Chapter 205 - Fire in the Plum Garden and a Fatal Blow!

“What soon? Someone’s already here.” Baili Anning turned around to look at the door and saw the Duchess of Wei, Madam Zhang, walking in with her daughter Zhao Ruyun.

Baili Anning suddenly whispered, “Ninghua, I’ll take care of them. You go back to your room.” With that, she stomped on Shen Ninghua’s dress and a black footprint instantly appeared on it.

“Ah, Ninghua, I lost my balance. I didn’t mean it. Go back to your room and change your clothes.”

Shen Ninghua looked apologetically at Madam Zhang. “Madam Zhang, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll change my clothes and come over soon.”

After she entered the room, Bai Ruo hurriedly took out the clothes she had prepared. “Miss, which one do you want?”

Shen Ninghua opened the note in her hand. When she saw what was written on it, she frowned. The note said, “The empress applied a drug. Be careful.”

What drug did the empress use? When did she apply the drug? What was the efficacy? She didn’t explain it clearly, and the handwriting was very sloppy. It was obviously written in much of a hurry.

Baili Anning would not warn her without a reason. She must have heard something. In this way, she could only be more cautious. “Bai Ruo, tell Qing Que to take good care of the guests in the courtyard. Everything, including food and tea, must be handled by someone we can trust. There must be no mistakes.”

“Yes, Miss.”

After choosing a misty cloud and butterfly dress, Shen Ninghua changed her jade hairpin and wore an exquisite pearl hairpin on her head.

Looking at the arrangements in the plum garden, the guests who came to the plum banquet praised nonstop, “Her Highness is really clever. Look at the warm tent curtains, the seats, teacups and wine jugs around. Every one of them is exquisite and gorgeous.”

“That’s right. The plum blossoms in this courtyard are even more unparalleled. It just snowed a few days ago, but now the plum trees aren’t affected in the slightest and bloom in the snow. It can be seen that Her Highness took careful measures to protect the trees.”

“Don’t forget the Ice Soul Incense she made. I heard that many ladies in the Palace have trouble sleeping at night. After lighting this incense, they can quickly fall asleep.”

“Yeah, it’s really unexpected.”

Shen Ninghua smiled. Her beautiful face was exceptionally noble. “Ladies, you praise me too much. I just happen to make some incense. I don’t deserve Her Majesty’s overwhelming praise.”

“Your Highness is too modest. I heard that the emperor smelled the Ice Soul Incense that you made and also liked it very much. Right now, many ladies in the Palace have the Ice Soul Incense that you made.”

Shen Ninghua chuckled. She smiled humbly and courteously, but there was already a ripple in her heart. She had heard the news in the Palace, but she did not expect that it had already reached the point where every lady had the Ice Soul Incense. In order to disperse the risk, she had made quite some Ice Soul Incense and had given it away to many of the ladies. Now, it seemed that if the empress had really done something in every palace, it would be difficult for her to escape.

Not long after the banquet began, someone said, “Your Highness, we heard that you are going to teach us to make the incense. I wonder if it’s true?”

Shen Ninghua nodded. “Actually, Ice Soul Incense is very simple to make. The raw materials are easy to obtain, and there is no need for complicated craftsmanship. If you like it, I can teach you.”

“Alright, this is really great.”

“The ingredients should be plum blossoms. Then let’s go take a look.” Minister of Justice’s wife, Madam Wang, stood up first. Immediately, everyone began to move. They all stood up and walked towards the plum trees.

Shen Ninghua’s eyebrows twitched slightly. At this time, it was naturally inappropriate for her to sit still. “Ladies, let me tell you how to gather flower petals.”

Everyone was in high spirits as they walked around the plum trees with smiles on their faces. They looked up at the various plum blossoms and looked for the best angle to gather plum blossoms.

Suddenly, Shen Ninghua’s heart skipped a beat and she subconsciously turned to look at the edge of the plum garden.

A firecracker exploded and fireworks flew into the air, crackling in succession.

Shen Ninghua’s heart was beating faster and faster, and before she could let everyone leave the garden, she saw fireworks falling from the wall and landing in the plum garden.

“Ah, fire!”

“Heavens.”

The fire sparks landed on the plum blossoms like a drop of water falling into hot oil. With a sharp sound, a plum tree was ignited and the fire quickly spread. The surrounding plum trees were lit one after another. The guests watching the plum blossoms in the plum forest got panicked and ran out in swarms.

Bai Ruo stepped forward to protect Shen Ninghua. “Miss, let’s go.”

Shen Ninghua’s eyes flashed with the firelight and shook violently. “Bai Ruo, don’t worry about me. I’m fine. Hurry up and save the people before extinguishing the fire!”

“Yes, Miss.”

What was going on? Didn’t they destroy the white phosphorus powder? Why were these plum trees still on fire?

Shen Ninghua was caught off guard and was knocked to the ground by someone who rushed out of the woods. She was about to be trampled by people who kept running out from behind.

“Miss!”

Qing Que leaped forward, but she was too far away and couldn’t offer any help.

At this critical moment, Chu Junyi stepped forward and shook the people beside Shen Ninghua away. He pulled her up and said, “Ninghua, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Help the other people.”

“Alright.” Chu Junyi frowned and nodded. The light in his eyes was calm. “Don’t panic. They will definitely be fine.”

The guards quickly rushed over. They splashed water with basins. Those who didn’t have water simply shoveled the snow off the ground and threw it on the trees.

The fire spread fiercely, but the flames weren’t very big. Besides, it was a snowy day. It wasn’t long before the fire was extinguished.

However, the madams and young ladies were in an extremely sorry state. Some of them had their hair and makeup mixed together, while others were burned by the flames and cried out in succession. The originally beautiful plum garden was in a mess in an instant.

“Bai Ruo, instruct the maids to prepare water for the madams and young ladies to clean up. Also, bring over the Skin-Revitalizing Ointment from my medicine cabinet. We can’t let the madams and young ladies suffer any losses.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Ladies, please don’t panic. How could a plum garden catch fire just after it snowed? There must be something fishy about it. I will definitely catch the arsonist and give you an explanation!”

But at this time, no one listened to her words and shouted to go home.

“Ladies, listen to me. I have already sent someone to fetch the imperial doctors. They will be here soon. I have a top-grade ointment here. Not only will it get rid of any scar, but it will also make you look even more beautiful. I guarantee in my capacity as Princess Zhaohua that you will not suffer the slightest loss!”

She referred to her title of Princess, which not only increased the credibility of her words but also intimidated everyone. After all, she was a princess. Even if she was wrong, they could not offend her too much.

The wife of the Minister of War, Madam Shao, took the lead to stand out. Her forehead was injured, and her hair was also damaged. Her bead hairpin and hair accessories had long since disappeared. “I’ll go first. I believe in Your Highness.”

Shen Ninghua’s heart trembled as she looked at Madam Shao with gratitude. This was the third time Madam Shao had spoken out to help her. She would remember this kindness in her heart.

Bai Ruo hurriedly asked someone to bring Madam Shao to the room. She washed the wounds carefully before applying the ointment prepared by Shen Ninghua.

“Oh? This ointment actually works so well. The wound immediately stopped hurting once the ointment was applied!”

“Madam, Her Highness made this ointment according to the medical records. No matter how serious the injury is, it will not leave the slightest scar.”

“Oh, I see…”

With Madam Shao’s demonstration, the crowd calmed down a lot, and they all went forward to ask the maids to help clean the wounds.

Seeing that the situation was under control, Shen Ninghua let out a sigh of relief. The empress was really generous. She was willing to pay such a high price to frame her!

Just as the situation was under control, a sudden movement came from the door.

Chu Junyi suddenly raised his head and looked at the newly appointed head of the Imperial Guards, Zhou Quan. “Lord Zhou, why do you come? Is there something you want to discuss with me?”

“Greetings, Your Highnesses. I’m here to deliver His Majesty’s oral edict. His Majesty summons the princess and the imperial son-in-law to the Palace for questioning.”

Palace…questioning…these were not nice words to hear. Once it involved questioning, it meant that something bad must have happened, and it also implicated them.

Shen Ninghua naturally thought of this as well. She exchanged a glance with Chu Junyi and faintly guessed that there was only one possibility if something went wrong in the Palace at this time, and it must be related to the incense!

Bai Ruo stepped forward and asked worriedly, “Miss?”

“I’m fine. Keep an eye on the princess’ mansion. Make sure to help everyone clean up their wounds. Let them leave after applying medicine for them. Don’t let the madams and young ladies have any problem.”

If something happened to these people at this time, the consequences would be really serious.

“Yes, Miss. Don’t worry, I will definitely ensure their safety.”

Chu Junyi looked at Zhou Quan and bowed in gratitude. “Thank you, Lord Zhou, for your patience. Let’s go.” Zhou Quan had just mentioned questioning. He was clearly reminding them and doing them a favor. He needed to remember the kindness.

When the two of them got into the carriage, Shen Ninghua felt extremely uneasy. She always felt that things were going out of control step by step, as if an invisible hand was pulling them forward.

“Ninghua, it should be related to the incense. If our previous preparations are of no use now, we still have a second plan. The empress, no matter how smart she is, can’t take everything into consideration.”

“I understand.” Shen Ninghua nodded. “Oh right, is there anything going on in the court?”

“It’s nothing big. It’s just that the Fifth Prince and others hate me very much. I guess they figured out that Panlong Villa’s exposure has something to do with us.”

“How could he figure it out?” Baili Jinze seemed gentle, but he was extremely suspicious. Although his influence was considerable, he lacked confidants whom he could trust completely. This meant that if something happened to him, his entire force would be affected. It was precisely because of this that she made her move with the aim of suppressing the forces that Baili Jinze had secretly cultivated at one stroke.

“Could it be that there are counselors around him whom we don’t know about?”

“No way. He doesn’t have any counselor around him. He doesn’t believe in counselors.” Shen Ninghua said firmly.

Chu Junyi was stunned. He was about to ask her why she was so sure when he heard an air-piercing sound. His pupils suddenly shrank and he pulled Shen Ninghua into his embrace.

An arrow flew over and pinned deeply into the carriage!