Chapter 15 The Secret Pouch
As soon as the hour limit in the study was up, Ye Xunyang stood up and closed the document that Lou Jin was reviewing without any room for argument.
"Your Highness, it's time to rest." He put his hands on his hips, adopting an unyielding stance.
Lou Jin snapped out of his reverie, glanced at the water clock, and saw that it was indeed just right.
He was somewhat helpless, but seeing Ye Xunyang's expression, he had no choice but to compromise and put down the vermilion brush, rubbing his throbbing temples: "Okay."
Ye Xunyang immediately pushed the wheelchair with satisfaction, muttering as he walked out, "That's right, illness comes like a landslide, but recovery is slow and gradual; you have to take it slow. Look at you, you've only been reading for a short while, and your face is already pale again..."
Lou Jin let him push him along, listening to the nagging concern in his ear, his gaze sweeping over the grass and trees in the courtyard that were beginning to sprout new buds, and suddenly he felt that this palace was not so quiet and boring.
After escorting Lou Jin back to his bedroom and settling him in, watching him take his medicine and fall asleep, Ye Xunyang quietly withdrew.
He stood under the eaves, stretched his limbs, and felt somewhat idle.
The household affairs of the Prince's mansion were well managed by the steward, so he didn't need to keep an eye on things all the time. He was also worried that practicing martial arts would make too much noise and disturb Lou Jin's rest.
Just as he was pondering what to do, Wang Quan quietly approached, his face showing a hint of hesitation.
"princess."
"Butler Wang, is something the matter?" Ye Xunyang asked, noticing his expression.
Wang Quan lowered his voice: "Your Highness, as Your Highness instructed, this old servant has suppressed the matter of poisoning and is secretly investigating."
"These past two days, while the storeroom was being tidied up and rearranged, I also remembered to sort through Your Highness's old belongings and discovered something... unusual."
Ye Xunyang's expression hardened: "What is that?"
Wang Quan took out a faded brocade pouch from his sleeve and handed it over.
"This was found in a hidden pocket of an old robe that the prince often wore before he fell ill three years ago. He probably didn't notice it at the time and kept it at the bottom of a trunk."
"This old servant feels that the embroidery and spices in this brocade pouch do not seem to be commonly used in the palace or the royal residence."
Ye Xunyang took the brocade pouch. It felt light and airy in his hand. He brought it closer and smelled it. A unique fragrance lingered around his nose. The fragrance was very special, with a hint of sweetness and a touch of coolness. If you smelled it for too long, it would make you feel a little dizzy.
He examined the embroidery closely; it was some kind of strange flower he had never seen before. The needlework was exquisite, yet it exuded an eerie aura.
“Three years ago…” Ye Xunyang’s heart skipped a beat. Lou Jin had fallen ill three years ago.
"Does Your Highness know about this brocade pouch?"
Wang Quan shook his head: "This old servant asked Your Highness, but Your Highness has no recollection of this item. It must have been secretly placed there by someone else."
Ye Xunyang clenched the brocade pouch tightly. Could it be that Lou Jin's illness was not a strange disease at all, but rather that he had been poisoned three years ago?
Is this brocade pouch the source of the poison?
This poisoning of chestnuts was the second attempt by the other party to harm Lou Jin after seeing that he still held considerable power following his previous actions.
This guess sent chills down his spine.
If that's the case, then why must the enemy hiding in the shadows persecute Lou Jin to the point of death?
"Who else knows about this?" Ye Xunyang asked in a deep voice.
"Besides Your Highness and this old servant, it's Your Highness. Even Shanlan hasn't been informed yet," Wang Quan replied cautiously.
After the poisoning incident, he subconsciously regarded Ye Xunyang as one of his own people whom he could trust.
"Don't make a fuss yet." Ye Xunyang carefully put away the brocade pouch.
"I'll go find the royal physician to check if there's anything wrong with the spices. Don't disturb the prince's rest yet; I'll talk to him personally later."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Ye Xunyang took the brocade pouch and immediately went to find the imperial physician.
After a careful examination, the royal physician's expression turned extremely grim: "Your Highness, this spice... Although I cannot fully identify all the ingredients, I can distinguish several extremely rare poisonous herbs."
"Its nature is cold and unpredictable. If worn for a long time, the toxins will slowly invade the heart and damage one's foundation. The symptoms are indeed similar to the prince's illness over the past three years."
Just as I expected!
Ye Xunyang's heart was filled with raging anger!
What a ruthless method!
Using this kind of slow-acting poison, people are kept bedridden and their life force is slowly exhausted. Even if they are discovered to be infected later, the poison is often too late to save them!
He instructed the physician to keep it a secret, then took the brocade pouch and hurried back to the main courtyard.
Lou Jin had just woken up from a nap and was leaning against the headboard drinking ginseng tea.
Seeing Ye Xunyang return with a grave expression, they knew something had happened.
"Your Highness," Ye Xunyang dismissed his attendants and told Lou Jin everything in the brocade pouch and the physician's words.
Lou Jin remained silent for a long time after listening.
He stroked the faded brocade pouch, his eyes as deep and unfathomable as a frozen lake, filled with chilling coldness.
Three years ago... was when his prestige was at its peak, and he was just one step away from becoming the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness, think about it, three years ago, who could have come into contact with your clothes?"
"Or, someone who gave you something like a sachet or accessory?"
Lou Jin closed his eyes and tried hard to recall.
Three years ago, he was full of vigor and had many social engagements, meeting all sorts of people.
However, it seems that a tribal chief from the southern border region once came to the capital to pay tribute and presented the princes with some local specialties.
Among them seemed to be similar sachets, and that leader later appeared to have become quite close to the fourth prince, Lou Shang.
The clues pointed to his younger brother, who had always been at odds with him.
Lou Jin opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them. He had always suspected that Lou Shang had poisoned him, but he had never been able to find out anything, and had no evidence or clues.
Even he thought it might be because he wasn't paying attention.
Unexpectedly, after three years, he finally found a clue.
He didn't reveal his guess to Ye Xunyang, but simply said, "I know about this. Give the brocade pouch to Shanlan and let him investigate the source and distribution path of these spices."
"Okay!" Ye Xunyang nodded.
"The person who did this is too insidious! Your Highness, we must not let him get away with this!"
Seeing Ye Xunyang's even more indignant expression than his own, Lou Jin's coldness seemed to dissipate somewhat.
He looked at Ye Xunyang, his tone softening: "This matter requires careful consideration. The other party has been planning this for three years and is no easy opponent. You must be extra careful these days, as they may also target you."
"Am I afraid of him?"
"Come on if you dare! I'll catch him by the tail!"
Lou Jin's heart stirred slightly, and he suddenly said, "Xunyang."
"Hmm?" Ye Xunyang looked at him.
"When I'm feeling better, how about I teach you to play chess?" Lou Jin's voice was very calm.
"Just for fun."
"Play chess?" Ye Xunyang was taken aback.
"Well, I can't sit still, and my brain works slowly, so I'm afraid I won't be able to learn it."
"It's alright, take your time."
"Sometimes, you can practice strategy and tactics on the chessboard and temper your mind. It's better than thinking about wielding swords and spears all day or organizing the storeroom."
The last sentence carried a slightly teasing tone.
Ye Xunyang recalled how he used to tidy up the storeroom and smiled sheepishly: "Alright! If Your Highness is willing to teach me, I'll learn. Maybe I can become a general or something in the future."
He readily agreed, but in his heart he was thinking: playing chess is better than staring at the ledger, and this is also a good opportunity to get closer to the other party.
Once the relationship is established, I'll provide money if needed, and we can get a divorce if desired.
Lou Jin looked into his eyes, which revealed all his thoughts, and sighed inwardly.
This silly boy probably hasn't realized that some relationships, once started, are hard to go back to the way they were.
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