Chapter 10: Chapter 9: The Crown Prince

Everyone in the martial arts world knew that the Worrying Grass poison was refined by the eccentric hermit of the valley, Guiguzi. It was extraordinarily precious, and its purpose was not to kill, but to control and torture.

This poison was vicious; it struck once a day, and when it flared, the victim felt as if their heart were being carved by knives, a pain so intense they would wish for death. One had to take medicine punctually every day for a full year to neutralize it.

However, the antidote was held only by the one who created the poison.

"It really is Worrying Grass." Zhao Yuqi clearly understood what this meant. Although the poison was not fatal, without an antidote, the daily agonizing pain would erode one's sanity; sooner or later, the victim would be tortured to death.

And right now, he could not let her die.

"So, Imperial Physician Feng means that we must find the poisoner to obtain the antidote?" Zhao Yuqi asked, his demeanor returning to its usual coldness.

"Precisely." After Feng Ziyang finished speaking, he sat down of his own accord, wrote a prescription, and handed it to Zhang Zhengquan.

He then cupped his hands toward Zhao Yuqi and said, "This is a formula to replenish blood and qi. If this young lady takes it, she might recover some strength and alleviate the pain. This old man can do no more; I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

"I appreciate your trouble. However, Physician Feng, do you know how to explain this when you go out?" Zhao Yuqi's half-lidded phoenix eyes darkened as he issued a cold threat.

Feng Ziyang’s expression remained indifferent as he bowed. "I shall say that the Crown Prince's concubine caught a slight chill, and I came to check her pulse."

Zhao Yuqi raised an eyebrow in satisfaction. "Zhang Zhengquan, escort Physician Feng back to his manor personally, and pick up the medicine on the way." Having said that, he turned and returned to the inner chamber.

Looking at the still-unconscious Feng Feixuan, the scrutiny in his eyes deepened. He hadn't expected that the woman he had saved on a sudden whim would possess such capability—even the poison used on her was so precious. It confirmed the worries in his heart; it seemed she was of vital importance.

He had to find the antidote to this poison, he had to thoroughly investigate the origin of this ring, and as for this woman, he was determined to have her.

***

At this moment, in the North Peak Villa of Mount Duanhu.

A copper-masked man stood with his back to the mountains, his black robes fluttering in the wind. He looked like an eagle surveying the earth, or a deity descending from the heavens—majestic, yet solitary, desolate, and chillingly ruthless.

A man in black appeared from behind him, dropping to one knee and presenting an unopened note. "Master, a messenger pigeon has just arrived from the capital."

The copper-masked man reached out and took it. Upon opening it, he roared, "What a magnificent Zhao Yuqi!" The sound was a violent metallic clash, so cold it made one's skin crawl.

The man in black was startled. He stood up and took a step forward, daring to ask, "Master, this is...?"

"See for yourself." The copper-masked man raised his hand, and the note flew vertically before the man in black.

The paper read: *She is in the Crown Prince's manor; the poison has flared.*

The man in black's dark eyes sharpened, and fury burned in his heart. He dropped to both knees with a heavy thud. "Master, I request permission to lead a team to bring her back, even at the cost of my life."

The copper-masked man did not speak. Instead, he turned away coldly, lost in thought for a moment. He raised his hand and decisively vetoed the request. "There is no need. Attempting to snatch her from Zhao Yuqi's hands right now would involve too great a sacrifice. This Venerable One does not wish to waste a single soldier on this matter."

"Then are we just going to let this woman go?" The man in black was confused, but more so, he was unwilling.

"I have my own plans. Return to the capital immediately. No matter what method you use, you must let Zhao Yuqi know the whereabouts of Guiguzi." As the copper-masked man finished speaking, his exposed eyes appeared eerie and terrifying, flashing with a cold light.

*This woman is so overconfident. Does she truly think she can escape my grasp? She can. In ten years, she dies.*

***

In the Crown Prince's manor, the lights were bright, and the night was restless.

It wasn't until late into the night that the effects of the medicine on Feng Feixuan finally subsided. Unable to bear the thirst, she drifted awake.

Opening her eyes, she saw a magnificent bed made of small-leaf red sandalwood, and an incredibly handsome, almost bewitching man leaning against the bedframe, asleep.

Feng Feixuan wanted to speak, but found her throat so parched and hoarse that she couldn't make a sound. Any movement felt as if her entire body were being torn apart; she had no strength at all. Being so thirsty, she had no choice but to force herself to sit up, intending to get out of bed.

"You're awake? Do you feel better?" Sensing movement, Zhao Yuqi lazily opened his eyes. His eyes, which should have been cold and distant, actually held a trace of concern.

Seeing that she did not respond and remained still, Zhao Yuqi began to put on his shoes calmly. He then reached out, intending to lift her up in his arms. "Where are you going? I'll carry you."

Feng Feixuan opened her mouth but could not speak. She pushed away his blatant hands and pointed at the teacup in front of her. She rolled her eyes at Zhao Yuqi; she was truly thirsty. *Can you not be so intimate all the time? Even if you are very handsome, we aren't that close.*

"Lie down. I'll have someone bring you water. Someone!" Zhao Yuqi helped her lie back down and shouted commandingly toward the curtains. Immediately, two rows of night-watch maids and eunuchs, dressed in matching uniforms, walked in side-by-side. The ceremony was so grand it was almost embarrassing.

*Good grief, this man really is royalty—everything is handed to him on a silver platter. He was so eager to carry me just now, but now that it's just walking a few steps to pour water, he won't do it. Or rather, he doesn't even think of it, because pouring tea and water has always been the job of servants.*

The lead maid, following Zhao Yuqi's instructions, stepped forward with a cup of water and slowly approached to feed Feng Feixuan. Her parched throat finally felt moistened. After finishing one cup, she asked for another before she was satisfied.

"Where is this? How long was I unconscious?" Feng Feixuan looked down and realized she had been changed into clean pajamas made of high-quality silk that felt very comfortable. She glanced around the opulent bedroom in confusion. She could finally make sounds, though her voice was still weak and raspy.

She had to confirm where she was and if she was still in danger.

Zhao Yuqi affectionately brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, acting like a deeply devoted husband. "We are in the capital. This is my Crown Prince's manor! You've been unconscious for a day and a night."

Feng Feixuan coldly pushed his hand away and said unpleasantly, "Speak properly and stop touching me. We aren't that close. Furthermore, you say you are the Crown Prince? What country is this?"

"You don't even remember what country this is? It seems your head injury is quite severe. But why did Physician Feng only see the poisoning and not the head injury?" Zhao Yuqi asked, curiously flicking her forehead.

Feng Feixuan grew angry and warned, "I told you to stop touching me. Don't think that just because you are the Crown Prince, you can do whatever you want. I just don't remember, take it or leave it. Get out, I need peace and quiet."

She loathed the intimacy of others, especially a lecherous stranger. While she had been forced to endure it in the carriage earlier, she found it unbearable now.

Moreover, as a soldier, her temperament had always been cold. She disliked excessive interaction or contact with others, and she would never easily yield or bow her head. She wasn't even afraid of death; there was nothing in this world that could threaten her.

Except for the copper-masked man... that devil. Just thinking of him made her whole body go cold, as if it were a fear originating from the depths of her soul.