"I'm really fine."
Nan Shiying's voice was muffled, "But if you hug me this tight, I'll suffocate to death."
Hearing the无奈 (wúnài - helpless) voice from his chest, Ji Jinmo snapped back to his senses and quickly released Nan Shiying. The moment her soft, delicate body left his chest, Ji Jinmo felt a profound sense of loss.
Nan Shiying looked at Ji Jinmo, his eyes lowered, and felt a pang in her heart. She sighed, frowning slightly in annoyance, but then she took the initiative to take Ji Jinmo's hand and lead him back to the table.
As they walked, she said, "Mu Baiyu is completely controlled by the love蛊 (gǔ -蛊 worm/curse). Once Xuan Yi captures that蛊 master and removes the love蛊 from Mu Baiyu, you can avenge me."
"Right now, mentioning him gives me a headache."
"Let's not mention him!"
Ji Jinmo looked down at her hand and couldn't help but curve his lips upwards.
"Okay!"
What else could he say but to comply with her wishes?
...
Lü Wan waited outside the door, cloaked.
A figure suddenly rushed from afar, landing on the treetop in the courtyard, and instantly appeared before Lü Wan.
Seeing Xuan Yi, who was in a disheveled state, Lü Wan's pupils contracted sharply, "Xuan Yi, you..."
Xuan Yi interrupted Lü Wan's question and asked, "Is Master in the room?"
Lü Wan nodded, a questioning look on her face. Xuan Yi shook his head, took a deep breath, and then pushed open the door. Hearing the sound of the door opening, Nan Shiying hastily released Ji Jinmo's hand. Ji Jinmo's expression darkened as he turned his head, spotting Xuan Yi, who was covered in blood and in a sorry state.
"Your subordinate failed to complete your Highness's orders. Please punish me."
He did not enter the inner room but knelt at the doorway to confess his fault. Nan Shiying's line of sight had been blocked by Ji Jinmo's body. Now, hearing Xuan Yi's plea, she leaned forward to look. The moment she saw Xuan Yi, she took a sudden step forward.
She asked urgently, "What happened? Get up and report!"
Xuan Yi glanced at Ji Jinmo. Ji Jinmo ignored him and turned to sit down.
Xuan Yi, understanding the situation, stood up and replied, "Your Highness, I..."
He had received the order and had pursued the蛊 master. Since there were guards patrolling at intervals, he dared not pursue too conspicuously.
Everything was fine initially. Just as he was about to make his move, someone suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"That person was completely wrapped in a black cloak. From their physique, it seemed to be a woman, but her moves were powerful and fierce. However, even so, my martial arts were still superior to hers. I wouldn't have been defeated, but she used poison."
"A hallucinogenic poison. I was careless and fell for it. If the place where I fought her hadn't been spacious and windy, I fear I wouldn't have made it back today."
"Xunyang San!"
Just hearing Xuan Yi's description, Nan Shiying was certain that he had been poisoned by Xunyang San. Only Xunyang San was in powder form, and the more spacious the area it was used in, the weaker its efficacy.
Therefore, the person who came out to stop Xuan Yi was the mastermind behind the poisoning and the setup of today's events? A woman? The palace was filled with women!
"Did you discover anything during the fight?" Nan Shiying asked.
"Yes!"
Xuan Yi nodded. "That person had a faint scent about her. I can't describe it, but if she appears before me again, I will definitely recognize her."
A scent?
Nan Shiying pondered for a moment and slowly nodded, "Alright, I understand. You may go and treat your injuries."
"Your Highness, I..."
"Scram!"
Nan Shiying dismissed Xuan Yi, who was eager to confess and accept punishment, and then turned to Ji Jinmo, "Master, how were you afflicted with the蛊 back then? Was it in the palace?"
Back then...
Ji Jinmo pursed his lips and took a sip of tea from Nan Shiying's teacup. Nan Shiying's face flushed slightly. Just as she was thinking about whether to switch to a different cup, Ji Jinmo returned the teacup to her and spoke on his own, "It was at my elder brother's funeral."
His elder brother had passed away suddenly that year. At the funeral, he drank a cup of tea handed to him by a palace servant. He never expected that cup of tea would cause him years of suffering.
"So, someone or some people have been in the palace for a long time..." She thought of something else, "Master, you said the Emperor Emeritus passed away suddenly?"
Ji Jinmo nodded.
"Meaning, the death of the Emperor Emeritus might have hidden circumstances?"
Ji Jinmo nodded again, "That's indeed what I suspect."
Nan Shiying rubbed her chin and looked at Ji Jinmo again. Could the conflict between him and Ji Hong be fake? Were the uncle and nephew working together to catch fish?
Ji Jinmo felt a prickle of unease under her gaze, as if her eyes were like knives, stabbing into the depths of his soul.
"What?" Ji Jinmo raised an eyebrow.
Nan Shiying dismissed the thought. If what she suspected was true, then these uncle and nephew had deceived the entire Lin Yuan, no, perhaps not just Lin Yuan, but all the people under heaven.
But, was it possible?
Nan Shiying thought about it. Originally, she felt it was completely impossible. But with the emergence of all sorts of demons and monsters from Xiliang and Miaojiang, Nan Shiying felt that the possibility was soaring infinitely.
Forget it, no more thinking.
"It's nothing, Master. I'm hungry!"
Nan Shiying clutched her stomach. She hadn't eaten all day.
Ji Jinmo suddenly smiled, and the heavy atmosphere in the room disappeared. He called out, "Lü Wan, ask the small kitchen to send some food."
"Yes!"
As Lü Wan responded, the dishes from the small kitchen were nearly ready.
Before long, Lü Wan and several maids, including Bai Zhi, entered the room carrying dishes. Looking at the table full of food, Nan Shiying glanced up at Lü Wan. Lü Wan smiled and said, "Your servant saw that Your Highness hadn't eaten much today, and thinking Your Highness must be hungry, I asked the small kitchen to prepare food in advance."
Ji Jinmo nodded in satisfaction.
Nan Shiying exclaimed, "Lü Wan knows me best~"
The smile on Ji Jinmo's lips slowly fell. He looked up at Lü Wan again.
Lü Wan stiffened, feeling like crying without tears, "Master, must you be like this!!"
Having served by Ji Jinmo's side for so long, Lü Wan never knew, nor had she ever imagined, that her Master would have such childish moments.
What was this?
The elixir of reduced intelligence from love?
Sensing Lü Wan's trembling eyeballs, Ji Jinmo raised his eyelids slightly.
Lü Wan instantly felt a chill run through her. She dared not think any more wild thoughts in her mind. She subconsciously shifted closer to Nan Shiying.
Nan Shiying looked at Lü Wan, who was approaching, and smiled at her.
Lü Wan trembled, almost bursting into tears.
Your Highness, please don't smile!!
It's deadly!!