Chapter 286: 286. Let her taste a fart.

Du Ruxue serving the Chu Kingdom as a tribute, in a certain sense, violates the prohibition of the Righteous Alliance.

However, firstly, Du Ruxue’s sect is too small, practically like a little unlicensed workshop hidden in an alley; the Righteous Alliance hasn’t even registered her sect.

Secondly, her role as a tribute is merely to protect Emperor Qiao Zhi’s safety, not to interfere in politics or royal power, and it was Qiao Zhi himself who invited her, so the Righteous Alliance turns a blind eye.

Based on this reason, Du Ruxue chooses neutrality as she has no other choice.

Du Ruxue did not stop Qiao Sen and the three of Yu Qing from entering Qianxin Palace, and soon let them in.

When it was Di Ao’s turn and the civil and military officials, Du Ruxue’s expression was emotionless, her demeanor cold as frost, causing the surrounding temperature to seemingly drop several degrees.

“Duzhen, I wish to see His Majesty, I hope you may provide some convenience.”

Di Ao smiled and bowed to Du Ruxue; although she was arrogant and unruly outside, she restrained herself considerably before Du Ruxue.

Otherwise, if Du Ruxue were to swat Di Ao dead and leave, no one could do anything to her.

Du Ruxue coldly stared at Di Ao.

Living in the Imperial Palace year-round, the rumors about Li Shuxian’s poisoning were well-known to Du Ruxue, and her attitude towards Di Ao, this suspected mastermind, could hardly be good.

Di Ao looked indifferent, but inside, she was extremely annoyed at Du Ruxue.

After Li Shuxian disappeared, Du Ruxue had secretly warned Di Ao, if she dared to use shady tactics to harm Emperor Qiao Zhi again, she would let her be buried alongside him.

Di Ao was deeply wary, waiting patiently for Emperor Qiao Zhi to die from his illness.

Were it not for Du Ruxue, Di Ao would have discreetly caused Emperor George’s demise long ago, not having to wait until now.

After both sides maintained a standoff for a while, Du Ruxue finally stepped aside, allowing Di Ao to enter.

Di Ao now leads the officials, controls politics, Du Ruxue couldn’t truly keep her outside Qianxin Palace.

As for Di Ao’s other followers, of course, they are told to stay as far away as possible, not even allowed to approach.

Ultimately, the ones following Di Ao into Qianxin Palace, besides a dozen ministers, were only those neutral or aligning with Qiao Sen.

Fang Zhou observed Du Ruxue from the air; this woman was formidable, yet couldn’t detect the invisible Fang Zhou and Six Baby.

Had he not feared being truly discovered, Fang Zhou might have hovered above her head, letting out a fart for her to taste.

As Qianxin Palace’s doors were pushed open, Fang Zhou carried Six Baby and flew inside.

Inside Qianxin Palace, a faint incense lingered, used to mask the unpleasant smell produced by a patient’s long-term bedridden condition.

Upon entering and seeing his mother unconscious in bed, looking emaciated and skeletal, Qiao Sen’s eyes couldn’t help but redden.

Nearly a month had passed, Emperor Qiao Zhi’s condition was worse than before, almost at the end of his strength.

In Qianxin Palace, besides palace maids, there was a servant named Zhu Qihuai, who replaced Li Shuxian after her disappearance.

“Zhongguan Zhu, I’ve brought an Immortal Elixir for Mother Emperor, quickly administer it to her.”

Qiao Sen accepted the jade box from Yu Qing and handed it to Zhu Qihuai; by regulation, the ones administering medicine to the Emperor must be servants, no one else can intervene.

“Rest assured, Your Highness, I will administer it to His Majesty immediately.”

Zhu Qihuai received the jade box, opened it, and seeing the elixir’s impressive appearance and ethereal quality, showed joy, ready to give it to Emperor Qiao Zhi.

“Wait a moment!”

With numerous ministers entering Qianxin Palace, Di Ao suddenly ordered a halt.

Everyone’s gaze turned, Di Ao slowly spoke: “According to palace regulations, isn’t it necessary to test the medicine first?”

According to palace regulations, the Emperor’s food and drink are pre-tested by specific individuals to prevent poisoning; for medicine, it’s even more necessary to have the Imperial Physician examine and test it.

Naturally, under the circumstances of Emperor Qiao Zhi suspected of being poisoned, this rule seemed somewhat laughable.

Qiao Sen angrily retorted: “What do you mean? Are you suggesting that I, like some treacherous ministers, would offer poison to Mother Emperor?”

Qiao Sen’s implied fury left every minister present looking at their noses, not daring to say anything.

Di Ao laughed teasingly: “Of course not, Your Highness’s filial piety moves the heavens, how could you harm His Majesty? But rules are rules, and without them, order collapses; as the Crown Prince, you should set an example.”

Qiao Sen angrily glared at Di Ao; she believed there was no problem with the elixir Yu Qing brought, just thought Di Ao was deliberately stirring things up.

After both sides maintained a standoff for a while, Qiao Sen finally flung her sleeves fiercely: “If you want to test, then test.”

To persist further would have others suspecting Qiao Sen had a guilty conscience, and testing the medicine was indeed a normal request.

Di Ao didn’t show any satisfaction but simply instructed the palace maid to invite the Imperial Physician to test the medicine.

Many present believed Di Ao intentionally did this to irritate Qiao Sen, including Qiao Sen herself.

But Fang Zhou was not convinced; he had been observing Di Ao for some time, knowing she was arrogant and held no real interest in humiliating opponents she deemed unworthy.

Yu Qing’s medicine was certainly trustworthy, and Di Ao knew this; requiring the Imperial Physician to test was not meant to irritate Qiao Sen since she didn’t see Qiao Sen as an opponent.

The Imperial Physician quickly arrived, nervously under the ministers’ watchful eyes, receiving the jade box.

Di Ao smiled at him: “Doctor Chen, be sure to thoroughly test the medicine, not a single mistake can be allowed.”

Doctor Chen nodded with sweat dripping down, gingerly opening the jade box and extracting the elixir.

Seeing the Purple Jade Heart Protecting Pill, Doctor Chen’s eyes widened, his breath nearly halted: “This… this… such an Immortal Elixir…”

As a doctor, seeing such an elixir, it was akin to encountering extremely rare treasure, unable to look away.

While understandable due to his fascination, Doctor Chen spent too much time staring, prompting impatient ministers to urge him.

Doctor Chen then came to his senses, reluctantly took another lingering glance, and placed the elixir on the table.

Then carefully took a small knife from his portable medicine box, scraping some powder off the Purple Jade Heart Protecting Pill.

The procedure for testing the medicine involved scraping powder off the elixir, feeding it to pigeons and the test subject, waiting several hours to see if any adverse reactions occur.

Fang Zhou was very suspicious of Di Ao’s insistence on testing the medicine, specifically closely watching Doctor Chen’s every move.

She carefully scraped the Purple Jade Heart Protecting Pill’s powder onto a small jade dish and then placed the pill back in the jade box.

At this moment, she was sideways facing everyone in the hall; when placing the pill back in the jade box, everyone’s attention subconsciously focused on the Purple Jade Heart Protecting Pill.

With her other hand, using her body as a shield, and with lightning speed, took out some powder from her sleeve and mixed it into the jade dish.