The imperial concubine, consort Xue, was a saintess from the Western Regions. His Majesty had conquered the Western Regions and was captivated by her beauty upon seeing her. He brought her back to the capital and conferred upon her the title of concubine.
However, a saintess symbolized purity, and to maintain this purity, all past saintesses were administered a potent蛊毒 (gǔ dú - a type of poison or curse). When Consort Xue gave birth to Prince Qin, the 蛊毒 was transferred to him. Consort Xue's health also deteriorated, and she passed away a few years later.
If Prince Qin had not received aid from a powerful master who imparted profound internal energy to suppress the 蛊毒 within him, he would have surely died long ago. Yet, even with the 蛊毒 suppressed, he could not escape the monthly torment of bone-gnawing pain.
"Are you certain?"
"Precisely because I'm not certain that I need to find this person!" Nangong Yu's eyes held a deep, dark glow. "The night I encountered her was the only time the poison attack at midnight passed without issue... no, to be precise, when I awoke, the poison had already subsided. Normally, the attack would persist until dawn. This was the only exception, which leads me to suspect she can suppress the 蛊毒 within me, or at least alleviate the pain during its onset."
Prince Qin fell silent, his thoughts drifting back to that night.
During the onset of the 蛊毒, it felt as if a thousand ants were gnawing at his bones, and he was in unbearable agony. Yet, because of the woman who suddenly intruded, he forgot his pain, remembering only their passionate encounter.
"Your Highness has not yet told me, what exactly did she take from you?" Wen Ruyu inquired.
Nangong Yu remained silent. This was indeed difficult for him to explain.
"Your Highness?" Wen Ruyu blinked his eyes, staring at Nangong Yu. "If you don't tell me, how am I to find any clues?"
"She... she and I had intimate relations." Nangong Yu finally uttered the truth, as if with great difficulty.
Upon hearing the truth, Wen Ruyu was momentarily stunned.
A woman had barged into the Prince's villa on the day his 蛊毒 attacked, engaged in an intimate act with him, and then left behind a bank note. He had indeed stumbled upon a remarkable secret!
Sensing Nangong Yu's dangerous gaze, Wen Ruyu composed himself and hid his amusement. "So, you mean to say, that daring young lady mistook you for someone else?"
Nangong Yu's face showed displeasure. Sensing the killing intent, Wen Ruyu coughed. "Let me analyze this for Your Highness. Please do not be angry. If my memory serves me correctly, the street opposite your villa is a well-known red-light district, and directly across from it is the renowned Lan Xiao Pavilion. That young lady likely went to the wrong place and mistook your Qing Feng Villa for the Lan Xiao Pavilion!" Sudannovel.com
Nangong Yu exuded a chilling aura. "So, this woman was likely heading to Lan Xiao Pavilion... and stumbled into my villa by accident."
Wen Ruyu closed his fan, tapping it twice in his hand. "For someone to mistake such a famous place as Lan Xiao Pavilion, there are two possibilities: either this person has no idea of Lan Xiao Pavilion's exact location, or she is hopelessly lost and cannot distinguish north from south. However, it's also possible she was disoriented and went to the wrong place."
"The moment she entered, she extinguished the candlelight, no doubt fearing I would see her face and recognize her. She also said she had no choice but to resort to such measures."
Wen Ruyu's eyes sparkled. "No choice? Was she perhaps targeting Your Highness?"
If that were the case, then Your Highness had truly met his match. "Did that young lady have any birthmarks, or any distinguishing features that left a deep impression on Your Highness?"
Nangong Yu thought carefully. "A fragrance."
"The scent of Snow Lotus Dew?"
"No, not that. It was a different scent, like a cold fragrance that was somehow incredibly comforting and calming."
"A fragrance, besides perfumes, could also be incense. Perhaps we should investigate the spice shops."
The next day, the guards returned with samples of spices from all over the city. However, Nangong Yu rejected them all. He had a nagging feeling that the scent emanated from the woman herself, yet in the capital, if a woman carried such a unique fragrance, it was impossible that no one would know.
Furthermore, the bank note was stained with the scent of Snow Lotus Dew. Coupled with the woman's generosity and her desire to conceal her face, it indicated that she knew many people in the capital and was undoubtedly of noble status.
This person was likely a noble lady from the capital, at least from a family of officials ranked third grade or higher. Daughters of officials below the third grade could not afford Snow Lotus Dew. For those above the third grade, a legitimate daughter's monthly allowance was thirty taels of silver.
Xiao Man, being favored by Xiao Zhen, often received financial support, making her monthly allowance a common occurrence of over a hundred taels. Coupled with Consort Xiao's deliberate indulgence, her expenses were never curtailed. Calculating it all, Xiao Man still appeared to be the most suspicious. Yet, Xiao Man was a virgin, and the matter seemed to have hit a dead end.
Nangong Yu pondered for a day without any progress. He decided to go for a stroll, and unexpectedly found himself outside the Protector General's mansion, his gaze falling upon the stern stone lions guarding the entrance.
In the Shui Yue Xiaozhu, Xiao Man's expression was grim. She lit nine oil lamps and knelt on the ground, facing them. Today marked the seventh day of mourning for her family, and this was the only way she could pay her respects.
The scene of the entire Dugu family being executed flashed repeatedly in her mind, the blood staining her eyes. She would avenge the Dugu family.
Nangong Yu, hiding on the rooftop, secretly observed Xiao Man kneeling before the row of oil lamps, burning paper money in a copper basin. A glint flashed in his eyes. Who was Xiao Man mourning?
Xiao Man's hand paused slightly as she threw the paper money. A cold light flickered in her eyes, and a gust of wind shot out, extinguishing the candles in the room!
Nangong Yu was startled. He had been discovered!
Just as he was about to retreat, he found Xiao Man, who had appeared beside him at some unknown moment. Her five fingers formed a claw, striking directly at the vital point of his throat, clearly intending to kill him with a single blow. This woman was indeed ruthless. Every time they met, she went straight for his vital points!
Nangong Yu swiftly leaned back, dodging Xiao Man's attack. However, Xiao Man's speed was never slow, and as one strike failed, the next attack was already upon him.
Nangong Yu dropped from the rooftop to the ground, dislodging a tile.
Xiao Man's eyes flickered, and she reached out, catching the falling tile without making a sound. She then lunged at Nangong Yu again.
Nangong Yu disliked Xiao Zhen, finding him rigid and stubborn. Although a righteous person, he was too dull. He had never expected that this old fuddy-duddy would raise such a ferocious and ruthless daughter!
However, he was even more curious. Why did Xiao Man hide her true abilities? Why did she let the outside world believe she was an ignorant, arrogant, and brainless woman?
Nangong Yu grabbed Xiao Man's hands, restraining her. He lowered his voice and asked, "You are so ruthless, does your father know?"
Xiao Man narrowed her eyes. The other party was wearing a mask, so she could not see his face, but that did not stop her from wanting to kill him. Regardless of who he was, she would not allow herself to be exposed before she had established herself!