Chapter 39 A small, delicate face rested in the palm of her hand, and...
"Reporting to Your Excellencies," Liu Zi said in a loud voice, holding up a well-sealed letter, "this person acted suspiciously and did not join the main search. Instead, he sneaked into His Highness's study and was about to slip this item into a hidden compartment in the desk when he was caught red-handed by my subordinates!"
Cao Rui's expression changed drastically. He reacted quickly, immediately stepping forward and demanding sharply, "How do you know he wasn't taking this thing out of the hidden compartment, but rather putting it in? Did you already know where it was?"
Cao Rui turned the tables on her, and Liu Zi was furious: "You! You're spouting nonsense! I was ordered to secretly monitor all the soldiers entering the mansion, and I saw him furtively take out this letter and was about to slip it in!"
After speaking, he looked at Zhan Xiao, his eyes filled with anxiety and a plea for instructions, hoping that he could step forward to uphold justice.
Seeing this, Cao Rui felt somewhat relieved and realized he had found a flaw in the argument. His tone became even more aggressive: "One-sided story! Who can testify? I think it's your Princess's residence that's embezzling and trying to frame me!"
The situation reached a stalemate for a moment.
Zhan Xiao, who had been silent all along, slowly stepped forward. He did not look at the letter, but instead looked at the accompanying Ministry of Justice officials and eunuchs.
"Your Majesty, it's clear."
"If you want to prove your innocence, the method is quite simple. Please check immediately whether the wax seal of this letter is intact, and then compare it with the nails of this soldier to see if there are any fresh wax residues stuck to them. If he took the letter out, the wax seal must have been damaged, and there should be no traces under his fingers; if he was trying to put it in... the result is obvious."
Upon hearing this, the guard instinctively curled his fingers.
Since the matter concerned the innocence of the royal princess, the Ministry of Justice and its staff dared not neglect their duties and were preparing to proceed with the investigation as instructed.
Cao Rui suddenly strode forward, drew his sword, and pointed it directly at the guard. He shouted in a fierce voice, "You treacherous dog who betrays his master for personal gain! How dare you use the pretext of a search to frame me, ruin the princess's reputation, and sow discord between the imperial family and the ministers! You cannot be allowed to live!"
Just as Cao Rui's sword tip was about to pierce down, a sharp sword aura suddenly swept in front of them. Everyone only felt a blur before their eyes and a strong wind brush their faces. Cao Rui's sword was knocked out of his hand by a clever force and flew away with a clang, landing on the ground three steps away.
Zhan Xiao glanced at him sideways, his expression as steady as a mountain. "It's just a routine inspection. Why is Commandant Cao in such a hurry?"
"To attempt to silence someone right in front of the officials of the Ministry of Justice, what is Commandant Cao trying to cover up?"
Interrupted in public, Cao Rui's face flushed and paled in turns. He stared intently at Zhan Xiao, his chest heaving violently, clearly enraged. However, after a few breaths, he forcefully suppressed the fury in his eyes, which transformed into a calm tinged with shame.
He stopped looking at Zhan Xiao, turned around abruptly, clasped his hands tightly in front of the Vice Minister of Justice, and knelt on one knee.
“Minister Zhang!” Cao Rui shouted, “Today’s events are all due to my lax management of my subordinates and my poor military discipline! Although this traitor’s actions are despicable, ultimately it is my fault! I have no face to defend myself, and I dare not ask His Majesty and the Princess for leniency!”
A flash of cold light!
With a cry of pain, Cao Rui used the blade to slash a deep, bone-revealing gash on his left arm, blood gushing out instantly and staining his official robes red.
His face was pale and he was covered in cold sweat, but he forced himself to say to the Vice Minister, "Cao Rui... has pleaded guilty and is willing to accept military law. This man... is to be dealt with by you, sir. There is absolutely no objection from the Cao family!"
The entire audience was stunned.
Zhan Xiao watched coldly from the sidelines, without saying another word.
Cao Rui used his own blood to instantly turn a serious crime of framing someone into a scene of subordinates acting without authorization and superiors blaming themselves and asking for forgiveness. This act of deception and "bitter trick" was something that the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice could only go along with because of the Duke of Jingguo.
As expected, the Vice Minister of Justice took the opportunity to order the guard to be detained, and then "concernedly" ordered someone to send Cao Rui to get treatment for his injuries, thus temporarily putting an end to the turmoil.
A massive search lasted from dawn till dusk, but ultimately ended in failure.
Jiang Fushi waited in the palace until late afternoon, when the sky was completely dark, before Zhao Quan, who was by the emperor's side, personally conveyed an imperial edict allowing her to leave the palace.
As she stepped onto the sedan chair, supported by Qingdai, she realized that her inner garment was soaked with cold sweat, clinging to her back, and felt icy cold.
Seeing her pale face and bloodless lips, Qingdai asked in a worried whisper, "Your Highness? Are you alright?"
Jiang Fushi shook her head, feeling utterly weak, barely able to speak: "Is there a change of clothes in the car?"
Upon hearing this, Zisu looked troubled and whispered, "I was in a hurry when I entered the palace and was not prepared."
Jiang Fushi leaned back wearily on the cushion and closed her eyes to rest. Qingdai brought her warm water to soothe her throat and then recounted in detail what had happened in the mansion that day.
"Luckily, Guard Zhan was here in the manor, otherwise it would have been terrifying." Qingdai patted her chest with lingering fear. "When I saw Captain Cao's last look, it was like he wanted to eat people up."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fushi opened her eyes, her gaze filled with weariness and coldness.
She had anticipated that the search might go wrong, but she hadn't expected Cao Rui to be so brazen and ruthless, daring to frame someone and silence them in broad daylight. Fortunately, Zhan Xiao was meticulous and highly skilled in martial arts, which allowed him to protect the mansion.
When the carriage stopped at the princess's residence, Jiang Fushi hurried back to her bedchamber. Her sweat-soaked clothes felt like they were covered in ice armor when the cold wind blew on them, making her shiver slightly.
Under the eaves of the sleeping quarters, the glow of lanterns swayed gently in the night breeze, casting a long, slender shadow.
Upon seeing her return, Zhan Xiao didn't say much, but simply handed her a fox fur coat.
Jiang Fushi stopped at the bottom of the steps and looked up at him.
The shadow under the eaves obscured most of his face, leaving only his sharply defined jawline visible. Qingdai took the still-warm cloak from her and carefully fastened it for her. The heavy fox fur instantly insulated her from the outside chill, and warmth slowly enveloped her. Her voice was hoarse with exhaustion: "Thanks to you for helping me today."
"It's my duty."
Upon entering the inner hall, a dry, warm current immediately greeted us, dispelling the last trace of chill brought back from the outside.
The silver charcoal brazier in the corner of the hall was burning brightly, emitting a soft crackling sound, and the air was filled with a faint, calming rue fragrance. This thoughtful arrangement was clearly something that had been carefully planned before she returned to her residence.
After changing into soft everyday clothes and tidying her appearance, Qingdai brought out a steaming cup of ginger and jujube tea and said softly, "Your Highness, this was specially prepared by Guard Zhan in the kitchen to warm you up."
Jiang Fushi's heart tightened, and she immediately suppressed her relaxed expression. She handed the teacup back to Qingdai, quickly straightened her clothes and cuffs, and hurried out to greet her.
The two sat down in the warm pavilion of the inner hall. Jiang Yu, with a serious expression, cut straight to the point without any pleasantries: "What exactly is the purpose of this confrontation before the Emperor? What kind of grudge do you have with the Cao family?"
Now that things have come to this, there's no point in hiding it anymore. Jiang Fushi took a deep breath and told the whole story, from how she stopped Cao Zhang from forcibly taking a woman in the street, to how Cao Zhang held a grudge and attacked the inn where she was staying at night to set it on fire in retaliation. She had to use a trick to make Cao Zhang suffer from the "Azure Withering and Flourishing Powder" in order to protect herself, leaving him on the verge of death.
“No wonder.” Jiang Yu understood, tapping her fingertips lightly on the table. “The Cao family’s aggressive approach doesn’t seem to be for Yu Yao’s sake. After all, Yu Yao ‘committed suicide for the country’ on the surface, so they can’t find a reason to act. It’s because of Cao Zhang’s matter, where old and new grudges have piled up.”
Jiang Fushi then mentioned that Cao Rui had tried to frame her earlier that day, but Zhan Xiao had seen through her scheme on the spot.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu's lips curled into a cold sneer: "This matter will not be resolved. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice was recommended by the Duke of Jingguo, so it's impossible for the fire to actually reach the Cao family. I'm afraid that the guard will die mysteriously in prison, leaving no way to prove anything."
Jiang Fushi nodded silently, knowing full well that what Jiang Yu said was the truth.
“Since that’s the case, let’s go all the way.” Jiang Yu’s sharp gaze swept over Zhan Xiao, who was standing quietly to the side, and then turned to Jiang Fushi. He lowered his voice to a very low level, “Find an opportunity to kill him and eliminate any future troubles.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fushi's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively clenched her sleeves. Jiang Yu, however, had already turned to Zhan Xiao and asked directly, "If you were to take action, are you confident you could get Cao Rui's head?"
"I'm absolutely certain." Zhan Xiao looked at her calmly, then changed the subject.
"However, this is not the best course of action. If Cao Rui were to die suddenly at this time, everyone would assume it was His Highness's doing. Even if the Emperor remains calm, he will inevitably harbor resentment. At that point, His Highness will be in an even more passive position."
"Moreover, the Duke of Jingguo's mansion is deeply rooted and powerful. To move Cao Rui now would be tantamount to stirring up trouble."
“Your Majesty,” Jiang Fushi said earnestly, holding Jiang Yu’s hand, “This is absolutely unacceptable. If Cao Rui dies at this juncture, it will likely bring even more trouble. The time is not yet ripe; we must plan carefully and proceed cautiously.”
Seeing her nervous expression, Jiang Yu's murderous aura gradually dissipated, turning into a helpless smile. "Alright, Auntie was just saying it in the heat of the moment. She wouldn't really be so reckless."
"You've had a long day, get some rest."
Having just taken a step, Jiang Yu seemed to suddenly remember something and asked, "By the way, since you are familiar with medical principles, do you have any prescriptions to strengthen the body's foundation and restore its vitality? Those useless fellows in my aunt's mansion have been looking rather listless lately."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fushi's cheeks immediately flushed red. She glanced subconsciously at Zhan Xiao beside her and stamped her foot in embarrassment: "My niece's medicine is for healing and saving lives, not for such nonsense!"
Upon seeing this, Jiang Yu burst into laughter, then turned and left, satisfied.
Auntie really does act without any scruples, even casually mentioning such private topics. Jiang Fushi thought to herself, the heat on her face not yet completely subsided, her gaze shifting to the man beside her.
Instantly, that embarrassing topic came back to mind.
Zhan Xiao's five senses are far beyond those of ordinary people, so he must have heard every word clearly! Thinking of this, she suddenly felt uncomfortable all over, and didn't even know what to do with her hands and feet.
"Ahem..." She cleared her throat as if to say, "It's late, there's no need to serve you here anymore, you may leave."
Upon hearing this, Zhan Xiao's posture remained completely relaxed, even more so than usual, as she slightly turned her head. Her calm gaze was like a deep pool under the moonlight, undisturbed yet clearly reflecting her subtle embarrassment.
"yes."
Seeing him leave, Jiang Fushi seemed to suddenly release all her strength, and remained silent in her seat for a moment. The candlelight crackled in the hall, and her mind uncontrollably recalled everything that had happened that day.
In terms of family background and power, the Duke of Jing's mansion far surpasses her, a princess without maternal support; its foundation is as solid as a rock. She is merely an orphan with a title, and to confront them is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
But now things have developed to this point: Cao Zhang is poisoned, Cao Rui holds a grudge, and there is no turning back.
It's either you die or I live.
The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. He couldn't help but raise his hand to press his brow, and a somewhat defiant thought even arose in his mind.
Next time something like this happens, just poison them and that's it, instead of living in constant fear.
This thought calmed Jiang Fushi down a bit. She got up and walked to the depths of the bedroom, where she took out a jade box about an inch long from a hidden compartment under her pillow.
Previously, to prevent the Cao family from searching the mansion, all the medicinal herbs and the finished products she had refined had been sent to the Princess's mansion for temporary storage. However, she was really worried about losing the "Red Heavenly Mango" and risked keeping it behind.
Red Skyflower is extremely rare, growing only in secluded places, and is a rare find. According to the "Secret Records of Herbs," it is a holy antidote, capable of counteracting many kinds of poisons. If combined with Nine-Star Flower, it can even be used to refine a miraculous medicine with the effect of "bringing the dead back to life."
Logically speaking, if she could find the Nine-Star Flower and combine it with the Crimson Skylight, she might be able to completely resolve the cold poison in Zhan Xiao's body.
However, the Nine-Star Flower has extremely demanding growing conditions, only growing on the summits of extremely high mountains, in rock crevices near the snow line, and blooming only once every ten years, with a flowering period of only three days. Having spent so many years in the palace, she had never heard of the Imperial Medical Academy or the Imperial Treasury possessing this medicinal herb.
If it's not even in the imperial palace, where else in the world can it be found?
She felt uncertain, as if the hope was so slim it was almost nonexistent.
But Zhanxiao's condition could no longer be delayed.
If her judgment is correct, his cold poison attacks occur approximately every fifteen days, and the frequency will increase after a period of time. The fact that he has managed to hold on until now suggests that the frequency of attacks has already increased several times.
If no solution is found, he probably only has about a year left to live, that's a very conservative estimate. If it's not conservative...
Jiang Fushi dared not think any further. Just the thought that Zhan Xiao might one day collapse in front of her without warning, just like last time, his breath growing weaker and his body growing cold, made her heart tighten and even her breathing feel difficult.
Don't be afraid, there's still time. Maybe there's another way. She can take Zhan Xiao's pulse every day to accurately determine the fluctuations in his pulse and the changes in his cold poison. Then, based on the body's feedback, she can try different medicines one by one and eventually find a way to suppress or even resolve the problem.
Even after lying down in bed, she was still worried about Zhanxiao's condition. Although she was mentally exhausted and physically drained, her thoughts were like a taut string, and she couldn't fall asleep no matter what.
Looking at the flickering candlelight, she began to feel uncontrollably afraid, worried that the Cao family would come looking for trouble again and cause chaos in the mansion. She couldn't help but wonder what Zhan Xiao was doing at this moment.
He simply put on an overcoat, got up, tiptoed to the window, and quietly opened a crack.
In the snow-covered garden, a man dressed in a black fox fur coat was practicing his swordplay. His moves were sharp and fluid, and as the snowflakes rose and fell, it was as if the snowflakes did not come from the sky, but were drawn by his sword and flowed with his movements.
For some reason, her initial anxiety vanished the moment she saw his back. She felt inexplicably that the man before her was reliable, that no matter what happened, even if the sky were to fall, he would be there to catch her.
Leaning against the window, huddled in her heavy clothes, Jiang Fushi's head bobbed up and down, her eyelids growing heavy. Just as her head tilted to the side, about to slip and fall, the man practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard silently appeared beside her, reaching out to steadily support her head.
Her small face, cradled in his palm, was smaller than his hand. Zhan Xiao withdrew his gaze, helped her sit comfortably on the soft couch by the window, tucked her clothes in, and closed the window to block out the howling north wind.
Jiang Fushi slept by the window that night. The next day, when Qingdai entered, she was so frightened that her face turned pale. She hurriedly stepped forward to touch Jiang Fushi's forehead: "Your Highness! You can't do this again. The weather is so cold. What if you catch a cold while sleeping here!"
Jiang Fushi rubbed her temples. She hadn't expected to fall asleep here. She had only planned to take one last look at Zhan Xiao before going back to bed, but who knew... However, she slept very well last night, feeling warm all over and not feeling cold at all. She attributed this to the stove in the room burning brightly.
After washing up and having breakfast, she opened her medical books again. She had already torn off the original covers and replaced them with covers from books like "Rules for Women" and "Biographies of Exemplary Women," placing them on the dozen or so large bookshelves in her study alongside other books. This way, no one who came to search would ever discover that these were actually medical books.
She tried one prescription after another, brewing bowl after bowl of herbal decoctions. Later, she even set up a small copper pot and devoted herself to refining elixirs.
Zhan Xiao took all the prepared medicine and pills on time. She wanted to observe the changes in the strength of the cold poison by his reaction to the medicine, and find a way to break the poison.
Each time, he would silently accept the medicine, tilt his head back, and drink or swallow it, neither complaining about the bitterness nor expressing any physical sensations, rarely even raising an eyebrow. He neither questioned nor offered any comment. The lack of any useful feedback left her feeling utterly frustrated.
As the year draws to a close, the snow falls heavier and heavier, with goose-feather-like snowflakes densely dotting the courtyard and quickly accumulating into a thick layer.
Jiang Fushi stood by the bubbling bronze furnace, watching the leaping flames inside. The room was filled with the fragrance of medicine, which permeated even her clothes and hair.
Suddenly a dark shadow loomed over her, blocking the light from the fire that illuminated her.
Looking up, I saw Zhan Xiao.
She thought he had come to take her pulse as usual. During this period, apart from inspecting the mansion and checking security, Zhan Xiao spent almost all his remaining time with her refining medicine.
"Wait a moment, the medicine for today is not ready yet. When the time comes, I will take your pulse."
However, the person before her did not sit down silently as usual. He remained motionless, gazing at her quietly with his deep eyes.
“Your Highness, it’s no use.” His voice was low and calm. “There’s no need to try anymore.”
Jiang Fushi paused, her hand holding the medicine spoon still.
He looked at her and continued, "As long as I still wield the sword, this poison will never be cured."
Jiang Fushi was stunned. After a long while, she asked in a daze, "...Why?"
Zhan Xiao remained silent for a moment.
The sound of wind and snow rustling outside the window made the room exceptionally quiet. He lowered his eyes to his right hand, which held the sword, and slowly opened his palm.
"This poison is called 'Cold Marrow Corrosion'."
“The deeper the poisoned person circulates their energy, the more severe the backlash from the cold poison will be. The higher the level of martial arts practiced, the deeper the poison takes root.” He raised his eyes and looked at Jiang Fushi: “My swordsmanship follows the path of extreme cold and frigidity. This cultivation level and the cold poison are already of the same origin. Like ice and snow, if you want to melt the ice and snow, you would have to wait for the blazing sun to melt away this cultivation level as well.”
Jiang Fushi stared at him blankly, speechless for a moment.
“But…” she clenched her fists instinctively, her knuckles turning white, “There must be other ways. The world is so big, there must be a solution…”
Zhan Xiao lowered his eyes and looked away: "If Your Highness wishes to try, I will certainly cooperate."
That being said, Jiang Fushi knew perfectly well what was going on.
This is nothing more than a desperate struggle.
A wave of heat suddenly welled up in my eyes, and the figure of the person in front of me instantly blurred.
With her eyes still misty with tears, she felt as if something was gripping her heart tightly, causing a sharp, aching pain. She clearly saw Zhan Xiao's gaze turn back to her tear-streaked face, and a ripple seemed to flicker in the depths of his eyes, like an elusive pool.
However, the next second, he turned his head away.
"Your Highness need not trouble yourself with your subordinates."
"What do you mean 'don't bother'? I'm going to bother anyway!" Jiang Fushi sniffed and said stubbornly, "I'm determined to find a way to save you."
...
Although the year was drawing to a close, there was no festive atmosphere in the capital; instead, a sense of impending doom hung in the air. The Sheng Dynasty had suffered a crushing defeat in its war against the Qiongle tribe, losing many soldiers and generals, and its border defenses were in dire need of attention.
The news sent shockwaves through the entire court.
The two factions in the court, advocating war and peace, had been arguing fiercely for days, like a boiling cauldron. Just then, an urgent report came from the border: the envoy sent by Ao Mu, the leader of the Qiongle tribe, was not far from the capital and would arrive soon. The envoy's purpose was ostensibly for "negotiations," but in reality, he wanted to force the surrender of Qiongle tribe and demand tribute.
Inside the Prince Jin's residence, the tea room was warm and cozy, filled with the gentle fragrance of incense. The Third Prince, Jiang Jinyu, knelt before the tea set, intently arranging it. Steady footsteps approached, and the Duke of Jingguo, guided by a eunuch, entered the room, respectfully bowing to his grandson seated at the head of the table.
"Please sit, Duke." The Third Prince did not look up, but gestured for the seat opposite him. The Duke of Jing sat down as instructed, took the teacup that the Third Prince had personally pushed towards him, and asked in a low voice, "I wonder what Your Highness has summoned this old minister here today?"
The Third Prince then raised his eyes: "It's for my maternal grandfather's sake."
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Jingguo's eyes instantly filled with disgust and anger: "That Yuhe, last time Rui'er personally led people to her door, not only did they fail to harm her in the slightest, but they also lost a trusted confidant and suffered a fatal blow. I originally thought she was just a helpless orphan, but I never expected her to have such methods and scheming."
“Grandfather, there’s no need to get upset over such a trivial matter. I have a solution that will solve the problem once and for all.”
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