Chapter 240: I Will Handle It

I will handle it.

Originally, Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan both thought that as soon as they received a reply from Long Jingyun's mother, they would immediately know who had taken the Peach Blossom Frost back then, and thus find clues to the culprit.

But now, upon actually receiving the other party's letter, Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan realized that the matter was far more complicated than they had imagined.

Originally, more than twenty years ago, Long Jingyun's mother had wanted to develop a colorless, odorless poison that would be undetectable and would not leave the corpse looking too unsightly after death. Thus she later researched and produced Peach Blossom Frost. At the time, the effect satisfied Long Jingyun's mother, but later she discovered that although Peach Blossom Frost was otherwise fine, its taste was slightly bitter!

Therefore, it was just this one flaw that made Long Jingyun's mother consider her research a failure, and she promptly discarded Peach Blossom Frost. Coincidentally, at that moment she encountered a young couple, so she casually gave the Peach Blossom Frost to them!

The gist of the letter's content was roughly this. Thus, upon hearing Yin Fengzhan's words at this moment, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but furrow her brow.

"Yes! But upon careful thought, that is indeed the case. We don't know exactly who the mother of the Divine Dragon Doctor was, but from a few scattered remarks we can tell she was also an eccentric oddball. Moreover, back then the Divine Dragon Doctor's mother had originally intended to discard Peach Blossom Frost, so naturally she wouldn't care much about who exactly she had given her already-discarded thing to!"

Nie Jinxuan said this softly, but upon reaching this point she unconsciously paused slightly, then shifted her tone.

"However, we cannot say there are no clues at all! In the letter, although the Divine Dragon Doctor's mother did not say who that man and woman were, she repeatedly called that woman an idiot! Second, the other party spoke with a Dong Ling accent! So we might as well think more about these two aspects!"

"But even so, the clues are still too few!"

Yin Fengzhan agreed with Nie Jinxuan's statement, but at the same time raised a question. At this moment, Nie Jinxuan also frowned with a headache, and then said.

"Yes! Indeed the clues are very few… and moreover, it's been over twenty years. We also don't know what happened back then. At the same time, what strikes me as even stranger is that Noble Consort Ning is a palace person, so whoever secretly poisoned her must also be someone from the palace, so…"

Nie Jinxuan couldn't help muttering to herself. But just then, Yin Fengzhan beside her momentarily narrowed his eyes.

"Since it's a matter from back then, why not just find the people from that time?"

Yin Fengzhan said this, then turned his head to glance at Nie Jinxuan. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan first froze, then suddenly realized.

"Exactly! How did I not think of that? Then let's go!"

After saying that, Nie Jinxuan exchanged a tacit smile with Yin Fengzhan, and together they walked out of Chen Wangfu, heading straight for the imperial palace!

Since the matter occurred over twenty years ago, naturally we should find the people from that time and ask clearly! Thus, Yin Fengzhan and Nie Jinxuan almost simultaneously thought of the same person—Emperor Shuncheng!

However, it was already dusk, and under normal circumstances they would not be able to enter the palace. Yet relying on Nie Jinxuan's imperial-character token, the two still managed to enter the palace smoothly. Then they hurried straight to Emperor Shuncheng's sleeping quarters. At that moment, Emperor Shuncheng had just finished his dinner and was lying on the dragon bed resting; upon hearing that Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan had arrived, he couldn't help but startle, but still had them summoned in.

The truth of the past matter came to light, and the knot that had weighed on Emperor Shuncheng's heart for over twenty years was untied. Although his heart still ached, things were generally smoother, so after these two days of recuperation, Emperor Shuncheng's complexion visibly improved considerably.

So, when Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan entered the sleeping quarters and saw Emperor Shuncheng, Nie Jinxuan, looking at his gradually recovering body, also let out a breath of relief. After a brief salute, it was actually Emperor Shuncheng who first lifted his gaze to look at Nie Jinxuan, then glanced at the still stubborn Yin Fengzhan, who was like a wooden lump, before finally returning his gaze to Nie Jinxuan.

"What's wrong? Coming to see me this late—could something else have happened?"

Emperor Shuncheng's tone was calm, and as his complexion improved, a faint imperial aura subtly emanated. But upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan pressed her lips and then spoke softly.

"Your Majesty, there is indeed important business in An Guo, which is why we have come to the palace so late to disturb Your Majesty."

Nie Jinxuan remained as unassuming as ever. Upon hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng's eyes flashed, and he then turned his head to look at Gao Caiyong beside him. Gao Caiyong immediately understood, nodded, flicked his horsetail whisk, and promptly dismissed all the palace attendants in the room, then himself quietly stepped out the door, meanwhile closing the door behind him.

In the blink of an eye, only Emperor Shuncheng, Nie Jinxuan, and Yin Fengzhan remained in the room. At this point, Emperor Shuncheng again looked toward Nie Jinxuan, while his eyes narrowed slightly with a hint of sternness.

"Did the mother of that Divine Dragon Doctor you mentioned earlier reply?"

Obviously, Emperor Shuncheng had already guessed some things from Nie Jinxuan's words. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan nodded, then directly took out the letter from her bosom and stepped forward to present it with both hands to Emperor Shuncheng.

At that moment, upon receiving the letter, Emperor Shuncheng first glanced at Nie Jinxuan, then immediately opened it. But after finishing reading, he couldn't help but furrow his brow.

"There were two people who originally obtained the Peach Blossom Frost?!"

……

Emperor Shuncheng's thoughts were the same as those of Nie Jinxuan and Yin Fengzhan. Thereafter, Nie Jinxuan proceeded to voice her and Yin Fengzhan's various speculations one by one.

Afterward, while listening to Nie Jinxuan's words, Emperor Shuncheng slightly furrowed his brows, then fell silent.

For a moment, the vast sleeping quarters fell utterly silent. Nie Jinxuan gazed at Emperor Shuncheng, while Emperor Shuncheng lowered his eyes, unknown what he was thinking!

Time passed bit by bit, and after a full quarter of an hour had elapsed, Emperor Shuncheng's eyes suddenly lifted, and he then spoke softly.

"Hmm, that's enough. I know about this matter! I will handle it, so you don't need to worry about it."

Emperor Shuncheng's voice was calm; after speaking, he placed the letter on a nearby table. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan was instantly stunned, and even Yin Fengzhan, who had remained silent beside her, immediately turned his head to glance at Emperor Shuncheng.

Nie Jinxuan didn't know what Emperor Shuncheng meant, but since he had already said that, she naturally didn't feel comfortable saying more, so after uttering a few more words she prepared to leave. However, just as Nie Jinxuan performed her salute, turned, and walked away with Yin Fengzhan beside her, Emperor Shuncheng suddenly spoke softly.

"Lao Si, wait a moment!"

Emperor Shuncheng called out to Yin Fengzhan. Upon hearing this, Yin Fengzhan turned his head, frowned, and glanced at him.

"I want to play chess. Come keep me company!"

……

After all, Emperor Shuncheng simply wanted to have a word with Yin Fengzhan. After all, to Emperor Shuncheng, Yin Fengzhan had always been different. And although Yin Fengzhan was clearly reluctant to comply with Emperor Shuncheng's request, Nie Jinxuan beside him understood his intention and quietly gave him a push!

Helpless, Yin Fengzhan had no choice but to stay. Nie Jinxuan then left first; upon exiting the sleeping quarters, she saw Gao Caiyong waiting at the door, and upon noticing Yin Fengzhan's absence, she couldn't help but ask.

"Um… Commandery Princess, why hasn't Prince Chen come out together with the Commandery Princess?"

"Hehe~, the Emperor wants to play chess. Let him keep him company!"

Nie Jinxuan spoke with a smile; upon hearing this, Gao Caiyong first startled, then immediately burst into laughter, and even his eye sockets turned slightly red.

"Good, good, that's good!"

Gao Caiyong had served Emperor Shuncheng his whole life and naturally understood his thoughts best. Seeing his demeanor, Nie Jinxuan also kept smiling, then turned her head to glance at the sleeping quarters, and afterwards walked out together with Gao Caiyong.

Nie Jinxuan was waiting for Yin Fengzhan; afterward, Gao Caiyong carefully escorted her to a stone pavilion outside the sleeping quarters, then, fearing she might catch a chill, had palace attendants bring over a warm cushion and a cloak. He himself also sat nearby to keep her company.

At this time, the sky had already darkened. The bright moon hung high, casting a swath of cool light. Thereafter, while sipping clear tea, Nie Jinxuan occasionally chatted with Gao Caiyong beside her, all the while waiting for Yin Fengzhan, and this wait lasted several more hours!

After midnight had passed, the air carried a chill. Even Nie Jinxuan felt a bit drowsy; at this moment, Yin Fengzhan finally emerged.

However, at this time Yin Fengzhan's face was somewhat grim, and he obviously had a foul odor. Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan also knew he must have been arguing with Emperor Shuncheng, and she involuntarily rose to go meet him.

"All right?"

Nie Jinxuan's face bore a smile, but upon seeing her, Yin Fengzhan couldn't help but startle.

"Why didn't you go back? What are you waiting for me here to do?"

"How? Is it not allowed?"

"……"

Nie Jinxuan retorted with a question, and Yin Fengzhan remained silent. But then he turned his gaze to glare at the sleeping quarters behind him, grabbed Nie Jinxuan, and strode out, all the while muttering under his breath.

"Damn old man, if I had known I wouldn't have bothered with him! Playing chess and yet going back on his word—never-ending!"

Yin Fengzhan's voice carried a rare childlike quality. Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan couldn't help but laugh, then she took his hand and left the palace together with him.

……

Meanwhile, Yin Fengzhan had left, and Gao Caiyong walked straight into the room. But he had thought Emperor Shuncheng was already tired, yet it turned out to be something Gao Caiyong hadn't expected—upon entering the sleeping quarters, he saw Emperor Shuncheng still sitting there, although his expression remained stern and cold, but Gao Caiyong could tell the emperor was in a very good mood!

So, Gao Caiyong couldn't't help but laugh, and then he walked over.

"Your Majesty, it seems Your Majesty is in a very good mood~!"

Gao Caiyong laughed as he spoke; hearing this, Emperor Shuncheng raised his eyes to glance at him, then waved his hand, indicating that he should clear the chessboard before him.

"I'm really old now—I can't even beat Old Four! But this kid too, I don't know whether to let him win or if he's saying I'm taking back my move... really..."

Emperor Shuncheng complained with his lips, but his eyes showed warmth. Upon hearing this, Gao Caiyong laughed even more, personally tidied up the chessboard, and then said softly:

"Your Majesty, it's not that this old servant is speaking out of turn, but Prince Chen is like this—isn't he also following Your Majesty's example?"

Posted at the second watch, see you tomorrow!