Chapter 32: Poisonous Mushrooms

After Qian Deng heard him finish reporting the case, Ming Jiu's words from that day could not help but resonate in his ears:

He once saw Meng Lanxi with a strange smile on her face by the Qujiang Lake.

"Could it be..." Qian Deng said, subconsciously looking at Ling Tianshui.

Ling Tianshui's reaction was calm: "It seems that what Mingjiu said was not false."

"The court has announced this matter, warning the public not to mistakenly pick wild vegetables or poisonous mushrooms," Cui Fufeng said. "But just now, when I took a look at Qujiang Pond, the medicinal herbs drying on the waterside terrace were all normal, nothing strange."

"Poisonous mushrooms become light and shrunken after drying, and there were a lot of people walking around the waterside pavilion at the time, so I think it's hard to keep them." Ling Tianshui said, "When we get back, tell him that these things are poisonous and shouldn't be picked carelessly."

Qiandeng nodded, feeling that something was amiss with Meng Lanxi in this matter. After a moment's hesitation, she asked Cui Fufeng, "That poisonous mushroom seems to cause hallucinations by making people see what they desire most?"

Cui Fufeng affirmed: "From what people have said, it is indeed so."

"So..." Qian Deng asked slowly, "We all know that Princess Gao refused to go near water because of that nightmare, and even filled up her family pond. But the situation at the scene shows that she did walk to the river bend on her own and then slipped and fell..."

They both knew what she meant. If Princess Gao also accidentally ate this poisonous mushroom, would she become mentally confused and fall into the water?

Ling Tianshui said, "It's not difficult to verify this, but we'd have to open Princess Gao's intestines and stomach to check. If this is true, Princess Changyi will definitely go crazy."

Qian Deng shook his head and said, "That's not the point of a caesarean section. After all, judging from the current signs, Meng Lanxi and Princess Gao have no connection at all. How could they possibly have gotten her to take the poisonous mushroom?"

As she was thinking, Ling Tianshui suddenly tapped her shoulder lightly with his whip.

Qiandeng turned around and followed his gaze. In the alley shaded by spring willows, a slender figure carrying a small box was walking out of a house.

The spring willows were as thin as silk and the spring flowers were in full bloom. He clearly lowered his head and walked quickly, but the eyes of people on the street were still on him, attracted by his figure walking through the flowers and willows.

In the whole Chang'an, the only person with such elegance is Yan Penglai, the Minister of the Imperial Astronomy Office.

Cui Fufeng rode closer to Qiandeng and whispered, "That's the residence of Zheng Raoan, the military officer."

Zheng Raoan, this name sounds familiar.

Qian Deng thought for a moment and asked, "Is he the one who insisted on replacing the generals and redeploying the troops in the Ministry of War?"

"Yes, it was he who brought this up, and Princess Gaoguo strongly supported it. Now that the princess has recently passed away, I heard that the emperor, recalling the past, has ordered this matter to be made a priority for the Ministry of War. Once this important matter is resolved, I think Doctor Zheng will be able to get another promotion."

Qiandeng remembered that Ji Linyou had mentioned this as well, so it seemed he was undoubtedly on Princess Gao's side. The replacement of generals they advocated would involve her father's and grandfather's former subordinates.

In any case, Yan Penglai, as her husband candidate, should not have any contact with them.

Qiandeng's face darkened slightly, and Yan Penglai, who was passing through the willow trees, seemed to have noticed something strange and looked up at where she was stationed.

"County Lady?" His expression remained indifferent, but he quickly walked over to her side and took the initiative to show her the box in his hand. "Someone from my hometown brought something and left it at Doctor Zheng's place, so I came to pick it up."

The box was not big, and the body was woven with fine bamboo threads into an eight-petal lotus pattern. Unlike ordinary boxes, it did not have holes, and was very tight and delicate.

Qiandeng's expression eased slightly. "So, Mr. Yan and Doctor Zheng are from the same hometown?"

"That's not the case. Doctor Zheng was the county magistrate in Mianchi for many years. He was the one who recommended me and brought me to the capital to run for the election. Now that I'm in the palace, my family can't send anything in, so they've temporarily left it with him."

As he spoke, Yan Penglai casually opened the small box and took a look. Inside were just two ordinary blue garments. His usually dreamy face was now stained with a hint of worldly embarrassment and helplessness. "My father is always worried that I can't take care of myself in the capital, so he even sent me such ordinary clothes."

Seeing that it was a trivial matter, the three of them did not ask any more questions and returned to the palace with him.

After a tiring morning, Qiandeng couldn't rest. After a quick lunch, she called Aunt Xuanji and asked if Shangluo was anywhere in the backyard.

Aunt Xuanji hesitated and shook her head. "I've carefully checked every wall, rockery, bush, and flower path in the backyard, but there's no trace of Young Master Shang."

Qiandeng took two sips of tea and stood up: "Call Daimao and Liuli, and follow me to the backyard."

Aunt Xuanji was a little surprised: "But, every corner of the backyard has indeed been searched..."

"I don't think it's convenient for you to enter the residences of the gentlemen, right?" Qian Deng led her straight to the backyard. "Then let me take a look and see what the usually gentle and refined gentlemen are doing in the backyard of my palace."

To everyone's surprise, the first place Qiandeng went to was Jinzhu Hall where Cui Fufeng lived.

Aunt Xuanji accompanied her, feeling somewhat uneasy. "County Lady, Shaoqing Cui has come here on official business. He's not actually on the list of potential husbands, but rather a distinguished guest at the palace. It would be unreasonable for us to search for him..."

"Don't worry, I believe that if Cui Shaoqing knew about this, he would definitely suggest starting the search from his residence." Qian Deng said, and walked straight into Jinzhu Hall.

As soon as you enter the courtyard, you will see the shadows of rustling bamboos covering the gauze window, and the figure writing calligraphy by the window can be vaguely seen through the window, with a strange and elegant appearance.

The garden is full of sparse bamboos, reflecting the figure in front of the window, which makes people think of elegance and nobility.

Qian Deng breathed a sigh of relief and knocked on the door: "Shaoqing Cui."

Cui Fufeng put down his pen and stood up. He opened the door and saw her standing in front of the hall. Behind her were only Aunt Xuanji, Liuli, and Daimao. He was a little surprised: "County Princess?"

"Aunt Xuanji and her men searched the backyard, but couldn't find any trace of Shangluo. What do you think we should do next, Mr. Cui?"

Cui Fufeng took in her expression and without hesitation, stepped out of Jinzhu Hall. Standing beneath the dense bamboo in the courtyard, he bowed and said, "Please, my Lady, thoroughly search every corner of the palace's backyard, including the gardens and the houses we all live in. Don't miss a single inch. Without further delay, please begin the search at Jinzhu Hall immediately."

Aunt Xuanji looked at him standing quietly under the bamboo, feeling both relieved and impressed.

Cui Shaoqing understands his county lady, and the county lady also understands Cui Shaoqing. They are truly a good pair of sons and daughters...

"In that case, thank you, Shaoqing Cui, for your suggestion." Qiandeng bowed to Cui Fufeng to express his gratitude, and then took Aunt Xuanji and the maid into the hall.

Jinzhutang is spacious and airy. Apart from the bookshelves and antique shelves that separate the front and back rooms, there is not even a floor-to-ceiling wall, allowing for a panoramic view.

He was a refined and upright man from an aristocratic family, and his home was kept tidy and simple. Apart from official documents and writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone spread out on the desk under the window, everything else was in good order and neatly placed.

After checking the inner and outer rooms, there was nothing complicated, nor anything suspicious.

Aunt Xuanji couldn't help but sigh to Qiandeng in a low voice: "A gentleman is cautious when he is alone. Cui Shaoqing is truly an upright gentleman, noble and flawless."

Qian Deng nodded silently and asked Cui Fufeng, "Shaoqing Cui was appointed by the imperial court to the Changhua Palace, so he is naturally upright. It would be inconvenient for us to search the chambers of the gentlemen. Could we ask Shaoqing Cui to preside over this search to restore our reputation?"

"Of course, this is Fufeng's job." Cui Fufeng did not refuse. He packed up his writing materials and accompanied her to the other gentlemen in the backyard.