BLPSG Chapter 14: Wen Qingci’s secret

Wen Qingci’s hands, at some point, dropped from his chest.

 

The collar of his robe was crumpled, faintly revealing a pale neck stained with crimson.

 

His breathing was still uneven, and his chest rose and fell irregularly.

 

As if scalded, the young man subconsciously shifted his gaze towards Wen Qingci’s eyes.

 

“You’re poisoned, with Tianci toxin,” Xie Bufeng, not one to beat around the bush, paused for a moment before asking directly, “Why?”

 

Wen Qingci didn’t rush to answer his question but said softly, “The Tianci poison erupts once a month, piercing like a dagger, incurable for life. If the antidote is not taken in time, death can occur within as little as three days.”

 

With each word, Wen Qingci’s heart sank a little further.

 

In the notes left by the original owner, there were detailed records of the symptoms when Tianci struck.

 

Wen Qingci initially thought they were compiled from elsewhere.

 

Comparing his recent experiences, he realized that all the detailed records were actually based on the original owner’s personal experiences.

 

…No wonder they were so detailed!

 

When he first arrived, Wen Qingci was puzzled by why there were antidotes hidden everywhere in the original owner’s bedchamber and the side hall of the imperial medical Bureau he often visited.

 

Now he finally understood that it wasn’t the original owner’s kindness towards Xie Bufeng but for himself…

 

As Wen Qingci recalled the notes, he suppressed the complex thoughts in his heart and said lightly, “Tianci was originally developed to control the people. Regardless of whether they were willing or not, anyone who wanted to become a medicinal person had to ingest this poison first.”

 

Taking regular doses of poison would to some extent lead to loss of freedom and being controlled by others, ensuring that all medicinal people became the “private property” of the Valley of Divine Physicians.

 

“The reason why I have Tianci in my body is, of course…” Here, Wen Qingci slowly closed his eyes, paused for two or three seconds, then suddenly looked up at Xie Bufeng, “because, I am a medicinal person.”

 

A hint of amusement appeared in his ink-black eyes.

 

Xie Bufeng instinctively held his breath, his heart pounding heavily.

 

The bitter fragrance emanating from Wen Qingci’s body was exuded from his blood.

 

More importantly, compared to what was written in the original owner’s notes… he realized that not only was he a medicinal person, but he was also a half-hearted medicinal person.

 

—This also meant that the “medicinal properties” in his blood were lower.

 

What a few drops of blood could neutralize in ordinary medicinal people, would require half a cup in Wen Qingci’s case.

 

Affected by this, the timing of his poison outbreaks became extremely irregular, sometimes occurring every three to five months, sometimes every one or two weeks.

 

After coughing, his originally clear voice became slightly hoarse.

 

Wen Qingci’s smiling voice swept past Xie Bufeng’s ear softly like a feather.

 

The young man’s heart beat wildly, as if it was about to burst out of his chest.

 

Xie Bufeng had once heard the term “medicinal person” from the emperor’s mouth.

 

According to legend, they grew up soaking in poisons and rare spiritual objects.

 

Not only could their blood neutralize all poisons, but it could even resurrect the dead. It was the most precious elixir in the world.

 

Even the esteemed figure in the Taishu Palace would be tempted by it.

 

Xie Bufeng had thought it was just a legend of the martial arts world, but he never expected that one day Wen Qingci would admit to being a medicinal person.

 

After a moment’s pause, he finally couldn’t help but ask him, “Why did you become a medicinal person?”

 

Once it was known that he was a medicinal person, Wen Qingci’s situation would become extremely dangerous.

 

Why?

 

Shouldn’t this question be asked to the original owner!

 

Despair filled Wen Qingci’s heart, but he still wore a smile on his face.

 

“Cough… Your Highness, I wouldn’t miss the chance to possess the elixir of all remedies. A little danger is nothing for me.” As he spoke, his pitch-black eyes seemed to brighten slightly.

 

Wen Qingci’s words were filled with a sense of entitlement.

 

Xie Bufeng held his breath.

 

…For the sake of medicine, he could unhesitatingly treat his own body as “medicine,” let alone experimenting on others.

 

In Wen Qingci’s world, there was no right or wrong in this matter, let alone any hesitation.

 

Because that was his only answer and choice from the beginning.

 

Wen Qingci tossed the blood-stained handkerchief into the censer, and the sudden flames made Xie Bufeng suddenly realize:

 

The exposure of his identity would place Wen Qingci in an extremely dangerous situation, yet he had never held back or concealed anything from himself, giving him full trust.

 

…Trust?

 

This was the first time Xie Bufeng had ever experienced such a feeling in his life.

 

*

 

The Ninghe Hall was filled with incense burners, the smoke rising, resembling a paradise from afar.

 

However, the people inside were all frightened.

 

The emperor’s fingers were tapping at the edge of the throne. He pursed his lips tightly and looked particularly unhappy.

 

Wen Qingci couldn’t help but be a little gentle when he burned the incense.

 

As the Emperor of a country, Emperor Xie Zhaolin had little leisure time. He could only choose to deal with “trivial matters” during the brief rest at noon, hence why he could only handle “idle matters” during this time.

 

As luck would have it, it was Wen Qingci’s routine consultation time.

 

…As an imperial physician, he always appeared at the scene of the incident every time.

 

Kneeling in the center of the hall was Rui Yue, the personal maid of Consort Hui.

 

In front of her was a precious jade hairpin, clearly not an ordinary item.

 

All the people involved in this matter were summoned to the Ninghe Hall.

 

Under everyone’s gaze, Rui Yue tremblingly recounted the whole process.

 

With each word she spoke, the face of Consort Wan’s beside her grew paler.

 

As for the Third Prince, he had collapsed early on.

 

“I swear, this… this matter has absolutely nothing to do with Consort Hui! It was… it was Young Master Zhong’an, it was he who asked me to bring this hairpin and helped him enter the palace in front of the guards…”

 

“The Third Prince, he… he also vouched for him. If it weren’t for the Third Prince’s request, I would never dare to do such a thing in front of the guards!”

 

In recent days, there have been rumors circulating in the Taishu Palace.

 

Of course, Rui Yue knew how much the emperor valued this matter.

 

Nervous to the extreme, she couldn’t control her teeth from chattering, and her speech was somewhat incoherent.

 

Wen Qingci listened for a long time before barely understanding Rui Yue’s meaning.

 

Before the Sheri Festival, Young Master Zhong’an said he wanted to bring a “rare plaything” into the palace to show the Second Prince.

 

So, he sent a jade hairpin to Rui yue and asked for her help.

 

At that time, Consort Lan was still in the cold palace, and everyone in the Taishu Palace wanted to curry favor with Consort Hui.

 

After receiving the hairpin, Rui Yue informed the guards in front and let Young Master Zhong’an bypass the search.

 

After saying these things, Ruiyue immediately knocked her head loudly to the emperor, trembling as she spoke, “I really didn’t know… the Third Prince brought into the palace was actually a beast trap—”

 

With that, Rui yue started crying.

 

The other eunuchs and palace maids kneeling behind her also turned pale.

 

This time, Concubine Lan not only thoroughly investigated how the beast trap was brought to Taishu Palace, but also followed this line of research and dug out all the people hiding in the gray area – regardless of whether they have anything to do with this?

 

From high-ranking court maids like Rui yue to ordinary eunuchs, palace maids and guards on duty who steal and sell palace property.

 

Even the Imperial Medical Bureau had several physicians who stole rare medicinal ingredients, all of whom were exposed.

 

The emperor didn’t spare a glance at the people below the throne. He used a white jade ring finger to press against his forehead, speaking in a deep voice to Consort Lan, “Those with impure intentions do not need to remain in the Taishu Palace. Follow the palace rules and take fifty lashes, then send them out of the palace. If such incidents happen again in the future, handle them all in this way—”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Consort Lan hurriedly stepped forward to bow.

 

Upon hearing this, the Third Prince’s body trembled again, almost falling to the ground.

 

He knew the emperor’s words were not only for the sake of the other eunuchs and palace maids but also for him.

 

With a tremor, the Third Prince’s movement, amidst the silent Ninghe Hall, sounded particularly harsh.

 

The emperor finally set his gaze on him.

 

“Consort Wan will reflect for six months and is not allowed to step out of the palace gate half a step! As for you… not only did you bring forbidden items into the palace, but you also slandered your brother and lied in front of Us!” He said coldly, “Receive twenty lashes, then kneel outside the Baochen Hall for three days to reflect!”

 

There is an open space outside Baochen Hall, unblocked and unobstructed.

 

Although it hadn’t snowed in the past few days, the temperature had not yet warmed up.

 

After twenty lashes and three days of kneeling, even if he didn’t die, he would shed a layer of skin.

 

After hearing the emperor’s words, Consort Lan’s vision darkened, and she couldn’t support herself anymore, falling to the ground.

 

“Your Majesty, please… please…” Consort Lan cried and pleaded, “Yinshang is still young, such severe punishment… he, he can’t bear it…”

 

Not only Consort Lan, but even Consort Hui, who hesitated for a moment, said, “Please think twice, Your Majesty. The Third Prince is still young—”

 

But unexpectedly, her plea angered the emperor.

 

The people on the throne were enraged by Consort Lan’s plea.

 

“What? Beloved Consort is dissatisfied with Our decision?” He narrowed his eyes, slowly tightened his grip on the teacup in his hand, with just a little force, he could crush it in his palm.

 

“I dare not!” Consort Lan hurriedly knelt down.

 

On the other side, the emperor waved his hand directly at the guards, saying, “Go now, don’t delay for a moment.”

 

“Yes!” The guards immediately stepped forward, dragging the Third Prince, who had collapsed on the ground, out.

 

In the Ninghe Hall, the sound of needles falling could be heard.

 

The sound of heartbeats was magnified infinitely.

 

The heavy metal poisoning affected the emperor’s mood, making him particularly irritable, especially when he was already angry.

 

At this moment, begging for mercy would undoubtedly add fuel to the fire.

 

After being here for several months, Wen Qingci probably realized… that the emperor was a man who valued his face greatly and preferred compliance over resistance. If Consort Wan continued to plead, the emperor might indeed spare the Third Prince.

 

But it just so happened that at this moment, Consort Lan appeared and interrupted the other party.

 

…Was she really just unintentional?

 

The emperor’s mood was not good, and he dismissed all irrelevant personnel.

 

With his medicine box in hand, Wen Qingci returned to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

 

Unknowingly, it was already late spring.

 

The magnolia blossoms had withered, dancing in the light breeze, fluttering throughout the courtyard.

 

Different from the other imperial physicians, Wen Qingci liked to brew his own medicine.

 

He skillfully weighed the prescription with a ruler, poured the weighted medicine into the clay pot and soaked it, then sat back at the desk and coughed softly.

 

Wen Qingci had already cleaned the blood stains from his body and changed into a new set of white robes.

 

At first glance, apart from being slightly paler, there was no difference from usual.

 

But the feeling of poisoning still lingered in his mind, unable to dissipate for a long time.

 

Wen Qingci coughed again, still feeling dizzy. He had used almost all his strength to return to the Imperial Medical Bureau after taking the antidote almost too late.

 

Taking advantage of the time to soak the medicine, he leaned lightly against the window, intending to rest for a moment.

 

When Xie Bufeng returned, what he saw was such a scene…

 

Magnolia petals fell into Wen Qingci’s arms along with the setting sun.

 

He frowned slightly in his sleep, his whole body showing signs of exhaustion.

 

Finally, another gust of wind blew into the house.

 

The spring breeze still carried a chill, and Wen Qingci, leaning against the window, coughed subconsciously.

 

Before Xie Bufeng could react, he had already walked to Wen Qingci’s side, took the large cloak hanging on the coat rack, and gently covered him with it.

 

His fingers brushed over Wen Qingci’s cheek inadvertently.

 

The cold and delicate touch was engraved in Xie Bufeng’s mind in an instant.

 

The next second, Xie Bufeng, who was frightened by his own actions, suddenly frowned and stood up, quickly exiting the side hall.

 

His actions disturbed the air in the hall.

 

The familiar bitter fragrance emanating from Wen Qingci’s blood once again assaulted Xie Bufeng…

 

Everything was reminding Xie Bufeng of the fact:

 

Wen Qingci, like himself, was poisoned with Tianci.