Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Poisoned “What? General Luo vomited a mouthful of black blood and fainted?” When Ling Jiayue heard the news, she sprang up from her chair in shock. Ling Jiaxuan hurried over as soon as he heard it as well. “Yue'er, although General Luo woke up once, he vomited blood and fainted again without leaving behind a single word. I think this was aimed at us. Now, Yue'er, Father, and the entire Prime Minister’s Residence have probably fallen into someone’s trap,” Ling Jiaxuan analyzed. “That’s right, Older Brother. Even if we want to stay out of this now, I’m afraid the person plotting behind the scenes won’t agree. Let’s go see General Luo first and find out exactly what happened,” Ling Jiayue said calmly. “That would be fine, but, little sister, if we go over now, I’m afraid the Luo family will accuse us and resent us,” Ling Jiaxuan said worriedly. “Older Brother, the most important thing right now is General Luo. If we can help him recover sooner, today’s events won’t affect either the Prime Minister’s Residence or the General’s Residence,” Ling Jiayue said. “Yue'er, you’re right. Let’s go to General Luo’s residence first.” With that, Ling Jiayue and the others went to General Luo’s room. The moment Ling Jiayue entered, Madam Luo pointed at her and angrily shouted, “Our Luo family has never offended the Prime Minister’s Residence, so why are you, the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter, so vicious? We invited you here to treat our illness, yet you dared to poison my husband!” As she spoke, Madam Luo raised her hand to strike Ling Jiayue. Seeing that his mother had lost control of her emotions, Luo Zhen hurriedly restrained her and urged, “Mother, what are you doing? Miss Ling meant well. Besides, we still don’t know what Father’s condition is. We should wait until Doctor Lin has made a proper diagnosis before saying anything.” “Miss Ling, I’m truly sorry. My mother is simply too agitated. Please forgive her,” Luo Zhen apologized to Ling Jiayue. “It’s all right, Young Master Luo. We can understand Madam Luo’s feelings. The priority now is to have Doctor Lin treat General Luo. Only after we determine the cause of his illness can he recover as soon as possible,” Ling Jiayue comforted him. While they were speaking, Doctor Lin hurried over. He was still wearing yesterday’s clothes, clearly having rushed over as soon as he heard that General Luo had vomited blood without even changing. Before he could offer his greetings, he was taken straight to General Luo’s bedside. After taking General Luo’s pulse, Doctor Lin pondered for a long while before saying, “General Luo has been poisoned.” “Poisoned?!” everyone exclaimed in disbelief. Madam Luo erupted once more, convinced that Ling Jiayue had poisoned General Luo, and the scene became completely chaotic for a time. “Madam Luo, I am also a physician. I have always kept the prescriptions I used, and I also had Lingxue seal away the dregs from the medicine I boiled for General Luo a few days ago. If you’re worried that I poisoned him, we can bring the dregs here and have Doctor Lin examine them. We’ll know the truth immediately,” Ling Jiayue said. “There’s no need, Miss Ling. My mother is merely too emotional,” Luo Zhen urged. “Young Master Luo, my sister has a point. Having Madam Luo examine them now would be for Yue'er’s and Doctor Lin’s sake, so that General Luo can be treated as soon as possible. It is also for the long-term interests of both our families. We should examine them,” Ling Jiaxuan spoke up. “In that case, go and bring them here,” Luo Zhen said. “That would be best. This old man should examine them as well. Only then will I know which medicine in the prescription corresponds to General Luo’s symptoms,” Doctor Lin said, stepping in to smooth over the awkward situation. Before long, a maid brought the medicine dregs over. After carefully examining them, Doctor Lin said, “These medicine dregs contain no poison, and none of the ingredients conflict or clash with one another. They are all excellent medicinal materials with outstanding medicinal properties. General Luo was able to wake up after the acupuncture because of this medicine’s effects.” “Then how did my husband get poisoned?” Madam Luo asked in confusion. “I’m afraid someone deliberately targeted both our families,” Luo Zhen said with a frown. “Zhen’er, what do you mean?” Madam Luo asked, puzzled. “Mother, there is something you don’t know. Father’s stroke was caused by Wang-shi deliberately tampering with his food. Moreover, when I interrogated Concubine Wang, she was killed by a cold arrow in the General’s Residence. Now that Father is in this condition, I’m afraid both our families have fallen into someone else’s scheme.” After clearing up Madam Luo’s doubts, Luo Zhen turned to the siblings and said, “Mother was merely worried about Father. I hope the two of you can be magnanimous. After this matter is over, I will prepare a generous gift and personally visit the Prime Minister’s Residence to apologize.” Ling Jiayue merely smiled and said it was no problem. Seeing that she was not pursuing the matter, Ling Jiaxuan also said it was fine. “However, I must trouble Miss Ling and Doctor Lin with my father’s illness,” Luo Zhen continued. “I came to the Luo Residence precisely to cure General Luo. Young Master Luo need not worry. I will certainly do everything in my power to treat General Luo,” Ling Jiayue replied gently. “Healing the sick and saving lives is this old man’s duty. I will also do everything I can to save General Luo,” Doctor Lin said. Madam Luo no longer treated Ling Jiayue and the others with hostility. Luo Zhen led Madam Luo and Ling Jiaxuan outside to wait, allowing Ling Jiayue and Doctor Lin to focus entirely on detoxifying General Luo. Seeing that Ling Jiayue was temporarily safe, Feng Yan returned to the Seventh Prince’s Residence to report. “Greetings, master,” Feng Yan said, bowing to Mu Yuheng. “Rise. How is Ling Jiayue?” “Reporting to you, master, Miss Ling had already cured General Luo, but General Luo suddenly vomited blood after waking up. It has now been confirmed that General Luo was poisoned. Miss Ling and Doctor Lin are currently treating him. Seeing that Miss Ling was temporarily safe, I returned to report,” Feng Yan answered in a stiff, methodical manner. “Poisoned? It seems this girl is in trouble this time,” Mu Yuheng said, stroking his chin. “This subordinate believes that General Luo’s poisoning is related to Wang-shi. Wang-shi tampered with General Luo’s food, first causing him to suffer a stroke. When he survived the stroke, she then triggered the poison. What a vicious mind,” Feng Yan remarked. Mu Yuheng shot him a sideways glance. “You’re quite perceptive. But there is someone else behind Wang-shi. Do you still remember that jade pendant?” “Master, are you saying it was the Third Prince?” “Mm. You’re not completely stupid.” “How could the Third Prince be so narrow-minded? He merely broke off his engagement with Miss Ling, yet he went so far as to poison General Luo, scheming against both families at once.” Feng Yan was genuinely worried about Ling Jiayue—though, of course, he was even more worried about Lingxue. “What are you still standing there for? Go search Wang-shi’s room for poison right now. Come back and report as soon as you find it.” Mu Yuheng glared at Feng Yan. Feng Yan immediately ran back to the Luo Residence. Meanwhile, at the Third Prince’s Residence— “Reporting to you, master, this servant has already found out everything. General Luo’s stroke was cured by Ling Jiayue using acupuncture, but as soon as General Luo woke up, he was poisoned again. He vomited blood and fainted,” a male servant said obsequiously to Mu Yuyang. “Good. That truly is wonderful news. All right, go down and collect your reward,” Mu Yuyang said, dismissing him. “Ling Jiayue, you won’t be able to cure General Luo. This time, you and the entire Prime Minister’s Residence are finished. Let’s see how you can escape death this time!”