Upon hearing this, Zong Luo did not express belief or disbelief but instead asked with a solemn expression, “What method? Used on whom? When exactly?”
He threw out three questions in succession, leaving Gongsun You standing there dumbfounded.
Because his lord obviously lacked trust in him, Gongsun You had prepared a whole bellyful of explanations.
After all, the matter had not yet occurred, it was merely showing signs. If Zong Luo was unwilling to believe, Gongsun You had no way to prove himself or produce any evidence.
Unexpectedly, his lord believed him so straightforwardly without asking further.
It was a pity that this was clearly the first step in gaining trust and an excellent opportunity to show his capabilities, but Gongsun You could not answer any of the three questions.
Thinking this, Gongsun You replied somewhat awkwardly, “I’m not very clear about the specifics.”
Although Zong Chengsi highly valued this up-and-coming strategist with a clean background and grassroots origins, he would not be so generous as to let Gongsun You be involved in such a secretive event just after taking him in.
It was only after observing the brief interactions between Zong Chengsi and Zong Hongjiu, combined with Zong Chengsi’s early entry into the palace, that he pieced together a conclusion from the details. But beyond that, he could not know more.
After listening, Zong Luo’s expression did not fluctuate much.
If the attack was aimed at him, it would still be alright, as he was skilled in martial arts and possessed internal strength. But if it was aimed at Zong Ruichen from the beginning…
He hurriedly left a message, “I understand, you’ve done well. I’ll be careful. You can go back first.” Then he immediately returned, quickening his pace along the way.
Recalling Zong Ruichen’s previous desire to go to the restroom, Zong Luo had an ominous premonition.
Ye Linghan, close to him, possessed martial arts skills and Zong Ruichen’s martial arts skills were also passable. Although both were rather average—the former because his studies were delayed by his responsibilities, and the latter due to his young age.
But at least within the imperial palace, with prior knowledge that something might happen, he hoped it would not be the worst-case scenario he imagined.
Seeing his lord like this, Gongsun You did not say much more and walked in another direction towards the Imperial Garden, deciding to stroll around for a while to avoid drawing attention.
Meanwhile, Zong Luo re-entered the great hall.
The dancers were still dancing in the center of the hall, and the music played was distant and tranquil, with a few more turns of grace and comfort than before.
As people were busy socializing and toasting, laughter and the sound of bronze wine cups clinking could be heard from afar.
Passing through layers of gauzy curtains, Zong Luo saw that the people who had been sitting next to his original seat were still there. Looking across, Zong Chengsi and Zong Hongjiu were at their seats, appearing to be without any abnormalities.
Zong Luo felt slightly relieved and quickly approached.
By the time he got there, Zong Ruichen happened to clutch his stomach, let out a mournful cry, and lay on the table with an uncomfortable expression on his face.
“What’s wrong?” Zong Luo’s expression immediately became grave.
Zong Ruichen, with a mournful face, said, “I don’t know, I just felt uncomfortable in my stomach while eating, and it’s somewhat painful.”
This was a banquet under the watchful eyes of many, could it be possible that the food had been tampered with?
Zong Luo was puzzled and asked in a low voice, “Do you feel unwell anywhere else, and is it different from what you dreamed about before?”
Zong Ruichen shook his head. “I don’t remember, I only recall that in the dream, my body felt very hot and dry, but now it’s just a stomachache.”
Zong Luo hesitated for a moment but still asked a servant nearby, “Where is the imperial physician now?”
The scene described by Zong Ruichen in the dream was too horrifying, and Zong Luo did not dare to gamble on this possibility. If it was just a stomachache now, it might turn into itching all over later, especially since they were still at the banquet. If it turned into the sinister drugging like in the dream, there would be no escaping the impropriety in front of the emperor.
The urgent matter was to find the imperial physician to have a look.
“Reporting to Your Highness, the imperial physician is waiting in the back hall, ready to obey orders at any time.”
During such palace banquet events, there would always be people who drank too much or other situations, so the imperial physicians were always prepared to obey orders at any time.
Taking advantage of the fact that everyone was toasting, Zong Luo quietly left his seat with Zong Ruichen and headed towards the back hall.
If it were the palace on ordinary days, it would naturally be difficult for anything to happen.
However, tonight, with many people and eyes around, not only were there palace servants, but also from the music troupe, some witches, in addition, there were many invitees, with some families bringing seven or eight people, making it inevitably more difficult to manage, and it was not impossible for some oversights to occur.
Just like in his previous life, Zong Ruichen was still falsely accused.
Along the way, Zong Luo carefully questioned Zong Ruichen about what he had eaten.
“I just ate some food on the table, you know, Third Brother, you had warned me not to pay attention to Zong Hongjiu and the others. When they came to drink with me, I pretended to be dumb.”
Zong Ruichen hadn’t thought about this at all. Neither had Zong Luo.
What kind of place was the imperial kitchen? If even the Fourth and Ninth can casually put drugs in the imperial kitchen, then the Emperor Yuan might as well not rule and just wash and go to sleep.
With a belly full of doubts, they arrived at the back hall.
The imperial physician on duty today happened to be someone Zong Luo knew. After exchanging greetings, he took the opportunity to take Zong Ruichen’s pulse.
After a long time, the imperial physician sighed, and as Zong Luo’s heart sank, he finally said, “Eighth Highness, gluttonous behavior is not advisable. Eating too much can easily cause bloating and indigestion. Eating too hastily can lead to localized abdominal pain. Just sit for a while and drink some water, and you’ll be fine.”
Zong Ruichen: “…….”
Zong Luo: “……..”
