The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 394: Chapter 394: Piercing Mountain Child

Xiao Chengqi raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on the two of them for a moment. He pretended not to notice the cool gaze fixed on his wrist.

The area fell silent as countless pairs of eyes fixed on Ye Chutang.

After a moment, Ye Chutang withdrew her hand.

”Your Highness has indeed been afflicted by a potent poison. And if I’m not mistaken, it is the Piercing Mountain Child, a poison unique to the Nanhu.”

Emperor Muwu’s eyes lit up. ”You truly recognize it?”

Ye Chutang nodded lightly. ”I have heard it mentioned before. This poison is extracted from the Five Plum Mountain Snake, which is how it got the name Piercing Mountain Child. It is extremely toxic. A light dose will severely deplete one’s vitality, while a heavy dose is fatal.”

Consort Ru said quickly, ”Since Miss Ye recognizes this rare poison, surely you must have a way to cure it?”

Ye Chutang shook her head. ”For this poison, this servant girl can only temporarily suppress its effects, but I cannot cure it completely. It can only be fully neutralized by fighting poison with poison—using the snake’s own venom as an antidote.”

Emperor Muwu’s brows furrowed.

’On such short notice, where could they possibly find this Five Plum Mountain Snake?’

”Can Cheng Qi’s arm be saved?”

Ye Chutang pondered for a moment before saying, ”If the venom of the Five Plum Mountain Snake can be retrieved within one month, then yes.”

The implication was that she could delay the poison for a month.

Emperor Muwu was anxious, but under the circumstances, there was no other choice. It was already an incredible feat that Ye Chutang could buy them a month.

He asked again, ”This snake you speak of—can it only be found in Nanhu?”

Even if he dispatched men immediately, the round trip would take a great deal of time. Besides, the lands of Nanhu were not so easily entered.

Ye Chutang paused.

”This servant girl recalls that this type of venomous snake also appears in the miasma-shrouded lands of Guanling. It might be worth a try.”

As soon as these words were spoken, a strange silence fell over the scene.

Many people subconsciously glanced in the same direction.

Guanling... Hadn’t Princess Yuhe just returned from there?

Xiao Lansi’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and the hand hidden in her sleeve tightened.

As expected, Emperor Muwu also looked over, asking with a frown, ”Is what Chutang says true?”

The question was directed at Xiao Lansi.

After all, of everyone present, she was the one most familiar with Guanling.

Consort Ru was stunned for a moment and blurted out, ”Your Majesty, Lanxi is a young lady. How would she know about things like poisonous insects and venomous snakes...”

”If Chutang knows, why wouldn’t she?” Emperor Muwu cut her off, his tone impatient. ”Weren’t you the one who just suggested having Chutang examine Cheng Qi?”

Consort Ru was rarely reprimanded so publicly by the Emperor, and she could hardly hide her embarrassment. Biting her pale lip, she forced a smile.

”Yes, yes... This consort misspoke...”

Xiao Lansi stepped forward and curtsied. ”Replying to Father Emperor, your daughter has indeed never heard of this poison before. However, I have heard mention of the Five Plum Mountain Snake that Second Miss Ye just described. If Father Emperor trusts me, your daughter is willing to lead a party back to Guanling to find a cure for my third brother.”

She kept her head lowered, but her words were sincere and heartfelt, as if she were extremely worried about Xiao Chengqi’s injury.

Emperor Muwu’s expression softened slightly.

”Your constitution is delicate. How could you withstand such an ordeal? I’ll just send someone else.”

’As long as I can confirm it’s really in Guanling, that’s all that matters.’

With such a commotion breaking out, the hunt could not possibly continue.

Emperor Muwu immediately ordered everyone to return to the palace. At the same time, he dispatched a team of men to ride through the night to Guanling in search of an antidote for Xiao Chengqi.

Ye Chutang gave Xiao Chengqi a small Jade Bottle.

”There are three pills in here. Your Highness should take one every ten days to temporarily suppress the poison. After one month, once the venom of the Five Plum Mountain Snake has been retrieved and the antidote prepared, Your Highness will be out of danger.”

Xiao Chengqi was naturally very grateful.

”Thank you. I had long heard that Miss Ye’s medical skills were brilliant, and your reputation is truly well-deserved.”