"Then, what poison has my son contracted?"
Madam Baili wiped the tears from her eyes, only then remembering that she didn't even know what poison her son had been afflicted with. She felt she hadn't been a good mother.
"This..."
As Gu Qianying was about to explain about the poison, she saw Master Baili approaching.
"Esteemed guest! I am truly very sorry, esteemed guest! I went to check on my son, saw he had fallen asleep, made some arrangements, and then came over. I apologize for making you wait!"
Master Baili spoke very courteously. The person before him was a crucial guest who could save his son's life. He absolutely could not let her leave!
"It's nothing!" Gu Qianying shook her head.
"Father, you're finally here. The esteemed guest was just about to explain about brother's poisoning!"
Baili Mengran, having been doted upon since childhood, would often act spoiled with her father. Moreover, with Baili Su awake now, it was a great occasion, so how could she not be happy?
Seeing the probing gazes of the three, Gu Qianying lowered her eyelids and said softly, "Your son has been poisoned with a slow-acting poison called Tianzhu Man. This poison is odorless and tasteless, making it difficult for ordinary physicians to detect."
"Tianzhu Man is a poison from the Western Regions. It is called Tianzhu Man because it is extracted from a Tianzhu flower. Tianzhu flowers grow in extremely arid places like deserts, so they bloom and bear fruit very slowly, and even the growth of their vines is quite lengthy."
"However, once this flower bears fruit, the flower vine and stamen will completely die, and the surviving fruit will become new Tianzhu flowers. Tianzhu flowers are vibrantly colored, and their fruit is tender and juicy. Many merchants who get lost in the desert, seeking a mouthful of water, have turned their attention to Tianzhu Man."
"As I said, Tianzhu Man's fruit is tender and juicy, and the Tianzhu flower is vibrantly colored, seeming to thrive in the sun. Many merchants do not recognize this plant and instead mistake it for a lifeline in the desert. Lost merchants will eat the fruit of the Tianzhu flower. Over time, meticulous merchants discovered that after eating this fruit, even the strongest warriors would frequently fall ill, eventually becoming sickly, without even knowing the cause of death."
"This... does such a poison truly exist in this world?"
Master Baili was merely a merchant and knew very little about such matters. Hearing Gu Qianying's explanation, he was even more astonished. He never imagined there would be so much to it.
"Indeed!"
Gu Qianying nodded.
"Not only that, but when those merchants discovered the commercial potential of this fruit, they spared no risk, venturing into the desert's depths to find this Tianzhu Man. Upon obtaining the fruit, they would concoct it into a poison and conduct experiments on people. Some experiments lasted up to twenty years, thus the poison of Tianzhu Man became increasingly refined. However, the raw materials are scarce and difficult to obtain, making this item something that is priceless in the martial world!"
It was Ouyang Qinglin who spoke. When he heard Gu Qianying mention Tianzhu Man, he understood why Baili Su was so weak and sickly; it was due to this poison.
"Those who buy such medicine in the martial world are all important figures. They do not wish to leave behind evidence by sending assassins, so they secretly bribe young maids to administer Tianzhu Man to their enemies. Over time, the person's body deteriorates, and no reason can be found. Tell me, is this tactic not ingenious?"
Ouyang Qinglin added another point. This poison was rare in the world. Those who could afford such poison were no ordinary people. Since someone could obtain this poison and use it in Master Baili's household, it naturally indicated that the person who administered it must be Master Baili's enemy.
Upon hearing this, the Baili couple naturally understood what was happening. However, after much thought, they could not arrive at a satisfactory conclusion. After all, although their Baili family were merchants, they conducted legitimate business. As for clandestine channels and dealings, they had never even considered engaging in them, so how could they have provoked any enemies?
Had they been too ostentatious over the years, provoking the jealousy of enemies and thus bringing such misfortune upon their son?
"Then, esteemed guest, do you know whose hands hold the most of this medicine?"
This question stumped Gu Qianying, as she was only responsible for detoxification and was not skilled in investigating the source of poisons.
She shook her head and said, "I do not."
The Baili couple said nothing more, but secretly resolved to investigate this matter.
"Then, esteemed guest, do you know how this poison can be resolved? Do you have the confidence to resolve this poison?"
Master Baili was the first to grasp the crux of the matter. He turned to Gu Qianying and asked with tear-filled eyes.
"This poison can naturally be resolved, but it may take a longer time. Do you accept this?"
Gu Qianying was not unable to resolve this poison, but she had not yet obtained the herbs. After all, the herbs were still the priority.
Master Baili sighed and said, "Very well! As long as the esteemed guest is willing to save my son, I will spare no expense."
Lu Zhu glanced at Gu Qianying, surprised that Gu Qianying would actually concern herself with such matters. However, as far as she knew, in the Wu Tribe, Tianzhu Man poison was also used, but detoxification was not difficult and did not require forty-nine days. Why would Gu Qianying say that?
Lu Zhu was somewhat puzzled but did not voice any other thoughts.
"Very well, the esteemed guest has agreed. I will handle the rest!"
Master Baili was overjoyed to know that Gu Qianying had agreed.
Before he could give further instructions, he saw a servant rushing over in a panic.
"Master, something has happened!"
The servant was extremely frightened and could not even catch his breath.
"What is it? Such a commotion!"
With Gu Qianying and her companions present, Master Baili felt a bit ashamed and reprimanded him.
"Master, Miss Song has arrived. I saw her coming with great urgency!"
The servant quickly stated his purpose, his face filled with anxiety.
"What?"
Now it was Master Baili's turn to be shocked. Why had Song Yu'er come so suddenly? It seemed the news of the street incident had spread too quickly!
"Quick, quick, come out with me!"
It was best for as few people as possible to know about Baili Su's awakening.
However, before Master Baili and Madam Baili could reach the door, they saw a woman in a goose-yellow ruqun, adorned with numerous jewels and looking quite ostentatious, walk in. Her face carried an air of arrogance. It seemed this was the legendary County Princess of the Western Regions. Rumor had it she was doted upon, and it did not seem to be false, as such an imposing presence could not be easily faked.
Gu Qianying pursed her lips, remaining silent, only observing Song Yu'er, who had just entered.
She was quite good-looking.