Chapter 35. The princess has disappeared. ...
Yes, yes, that's why Yuhe has been going to Lou Bingling's place so often lately.
Because the one who was truly poisoned by the Gu was Lou Bingling!
Just as he was pondering this, a palace maid came to report that the Empress had arrived.
Ever since she learned that Yuyao's nightmares were caused by poisoning, the Empress thoroughly investigated all the palace servants in Yaoguang Palace, but found nothing, which added another layer of worry to her heart.
Yu Yao sighed and told the Empress everything about how she had intended to use the 'Silk Vine Gu' on Yu He at the tea party that day, but had mistakenly caused Lou Bingling to be poisoned instead. Her tone was full of resentment: "It's all Lou Bingling's fault for being so meddlesome and insisting on getting close to Yu He. Now, not only has she failed to harm Yu He, but she has also wasted an opportunity."
The Empress listened and said calmly, "It's alright, there's plenty of time. Besides, she's just the daughter of a Grand Commandant; if she dies, it's just her bad luck."
"Moreover, Grand Commandant Lou has always been at odds with the Duke of Jingguo's mansion in the court. He has argued with your maternal grandfather countless times in front of civil and military officials. This time, consider it collecting some interest in advance."
Yu Yao was still somewhat unwilling, mainly because the 'Silk Vine Gu' was rare and the opportunity to strike was not easy to find: "But Mother, that Yu He... I really can't swallow this!"
"No rush." The Empress gently patted the back of her hand.
Seeing a man standing beside her dressed in indigo Miao clothing with a string of strange silver ornaments around his waist, the Empress asked, "Are you the Miao man who saw that Yao'er's nightmare was not a nightmare but that she had been poisoned?"
Wu Yin quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "It is indeed I, Wu Yin. I am grateful that Your Highness has not rejected me and has allowed me to serve you."
The Empress glanced at him, then suddenly remembered the strange incident a while ago when Cao Zhang fell ill inexplicably and his body was covered in sores. She said in a deep voice, "Since you can tell that the princess is poisoned, can you tell whether a person is sick or has been afflicted by some other evil thing?"
Wu Yin replied confidently, “Your Majesty, there are countless poisons and venomous insects in the world, each with its own unique symptoms, but in my humble eyes, there are patterns to be found. Whether it is an illness or a poison, I can tell with a single examination.”
"Very well." The Empress ordered, "Then tomorrow you will go to the Duke of Jingguo's residence and say that you are here on my orders to check on Cao Zhang's condition. You must find out whether he has been poisoned."
"yes!"
Yu Yao asked in confusion, "Cousin Cao? Hasn't he been ill for a long time? Mother, why are you suddenly investigating his affairs?"
The Empress glanced at her, her eyes grave. "Because I have a feeling that these successive events are not simple. If it is ultimately confirmed that Cao Zhang was indeed poisoned, then it is very likely that the person who poisoned you is the same one." "Moreover, this person is highly skilled in poisons, able to deceive the Imperial Hospital, and acts so secretly, lurking in the shadows. He must be a major threat. Therefore, I must investigate thoroughly and eradicate him completely!"
Having received the Empress's order, Wu Yin arrived at the Duke of Jingguo's residence.
Cao Zhang, lying on the bed, looked emaciated, with an eerie bluish-gray complexion, cracked and peeling lips, and his hands, which were exposed outside the brocade quilt, were covered with dark spots of varying shades.
Wu Yin first asked Cao Zhang about his symptoms, then carefully examined the skin on the back of his hands and neck, and pried open his eyelids to observe the color of his pupils. Finally, he held his breath and focused on probing his pulse.
The pulse beneath my fingertips was sometimes rapid, sometimes slow, chaotic and disordered, with a cold, stagnant feeling lingering deep within the meridians, completely different from the weak and feeble pulse of ordinary ailments. The pulse was so severe, yet it carried a sharp, metallic quality. There was no doubt about it; this was no strange illness, but clearly poisoning.
Although he had figured this out, he dared not make a sound. He pretended to be "just occasionally feeling the evil spirits" and comforted the Duke and Duchess of Jingguo with a few words. Then he hurriedly took his leave and returned to the palace, where he told the Empress everything and asked her to make a decision.
"Really? Have you investigated thoroughly?" The Empress slammed her hand on the table, her eyes blazing with anger.
Wu Yin hurriedly knelt down and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I swear on my life that I have not uttered a single falsehood! Our Miao people have been surrounded by hundreds of poisons and thousands of Gu since childhood, and we are most sensitive to such insidious substances. We are absolutely certain. There is an extremely cunning poison in this world called 'Azure Withering and Flourishing Powder.' Those poisoned will initially experience alternating chills and fever, followed by the gradual decline of their internal organs, the appearance of withered spots on their skin, and a emaciated appearance, like a lamp that has run out of oil. The symptoms of Young Master Cao are exactly the same as those recorded!"
"Outrageous!" The Empress's chest heaved violently, her eyes wide with fury. "Cao Zhang is my own nephew, the eldest grandson of the Duke of Jingguo's family. Who is so bold as to dare to lay such a cruel hand on him!"
"Your Majesty," Wu Yin continued, "the poisons used to harm Young Master Cao and Princess Yuyao are extremely cunning and secretive, requiring expertise in this field. I believe it is highly likely that they were made by the same person. If we are to investigate, we must begin by looking at the people they both came into contact with."
The Queen took a deep breath, suppressing her surging anger, and began to ponder deeply.
Yu Yao lived a secluded life in the palace, only associating with concubines and young ladies from noble families; Cao Zhang, though he frequented the marketplace, only interacted with sons of nobles and shopkeepers. If there was anyone they both had contact with… could it be…?
Granny Sun, who was standing nearby, said, “Your Highness, this old servant suddenly remembered something from the past. Before Princess Yuhe returned to the palace, her birth mother, Consort Hui, had passed away. It is said that she was adopted by a traveling physician who roamed the streets. Do you think it is possible that… she learned something back then?”
The Empress's heart skipped a beat.
Yes, everyone thought of her as an ignorant and helpless orphan girl from the common people, but no one ever investigated her ten years of life in the streets!
"Granny Sun, personally arrange for capable people to go to where Yuhe is currently living and investigate thoroughly to see if she has learned any of those underhanded methods!"
"Yes, this old servant will arrange it immediately."
...
While the Empress was sending people to investigate, an urgent report suddenly arrived from the front court.
Ao Mu, the Khan of the Qiongle tribe, suddenly led 30,000 cavalry to raid the border, capturing three cities in succession, citing the reason that "the border officials of the Sheng Dynasty repeatedly made things difficult for the Qiongle tribe's tribute team, not only deliberately delaying the acceptance of tribute, but also privately withholding the precious products such as 'snow wolf skins and deer antlers' that the Qiongle tribe presented to the emperor of the Sheng Dynasty, and even condoning their soldiers to plunder the cattle and sheep of the border herders".
The two armies are currently locked in a stalemate outside Beishuo Pass. The Qiongle cavalry are brave and skilled in battle, and are familiar with the grassland terrain. After several battles, they have gained a slight advantage. Meanwhile, the Sheng Dynasty's border defense army has not been engaged in battle for a long time, and its food and supplies are not keeping up. Its troop strength is also far inferior to that of the enemy. It is weak and has retreated to two lines of defense in succession, urgently hoping that the court will send troops to support it.
This sudden war was like a boulder thrown into a lake, causing a huge uproar in both the imperial court and the common people. The two factions, advocating war and peace, argued endlessly in the court every day. The common people lived in fear, afraid that the flames of war would spread to the capital, and even the usually bustling restaurants and teahouses were less noisy.
However, all this commotion and panic concerning the fate of the nation was firmly kept outside the high walls of the Princess's Mansion and the Grand Commandant's Mansion, and did not affect Jiang Fushi's steps to detoxify and heal her friend.
She frequently visited the Grand Commandant's residence. In the first few days, Lou Bingling's injuries were severe, and she spent most of her time in a coma. However, under her care, the wounds on her body stopped bleeding and began to heal.
About four or five days later, although Lou Bingling was still not very clear-headed and her breathing was weak, she was finally able to open her eyes occasionally.
That day, Jiang Fushi came to the inner room of the Grand Commandant's mansion as usual. She saw that Lou Bingling's complexion was slightly better and she was being carefully helped to sit up at the head of the bed by Bihe, who was preparing to change the tissue-regenerating powder on her wounds.
Upon seeing her arrive, Lou Bingling's eyes immediately reddened. She struggled to get up and bow, her lips moving, but she was too weak to utter a complete sound.
"Lie down quickly and don't move." Jiang Fushi stepped forward and pressed her down. "The most important thing for you now is to take good care of yourself. All these formalities are unnecessary."
Lou Bingling leaned back on the soft pillow as instructed, tears finally rolling down her cheeks, her voice weak: "Your Highness... Bingling... has no way to repay your life-saving grace."
"If it weren't for the Resurrection Pill given to me by His Highness, I'm afraid Bingling would already be a wisp of white ashes by now."
"There's no need for thanks between us." Jiang Fushi tucked the blanket around her and offered a few more words of comfort. Once she had calmed down a bit, she asked if she had come into contact with any unusual people or things before or after her illness.
Lou Bingling pondered for a moment and then told the truth, saying that after returning from the tea party in the palace that day, she felt a stinging pain in her skin while taking a bath that night, and the next day these horrifying cracks began to appear.
Jiang Fushi's eyes darkened slightly.
Before leaving, she carefully instructed Bihe on the details of the medicine, and after settling Lou Bingling in, she took her leave from the mansion. Unexpectedly, as soon as she stepped out of the inner courtyard's ceremonial gate, she encountered Xie Zhiyao, who had obviously been waiting there for a long time, under a corridor.
His clothes were slightly disheveled, and he had dark circles under his eyes. When he saw her, he bowed deeply.
“Your Highness, I know this is presumptuous. But I am deeply worried about Miss Lou’s illness. I implore Your Highness, if you could convey even a word or inform her of the true condition of her illness, I would be eternally grateful.”
The court is currently overwhelmed with the war, and Xie Zhiyao, as the son of the Left Prime Minister, must be burdened with official duties. Yet he has put aside his important matters to wait here patiently, which shows that he truly loves Bingling.
Jiang Fushi's tone softened somewhat as she said, "Thank you, young master, please rise. Bingling was able to sit up and speak just now, and her wounds are healing. Her life is no longer in danger, but she still needs to rest for a while. I will convey your concern to her."
Upon hearing this, Xie Zhiyao's tense shoulders suddenly relaxed, and a hint of tears welled up in his eyes. He bowed deeply again and said, "In that case... Your Majesty, I am relieved. Thank you for informing me, Your Highness. I will remember this kindness in my heart."
As soon as Jiang Fushi got into the carriage after leaving the Grand Commandant's mansion, before she could even say where she was going, someone knocked on the carriage wall with a sword, three times.
Without even looking up, she asked, "What is it?"
Zhan Xiao's voice came from outside the car window: "Your Highness, a spy has been following us for several days."
Jiang Fushi abruptly lifted the car curtain and glared at him: "Several days? Why are you only telling me now?"
Zhan Xiao spoke with reason and composure, his tone cool: "Your Highness was worried about Miss Lou's condition a few days ago, and I do not wish to trouble you with this matter. Besides, I am confident that I can completely control a mere spy and he cannot cause any trouble."
"You're so considerate," Jiang Fushi said, giving him a slightly coquettish glance.
"Let's not alert them yet, let's keep them in check."
After saying this, she turned to the coachman and said, "Go to Jinxiu Pavilion in the West Market. I want to select a few newly arrived Jiangnan brocades."
When the carriage arrived at the entrance of the cloth shop, Jiang Fushi asked the driver to wait at the door. She lifted her skirt and walked into the cloth shop, quietly leaving through the side gate of the back courtyard. She then boarded another arranged green-canopied carriage and headed towards the Princess's residence.
The scouts assumed she was just doing ordinary shopping and didn't suspect anything.
The eldest princess's residence was located in the "Yulan Garden" in the eastern suburbs of the capital, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The residence was surrounded by magnolia trees. Although it was already winter and the branches were without flowers, the trees were upright and exuded a sense of quiet elegance, which was completely different from the magnificent palace.
Jiang Fushi had sent a message to the steward of the Princess's residence beforehand, saying that she had "important business to discuss with the Princess." So as soon as she arrived, the gates of the residence were opened, and the steward personally came out to greet her, bowing and saying, "Your Highness Yuhe, the Princess is already waiting for you in the main hall. Please follow this old servant."
In the flower hall, the eldest princess was leaning against a soft couch, teasing a white parrot.
"You little rascal, what a rare visitor! What brings you to see your aunt today, and with a gift no less? What you're carrying looks like almond cookies from 'Fu Ji' in the west of the city?"
Jiang Fushi stepped forward, placed the food box on the table, and bowed to the Princess: "Greetings, Your Highness. I did bring you your favorite almond shortbread today, but more importantly, I would like to ask Your Highness for a favor."
"Oh?" The princess raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly, her eyes filled with curiosity. "You always refuse to ask for anything from others, but today you've taken the initiative to ask. What could possibly be so important that you need my help?"
Jiang Fushi took a deep breath.
"Firstly, I want my aunt to help me find out where the Miao performers who performed at the Winter Ceremony are. Secondly, I want my aunt to tell me about the Empress or Yuyao's recent activities."
Jiang Yu smiled faintly and did not reply immediately. He simply picked up the celadon-glazed teacup beside him, gently skimmed off the foam, and took a sip.
"The first point is not difficult, but the second one... how could I possibly know about the Empress and Yuyao's movements?"
Jiang Fushi raised her eyes, her clear eyes meeting Jiang Yu's scrutinizing gaze without flinching: "My aunt has been in charge of palace affairs for many years and has a deep foundation in the palace. If you say that she doesn't even have this much information, I simply don't believe it."
Jiang Yu smiled again, this time with a hint of understanding and appreciation. She put down her teacup, the porcelain clinking against the sandalwood table, and leaned forward slightly.
"You little girl, you look delicate and aloof, but you're actually very shrewd and clear-headed. There are always rumors that you're weak and powerless, a pitiful person, but in my opinion, your forbearance and insight are far superior to many others."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fushi knew it was time to reveal her true colors, so she stopped hiding her intentions and stood up to give a respectful bow to the Princess.
“Your Majesty, you are wise. If I had not been forced by circumstances and had no other choice, I would not have troubled you. Right now, you are the only elder I can trust and rely on in the palace, so I can only humbly ask for your help.”
She paused briefly, then sighed softly, "To be honest, my dearest niece, Lou Bingling is suffering from a strange poison, the 'Silk Gu' from Miao territory. I suspect that this Gu was originally intended to harm me by Yu Yao, but due to a twist of fate, Lou Bingling has taken the blame for me. Furthermore, I have been under surveillance by spies recently, and their movements are suspicious. I also suspect that it is the work of Yu Yao or the Empress."
"The Empress's power is immense and deeply rooted, while my niece is weak and powerless, and is no match for her."
Jiang Yu listened quietly. The only sound in the hall was the ticking of the water clock. He tapped his fingertips lightly on the rosewood table a few times.
"How do you want me to help you?"
Jiang Fushi straightened her back and said firmly, "I implore my aunt to help me find out the truth. If the evidence is conclusive and confirms that it was indeed Yuyao who did it, I am willing to do everything in my power to serve my aunt and together bring down the Empress to eliminate future troubles."
...
Winter Solstice is here in the blink of an eye.
According to the old customs of the capital, this day has the shortest day and the longest night. Lights are used to dispel the gloom and pray for a bright night. Therefore, a grand Winter Solstice Lantern Festival is held in the city, and the streets are deserted.
In previous years, Jiang Fushi would report to the palace under the pretext of "sharing joy with the people and experiencing the lively atmosphere," and then go to see the lanterns in a small entourage.
This year was no exception. As usual, she distributed generous holiday gifts to everyone in the household early in the morning. She also specially instructed the kitchen to make 'salty dumplings', a type of dumpling from the south, using cured meat, radish, and peanuts as filling, to share with everyone, symbolizing a warm and harmonious family reunion. The household was filled with laughter and the warmth of the holiday.
Liu Zi received two bolts of fine lake-blue silk and a heavy string of silver coins. She was happily carrying her reward into her room when she passed by the courtyard. She glanced at Zhan Xiao standing alone under the eaves, staring blankly at the bowl of steaming salted dumplings in his hand. Thinking that he was stunned by the generous reward and the warmth in the mansion, she went up and patted him on the shoulder.
"Hey, what are you thinking about? So engrossed? Never seen anything like this before, have you? Let me tell you, our Highness is truly beautiful inside and out. Go ask around outside, which master bestows such generous and thoughtful rewards during festivals as our Highness? Not only do we receive silver and silk, but even the food is thoughtfully provided. I've tried these savory dumplings; the skin is thin and the filling is generous, they're even more fragrant than my mother's!"
Zhan Xiao responded with a faint "Mm".
Actually, he wasn't shocked by the reward, but rather by the fact that the bowl of savory dumplings that all the servants received tasted somewhat similar to the flavor of a certain winter solstice in his memory.
When Zhan Xiao was ten years old, he worked as a day laborer in a wealthy family's house in order to earn money to buy medicine for his third aunt.
On the same day, the master of the house was happily eating a reunion dinner, but he was punished for accidentally soiling the steward's robe while moving goods. He was forced to kneel in the snowy courtyard and watch as a bowl of salted dumplings that should have been his were poured into the swill bucket.
Liu Zi's incessant chatter interrupted his thoughts. He only heard Liu Zi sigh and lower her voice.
"Alas, what a pity. Her Highness is frail and has no maternal family to rely on. All the scions of noble families in the capital are snobbish and only care about the power behind Princess Yuyao. As for our Highness... we don't know what the future holds. If she is sent away for a political marriage, what awaits her is a miserable life of being all alone and at the mercy of others."
Zhan Xiao's face remained expressionless as he swallowed the last bite of the glutinous rice ball in his bowl. The warmth sank from his throat into his heart, carrying a heavy weight.
As night fell, Jiang Fushi left the manor by carriage and arrived at the "Wangxian Tower," located at the highest point of Zhuque Avenue. This was the best spot to watch the fireworks, and not only her, but many noble families and dignitaries had gathered here. As a princess, she was given the best seat on the top floor.
Standing here gazing into the distance, the night sky is lit up time and time again by dazzling fireworks, their shimmering light reflecting the sparks in Jiang Fushi's clear eyes, and also the silent and imposing figure of the man behind her.
The snowy night was cold. In addition to his usual dark-colored outfit, Zhan Xiao also wore a thick black mink coat, which was the Winter Solstice gift bestowed upon him by the Princess's residence today.
He was already tall and straight like a pine tree, and this cloak made him appear even more imposing and composed, as if he were one with the cold night. Only when the fireworks were at their brightest would the light briefly outline the profile of his cold and handsome face.
After watching the fireworks, Jiang Fushi was eager to stroll through the lantern market downstairs under the cover of night, but Zhan Xiao stopped her with his arm across her back.
"Where would Your Highness like to go?"
Jiang Fushi pointed to the brightly lit and bustling street downstairs, "Of course we should go down and take a stroll. What's the point of looking down from upstairs if we're still separated by a layer?"
"No." Zhan Xiao's voice was low: "The crowd below is too dense, and the people are a mixed bag, making it easy to obstruct the view. If there is any emergency, I will not be able to protect Your Highness."
Jiang Fushi frowned, her face full of reluctance. Every year, she longed for this moment of freedom, a feeling like a fish long confined to a pond returning to the river. What she loved most was the brief freedom among the thousands of people, where no one recognized her as a princess, and she was treated as just an ordinary woman. She had to personally immerse herself in it, feeling the warmth and hustle and bustle of life, only then would she feel truly satisfied.
She tried to walk around him: "I'll be careful. Besides, you're here, aren't you?"
Zhan Xiao shifted his feet slightly, once again firmly blocking her path, his tall figure almost completely enveloping her.
"Move aside," Jiang Fushi said in a slightly somber tone.
Zhan Xiao remained silent for a moment, the night breeze ruffling a few strands of his loose black hair and her wide sleeves embroidered with dark patterns. His deep, pool-like eyes lingered for a moment on her feigned anger before he finally took a step back.
"There's a stone bridge in the southeast corner below, offering a wide view. If Your Highness encounters danger, you can go there." He pointed to the location with his sword and added, "From this vantage point, you can get a better view. I will remain on the top floor of the Wangxian Tower to pinpoint Your Highness's location."
Following the direction he pointed, Jiang Fushi glanced at him and said lazily, "I know."
Upon reaching the long street, both sides were lined with various lantern vendors, their cries and laughter filling the air. Jiang Fushi, like a bird released from its cage, darted among them with great enthusiasm. Qingdai, Zisu, and Rongrong, whom she had brought along, were all infected by her rare liveliness and followed behind her with smiles.
Then we encountered a street performer, who was demonstrating his amazing skill of breathing fire, drawing cheers from the crowd. The flames rose up, illuminating the excited faces of the onlookers.
Jiang Fushi raised her head and looked up at the towering top floor of Wangxian Tower.
Unfortunately, it was too high and the night was too dark, so she couldn't see Zhan Xiao at all, nor did she know what he was doing or whether he was watching her.
She whispered a few words to the three of them, and then, taking advantage of the moment when the magician breathed fire again and everyone's attention was drawn to the brightest flame, she quickly put on a fox mask, ducked down, and nimbly slipped out through the gaps in the crowd, running all the way to a quiet alleyway.
As the flames disappeared, the onlookers let out satisfied exclamations, and the crowd began to move on.
At that moment, Zhan Xiao's pupils shrank, and his aura instantly turned icy cold.
The princess has disappeared.
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