Even the most skilled physicians would be confounded by the cause of the Emperor's fatal poisoning.
Rushing to the Thousand Autumn Palace, the Fourth Prince and Honored Princess Mei were met with the lamentations of mourning. The news of the Crown Prince's demise proved too much for the already frail Emperor, who succumbed to the shock.
In rapid succession, the Queen, Princess Concubine Virtue, the Second Prince, the Third Prince, along with other members of the imperial family and high-ranking generals, convened at the court.
Chaos gripped the palace.
Leading the accusations, Honored Princess Mei pointed fingers at Empress Qi, insinuating complicity in the Emperor's death in the open court.
With a meticulously prepared speech, her accusations carried weight and logic.
The Emperor's declining health over the past two years, coupled with the Queen and Third Prince's conspicuous activities during that time, hinted at ulterior motives.
