“I’m not entirely certain about this, but inserting silver needles into the Yamen acupoint on the back can indeed affect the face. As for whether the poison of rosemary on her body has any impact on her face, I’ll need to consult the medical texts to determine that.”
Xu Daren, momentarily puzzled by Leng Mingye’s question, still regarded him respectfully as he spoke.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Xu Daren. But regarding the rosemary poison, what symptoms would manifest upon its onset, and could it be fatal? Can you cure it?”
Hearing Xu Daren’s words, Leng Mingye, though equally suspicious of the coincidence, couldn’t help but press further, thinking of the poison in the young girl’s body.
“This… the poison of rosemary initially shows no symptoms in the victim. Only after ten years does the toxicity gradually manifest. The poisoned person will first experience chest tightness, night sweats, and frequent nightmares. Over time, they’ll suffer from body-wide pain, and when the agony becomes unbearable—as if countless ants are crawling over them—their flesh will slowly dissolve, eventually turning into a pool of blood. I can’t imagine who would be so cruel as to poison Miss Mu like this. As for whether there’s a cure, I’ll need to consult the medical texts.”
Xu Daren, equally shocked by Leng Mingye’s inquiry, looked at the young Miss Mu, who seemed too young to bear such a potent poison, and answered cautiously. Seeing the suppressed fury in Leng Mingye’s eyes, he added fearfully in a low voice.
“Then go back and study the medical texts thoroughly. First, prescribe some medicine to alleviate her pain.”
Hearing that the girl was afflicted with such a deadly poison, Leng Mingye felt a mix of confusion and suppressed anger. For some reason, knowing she was poisoned weighed heavily on him. He immediately instructed Xu Daren, who, trembling with fear, quickly complied and went to write the prescription at the table.
Turning back to the girl, Leng Mingye gently stroked her face and said, “Little fool, I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Despite his doubts, his voice was tender.
“Brother, Qing’er will be fine. But the task you previously entrusted to me… I’m afraid I can’t…”
Wan Qing forced a smile, meeting his deep, inscrutable gaze. She thought of his earlier request and felt conflicted—investigating herself would only complicate things. Though she knew she couldn’t defy him in her current situation, she still looked at him with a sorrowful expression.
“Don’t worry, little fool. I won’t let anything happen to you. Xu Daren, I hope you’ll keep today’s matter confidential. Aside from those present, I don’t want anyone else to know.”
Leng Mingye reassured her, then turned to Xu Daren, who had finished writing the prescription, and gave him a calm but firm instruction.
“Of course, I’ll keep my lips sealed. This is the prescription for Miss Mu. I’ve reviewed her previous medication—it’s just some basic detoxifying herbs, which only address the symptoms, not the root cause. It’s better not to take them. Now, Lord Leng, I must attend to the Empress Dowager in the palace…”
Xu Daren bowed respectfully, handing the prescription to Wan Qing and advising her. After she accepted it, he turned to Leng Mingye, indicating he had other duties.
“Very well, Xu Daren, you may go. Qingfeng, escort him to the palace. Qingyun, accompany Chunhong to prepare the medicine for Miss Mu according to this prescription. Little fool, are you afraid?”
Leng Mingye nodded dismissively, watching as Qingfeng led Xu Daren away. He then took the prescription from Wan Qing and handed it to Chunhong, who glanced at Wan Qing before obediently following Qingyun out.
Left alone with her, Leng Mingye suddenly turned and asked, “Are you scared?”
“I… Qing’er isn’t afraid. At worst, I’ll die. But your matter, Brother…”
Wan Qing pretended ignorance, lowering her head with feigned sorrow. Her act was meant to divert his suspicions.
“I’ll handle my own affairs. You just focus on recovering. But don’t lie to me, or… I really will kill you.”
Before she could finish, Leng Mingye cut her off. His voice was icy as he delivered the warning, his gaze piercing.
“Brother… are you angry with Qing’er? Qing’er truly didn’t know her illness would prevent her from helping you. Brother…”
Ignoring the threat in his words, Wan Qing widened her eyes in feigned shock and fear, clutching his sleeve with a pitiful expression.
“It’s fine. I’ll assign guards to protect you and ensure no one harms you again. Rest now. I should leave. Little fool, it’s best not to deceive me, or I’ll really be angry.”
Her apparent fear and sorrow softened Leng Mingye’s demeanor. He sighed, patting her head gently before turning to leave. By the time Wan Qing snapped out of her daze, he was already gone.
“Whew…”
Only when she was certain he had left did Wan Qing sit up and exhale deeply.
Realizing the silver needle disguise wouldn’t work, she stared blankly at the discarded medicine packets Xu Daren had left behind.
Recalling the conflicting herbs in the prescriptions—both hers and Xu Daren’s—she muttered to herself, carefully sorting through the packets.
“Seems like the only way is to exploit the conflicting properties of these herbs to poison myself again. I just hope it doesn’t aggravate the rosemary toxin. Once the crisis is averted, I’ll find a way to detoxify.”
Holding the selected herbs, Wan Qing sighed resignedly. After ensuring no one was watching, she chewed and swallowed the dry, bitter plants, her eyes watering from the effort.
“Cough, cough…” She coughed, gulping down water, just as Chunhong returned with Qingyun.
“Miss, the medicine Lord Leng ordered is ready. I’ll go prepare it for you.”
Chunhong, noticing her flushed face, took the herbs and left.
“Brother Qingyun, my place is humble, but make yourself comfortable. Brother has already left—aren’t you going back?”
Seeing Qingyun still standing guard, Wan Qing felt a mix of frustration and wariness. Was he here to protect her or spy on her? Still, she maintained her politeness.
“The master instructed me to stay until Hongyan arrives.”
Qingyun replied coolly, his grip on his sword unwavering.
“Oh.”
Realizing he wouldn’t leave, Wan Qing nodded resignedly. When Chunhong returned with the foul-smelling, black concoction, Wan Qing hesitated, weighing the risks of drinking it against the rosemary poison.
“Miss Mu, you should drink it. The master ordered me to watch you take it before leaving. Hongyan is already outside.”
Qingyun’s firm tone left no room for refusal.
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