Later, the shopkeeper of that restaurant committed suicide by taking poison, and the case became a headless mystery. At that time, the biggest suspect was King of Chu. King of Chu, Murong Yuan, was the second prince of Great Yong. After the death of the Prince, he was the most likely candidate to become the Prince, and also the most likely to act against the Emperor.

However, after a long investigation, there was no definitive evidence to prove it was King of Chu. There were also seven or eight other princes present, making the case very complicated. The Emperor, concerned about the royal reputation, and not wanting to damage the reputation of his sons, ordered the matter to be closed and not mentioned again. Thus, the matter came to nothing.

According to her informants inside the Palace, although the Emperor appeared to be handsome and radiant, that poisoning incident had severely damaged his primordial qi. He frequently took medicine, and occasionally would cough up blood. It seemed that the poison had not been completely cleared from his body, making it impossible for him to perform sexual pleasure. Therefore, from the Empress to the future concubines, none in the Palace were pregnant.

When the previous Prince Murong Cheng died, he had one legitimate and one illegitimate son. If the current Emperor could not produce heirs, then the previous Prince’s two sons would be the most likely candidates to become the Prince. Based on this deduction, the initiator of the poisoning incident might also be the Empress Dowager!

This reasoning might be a bit insane, but it was not without possibility. Any woman wouldn’t want to hand over what should belong to her son to another woman’s son, letting him occupy the imperial throne for a few years, and then have her grandsons take over when they grew up. What a rational plan that was!

Gaoyang decided to spread this matter. She didn’t believe the Emperor would remain indifferent after hearing it. Perhaps the Emperor had long suspected that woman, but was only putting on a show of motherly kindness and filial piety to save face!

More than ten days later

The rumor that the Empress Dowager poisoned the Emperor, rendering him unable to perform sexual pleasure or sire heirs, spread across the Capital of Great Yong. Since it concerned the royal family, the people didn’t dare to discuss it openly. However, the more dangerous the topic, the more excitement and interest it stirred. People whispered about it, spreading the story with added embellishments.

Moreover, some theater troupes changed the dynasty and names, bringing the story to the stage. As a result, the performance was a great success, and the story spread even further!

Such a big incident naturally reached the Palace as well.

Empress Dowager Wanyan received the news and summoned the Emperor to the Palace of Longevity. She asked bluntly, "Emperor, have you heard what’s being said outside?"

Murong Liuzun replied, "In response to Imperial Mother, your son has heard."

"Since you have heard, what do you think?"

"Of course, your son believes in Imperial Mother." Murong Liuzun said, "Imperial Mother, do not worry. Your son has already ordered the people not to spread any more falsehoods, and has also ordered an investigation to find the initiator of the rumors. Once uncovered, your son will not spare them lightly."

"Once found, please bring that villain to the Palace of Longevity and Health, I want to ask them personally what grudge and enmity they have with me that they would be so vicious to harm us, mother and son."

Empress Dowager Wanyan ordered, her eyes filled with anger.

Murong Liuzun laughed and said, "Yes, once I catch that troublemaker, your son will certainly send them to you, and let you deal with them as you see fit. However, Imperial Mother should not be angry over such a trivial matter, harming your health; there is no thousand-year-old ginseng to restore it."

The thousand-year-old ginseng he referred to was originally a gift from the Qing Luo Kingdom on the occasion of Empress Dowager Wanyan’s fiftieth birthday. It was said to have been given to the Qing Luo Kingdom’s Empress Dowager by the Empress of Great Jin, regarded by Great Yong as a national treasure, intended to be preserved forever.

However, during Murong Liuzun’s poisoning incident, Empress Dowager Wanyan did not hesitate to use this unique old ginseng to save Murong Liuzun’s life.

Murong Liuzun was deeply moved by this, and after his ascension, he sent people everywhere to seek another thousand-year-old ginseng for Empress Dowager Wanyan, but so far, he only found a 200-year-old ginseng, which he found very regrettable. When Empress Dowager Wanyan heard about this, she comforted him.

The mother and son had a very good relationship and often joked about this matter. Just like now, if Murong Liuzun truly suspected Empress Dowager Wanyan, he would not be in the mood to joke with her.