Chapter 116: Absolutely Won't Find It!

At night, in the study of the Fifth Prince's Residence.

Shang Xiaomin was hunched over the desk, writing furiously.

Finally, he set down his writing brush, looked at the dense characters on the memorial, and let out a long breath.

At last, it was finished.

Seeing him stop, Qingmu stepped forward and offered a soup cup.

"Imperial Prince, you've been busy for two hours and haven't even had supper. This is the old hen soup kept warm in the back kitchen—please have some of it?"

Smelling the fragrance of the chicken soup, Shang Xiaomin, who had long forgotten his hunger amid his busy work, suddenly felt an appetite.

He picked up the spoon and took a sip, then suddenly thought of something.

"Any news back from Chen Ying's side?"

Qingmu shook his head.

"Not yet."

Qingmu covered his mouth and nodded, then opened the door with heavy footsteps, glanced around seven spots, saw no one, and then shut the door tightly again.

"For detoxification."

Censor Zhang dissolved one-eighth of a Hundred Detoxification Pill in water, shook it a few times to mix it evenly, then divided it into two portions.

"Shh! Keep your voice down!"

"This Imperial Prince has his own judgment—you may leave first!"

Looking at someone whose face remained impassive the whole time, Qingmu felt as if he'd thrown a punch at soft, squishy cotton.

……

"Those perfectly good pills—what are you grinding them up for?"

After Shang Xiao Hui led his people away, the ministers in the great hall exchanged glances and whispered among themselves.

"Shang Xiao Hui is a fair man, always speaks frankly and remonstrates directly, unafraid of the powerful. If he says so, then this matter must be true."

"Don't say it—it actually smells quite nice. There are just a few medicinal ingredients I can't identify."

"Reporting to the National Lord, this minister also has a memorial to present."

In the study, Chu Yuan still wouldn't give up.

The old National Lord narrowed his eyes slightly.

The Seventh Prince also knelt on the ground to plead, his words earnest and sincere.

Shang Xiaomin, who had been dozing in the study, was suddenly awakened by a guard's knock on the door.

Censor Zhang looked at him with disdain.

"But what poison does this medicine cure?"

The Seventh Prince turned his head and glared at him.

"Yes, your subordinate takes his leave."

"Reporting to the National Lord, this old minister has a memorial to present!"

Neither of the two in conversation noticed that outside there was a figure, quietly drawing closer, and then quietly leaving……

"Father Emperor, your son also implores Father Emperor to issue a decree, so as to restore justice to your son!"

Censor Zhang: And here it comes.

"It wasn't me."

He'd long been on guard against the old seventh's tricks!

The Seventh Prince cried out that he was wronged.

"Your subordinate understands."

Meanwhile, in a certain room of the guest courtyard in the residence.

"Their plan has reached a critical stage—not a single mishap can be allowed!"

"At least he has some conscience."

Hearing those words, Censor Zhang lowered his eyes and said nothing.

"I was planning to give it to you later anyway."

Early the next morning, in the great hall of the Council Chamber.

"That's good then."

Shang Xiao Hui stepped forward with a bow.

Miao Xi helplessly lowered his head.

Having said that, he knelt on the ground.

"Who was poisoned? With what poison?"

"Everything must be backed by evidence. You say I accepted bribes during the examination process—where is your evidence?!"

Looking at the two pills in the bottle, Qingmu felt balanced and satisfied inside, but on the surface still wore a tsundere look, muttering softly.

"Was it you?"

Miao Xi's hand paused mid-pour as he added water to the porcelain bottle. He raised his eyes to glance at him, then continued pouring water while speaking.

Today they definitely won't find anything!

"During this period, you must keep a close watch on Cheng Chengxuan—especially that family-run fragrance drink shop. If any letters or messages try to get to Cheng Chengxuan, intercept them at all costs!"

Shang Xiao Hui spoke with righteous severity.

Hearing this, Shang Xiaomin's brows knit slightly, and his spoon stirred the chicken soup in the cup absent-mindedly.

"Naturally it's useful."

"I implore the National Lord to issue a decree."

"You..."

The old National Lord sat up slightly straighter.

"Those scraps and leftovers — who was he planning to give them to?"

The two exchanged a glance.

Earlier, I had worn a look of resolve.

In the end, I could only squeeze out one fierce line.

"Bastard! This Pavilion Master went through fire and water for him, helped him with everything he had — and any medicine that wasn't too terrible, he'd always say he'd give you one!"

The two places were quite far apart, so by rights the letter shouldn't have traveled that quickly, but if he didn't get word the matter was done for a single day, his heart would not be at ease for a single day.

"I'm going to tell Master! He bullied you!"

"Speak!"

Miao Xipeng's lips moved slightly, and he said a few words.

Happily tucking the medicine bottle away on his person, I glanced at the big bottle under the table.

"Since that's the case, let Shang Xiao Hui take the men from the Court of Judicial Review and make a trip to the Seventh Prince's Residence!"

"Want evidence? It's simple — a search will tell!"

"The innocent are self-evident! Search, then search!"

Hmph!

Shang Xiaomin narrowed his eyes slightly and gave an order in a cold voice.

Censor Zhang tucked the bottle away and rose to open the door.

"What is it? If you have something to say, then say it!"

Just then, Miao Xipeng also looked toward me; the brothers' gazes met, bristling with killing intent.

"Looks like Master's medical skill has really declined — that medicine was useless, wasn't it?"

An antidote?

"But..."

Miao Xipeng looked away first.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Ducheng, at the Seventh Prince's Residence.

Hearing this, the aged gleam in the old National Lord's eyes turned sharp.

"This prince has said it — get out!"

"Right! Speaking of the antidote."

"This old minister impeaches the Seventh Prince for keeping close private ties with certain minor officials, secretly forming factions for private gain!"

Qingmu grabbed my arm and took his pulse; finding nothing amiss, only then did he let out a breath of relief.

The other party took the hint, stepped forward, and called out in a low voice.

"The National Lord has no further commands — if there is nothing to report, the court is dismissed—"

"As long as the Cheng Family's little child meets with trouble at the Chen Family, the two houses are bound to fall out."

Whether it was those goods of unclear origin, or the servants who betrayed their masters, he had already had them secretly dealt with.

Seeing that worried look on his face, Qingmu offered a word of comfort.

Seeing me in that state, Cheng Chengxuan's brows knit slightly.

I turned and pointed at Censor Zhang, lowering my voice to make my accusation, looking both furious and a little wronged.

Chu Yuan lowered his head respectfully and assented.

Speaking of last night, the guards accidentally discovered several crates of gold, silver, and jewels in the Kufang that weren't recorded in the ledgers — surely that was the Seventh Prince's doing, wasn't it?

"Imperial Prince may rest assured — with the smallpox scabs, and with Qingye secretly making moves, that little child of the Cheng Family is bound to die without a doubt!"

"This minister impeaches the Seventh Prince for abusing his position, using the pretext of official assessments to line his own pockets!"

Censor Zhang looked at me quietly for a moment, then drew a celadon porcelain bottle from his robe.

Qingmu sat in a chair, lounging with one leg crossed over the other, watching with little interest as Miao Xipeng shook a few small porcelain bottles.

"Could it be that that hypocrite Cheng Chengxuan poisoned you to control you?!"

"The portion you were to deliver to Qingye — has it been delivered?"

"Minister Qin!"

Miao Xipeng gave a slight nod, drained the lukewarm chicken soup in one gulp, then wiped the corner of his mouth.

Almost the moment I had just hidden it, the next instant a light knock at the door reached both their ears.

The old National Lord of Muyuan Kingdom, his face weary, gave a look to the Eunuch Chief beside him.

"Imperial Prince, this portion of the antidote from Qingzhu..."

Qingmu quickly held his breath and ducked into a corner.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Qingmu's eyes went wide; he planted both hands lightly on the table and peered at me at length.

"Father Emperor! Your son did not — your son is wronged! I beg Father Emperor to see clearly!"

"What were you about to say just now?"

Qingmu walked over, casually picked up a bottle, opened it and sniffed, then raised an eyebrow.

Qingmu's pupils jolted; he leaped back in shock, retreating several steps.

"It can cure a hundred poisons."

So frustrating!

At that moment, Vice Minister Qin also stepped forward.

"But the Seventh Prince's attitude—it's as if he's afraid of an investigation, as if he has something to hide. Truly strange, very strange."

Cheng Chengxuan cut me off in a sharp voice.

Qingmu: No one else is coming!

"Granted."

Since I had assumed the medicine was made by my little aunt, it saved me the trouble of finding another excuse.

"Your Highness, no unusual situation!"

……

"Your Highness, the monthly antidote…"

Cheng Chengxuan spoke up and cut me off.

Suddenly, my expression changed drastically. I tilted my head to listen carefully, then turned sharply toward Censor Zhang.

Cheng Chengxuan grew even more impatient.

"What?!"

Moreover, during those days, the guards in the residence had been greatly increased, surrounding it like an iron barrel.

My vigilance hasn't fallen to that level—how could I possibly have fallen into Cheng Chengxuan's trap?

"Oh no!"

"That matter!"

"What's going on?"

Under everyone's gaze, Shang Xiaomin looked calm and stood ramrod straight. I glanced toward the Seventh Prince's direction.

"He was taken out of the city this morning."

The old National Lord waved his hand.