Chapter 13
Chapter 13
In the blink of an eye, Mu Wantang vanished like the wind.
Lin Qing smoothed the wrinkles from her clothes and quietly returned to the front courtyard. She plopped down beside Meng Jie. The two exchanged a glance and subtly nodded to each other.
The task was done.
Meng Jie whispered, “Still haven’t seen anything from that family.”
That family referred to the Mu clan of Yuzhou.
Lin Qing took a light sip of tea. “No rush. How are things on this side?”
Meng Jie replied, “That brat Jin and the Lin family’s young lady left one after the other and haven’t returned yet.”
“Jin brat” was a covert nickname for Prince Rui this time.
Lin Qing calculated the time; it should have taken about forty-five minutes to search the small building and walk back to the front yard. By now, Ge Yi’s side should have come to a conclusion.
Just then, she looked up and saw Li Chenxuan approaching with Ge Yi.
One wore a smile and spoke softly, though his fists were clenched tightly, veins bulging; the other looked triumphant, as if having just won a battle and was savoring her victory.
Lin Qing withdrew her gaze, initially thinking Ge Yi was clever, but now seeing how easily she was fooled by Li Chenxuan.
Well, she hadn’t intended to scheme against Lin Junrou and the others—this was just a convenience.
Li Chenxuan smiled brightly, holding Ge Yi’s hand as they came to the main seat. “This Miss Ge once saved my life on the border.”
No one else said much. Immediately, a servant brought over a chair beside the main seat. Li Chenxuan helped Ge Yi sit before he returned to the head seat.
Though they said little, those seated here were all sharp minds and instantly understood, showering Ge Yi with praises as if she were a celestial fairy.
Meng Jie clicked his tongue twice. “Looks like there’s good news brewing at Prince Rui’s mansion.”
Lin Qing smiled faintly. “Not necessarily. Look at Marquis Yongning’s face—it’s as dark as the bottom of a pot.”
Meng Jie grinned mockingly. “The Marquis of Yongning’s family has been eyeing the position of Princess Consort Rui. This must be painful for them.”
Lin Qing said, “Don’t underestimate Lin Junrou. Her reputation seems calm on the surface, but the rumors about her true parentage have affected her deeply. Becoming Princess Consort Rui is her only chance to turn her fortunes around. She would never let go, even if it kills her.”
At that moment, someone sat beside them. “Lord Lin, I’ve long admired you.”
Lin Qing turned to see none other than Wei Wuji, heir to the Duke of Lu’s household.
Wei Wuji was infamous in the capital as a notorious playboy, but in this city, one must never judge by appearances alone.
Though Lin Qing was not close to Wei Wuji, she put on a gracious smile and bowed politely, “So it’s Crown Prince Wei.”
Wei Wuji’s delicate features curled into a provocative smirk as he subtly gestured toward the main seat with his fan. “Lord Lin, do you know what’s happened?”
Lin Qing absentmindedly grabbed a handful of melon seeds. “Looks like Crown Prince Wei has caught wind of something.”
“Indeed.” Wei Wuji covered his mouth with his fan, eyes full of sarcasm. “I just heard from a servant that Prince Rui had an affair with that questionable eldest legitimate daughter from Marquis Yongning’s household. Miss Ge, who sneaked in, caught them in a secret chamber in the western garden.”
Miss Ge, who sneaked in?
Ge Yi’s origins hadn’t been mentioned in the original story. According to Li Chenxuan, Ge Yi was from the Dayuan border...
Lin Qing put down the melon seeds and scrutinized Wei Wuji closely. “Seems Crown Prince Wei isn’t an ordinary man.”
Wei Wuji idly toyed with his fan. “Surviving under a stepmother’s thumb requires some tricks of your own.”
Lin Qing understood. The current wife of the Duke of Lu was a stepmother who had borne three sons. The eldest was only two years younger than Wei Wuji, making the heirship highly contested.
Wei Wuji’s survival thus far showed some skill, but in the capital, every family had its dirt. What did it matter to Lin Qing?
However, Wei Wuji might bring some surprises. “What does Crown Prince Wei want?”
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“Just hoping to make friends with Lord Lin. I lack other talents, but I’m sharper than most, especially regarding that side’s affairs.” Wei Wuji’s fan pointed toward the direction of the border.
Lin Qing smiled and clinked her tea cup against his. “Well then, I accept Crown Prince Wei as a friend. Today, I’ll toast with tea instead of wine to our new friendship.”
Wei Wuji laughed heartily, lifting his cup. “Cheers!”
Lin Qing lifted the cup’s lid, a faint, delicate fragrance wafted into her nostrils.
Her expression changed drastically as she flung Wei Wuji’s teacup aside.
Wei Wuji frowned, his displeasure fading as he noticed Lin Qing’s sudden change. “Something’s wrong?”
Lin Qing said nothing, her sharp gaze fixed on Ge Yi beside the main seat, who looked equally pale.
Suddenly, several officials seated at the front table turned their lips black, coughed up dark blood, and collapsed unconscious. The tea-maid behind them screamed in terror as the teacup shattered on the ground.
It was a signal. The front courtyard held over twenty large Dayuan tables, with most of the capital’s officials present. One after another, they began to vomit blood and fall.
A sickly sweet fragrance rose from the blood, a mixture of dozens of floral scents, nauseating to the senses.
The festive atmosphere turned chaotic instantly. Some poisoned had already slipped into unconsciousness, others collapsed wailing in pain. Those unaffected were either bewildered or fearful, retreating backward.
Someone shouted, “Run! Murderer!”
The healthy ones surged toward the exit like madmen, the scene descending into pandemonium.
“Flesh and blood give off fragrance...” Lin Qing murmured before urgently instructing Meng Jie, “Bring the Heavenly Prosperity Guard immediately. Seal off Prince Rui’s mansion. Not a single fly may leave. Send word to the palace at once. Inform His Majesty and have the imperial physicians rush here.”
Meng Jie was startled but found resolve in her words. Using lightness skill, he sped away like the wind.
“Crown Prince Wei, help me!” Lin Qing kicked the round wooden table beside her. The heavy table flew up with a bang, knocking the nearest people away.
Wei Wuji’s handsome face was pale and tense. He swallowed hard. “Alright!”
Lin Qing grabbed him mid-jump and led the way to the mansion gate. “Close the gate!”
The massive doors were heavy. Wei Wuji, no warrior himself, exerted all his strength to shut them.
Lin Qing stood before him, voice steady and cold. “Heavenly Prosperity Guard is here. Anyone who breaks in will be killed!”
Her single word, combined with her steely expression, finally calmed the crowd somewhat.
She snatched a long blade from a guard and handed it to Wei Wuji. “Please hold this post, Crown Prince Wei. Anyone who attempts to leave without permission, kill them. The responsibility lies with me, head of the Heavenly Prosperity Division.”
Wei Wuji could only take the blade and theatrically brandish it a few times. “Understood!”
Lin Qing then flew back through the crowd to the front courtyard.
Li Chenxuan was poisoned. Perhaps due to strong internal energy, he was still conscious. Ge Yi anxiously tried to use silver needles to detoxify him.
Lin Qing strode over and grabbed Ge Yi’s wrist.
Ge Yi snapped, “Do you want to die? Let go!”
Ignoring her, Lin Qing asked, “How long from poisoning to death?”
Ge Yi glared. “How would I know!”
Lin Qing didn’t bother arguing. She produced a pill from her sleeve and forced it into Li Chenxuan’s mouth, pressing a vital point to silence him.
Ge Yi, shocked by Lin Qing’s actions, tried to snatch Li Chenxuan away, but though skilled in poison arts, her martial ability was average. She couldn’t overpower Lin Qing, glaring fiercely and gritting her teeth. “How dare you poison the prince!”
Lin Qing said, “Ge Yi, let’s be clear. Today’s gathering was called by Prince Rui. If anything happens to these people, even if Prince Rui is uninvolved, can he truly remain aloof?”
Regarding Li Chenxuan, Ge Yi fell silent for a moment before suppressing her hatred. “There’s no antidote for ‘Flesh and Blood Fragrance’ poison. Only silver needles can delay its effects. But with so many poisoned and only one of me, it’s impossible to save them all.”
Lin Qing said, “Delay the poison’s onset first. The imperial physicians are coming. You must teach them the detox method. Once everyone is safe, you’ll get the antidote.” With that, she turned to leave.
Ge Yi hurriedly helped Li Chenxuan lie down and took his pulse, but the poison was too fierce. She couldn’t discern the nature of Lin Qing’s poison and couldn’t concoct an antidote. She could only grit her teeth and follow Lin Qing’s instructions.
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Within moments, the Heavenly Prosperity Guard arrived, surrounding Prince Rui’s mansion inside and out, not allowing even a fly to escape.
Meng Jie returned to report, “His Majesty and the Empress Dowager had left the palace, but upon receiving the news, the Empress Dowager returned. His Majesty is on his way, and the imperial physicians are en route.”
Lin Qing rubbed her forehead. “How’s it at the Women’s Court?”
Meng Jie said, “All’s well. The lady and the young ladies were only slightly frightened. Princess Fuhui is there watching over them and told us to proceed with the investigation calmly.”
Princess Fuhui was Li Mingxiao’s aunt and was known in the capital as a breath of fresh air.
Wei Wuji, replaced by the Heavenly Prosperity Guard, also returned.
Lin Qing eyed him. “Are you alright?”
“No problem. After you spoke, those people dispersed.” Wei Wuji’s tone was laced with sarcasm. “They’re all high officials, yet they were intimidated by just you. Quite a sight.”
Lin Qing shrugged. “They weren’t afraid of me, just terrified of the Heavenly Prosperity Division’s notorious reputation.”
Wei Wuji asked, “What’s the next step?”
Lin Qing said, “The poison was in the tea. Everyone who drank tea here holds at least moderate official rank.”
Wei Wuji’s eyes flickered with understanding. “Got it. Don’t worry. I’ll soothe the officials. As for catching the culprit, that’s your job.”
He bowed and left.
Meng Jie was puzzled. “Vice Commissioner? Wei Wuji isn’t from our Heavenly Prosperity Division.”
Lin Qing said, “If Wei Wuji approaches me for cooperation, his stepmother must have driven him into a corner. This is his chance. Once he calms those officials, it’s an opportunity for him.”
What concerned her now was who dared to poison half the court in such a setting.
Moreover, this was a wake-up call.
Perhaps Ge Yi was not the one who killed Wang Duan.
Soon, His Majesty’s procession arrived.
His entourage halted before Prince Rui’s mansion. Li Mingxiao, dressed in bright yellow, was helped down from his dragon carriage by a chief eunuch and entered the mansion.
Lin Qing hurried forward to salute but was waved off by Li Mingxiao.
“How’s it going?” he asked.
Lin Qing reported, “The incident was sudden. The Heavenly Prosperity Guard has temporarily taken control of the mansion. The poisoned officials have been tended to, and the imperial physicians are studying the antidote.”
They entered the main hall. Except for close aides, others withdrew.
Lin Qing handed a vial of ‘Flesh and Blood Fragrance’ poison to Li Mingxiao and explained her doubts about Ge Yi’s involvement, omitting anything related to Prince Rui.
Li Mingxiao stared seriously at the porcelain bottle. “Lin Qing, what do you think their motive is?”
Lin Qing hesitated. “I do not know.”
She felt frustrated. The enemy had anticipated her suspicion of Ge Yi, making Ge Yi the key pawn in their scheme.
“If I’m right, someone will come soon to testify that I am the poisoner.”
Li Mingxiao sighed and stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. His handsome face softened as if glowing. “This hardship is but a hurdle on the road to growth. Once overcome, things will be better. I trust you, Lin Qing.”
Lin Qing glanced cautiously at Li Mingxiao, feeling a small flutter in her heart and a sudden urge to write a little essay.
She had to admit, Li Mingxiao’s handsome face matched her aesthetic perfectly—ethereal and radiant like the moon, like a celestial being—neither cold nor aloof, but generously protective.
Only the inspirational speech felt a bit too much; honestly, she preferred things to go smoothly, steadily climbing the ranks and prospering without hardship.