The Trap in the Night
As night fell, Wan Yuting stayed in the palace guest chamber for envoys to inspect the merchandise.
She had no idea that someone had already sneaked through the western corridor outside.
A palace maid set a water jug on the table, then hurried away. Wan Yuting glanced at it but didn't touch it.
The System immediately issued a warning.
"Foreign substance detected. It may alter the medicinal properties of the product."
Wan Yuting gave a cold laugh.
"They really can't wait out a single night."
She took a test strip from the System and dipped it into the water. The strip quickly turned dark purple.
Ta Lam drew his sword. "Poison?"
"Not enough to kill anyone. But if it's used to mix the cosmetics, it will cause a rash to break out on the face."
"Tomorrow, they'll accuse you of trying to harm the Empress."
"I know."
Wan Yuting opened the merchandise chest, took out a bottle of purified water, and set it beside the tampered water jug.
Ta Lam was surprised. "Aren't you going to report this to the Empress?"
"If we report it now, we'll only catch a palace maid. Let her keep working, and we'll find out who's behind her."
At midnight, someone indeed sneaked back.
The moment the door opened, Wan Yuting switched on a flashlight and shone it directly into the intruder's face.
The palace maid jumped and dropped the packet of powder in her hand.
Ta Lam immediately seized her.
Wan Yuting picked up the packet and held it near her nose for a sniff. The scent was very faint, but it was exactly like the powder found in a poisoning case in the capital.
"Lu Ruowei didn't come up with this on her own."
Ta Lam asked, "Should we interrogate her now?"
"No. Take her before the Empress tomorrow."
The next morning, the Imperial Hall was even more crowded than the day before. The Empress sat on the phoenix throne. Chu Jing and Lu Ruowei stood at the head of the line.
Lu Ruowei smiled sweetly.
"Your Majesty, please examine my product first."
She presented the box of ancient rose powder. The Empress tested it on the back of her hand. The powder was fine, and its fragrance was elegant. The noblewomen immediately began praising it.
Chu Jing looked at Wan Yuting smugly.
Wan Yuting didn't rush. She simply opened her own chest.
"Before testing it, I ask Your Majesty to summon the palace maid from last night."
Lu Ruowei's expression changed.
The Empress frowned. "Why?"
Wan Yuting pointed at the water jug. "The water meant to mix and test my product was switched. If I hadn't discovered it today, Your Majesty would have been the one harmed."
The entire hall erupted in an uproar.
Chu Jing immediately stepped forward. "Without evidence, you may not slander anyone in the palace."
"I have evidence."
Wan Yuting clapped her hands.
Ta Lam escorted the palace maid into the hall. Behind him, two guards carried a silver tray. On it sat the water jug, the test strip that had turned purple, and the suspicious packet of powder.
The moment the palace maid saw Lu Ruowei, she collapsed to her knees.
"It was... it was Second Miss who ordered me to do it."
Lu Ruowei went pale. "Liar! I've never even met you!"
Wan Yuting stepped in front of her.
"You don't need to admit anything. The Empress only needs to test the product with clean water and the tampered water to know the truth."
The Empress ordered them to do so.
With the clean water, the cream absorbed evenly, and nothing unusual happened. With the tampered water, tiny red bumps immediately broke out across the skin.
The Empress's expression turned icy.
"Lu Ruowei, you are bold indeed."
Lu Ruowei dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty, I'm being framed!"
Wan Yuting watched the scene and gave a soft laugh.
Lu Ruowei's tears could deceive Chu Jing, but they couldn't deceive someone holding evidence in her hands.
The Empress ordered the palace maid imprisoned and postponed the decision on the beauty-products auction until the following day.
When everyone left the hall, Chu Jing blocked Wan Yuting's path.
"You intend to oppose me to the very end?"
Wan Yuting raised her head. "No. I just want you people to stop coming after me."
He clenched his hands into fists.
At the end of the corridor, a figure in black silently turned away.
He was not one of the Crown Prince's people.
He had come from the Empress's faction.