Perhaps because he had just finished his acupuncture, Ji Jinmo's back did not appear as straight as usual; he seemed somewhat weary.
Nan Shiying's expression faltered slightly, and her footsteps paused for a second before she walked over and sat down opposite him.
Ji Jinmo pushed the freshly filled teacup towards Nan Shiying. Nan Shiying picked up the teacup and gulped down the tea in one go.
Truth be told, having gone without food or drink all day, her throat was parched.
"Drink slowly," Ji Jinmo frowned, picking up the teapot and refilling her cup.
Nan Shiying poured the tea down her throat again. After two cups of tea, her burning throat finally felt somewhat relieved.
"You have no idea, today's palace banquet was simply a feast in the Hongmen Banquet style. I couldn't stomach any of the food on the table. The pastries, wine, even the fruits and nuts were all laced with something. If I weren't skilled in medicine, I would have caused a major scene in the palace today."
A chilling intent surged from Ji Jinmo's eyes like rolling waves. He tightened his grip on the teacup. He had initially thought the report he received contained everything that had happened at the banquet. Just listening to it made him want to flay those people alive. Now, to hear that she had encountered even more, his killing intent surged, and the teacup in his hand shattered.
The scalding tea poured onto his hand, instantly reddening his skin.
Nan Shiying suddenly stood up and hurried to Ji Jinmo's side, grabbing his hand. She looked up at Lu Wan and commanded, "Quick, bring the burn ointment."
Lu Wan hurried into the inner room and retrieved the burn ointment from the cabinet.
"What are you doing?" Nan Shiying took the burn ointment from Lu Wan, dipped her fingertip into it, and gently applied it to his reddened skin. She chided him with a hint of annoyance.
The ointment on her fingertip was slightly cool. As the coolness seeped into his skin, Ji Jinmo finally felt the warmth of her fingertips. He looked up slightly, meeting her eyes, which seemed to burn with anger. An unspeakable emotion filled his heart.
Ji Jinmo lowered the corners of his eyes, his long lashes concealing the sharpness within his gaze, making him appear as soft and innocent as a puppy. Lu Wan's expression stiffened, and she pulled Bai Zhi and the other two out of the room.
Even as the cold wind swept outside, Bai Zhi and the others couldn't recover from their shock. Master, Master… Bai Zhi looked at Lu Wan, as if asking: Was that really our Prince just now?
Lu Wan twitched the corner of her mouth and glared at the three of them.
These three blunt and foolish girls! It was one thing for the Princess Consort to see Master in that state, but they dared to stare with wide eyes. Were they asking for death?
If she hadn't caught Master's sharp glance, these girls would surely have fallen into misfortune.
"What are you still standing there for? Aren't you cold? Hurry back to your rooms and put on a cloak," Lu Wan said to the three.
Bai Zhi and the others responded, "Then, Sister Lu Wan, we'll get your cloak out too."
Lu Wan nodded. "Okay!"
Inside the room, Nan Shiying twitched the corner of her mouth. What was he doing? Trying to get away with it by acting cute?
Nan Shiying tutted. But seeing him like this, she had to admit that a high and mighty Prince, when he shed his imposing demeanor and showed his softer side, was truly irresistible.
This man!
She had said it before, it was a shame he wasn't a male courtesan!
"Alright, alright!"
She pressed her finger down hard on the burn on his hand. Ji Jinmo suddenly knitted his brows, letting out a sharp intake of breath, then slowly looked up. His narrow eyes were as clear as water.
Seeing this, Nan Shiying felt a surge of guilt.
This was outrageous!
Nan Shiying glared at him fiercely. This scoundrel was becoming more bewitching by the day. Where was that imposing, world-conquering aura he used to have?
She put down the burn ointment and sat down huffily.
"It's nothing serious," Ji Jinmo said. It was just a burn, not severe. When he fought on the battlefield, what kind of injuries hadn't he sustained? He still bore scars on his chest from being pierced by a sword.
Nan Shiying glared at him again. She picked up the teapot and poured herself a cup of tea, gulping it down with "顿顿顿" sounds. Only then did she manage to suppress the annoyance and anger in her heart.
No longer dwelling on Ji Jinmo's hand, nor wanting to acknowledge the emotions he stirred within her, she continued the previous topic. "The opponent didn't use a fatal poison. I only ate the pastries, so I can't be sure exactly what medicine was administered, only make a rough guess."
"It was either 'Xunyang San' or something similar to 'Xunyang San'."
"Xunyang San?"
"A hallucinogenic drug."
Nan Shiying said, "It's similar to the hallucinogenic drugs refined by the Phantom Twin Evils, but its efficacy is far inferior."
"However, this Xunyang San..." Nan Shiying stroked her chin, recalling the medical books that Old Poison had given her. One of them not only described the drug in detail but also proposed a hypothesis. Because Xunyang San contained Beizhi grass, Chulong leaves, Lingzhi, and Fanglanxue, if one was poisoned by Xunyang San and then consumed alcohol, the boiling blood might cause the poison to rapidly spread to the brain and heart, not only causing hallucinations but also death.
It could be said that it first caused hallucinations, then death.
So, the poisoner intended for her to die in disgrace with a tarnished reputation?
Hiss, how ruthless!
"But what?" Seeing that Nan Shiying had stopped speaking, Ji Jinmo pressed her for an answer.
Nan Shiying said, "Xunyang San, when mixed with alcohol, not only causes hallucinations but also death… However, there's no need to dwell on that now. Master, you rushed back, presumably having heard about what happened today."
Ji Jinmo nodded noncommittally, his voice turning somber. "Yes."
"Then I won't go into further detail. However, Master, are you truly sure that the Miaojiang remnants are not Ji Hong's people?" Nan Shiying had reason to suspect that Ji Hong had harbored the Miaojiang remnants. Otherwise, how could the Miaojiang remnants have entered Lin Yuan Palace as if it were their own home?
Ji Jinmo nodded without hesitation. "I am sure!"
Nan Shiying looked at Ji Jinmo, staring into his eyes for a full few seconds. Ji Jinmo remained composed, allowing Nan Shiying to scrutinize him. After observing for a long time, Nan Shiying couldn't discern anything.
Something was amiss. The relationship between Master and Ji Hong was not right.
Why was he so certain that the Miaojiang remnants were definitely not Ji Hong's people? That certainty hid a complete understanding and familiarity with a person. But ever since Emperor Emeritus passed away, the relationship between these uncle and nephew had deteriorated sharply, reaching a point of mutual destruction. How could there be any familiarity?
Moreover, he had been affected by a蛊 (gu – a type of poison/curse). Did he not suspect Ji Hong at all?
This... was it normal?