Ji Jin ran very fast. Relying on Situ Yan's influence, he managed to save some of the蛊 worms and materials in the medicinal hut.
Lu Nian Fu's guess was correct; the autopsy results for the more than a dozen people in the medicinal hut all indicated heart failure, the same as Su Xin and Su Yue.
Jiang Shuo, the Prefect of Jingzhao, frowned so deeply his brows resembled a furrowed field.
One or two cases might be dismissed, but more than a dozen people dying simultaneously of heart failure? If he submitted this verdict, wouldn't the Emperor immediately dismiss him?
Ji Jin found several containers for raising蛊 worms and gathered a few good books. In a rather cheerful mood, he strode forward and patted Jiang Shuo's shoulder. "Lord Jiang, don't fret. They were poisoned by蛊."
Jiang Shuo's frown deepened. "The Western Regions were eradicated years ago. Where would witchcraft come from?"
"It's蛊 poison, not witchcraft. Just conclude the case as such. Prince Rui will explain the situation to His Majesty."
"Really?"
"Do you think I would lie to you about such a matter?"
Jiang Shuo knew of Ji Jin's relationship with Prince Rui and immediately breathed a sigh of relief. "If Prince Rui is willing to intervene, that would be for the best."
Since all the deceased were servants who had signed contracts, the case did not cause much stir in the capital. Emperor Changwu was somewhat resistant to the art of蛊 poison, but upon seeing that Ji Jin had already developed an effective medicine for headaches, he no longer objected.
The imperial physicians were very curious about the new medicine, but few were willing to raise蛊 worms. Thus, in the Imperial Hospital, Ji Jin became the most unconventional among them. Fortunately, he was deeply engrossed in his research and did not compete with other imperial physicians for positions or credit, leading to a period of peace.
Only Ouyang Wen, upon learning that his two good friends had accomplished something significant without him, was quite displeased. He extorted two meals at Zui Xiang Lou from them before he let the matter rest.
After dealing with the affairs of Pingning Marquis Manor, Lu Nian Fu stayed at home for several days.
However, she was not idle. While the estate's domestic matters could be handed over to Mian'er, the business accounts required Lu Nian Fu's personal attention. Fortunately, she trusted Yan Qing and Wang Shou Cheng enough to delegate many of the accounts for their review; otherwise, the ledgers alone would have kept her busy.
"Miss, Miss Feng is here to see you."
It had been many days since she last saw her, and she really missed her. Lu Nian Fu put down her brush. "Please invite her in quickly."
"Sister." Feng Xin Yao called out, leaning against the doorframe, a hint of grievance in her expression.
"What's wrong?"
Feng Xin Yao moved a low stool and sat before Lu Nian Fu, resting her head on Lu Nian Fu's knee. "Sister, Situ Jue went to Ling Yan Pavilion."
Lu Nian Fu sat up straighter. "Did he force you?"
"No, he just made me accompany him for drinks twice. But Sister, he's so cautious. Not only did he bring experts, but he also tested his food with silver needles before eating. I couldn't find any opportunity to strike."
The feeling of having an enemy right before her yet being powerless to exact revenge was truly unbearable.
Since the incident involving her parents, Feng Xin Yao had been sustained solely by her desire for revenge. But now, this conviction was wavering, as she realized she lacked the ability to kill her enemy under the watchful eyes of so many experts.
Lu Nian Fu stroked her soft long hair. "Are you afraid? If you want to go home, I'll arrange for someone to send you to be reunited with your uncle and younger brother immediately."
Feng Xin Yao immediately shook her head, saying hatefully, "I only fear that I won't be able to avenge them myself."
"You've seen Situ Jue now. You should know that killing him is not easy. The deceased are gone. If your parents knew you were taking such risks to avenge them, they would not rest easy in the afterlife."
"The deceased are gone, they can't see. But if this vengeance is not taken, my heart will not be at peace."
Lu Nian Fu sighed. "When you followed Da Mao and the others to the capital, I knew you were determined. Since you've decided to see this through to the end, don't rush. If you play along with him carefully, you'll eventually find an opportunity. Don't worry, you're not alone. The Prince and I are behind you."
Feng Xin Yao nodded and said in a low voice, "Xin Yao understands. Oh, right, Sister, Situ Jue seems to have misunderstood. He thinks I'm the one behind Ling Yan Pavilion."
"Isn't that even better? The more important your identity, the more leverage you have to deal with him."
"How important can the identity of a brothel madam be?"
"Well, it's not very important. But if you're willing to provide him with the intelligence gathered in the pavilion, then it would be different."
A flicker of disgust crossed Feng Xin Yao's eyes. "It's just a brothel. Can't he, a prince, afford to open one? To approach me for such a thing is truly disgusting."
What was disgusting was far more than just this.
Lu Nian Fu thought of Situ Jue's actions in her previous life, and her stomach churned.
The weather was growing colder, yet the chrysanthemums were blooming beautifully. Princess Ning sent out many invitations, inviting people to the Ning Prince's manor to admire the flowers. Lu Nian Fu received an invitation with some confusion. "Isn't Princess Ning unwell? Why is she suddenly hosting a banquet?"
"Perhaps she's been bored for too long and wants to get out and about," Qing Ya said indifferently. The aristocratic circles were just so boring; besides appreciating flowers and composing poetry, there was nothing else to do.
"Miss, you are with child. Perhaps I should decline the invitation for you."
Lu Nian Fu did not have a good impression of the Ning Prince's manor, but she worried that refusing the Princess Ning too bluntly would make things difficult for Situ Yan. She said, "It's alright, we'll just be careful. Being too out of step with everyone else will lead to criticism."
"It's not easy being a wife of a noble family," Qing Ya sighed and took Qing Miao to prepare the new clothes and jewelry for the banquet day.
When Situ Yan returned, he happened to see the two maids fretting over several boxes of jewelry.
"What's wrong?"
"Miss doesn't have enough jewelry, and it's not good to wear the same pieces repeatedly to a banquet." Lu Nian Fu had been in mourning for a long time, so she rarely had new clothes tailored, let alone jewelry she didn't need. She had acquired some after her mourning period ended.
But that's how it was in the capital; if you always wore the same few sets, people would gossip behind your back.
Situ Yan said, "I thought it was something important. It's just jewelry, and you're both looking so glum. If you're missing something, just have the shop owner deliver it for the Princess to choose."
He calculated in his mind; he had received many rewards recently, so buying a few sets of jewelry for his wife was not a problem. With this in mind, he added, "Choose a few more sets to wear interchangeably, so you won't be looked down upon."
Lu Nian Fu lifted the bead curtain and emerged from the inner room. "Why pick so many? The styles in the capital change daily, and they'll be out of fashion soon. Qing Ya, go to Jin Yu Ge and have the shopkeeper bring a few sets to the manor for me to choose from."
"Alright, I'll go now."
"Qing Ya." Situ Yan called to her. "Have them bring a few more sets. What if the Princess doesn't like any of them? Never mind, it's better if Fu'er goes herself. She can also get out and about and not be cooped up in the manor all day, which must be annoying."
Lu Nian Fu touched her belly. "Didn't Ji Jin tell me not to go out too much?"
"It's alright, I'll protect you."
Situ Yan himself was a restless person, and he projected this onto others. He naturally felt that Lu Nian Fu would be uncomfortable staying in the manor all the time. He specifically brought more guards and escorted Lu Nian Fu to Jin Yu Ge.
After choosing two sets of jewelry, he took her to a clothing store. She found that the clothes made in their own manor were still the most beautiful and praised the embroiderers she had brought from her hometown.
"No wonder you wouldn't part with them no matter where you went. Their craftsmanship is truly exceptional."
Lu Nian Fu glanced at him. "It's just that you're accustomed to their craftsmanship." She had long discovered that Situ Yan was a very nostalgic person. It was like Aunt Cui's beef noodles; he hadn't tired of them for so many years and even felt that all the chefs in the capital were far inferior to Aunt Cui.
Situ Yan nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. New clothes are not as good as old, and people are not as good as old."
Lu Nian Fu was somewhat bewildered. Was that how the idiom was used?
Situ Yan touched the new hairpin on her head. "Now that your mourning period is over, we can eat and dress as we please. There's no need to be frugal in this regard."
"I wasn't being frugal, just not thinking of acquiring things."
She was busy and didn't have that much free time.
"Constantly poring over account books at home, aren't you afraid of ruining your eyesight? By the way, what banquet are you attending tomorrow? And you're choosing jewelry at the last minute."
"Princess Ning's Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet."
"Why would we go to Situ Jue's family's place?" Humph, he hadn't forgotten how Situ Jue had been staring at his wife.
Lu Nian Fu said, "I don't like dealing with Prince Ning either, but he's your brother now. Even if you dislike him, it's not good to be too rude, is it?"
"That's irrelevant. Everyone in the court knows I have enmity with Situ Jue. If I don't want to go, I won't. There's no need to give him face. Anyway, I'm not vying for that supreme position, so it doesn't matter if I offend him thoroughly."
Lu Nian Fu: ......
"Then I really won't go. Don't blame me for holding you back later."
"You ungrateful thing, when have I ever blamed you for something like this?"