Chapter 79 Anger

After leaving the palace, Shen Panyan did not go directly back to the princess's residence, but instead went to Physician Lin's house.

What a coincidence! Imperial Physician Lin was on his day off today and was at home playing with his grandson when a servant came to report that Princess Mingyue had arrived. He almost didn't realize what was happening and thought he had misheard. "Who did you say is here?"

"Master, Princess Mingyue has arrived!" the butler shouted into his ear.

Physician Lin was startled. "There's no need to be so loud."

"Quickly, go and tell her I'm not home and that she can come again next time."

Heaven knows how much fright he suffered at the royal villa. Princess Mingyue coming to find him out of the blue must mean something bad. He didn't want to live with his head on the line again.

Butler: "But sir, the princess has already arrived, she's right there!"

The steward pointed, and Physician Lin turned his head and saw the graceful young woman standing at the courtyard gate, smiling at him.

"Lord Lin, it's been a long time!"

Imperial Physician Lin: "..."

What is meant to be will be; what is meant to be will be.

Physician Lin sighed, quickly stepped forward, and bowed deeply, "Princess, what brings you here!"

"Lord Lin, you're too kind." Shen Panyan reached out to help him up. "I came to you today because I wanted to ask for your help."

"Your Highness is too kind to me. What favor do you wish to ask of me?"

"Lord Lin, why don't we go inside and talk?"

It really was a disaster!

Physician Lin sighed inwardly, "...Please, Princess!"

“Bamboo branch, indigo.” Shen Panyan turned to look at them. “You wait for me here. I’ll be out in a bit.”

"Yes." Zhuzhi and Qingdai were already used to the princess keeping everything from them.

"Princess, this way."

Led by Physician Lin, Shen Panyan followed him to his study.

"I wonder what favor the princess wishes to ask of me?" Physician Lin asked softly as he closed the door.

He wouldn't do anything that would cost him his head.

Shen Panyan still trusted Physician Lin.

He has excellent medical skills, good character, and is very discreet, never saying anything carelessly. He also has a thorough understanding of his own health condition, making him the perfect person to consult.

Therefore, she got straight to the point, "Lord Lin, do you have any medicine here that can make someone gradually weaken, with symptoms just like mine when I was at the Royal Villa, something that is not easily noticeable?"

Physician Lin: "??"

Is the princess planning to use this to harm someone?

Physician Lin was immediately alarmed, "Princess, I do not have what you are talking about."

“You have it!” Shen Panyan said firmly.

Physician Lin: "Really, no."

Shen Panyan: "You do have it. Your family has been doctors for three generations, so you definitely do!"

Imperial Physician Lin: "..."

He was helpless. "Princess, please tell me first. What do you want this from me? I have a family to support and don't want to get involved in some unnecessary conflict."

Shen Panyan: "Lord Lin, don't worry, I won't harm anyone. I'm using this for myself."

Physician Lin asked in confusion, "You're using it yourself?"

Shen Panyan: "Yes, this is for my own use. You can just give it to me without worrying about it affecting you."

As long as it doesn't involve his entire family, that's fine.

Physician Lin breathed a sigh of relief. "Your Highness, I do have such a prescription, but your health is already poor. Using this medicine might harm your body and shorten your lifespan."

"It's okay, just give it to me. I need half a month's supply."

Worried that if she didn't get enough, she wouldn't be able to ask others to get medicine from Physician Lin next time, so Shen Panyan directly asked for a half-month's supply.

Lin Xiao still has a mission to complete and cannot leave the Dark Guard Camp in just one or two days. He needs to come up with a complete solution.

Half a month's supply is enough.

"A two-week supply... isn't that a bit too much?" Physician Lin hesitated, then advised, "Princess, all medicines have some degree of toxicity, especially considering your body has been poisoned for many years. Using this medicine further..."

“You don’t need to worry about these things, just give it to me,” Chen Panyan said.

Imperial Physician Lin: "This....."

Shen Panyan: "If you don't give it to me, I won't leave today."

"......"

I still remember when we were at the royal villa, the princess was very timid and looked at everyone with a cautious and hesitant attitude. But look at her now, she's even threatening people. Physician Lin is really numb.

If his appearance hadn't remained unchanged, he would have almost thought it was a different person.

The difference is too big.

Physician Lin resigned himself to his fate, "...I will give it to you, but I don't have this medicine right now, so I can only prepare it for you on the spot."

"I'm not in a hurry, Lord Lin, you can take your time with the preparation."

Physician Lin sighed, turned around, and left.

Shen Panyan stayed in the study, idly flipping through the medical books left by Physician Lin. Looking at the dense annotations on them, she gradually felt admiration.

If Physician Lin hadn't been averse to power struggles, he might have been able to contend for the position of the next head of the Imperial Medical Academy.

His medical skills were not bad, and he was a person who liked to study everything, and he also knew a little about poisons.

Because his ancestors were itinerant doctors who traveled all over the country, Physician Lin had many strange and unusual prescriptions, and even some records of Gu poisons from other countries.

What puzzled Shen Panyan the most was a type of poison called "Lovers' Gu".

Records say that the Lover's Gu is not for lovers, but a torturous poison. People afflicted with the Lover's Gu become extremely bloodthirsty. The strangest thing is that the afflicted person can only drink the blood of the person who loves them, day after day. Otherwise, if the drinking is interrupted, the poison will backfire and gradually devour their heart, leading to death.

However, a person's blood is limited, and a person's affection is also time-limited. No one will be willing to feed a monster that only craves blood forever. Once that person no longer loves the person afflicted by the Gu, his blood will no longer be useful, and drinking it will only lead to the Gu poison devouring one's heart.

Therefore, the person afflicted by the Gu needs to constantly entice others to like them until no one loves them anymore. Then the Gu will backfire, and they will die bleeding from all seven orifices.

Shen Panyan felt a chill run down her spine after reading it; there was such a strange poison in this world.

Besides this kind of Gu poison, the book also records something called the Heart-to-Heart Gu. This Gu is not harmful; it is a vow of eternal love between two people who love each other. If it is broken, they will suffer a backlash from the Gu poison and die. The rest are things like the Thousand Bamboo Gu, the Golden Copper Gu, and so on... all sorts of strange and bizarre Gu poisons. Reading this made Shen Panyan's skin crawl with goosebumps.

Fortunately, Zhao Yan Kingdom did not have these strange things, so Physician Lin did not know much about these poisons, and there were few annotations on the book. However, judging from the yellowed pages of the book, Physician Lin must have enjoyed studying these strange and unusual things.

To express her gratitude to Physician Lin, Shen Panyan decided to go back and have people collect some medical books to give to him.

Just as Shen Panyan was about to finish reading the book that recorded the strange Gu poison, Physician Lin pushed open the door and walked in.

He handed her the prepared medicine powder, saying, "Princess, this is the medicine you requested."

He cautioned anxiously, “Princess, although this medicine will not harm your life, it should not be used frequently or taken in large quantities, otherwise it will surely damage your heart meridian. I have prepared a half-month's supply for you. Take it once every three days. It will take effect in three hours. Remember, do not take too much.”

"Thank you, Lord Lin." Shen Panyan nodded, then took out his purse and poured out a lot of gold leaves, placing them on his desk.

"This is for the medicine."

"This..." Physician Lin was stunned.

When did the princess become so wealthy? She gave so much; could there be something else going on...? Imperial Physician Lin had a bad feeling.

As expected, Shen Panyan's voice rang out again, "Lord Lin, I will take this medicine after I get back. Tomorrow, news of my illness will reach the palace. At that time, my father will definitely send the imperial physician to the princess's residence to treat me. I don't trust the other imperial physicians, so I will tell my father that I only want you to treat me. Thank you, Imperial Physician Lin."

Imperial Physician Lin: "..."

He meant that he couldn't escape.

"What exactly does the princess intend to do by going to all this trouble?"

While at the Royal Villa, Physician Lin was diligent and did nothing wrong. This matter could not be hidden. Shen Panyan took a breath and said, "I wanted to ask my father for someone, but he wouldn't give it to me, so I had no choice but to use this method."

"Lord Lin, I'm in trouble with you. When my father inquires about my illness, you must exaggerate the severity, just like you did at the Royal Villa. Say that I've suffered another bout of hysteria, am caught in a nightmare, and fear that I don't have long to live. Do you understand?"

Imperial Physician Lin: "...May I refuse?"

This is a crime of deceiving the emperor... He tried to struggle.

"No." Shen Panyan shook her head firmly, "If you refuse, I will tell Father that you have ulterior motives and that the medicine you gave me to treat my body is poisonous."

After saying that, Shen Panyan shook her medicine bag.

"Look, this is the evidence."

Imperial Physician Lin: "..."

He gave a wry smile, "Princess, when did you start using such tricks? Do I still have a chance to refuse?"

Shen Panyan: "No, that's all. However, I won't let you help me for nothing. After it's done, I'll have someone collect some medical books and send them to you, plus a thousand taels of silver. I can't give you anything else, but these two things are fine."

“I know you’ve never liked vying for power and profit. The monthly allowance from the Imperial Hospital is just enough for your family to eat and drink. Your family lives a frugal life. Even if you don’t think about yourself, you should at least think about your family, right?”

Imperial Physician Lin: "...Since the princess has put it this way, I will help you."

Shen Panyan smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you from now on. Remember, you must make the illness sound as serious as possible."

Imperial Physician Lin sighed, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Shen Panyan bowed and said, "Thank you, Lord Lin."

This matter is very important to her, and absolutely no mistakes can be made.

Physician Lin hurriedly bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "You flatter me."

Shen Panyan is gone.

After resolving this matter, there is still one more thing to do.

Those were her two maids. They were by her side every day, and one day they would notice something was amiss. So, she couldn't hide this from them, and she had to ensure their loyalty.

Shen Panyan looked at Qingdai and Zhuzhi, "Qingdai, Zhuzhi, can I trust you?"

Qingdai Zhuzhi hurriedly knelt down, "Princess, although we have only been by your side for a short time, your kindness to us is evident to all, and we would never betray you..."

*

On the official road, the sound of horses' hooves echoed, raising clouds of dust as they sped away.

"Wait! Lord Anjiu, wait!!"

Someone used their lightness skill to catch up, and Lin Xiao pulled on the reins. In an instant, the horse reared up and neighed, slowing down.

"Forty-three?" Lin Xiao frowned slightly. "Why are you here?"

Although several secret guards were dispatched to investigate the remnants of the deposed crown prince, they did not work together but acted separately. He was the only one on this route. What was he doing here?

"It's like this, Lord Anjiu. This afternoon, someone discovered that the deposed crown prince had disappeared. He has already fled the capital. I am currently tracking down the deposed crown prince's whereabouts. According to his escape route, it overlaps significantly with yours. And that's how we ran into you." Forty-Three chuckled.

"Lord Anjiu, shall we act together from now on?"

Lin Xiao: "....."

If Forty-Three were to travel with him, it would be difficult for him to escape. Lin Xiao suppressed his frustration and said coldly, "Our missions are different, how can we travel together?"

"Lord Anjiu, you're investigating the deposed crown prince's remaining followers, and I'm tracking him down. Once we find him, wouldn't that be the same as finding his remaining followers?" Forty-Three said eagerly. "Lord Anjiu, the two of us can be even faster. The leader said we don't need to worry about the deposed crown prince's identity this time. As long as we capture him, life or death doesn't matter, and the reward is five hundred taels of silver. You're so capable, the deposed crown prince definitely won't escape. We can take him back to claim the reward, and you can take the lion's share, and I'll take the smaller portion, how about that?"

Lin Xiao: "....."

"Have you run out of your monthly allowance again?"

Forty-Three gave an awkward smile, "You guessed it."

Lin Xiao glanced at him and said calmly, "Since capturing the deposed crown prince will earn me five hundred taels of silver, why should I share some with you?"

Forty-Three had already guessed that he wouldn't agree. "Lord Dark Nine, although you are powerful, your subordinate is not bad either. The deposed crown prince must have secret guards protecting him. No matter how powerful you are, you can't fight against so many people. But it's different with your subordinate. If the two of us join forces, we can definitely capture the deposed crown prince. Then, wouldn't it be better if we split the reward between the two of us?"

Lin Xiao: "This is bad."

Forty-three: "......"

Isn't he always obsessed with money? Why don't you agree with his suggestion?

If multiple guards attacked together, who knows how many of the five hundred taels of silver would actually end up in his hands? Forty-Three was still unwilling to give up. "Lord Anjiu, are you really not going to consider my suggestion? That's five hundred taels, a whole five hundred taels of silver!!"

"Furthermore, I have brought something that concerns you. If you agree, I will tell you."

Lin Xiao frowned: "What is it?"

43: "You must first agree to my request."

Lin Xiao: "You tell me first, and then I'll consider whether or not to agree."

Forty-Three tried to negotiate, but Lin Xiao clearly didn't want to argue with him anymore. He tightened the reins and was about to leave. Forty-Three compromised, "Wait, I'll tell you."

He looked annoyed. "You don't know yet, do you? Today, Princess Mingyue asked His Majesty for a bodyguard, specifically asking for you. She said she wouldn't take anyone else but you. Now, this matter has spread throughout the entire bodyguard camp."

His Highness has addressed His Majesty?!

Lin Xiao paused, his fingers slowly tightening, and pressed on, "Has His Majesty agreed?"

43: "Of course not. You are the most powerful secret guard in the secret guard camp. How could His Majesty possibly agree to that?"

"Now, everyone's saying it's a good thing His Majesty didn't agree, otherwise, you'd be stuck with just one princess for the rest of your life. You're so capable; you might even be able to rise above your circumstances... It would be such a waste to be with just one princess. However, I think Princess Mingyue is quite good. If only she wanted me! If I were by her side, I wouldn't have to spend my own monthly allowance to enjoy all sorts of delicious pastries..."

Forty-three couldn't help but sigh with regret when he thought back to that incident.

Back then, if Lord An Jiu had insisted on competing with him, he wouldn't have wanted to leave at all.

Lin Xiao glanced at him and suddenly sneered.

"Oh!"

Forty-Three assumed he was being mocked for his love of food, but he wasn't annoyed. "Lord Dark Nine, I've finished explaining. Now you should agree to my request..."

"When did I say I would agree to that?" Lin Xiao cracked his whip and shouted, "Giddy up!"

In an instant, the horse shot out like an arrow, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Forty-three was caught off guard and dust covered his face. He quickly spat it out.

"If you don't want to, then don't. Why throw dust in my face?"

Forty-Three scratched his head, puzzled. "Could it be that I said something that upset him?"

But... he didn't say anything, is it really necessary?

*

At dusk, the Princess's residence in the capital was brightly lit.

Didn't Physician Lin say that the medicine he prescribed would take effect in three hours? How come four hours have passed and the medicine still hasn't worked?

"Qingdai, bring me water."

Qingdai came in carrying a teapot. Seeing that Shen Panyan had poured in another packet of medicine powder, she quickly stopped her: "Princess, this medicine powder is harmful to the body. You've already used one packet. Why not wait a little longer? Maybe it's just that it's slow to take effect?"

"It's been four hours already. If we keep waiting, how long will it take? I can't wait any longer."

Qingdai and Zhuzhi now know her thoughts. Shen Panyan used a combination of coercion and enticement, and now she can barely trust the two of them.

Watching the pale yellow powder fall into the cup and gradually melt away completely, Shen Panyan picked up the teacup and was about to bring it to her lips.

If one packet doesn't work, use two packets; if two packets don't work, use three packets. With enough use, this powder will eventually take effect.

Seeing the princess pour in three packets of medicine powder, Qingdai cried out anxiously, "Princess, you can't neglect your health like this!!"

How could she drink something so harmful? But she dared not stop them, after all, the princess had given them a stern warning during the day.

Now, she would no longer be merciful to those who betrayed her. Therefore, Qingdai could only watch helplessly as Shen Panyan drank the tea with the increased dosage of medicine. She wanted to persuade her but dared not, wanted to stop her but could not, and could only stand aside anxiously.

As she swallowed, just as she was about to drink the tea, a pebble struck her wrist. Chen Panyan winced in pain, her hand slipped, and the teacup fell to the ground with a thud, shattering into pieces.

"who?"

Shen Panyan turned her head and looked over. The next moment, a young man dressed in black landed in front of her and gripped her wrist tightly, as if suppressing his anger. "Your Highness, didn't I tell you that I don't need you to do this? Why do you still disregard your own health?"

He gripped her so tightly that Shen Panyan felt a little pain, and her brows furrowed. "Lin Xiao, let go of me!"

Qingdai, standing to the side, was stunned by the sudden turn of events. Thinking it was some kind of villain, she rushed forward to grab Linxiao, about to shout, "Come here..."

Unexpectedly, he had only uttered one word when Lin Xiao struck his acupoint, rendering him unable to utter a single sound.

Shen Panyan shook her head at her, "Qingdai, I'm fine, don't disturb the people outside."

Qingdai paused, looked at her, and tried to speak, but couldn't utter a single word.

“Lin Xiao…” Shen Panyan looked at him.

Lin Xiao explained in a cold voice, "The silence will resolve itself in an hour."

Shen Panyan breathed a sigh of relief. "Qingdai, you can go out first. I have something to say to him."

Qingdai glanced at her, then at him. Although the man in black was wearing a mask and looked quite frightening, the princess was not afraid of him. On the contrary, she seemed quite familiar with him. She quickly bowed, picked up the broken teacup pieces from the ground, and turned to leave.

As the door closed, Shen Panyan looked at her wrist. "Lin Xiao, let go of me first."

She frowned slightly. "You're scratching me a little."

Lin Xiao loosened his grip slightly, but did not release her, his voice as cold as ice, "Your Highness, what did you drink just now?"

Shen Panyan turned her face away, "What do you care what that is? It's none of your business."

Lin Xiao suppressed his anger, "How can it be unrelated? Didn't I tell you I didn't need you to do these things..."

Shen Panyan bit her lower lip. "What do you mean I don't need to do these things? If I don't do these things, how can I get you back from Father?"

"My father won't easily give you up. How can I get him to agree without paying a price?"

Lin Xiao: "As I said, I have my own way!"

Shen Panyan turned around abruptly, raised her eyes, her almond-shaped eyes clear yet stubborn. "Your plan? What plan do you have? Your plan is to defect from the Dark Guard Camp. Do you know what the consequences will be? Once you leave the Dark Guard Camp, you will be like a rat crossing the street, hiding in corners and in the darkness day and night. As long as you are in Zhaoyan Kingdom, the Dark Guard Camp will not stop hunting you down. Is this your good plan?"

Lin Xiao's voice calmed down, "If Your Highness is only worried about this, then you can rest assured that there will be no such consequences. I will arrange everything, and they will not find out about this."

"I disagree!" Shen Panyan said firmly, looking him in the eyes. "Lin Xiao, this is something I promised you, and it's my responsibility to do it. I will not break my promise."

"Fine!" Lin Xiao abruptly released her hand, his voice cold. "Your Highness may do as you please. Anyone who dares to help you, I will kill!"

After saying that, he reached out and touched her waist. Shen Panyan quickly backed away, embarrassed and angry, "What are you doing, Lin Xiao!!"

You can't do that!!

Lin Xiao lowered his eyes, ignoring her resistance, and took out several packets of powder from her waist. He opened them, smelled them carefully, and his expression grew increasingly grim.

This is poison; long-term use will damage the heart and blood vessels.

"Give it back to me!!" Shen Panyan was both angry and anxious when she saw him take away her medicine powder, and hurriedly reached out to try to snatch it back.

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Author's note: I stay up all night writing, I won't sleep until the moon does, I'm a bald little baby.