Chapter 41 Antidote 9 "Zhu Song, don't die."
Because of Zhu Song, Xue Caining also had a separate room in the governor's office.
Zhu Song stood at the door and did not go in. Xue Caining said, "Sir, please wait a moment," and then went into the house.
A moment later, Xue Caining came out with a wooden box and handed it to Zhu Song, "Please take a look, sir."
Zhu Song took it and opened it. It was indeed the correspondence between Duan Zhenghong and Prince Su. There were a total of twenty letters, each with Prince Su's personal signature.
Zhu Song looked at Xue Caining in a good mood. "Duan Zhenghong actually trusts you."
Xue Caining said bluntly, "To be honest, sir, I stole these letters from Duan Zhenghong's study."
Zhu Song asked, "Apart from these, is there anything else?"
Xue Caining shook her head. "Duan Zhenghong was very cautious and only left these letters."
Zhu Song understood. No wonder Duan Zhenghong had confessed; he was simply sacrificing his own chariot to save his own. Now that he had the evidence, there was no need for Zhu Song to pretend anymore. He said to the bailiff behind him, "Take him away."
The bailiff stepped forward and arrested Xue Caining. Xue Caining looked at Zhu Song in disbelief, "Sir, you said that merits and demerits should be offset."
Zhu Song looked at her coldly and said, "I never said that."
Xue Caining's eyes widened as she cursed loudly, "Zhu Song, you dare to lie to me? You will die a miserable death..."
The bailiff quickly stepped forward, stuffed Xue Caining's mouth, and quickly pulled Xue Caining away.
Zhu Song looked at the letter in his hand and recalled Zhu Lingwang's words. This was indeed a hot potato, but he certainly had no regrets. If an official feared the powerful, then there was no point in being an official.
After Zhu Song put the letter away carefully, he sent someone to call Zhu Lingwang.
Zhu Lingwang came over quickly. Seeing him coming, Zhu Song put down the teacup in his hand and said, "Come with me to apologize to His Highness."
Zhu Lingwang asked him, "What are you apologizing for?"
Zhu Song said, "You tricked him into paying the wages, shouldn't you apologize?"
Zhu Lingwang said, "It's something we both agreed on. I don't think there's any need to apologize."
Zhu Song slammed the table, "You're so stubborn."
Zhu Lingwang didn't say anything, and Zhu Song said firmly, "Come with me."
Zhu Lingwang's attitude was very firm, "No."
"Zhu Lingwang."
Zhu Lingwang met his angry gaze without a trace of fear on his face. "I think this is the best way. It can both fulfill your kindness to the people and exempt you from punishment."
"What about him? Have you ever thought about how he would deal with it if this matter were brought to the attention of His Majesty?" Zhu Song became more and more angry as he spoke, his face turning red with anger.
Zhu Lingwang replied, "Hasn't it been like this for so many years? How could the punishment be any worse than it is now?"
"You..." Zhu Song choked for a moment, "You are simply unreasonable."
Zhu Lingwang said to him, "You are blinded and can't see the situation clearly."
Zhu Song scolded him, "You have a heart of stone and are stubborn. A crown prince is not meant to be used by you like this."
Zhu Lingwang said calmly, "You always emphasize the crown prince. Zhu Song, it's not just you who emphasizes it."
"Nothing is settled yet." Zhu Song did not say much about the sensitive topic, but he could not help but bring it up.
Zhu Lingwang asked him back, "Really?"
The two served in the same court, so they were naturally well aware of the situation. Wen Fengxuan had never had a place in the Three Kings' struggle for supremacy. Zhu Song, in a rare instance of not winning an argument, was silent for a moment. "No matter what, come with me to apologize."
Zhu Lingwang asked him, "What are you talking about?"
Zhu Song slammed the table and said, "You are wrong. You shouldn't have tricked him into using the stolen money."
Zhu Lingwang rejected him again, "I didn't lie to him."
Zhu Song didn't believe it at all. "If you hadn't tricked him, why would he go?"
Zhu Lingwang looked him in the eyes and asked, "What do you think?"
Their eyes met, sparks flew. At this moment, a yamen runner came to the door, looked at the scene inside the house and said tentatively, "Master Zhu."
They both looked over, and the yamen runner's scalp suddenly tingled. He swallowed unconsciously and looked at Zhu Song and whispered, "Master Zhu, Doctor Xu asked me to report that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has a fever."
Zhu Song suddenly felt his mind was in chaos and he felt hot again.
Zhu Lingwang looked at Zhu Song and saw that something was wrong with him. He quickly grabbed his arm and said, "Brother, don't be nervous. It's just a normal fever. It's okay with Doctor Xu here."
In just a moment, sweat broke out on Zhu Song's forehead. He quickly walked out the door and headed towards Wen Fengxuan's room.
Zhu Lingwang was worried and quickly followed.
When they arrived at Wen Fengxuan's room, Xie Ningyuan was guarding the door. When he saw Zhu Song, his eyes darkened for a moment. He moved his hand as if he wanted to stop him, but for some reason he didn't stop him in the end.
Zhu Song entered the room and saw Doctor Xu giving acupuncture to Wen Fengxuan. Wen Fengxuan was lying on the bed with his eyes closed, his cheeks flushed, and sweat on his forehead. It was a heart-wrenching sight.
Zhu Lingwang asked, "How is His Highness?"
Doctor Xu replied, "It shouldn't be a big problem. After the acupuncture, have a good sleep. You'll probably wake up tomorrow morning."
Zhu Song asked worriedly, "Really?"
Doctor Xu took the time to glance at Zhu Song and was shocked by his condition. "Master Zhu, what's wrong with you?"
Zhu Lingwang explained: "He is stressed by fever. He becomes like this when he hears someone has a fever."
"Is that so?" Doctor Xu breathed a sigh of relief and then explained again, "Your Highness the Crown Prince only has a slight fever. He will feel better tomorrow if he rests well. Your Excellency does not need to worry."
Zhu Lingwang also said: "Don't worry."
Zhu Song looked at Zhu Lingwang with a clear condemnation in his eyes. Zhu Lingwang gave in and said, "Okay, I'll apologize to His Highness tomorrow when he wakes up."
Zhu Song asked, "What's the point of apologizing?"
Zhu Lingwang asked, "Then let Doctor Xu give me acupuncture as well. Would you be satisfied?"
Zhu Song scolded him, "You are sick."
Zhu Lingwang didn't reply. After a while, he said, "You want to stay here?"
Zhu Song replied, "I'm worried."
Zhu Lingwang sat with him without saying anything. Just as he sat down, Zhu Lingye came back. Seeing Zhu Song's appearance, he was startled. He stepped into the room and asked anxiously, "Brother, did Xue Caining poison you? Are you okay?"
Zhu Lingwang looked at Zhu Song in surprise, as if asking, is there such a thing?
Zhu Song replied: "No."
Zhu Lingye didn't believe it. "I heard that the silver needle turned black when inserted. How could it not be poisoned?"
Doctor Xu explained, "Those are specially made silver needles. Whatever they touch will instantly turn black."
Zhu Lingye understood a little, "You lied to her?"
Zhu Lingwang raised his eyebrows slightly. Zhu Song noticed his gaze and was very dissatisfied. "What's that look?"
Zhu Lingwang replied calmly, "I just want to say that this is what is called deception."
"You're making farfetched arguments." Zhu Song scolded him.
Seeing that the two of them were not getting along, Zhu Lingye couldn't help but ask, "What are you two arguing about?"
Zhu Lingwang stood up and said, "You ask him. I'm leaving now."
Zhu Lingye was confused, "Eh...are you leaving now?"
Zhu Lingwang said: "Otherwise, I don't want to be a branch for you two anymore." Then he left.
"What did he mean?" Zhu Lingye pointed at Zhu Lingwang's background and asked Zhu Song. Zhu Song replied angrily, "He said we are the same as cicadas."
"You said we talk too much?" Zhu Lingye was very dissatisfied. "If everyone was as taciturn as him, humans wouldn't need to have mouths."
Zhu Song glanced at him and said nothing. Zhu Lingye sat down beside him and followed his gaze to look at Wen Fengxuan with admiration on his face. "Your Highness is really handsome."
Zhu Song tilted his head and frowned at him, "Be careful with your words."
"Oh. I forgot you couldn't understand." Zhu Lingye nodded in response.
After a moment of silence, Zhu Lingye spoke again, "Did you get anything useful from Xue Caining?"
Zhu Song didn't even blink, "No."
Zhu Lingye was a little disappointed when he heard this. "She is Duan Zhenghong's most trusted concubine, but even she doesn't have anything useful. It seems that our trip will end here."
Zhu Song didn't respond. Zhu Lingye said, "I'll go and interrogate Duan Zhenghong again."
Zhu Song still didn't say anything, and Zhu Lingye left in a hurry without waiting for him to get up.
Being stared at by Zhu Song, Doctor Xu felt a lot of pressure and his hands became faster in inserting the needles. What should have taken an hour was finished in half an hour.
Doctor Xu put away the silver needle and said, "I will go and make medicine for His Highness."
Zhu Song nodded, and Doctor Xu left in a hurry.
The door closed, and only Zhu Song and Wen Fengxuan were left in the room. He stood up and slowly walked to the bed. Wen Fengxuan was sweating a lot, and his hair was wet, with two strands sticking to his cheeks. Zhu Song stood by the bed and looked at him for a while, then sat down, reached out and gently lifted his hair and put it on the pillow.
The wet hair moisturizes my fingertips, and feels smooth and comfortable.
The scent of a person with a fever seems stronger, and the usually subtle peach fragrance is particularly obvious at this time, filling the entire nasal cavity, sweet and addictive.
Zhu Song called out softly, "Your Highness."
There was no response. Even though Zhu Song had expected this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. The prince didn't show up.
Zhu Song had just sat there for a while when there was a knock on the door. Zhu Lingye's anxious voice rang out from outside, "Brother, brother!"
Zhu Song frowned slightly, stood up and opened the door. Zhu Lingye said to him anxiously, "Xue Caining is going to die."
Zhu Song frowned, "What?"
Zhu Lingye was still terrified by the memory of the scene, and his voice rose. "Duan Zhenghong was like a mad dog, biting Xue Caining's chest without hesitation. Blood was all over the floor, and Xue Caining fainted immediately. Doctor Xu had already rushed over."
Zhu Song asked, "Why did he bite her suddenly?"
Zhu Lingye replied, "I don't know. They were already arguing when I got there. It seemed to be about some letter."
Zhu Song understood, "Oh, yes, I understand."
Zhu Lingye was very surprised, "You know?"
Zhu Song nodded, "Xue Caining gave me the letter."
"Then you just said nothing."
Zhu Song said calmly: "Walls have ears."
"So you're saying it now?"
Zhu Song replied: "I believe you."
Zhu Lingye glanced at Xie Ningyuan standing next to him, then pulled Zhu Song back to his room. After closing the door, he asked, "What exactly is the letter?"
Zhu Song took out the letter and showed it to Zhu Lingye. Zhu Lingye's eyes widened. Although he was surprised, he was not surprised. "It is indeed Prince Su."
In fact, ever since Song Shunran decided not to return to Beijing with Zhang Wanping but to participate in the investigation, they had speculated that this matter might be related to Prince Su, but they had no evidence.
Now that he had the evidence, Zhu Lingye hesitated again, "Prince Su is His Majesty's favorite prince. Let's hand over these letters..."
Zhu Song replied: "Let's just do our own thing."
Zhu Lingye understood what he meant, but since this was the elder brother he respected, he replied in a deep voice, "Okay."
Zhu Song said: "When His Highness's fever subsides, we will set off to return to the capital."
"yes."
Just as Doctor Xu said, Wen Fengxuan's fever subsided in the second half of the night. However, he was very tired during this period and did not wake up until the morning.
Wen Fengxuan woke up and saw the bright sky. Annoyance flashed in his eyes. He called out to Xie Ningyuan and asked, "What time is it now?"
Xie Ningyuan pushed the door open and came in. "It's just the Si hour." He lowered his voice and continued, "Xue Caining was disfigured. Duan Zhenghong bit her."
Wen Fengxuan looked up at him, Xie Ningyuan nodded, Wen Fengxuan's expression did not change, but the annoyance in his eyes faded quickly.
On the other side, Zhu Song had already sorted out all the evidence. After learning that Wen Fengxuan had woken up, he went to see him.
When Zhu Song arrived, Wen Fengxuan was having breakfast, a bowl of porridge and two dishes. Zhu Song frowned slightly, not wanting to disturb him, so he did not go in. Wen Fengxuan heard the voice and looked over, "Sir."
Zhu Song said: "Your Highness, please eat first. I will come over later."
Wen Fengxuan put down his spoon and stood up, "I've finished eating."
Xie Ningyuan was clearing away the dishes. Zhu Song took a quick glance and saw that he hadn't eaten much. The two of them moved to the side to talk. Zhu Song looked at Wen Fengxuan's slightly pale face and asked, "Your Highness, are you still feeling unwell?"
Wen Fengxuan replied: "It's already healed."
The two of them sat down, looking at each other. Zhu Song felt a little uncomfortable. He lowered his eyes and scanned the table before looking up and speaking. "The matter in Jizhou is settled. I plan to leave for the capital today. Your Highness has made great contributions to this case. Why don't we return to the capital together to report."
Wen Fengxuan seemed much more at ease. He said, "Your Excellency is in a serious condition. But I do plan to return to the capital."
After hearing this, Zhu Song felt relieved. If he still wanted to go to Suzhou to recuperate, it would be difficult for him to persuade him.
Zhu Song instructed, "I have already sent a memorial back to the capital regarding the Jizhou case. If Your Majesty asks about back pay when you report back, it was all my orders, so Your Highness need not say anything more."
Wen Fengxuan responded, "Yeah."
Zhu Song felt relieved and felt much more relaxed. "Then I won't bother Your Highness. We'll set off on time after lunch."
Wen Fengxuan responded again, "Okay."
Zhu Song got up and left. Wen Fengxuan looked at his back in a daze, then asked Xie Ningyuan to pack his luggage.
The news that Zhu Song was going back to Beijing spread quickly, and Song Shunran, who had been a quail for a few days, came out again.
"Master Zhu, the matter is over. It's time to return my clothes to me."
Zhu Song glared at him, "Master Song, why are you still here?"
Song Shunran said as a matter of course, "You and I are both disaster relief ministers, so of course we have to return to the capital together."
Zhu Song was too lazy to argue with him and said directly: "The Imperial Concubine hasn't replied yet, and the ownership of the clothes is still unclear."
Song Shunran's eyes widened upon hearing this. "You're asking the Imperial Concubine about such a small matter?"
Zhu Song sneered, "A few hundred thousand worth of clothes is just a small matter in the eyes of Lord Song. I am too narrow-minded."
Song Shunran defended himself: "Don't talk nonsense, I didn't say hundreds of thousands is a small matter."
Zhu Song laughed and said, "Sir Song's words are not gilded, and he keeps changing his words. I dare not give you the things."
Song Shunran gritted his teeth and stopped talking. Zhu Song didn't even want to look at him anymore and walked away. When he passed by Song Shunran, he called out, "Zhu Song."
Zhu Song glanced at him sideways, and Song Shunran continued to ask, "Did you really send a letter to the capital to ask?"
"The Imperial Concubine is Lord Song's aunt, what is Lord Song afraid of?"
Song Shunran pursed his lips and said, "Who said I was scared? I was just asking."
Zhu Song strode away. Song Shunran looked at his back and gritted his teeth. "Zhu Song, we'll see what happens."
After lunch, they set off on time. They had come in a light carriage, but on their return, the materials and prisoners were escorted by more than a dozen carriages. Zhu Song and Zhu Lingye rode in front on their tall horses, followed closely behind in Wen Fengxuan's carriage, and behind them followed a large group of guards.
At night, we rested at the post station as usual.
Just after midnight, there was a bang on Zhu Song's door, and at the same time, an anxious voice came, "The prince is missing."
Zhu Song suddenly jumped out of bed. Fortunately, he was alert and didn't even take off his clothes when he slept. He put on his shoes, picked up his sword and went out. A black shadow flashed before his eyes, and Zhu Song hurriedly followed it.
The post station was in chaos, with people everywhere shouting, "There's an assassin!" "Catch the assassin!"
Zhu Song chased the black shadow to a remote and dense forest. At this time, Zhu Song had already realized that something was wrong. He stopped and looked around cautiously with his sword in hand.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Dozens of men in black jumped out from the darkness and surrounded Zhu Song from a distance. They were wearing black clothes and masks, and they looked very imposing.
Zhu Song estimated the strength of both sides in his mind and realized that a hard fight would not win, so he spoke, "Where is the prince?"
Without a word, the other party rushed over with swords drawn. Zhu Song knew they wouldn't fall for his trick, so he had no choice but to fight.
There were flashes of swords and shadows, and the wind was blowing in the long forest. For a moment, the only sound that could be heard was the clanging of weapons. Only Zhu Song knew how fierce the opponent's attack was. He saw that the opponent wanted to capture him alive, so he showed mercy. This also gave Zhu Song an opportunity. He just had to hold on until Zhu Lingye brought his men.
Thinking of Cao Cao, Cao Cao has arrived. The word "Big Brother" instantly made Zhu Song's spirits brighten up, and his offensive became obviously fiercer. "Here."
Seeing that help was coming, the men in black attacked without mercy. Zhu Song fought back desperately, but was hit by a sword before Zhu Lingye arrived.
"Go." With this order, the men in black retreated together and disappeared into the dense forest in the blink of an eye.
"Search for me." Zhu Lingye cursed angrily and quickly ran to Zhu Song's side, "Brother, you didn't..."
Before he could finish his words, Zhu Song fell into his arms. Zhu Lingye quickly hugged him. Only then did he see that Zhu Song's body was covered in blood. He was so scared that he quickly picked him up and rushed back, "Go find a doctor quickly."
This place is remote and there is not even a doctor. Zhu Lingye was so anxious that he was sweating profusely.
Zhu Lingye rushed back to the post station, carrying Zhu Song. Wen Fengxuan was waiting at the door, and his face changed instantly when he saw the blood dripping all the way to the ground.
Zhu Lingye put Zhu Song on the bed and said anxiously to Wen Fengxuan beside him, "Go call Zhu Lingwang over to watch over him. I'll go find a doctor."
After saying this, he ran away in a hurry without waiting for Wen Fengxuan to reply.
Wen Fengxuan frowned as he looked at the pale Zhu Song. Xie Ningyuan said, "Your Highness, I've observed along the way. This place is remote, with only villages ten miles away."
At this time, Zhu Lingwang also rushed over. When he saw Zhu Song on the bed, he was so scared that his legs went weak, "Brother."
"Let me try." Wen Fengxuan remained calm and looked at Xie Ningyuan, "Go get some clean water."
Xie Ningyuan left in a hurry. Wen Fengxuan looked at Zhu Lingwang again and said, "Go wait outside."
Zhu Lingwang refused him, and Wen Fengxuan didn't say much. He walked to the bedside and carefully observed Zhu Song's wound.
The wound was on the chest. Wen Fengxuan observed that it was only about an inch away from the heart. The bleeding continued because the tendons and veins were injured.
Soon Xie Ningyuan came back with some water. Wen Fengxuan quickly washed his hands and said to Xie Ningyuan, "Watch him."
Zhu Lingwang was confused, but Xie Ningyuan responded. Then Wen Fengxuan took out a dagger from his waist and stabbed it into Zhu Song's wound. Zhu Lingwang's eyes widened. "What are you doing?" He was about to stop him, but Xie Ningyuan held him back. "Shut up."
Zhu Lingwang struggled hard but couldn't shake Xie Ningyuan at all. He didn't expect that Xie Ningyuan, who looked silent, could be so strong.
"Let me go."
At the same time, Wen Fengxuan had already cut open Zhu Song's chest, then reached into Zhu Song's chest, forcibly pulled out the broken tendons and tied a knot.
Zhu Lingwang looked at Wen Fengxuan, whose hands were covered in blood, as calmly as if he were buttoning a button. The strong smell of blood in the air made Zhu Lingwang feel nauseous. "Ugh!"
This voice made Xie Ningyuan frown, and he reached out to cover his mouth. His hand had been holding a sword, and there was a metallic smell, which made Zhu Lingwang even more uncomfortable.
At this time, Wen Fengxuan had already tied the knot and put the tendons back. When he put them back, he suddenly felt something was wrong. His heartbeat had stopped.
Wen Fengxuan frowned and reached out to pinch Zhu Song's heart a few times. Fortunately, his heartbeat recovered smoothly.
After finishing these, Wen Fengxuan began to wash his hands. His peripheral vision caught sight of the limp Zhu Lingwang. Xie Ningyuan said, "He fainted."
Wen Fengxuan said, "Put it aside."
Xie Ningyuan threw Zhu Lingwang to the ground.
It was noisy just now, but now it has completely calmed down. Wen Fengxuan ordered Xie Ningyuan, "Go guard the door."
Xie Ningyuan turned and went to the door. Wen Fengxuan then turned and sat down beside the bed. Looking at Zhu Song's bloody chest, his hands began to tremble.
He just looked at him without saying anything, but Zhu Song's face suddenly fell. Wen Fengxuan's hands trembled even more violently, and he couldn't help it. Finally, he reached out and pinched Zhu Song's pale face, making a smile.
"Zhu Song, don't die."
In the quiet night, only his own echo buzzed in his head.
It seemed like a long time had passed, yet it also seemed like only a moment, when hurried footsteps were heard on the wooden floor. Wen Fengxuan restrained his expression, and the next moment Zhu Lingye rushed into the house carrying an old doctor.
Zhu Lingye hurriedly put the old doctor down and shouted, "Quick, let my brother take a look."
The old doctor was so dizzy from being thrown around that he couldn't even stand steadily when he landed. Zhu Lingye pulled his shoulders and he swayed his body and was about to curse, "You little rabbit..."
When he was halfway through scolding, he saw Zhu Song's miserable condition, and immediately stopped talking. He walked quickly to Zhu Song and took his pulse. His ugly face became more and more solemn.
Wen Fengxuan stood beside them the moment they entered the room, and when he saw the old doctor's expression, he also frowned. Zhu Lingye asked anxiously, "How is my brother?"
The old doctor glared at him unhappily, then said, "You're lucky. One of your feet was pulled back from the brink of death."
Zhu Lingye didn't quite understand his riddle, "What does it mean?"
The old doctor ignored him and said, "Bring me some fire."
Zhu Lingye quickly brought over a fire. The old doctor took out a silver needle and burned it on the fire for a while. Then he threaded the needle and sutured Zhu Song's wound, and applied hemostatic medicine.
"As long as we can get through tonight, it won't be a big problem."
Zhu Lingye asked anxiously, "What if I can't make it?"
The old doctor looked at him speechlessly, without saying anything, he took out a pen and started writing the prescription.
After finishing it, he handed it to Wen Fengxuan and said, "Go get the medicine."
Zhu Lingye reached out and grabbed it, "I'll go, I'll go."
Zhu Lingye ran away with the prescription. The old doctor looked at Wen Fengxuan, nodded in appreciation and praised him, "He's a brave man."
Wen Fengxuan didn't say anything, and the old doctor didn't say much either. He just yawned and asked, "Where do I live?"
Wen Fengxuan called out to Xie Ningyuan, "Ningyuan, take the old man to my room."
Xie Ningyuan paused for a moment before saying, "Old sir, please come this way."
Before leaving, the old doctor warned, "Keep an eye on him tonight. He'll probably have a fever. Don't panic. Get him some medicine as soon as possible."
"Um."
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