What did you say
When that powerful deduction appeared, Gu Jinghong took a deep breath, turned the note to Tan Xuan and Xuan Ru, and said in a deep voice, "What Valley Master Xuan left behind is not only the theory of poisons, but also a shocking injustice!"
The note read:
"The spread of the epidemic, seemingly chaotic, appears to follow a pattern upon closer examination, as if guided by an limb, suggesting possible deliberate manipulation..."
"...Considering all the signs, this 'epidemic' is likely not a natural disaster, but a man-made one! The mastermind behind it all, using the name of the Nanfeng remnants, is committing this heinous act of harming the people and shaking the foundations of the nation. Their intentions are despicable! Clues are subtly pointing to the highest levels of government..."
Gu Jinghong continued turning the pages, her breath suddenly stopping... The next few pages were torn up!
Gu Jinghong turned her head and looked up at Xiao Chengyan, frowning as she said, "These few remaining pages seem to be records that were hastily destroyed."
Xiao Chengyan nodded: "Obviously, Xuan Ru had written down more specific suspicions, but had to erase them herself because the risk was too great."
Gu Jinghong closed the note and silently handed it to Tan Xuan: "Dean Tan, Valley Master Xuan has something to say to you."
Tan Xuan was taken aback for a moment, then took it.
"Brother Xuan, if you see this book, my life will likely be over. The implications are immense, the waters are deep and the waves are turbulent, far beyond what a mere imperial physician like you can handle. Only by waiting for someone with the ability to come can the truth be revealed. Under no circumstances should you get involved, and remember to protect yourself."
"I entrust this to you because in this mortal world, among all living beings, you are the only one I can entrust with my life and death, and I trust you as I trust myself."
"The Fourth Prince of Dayong is an important old friend of Nanfeng's. If a storm comes one day, I hope that Brother Xuan can help him through it."
“She…she…in the very end…” Tan Xuan’s voice was hoarse and incoherent as he staggered and leaned against the cold wall. “She wasn’t entrusting me with an object; she was using her last strength to protect me. She trusted me…she actually trusted me so much…”
He choked up and could no longer speak.
The unspoken protection that Xuanru never uttered until his death, the deep affection he silently reciprocated by remaining unmarried for his entire life—all resounded deafeningly between the two, separated by life and death, the moment this sealed letter was opened.
Xuanru listened in a daze, watching Tan Xuan's collapsing back, and then looking at her mother's last handwriting on the note. The tears she had been holding back finally fell.
At that moment, she seemed to truly understand the hardships and deep affection her mother had endured back then.
Xiao Chengyan and Gu Jinghong exchanged glances. Everyone knew that Master Xuan had a relationship with Xiao Chengyan because of the epidemic in the southwest, but she wrote about her relationship with "Nanfeng". Master Xuan was a female healer of Nanfeng, so how could she be entitled to "Nanfeng's relationship"? What did she mean by this?
The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window lattice, casting long shadows of everyone.
However, the sorrow did not last long, for a servant came to report.
"My lord, something terrible has happened! The Vice Magistrate of the Capital Prefecture has led a large number of officials, saying that a criminal who intended to assassinate His Highness is hiding in your residence. They have surrounded the mansion and are about to break in!"
Gu Jinghong felt a chill, but the instincts she had developed from her long career as a stakeholder kept her calm instantly.
Her eyes swept across the room quickly, and she swiftly stuffed the note into her bosom, hiding it close to her body. At the same time, she snapped the empty ebony box shut and put it back in its original hidden compartment.
As everyone went outside, they saw Zhu Xin's small figure standing upright in front of the Junior Magistrate of the Capital Prefecture.
"Master Tan is the head of the Imperial Medical Academy. Does the Prefectural Government have the necessary authorization to search the Tan residence?"
Shao Yin smiled slightly, his attitude seemingly respectful yet revealing a firmness: "Aunt, please forgive me. This matter involves the safety of the Prince. According to the law, a search can be conducted first, and a report can be submitted afterward. It is also my duty. I hope Chief Dean Tan will do us a favor and not make things difficult for us."
"you……"
Faced with this statement, Xiao Chengyan gave a cold smile, "Yuan Shaoyin, you've fulfilled your 'duty' quite 'timely'."
Upon seeing the King of Jin, Yuan Shaoyin's heart tightened immediately, and he quickly bowed and greeted him: "Your Highness, may you be well! I heard that there are clues about traitors pointing to the Tan family, and I was afraid that it would be detrimental to Your Highness, so I rushed here to guard and search. I have only disturbed Your Highness because I had no other choice!"
Xiao Chengyan stepped forward, his body still moving, but his aura pressed down like a mountain.
"Oh? Clues to the rebels? I had no idea. The information from the Jingzhao Prefecture is even more reliable than what I have personally witnessed and heard here. Yuan Shaoyin, could you tell me the source of your clues?"
The Vice Magistrate of Jingzhao was sweating profusely, but he forced a smile and said, "Your Highness is wise. It was a secret report from an informant, and I am also verifying it... To be on the safe side, I beg Your Highness to allow a search."
Xiao Chengyan's tone remained calm, "A fine verification. Changfeng!"
A sturdy figure appeared gracefully in response: "Your subordinate is here!"
"Take my token and immediately go to the Capital Garrison Camp to summon a detachment. Since the Capital Prefecture wants to 'verify,' I will let them 'verify' it thoroughly!"
Such a spectacle was something none of them had ever seen before, and they all felt a chill run down their spines.
Only Gu Jinghong knew that Xiao Chengyan's move was both to mobilize troops to control the situation and to test the other party's reaction.
"This subordinate obeys!" Changfeng took the token and moved to break through the encirclement.
The officials looked at each other, wanting to stop him but not daring to actually do so, while Changfeng easily slipped away.
Just as everyone's attention was drawn to Changfeng, Gu Jinghong keenly caught a glimpse of something unusual out of the corner of his eye! An old servant beside Tan Xuan, upon hearing the words "traitor" and "search," showed a fleeting look of anxiety in his eyes, and his hand was quietly slipping into his sleeve!
"Trying to destroy the evidence?!" Gu Jinghong sneered, her figure suddenly approaching like a ghost. Before anyone could react, she struck with lightning speed, her five fingers like hooks, gripping the old servant's wrist.
With a soft "click," accompanied by the old servant's scream, a small wax pellet fell from his sleeve to the ground.
Gu Jinghong flicked her toe, sending the wax pellet flying. She reached out and crushed it, revealing a slip of paper inside.
She quickly scanned the area, then read aloud, "'The ebony box has appeared; act swiftly.'"
Her gaze fell on Yuan Shaoyin, her tone laced with sarcasm: "Lord Shaoyin, we had just found the ebony box when your inside man sent out the signal for 'quick execution.' What does 'quick execution' mean? Execute the evidence, or execute those who know the truth? Is this all-out effort to protect the Prince, or is there another motive?"
Caught red-handed! The entire audience was shocked!
The magistrate's expression changed drastically, but he quickly regained his composure: "Absurd! I am handling this case according to the law, how dare you slander me! This treacherous servant is acting suspiciously, just take him down for questioning! What are you all standing there for? Seize everyone involved in this household, including this woman who is spouting nonsense! Search thoroughly, don't let any of the traitors escape!"
Upon hearing this, the officers behind him felt it was inappropriate, but given their superior's orders, they had no choice but to draw their swords and advance.
"Protect the Prince and Miss Gu!" The guards of the Tan family immediately stood in front of Xiao Chengyan and Gu Jinghong.
Xiao Chengyan instinctively reached out and pulled Gu Jinghong behind him to protect her.
Those unfathomable eyes were fixed only on the Junior Magistrate of the Capital.
"Minister Yuan, under the guise of official business, you are actually framing me and condoning your subordinates to pass on messages. Now you even want to arrest my people in front of me? Do you think my position as a prince is just for show?"
All eyes turned to Shao Yin, whose face paled, but he still gritted his teeth and insisted, "Your Highness! I did everything for your safety! Please come forward!"
Xiao Chengyan slowly scanned the entire scene, and the officials paused in their tracks wherever his gaze fell.
"Listen up, all of you!" His voice suddenly rose, carrying the resounding clang of battle, chilling to the bone, "I am a prince of the current dynasty, personally appointed by His Majesty to command the troops of the Southwest and the capital region! Today, you have been deceived by your superiors, and you have faced me with weapons—this is already an act of insubordination! But I will give you one chance—"
He raised his hand, his fingertip pointing precisely at the Vice Magistrate of the Capital.
"Now, seize this Yuan Weike who is falsely claiming official business and harboring treacherous intentions! Seize him, and I will forgive all your previous actions! Those who disobey orders will be considered accomplices and punished for treason!"
The moment the words left his mouth, the situation reversed instantly!
The officials were already feeling guilty, and when they heard the words "treason" and the promise of "no punishment for past offenses," they dared not hesitate any longer.
Several steel knives immediately changed direction and were placed against the neck of Yuan Weike, the Junior Magistrate of Jingzhao, with a "whoosh"!
"You, you all... you've rebelled! You've rebelled!" Yuan Shaoyin was terrified and his body went limp.
Xiao Chengyan stopped looking at him and turned his gaze to Gu Jinghong, nodding slightly.
Gu Jinghong understood and immediately stepped forward, her voice clear and melodious: "Quickly bind and detain Yuan Weike and his cronies! The rest of you, guard the key points of the mansion and atone for your crimes through meritorious service!"
"Wait!"
A clear yet somewhat feminine shout came from outside the mansion gate.
The Fifth Prince, Xiao Chengming, dressed in a brocade robe and surrounded by a group of elite guards, slowly stepped into the courtyard with a forced smile.
"Fourth Brother, what's going on here?"
Xiao Chengming's gaze first swept over the bound Yuan Weike, feigning surprise, and then fell on Xiao Chengyan, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate worry, "I heard that the Jingzhao Prefecture seems to have encountered a problem in handling the case at the Tan residence, which also involves the safety of Fourth Brother. I am really uneasy, so I came to see you."
He seemed to sized him up, his words laced with schadenfreude: "Fourth Brother, even if Yuan Shaoyin is at fault, he is still an official appointed by the court. As a prince, it is probably... improper for you to use your personal status to suppress official business, isn't it?"
Xiao Chengyan's eyes narrowed slightly, but his face remained calm: "Fifth brother is thoughtful. It is not that I used private punishment, but that Yuan Weike used official business to frame an official. He was caught red-handed, and I detained him temporarily according to the law. How is that against the rules?"
"Framed? Caught red-handed?" Xiao Chengming chuckled and stepped forward. His gaze then casually swept over the crowd behind Xiao Chengyan, pausing slightly when it passed over Gu Jinghong.
His gaze immediately froze.
The lively scene of all the brothers vying to toast Xiao Chengyan at last year's palace banquet was still vivid in his mind, and Xiao Chengming had already sneered inwardly at that time.
In his view, although his fourth brother was born with a handsome appearance, he was nothing more than a blockhead who only knew how to lead troops into battle and was clueless about romance. He was even more naive and laughable when it came to matters of love. When he heard that his brother was in love with a maid in the mansion, Xiao Chengming secretly mocked him.
She's just a maid; how beautiful can she be? And how "different" can she be?
But upon seeing her today, Xiao Chengming finally understood the reason—the girl's beauty was so stunning that he was momentarily stunned.
Like a celestial maiden who has strayed into the mortal world, she is aloof and ethereal, yet possesses a touch of allure and a hint of sharpness, involuntarily giving rise to two completely different thoughts: one wants to carefully cherish and protect her, while the other yearns to pluck this delicate flower with its thorns and watch it bloom for her.
This look met Xiao Chengyan's eyes, which naturally displeased him, and his tone became cold and filled with murderous intent.
"Xiao Chengming, what did you say?"
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