Chapter 37 Add a little croton powder
The convoy drew closer, the sound of wheels rolling over the gravel road growing clearer. Suddenly, Pei Zhi grabbed her shoulder and hissed, "Do it!"
The guards lying in ambush rushed out simultaneously, raining arrows down on the wheels of the carriage and onto the convoy. The Imperial Guards, clearly unprepared for the attack, frantically raised their shields to defend themselves. Taking advantage of the situation, Ye Wanning leaped from the first carriage to the second, severing the reins with a single stroke.
"Hurry!" she shouted to the coachman, one of Pei Zhi's men. The coachman turned the horse around and galloped off in the opposite direction.
The guards of the first and third carriages reacted, drawing their swords and giving chase. Pei Zhi, sword in hand, blocked the lead captain's path: "Your opponent is me."
Sword flashes and blade shadows clashed in the moonlight; Pei Zhi's martial arts were far more formidable than Ye Wanning had imagined. He moved like a swallow, his sword tip always striking the opponent's most fatal weakness. With a single strike, Pei Zhi knocked the captain off his horse.
"Retreat!" Pei Zhi shouted, mounted his horse, and caught up with Ye Wanning's carriage.
The two of them raced all the way, only stopping after pushing the carriage into the secret passage of the Pei residence. Several guards hurriedly pushed the carriage into the passage, and Ye Wanning lifted the curtain, immediately seeing it piled high with medicine packets wrapped in oiled paper. She casually tore one open, revealing white powder inside, emitting a faint almond scent.
“It’s a poison.” Ye Wanning’s fingers trembled slightly. “So much of it, enough to poison half the capital.”
Pei Zhi's face was extremely grim: "What exactly are the Third Prince and Consort Li planning?"
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the secret passage, and a guard rushed in: "My lord, something terrible has happened! The Imperial Guard has surrounded the Pei residence, claiming we hijacked the palace's medicine cart!"
Ye Wanning exclaimed, "Ah! How did they get here so quickly?"
Pei Zhi sneered, "It seems there's a traitor among us." He turned to his guards and ordered, "Hide the medicine cart in the secret compartment, and everyone evacuate through the side door."
"Then what about you?" Ye Wanning grabbed him. "I'll go with you to deal with them."
Pei Zhi gently ruffled her hair, his gesture natural and affectionate: "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
He turned and walked out of the secret passage. Ye Wanning watched his retreating figure, a sudden bad feeling creeping over her. She winked at Chun Tao: "Open all the medicine packets and mix in some croton powder."
Chun Tao was dumbfounded: "Miss, what is this...?"
“Just do as they say.” Ye Wanning’s eyes gleamed. “Since they’re trying to frame us, we’ll add some more fuel to the fire.”
An hour later, in the main hall of the Pei residence.
Zhao Feng, the commander of the Capital Garrison, holding a packet of medicinal powder, arrogantly addressed Pei Zhi: "Lord Pei, the evidence is irrefutable. What else do you have to say?"
Pei Zhi sat leisurely in his armchair, sipping his tea: "Commander Zhao said this was found during a search of this residence?"
"Is it still fake?" Zhao Feng threw the powder in front of Pei Zhi. "This is medicine for Consort Li's treatment. You've kidnapped it; are you plotting a rebellion?"
"For healing?" Pei Zhi chuckled. "Commander Zhao can open it and smell it."
Zhao Feng opened the paper package with a puzzled look, and a foul smell hit his throat. He exclaimed, "What...what is this?"
“I’m also very curious about what this is.” Pei Zhi slammed down his teacup, his voice suddenly turning cold. “I’ve also heard that someone is using the guise of medicine to smuggle croton powder into the palace. Commander Zhao, tell me, what will happen if this reaches the Emperor?”
Cold sweat broke out on Zhao Feng's forehead. Of course, he knew what was in the car. The Third Prince had ordered him to frame Pei Zhi, but he hadn't mentioned that the medicine would turn into croton powder.
"It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding!" Zhao Feng sheepishly put away the medicine packet. "Looks like my men made a mistake. Let's go."
Watching the Imperial Guards leave in disgrace, Pei Zhi's smile slowly faded. He entered the secret passage, where Ye Wanning was directing people to pour medicinal powder into the latrine.
"Well done," Pei Zhi praised.
Ye Wanning turned to look at him, her eyes a little red: "Won't they attack the Emperor?"
"Very likely," Pei Zhizhang sighed. "Recently, Consort Li has been using taking medicine as an excuse to stay in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. That medicine is probably for the Emperor."
Ye Wanning's heart was instantly filled with unease. She recalled her mother's dying moments: violent coughing, purple lips—symptoms that perfectly matched those of poisoning from the trachea.
“We must stop them.” Ye Wanning’s voice trembled slightly. “We cannot let my mother’s tragedy repeat itself.”
Pei Zhi grasped her hand, the warmth of his palm making her feel slightly more at ease: "I've already ordered people to monitor the Hall of Mental Cultivation. I'll remind the Emperor at tomorrow's morning court."
He paused, then added, "You should rest in the secret passage tonight; it's not safe outside."
The secret passage was carpeted with soft carpet and lit with calming incense. Ye Wanning lay on the soft couch, but couldn't fall asleep. She could keep hearing her mother's coughs, each one more piercing than the last.
She didn't know how much time had passed, but in her hazy state, she sensed that Pei Zhi hadn't slept. Pei Zhi was sitting by the candlelight not far away, reading a book intently, his profile appearing soft and warm in the firelight.
"Why aren't you asleep?" Pei Zhi noticed that she was awake, put down his book and came over.
"You should go to sleep too," Ye Wanning said, moving further inside. "I'll be fine here."
Pei Zhi smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed: "I'll stay by your side."
Ye Wanning's heart seemed to skip a beat, and she quickly closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep. In the darkness, she could hear his steady breathing and her own heartbeat growing faster and faster.
Perhaps, with him by my side, I really don't have to be so afraid.
Before dawn, Ye Wanning was awakened by Chuntao's knocking on the door.
"Miss, something has happened in the palace!" Chun Tao rushed in, panting, her face ashen.
"What is it?" Ye Wanning asked warily.
"His Majesty suddenly fell ill last night and is now unconscious!" Chun Tao seemed about to cry. "The imperial physician said... he's been poisoned!"
The world spun around her, and Ye Wanning felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. She grabbed the table to keep from falling. But it was too late!
"Where is Lord Pei?"
"The person has already entered the palace," Chun Tao said, handing over a coat. "Lord Ye has also sent someone to urge you to go quickly."
Ye Wanning didn't have time to think about anything else. She changed her clothes and followed the Ye family's carriage to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Countless ministers had gathered outside the hall, and everyone looked anxious and uneasy.
When Minister Ye saw her, he quickly pulled her aside: "Ningning, you've finally arrived. The imperial physician said that His Majesty has been poisoned with the same 'Traumatizing Injection' as your mother was years ago."
Ye Wanning clenched her fists: "Where is Consort Li?"
"He's inside attending to the ailing Emperor," Minister Ye said in a low voice. "The Third Prince just said he wanted to investigate who poisoned the Emperor, pointing the finger directly at Lord Pei."
Ye Wanning's heart tightened: "Is he trying to frame me?"
"Of course," Minister Ye sighed. "Without evidence, we can't refute it at all."
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