Chapter 11: Conscience
The way to the study is longer than I thought.
The cold wind swirled under the corridor.
The wind blew so hard that the lantern in the boy's hand kept shaking.
Ling Zixia pulled her thin clothes together.
She hugged the warm hand warmer a little tighter.
The steward led the way silently in front.
His footsteps were clearly audible in the silent night.
The closer you get to the main courtyard.
The more luxurious the scenery in the mansion.
But this luxury seems cold and unpopular under the moonlight.
They finally stopped in front of a three-story attic.
On the plaque of the attic were written three large characters "Wenxinzhai" in a flamboyant style.
This is Zhao Wenxuan’s study.
It is also one of the power centers of the entire Prime Minister's Office.
The steward pushed open the heavy rosewood door.
A warm scent mixed with the fragrance of ink and sandalwood hit my face.
"Miss Ling, please."
The steward's tone remained respectful.
"The young master is waiting for you inside."
Ling Zixia lowered her head.
Crossed the high threshold.
The scene in the study made her lose consciousness for a moment.
There are huge bookshelves reaching from floor to ceiling on all four walls.
It is densely packed with various classics.
A large purple wooden desk was placed in the center.
There is everything you need on the desk, including pen, ink, paper and inkstone.
A man in a moon-white brocade robe was sitting behind the desk.
He held a book in his hands.
I was watching intently.
The candlelight cast a deep shadow on his profile.
It makes him look like an ink painting with cold brushstrokes.
Hear footsteps.
Zhao Wenxuan slowly raised his head.
His eyes were calm and still.
Like a cold pond that has not melted for a thousand years.
"You're here."
He spoke.
The sound is not loud.
But it brought a slight echo in the empty study.
Ling Zixia walked to the desk and stopped three steps away.
She bowed to him.
"Hello, sir."
Zhao Wenxuan put down the book in his hand.
He pointed to a round pearwood stool opposite the desk.
"sit."
His words were concise to the extreme.
Ling Zixia sat down obediently.
She sat upright and stiffly.
His hands rested uneasily on his knees.
Zhao Wenxuan didn't speak immediately.
He just looked at her quietly.
That look was full of scrutiny and inquiry.
As if he could see through her soul.
Ling Zixia lowered her eyes.
Let him look at you.
She showed her cowardice and anxiety vividly.
A long time passed.
Zhao Wenxuan then looked away.
He stood up and walked to the small coffee table nearby.
A pot of freshly brewed tea was warming on the coffee table.
He picked up the small purple clay teapot.
Fill two sky-blue Ru kiln teacups.
His movements were smooth and fluid.
With an elegance unique to a young man from aristocratic family.
The aroma of tea soon filled the air.
That is the best Dahongpao.
The aroma is mellow and overbearing.
However.
Under this rich tea aroma.
Ling Zixia's nose caught a very faint strange smell that did not belong to tea.
The scent was very faint.
With a fishy smell of grass and trees.
Like some kind of carefully prepared drug.
That is the smell of "Forget Worry Powder".
It was recorded in my father's medical records.
This substance itself is non-toxic.
But it can make people relax without realizing it.
Thinking becomes dull.
As a result, I can't keep the secret in my heart.
It is an extremely effective truth serum.
Zhao Wenxuan picked up two cups of tea.
He walked slowly back to the desk.
He placed one of the cups in front of Ling Zixia.
The tea soup is clear in color.
The heat is rising.
"It's cold late at night."
There was no emotion in Zhao Wenxuan's voice.
"Have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up."
Ling Zixia raised her head.
There was a hint of flattered fear in her eyes.
She looked at the cup of tea in front of her that exuded "goodwill".
He looked at Zhao Wenxuan's handsome and cold face again.
She knows.
This was another trap he had set for her.
A trap more deadly than stings and poison.
Once she drinks the tea.
All her disguises will fall apart under his questioning.
She stretched out her hand.
Her fingertips trembled slightly because of "nervousness".
She picked up the sky-blue teacup.
A warm touch came from my fingertips.
Just at the moment when her fingers completely wrapped around the wall of the cup.
A pure force silently flowed into the tea.
The medicinal properties of the "Forget Worry Powder" in the tea were reversed in an instant.
A drug that originally relaxes the mind and confuses the thinking.
It has become a strange medicine that can make people's brains clearer and thinking sharper than ever before.
The process is silent.
There is no change in the color and smell of the tea soup.
Ling Zixia held the teacup.
He gave Zhao Wenxuan a grateful, timid smile.
Then.
She was in front of him.
Blow gently on the cup of tea.
Sip it in small sips.
A barely perceptible gleam flashed in Zhao Wenxuan's eyes.
He watched her drink the tea.
He also picked up the teacup.
He took a sip gracefully.
Finished a cup of tea.
Ling Zixia felt that her mind had never been so clear.
The whole world became extremely clear in her senses.
She could hear the cold wind blowing through the treetops outside the window.
You can smell the dusty scent of ancient books on the top shelves.
You can even hear it from Zhao Wenxuan's steady breathing.
Feel his anticipation hidden beneath his calm exterior.
"Xiao Cui has told me everything."
Zhao Wenxuan finally spoke.
His voice was like a judge delivering a verdict.
"She said the warming cream I gave you had no effect on you."
A look of confusion appeared on Ling Zixia's face at the right time.
"Warming cream?"
She seemed to be trying hard to remember.
"Sir, are you talking about the one Xiao Cui sent?"
"That ointment works really well. My hands are still warm now."
Her answer was perfect.
As if she was really just an ordinary person who knew nothing.
Zhao Wenxuan frowned slightly.
This is completely different from what Xiao Cui reported.
Xiao Cui said.
A look of horror appeared on her face.
And he said the ointment was cool.
"Yeah?"
Zhao Wenxuan's tone became a little cold.
"She also said that you know a prescription for something called 'Nihan San'."
Ling Zixia's eyes were filled with even greater confusion.
She shook her head gently.
"Nihan San?"
"I...I've never heard of that name."
"I just... I just feel that the taste of Xiao Cui's ointment is somewhat similar to a kind of body conditioning ointment my father used on me before..."
"Maybe I remembered it wrongly."
Her answer was flawless.
Blame it all on vague memories and coincidences.
Zhao Wenxuan stared into her eyes closely.
He tried to find a trace of panic in it.
But he failed.
Those eyes were crystal clear.
There is only pure innocence and confusion in it.
The effect of the medicine should have already taken effect.
Why is she still so calm?
Is it because the dosage is not enough?
Or say.
Is her physique really so special that she can even resist "Forget Worry Powder"?
The doubts in Zhao Wenxuan's heart grew heavier.
He decided to throw out the last one.
It is also the most fatal problem.
He slowly took it out from his wide sleeves.
He took out something wrapped in a brocade handkerchief.
He opened the handkerchief layer by layer.
Revealing what's inside.
It was a herb with green leaves and its roots tied with a red string.
It was the one he asked Xiao Cui to place on Ling Zixia's dressing table.
"Then, do you recognize this thing?"
Zhao Wenxuan pushed the herb in front of Ling Zixia.
His gaze was like a sharp sword.
He locked his eyes on her face.
He was sure.
If only she had half an understanding of pharmacology.
There was no way she would mistake this highly poisonous "Dragon's Beard Grass".
And as long as she showed the slightest sign of knowing this thing.
All her previous excuses will be shattered.
Ling Zixia looked at the "Dragon Beard Grass" that was close to her.
Her heart was cold.
She knows.
This is the ultimate test.
Her answer.
It will determine her life or death tonight.
She raised her head.
He met Zhao Wenxuan's scrutinizing gaze.
Then.
A bright smile of great surprise appeared on her face.
That smile was as pure as a snow lotus that had just bloomed.
"I recognize it!"
Her voice was full of joy and nostalgia.
"This is Gentian Resurrection Grass!"
"It's my father...it's my father's most cherished treasure!"
Zhao Wenxuan's pupils suddenly contracted.
He looked at her face which was slightly flushed with excitement.
Look at her eyes that are shining with joy.
For a while.
He couldn't even tell the difference.
She is really good at acting.
Or really... Ignorance has reached this point.
Ling Zixia seemed not to notice the strangeness in his expression.
She stretched out her hand.
With an almost reverent attitude.
Carefully touching the leaves of the "Dragon's Beard Grass".
The moment her fingertips touched the leaves.
An extremely domineering force.
With a devastating attitude.
They rushed into the poisonous herb madly.
Zhao Wenxuan only felt a flash before his eyes.
He saw the originally lush and green "Dragon Beard Grass".
On its leaves.
It was at a speed visible to the naked eye.
A few...light golden veins began to emerge.
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