Xiaohong’s body shuddered. She handed the silver needle to Xiao Chen with trembling hands. She did not even dare to look up, and her body could not stop shaking.
This reaction made Xiao Chen feel somewhat suspicious. After all, those who served close to the masters of the Prince of Zhennan’s Estate were surely clever and sharp. Clearly, Xiaohong’s demeanor was that of someone harboring a guilty conscience. Why would she feel guilty? Surely, she must have done something.
With this thought, Xiao Chen’s brow furrowed slightly. He feigned a casual tone and asked, "Where did this silver needle come from?"
Upon hearing this, cold sweat instantly broke out on Xiaohong’s forehead, and she stumbled involuntarily. Seeing her fear, Xiao Chen’s brow deepened.
Observing this scene, the Prince of Zhennan shouted sternly, "What are you doing? To behave so rudely in front of Divine Doctor Xiao is unacceptable!"
Startled, Xiaohong collapsed to her knees with a thud, curling her entire body into a ball, not daring to utter a single sound. Seeing her like this, Xiao Chen became certain that there was something wrong with the needle. He began to examine it carefully. Sure enough, the needle was coated in deadly poison.
"There is something smeared on this needle..."
Xiao Chen feigned a meticulous observation. The Prince of Zhennan’s expression shifted upon hearing this. "What? What is smeared on the needle?"
"Deadly poison." After saying this, Xiao Chen tossed the needle in front of Xiaohong, his expression growing colder. "You didn't even check your work before trying to pull this off!"
"Silver needles are used specifically because they can detect poison. This needle has already changed color, turning slightly green. In a little more time, it would have turned black, visible to the naked eye. Do you take us all for fools?"
The Prince of Zhennan’s expression changed abruptly. He bellowed, "Xiaohong, have you grown the guts of a bear? How dare you poison the Princess’s needles!"
As he spoke, he strode forward, raised his hand high, and slapped Xiaohong across the face. Her frail frame was instantly knocked to the ground. The Prince was trembling with rage. "You dared to poison the Princess! I will kill you!"
"Your Highness, wait!" Seeing the Prince so agitated, Xiao Chen spoke up immediately. "She must have been coerced by someone else. Please, do not take matters into your own hands just yet."
The Prince lowered his hand upon hearing this. "Tell me, who ordered you to do this?"
Xiaohong thought of her gravely ill mother and bit her lip, refusing to speak.
Xiao Chen said dismissively, "If you dared to commit such an act, surely you aren't afraid of death."
This remark reminded the Prince of his authority. His expression turned even more ruthless. "Xiaohong, if you do not confess who is behind this, do not blame me for being heartless and having you beaten to death!"
Hearing this, Xiaohong shook her head, whispering, "No... no..."
"Your Highness, it seems this girl will not tell the truth unless you take real action."
Xiao Chen’s words clarified things for the Prince, who immediately ordered, "Someone, take this defiant girl away and beat her to death immediately!"
Xiaohong had not expected them to be serious, and she turned pale with fright. Tears flooded from her eyes as she kowtowed repeatedly before Xiao Chen and the Prince. "Your Highness, please spare my life!"
"It was Steward Chen who ordered me! It has nothing to do with me..."
Xiaohong sobbed uncontrollably, her face covered in tears.
"Steward Chen?" The Prince frowned. "Why would he want to poison the Princess?"
"I don't know..." Xiaohong shook her head. "Steward Chen didn't say why..."
"And yet you helped him do evil?" Xiao Chen laughed softly. "Did he save your life? Is he a benefactor of yours, or did he bribe you?"
"My critically ill mother is currently receiving treatment within the Estate. All her food, clothing, and medicine are approved by Steward Chen. If I didn't do as he asked, he would cut off her medicine..."
As Xiaohong sobbed out the truth, Xiao Chen’s expression flickered. "So that’s it."
"Someone! Drag this heartless servant away and give her one hundred lashes!" The Prince loved Qing'er dearly and was unwilling to forgive Xiaohong.
Seeing this, Xiao Chen immediately intervened. "Your Highness, please show mercy... Even a grown man might be crippled by one hundred lashes, let alone a frail girl... She would likely die from it."
The Prince had not expected Xiao Chen to plead for her, and he hesitated for a moment.
Xiao Chen continued, "This girl was forced into it. If we are to blame anyone, we must blame that Steward Chen... Why not ask him why he wanted to poison the Princess?"
In truth, Xiao Chen knew full well that Steward Chen was not trying to harm the Princess, but was merely making things difficult for him. However, he needed to turn this into a major affair to ensure the Prince paid attention.
"You are right! Bring that Steward Chen to me at once!" The Prince followed the suggestion without hesitation.
He then looked down at the trembling Xiaohong and waved his hand. "Since Divine Doctor Xiao has pleaded for you, I will spare your life. However, while the death sentence is remitted, you cannot escape punishment."
"Even if you are innocent and were acting under orders, you were the one who brought the needle. If not for Divine Doctor Xiao discovering the clue in time, Qing'er might have died by your hand! If I do not punish you, how can I command respect? If I let this slide, won't everyone dare to try the same in the future?"
The Prince issued his decree: "You and your mother will leave the Prince of Zhennan’s Estate immediately! Do not let me see you again!"
Xiaohong knew that she had only kept her life because of Xiao Chen’s intercession. She dared not ask for anything more. Being alive was fortune enough. She kowtowed heavily to the Prince. "Thank you, Your Highness, for sparing my life!"
She then looked at Xiao Chen through her sobs and kowtowed once more. "Thank you, Divine Doctor Xiao, for saving my life!"
"Your Highness, do not be in such a hurry to have her leave the estate," Xiao Chen said, knowing Xiaohong was a crucial witness. "It won't be too late to let her go once everything is settled."
The Prince nodded in agreement. "But Divine Doctor Xiao, how do you intend to deal with Steward Chen?" Having been through these events, the Prince now placed absolute trust in Xiao Chen, deferring all decisions to him.
Xiao Chen pondered for a long moment before saying, "Let us wait until after I have treated the Princess."
The Prince agreed with Xiao Chen's proposal. He then ordered for the silver needles to be brought, and after Xiao Chen inspected them, he began the treatment on Chai Keqing.
After everything was finished, Xiao Chen emerged from the inner chamber to find that Steward Chen was being held down, waiting for his judgment. When Steward Chen saw Xiao Chen, a flash of malice crossed his eyes.