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The crowd entered the room, and the Empress exclaimed joyfully, "Your Majesty, look! The Crown Prince's breathing has stabilized, and his complexion has regained some color!"

Everyone turned to look at the Crown Prince lying on the bed, confirming the Empress's words.

The Emperor, smiling warmly, suddenly recalled Su Li's earlier statement. He immediately turned around and asked, "Miss Su, how was the Crown Prince poisoned?"

Su Li stepped forward and carefully examined the surroundings.

Her gaze eventually settled on the embroidered silk pillow beneath the Crown Prince's head.

"It's this!" Su Li declared firmly.

Jun Mo picked up the silk pillow and looked at Su Li questioningly.

Su Li explained gravely, "This silk fabric was soaked in poison and then scented with incense to mask the smell of the toxin. Occasional contact with the fabric won't cause poisoning, and even testing it with a silver needle wouldn't reveal anything. However, over time, sleeping on it allows the toxins to gradually seep into the body—a slow-acting poison that the Imperial Physicians discovered."

The Emperor's fury erupted.

"How could someone be so malicious as to devise such a method?!"

The Empress burst into tears. "Your Majesty, you must find the culprit! If it weren't for Miss Su today, our son...!"

The Emperor nodded solemnly and turned to Jun Mo. "I entrust this investigation to you. No matter who is behind this, they shall face severe punishment!"

The Empress glanced at Jun Mo, silently approving.

Jun Mo had always been close friends with the Crown Prince. Moreover, if he hadn't suggested bringing Su Li to detoxify the Crown Prince, the latter might have already...

Thinking of Su Li, the Empress turned to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, Young Miss Su has done an extraordinary deed today. She deserves proper reward!"

Su Li curtsied gracefully. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, the Crown Prince's successful detoxification would not have been possible without Physician Qiu's help. He placed his own palm into the Crown Prince's mouth to prevent him from biting himself due to the excruciating pain."

Physician Qiu immediately stepped forward, bowing deeply. "This humble servant is ashamed; I merely did what little I could and dare not claim credit."

Seeing the blood dripping from Physician Qiu's injured hand, the Emperor waved his hand decisively. "All shall be rewarded! Promote Qiu Zhengshan to Chief Physician of the Imperial Medical Institute, overseeing its operations. Cleanse the institute thoroughly for me, understood?"

Qiu Zhengshan raised his head in surprise, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, forever and ever!"

"Rise," the Emperor commanded. Then, addressing Su Li, he continued, "As for the greatest contributor to this affair, we grant Young Miss Su Li of the Su family the title of Palace Decree Holder, allowing her unrestricted access to the palace. Additionally, she is awarded ten thousand gold taels and one hundred bolts of fine silk."

Su Li stepped forward to express her gratitude.

Lan Yu gazed at Su Li, her eyes brimming with appreciation.

Who could have imagined that the once infamous Su Li would ultimately save the Crown Prince?

Had it not been for Su Li, Lan Yu would likely have become the laughingstock of the capital. There would have been no place for her within the royal family.

Both the Empress and Lan Yu bestowed additional gifts of jewelry upon Su Li as tokens of their gratitude.

After prescribing a detoxification formula and explaining the dosage instructions, Su Li took her leave.

As she departed, she noticed Jun Mo interrogating the attendants of the Eastern Palace.

Stopping briefly, Su Li remarked, "You can know a person's face, but not their heart—even among those as close as siblings."

With that cryptic statement, she left before Jun Mo could respond.

When Su Li's father heard that his daughter had truly cured the Crown Prince, he couldn't help but widen his eyes in astonishment.

Was his daughter a prodigy? Could she really master such advanced medical knowledge by simply reading a few books from his study?

If she were to formally apprentice under a master, wouldn't she achieve even greater heights?

Su Li walked alongside her father toward the palace gates. Behind them trailed a line of palace maids, each carrying rewards given to Su Li by nobles—an impressive sight indeed.

Upon returning home, news of the young mistress being honored spread throughout the household of the Minister of Rites.

In her rage, Su Yue smashed the jade bracelet in her hand.

"Wretched woman! Flaunting herself like this! She only gained favor because of her status as a legitimate daughter!"

If she too had a powerful grandfather wielding military authority and was born legitimate, she was certain she'd outshine Su Li!

Today, she couldn't even enter the palace, and last night, her father punished her by making her kneel in the courtyard all night. Her resentment was nearly suffocating her.

"Let's go! To my mother's chambers!"

She needed to act quickly—her mother had to come up with a plan. She couldn't let Su Li continue strutting around arrogantly!