The Culinary Chronicles of the Court Physician: The Disgraced Princess Consumes Poison to Create Medicine
Zhèn had been missing for three days.
The disappearance of a feng shui master caused a stir in the imperial court, but unlike when Fei Ling went missing, there were no unsettling rumors circulating in the harem.
However, the feng shui masters were restlessly visiting the harem, observing wind directions and other elements.
It was probably in preparation for the Lantern Festival, which marked the end of the Spring Festival. Zhèn had been in charge of it, but with his disappearance, a reassessment had become necessary.
(There were plenty of times when we didn’t see each other for weeks…)
As she passed by the elderly feng shui masters, Fei Ling bit her lip.
Zhèn was an assassin skilled in poisons. If such a dangerous person had disappeared from the harem, she should have felt relieved. And yet, a hollow wind blew through her heart.
“Is something the matter, Lady Fei Ling?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about poison for a moment, that’s all.”
Lanxin furrowed her brows in concern, but Fei Ling responded with an intentionally cheerful voice.
“You’re leaving for home tomorrow morning, aren’t you, Lanxin?”
“Yes, I’ve been granted ten days of leave. I’m worried about my mother’s condition, and I also want to bring my family the gifts you gave me. But… are you really sure about this?”
Fei Ling recalled how she had gathered the rewards bestowed by the Empress and given them all to Lanxin.
“You’ve done work worthy of such rewards. If anything, I wish I had even more to give you.”
“Oh! That’s far too generous of you.”
Lanxin bowed deeply, then hesitated before speaking in a serious tone.
“…About when you went missing, Lady Fei Ling. You do know who kidnapped you, don’t you?”
“Well, who knows?”
With a slight wave of her green sleeve, Fei Ling narrowed her eyes.
She had no intention of telling Lanxin the details. That Zhèn had kidnapped her. That it involved the emperor’s poisoning. Speaking unnecessarily could put Lanxin in danger.
Whether she sensed Fei Ling’s thoughts or not, Lanxin puffed out her cheeks in frustration, then smiled as if in resignation.
“Understood. Until the day you feel it’s alright to tell me, I will continue to serve you with sincerity. …Please tell me someday.”
A messenger from the imperial court came running across the bridge.
“Cai Fei Ling, His Majesty summons you. You are to visit his chambers tomorrow night at the appointed hour of twilight (8 PM).”
“Understood.”
Had something happened to the emperor?
The poison of the earth should have been neutralized. However, since the cause of its affliction during the solar eclipse remained a mystery, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
(But if it were a sudden illness, surely he would have summoned me immediately.)
A sudden strong wind blew.
A swirling gust carried the scent of an approaching storm. Frost-covered dead leaves were lifted into the air, spinning like poisonous butterflies before falling to the ground.
