Wan Qing led the way, guiding the people towards the main hall of the Lu Mansion.
Mu Xing followed behind Liu Liu, his small hand tightly gripping hers. A look of contentment settled on his young face; he was relieved to see his mother was unharmed, but what about his father?
The thought of his father made Mu Xing tug at Liu Liu’s hand. Liu Liu looked at him, and seeing his reluctance to speak, she crouched down. Mu Xing whispered into her ear, “Is Father alright?”
“He’s fine,” Liu Liu replied, patting her son’s head. She was surprised that the boy was now showing concern for others; it was a definite improvement.
Reassured that his father was also unharmed, Mu Xing obediently followed his mother towards the Lu family’s main hall.
The main hall was set with a banquet, featuring an abundance of delicacies that filled the entire room with their aroma. Graceful maids stood on either side. Old Master Lu, the patriarch of the Lu family, sat in the most prominent position.
Upon seeing Liu Liu and her party enter, his expression softened slightly, yet he couldn't muster a smile. As for Lu You Chen, who had been subdued by Liu Liu earlier, his face was even more unpleasant. To be so easily subdued by a woman in the blink of an eye left him unable to remain calm.
The women of the Lu family, with cautious smiles, attended to Liu Liu and the others, inviting them to be seated. With a signal from Old Master Lu to commence the meal, everyone prepared to dine.
The lamplight flickered, and the aroma from the golden cauldrons dispersed. Nangong Yue’s finely arched eyebrows knitted together. As he saw Liu Liu about to take a bite of food, he called out to her in a cold voice,
“Don’t eat. The dish is poisoned!”
His words startled the Lu family, causing their chopsticks to fall to the ground. Lu Wan Qing’s face turned pale, for she knew who stood beside her; she was the Empress of the current dynasty.
Where had the poison come from? A single misstep could lead to the utter destruction of the Lu family. She also realized that the dish indeed contained poison.
Liu Liu’s expression remained unchanged. She put down her chopsticks. Her elder brother’s medical skills had always been exceptional, and even with his amnesia, his instincts remained sharp. If he said it was poisoned, then it was poisoned.
Lu You Chen, seated nearby, heard Nangong Yue’s words and his face darkened. He refused to believe the dish was poisoned, as they were not so base as to resort to poisoning for such a petty disagreement.
“What nonsense are you spouting? How could it be poisoned?” Lu You Chen said coldly, before deliberately taking a bite of the dish. Wan Qing couldn’t stop him in time.
Liu Liu cast a cold glance at everyone at the table. She noticed that the Lu family members appeared visibly at ease, with only Luo Xiang Si’s gaze seeming unfocused and filled with fear.
If the Lu family had poisoned the food, they wouldn’t have eaten it themselves. What was going on? Anger flared within Liu Liu, and an icy chill enveloped her face. She slowly stood up. Lu Wan Qing’s fingertips turned ice cold; harming the Empress was a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one’s family.
However, before Lu Wan Qing could say anything, Old Master Lu, who had been seated in the place of honor, suddenly turned deathly pale. His lips turned bluish-purple, and he collapsed sideways.
He had been poisoned! Seeing the situation, Liu Liu realized that the poison had clearly not been administered by anyone from the Lu family. Then, Lu You Chen also showed signs of poisoning. If it had been their family’s doing, they wouldn’t have eaten it themselves. However, Luo Xiang Si must know something. Liu Liu’s clear and resolute voice rang out.
“Ri Ying, apprehend this woman.”
“Yes, Master.”
With Ri Ying’s acknowledgment, Luo Xiang Si found herself held at swordpoint. The blade was cold, and a killing intent instantly filled the air. She was so terrified that her face turned deathly pale.
Chaos erupted in the hall. No one paid attention to her anymore. Wan Qing and Nangong Yue rushed to Old Master Lu’s side to examine the poison. Lu You Chen, having only taken a small bite, was less severely poisoned but paid no mind to Luo Xiang Si’s predicament.
Liu Liu walked elegantly towards Luo Xiang Si. Though her face bore a smile, it exuded an oppressive killing intent. She extended her hand, slender and white as a scallion, delicate and long, flawless as jade. Who would have known?
This hand could kill unseen. With a flick of her wrist, Luo Xiang Si’s jaw was tightly locked, making breathing difficult. Her pupils contracted continuously as she stared fearfully at the woman before her. Who was she? Why did that woman, Lou Si Jing, want her dead?
“Speak. Who ordered you?”
“Me?”
Luo Xiang Si wanted to shake her head, but the pain in her jaw reminded her that if she uttered a single wrong word, this woman might kill her.
For the sake of that wicked woman, Lou Si Jing, why should she lose her life? Seeing how powerful this woman was, perhaps she could use her to eliminate Lou Si Jing.
Otherwise, she would always be controlled by her. Luo Xiang Si made up her mind and immediately spoke with feigned fear,
“It was that woman, Lou Si Jing, who told me to administer the poison.”
Upon hearing this, Old Master Lu snorted with rage, “Unfilial wretch, a disgrace to the Lu family.”
Liu Liu ignored his outburst, released her grip, and gestured for her to lead the way.
Liu Liu, accompanied by Ri Ying and Zhao Jiu, followed Luo Xiang Si towards the backyard. The path was lined with blooming flowers and beautiful scenery.
Liu Liu had no time to appreciate the sights. That poisonous woman, Lou Si Jing, had actually come to Ye Lan City and was hiding within the Lu family, one of the five great clans. She couldn’t fathom why she had chosen this woman, Luo Xiang Si.
Luo Xiang Si resided in a courtyard called Si Yuan. Lou Si Jing lay regally on a soft couch in her room, leisurely playing with a long sword in her hand. The thought of poisoning and killing that woman to avenge her son brought her a great sense of satisfaction.
The poison was colorless and odorless; she believed it wouldn't be discovered so quickly. Lou Si Jing’s lips curved into a ferocious smile, and in the glint of the sword, her entire face seemed suffused with bloodthirsty ferocity.
Just as she was lost in thought, the door to her room was kicked open. She looked up.
A graceful figure in white entered, her demeanor composed and calm, her gaze clear, intelligent, and tinged with disdain. It was that woman from the palace.
Who else could it be? There was no sign of poisoning on her person; on the contrary, she appeared exceptionally fierce. Lou Si Jing’s figure flickered, and she landed in a corner of the room, glaring ferociously at the woman behind her, Luo Xiang Si, with a sinister smile.
“Luo Xiang Si, you foolish woman, how dare you lead someone here? Have you forgotten what you did when you drugged the princess?”
As Lou Si Jing’s words fell, Liu Liu’s face became exceptionally grim. She hadn’t expected this woman, Luo Xiang Si, to dare drug a princess. How was Wu Yang now?
Her heart constricted, but her hands did not stop. With a flick of her slender fingers, she struck Luo Xiang Si’s back.
A muffled grunt was heard. The woman fell to the ground, struggling to get up. Liu Liu gave her no time, lifting her jade-like foot to firmly tread on the woman’s back. She looked up and sternly ordered Ri Ying and Zhao Jiu,
“Apprehend this woman, Lou Si Jing.”
“Yes, Master.”
Ri Ying and Zhao Jiu moved, darting into the room. Their long swords were already unsheathed, swift as the wind, sharp as silver snakes, carrying the thunderous fury of wind and clouds as they lunged towards Lou Si Jing.
Seeing the situation, Lou Si Jing dared not be careless. Even in a one-on-one fight, she might not be able to defeat Ri Ying, let alone a two-on-one battle. She was bound to lose today. Her face turned grim, and she looked at Liu Liu with a pale and ashen expression.
“You are so heartless! If not for your scheme, Yu Lou would not have died.”
Liu Liu’s sharp eyes swept over her, and a hint of mockery played on her lips.
“Lou Si Jing, even now you still don’t know what you did wrong. What a pitiable woman. You erred in falling in love with Feng Luo. If you hadn’t entered the palace back then, none of this would have happened. And why was your Lou family so quickly convicted? It’s because Feng Luo sent all the evidence to the Ministry of War. Do you think that man harbors any affection for you? Whether it was you or Yu Lou, you were merely pawns in his hand.”