After nearly another hour of busy work, Zhao Zhong in the barrel finally spat out a mouthful of blood in front of him. His figure paused slightly as he sat in the barrel, his eyelids fluttering before finally opening.
“I… Miss Mu, was it you who saved me? I…”
Looking at Wanqing, who was sitting on a stool right in front of him, Zhao Zhong’s expression was momentarily confused. After a pause, he asked with a look of surprise and bewilderment.
“Yes. I was peacefully in my room when you suddenly barged into my courtyard looking for me, already poisoned? Brother Zhao, don’t move yet. Stay in the bath a little longer so the toxins can clear more thoroughly. Who on earth did you offend to end up so badly injured and poisoned so viciously? I’ve been working all night to save your life.”
Wanqing smiled faintly at Zhao Zhong’s expression. For some reason, she wasn’t usually the type to sympathize with just anyone pitiful on the street, but his plea—especially after learning of his loyalty to his master—made it impossible for her to refuse.
And so, she had saved him. Seeing him like this, she patiently recounted the situation, stopping him when he struggled to get up. Watching him settle back, she couldn’t help but ask curiously about his injuries and the poison.
“I… I really shouldn’t be telling you this, but… you saved my life. The truth is, I have a grudge against someone. We’ve been hiding in the capital these days, hoping for a chance to catch him alone and eliminate him. But I was reckless, and my skills fell short. Not only did I fail to kill that scoundrel, but I nearly lost my own life…”
Speaking of his injuries and poisoning, Zhao Zhong looked troubled. He glanced at his clothes, still on but covered in dark, unidentifiable herbal residue. The water around him had cleared significantly, and both his wounds and the poison had visibly improved.
Though he didn’t know what methods this girl had used to restore some of his strength so quickly, he was deeply grateful. Unable to hold back, he spoke frankly.
“You and others? You and the men you were with before?” Wanqing’s mind flashed to the handsome man with the half-ruined face under the bamboo hat, and she couldn’t help but ask.
“Yes.”
Zhao Zhong’s answer made Wanqing immediately think of the likely culprit behind the poison. Though puzzled about the grudge between Zhao Zhong and the Grand Preceptor, she kept her tone calm.
“But from what I know, the poison you were hit with isn’t something just anyone can wield. Across the entire court of Daqi, only Grand Preceptor Yemei could administer such a vicious toxin. This poison doesn’t just kill slowly with unbearable pain—anyone who touches the victim’s body or even their clothes afterward will contract another equally deadly poison. Brother Zhao, how did you end up in such a feud with the Grand Preceptor?”
After Zhao Zhong finished speaking, Wanqing couldn’t suppress her curiosity and pressed further.
“I… Miss Mu, I’m sorry. I can’t tell you about this… I…”
At her questioning, Zhao Zhong’s face twisted with reluctance. After a pause, he looked at her apologetically.
“Fine. If it’s inconvenient for you, I’ll pretend I never asked. But dealing with someone like Yemei isn’t something you and your group can handle. Not only is he highly skilled, but his mastery of poison is formidable. Even with my medical expertise, I doubt I could outmatch him.”
Seeing Zhao Zhong’s hesitation, Wanqing let it go, respecting that everyone had their secrets. But the thought that he and Yemei were sworn enemies made her wonder—could this mean she and her brother might gain an ally? She regarded him coolly.
“I know. But he and I share an irreconcilable enmity. Even if it costs us our lives, we won’t stop. Miss Mu, now that I’ve told you this… you won’t betray our plans to him, will you?”
Wanqing’s words made Zhao Zhong’s expression darken with frustration and gloom, recalling their failed assassination attempts. After a pause, his eyes hardened with resolve. Seeing her silent, he grew nervous, reminded of how much she resembled someone they knew.
“Brother Zhao, if I wanted to betray you to him, why would I go through all the trouble of saving you? Stay in the bath another hour, then you can leave. There are clean clothes here for you. *Sigh*… I’m exhausted after today. Tomorrow, I still have to enter the palace to treat the Empress Dowager…”
Amused by his sudden wariness after revealing so much, Wanqing chuckled lightly. Seeing him relax slightly, she stood and gave instructions before yawning and heading out.
“Wait—Miss Mu, you said you’re entering the palace tomorrow…?”
Zhao Zhong, who had closed his eyes to continue soaking, suddenly opened them at her words and called after her retreating figure.
“Yes. But if you’re thinking of tagging along to further your plans, I won’t agree to take you in… It’s late. I need to rest.”
Assuming he wanted to use her access to re-enter the palace, Wanqing turned back with a faint smile, covering a yawn before leaving.
“The Empress Dowager is ill? Her Majesty is unwell? Should I tell the master…?”
Unbeknownst to her, after she left, Zhao Zhong’s expression shifted to shock and anxiety. Muttering to himself, he frowned, grappling with the implications of what he’d just heard.
Back in her room, Wanqing found Honglian already awake. “Good, you’re up. Rest properly these next few days and recover at the estate. I’ll sleep now—wait, Chunlan, come in for a moment.”
Noticing Honglian trying to rise at her arrival, Wanqing gently helped her lie back down. Exhausted from the day’s events, she headed to her inner chamber to rest but suddenly called for Chunlan, thinking of Zhao Zhong.
“Chunlan, in about an hour, follow Brother Zhao. See where he meets his companions, and if possible, find out what grudge they hold against Yemei.”
When Chunlan entered at her summons, Wanqing gave the quiet order, aware it wasn’t the most honorable approach. But with her brother’s and her own survival at stake, every ally counted.
“Understood, Miss. Rest well—I’ll do my best not to disappoint you.” Chunlan, now realizing Zhao Zhong’s poison matched what their master had suffered, nodded firmly before leaving.
“I hope I’m not overthinking this… I just want to understand the truth behind these coincidences.” Alone, Wanqing murmured with quiet anticipation before closing her eyes to sleep.
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