Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2450: Chapter 2451: It’s Either Poison or a Curse

”Master Puru barely met the people from Zhongyuan, and shortly after, a major fire broke out at Zhaoti Temple. Then he insisted on privately blessing the second prince, which led to the prince’s sudden death. Now the Zhongyuan people have appeared again; is there really nothing involved here?” the samurai continued. ”Your Majesty, you must think thrice.”

”Do you think the appearance of the Zhongyuan people has another motive?” the Emperor frowned, ”But what does this have to do with Cilang? Why was it him who suddenly died?”

The samurai shook his head, ”I don’t know, but there is certainly something unusual here.”

The Emperor hesitated a little, biting his teeth for a long moment, and said, ”Bring Bai Ruozhu in. If the Zhongyuan people have a plot, then we shall keep our eyes open and see clearly.”

Soon, Bai Ruozhu was allowed to pass and smoothly met Master Puru. She deliberately pretended to know nothing and asked, ”Master, what on earth is happening in the temple?”

”Nothing, sorry to trouble you with a visit,” Master Puru said and coughed a few more times, causing Bai Ruozhu to become nervous and to urgently feel Puru’s pulse, as she appeared to understand from the pulse that Master Puru’s condition was not too bad; the coughing was deliberate.

Master Puru knew that Bai Ruozhu had seen through his act. He was, after all, a person detached from worldly affairs, uncomfortable with deception, so he blushed awkwardly.

But if he did not do so, how could he draw the Emperor’s attention? If he could get Bai Ruozhu to see the second prince’s body, perhaps she could find out the real culprit?

Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha will forgive him.

”Master, what’s going on? You had just gotten better, how has your condition worsened again?” Bai Ruozhu suddenly raised her voice, ”Was it poor rest, or did something tire you out? I was stopped as soon as I entered; if there is any situation, tell me directly, and I will go into the palace and meet the Emperor to talk to him properly!”

Puru knew Bai Ruozhu was speaking for those outside to hear, and quickly said, ”It’s my poor sleep, unrelated to anyone else. Bai benefactor, please don’t overthink, and don’t disturb the Emperor.”

”You must rest well; with such large burn areas and poisoned by fire, if you hadn’t met me, no one could have saved you! And you don’t cherish your hard-earned life, what’s the big deal worth so much thought?” Bai Ruozhu deliberately said, lowering her voice somewhat so those outside wouldn’t think she was being intentional.

”Yes, this monk will surely heed Bai benefactor’s words and take good care,” Puru said helplessly.

Bai Ruozhu then applied needles and prescribed medication to Puru; the treatments were necessary, while her words were merely an introduction.

Soon, their conversation reached the Emperor’s ears, furrowing his brow, ”Fire poison? This is my first time hearing it.”

”Remember that woman from Zhongyuan who is skilled in Huan Tuo needlework, perhaps she can also detoxify?” the close attendant quietly reminded.

The samurai looked hesitant, ”Maybe we can have her check on the second prince?”

”If all this is the Zhongyuan people’s scheme, could it be...” the Emperor hesitated.

The close attendant discreetly glanced at the samurai beside him, then whispered, ”How many people have they brought in total, really? How can they possibly rival our Great Fusang Country? Even if Zhongyuan’s national strength is mighty, crossing the vast sea is difficult for them. I heard they almost died of thirst on their way.”

The Emperor paused before nodding, ”Alright, let her have a look, and also observe her reaction. If it’s unrelated to them, it’s fine; but if it’s their plot, I shall not spare them!”

”Precisely, Your Majesty; if they dare act recklessly, they would find it hard even to return to the boat!” The cold light in the samurai’s eyes seemed to pierce the enemy at any moment.

Soon, the Emperor’s close attendant went to Master Puru’s quarters and said, ”White Lady, can you finish treating the presiding master?”

Bai Ruozhu turned, ”Almost done, what is it?”

”His Majesty the Emperor asks that White Lady visits him,” the attendant said.

Bai Ruozhu quickly exchanged a glance with Master Puru, finally succeeding!

”Alright.”

Bai Ruozhu and Fo Lanying left the room, but the attendant stopped Fo Lanying, saying, ”His Majesty only summoned White Lady; this young lady should wait here.”

”You wait here for me,” Bai Ruozhu signaled to Fo Lanying. She wouldn’t just idly wait; surely, she would observe the temple’s situation.

Then, Bai Ruozhu followed the attendant to the back hall, and soon met the Emperor.

”White Lady, we meet again,” the Emperor originally wanted to chat amiably, but he could not bring himself to smile, and his tone carried a tinge of desolation.

”What has happened, Your Majesty?” Bai Ruozhu displayed an expression of confusion, evidently noticing the desolation in his tone.

The Emperor took a deep breath, struggling to calm himself, ”The second prince suddenly passed away yesterday.”

Bai Ruozhu looked at him in shock, ”Was he assassinated? I’ve met him twice, and he had no hidden illnesses.”

”You can judge whether someone is diseased just by looking?” The Emperor grasped this information and asked.

”Traditional Chinese Medicine relies on observation, questioning, listening, and diagnosis. Observation is the first step, but for more accuracy, the subsequent steps are needed. I can have a general idea just by observing, usually seeing acute or hidden ailments, and then confirm entirely through pulse taking.” Bai Ruozhu answered.

”Could you see if I have any hidden ailments?” The Emperor tentatively asked; this was to test Bai Ruozhu’s capabilities.

”Your Majesty has no major ailments, but the dark circles under your eyes show your breathing is uneven; it seems you haven’t rested well recently. Additionally, when you raise your right shoulder, there is intermittent stabbing pain inside, sometimes making noises, am I right?” Bai Ruozhu continued.

At that moment, both the Emperor’s close attendant and the samurai looked surprised.

”How did you discern that?”

This comment was an admission that Bai Ruozhu’s observations were accurate.

Bai Ruozhu smiled and said, ”Your Majesty, this is shoulder arthritis related to long-term sword wielding and maintaining a posture reviewing memorials. With acupuncture, herbal steaming, and massage, it can gradually be managed well.”

The Emperor and his two aides now had greater trust in Bai Ruozhu.

”The second prince wasn’t assassinated; he suddenly convulsed and collapsed, and then stopped breathing.” The Emperor spoke with a choked voice, ”At the time, only Master Puru was present, performing a blessing before the ascending ceremony, yet...”

”Master Puru wouldn’t and has no reason to harm the second prince. I fear he was poisoned or fell under a curse.” Bai Ruozhu interrupted the Emperor.

”The doctor has checked, saying there’s no poison; what about the curse? Witchcraft?” The Emperor asked in astonishment.

Bai Ruozhu steadied herself, speaking slowly, ”If it were a poison, I’d surely find it, but if it’s witchcraft, it would be problematic. I don’t know if Fusang Country has people who practice witchcraft. There once was a tribe in Zhongyuan that passed down terrible witchcraft; they slaughtered a thousand tribesmen, using their blood for a sacrificial curse on my husband...”