Poison Doctor's Examination
Bian Que's arrival was like a cold pebble thrown into a calm pond.
Pei Qinhu frowned, clearly disliking the renowned "Poison Doctor" and even more wary of letting him get close to Yi Xing. Gongsun Li also subconsciously tightened her grip on the short flute hidden in her sleeve.
Yi Xing gently patted Pei Qin Hu's tense arm, signaling him to move aside.
"Please invite Mr. Bian Que in," he said calmly.
The door was pushed open, and Bian Que's tall, thin, and gloomy figure appeared in the doorway. He still carried that huge medicine chest that emitted a faint green light, and his pale face appeared even more bloodless in the warm light of the pavilion, like a scholar who had just emerged from a tomb. His deep-set eyes first swept emotionlessly over the ready-to-fight Pei Qinhu and the wary Gongsun Li, finally settling on Yi Xing on the couch, and the neatly folded moon-white brocade robe beside him.
"Lord Di was worried that the evidence might be lost, so he specifically ordered me to come and examine it carefully." Bian Que's voice was dry, like sandpaper rubbing. "Young Master Yixing, please show me that garment."
His directness was somewhat unsettling, but Yi Xing still nodded to Yang Yuhuan. Yang Yuhuan understood, picked up the outer robe that was placed aside, but instead of handing it directly to Bian Que, she placed it on the table between the two of them.
Bian Que stepped forward but did not immediately touch the garment. He took out a pair of unusual gloves, as thin as cicada wings, from his medicine chest and put them on. Then he took out a single crystal monocle and placed it in his eye socket. He bent down and began to examine the outer robe with extreme care, especially the cuffs and hem—areas prone to friction. His movements were professional and precise, with an almost obsessive focus, as if he were not looking at a fine garment but at a body that needed to be dissected.
The warm pavilion was silent, save for the occasional rustling of Bian Que moving clothes and the way he would carefully pick up a fiber with special silver tweezers and examine it under the light. His cold, scrutinizing gaze made Gongsun Li feel uneasy, and she subconsciously moved closer to Yi Xing.
Yi Xing, however, remained calmly observing Bian Que. He could sense that Bian Que harbored no ill intentions; he was simply performing his duty—seeking the truth, regardless of who that truth pointed to. This pure, unbiased inquiry, in some ways, was more reassuring than interrogations filled with subjective assumptions.
After a long while, Bian Que straightened up and took off his monocle.
"The fiber structure is highly similar to the sample in the deceased's hand, confirming that they are of the same origin," he announced calmly.
Pei Qinhu's expression changed, and he was about to speak when he was interrupted by Bian Que's next words.
“However,” Bian Que’s gaze turned to Yi Xing, “the wear and tear on all the fibers of your clothing is within the normal range, with no signs of recent forceful tearing. In particular, the cuffs and elbows have a unique wear pattern because you often sit in a wheelchair and rely on the armrests. This does not match the breakage pattern of the fibers in the deceased’s hands.”
He paused, then added the most crucial sentence: "The fibers in the deceased's hand had trace amounts of... 'Soul-Separating Grass' pollen on the broken surface. This pollen is extremely toxic; contact with it will cause skin ulceration in ordinary people. However, if mixed with other drugs, it can be made into a colorless and odorless poison that can quickly paralyze the nerves. There is no such pollen residue on your clothes."
The truth has come out!
That strand of fiber did not come from the clothes Yi Xing was wearing! The murderer used similar fabric and came into contact with the pollen of the "Soul-Separating Grass" when committing the crime or arranging the scene!
The tension that had been building in Yi Xing's heart finally eased. This not only cleared him of suspicion but also confirmed his suspicions—it was a frame-up!
"Thank you very much, Mr. Bian Que, for clearing my name," Yi Xing said sincerely.
Bian Que simply grunted in response and began packing up his tools: "My mission is complete. Lord Di will use this to continue investigating the origin of the 'Soul-Separating Grass'." He finished packing and turned to leave, but paused at the doorway, glancing back at Yi Xing. A faint, almost appreciative glint seemed to flash in his deep-set eyes.
“You’re very calm. You’ve controlled your heartbeat and breathing very well in the face of accusations and examination,” he said hoarsely. “You’re a good…subject to observation.”
After saying that, he left quietly, just as he had come, leaving behind the room filled with the cool fragrance of herbs and the relieved feeling of everyone in Yaotian.
"That's great! Xing'er!" Pei Qinhu was the first to cheer, so excited that he almost wanted to give Yi Xing a bear hug again, but Gongsun Li stopped him in time.
"Now Di Renjie will know that we didn't do it!" Gongsun Li was also overjoyed.
Yang Yuhuan smiled gently and draped her outer robe back over Yi Xing's shoulders: "It was a false alarm. However, this 'Soul-Separating Grass'..."
“It’s an important new lead.” Yi Xing straightened his clothes, a thoughtful look returning to his eyes. “The person who could access this rare poisonous flower and create a mixed toxin from it…”
Before he finished speaking, a very faint sound, like a bird pecking at the windowpane, came from outside the window.
This is not the signal that Yao Tian usually uses.
Pei Qinhu fell silent instantly, his sharp eyes fixed on the window. Gongsun Li moved silently to the window, her fingertips gripping the thin blade.
Yang Yuhuan gently embraced the pipa.
Yi Xing raised his head and looked at the window reflecting the deep night outside, understanding dawning on him.
—Tonight, there will surely be many more visitors.
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