~ CONDEMN YUE WANG TO DEATH ~
Having discovered that the Li family was secretly selling iron weapons to Northern Xinjiang, the two lost the desire to continue strolling. After Yue Wang wrote his letter, Mu Yunyao directly took the carriage back to the Imperial Palace and had people secretly send the letter to Liyang Palace.
The next day, Min Fanghua came to pay her respects to Grand Princess Yi De, and Mu Yunyao went to help receive her. After the meal, Mu Yunyao accompanied Min Fanghua for a walk. They arrived at the lotus pond in the Imperial Garden and sat down in a small pavilion.
“Yunyao, His Royal Highness Yu Wang told me to pass along a message to you and His Royal Highness Yue Wang, saying that you should be careful in everything and not to try to be brave. He will secretly find a way to help.”
“Thank you, Princess Consort. I will certainly relay this to His Royal Highness Yue Wang.”
Min Fanghua smiled and nodded. “Yunyao, I’m not entirely sure what has happened, but yesterday was the first time I saw His Royal Highness Yu Wang with such a grave expression.”
“Your Royal Highness Princess Consort, if His Royal Highness Yu Wang did not tell you, it must be for your own good …”
“I know. I just feel that it’s a little unsettled. But let’s not dwell on that. Has your wedding date to Yue Wang has already been set? As I mentioned, once you and the Fourth Imperial Brother are married, I will send generous gifts. Have you finalized the date yet? I’d like to prepare in advance.”
“Not yet, but I don’t think it will drag on for too long. It should be around New Year’s.”
“Hmm, it seems like I need to hurry.”
The two chatted briefly before Min Fanghua got up and took her leave.
When Mu Yunyao returned to Yuhua Palace, she couldn’t help but walk towards the side hall where the Poisonous Lady resided. As soon as she entered, she smelled a strong medicinal aroma. “What kind of medicine are you concocting?”
The Poisonous Lady threw a porcelain bottle at her. “Take a look. I just finished making some.”
Mu Yunyao took the porcelain bottle, opened its lid, and carefully sniffed its contents. Her eyes immediately lit up. “Mind-Nourishing Pills? I thought this prescription had been lost! How did you get it?”
“I found it while rummaging through my father’s storeroom. I also dug out quite a few medical books—they’re stacked over there in the corner. Feel free to take a look if you’re interested.”
Mu Yunyao hurriedly walked over and carefully read through a medical book. The contents recorded in the medical text were miscellaneous, seemingly just random notes—scattered thoughts here and there without apparent order. However, after studying it intently, Mu Yunyao suddenly felt many previously unclear points become clear as day. “This... is this your father’s notes?”
“Yes, the old man had spent his entire life researching medicine and wrote these few books. The people from the Medicine Immortal Valley went to great lengths to search for them. I thought someone else had taken them away, but I never expected them to be hidden in the private treasury.” The Poisonous Lady paused briefly in her pill-making, sighed, and continued processing the medicinal herbs.
Mu Yunyao was so absorbed in reading that she lost track of time. Before she knew it, an hour had passed.
The Poisonous Lady finished packing the pills, stretched her shoulders and arms, and noticed Mu Yunyao was still engrossed in the book. She interrupted, “Get up and move around a bit. Don’t stay in the same position for too long—you’ll get dizzy. If you want to read these medical books, you can bring them and study them at your leisure. With your current medical skills, you’ll master them in just a few days.”
Mu Yunyao returned to her senses and looked up at the sky, only then realizing how much time had passed. “I was so absorbed that I lost track of time. If your father were still alive, no one could surpass him in medicine.”
“My father was the type who couldn’t handle praise. If he heard you speak so highly of him, he’d be so pleased his beard would practically stand on end.” The Poisonous Lady said as she placed the medicine bottles one by one beside Mu Yunyao, “Isn’t the Emperor’s health in poor condition? These pills should be of some help to him. Send some to the Emperor and Grand Princess Yi De. Also, keep the rest for emergencies.”
To make these pills, she consumed a lot of precious herbs. Although these pills couldn’t save a person’s flesh and bones, they could save their life in critical moments.
“Thank you very much.”
“There’s no need to be so polite.” The Poisonous Lady waved it off casually. After washing her hands, she sat nearby, nibbling on pastries while sizing up Mu Yunyao. “When you came in earlier, I noticed you looked unusually grave. Has something happened?”
“How much do you know about the Li family?”
“The First Prince’s maternal family?” The Poisonous Lady pondered for a long while. “I don’t know much about the Li family, but I’ve heard an interesting piece of anecdote. Prime Minister Li Qingzhou had four sons, each of whom achieved great success, yet none of them had any children of their own. Once upon a time, the Li family even sought help from the Medicine Immortal Valley, but my father refused to assist them.”
Mu Yunyao suddenly raised her head. “Didn’t Li Qingzhou have two grandsons?”
“Those two grandsons were adopted from the collateral branches of the Li family. Didn’t you know that?”
Mu Yunyao shook her head. “I’ve never paid attention to these matters before. But now that you mention it, it is indeed quite strange that none of Li Qingzhou’s sons had biological children.”
“What’s the matter? Do you want to deal with the Li family?” The Poisonous Lady’s eyes lit up. “Do you need me to help you? I have recently researched quite a few poisons. Although they are still not completely colourless and tasteless, ordinary people can no longer distinguish them. They’re perfect for killing without a trace.”
“No need. Just keep it for yourself.” Mu Yunyao hurriedly opened her mouth to refuse. “The matter with the Li family is unusual. If you have any news, you must tell me. You absolutely can’t rashly offend them. Remember that?”
“Alright, you’re just like a busybody now.” The Poisonous Lady complained about Mu Yun Yao’s nagging.
Mu Yunyao glared at her, “Didn’t you say I’m a busybody? What about the octagonal scented sachet that was hanging behind your waist earlier? Where did it come from? Tell me honestly!”
The Poisonous Lady quickly stuffed the medicine bottles into Mu Yunyao’s arms and pushed her out. “You’re too young to be asking about such things. I need to keep working on my poisons—go out and play for a while.”
“Don’t you have connections with physicians and medicinal herbs? Help me investigate the Li family and see why none of Li Qingzhou’s sons have children of their own …”
“Got it! You talk too much.”
At this time, Ling Wang was walking back and forth in his study room. His face grew increasingly joyful until his eyes brimmed with ecstasy. “Grandfather, is everything you said true?”
Li Qingzhou, with his white hair and beard, sat smiling beside the desk, holding a teacup in his hand and nodding. “Of course. I have found a surviving servant of the Luo family who escaped by chance. Combined with the evidence provided by Consort Zhen, it is enough to condemn Yue Wang to death.”
“Great, this is great!” Ling Wang slammed a fist into his palm, the joy in his eyes deepening, “Grandfather, then what are we waiting for. Let someone take action quickly. When Yue Wang was in Jiangnan, he showed me no respect at all. I’ve been wanting to settle this score for a long time!”
Li Qingzhou’s face was full of smiles. Although he was already in his seventies, he still possessed an indescribable scholarly aura: “Your Royal Highness, do not rush. We are now at the most critical juncture—success or failure hinges on this very move. Wouldn’t you prefer to eliminate both Yue Wang and Yu Wang in one fell swoop?”
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