[Three Days Later]
The investigation was proceeding as planned.
The first two days seemed normal to Lv Chi and he was already feeling relieved but while they were having dinner, he suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed.
Fu Jiu hurried to check on him, "This is even stranger. His pulse is stable but he is unconscious", he observed on checking his pulse.
"Doesn't this mean they were first poisoned for a few days they were finally killed?" Liu ying asked.
He Rui drew his sword at Lv Chi to test whether he was truly unconscious. Lv Chi opened his eyes.
Just as everyone was getting skeptical, Lv Chi tried to say something but could neither talk nor move. He Rui bent down and brought the sword at his neck. Lv Chi's eyes widened and he tried to struggle but could hardly show any resistance. He Rui stood up and the others exchanged glances.
Fu Jiu pricked Lv Chi with the needle, "do you feel any pain?"
There was no response.
"If you don't just move your eyes" Lv Chi moved his eyes.
Fu Jiu stood up, "he has been drinking the well water for the past three days while we drank different water. The well water is indeed poisoned", he confirmed their suspicions.
"Is he going to remain like this, then?" Lu Qian asked.
Tears had already started flowing from Lv Chi's eyes. He did not sign up for this.
"We'll have to wait to confirm that", Fu Jiu responded but was interrupted, "you bastard!"
Everyone was surprised; It was Lv Chi.
Lv Chi, himself, was surprised. He raised his hand to touch his mouth and realized, "I can talk, I can move".
He stood up, "I can walk. Thank goodness", he turned to Lu Qian and the others, "the heavens are not asleep. All my enemies who try to get rid of me will be disappointed", he said.
They ignored him and Liu ying spoke again, "so the poison only gives the killer time to kill without making a sound"
He Rui turned to Fu Jiu, "can you identify the poison?".
[Yanxue Hall]
On the other hand, He Yan's mood was not very bright.
It had been three days and yet there was no message from either Lingxi or He Yu. He sat down trying to be calm.
He opened the box on the table that had an intricate mechanism. If opened wrongly, the token inside would dissolve and melt. He held the token for a while and studied it.
For a long while he stared at it, "every great achievement, comes with a greater price", he said to himself.
He placed the token back into the box and fiddled with it, "He Yu, if you want it, you should have the ability to get it".
The box had been made by a genius artisan of the previous dynasty.
"Eunuch Wang", he called.
Eunuch Wang came rushing towards him.
"Send this to the Grand Prince's Residence", He Yan instructed handing him the box.
"Yes", Eunuch Wang bowed and left.
He Yan watched his back as he left, reluctant, but he knew he had prioritize the bigger picture.
[ChiyunHall]
The atmosphere in Yanxue Hall was no different from that in Chiyun hall. Shen Ruihua was patiently listening to Li Changsheng as he stated his reason for his visit.
"Minister Li, I understand your intention but now is not the right time", she said and paused for a while, "He Yan is a step away from gaining the Wu army; we both know that and I'm sure you also understand that it also means he'll be away for a long time. I personally do not think it is fit for a young girl to travel so far to such a place", she said calmly and composed.
Probably too composed for Li Changsheng to be suspicious of her.
"I remember back then when I pledged allegiance to Your Highness. Your Highness had promised a marriage alliance between both parties", Li Changsheng said.
Shen Ruihua showed no reaction but instead fiddled on her teacup, "you suddenly come to me today. I cannot help but suspect you are facing troubles", she said and sent him a sharp gaze.
Li Changsheng did not retreat. Seeing this, Shen Ruihua continued, "I hope you have not forgotten your end of the deal?"
"Your Highness, I will definitely do my utmost best to ensure His Highness ascends the throne successfully", Li Changsheng said.
Shen Ruihua's gaze lightened a bit, "but I don't think your current capability aligns with my goal"
"You need not worry about that, Your Highness. I only hope you can fulfill your own end of the deal", Li Changsheng responded.
[Grand Prince's Residence]
The lotus shaped incense Lingxi had earlier made was ready for use. It was pale pink in color due to natural dye. She lit it and kept it on her workspace table. The room was cool and had a faint floral with a calm scent. A trace scent of sandalwood was able to be caught. The room was rather calm and collected. Lingxi sat by the window quietly reviewing the household accounts and expenses.
"Your highness, this is the regular expense for the month. Is there anything you think I should add or remove?" Butler Lu asked.
Lingxi, who was dressed in a silk sky blue flowing dress, went through them once again.
"Why do we need fresh flowers in the rooms' every day?" Lingxi asked.
Butler Li was caught off guard by her question.
"There are enough flowers in the garden. If you feel they are not suitable enough for decorations, buy flower seeds instead", she instructed.
Butler Lu nodded. She took one glance at the list again.
"I'm not a fan of exotic jewelry. Just some regular flower shaped hairpins would do", she said on seeing the jewelry list.
Her eyes caught the wardrobe items, "a full set of clothes for the rainy season? That won't do. Two cloaks each for His Highness and I will do", she corrected.
"Why is the food budget low?" she asked. "Actually, His Highness barely eats anything. I'm sure you've noticed. He prefers to have light food especially on rainy days", butler Lu explained.
Lingxi thought for a while, "well I don't eat as light as he does. For the rainy season, we'll have light food but with mostly chicken, fish and other seafood. It's also a great time to have hot pot. We'll have spicy dishes to ward of the cold. Also, increase the amount of coal. The weather this year is bound to be colder than most", she said.
"Yes, Your Highness", Butler Lu agreed.
"Also, make sure all the servants in the mansion get a cloak and quilt", she added.
Butler Lu bowed and turned to go but then she remembered something, "wait"
He turned back, "is there anything else, Your Highness?" he asked.
"Double the medicinal supplies this month. Also, purchase a larger quantity of ginger and red dates", she said.
"Understood", Butler Lu bowed and left.
*****
Outside the room, a maid approached with a dark box and wanted to go in but Qin Yan who was outside stopped her.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"First prince sent this to Her Highness. I want to pass it to her", she explained.
Qin Yan accepted the box on Lingxi's behalf and the maid left. He went inside and met Lingxi who was still sitting by the doorframe.
"The first prince sent this", he said showing her the box. Lingxi stood up and viewed the box Qin Yan handed to her.
The box looked normal at first glance but something began to feel off. She turned it around slowly. The patterns were too definite and some spaces a bit hollow. She attempted opening it but Qin Yan stopped her.
"This is not just an ordinary box. If you open it casually, the token inside might be destroyed", he said.
"I know. He Yan is truly impressive", she said still assessing the box for a possible way to open it.
Just then, they heard He Yu who was waking in say, "it is the Phoenix Casket made by Fan Jingchan of the previous dynasty"
Qin Yan bowed and stepped aside. "Fan Jingchan? The greatest artisan of the previous dynasty?" Lingxi asked.
He Yu nodded, "it's not easy to open his works".
Lingxi looked at the box in her hand for a while and stretched it towards He Yu, "then can you open it?"