Chapter 29: Investigating Rui Wangfu

Today, Lin Ruzhen had finally managed to get Prince Jin to come over. Driven by a desire for quick success and instant benefits, a crazy idea sprouted in her mind: to offer herself to Prince Jin!

Only in this way could she bind him more thoroughly and obtain a proper title.

If she could also conceive his child, that would be the eldest son of the Prince, and she would be able to completely suppress Lin Qingyue!

Just at this moment, a gust of wind blew in from outside the door, lifting her veil. Lin Ruzhen had her eyes closed, her breathing slightly ragged, and the coarse gasps she exhaled... were still foul-smelling and unbearable.

Dongfang Yan got up and left, repeating the exact same behavior as last time.

"Zhen'er, I had better find another imperial physician to take a look at you."

Having said that, he left without looking back.

It seems that the Mayfly Silk does not like people with foul breath either!

For the past few days, the dozens of people in the Xuanjing Division had been busy beyond measure.

The population of the capital was over a million, and even with the help of the City Guard Battalion, they were still overwhelmed. They also had to find ways to cover things up to avoid alerting the mastermind behind the scenes.

As for Prince Jin's situation, it was quickly investigated, and Xie Shouzheng came personally to tell Lin Qingyue:

"Before Prince Jin was infected, he was invited to Rui Wangfu for lunch. Traces of Mayfly Silk were also found in the food Prince Jin brought for you that day, though it had lost its activity due to not finding a host to parasitize for a long time."

Xiao Hua, who was beside her, widened its cat eyes the moment it heard "Rui Wangfu": Could it be the Heir of Rui Wang?

Rui Wang was the Crown Prince's sixth uncle, a chubby, smiling prince. Every time they met, he loved to pull street snacks out of his large sleeves for the Crown Prince.

Once, he even caused the Crown Prince to get diarrhea from eating, and was punished by Qi Zhaodi with six months of confinement.

And Dongfang Kuai was just like his father, a person who loved to eat and play; his biggest dream as a child was to be a cook.

To say he had thoughts of rebellion, Xiao Hua's first reaction was disbelief.

But the most unlikely person often has the greatest suspicion.

Lin Qingyue said: "Does the Heir of Rui Wang often enter the palace? Is he close with His Majesty? I mean, have they ever dined together?"

Xie Shouzheng had already learned from Lin Qingyue that Qi Zhaodi was also an infected person, so he had also investigated the frequency and circumstances of Dongfang Kuai's recent visits to the palace.

He nodded and said: "I heard from the eunuchs in the inner palace that a month ago, the Heir of Rui Wang presented raw fish to His Majesty. Before the Emperor dines, eunuchs always taste the food. I quietly verified that the eunuch who tasted the food was also infected with Mayfly Silk."

As he spoke, his expression became serious: "Undoubtedly, the Heir of Rui Wang is a major suspect!"

He paused and continued: "In addition, after these few days of screening, it was discovered that there are 509 known cases of infection in the capital, half of whom are from the noble class, and all of them have had dealings with Rui Wangfu. So we can be certain that the infection spread from Rui Wang."

He was a bit troubled: "I have never dealt with the Heir of Rui Wang. If we rashly go to his door, will we alert the enemy and let the head worm escape?"

Lin Qingyue thought for a moment and said: "It is most appropriate for me to go."

Xie Shouzheng said: "That was my intention as well, but there are no female relatives in Dongfang Kuai's household. If you visit as a sister-in-law, wouldn't it be a bit strange?"

Lin Qingyue said: "It doesn't matter, it would be appropriate if I bring Dongfang Yan along."

In any case, Dongfang Yan was much more normal after being infected, so he could be used as a tool.

At dusk, the tool returned.

Dongfang Yan's feelings for Lin Qingyue went from initial hope to later despair, and today's visit to the Lin Mansion made him feel even more that his chances of being saved were slim.

Tonight, as soon as he dismounted, he saw Lin Qingyue standing under the corridor pillar at the main gate, smiling and calling out: "Your Highness..."

Dongfang Yan walked up, as cold as ever.

Just as he was about to enter the door without a word, Lin Qingyue suddenly said: "You don't want the antidote to the Honest Curse? I can give it to you."

Dongfang Yan paused and looked at her suspiciously: "Really? You aren't playing tricks, are you?"

Lin Qingyue coaxed the tool: "How could that be? Lin Ruzhen and I are sisters after all, and I didn't really want to kill her. Besides, since you and I are husband and wife, there's no need to make the relationship so stiff, don't you think?"

Xiao Hua squatted on the side watching Lin Qingyue coaxing him, unable to help but feel admiration: She told that lie so smoothly. Not to mention the Mayfly Silk not being able to tell, I'm afraid the real Dongfang Yan would be fooled too.

But then she heard Lin Qingyue continue: "The Prince also brought me raw fish that day, and I liked it very much. Where was it bought from?"

Dongfang Yan said: "Given by the Heir of Rui Wang."

"Is that so?" Lin Qingyue followed the lead, "I heard that Rui Wang is best at discovering delicacies. Since we haven't eaten yet, why don't we go to Rui Wangfu to beg for a meal?"

"You want to go to Rui Wangfu?" He nodded blankly, "That day, the Heir of Rui Wang did ask about you and said he wanted to see you."

Lin Qingyue hurriedly said: "That's perfect, let's go now. After I've eaten and am in a good mood, maybe I'll give you the antidote to the Honest Curse."

The Mayfly Silk simply mimics the host's behavior and reactions, so he nodded and agreed to Lin Qingyue's conditions without much thought.

"Good."

But the real Dongfang Yan at this moment sensed something. When he looked at Lin Qingyue again, he no longer found her hateful, but instead placed hope in her:

"Did she see it, so she wants to go to Rui Wangfu? Is she trying to save me? If she can really help me escape this time, I will definitely bury the hatchet with her."

Soon, the carriage of the Prince and Princess Jin arrived at Rui Wangfu.

The Heir of Rui Wang came out to greet them with a smile: "A few days ago I told you to bring your wife to see me, today you finally decided to bring her out!"

Lin Qingyue and Dongfang Kuai exchanged greetings, and then she and Dongfang Yan were led to the reception hall.

Lin Qingyue got straight to the point: "I heard that the head chef in your mansion is good at making raw fish. I wonder if there is a chance to taste it today?"

Dongfang Kuai said: "That's right, the raw fish made by Chef Zhang is the best in the world. If you like it, I will have it made for you later. Freshly sliced raw fish tastes even better!"

As he spoke, he ordered his subordinates to prepare a banquet.

While Dongfang Kuai and Dongfang Yan were chatting, Lin Qingyue quietly crushed an "Identification Incense Pill," and a faint, clear fragrance diffused in the room.

This scent was very faint, so faint that people would ignore it.

But the Mayfly Silk was extremely sensitive and averse to this scent. After smelling it, the Mayfly Silk parasitizing the human brain would make large movements, thereby causing a headache.

But this pain would not be particularly obvious, making people mistakenly think it was just a regular headache caused by not resting well.

Sure enough, as soon as the fragrance rose, Dongfang Yan's brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't pay much attention to it.

The next moment, Dongfang Kuai also started to have a headache. He didn't pay much attention either, just rubbed his forehead, thinking he had drunk too much at noon.

He was indeed also an infected person!

If he was also parasitized by the Mayfly Silk, then he could not be the mastermind!

Lin Qingyue immediately put away the incense pill.

As the fragrance dissipated, that slight headache also disappeared.

At this time, the dishes in the mansion were also almost ready.

Crystal-clear raw fish was served on the table, along with many other delicacies.

Rui Wang enthusiastically greeted them: "Eat up, we are all family, no need to be polite."

Lin Qingyue picked up her chopsticks and was about to pick up some food when a tabby cat suddenly jumped onto the dining table, seemingly attracted by the raw fish, meowing and begging for food.

Lin Qingyue scolded: "Xiao Hua, don't be presumptuous. Get down!" ===== CHAPTER 30 =====