Chi was right, I indeed brought two cups to offer the toast, and the cup I gave Brother Jing was originally from Huangfu Jingchen’s table."

Imperial Concubine Zhou sternly questioned, "Could it be that Prince Cheng’s Heir was the one who poisoned it?"

She was simply trying to deflect the blame onto someone else, lashing out at whomever she came across.

Unwarrantedly implicated, Huangfu Jingchen: "..."

He stood up and said, "I plead for Grandfather’s clarity!"