~ Only After Losing It Do You Learn to Cherish ~
Imperial Consort Li’s face twisted when she heard Mu Yunyao’s words. If she could find the one who had poisoned her, why would she have gone to such lengths? She would have had them seized long ago, interrogated, and forced to hand over an antidote. Besides, this poison was highly toxic. Whether an antidote even existed was another matter.
“Yunyao, this so-called ‘Scratch the Beauty’s Face Poison’… is there truly no other way to resolve it?”
Mu Yunyao shook her head. “No.”
Imperial Consort Li bit down hard on her lip. The last shred of hope in her eyes shattered.
“I understand. Thank you, Poisonous Lady, for today. Another day, I will certainly send a gift in thanks.”
“Your Ladyship needn’t be so polite.”
After the dazed, hollow-eyed Imperial Consort Li left with her people, Poisonous Lady blinked at Mu Yunyao.
“You did that on purpose, didn’t you? You’re pushing her toward Beijiang.”
Mu Yunyao put on an innocent expression. “I merely took her pulse normally. Where is your mind going?”
“That ‘Scratch the Beauty’s Face Poison’ is something I’ve never even heard of. Poison in the flower, antidote in the branches and leaves. Your Royal Highness, the County Princess, where did you find such a miraculous herb? Bring it out and let me take a look, broaden my horizons.” As she spoke, Poisonous Lady reached out as if to tickle Mu Yunyao.
Mu Yunyao hurriedly begged for mercy. “Alright, alright, I was wrong. I’ll tell the truth, isn’t that enough? I did indeed intend to drag Imperial Consort Li into Beijiang’s affairs.”
“Why? Do you suspect the Li family has ties with Beijiang?”
Mu Yunyao’s gaze steadied. “Not suspect. I can be certain the Li family has dealings with Beijiang’s royal court in secret.”
Poisonous Lady frowned. “Is the Li family trying to betray the country?”
“We still don’t know. The matter runs too deep, and it will take time to investigate little by little. I misled Imperial Consort Li just now for two reasons. First, to test her and see whether she showed anything unusual when Beijiang was mentioned. Second, to make her move. For so many years, the Li family has supported Ling Wang in the former court, helping him gather officials and build power, while Imperial Consort Li has controlled palace affairs in the inner court, managing the Imperial Father’s harem. She is even entangled with the Imperial Household Department. If the Li family has truly grown disloyal, what comes next will be deeply troubling.”
Poisonous Lady nodded. “Don’t worry about Imperial Consort Li’s side. With me here, before you give the word, the imperial physicians won’t diagnose anything. Her rash will never get better. After she goes back, she will definitely question the physicians. I’ll also find a way to contact a few physicians I know and help them ‘broaden their knowledge’ of poisons. I guarantee there won’t be the slightest flaw.”
Mu Yunyao smiled and nodded. “Good. You’ve worked hard.”
“Between you and me, there’s no need to say that.”
After Imperial Consort Li returned, she summoned physicians to treat her. Some admitted they had no idea, but a few acted as if enlightened, describing the “Scratch the Beauty’s Face Poison” as wondrous and terrifying, even painting a vivid picture of what the flower looked like. Any lingering luck in Imperial Consort Li’s heart vanished. She immediately sent word to the Li family, demanding they investigate thoroughly.
Imperial Consort Li was Ling Wang’s birth mother. In the current harem, she was the main force opposing Imperial Consort Qi. The Li family absolutely could not afford to abandon her. They could only contact Beijiang in secret, demanding an explanation.
This poison was unheard of. Even what the imperial physicians knew was limited, and within the Da Li Dynasty, it was something no one had even heard mentioned before. For it to suddenly appear on Imperial Consort Li, the Li family naturally began to suspect Beijiang.
Because their trade routes were being investigated and because Imperial Consort Li had met with disaster, the Li family’s atmosphere turned exceptionally gloomy. Yet within the Third Prince’s residence, the mood was the complete opposite.
A middle-aged physician carefully removed the gauze covering Ning Junjin’s eyes. “Third Prince, your eyes were once corroded by poison. Even if you regain sight, they remain extremely fragile. You must protect them carefully. For the next few days, you must not overexert yourself.”
Ning Junjin clenched his fist tightly, forcing down the storm of emotion inside him. Only when the gauze was removed and harsh light flooded in did he finally loosen. He turned and stared around him, the light in his eyes dazzling. A man who usually hid joy and rage in his heart now looked wildly elated.
“I can see. I can see again!”
The middle-aged physician smiled with confidence. “Naturally. I once promised Your Highness I would fulfill my vow and let you see the light again.”
Ning Junjin was so happy he could barely speak coherently. “Divine Physician Gu, today you have cured my eyes. I will remember this kindness forever. One day, I will repay you richly.”
“There is no need for repayment. I admire Your Highness as a person. I know the achievements you made in Jiangnan, and I respect them deeply. I truly could not bear to see you misunderstood and forced to live in darkness for the rest of your life. For now, I have only restored your sight. Your leg ailment is more severe. It will take more time, and you will inevitably suffer.”
Ning Junjin trusted this Divine Physician Gu to the utmost. He nodded at once. “I must trouble you, then. As long as my legs can return to normal, I can endure any hardship.”
“Your Highness is too courteous. Then I will go sort through the medicinal materials and see what else must be prepared.”
“Good.”
After Divine Physician Gu withdrew, Ning Junjin could no longer restrain the joy on his face. His gaze greedily drank in every corner of the world. Only after losing it once did he understand how precious what he had once taken for granted truly was. He touched his eyelids with extreme care, his expression twisting slightly from overwhelming delight.
A guard waited silently to the side. When Ning Junjin calmed a little, the guard finally spoke. “Your Highness, you ordered your subordinate to watch for news from court. I have recorded everything clearly each day. Please review it.”
Ning Junjin came back to himself. When he saw what was written in the booklet, his brows snapped together.
“The Imperial Father has decided to select the Crown Prince through officials’ nomination before the year ends. That idea came from Eldest Imperial Brother, didn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Ning Junjin gave a cold laugh. “He thinks that with me gone from court, he can hold up the heavens with one hand? Absurd! And Yu Wang and Yue Wang… so they are the kind of dogs that bite without barking. They’ve joined hands without anyone noticing, and from the start, they’ve faintly gained the Imperial Father’s support. Just thinking about it makes my blood run with murderous intent. How are our contacts?”
The guard’s expression turned difficult. “In accordance with Your Highness’s instructions, your subordinate went to contact the court officials. However, eight or nine out of ten avoided meeting me. As for the few remaining…”
Ning Junjin’s expression chilled. “And the remaining few?”
“Even when they met with me, they only mocked and jeered. None showed the slightest intention of attaching themselves again.”
Ning Junjin’s eyes filled with killing intent, almost solid. “When I was in power, these people swarmed over like flies, fawning and scraping. I’ve only fallen for a few days, and they’ve already forgotten how they once wagged their tails and begged. If I can rise again, I will make every one of them…”
His voice stopped short. Only after a long while did the murderous aura around him gradually subside.
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