Chapter 50 I did it all by myself

Song Zhimian recounted her original plan in detail.

However, I made a slight change while speaking.

For example, that poisonous herb is called foxglove, which I saw in a rare copy of an overseas travelogue...

"You mean you came up with this idea after you overheard that Cai Boju liked to eat raw food?" Ye Yunshu asked.

"Yes! Cai Boju likes to eat raw food, is ambitious, arrogant, and flamboyant."

"All of these are key to the plan's success," Song Zhimian said softly.

"You mean that rabbits that eat foxgloves won't be poisonous as long as they're cooked thoroughly?"

"Is it only when food is undercooked and eaten with fine wine that it can be fatal?" Ye Yunshu asked.

Song Zhimian nodded.

"Yes! That rare book says that foxglove is poisonous, but animals will be fine if they eat it, as long as it is cooked thoroughly."

But if it's not cooked thoroughly... it's dangerous to eat.

When combined with strong liquor, the toxicity is even greater.

Ye Yunshu narrowed her eyes.

"Song Zhimian, you're incredibly bold!"

Have you ever thought about how dangerous your action is?

What would happen if someone else accidentally ate this?

What if the Crown Prince ate it, the King of Qi ate it, or someone else ate it?

"If anyone dies from eating that rabbit meat, you are guilty of a heinous crime, deserving a thousand cuts." Ye Yunshu's voice turned cold.

Song Zhimian had certainly thought about this question.

She looked calmly at Ye Yunshu.

"I've thought about this problem and even considered the possibilities."

First, raw rabbit meat has a strong, unpleasant smell, especially rabbits raised in the mountains. Those attending the banquet were all pampered and raised, so no one could stomach it.

Even Cai Boju... probably pretended to eat it!

Secondly, all the distinguished guests attending the banquet had received comprehensive etiquette training.

When attending banquets, one generally does not eat food served by anyone other than the host.

Firstly, it's for their own safety, and secondly, it's out of respect for the host's wishes.

Therefore, the roasted meat that Cai Boju himself brought to everyone was not eaten by anyone who knew the rules.

Third, among the guests at Xiaoyao Terrace that day, the Crown Prince was the most respected. If the Crown Prince did not move, no one else would move either.

Everyone in the capital knew that the Crown Prince was frail, and those in the palace knew even better that he could not eat raw or cold food.

Therefore, it is impossible for the Crown Prince to eat undercooked food that is not on the menu and was served by someone else.

If the crown prince doesn't eat it, then no one else will.

"Unless... someone harbors disrespect for the Crown Prince and intends to provoke him," Song Zhimian explained carefully.

Both Ye Yunshu and Xiao Huaijin, who was hiding in the dark room, were very surprised.

Song Zhimian actually came up with so many ideas.

The key is that every single one of them can withstand scrutiny.

This means that Song Zhimian has done everything in her power to ensure that this plan will only harm Cai Boju...

"You're really brave!" That's all Ye Yunshu could say.

Song Zhimian, kneeling on the ground, bowed deeply to Ye Yunshu.

"Lord Ye, actually, this problem is very simple."

To give a very simple example.

If there's a pile of poop on the road, only dogs will lick it, but people won't! People will just stay far away!

Ye Yunshu...

Why did she feel so relieved when Song Zhimian compared Cai Boju to a dog?

"Good! You've planned so much to kill Cai Boju, there must be someone else helping you!"

"You can't do this by yourself! Who else is helping you?" Ye Yunshu continued to ask.

Song Zhimian's hand suddenly clenched the robe beside her.

"No! I did it all by myself."

This is a life-or-death situation, how could anyone possibly help me!

Even if someone is willing to help me, I won't let them get involved.

If things are exposed, wouldn't I be in even greater danger?

"I know the principle that the more people who know, the more dangerous it becomes," Song Zhimian said softly.

Ye Yunshu smiled and softly uttered a sentence.

"Forsythia, the female physician, is a potential candidate!"

Song Zhimian...

As expected, this Lord Ye is far more capable than I thought; he was even able to detect Forsythia suspensa...

I just don't know how much she's uncovered.

"Yes! I used the female physician Lianqiao to get me a medicine that can attract herbivores."

I lied to her and said that there were rats and other creatures that often walked around behind my house, and that I was afraid of them, so I asked her if there was any way to deal with it.

She said that although she was a female doctor, she couldn't get her hands on poisons; she could only help me concoct some medicines that could attract those things away.

That's when I...

I placed the medicine that Lianqiao gave me around the foxgloves on the back hill of the Princess Villa.

The mountain had been searched by the Imperial Guards, and most of the animals had fled. The medicine... must have attracted rabbits from other places.

"Lord Ye, I did this all by myself. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Lian Qiao was just used by me." Song Zhimian hurriedly explained.

Ye Yunshu didn't say anything, but simply picked up the tea on the table and took a sip.

She knew everything she needed to know, and she was certain that Song Zhimian had orchestrated the whole thing.

As for that female physician Lian Qiao...

Whether they offered help voluntarily or not is no longer important.

Ye Yunshu is now certain that Song Zhimian is very smart, thoughtful, and patient. She has nothing but the little information she has gathered that she was able to plan such a thing.

The key point is that they actually killed Cai Boju!

Only they knew how good it was for them that Cai Boju died in an accident!

This woman's depth of thought and keen observation skills far exceeded Ye Yunshu's imagination.

Furthermore, even after the truth came out, she did not try to implicate others to lessen her own guilt.

This further demonstrates that she is actually kind-hearted.

"Lord Ye, I know I am guilty of a serious crime. I ruined Princess Shou Kang's birthday banquet and disturbed the nobles."

But I have a deep-seated grudge to avenge, and I must take it!

"I have failed your recommendation, sir. It is my fault. Please punish me!" Song Zhimian said as she knelt down.

Ye Yunshu looked at Song Zhimian, put down her teacup, and suddenly asked a question.

"Song Zhimian, how old are you?"

"eighteen!"

"Oh, you were born in the Year of the Dragon! Just like me, I was also born in the Year of the Dragon, but I'm a decade older than you," Ye Yunshu said with a smile.

Song Zhimian dared not speak.

Ye Yunshu looked at Song Zhimian and realized that she was only eighteen!

What was I doing when I was eighteen...?

Oh, busy fighting with others in the Censorate. After my mother passed away, the power of the Censorate was dispersed.

In order to reclaim the power of the Inspection Department, she barely slept a full night during those two years...

"Song Zhimian, have you thought about what you would do if your plan failed or you were caught?"

Or what if I were to report what you did?

"You're just asking for your life!" Ye Yunshu said slowly.

"I'm not afraid! I won't lose out!" Song Zhimian said seriously.

"Not a loss? Tell me!" Ye Yunshu laughed as well.