In the turbulent world of martial arts, this woman named Ta Yan seems to truly lack all the emotional fluctuations of ordinary people.
With trepidation, Gu Qinlan stepped once again into the secluded and desolate courtyard of the Prince Duan's mansion, where Ta Yan was obsessed with her crazy and mysterious poison-making technique.
As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I saw that Ta Yan's face was as pale as paper, with an eerie green tinge.
Gu Qinlan couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Why does your face look like that?"
Ta Yan smiled wryly and replied easily, "Madam, please don't be alarmed. I've only been slightly affected by the poison."
Before she could finish speaking, Ta Yan suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, the bright red liquid looking particularly glaring in the sunlight.
Even though Gu Qinlan had experienced all walks of life, she couldn't help but lose her composure at this moment.
However, Ta Yan remained unusually calm. She slowly took out a delicate little porcelain bottle, gently unscrewed the stopper, and brought the bottle mouth close to her lips.
Soon, her face gradually returned to its original pale color, instead of the eerie green it had been.
She smacked her lips lightly, as if savoring something delicious, and said with satisfaction, "This time the antidote seems to be working even faster, which is quite satisfactory."
Gu Qinlan clutched her chest, still shaken, and asked, "Were you just testing your own poison?"
Ta Yan nodded easily, as if discussing everyday matters: "This is just our daily routine, Madam, there's no need to worry."
Gu Qinlan frowned, her worry evident: "Your frequent drug trials are extremely harmful to your health."
Ta Yan waved her hand dismissively, "It's alright. As we poison masters get older, we get poisoned more and more often. In the end, ordinary poisons can't pose any threat to us at all."
Gu Qinlan asked curiously, "Wouldn't that mean you've reached the point of being immune to all poisons?"
Ta Yan nodded: "Theoretically, that's true."
"But what's the reality?"
Ta Yan's eyes sparkled, and she smiled mischievously: "Actually, we're poisoned by too many things, and we often die very early on."
"Hehehe... Madam, you don't really believe that, do you?"
Ta Yan covered her mouth, laughing so hard she almost fell over. "I was just joking with Madam. We people cherish life more than anyone else."
Gu Qinlan still felt her explanation was somewhat far-fetched: "You almost died from the poison just now."
Ta Yan smiled and explained, "Such things do happen quite often, but Madam must understand that we are fully aware of the effects of the poisons we concoct. Who would be foolish enough to use themselves as a guinea pig if they weren't absolutely certain?"
After a moment's thought, Gu Qinlan seemed to agree with what Ta Yan had said.
Ta Yan asked with a beaming smile, "What brings you here, Madam?"
Gu Qinlan then remembered her purpose for coming.
After listening to her story, Ta Yan frowned slightly: "Has Sister Luo Feng been gone for quite some time?"
These past few days, she has been so engrossed in her poison-making obsession that she has not even noticed the passage of time.
Gu Qinlan's face was filled with worry: "Have you found any clues to her whereabouts? I'm very anxious, afraid that something bad has happened to her."
Ta Yan pondered for a moment: "I will send a message to my sect and request that they send people to search for her. However, Madam, there is no need to worry too much. Sister Luo Feng is skilled in martial arts, and ordinary people will find it difficult to trap her, let alone harm her."
Gu Qinlan still couldn't let it go, "I just hope she's safe and sound."
Just as Gu Qinlan was feeling uneasy, a visiting card arrived gracefully and landed in her hands.
The visiting card came from Madam Liu of the government office; she wished to pay a personal visit to discuss matters. This was the first time Gu Qinlan had received a visiting card from Madam Liu in the more than six months since she had married into the family.
Having guessed the purpose of the visit, Gu Qinlan ordered her servants to reply to the invitation, accepting Madam Liu's visit.
At dawn the next day, Madam Liu arrived at the door on time in her carriage. Since Jiang Ye was out and had not returned, Fu Yu naturally took on the responsibility of managing the household, and after a few months, she seemed quite adept at it. Fu Yu personally greeted Madam Liu and led her to the flower hall.
Gu Qinlan summoned Zheng Huiyi and Zheng Huaiyu over.
Since there is an intention to cultivate the two individuals, such occasions for receiving distinguished guests are certainly learning opportunities that cannot be missed.
When Fuyu led Madam Liu into the flower hall, Gu Qinlan and the other two had been waiting there for a long time.
Madam Liu bowed to Gu Qinlan with a smile, and Gu Qinlan smiled and helped her up: "Madam Liu, there's no need to be so polite. Please take a seat."
After everyone was seated and tea was served, Gu Qinlan asked, "Madam Liu mentioned in her visiting card that she had something important to discuss. May I ask what it is?"
Madam Liu sighed softly: "Madam Zheng, actually, it's not that I have a request, but rather that my husband hopes you can offer some valuable advice."
Gu Qinlan was slightly surprised: "What brings you here, Lord Liu?"
Madam Liu nodded slightly: "For days, the refugees have surrounded the city, and the siege has not subsided for more than half a month. Rumor has it that the authorities are unable to properly resettle these refugees, which is why they are unwilling to leave. Although the city is currently stable, the people's food reserves are dwindling. If the siege continues, I fear that soon the people inside the city will also be overwhelmed and become restless. My husband believes that you have foresight and wisdom, so he sent me here to consult you and see if there is a good plan to evacuate the refugees outside the city."
Upon hearing this, Gu Qinlan couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile: "Lord Liu, you overestimate me. As a woman, how could I possibly have any ability to predict the future? As for the trivial matters of growing vegetables on my estate, it was just a matter of luck."
Faced with tens of thousands of refugees outside the city, what good strategies could she devise to guide them away?
If she truly possessed that ability, why would she confine herself to the secluded mansion of Prince Duan?
A hint of "I knew it" flashed in Madam Liu's eyes, then her brows furrowed with worry: "Madam Zheng, do you think that if things continue like this, we'll face a great disaster?"
Gu Qinlan sighed softly and shook her head helplessly: "I don't know either. I have never experienced such a change since I was a child. I am really at a loss. Moreover, my young master is away. Everyone in this mansion depends on me as their master. When I am alone at night, I am filled with worries and can hardly fall asleep."
Madam Liu then remembered that this Madam Zheng was not yet twenty years old.
The thought of her husband sending her to the Zheng family to gather information made her chuckle. How could a naive young girl, even if fortunate enough to marry into the Prince Duan's household, possess such great abilities?
Even though she performed well at Gu Qinlian's wedding, and later directed the servants in the mansion to help the people in the city avoid danger, set up soup kitchens, and arrange for farmers to grow vegetables and fruits, these were all trivial matters.
Asking her to devise a solution to the plight of the refugees outside the city is nothing short of wishful thinking.
Therefore, Madam Liu offered a few words of casual comfort and then took her leave.
After Madam Liu left, Zheng Huiyi asked anxiously, "Sister-in-law, did you really toss and turn all night and have trouble sleeping? If you feel that the housekeeper's burden is too heavy, I can share some of the pressure."
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