Imperial Cultivation

Chapter 92: Chapter 90 Poisoning

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Chu Zhiyuan watched the three of them leave, with Super Sense following them and observing as they exited the Ministry of Rites, unable to resist commenting.

While pondering the merits this event might achieve, Chu Zhiyuan continued absorbing the Flying Dragon Bone.

Three of the ten Flying Dragon Bones were already absorbed.

As the bones strengthened, the absorption speed of the Flying Dragon Bone increased.

Yet, as bones enlarged and physique enhanced, the remaining three layers of the Twelve Layers of Jade Tower became even more robust and challenging to break through.

Matters of the world are truly a blend of Yin and Yang, a mix of good and bad.

Despite this, he was determinedly absorbing the Flying Dragon Bone to fortify his bones.

He had an inkling that this was the right path, rather than abandoning the Dragon Transformation Technique to first break through Jade Tower to reach a higher realm.

He trusted his intuition.

He was also eager to reach Perfection in the Third Layer and see the wonders of Fourth Layer Marrow Refining, which seemed more intriguing than simply breaking through Jade Tower.

Moreover, he discovered that as the bones strengthened, the meridians also expanded, capable of gathering more Binding Dragon Ropes, and the impact intensity of True Qi increased.

”Senior Sister, did we really just drive them away?” Wen Qianqian couldn’t help but whisper, glancing around.

The surrounding crowd was bustling, and the shops and stalls on both sides were lively.

The people amid it only felt that Yujing City was increasingly prosperous and bustling, unaware of the brewing danger within.

However, she now comprehended what gave the Military Suppression Department its confidence.

The Grandmaster Mansion had already promised to act and suppress at a critical moment, which was why the Military Suppression Department dared to so liberally allow martial arts experts into the capital.

”Yes,” Huang Shiron nodded lightly.

Xu Mengyu sighed, ”I didn’t expect the Princely Heir to be so benevolent.”

She could sense the kindness in the action.

If a different official were in charge, the Military Suppression Department might have already been dispatched to suppress these listed individuals, regardless of necessary killings.

Wen Qianqian said, ”But isn’t this too lenient? Such audacity, not regarding the Military Suppression Department in the slightest, and merely chasing them away resolves it?”

”Perhaps out of pity for their blood vengeance,” Xu Mengyu suggested.

Wen Qianqian pursed her red lips, ”Xu Junior Sister, I think you’re being too positive about the Princely Heir; maybe he just wants to shirk responsibility, driving them out of Yujing, leaving the remaining trouble for the Imperial Guard.”

As she spoke, she looked toward Huang Shiron.

Huang Shiron chuckled.

”Senior Sister, am I wrong?” Wen Qianqian asked.

Huang Shiron smiled, ”The Princely Heir isn’t as bad as you think, nor as good as Xu Senior Sister imagines.”

The two girls were curious.

”Senior Sister, tell us, what’s really going on?”

”Driving them away is a warning; if they remain ungrateful, dealing with them later would be more justified. Arresting them now might lose public favor, and it’s essential to weigh public opinion.”

”I see...”

”Alright, just follow orders.”

”Yes.”

——

Chu Zhiyuan returned to the Prince Qing Mansion for lunch. Just at the entrance, he saw the gate wide open, and Chu Yi was seeing off Li Suyue.

Li Suyue was wearing a green gauze dress, graceful and elegant. Upon seeing Chu Zhiyuan, she shyly cupped her hands in greeting, her fair cheeks flushed with a shy red.

”Big brother!” Chu Yi bounded down the steps and ran to him, grabbing his arm.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and cupped his hands in return to Li Suyue, ”Miss Li, feel free to visit often, you can discuss gardening with my sister, and spar in martial arts too.”

”Yes, yes,” Chu Yi quickly nodded in agreement, ”Li sister, you must come again tomorrow!”

”...” Li Suyue showed a troubled expression.

She felt very conflicted.

She wanted to come and play with Chu Yi; they got along so well, as if they were old friends, the time together felt especially fleeting, a moment turned into half a day.

But she was worried that others would say she was too opportunistic, seeking favor from those of power.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled and said, ”I have some connection with Elder Lu too, haven’t I picked your Miracle Flower as well? You’re here to help tend to that strange flower.”

”...Yes.” Li Suyue hesitated but nodded.

Because of the Miracle Flower, and with mentioning her master, it seemed as though she was here on behalf of her master, leaving little for others to gossip about.

This gave her some relief.

Chu Zhiyuan watched her elegantly leave, accompanied by several Flying Flower Sword Sect disciples.

He glanced up at a corner of the wall in the distance.

At the end of Prince Qing Mansion Street, two servants in blue were hiding there, watching this side, ready to run at any moment, extremely cautious and alert.

Chu Zhiyuan lowered his head and spoke a few words to Guo Chi and Gao Jiong.

The two nodded tensely.

Chu Zhiyuan and Chu Yi entered the mansion together. Chu Yi was in high spirits, continuously expressing admiration for Li Suyue’s abilities.

Especially in terms of plants, Li was far more knowledgeable than herself, it was truly an eye-opener.

Chu Zhiyuan responded cheerfully as they arrived at the rear garden.

Bai Ningshuang was reclining lazily on the Rohan bed in the Water Pavilion, still wearing her palace dress. She lazily waved as the two approached.

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”How are you, Your Majesty?”

”Much better now,” Bai Ningshuang sighed, ”After all, aging brings illness, and this illness came at an inconvenient time.”

The Imperial Consort was unable to attend that night’s palace banquet due to illness.

She mysteriously broke out in a rash; the Imperial Physician couldn’t find the cause, only able to apply ointment for relief, leaving her unable to rest or eat, extremely uncomfortable.

Yesterday, when he visited, the rash had turned into large red bumps, and the symptoms were actually improving, gradually allowing for a more comfortable sleep.

”Did they say what the illness was?”

”They called it an unknown strange ailment,” Bai Ningshuang shook her head, ”Even the Imperial Physicians are not omnipotent; they too can be at a loss.”

Chu Zhiyuan reached out and held her slender wrist.

After a moment, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed.

”Am I also ill?” Bai Ningshuang asked, ”Feeling lethargic, lacking energy, could it be that the maiden spread her illness to me?”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”This is poisoning.”

Bai Ningshuang froze.

Chu Zhiyuan glanced at the direction of the Imperial Palace, somewhat perplexed.

He checked Bai Ningshuang regularly, inside and out, preemptively treating any illnesses, and discovered something unusual in her throat.

Upon examining the fine particles adhered to her nose hairs, they were colorless and transparent, yet faintly gray.

This was the toxin.

The toxin was colorless and odorless, practically undetectable, but could not escape Super Sense.

He suspected it couldn’t have escaped the notice of the Imperial Physicians either.

”Impossible,” Bai Ningshuang laughed, ”Where in the Imperial Palace would there be poison?”

The Imperial Palace was the strictest, outsiders rarely entered; how could there be poison, let alone someone poisoning?

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Zou Fang, bring a Detoxification Pill.”

”Yes,” Zou Fang quickly returned, handing over a small porcelain bottle.

The porcelain bottle was exquisite, carved with a pattern of a plum branch under the moon, its luster pleasing to the eye. Removing the cork, he extracted a snow-white elixir pill and placed it in her mouth.

Chu Zhiyuan held her slender wrist, waiting as the Detoxification Pill’s power dissolved, observing the effects.

As time slowly passed, Chu Yi’s bright eyes watched Chu Zhiyuan and Bai Ningshuang, who was now in a semi-groggy state.

Chu Zhiyuan nodded with satisfaction, ”It’s done.”

Where the medicinal effect reached, the faint gray glow had vanished, indicating the poison had dissipated.

Some Detoxification Pills operate through the liver, accelerating its function and enhancing detoxification ability, while others directly clear poison.

The Detoxification Pill from Prince Qing Mansion directly removed the poison, seemingly modest yet very precious, and had effectively eradicated the toxin.

”I’m cured now?” Bai Ningshuang woke, refreshed and rejuvenated.

She had taken a nap that felt like a long sleep; at this moment, she felt indescribably refreshed and comfortable.

Chu Zhiyuan smiled, ”It was just a mild poison, not resolving it wouldn’t have been a big deal, just a few days of discomfort at most.”

”How did the Imperial Physicians remain puzzled by something so simple?” Bai Ningshuang scoffed, ”Were they incompetent?”

Chu Zhiyuan smiled meaningfully, ”They are national experts, how could they truly be helpless?”

Chu Yi was puzzled, ”Did they know it was poison and act deliberately?”

”If it were known to be poison, imagine the uproar,” Chu Zhiyuan said, ”It’s the principle of self-preservation.”

This was not a fatal poison; whoever used it did not intend harm, only a slight disturbance.

Within the conflicts of the harem, it’s better for the Imperial Physicians not to intervene; they could not afford to offend anyone.

”It’s truly...” Bai Ningshuang said angrily, ”It’s the consort who suffers!”

Chu Zhiyuan said, ”Give the consort a Detoxification Pill, or put it in wine or confections.”

”No!” Bai Ningshuang’s brows arched, and she snorted, ”I insist on finding out who did this!”

Chu Zhiyuan laughed, ”Mother, speak with Grandmother, let her be aware, as for how to proceed, follow Grandmother’s decision.”

The gentle consort was no ordinary person; her level of palace intrigue far surpassed Bai Ningshuang.

Bai Ningshuang knew this too well, sighing, ”Alright.”

Chu Zhiyuan chuckled, stood, and left.

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