Forced to die for his loyalty, he was reborn in the arms of the cold and cruel regent!

"Yes, Your Majesty is right. However, I have heard that Duke Shen seems to be planning to take his family back to the capital. I wonder if he has heard of the impending chaos at the border and is taking his people to avoid it?"

After Wen Yuanzhang finished speaking, he stared at the emperor with a pair of sly eyes, then instantly looked away.

"But I heard that they handed this matter over to Princess Shen. The princess is close to the queen mother, so she should have mentioned this matter to the queen mother."

"Isn't this nonsense? The Northern Desert is already in chaos. If you change the generals in the middle of a battle, you will surely fail." After the emperor scolded, he seemed to have thought of something and his tone became much calmer.

"Is there any evidence for this?"

"There is just a secret letter. The Duke's Mansion has sent a lot of money and property to the capital. It seems that it is used to smooth relations." Wen Yuanzhang said ambiguously.

He also had no intention of bringing down a powerful man with military merits with just a few words.

If the emperor does not trust Duke Shen, then their chance will come!

The emperor pinched his eyes and thought for a moment.

"Let's put this matter aside for now. I order you to send more people immediately to find the spy and bring back evidence regardless of whether he is dead or alive.

At the same time, send the military commander to the border to meet with Duke Shen, inform him of the whole story, and ask him if he knew anything but did not report it. Remember, you must treat him with courtesy and not make any mistakes. "

The emperor's voice was steady and powerful, revealing unquestionable authority.

"Yes." Wen Yuanzhang replied immediately.

The emperor had a myriad of thoughts in his mind. State affairs were always complicated, and a huge conspiracy loomed over Da Qi.

"Debao, ask the Regent to come into the palace."

After the emperor finished speaking subconsciously, he shook his head and said in a deep voice: "Forget it, it's too late today."

Debao thought that there was something important, so he asked carefully: "How about asking the regent to come after the court tomorrow?"

The emperor thought for a moment and shook his head: "Forget it."

It is not too late to discuss this matter after some reward is given, but if anything happens to Duke Shen, there must be a successor.

But he also needs to think about it carefully.

It was late at night, the lights in the palace were dim, and the emperor sat alone in the imperial study, holding a cup of cold tea in his hand, gazing deeply at the moonlight outside the window.

The matter of Duke Shen was like a huge rock pressing on his heart, making it difficult for him to sleep.

"Duke Shen has been loyal for generations. If this is true, how should I deal with it?"

The emperor pondered in his heart. He was well aware of the contributions and sacrifices of Duke Shen's family to Daqi, and was unwilling to easily doubt a minister who had made outstanding contributions.

However, the unusual movements in Beimo and Wen Yuanzhang's secret report forced him to remain vigilant.

Just as he was lost in thought, the sound of light footsteps broke the silence of the study.

Debao walked in quickly and whispered, "Dean Zhang is asking for a meeting."

The emperor held his forehead and said, "It's so late, what is Zhang Yuanzheng doing here?"

"Maybe it's because of the Empress Dowager's illness that she has something to report to the Emperor." Debao said in a low voice.

The emperor raised his eyes and tried to cheer himself up: "If that's the case, then please let him in."

Not long after, Lord Zhengzhang of the Imperial Hospital walked in quickly and greeted first.

The emperor glanced at him and asked: "Are you here because of the Queen Mother's illness?"

Lord Zhang nodded slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I have discovered something that I must tell you."

"Just speak frankly." The emperor said calmly.

Lord Zhang, however, looked alert and said, "I hope the emperor can withdraw his attendants. This matter is of great importance."

Seeing his serious expression, the emperor nodded slightly and asked Debao to leave with the palace servants.

After the crowd was cleared, Lord Zhang bowed and reported.

"Your Majesty, ever since the Queen Mother fell ill, I have investigated all of her pulse records and the medicine residues she used. I have discovered that the Queen Mother's condition is not due to a simple illness, but to toxins."

"What?" The emperor's eyes widened instantly. "You mean someone is trying to murder the Queen Mother? Have you found the cause of the poison?"

Lord Zhang nodded.

"I have read through ancient books and finally found a toxin similar to it. This poison comes from the south. It is called 'Youlan Powder'. It is extremely rare and difficult to detect.

It is colorless and tasteless, and can gradually erode the human body through long-term trace intake. The initial symptoms are no different from ordinary diseases, but over time, the poisoned person will gradually weaken until the oil is exhausted. "

Lord Zhang looked solemn as he spoke every word of this astonishing discovery.

When the emperor heard this, his face suddenly changed. He clenched his hands into fists, his knuckles turned white, and anger and shock were intertwined in his eyes.

"Who is so bold as to do such a cruel thing to the Queen Mother!" He almost growled as he asked this question, his tone filled with uncontrollable anger.

Lord Zhang saw that the emperor was furious, but he was able to remain calm and continue reporting.

"Although I have identified the type of poison, I still have no clues about the person who poisoned it. This poison comes from the South, and the method is secretive. I am afraid that the person behind it is quite powerful, so we need to be careful."

The emperor pondered for a moment, and a look of determination flashed in his eyes.

"Investigate this for me at all costs! Whoever dares to murder the empress dowager will pay the price a hundred times!" His voice was as cold as ice, revealing his unquestionable determination.

Lord Zhang took the order and left. The study returned to silence, but the emperor's heart was still unsettled. He knew that the storm had only just begun, and the truth behind it was far more complicated than he had imagined.

It was late at night. The moonlight shone through the window onto the desk, illuminating the emperor's furrowed brow.

He stood up and slowly walked to the window, looking at the quiet palace outside, with a lot of thoughts in his mind. The matter of Duke Shen has not been resolved yet, and the Queen Mother has suffered this vicious attack again. The peace of Daqi seems to be facing an unprecedented challenge.

"Duke Shen..." He murmured in a low voice, and the image of Duke Shen fighting for his country and being loyal to his country flashed through his mind.

As a monarch, he certainly did not want to believe that his subjects would betray him, but he suddenly remembered an old incident.

When the southern border rebelled, it was Duke Shen who led the troops to quell the rebellion and wiped out the barbarians in the south.

It is said that the Yi people are very good at poison and Gu insects. Could it be that they got it at that time? If so, then Shen Mengyao, who served the Queen Mother, would be a big suspect.

He was in a state of confusion for a moment.

On the second day, many palace maids came to the Queen Mother and said that she had been suffering from a long-standing illness, so all her things needed to be replaced with new ones.

The Queen Mother still hadn't woken up, she was very weak.

Fu Qing felt very sad to see that the Queen Mother had to suffer this torture even though she was ill, but since it was the Emperor's order, she had no choice but to do it.