Ye Qing examined Nangong Yu's pulse, her brows furrowed. "What exactly did you do to yourself to sustain such severe internal injuries?"
Nangong Yu withdrew his hand and coughed a few times. "I'm fine."
"You've clearly suffered backlash from some technique. Your injuries have been present for some time; why didn't you send for me?" Ye Qing opened her medicine box, produced a pill, and offered it to Nangong Yu.
Nangong Yu swallowed the pill, remaining silent. "How is the matter I asked you to investigate progressing?"
"There are few instances of the potent poison, Shi Lixiang, existing in the world. The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion has sold three bottles of Shi Lixiang, all to individuals within the martial world. I've investigated each of them, and they have all been used. The Shi Lixiang that General Xiao was afflicted with must be an external source."
"If it's external Shi Lixiang, besides your sect, who else could possibly concoct it?"
"You've forgotten, there is one other person who could concoct Shi Lixiang."
"Who?" Nangong Yu's lips were pale. The backlash from his internal injuries was severe, but the wound in Xiao Man's heart was far deeper than his.
"Dugu Man."
"Who?" Nangong Yu asked, disbelief etched on his face.
"Dugu Man," Ye Qing confirmed. "The Shi Lixiang circulating in the market likely originated from her. However, she didn't concoct much, and she never shared it. Anyone who managed to obtain Shi Lixiang would undoubtedly be someone she was very close to. Could it have been Murong Sheng Rui?"
"Yun Qi is currently embroiled in internal strife. He's busy quelling the chaos; he wouldn't have the time to poison Xiao Zhen."
"Then... Dugu Ming Yu?" Ye Qing mused, asking cautiously.
"Dugu Man doted on this younger brother. How could she have told Dugu Ming Yu about her poison-making? Moreover, Dugu Ming Yu would never act against Xiao Zhen. If something happened to Xiao Zhen, Xiao Man would be the first to suffer. He wouldn't do anything to harm Xiao Man." Nangong Yu frowned, thinking for a moment, then slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "Could it be him?"
"Him? Who?" Ye Qing asked, confused.
"The Imperial Tutor, Feng Tian Lan."
Ye Qing's eyes widened in realization. "That's right. He was once Dugu Man's master. Obtaining Shi Lixiang, secretly made by Dugu Man, wouldn't be a problem for him."
"Secretly made?"
"Yes. The poisons Dugu Man concocted always had a component of Silver Frost Flower added, which was her unique mark."
"Could someone have imitated it?"
"Impossible," Ye Qing sighed. "Even I couldn't maintain the same medicinal efficacy after adding Silver Frost Flower. If she were still alive, I'd truly want to ask her how she managed to enhance the efficacy with Silver Frost Flower."
"If you were to obtain residue from Shi Lixiang, could you identify its components?"
"Too much time has passed. Even if residue were found, the scent of Silver Frost Flower would have long since dissipated."
Nangong Yu's expression shifted. If the Shi Lixiang that Xiao Zhen was afflicted with was Dugu Man's unique concoction, it meant Xiao Man had known for a long time that Xiao Zhen's death was orchestrated by Feng Tian Lan. Yet, she remained inactive. What was she planning?
"Your Highness," Si Chen knocked and entered.
"Speak."
"The Hundred Flowers Pavilion was attacked. The Pavilion Mistress is injured, and the Hundred Flowers Pavilion is temporarily closed with no set reopening date," Si Chen reported. "Furthermore, before the Pavilion Mistress's incident, she visited the Treasure Pavilion."
"Her Hundred Flowers Pavilion has countless treasures; why would she go to the Treasure Pavilion?"
"To inquire about the Glazed Seven-Colored Lotus Pendant."
"Inquire about this for what reason?" Nangong Yu grew increasingly perplexed. What exactly was Xiao Man trying to do?
"I don't know. However, the Pavilion Mistress of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion took a list." Si Chen presented the list. "A list of those who purchased Glazed Seven-Colored Lotus Pendants."
Nangong Yu took it and scanned the names, finding nothing unusual. "What does a Seven-Colored Lotus Pendant look like?"
Si Chen handed the pendant to Nangong Yu. It turned out to be a lotus pendant made from multi-colored glazed pieces ground into the shape of petals. It was exquisite, small, and beautiful.
"This kind of pendant has recently become popular. Due to its exorbitant price, few people own one."
"Were there any such items at the scene of the Grand General's demise?"
"I questioned the shopkeeper. He said the Pavilion Mistress of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion was holding a single petal, asking if they knew what it was, and she also purchased a lamp."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Yu continued to examine the names on the list. These people had grievances with Xiao Man to varying degrees; anyone could be suspicious. "Immediately investigate the whereabouts of everyone on the list on the day the General was murdered."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"The women on this list are all from noble households. It's impossible for them to have murdered the Grand General," Ye Qing shook her head.
"You've forgotten, the Grand General was incapacitated by Shi Lixiang at the time. Even a child could have killed him." Nangong Yu's heart was filled with intense doubt. Had Xiao Zhen truly been poisoned by Shi Lixiang then? Or was he poisoned later?
No, he must have been poisoned at that moment. But if he was poisoned by Shi Lixiang, why did he move so swiftly?
"If a woman had a grudge against Xiao Man, she should want to kill Xiao Man, so why kill the Grand General?"
"As long as the Grand General lived, he was Xiao Man's shield. No one could touch Xiao Man..." Nangong Yu's voice trailed off. "This is bad. Their goal in killing the Grand General was ultimately Xiao Man!"
"But who is the enemy?"
"Feng Tian Lan is a definite enemy. Is he trying to repeat the same tactic, killing Xiao Man in the same way Dugu Man was killed?" Nangong Yu's mind was filled with questions and worry. But Xiao Man couldn't influence the court; why all this elaborate planning?
Nangong Yu felt a headache coming on. He must have missed something. Feng Tian Lan had feelings for Xiao Man; he wouldn't kill her. But why kill Xiao Zhen and frame him? Was it to force Xiao Man to betray Yu Sheng? But Xiao Man wasn't foolish. If she betrayed Yu Sheng, where would she find refuge? Murong Sheng Rui was relentlessly pursuing her. Could she hide in Wu Yue?
Wu Yue was developing rapidly, but it was far from a match for Yu Sheng, not to mention the potential combined attack from Yu Sheng and Yun Qi!
"Why is this happening?" Nangong Yu rubbed his throbbing temples, desperately trying to decipher the connections. However, no matter how he thought, he couldn't grasp the crucial link. "Something is still missing."
"You're too heavily injured. You should rest and recuperate. We can discuss this after you've recovered."
"Qing Ti," Nangong Yu grasped Ye Qing's arm. "Do me a favor."
"What is it?"
"Go to Xiao Man's side and watch over her. Do not let her out of your sight." Nangong Yu felt a deep sense of unease. "I don't know why, but she seems too calm. Her calmness makes me uneasy."
"Didn't you send secret guards to be by her side?"
"If she wants to, she can easily shake off my secret guards," Nangong Yu sighed. "I'm truly, truly afraid. Lately, I've been having nightmares every night, dreaming that she's abandoned me without hesitation."
Ye Qing frowned slightly. "Are you overthinking things, or is there something you're not telling me?"
"Don't ask anything. Just keep an eye on her for me, will you?"
"Alright."