“First, I need to investigate the poison.”
It wouldn’t do to spread unsettling speculation near the gravely ill Consort Xuemei. Instead, Fei Ling moved to the adjoining chamber with the court ladies.
“Please recount every detail of Consort Xuemei’s actions over the past two days. Did she meet with anyone? Did she drink tea? Did she touch anything? Did she pass through any specific areas? Leave nothing out, no matter how trivial.”
The court ladies reported in turn. Aside from interactions with the imperial physician, Xuemei hadn’t come into contact with anyone. She had only consumed food that had been taste-tested as usual, and her walk had merely taken her around the garden near her chambers. There were no conflicting accounts.
The only unusual occurrence was:
“The first snow fell, didn’t it?”
Fei Ling placed a finger on her chin, lost in thought.
“During her walk, was she wearing an outer cloak?”
“Yes, though it was before the snow started falling, the wind was chilly.”
An older court lady named Huang Ye nodded and promptly brought the outer cloak. It was a silk cloak Consort Xuemei had been wearing since spring. Upon inspection, it appeared normal—there was no obvious anomaly. A cloak couldn’t suddenly become poisonous on its own.
(There must be something… The snow that fell at the time was more like sleet—melting immediately upon contact. Ah, I see—the cloak must have gotten wet.)
To confirm, Fei Ling dampened the already-dried cloak. Part of the embroidered plum blossom pattern became translucent. Silver threads shouldn’t become see-through. Carefully pressing paper against the fabric, she discovered a dark blue poison stain.
“How could this be…? Why would there be poison on Consort Xuemei’s cloak?”
The court ladies were aghast, their unease escalating into a commotion. It was only natural.
“If the cloak was tampered with, then one of you must have poisoned Consort Xuemei.”
Though it went without saying, Fei Ling voiced it deliberately.
“Why would anyone poison Consort Xuemei?”
“Who could do such a thing?”
“Don’t look at me like that! I owe Xuemei my gratitude, not resentment!”
“Enough! Consort Xuemei is in the adjacent room!”
Watching the court ladies descend into mutual suspicion, Fei Ling narrowed her eyes. Regardless of who the perpetrator was, the women’s self-policing and distrust would immobilize them.
(This poison mimics 地毒 chi-doku—a natural environmental toxin.)
毒疫 Doku-eki refers to an imbalance within the body caused by prolonged exposure to such toxins. Conversely, a poison potent enough to disrupt the body’s balance could mimic the effects of 地毒.
(Such a poison would be the work of a clan that specializes in toxins.)
The pressing question was how the poison was concocted. What combination of elements produced such a potent water-based toxin? Or was it even a water poison to begin with?
Without deciphering its composition, an antidote couldn’t be made.
Fei Ling brought the cloak close to her nose. Beneath the fragrance Xuemei preferred, there was a faint trace of poison.
(…Sulfur? Orpiment? But that wouldn’t affect silver threads.)
She considered tasting the substance to confirm her suspicions but quickly dismissed the idea.
(No, that’s too reckless.)
A first encounter with a toxin would require considerable time to counteract. If she were incapacitated like Xuemei, unable to move her arms, she wouldn’t be able to prepare the antidote. Every moment was precious.
“Apologies for the delay.”
Accompanied by a court lady, Lan Xin arrived, having been summoned by Xuemei’s attendants from the distant annex.
“How is Consort Xuemei?”
“She is in critical condition, but I will prepare the antidote without fail. Lan Xin, first, gather flowers for me.”
“Huh? But it’s this season—there aren’t many flowers blooming.”
“Anything will do. Camellias, fuki flowers, calendulas—anything. The Spring Palace is the Palace of Flowers. There must be several winter-blooming varieties.”
“Understood.”
“Once you’ve picked them, display them in empty flower vases without water.”
Flowers, when arranged, can absorb and mitigate the effects of water-based toxins nearby. While it wasn’t confirmed that the source was a water poison, the symptoms of coldness pointed to its influence.
However, without eliminating the source of the poison, this would only buy time.
Fei Ling had knowledge of poisons, though she couldn’t compare to professional poison masters—especially when it came to artificially crafted toxins.
(If anyone could analyze such a complex poison…)
Fei Ling tightened her lips, suppressing personal emotions.
“I’ll borrow this.”
Grabbing the cloak, she dashed out of the room.
