Chapter 4: Flaws
The words hit like an icicle.
It pierced through all the fragility that Ling Zixia pretended to have.
The tears in her eyes froze instantly.
For the first time, genuine astonishment was reflected in those clear eyes.
Zhao Wenxuan did not miss her reaction at that moment.
His fingers still lingered on her cheek.
That little bit of warm touch now brought a deadly chill.
Ling Zixia's heart skipped a beat.
Water lily.
Of course she knew what it was.
It was an extremely rare allergen recorded in my father's medical records.
The flower itself is non-toxic.
Pollen can be mixed with certain specific soothing spices.
This can cause severe dizziness and breathing difficulties.
The symptoms are very similar to those of a heart attack caused by anger.
If you are not the most skilled doctor, you will not be able to tell the difference.
Li Ruolan is allergic to water lilies.
This is one of the deepest secrets of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
It was discovered by chance when my father was treating Li Ruolan.
This matter involved everyone except my father and Li Ruolan herself.
Logically, no third person should know about this.
How did Zhao Wenxuan know?
What is his intention in saying this now?
Countless thoughts flashed through Ling Zixia's mind like lightning.
Her body went rigid with extreme shock.
In Zhao Wenxuan's opinion.
This stiffness is more like the helplessness after having a lie exposed.
The curve of his mouth became even colder.
"You seem surprised."
His voice was very low.
With a hint of cat and mouse playfulness.
"Are you wondering how I knew this secret?"
Ling Zixia's lips trembled slightly.
She couldn't utter a word.
Her performance fell apart at this moment.
Because the information the other party threw out was far beyond her expectations.
Zhao Wenxuan's fingers slowly slid down her cheek.
His fingertips traced her slender neck.
It finally stopped at her fragile throat.
He didn't use any force.
But the threat was clear.
"Now, I'll give you a chance to explain."
He looked into her eyes.
"How did you know this secret?"
The air in the hall seemed to freeze.
Ling Zixia could feel the pulse beating from his fingertips.
Calm and powerful.
Just like him.
Full of confidence to control everything.
Her mind was racing.
She must fill this flaw immediately.
She couldn't admit that she knew.
You must not reveal the secret of your abilities.
Her eyes became red again.
This time it's not a disguise.
It is a physiological reaction when being forced into a desperate situation.
Big tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes.
Sliding down her pale cheeks.
It dripped onto his cold fingers.
"I...I don't know..."
Her voice was broken and hoarse.
With a strong nasal tone.
"I don't know what you are talking about..."
"What is Mizusawa Lily?"
She raised her tear-filled eyes.
It was filled with the purest confusion and fear.
As if she was really just a poor victim caught in a conspiracy.
Zhao Wenxuan frowned slightly.
Her reaction was within his expectations.
And it was beyond his expectations.
He expected her to argue more vehemently.
Or they'll be smarter about finding excuses.
But she didn't.
She just denied it in the most clumsy way possible.
This denial pales in the face of overwhelming evidence.
But because of her expression, it seemed particularly real.
"you do not know?"
There was a hint of sarcasm in Zhao Wenxuan's voice.
"The hall is scented with lilies."
"The calming incense in your hand will react with it."
"It precisely triggered my mother's old illness."
"Is this all just a coincidence?"
Every time he said something.
The pressure on your fingertips increases.
Ling Zixia's breathing began to become difficult.
A look of pain came over her face.
But she still shook her head stubbornly.
"I don't……"
"I don't know anything..."
Her tears flowed even more violently.
"That incense was a gift from the Madam..."
"I just... just followed the rules..."
"How would I know it would react with other fragrances..."
These words were like a bolt of lightning.
It broke the logical loop constructed by Zhao Wenxuan.
yes.
The incense was given by Li Ruolan herself.
The lily scent in the hall is also Li Ruolan's favorite.
If this is a bureau.
Then the person who plans the layout must be clear about both of these points at the same time.
And it can accurately predict the effect of mixing two fragrances.
The daughter of a criminal who had just grown up in a country villa and was entering the prime minister's residence for the first time.
How could she know so clearly?
Zhao Wenxuan's eyes flickered.
The doubt in his heart wavered a little.
Ling Zixia keenly caught this slight change.
She knew her chance had come.
She was crying.
While speaking in a tearful, intermittent voice.
"Sir...if someone really wants to harm Madam..."
"That should be someone from the mansion..."
"He's someone who knows about the lady's hidden illness..."
"Someone who has access to the lady's spices..."
"He's... someone who wants to use me to get rid of the lady..."
Her words were filled with fearful speculation.
Every word is like a needle.
It accurately pierced the deepest suspicion in Zhao Wenxuan's heart.
The Prime Minister’s Mansion is not a monolithic entity.
Mother Li Ruolan is a strong person.
He has made many enemies in the harem over the years.
My father's concubines.
The illegitimate sons and daughters born to them.
Even the seemingly loyal maids around my mother.
Who doesn't have his own thoughts?
Who dares to claim absolute innocence?
Ling Zixia's words.
Successfully directing one towards her own death.
It became a pool of muddy deep water.
She transformed herself from a victimizer.
Becoming an equally exploited and even more pitiful victim.
Zhao Wenxuan's fingers unconsciously loosened a little.
His mind began to re-examine the whole thing.
If what she said was true.
Then there is a deeper conspiracy behind today's incident.
Someone took advantage of a new, lowly concubine.
In a way that no one can detect.
Attempted to murder the mistress of the house.
And this concubine has a special status.
Is the best scapegoat.
Regardless of success or failure.
She couldn't escape death.
The real murderer can hide in the dark and continue to plot.
This possibility gave him a chill.
He looked at Ling Zixia, who was in tears.
Her eyes looked so helpless.
Her body is so weak.
Such a woman.
Do you really have the ability and the mind to plan all this?
The moment he looked at her.
His fingertips pressed tightly against the skin of her neck.
Ling Zixia secretly mobilized the power in her body.
This time.
She did not undergo any medicinal transformation.
She just exuded the purest and most peaceful breath.
Through the contact points.
Slowly passed into Zhao Wenxuan's body.
This breath is invisible and intangible.
But it has a strange soothing power.
Zhao Wenxuan only felt a cool feeling coming from his fingertips.
It instantly spread throughout my body.
His nerves were tense because of his mother's accident.
At this moment, I relaxed unconsciously.
The murderous intent and anger that were originally surging in his heart.
It also feels like being watered by a basin of clear spring water.
Gradually calmed down.
He even had a sense of absurdity.
It was like the tears of the woman in front of me.
They all have a calming power.
He suddenly came to his senses.
He immediately withdrew his hand from her neck.
He was shocked by his momentary loss of consciousness.
He stood up.
He regained that cold and indifferent attitude that kept people at a distance.
He looked down at Ling Zixia who was still kneeling on the ground.
There were still traces of tears on her face.
Looks so pitiful.
Once the seeds of doubt are planted.
It won't disappear easily.
But he also understood.
In the absence of any evidence.
He couldn't do anything to her.
Killing her would be easy.
But that will only make the real mastermind behind the scenes applaud.
Leave her behind.
Maybe it can even serve as bait to lure out the poisonous snake.
A complex light flashed in Zhao Wenxuan's eyes.
He was silent for a long time.
Finally he spoke slowly.
"That's all for today."
His voice returned to its original calmness.
"You'd better stay still until the matter is clarified."
This sentence is also a warning.
It is also a temporary pardon.
Ling Zixia seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Her body went limp.
It was as if all the strength had been exhausted.
She fell to the ground.
Said in a very low voice.
"Thank you...thank you, Master..."
Zhao Wenxuan didn't look at her again.
He turned and walked to the door.
He gave instructions to the maid standing outside.
"Take her to Feiyan Pavilion."
The old lady outside the door responded.
She walked in quickly with her head lowered.
The old nanny walked over to Ling Zixia.
She gave her a complicated look.
Then he helped her up from the ground.
Ling Zixia's body was still trembling slightly.
She let the old nanny support her.
Head down.
Like a soulless puppet.
She followed the old lady.
Without saying a word, she walked out of the hall where she had experienced two life-and-death trials.
When she passed by Zhao Wenxuan.
She could feel that cold gaze still on her.
She knows.
He has not really cleared himself of suspicion.
She was only safe for now.
Zhao Wenxuan's suspicion.
It was like a sword hanging over her head.
It could fall at any time.
Walk through the long corridor.
The cold wind blew on Ling Zixia's face.
It cooled her hot cheeks a little.
She was taken to the most remote corner of the prime minister's mansion.
An independent courtyard appeared before our eyes.
The plaque on the gate has faded.
The three words "Feiyan Pavilion" were vaguely written on it.
The old lady pushed open the creaking gate.
A rotten and damp smell hit me in the face.
The yard is overgrown with weeds.
It looked like no one had lived there for a long time.
"Come in."
The old lady's tone was cold.
"This will be your residence from now on."
After she said that, she turned and left.
Not another word was said.
It seemed as if looking here any longer would dirty her eyes.
Ling Zixia stood alone in the deserted courtyard.
She looked at the dilapidated scene before her.
There was no expression of surprise on his face.
This is the treatment that the daughter of a guilty minister deserves.
She held up the hem of her skirt.
Walk up the mossy stone steps.
She pushed open the door to the main room.
The room is simply furnished.
There was a thick layer of dust on the tables and chairs.
There was a musty smell in the air.
Ling Zixia looked around.
Her eyes finally fell on the only dressing table in the room.
On the dusty dressing table.
Something is placed quietly.
The thing was out of place with the dilapidated surroundings.
It is a herb with its rhizome tied with a red string.
The leaves of the herbs are green and lush.
As if just plucked from the soil.
There was still some morning dew on it.
Ling Zixia's pupils suddenly contracted.
Her breathing stopped at this moment.
That's no ordinary herb.
That is "Gentiana resurrection grass".
It was ten years ago.
This is a unique holy medicine that my father, Doctor Ling, cultivated with all his efforts.
All over the world.
Except the Ling family.
There is no way anyone else could have it.
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