TBR CH143

Chapter 143: May it Last Forever – A Living Chu Huaicun is More Than Anything…

Chu Huaicun opened his eyes.

He instinctively scanned his surroundings, only relaxing when he saw his saber by the bedside. He estimated how long he had been unconscious, feeling his control over his limbs gradually return to his body, no longer feeling cold all over.

Outside the palace chamber, the trickling sound of rain persisted. Looking out through the window gauze, the sky was not yet bright, or perhaps the heavy rain had made the daytime sky dim. Inside, for the convenience of rest, only two red candles were lit, flickering faintly and indistinctly. Chu Huaicun propped himself up with his wrist, leaning against the couch. The attendant soon realized he had woken up.

But he put a finger to his lips, which were pale from the poison, gesturing for silence.

Chu Huaicun’s face was like ice and snow, but having just woken up, dressed in thin inner robes, he revealed a hint of languid illness. His ink-black hair cascaded like spilled ink over his shoulders. His hand could easily reach his saber, exuding an indescribable air of elegance.

The attendant couldn’t help but be stunned. Then, quietly cooperating with Chancellor Chu, he discreetly sent someone out to invite Mr. Fang in.

Chu Huaicun composed himself, thoughtfully catching the movements outside.

He was currently in the sleeping quarters. The palace’s space was probably not very ample, as he could vaguely hear discussions from outside. Some voices were familiar to Chancellor Chu; these were his loyal subordinates, who usually only followed Chu Huaicun’s orders. Mixed among them, with a voice that, though weary, carried an unquestionable assertiveness, was Ji Ying.

“His Majesty has sent people, waiting outside at this moment, saying they must see Chancellor Chu’s condition.”

“Chancellor Chu is not seeing outsiders right now. No one is to be let in.”

He paused, then added a hint of ruthless determination: “The Chancellor’s residence’s personal guards have arrived. Have them surround the palace. Everyone must stay obediently in their halls and cannot communicate with each other. Before he wakes, no one, whether it’s the princes or His Majesty, is an exception.”

The other party seemed to hesitate for a moment before softly assenting.

His attitude was clearly not one of complete conviction. Ji Ying was, after all, a highly suspicious figure. Although he suddenly appeared to have an intimate relationship with Chancellor Chu at the last moment, not everyone witnessed it firsthand. For them to obey the orders of such a disreputable and morally corrupt person was truly worrisome.

When Mr. Fang hurried into the sleeping quarters, he saw Chu Huaicun leaning half-reclined on the couch, lost in thought. He was practically recovering from a serious illness, yet he hadn’t even pulled up his quilt properly. Instead, he had sat up, dressed only in thin inner robes. The most taboo thing when recuperating was mental exertion, yet he was intently listening to the person speaking outside, looking very concerned.

His grizzled beard twitched. The ethics of being a physician were once again violated by the other party.

Unfortunately, Chancellor Chu held a high position and could not be retaliated against.

Mr. Fang shook his head, and as he was about to approach, he and Chu Huaicun simultaneously heard the voice from outside:

“I, Ji, do not expect your trust, but before Chancellor Chu awakens, I ask all of you sirs to hold this place firmly. My methods may be somewhat unscrupulous. If Chancellor Chu blames me later, I will bear all responsibility alone. He entrusted me with this matter, and I, Ji, must live up to that trust. If such contemptible tricks as poisoning are used, how can we stabilize the situation without being firm? Please rest assured, I am like you—no, perhaps I value Chancellor Chu as my ultimate bottom line even more than you do.”

His words were so direct that others could no longer question him.

He probably didn’t realize Chu Huaicun was awake, which was why he dared to speak that last sentence. Chu Huaicun felt a slight warmth in his chest, and his previously somewhat stiff joints also became supple. He felt that even a heart made of ice and snow could melt.

He subtly shifted his gaze, finally looking at Mr. Fang with a hint of guilt: “Sir, I woke up abruptly. How is the situation now? Can I go out and handle affairs?”

“The poison is potent. Although the dosage you ingested was small and not critical, you still need to recuperate for a period,” Mr. Fang sighed. “However, the current situation indeed does not allow a person in your position to remain inactive. I have brewed a medicinal soup for you; drinking it can temporarily suppress the effects. As for Lord Ji, Chancellor Chu has heard him, so there’s really no need to worry. With him there, I don’t see how this matter could go wrong for you.”

Chancellor Chu’s eyes lit up slightly.

Mr. Fang stroked his beard, knowing in his heart that there was nothing to worry about regarding their affairs.

He turned to leave and fetch the medicine, leaving Chu Huaicun to continue listening to the faint sounds leaking from the deliberation hall. Chu Huaicun put on the cloak offered by the attendant, and after a moment of thought, he confirmed that Ji Ying had already changed his clothes. He then remained quietly in the dimly lit inner chamber, gradually piecing together all that had happened from the dialogue.

Three hours had passed since he lost consciousness until now.

First, the news of Chancellor Chu drinking poisoned tea quickly spread throughout the temporary palace, causing an uproar. Then, the princes, marquises, and generals present discovered that the Chancellor’s residence guards had “friendly” blocked their palace gates, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving. Chancellor Chu had ordered the deployment of his private forces, and Ji Ying had methodically and orderly dispatched them, creating a tight encirclement of the temporary palace without appearing overly hostile.

“Why can’t we leave?”

The incident, from its inception to its development, was like a thunderclap. But as the night deepened, many dissenting voices gradually emerged. His Majesty continuously applied pressure, the Crown Prince was distraught, pacing anxiously in the hall. Prince Duan, however, was very concerned about Chancellor Chu’s situation, but the people he sent were all refused entry.

Under the guise of the Chancellor’s residence, Ji Ying gave the grandiloquent reason: to ensure the safety of His Majesty and the various esteemed officials.

This at least made the actions here seem less like an act of forced abdication.

The pressure on the people of the Chancellor’s residence was equally immense. Chancellor Chu’s condition remained uncertain, and many people’s minds became active. People couldn’t help but wonder: if Chancellor Chu truly died…

The heavens and earth worshipped during the day seemed entirely ineffective. In the gloomy thunderstorm night, various thoughts blossomed in the shadows. Only huge lightning flashes tearing through the night sky could briefly illuminate the expressions of this group of people. Some had already begun to probe, attempting to exert pressure, using their authority to pry into the progress of affairs.

After all, if something happened to Chu Huaicun, then the Chancellor’s residence should be at its weakest, merely bluffing.

But they gained nothing.

At such a critical juncture, Ji Ying, the treacherous official who had been entrusted with responsibility in this crisis, instead became the backbone of the Chancellor’s residence. He was almost unyielding, his methods tough, not allowing anyone to take advantage, reaching an inhuman level. But with his attitude, the leaderless chancellor’s faction was gradually mobilized in an orderly fashion, forming an impenetrable wall.

By the time it was Mao hour (5-7 AM), those with ulterior motives finally received a slight concession from the Chancellor’s residence.

But waiting for them was none other than Chancellor Chu, who had returned with a cold, ethereal countenance like an exiled immortal, yet with methods as harsh as an Asura. He sat on the high seat, his snow-white robes unable to conceal his pale face. He truly appeared very weak, occasionally coughing softly, but to those present, their backs had to humbly bow before Chu Huaicun.

“I apologize for the disturbance,” Chu Huaicun’s voice was soft, yet cold as ice. “However, the incident was sudden. My personal danger is minor, but if it involves the sirs present, it could shake the very foundation of the nation. In urgency, I ordered the crime scene sealed. Perhaps I overlooked some details, but I trust you all understand.”

A living Chu Huaicun was more troublesome than anything combined.

“This matter must be investigated, and thoroughly investigated.”

His Majesty’s carriage finally slowly arrived at Chu Huaicun’s temporary palace chamber through the heavy rain. The imperial yellow fabric of the emperor, illuminated by the hall’s candles, inexplicably revealed a hint of decay. He stepped down from the sedan chair onto the backs of palace servants. As he entered the hall, the atmosphere became mysteriously tense. He looked at Chu Huaicun, and Chu Huaicun calmly and arrogantly looked back at him.

Chancellor Chu had no intention of yielding the main seat to the old emperor.

The emperor slowly walked forward. From the sedan chair behind him, the Seventh Prince, pale-faced, hurried down and involuntarily paused upon entering the chamber, seemingly intimidated by the gazes and the strange atmosphere in the hall. He obediently followed the emperor:

“Father Emperor, this place is cramped, perhaps…”

His father emperor finally reached the foremost position, selecting a seat opposite Chu Huaicun and sitting down. Although both were main seats, compared to Chancellor Chu, the emperor’s face showed the greenish pallor of an old man, and his back was stooped.

“According to Chancellor Chu,” he said slowly, “you believe someone among us intends to harm you?”

“Father Emperor—” The Seventh Prince seemed unable to bear it, calling out to him again, his face even paler. However, the emperor suddenly pierced him with a malevolent gaze, scrutinizing him up and down. “My son, who should be fearless before heaven and earth, acts so timidly. Has merely one Chu Huaicun scared you to this extent?”

His words were very harsh, and the silence in the room was heavy. Chu Huaicun, however, smiled lightly.

If people had still questioned whether Chancellor Chu had orchestrated this, those doubts should now dissipate. He looked more fragile than ever, like a piece of jade that would shatter into pieces if dropped. The imperial physicians in the palace had also diagnosed him; he was poisoned with a type of poison called “Chopstick-Bottom Black,” almost the most common poison, with potent effects, often used for murder in the marketplace.

However, even if Chancellor Chu’s face was so pale that he resembled a fragile piece of jade, he was the kind of deadly jade whose sharp edges, if shattered, could sever everyone’s throats.

Chu Huaicun slowly coughed twice. He made no attempt to conceal his current weakness, which only made him appear sharper.

“Your Majesty is mistaken,” he said, as if speaking on behalf of the Seventh Prince. “What the Seventh Prince fears is the poisoner lurking among us. If this person can harm me in the temporary palace, they can naturally harm him, or even… harm Your Majesty. If it were to escalate to that point, this matter would not bode well. The Seventh Prince must also agree that my concerns are reasonable.”

The Seventh Prince’s face could barely hold its timid expression.

“Good, good,” a grim expression appeared on His Majesty’s face. He looked down at the Seventh Prince, who immediately lowered his head and stood properly by his seat. The scene formed two evenly matched sides. The Crown Prince, far from standing with his father, awkwardly sat very close to Chu Huaicun, even appearing to be at a disadvantage in comparison.

“Then, I trouble Chancellor Chu to investigate thoroughly. If the results of the investigation are not satisfactory, then, according to Chancellor Chu’s wishes, it should be handled impartially. What, does Chancellor Chu have any suspects at this moment?”

General Zhenbei was pulled by Prince Duan to sit opposite, clearly bewildered by the current situation, yet looking at Chu Huaicun with a hint of anxiety, seemingly concerned about his current injury.

“If it comes to suspicion, there is indeed one,” Chu Huaicun merely stated calmly, yet his words seemed to hide daggers. “I wonder if Your Majesty is willing to hand that person over to me for investigation?”

“Oh?” The emperor also appeared somewhat displeased. “The person Chancellor Chu suspects, I naturally have no reason to shelter. But you must tell me who it is. I do not believe my people would—”

“Ji Ying.” Chancellor Chu sat upright in the main seat, his gaze sharp as he uttered the name. “This person’s whereabouts are unknown tonight. It is said that His Majesty sent him down the mountain early, but I do not believe so. Lord Ji’s methods have always been despicable, and he is out of sight, naturally making him the prime suspect. I ask Your Majesty to hand him over to the Chancellor’s residence for thorough interrogation.”

After Chu Huaicun regained consciousness, he listened to the conversation behind the wall for a while.

Before summoning everyone, he actually had a private motive and quietly went to find Ji Ying first.

Ji Ying’s expression was grim. He hadn’t bothered with his hair, which still carried a hint of dampness. There were no official robes for him here, so the internal affairs officer boldly presented a set of Chu Huaicun’s snow-white robes for him to change into. These robes did nothing to soften his appearance; instead, they created an unsettling contrast.

He had just seen off a group of people. Hearing footsteps, he didn’t turn his head:

“Have the people been brought? I’ll interrogate them personally. They’ll remain in the Chancellor’s residence; there’s no need to see anyone else.”

“Ji Ying.” Chu Huaicun leaned against the inner chamber door, a slight smile playing on his lips as he called his name. Only then did Ji Ying turn around like a startled bird, the cruel, indifferent expression on his face fading like a tide, replaced by a momentary, bewildered vulnerability.

“Lord Ji didn’t expect it to be me?”

“How are you… Did Mr. Fang allow you to come out?”

Their voices almost simultaneously sounded, then quickly dissipated as they collided. Ji Ying quickly lowered his eyes. He cautiously approached Chu Huaicun until he could reach the other’s sleeve, but he didn’t even extend his hand, immediately tucking it under the layers of his robes as if shocked. He had never felt so unnatural.

His forehead seemed to be burning. Ji Ying knew he had a slight fever, but it was still strangely hot, as if a ball of fire had been stuffed inside, scorching him and making his mouth dry. Yet, perfectly at hand, there appeared ice and snow to quench his thirst.

“I’m not some fragile item,” Chu Huaicun said softly. “There’s no need to be cautious even about moving around. And you?”

“Me?”

Ji Ying thought dully for a moment before realizing Chu Huaicun was probably asking about his physical condition. He awkwardly adjusted his collar again. Chu Huaicun’s clothes were all imbued with a faint, elegant incense scent, his favorite fragrance once upon a time. “I’m fine too, just a bit chilled. It’s nothing to me either. Oh, right, Chancellor Chu, are you not—”

Chu Huaicun stared intently at him.

His eyes, illuminated by Chu Huaicun’s ice-like gaze, made Ji Ying feel as if he had nowhere to hide, unable even to stand.

He had spoken so much nonsense before, capable of saying anything; he had longed for his desires to be fulfilled, willing to indulge in fleeting pleasure; he had almost hardened his heart due to fear of loss, deciding never to be entangled with him again.

He opened his mouth, but what he said was: “Shouldn’t you take some medicine? I think I smelled Mr. Fang brewing medicine just now. Oh, right, you might have already taken it.”

His words were disjointed, and Ji Ying lowered his eyes in annoyance, meticulously studying the patterns on the floor tiles in front of him. But the floor tiles, which should have been unremarkable, suddenly took on the appearance of a pair of boots. Perhaps it was because he had just recovered from the lingering effects of the poisoned tea, but Chu Huaicun’s footsteps were almost silent, like a cat’s, a very dignified one at that.

Ji Ying was startled by his own imagination. If Chu Huaicun were compared to an animal, he would certainly not be a docile cat, but some dangerous large animal. But his sudden closeness made him inexplicably think of such an association. He felt sick.

Chu Huaicun suddenly smiled again, as if a frozen ice lake had suddenly melted with the spring breeze.

“Don’t hide,” he said. “Lord Ji, if you don’t hide, you’ll know if I’ve taken medicine.”

That address, “Lord Ji,” carried a hint of ambiguity in Ji Ying’s ears at this moment, as if Chu Huaicun was slowly enunciating the words with a hoarse voice, chewing on his name in his heart. Ji Ying thought dully for a while before realizing:

“You haven’t drunk it yet. There’s no medicine smell on you.”

“The medicine is too bitter,” Chu Huaicun seemed to complain to him very seriously. “I don’t want to drink it now; I’d rather postpone it. Perhaps Lord Ji has a solution, which is why I specifically came here to talk to you.”

He was clearly talking nonsense. Chu Huaicun had risen to this position from obscurity through countless military merits. On the battlefield, one’s life was always at risk; he had suffered more severe injuries than this and wouldn’t complain about medicine being too bitter to drink. After all these years, he should have grown accustomed to the bitterness of herbs. But Ji Ying’s heart felt soggy and twisted. He remembered the young man from many years ago, who also only showed a hint of vulnerability in front of him, deliberately wanting him to coax him into drinking the bitter medicine.

“I’ll find you some preserved fruit.”

Ji Ying knew it wouldn’t help, yet he still pretended to solve the problem, “I don’t know if the palace has any. I can have someone send them in.”

“I don’t like overly sweet things either.”

This was truly being unreasonable. Chu Huaicun closed his eyes for a moment and coughed softly twice. Ji Ying rarely saw him in such a vulnerable state and almost immediately surrendered: “Whatever Chancellor Chu wants me to do, I’ll obey; whatever you want, I’ll find a way to get it for you.”

“Ji Ying,” Chu Huaicun opened his eyes again. His eyelashes were very long, and his ice-like eyes revealed a hint of brightness, making it hard to look away. “My childhood memories are very vague. I only remember my mother constantly drinking bowls of herbal medicine before she passed away, but she never got better. The day she died, the herbal medicine boiling in the pot hadn’t even been drunk yet. I secretly tasted it, and that’s when I started to dislike bitterness. For a while, I would always complain to people that the medicine was too bitter, deliberately saying I didn’t want to take bitter medicine; later, I couldn’t find anyone to complain to anymore.”

“I’m sorry, I’m not the person you’re looking for,” Ji Ying said softly.

Chu Huaicun, however, smiled at him. “I know. Ji Ying, I’ll see for myself.”

He then continued: “To say it’s being unreasonable, in fact, as long as someone is with me, I can’t taste whether it’s bitter or sweet. Any medicine can be swallowed without hindrance.”

Ji Ying felt his face warming, but he still forced himself to say: “Then I’ll accompany Chancellor Chu, I… does Chancellor Chu give me that right?”

Chu Huaicun’s pupils shifted slightly, as if appraising him from head to toe: “Lord Ji, why don’t you try?”

They exchanged words back and forth several times. It felt like a long time had passed, but in reality, not much time had been spent. Ji Ying unconsciously glanced outside; the people who had been sent out earlier had not yet returned, and the world outside was dim, but it was not so where Chu Huaicun was. Until Chu Huaicun’s snow-white robes disappeared around the corner, Ji Ying still felt a small, bright mark like a pear blossom lingering in his eyes.

He followed Chu Huaicun’s footsteps into the inner chamber, then unconsciously frowned.

The bowl of dark medicine sat by the bed, looking like it had been there for a while. Just as Ji Ying was about to stop Chu Huaicun, saying he should have someone warm it before use, Chu Huaicun very deftly picked up the white porcelain bowl and drank the medicine without any hesitation. He was indeed a swordsman; his hand didn’t tremble at all, not a drop of the herbal medicine spilled.

“You…” Ji Ying said half a sentence, then was unable to speak further.

He had so decisively drunk the medicine, proving his earlier words, and Ji Ying found himself even less able to ignore his increasingly rapid heartbeat. He felt light and airy, as if floating on clouds, and after a long moment, he finally spoke: “Does that mean… it’s done?”

“Done what?” When Chu Huaicun said this, Ji Ying was suddenly swept by a feeling of emptiness, of gains and losses. But then he saw Chu Huaicun still with his lips curved, looking at him. “Lord Ji doesn’t usually speak in riddles like this. I want to know what Lord Ji truly wants to ask me.”

Chu Huaicun stared intently at him, his eyes illuminated by Chu Huaicun’s ice-like gaze, making Ji Ying feel as if he had nowhere to hide. He hesitated, his fingers involuntarily tightening, standing stiffly in place, feeling ridiculously clumsy. He had so many times spoken of love as if it were a joke, so many times stubbornly waited for a response, but these few words, churning in his mouth, were like burning stars, difficult to articulate:

“…Are you also in love with me?” he said tightly.

After these words left his mouth, time seemed to stretch infinitely. Ji Ying waited for a response with immense urgency, yet feeling utterly hopeless. He didn’t dare to raise his eyes, and then suddenly found himself in a cool yet gentle embrace. He was like a cat, or a leopard, approaching silently. Ji Ying suddenly thought this, and the other gently patted his back.

“Of course,” Chu Huaicun’s eyes didn’t blink for a moment, his voice low, “I am pleased with you.”

The person in his arms seemed to lose all strength in an instant. Chu Huaicun felt that this person was still a bit too thin. Both of them were now enveloped in the scent of medicine. Although both were very weak, they confidently entrusted their weight to each other to bear. Chu Huaicun wondered how Ji Ying would react. Perhaps he wouldn’t be able to speak, perhaps he wouldn’t stop crying, perhaps he would break down.

Their future might be smooth sailing, but it was more likely to be still full of thorns and shadows.

But before that—

His fingers intertwined with Ji Ying’s hair, and after a thought, he added, “And I will never let go.”

The poisoning case was investigated for three days and three nights.

The body of the palace servant who had served Chu Huaicun tea in the temporary palace was found that night at the bottom of a secluded cliff on Dan Mountain. The torrential rain had washed away all traces. Based on the known clues, she had quietly disappeared from the temporary palace after serving Chu Huaicun tea, using illness as an excuse to leave everyone and walk into the vast downpour.

The scope of the interrogation was extended to her relatives. But she was an orphan, with only a young and ignorant younger sister who, upon seeing someone come to inquire, revealed everything, not seeming to hide anything.

She said that her sister had recently not been troubled by anything. Instead, she had been radiant and in a much better mood than usual. She hadn’t directly mentioned any clues to her, but since she worked in the palace, she sometimes talked about things in the palace.

For example, the princes.

Discussing imperial family matters was a serious crime, but she only gossiped privately with her sister. Among these, Prince Duan was the center of the conversation. This matter was quite noteworthy. Following this lead, the investigators found that this palace maid, several years ago, had served the deposed Crown Prince in the palace. When he was demoted, she was transferred to another place.

She always believed that Prince Duan would return, and now that he truly had, it was normal for her to be excited.

However, Prince Duan did not seem to remember such a person and had not transferred her back to his residence.

Following this clue, the investigators went to visit Prince Duan. Prince Duan, elegantly dressed in luxurious brocade, waved his folding fan, a strange smile involuntarily appearing on his face:

“She was just a palace maid from several years ago. How could she possibly be linked to me now? I’ve long forgotten such a person. If such a connection can implicate me, then the Chancellor’s residence’s efficiency is nothing special.”

This case was ultimately handled jointly by Chancellor Chu and the Emperor, thus becoming an underground contest.

However, the Chancellor’s residence’s reaction at the time could be described as iron-fisted. Most of the witnesses and clues were firmly held in Chu Huaicun’s hands. The old foxes in the court couldn’t help but sigh that Chu Huaicun was indeed ruthless and ambitious. Even when he was unconscious, the Chancellor’s residence remained unmoving, with no reduction in efficiency.

Just as now, facing Prince Duan’s questioning, the person sent by Chu Huaicun merely nodded with neither humility nor arrogance:

“Your Highness’s cooperation is deeply appreciated by this humble subject. These clues will ultimately reveal something, and Your Highness’s attitude is also crucial to our uncovering the truth. We apologize for disturbing Your Highness.”

These words were flawless, making Prince Duan’s earlier mockery seem narrow-minded.

After all, at this moment, the apparent clues almost all pointed to him. For example, in this palace maid’s home, rewards bearing Prince Duan’s private seal were found. Although Prince Duan vehemently denied it, saying he had given such things to many people back then and could no longer remember; and for example, on that night, Prince Duan’s whereabouts were unknown for a period. He himself claimed to be resting in the inner chamber, but no one could corroborate it.

Furthermore, it was common knowledge that Prince Duan held a grudge against Chancellor Chu, wishing to devour his flesh and blood.

Prince Duan bit his lip fiercely, his gentle smile almost failing to hold. His voice, instead, grew sharper:

“I want to see who your Chancellor Chu truly wants to send to prison. What, even I am under suspicion? Why don’t you go interrogate the Crown Prince instead? I think these groundless clues are just him trying to frame me.”

Seven parts of what he said were angry words. Everyone knew that the Eastern Palace and Chancellor Chu were in the same boat, with no reason to suspect each other. As someone from the opposing camp, his words held no weight. But the people from the Chancellor’s residence respectfully bowed to him,

“This humble subject is indeed going to question the Eastern Palace next. Does Your Highness say this because you have evidence?”

They really were going. Prince Duan’s mockery hit cotton again.

He said bitterly: “Evidence, hah, I think this is just an attempt to borrow a knife to kill someone. And my seventh brother, never mind, I don’t want to bother with sibling appearances. Since that poisoner accurately calculated my movements to direct suspicion towards me, no matter who it is, I have no reason to protect them. I think Father Emperor trusts him too much. I, on the other hand, find my seventh brother a bit inscrutable.”

Although to outsiders, Prince Duan was once again greatly favored by His Majesty upon his return to the capital, he himself clearly felt that His Majesty and he had, after all, had a rift in the past, and there was always an indescribable feeling in his heart.

Moreover, there was now a new, unostentatious Seventh Prince in the palace.

The people from the Chancellor’s residence bowed again, then quickly turned to hurry to the next location.

Not just the residences of the princes, but even in the palace itself, involving the current emperor, Chu Huaicun had no reservations about investigating. And under Chu Huaicun’s commission, they only intended to carry out this task impeccably, diligently doing their job.

Compared to human testimony, material evidence does not speak, and is therefore always more conclusive.

Mr. Fang seized the initiative, first testing the poison in the tea, then presenting it to the imperial physician. He walked back and forth, finally patting his head. Chu Huaicun watched him for a long time, finally unable to help but speak, feeling much more relaxed.

“Has Sir found anything?”

“Chancellor Chu has heard of ‘Chopstick-Head Black’ poison, right?” Mr. Fang’s speech became rapid once he made up his mind. “In common poisoning cases, this is the most common one. Firstly, the herbs for making the poison are easy to collect. Secondly, it’s colorless and odorless when dissolved in water; only when heated does it emit a faint, almost imperceptible scent. In the official records over the years, many people have lost their lives to this poison, so it’s not an exaggeration to call it deadly.”

“Hmm,” Chu Huaicun said. “Since Sir says so, there must be other problems.”

“That’s right,” Mr. Fang frowned. “Many people die from this poison, but many others who are poisoned still survive. The toxicity of ‘Chopstick-Head Black’ is fierce, and the onset of symptoms is also very obvious, as Chancellor Chu experienced. But the key point is, if it’s discovered and treated in time, there’s basically no danger to life, at most it harms a person’s physical health.”

“And I was in the temporary palace at the time, drinking tea in front of everyone,” Chancellor Chu understood his meaning. “I would certainly receive timely treatment. In other words, this poison could hardly kill me.”

Mr. Fang looked troubled: “Exactly, that’s a bit strange. Administering ‘Chopstick-Head Black’ to harm someone usually happens when the victim is alone and has no time to seek help. If that’s the case—”

Why choose that time to administer the poison?

Why choose this type of poison?

He sighed, no longer speaking. Chu Huaicun clearly understood his unspoken meaning anyway.

In any case, Chu Huaicun had only taken a sip of tea, which was fortunate. He was also a swordsman, and had someone like Mr. Fang, who knew everything, by his side. The languid look on his face had basically disappeared these past two days. However, externally, Chancellor Chu still claimed to be unwell and did not actively meet outsiders.