Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 402: Birds Disappear Over a Thousand Mountains VS Inhumane (4)
"Speak, what has actually befallen me?" Dugu Han also felt some fear, his heart ceaselessly praying, hoping it wasnโt as he feared. ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐ท๐๐ฟ๐๐ต.๐๐๐
"Your, Your Majesty, the Emperor has been poisoned," Liu Institute Head finally stammered out after being shouted at by the Emperor.
"Poisoned? What poison?" His hand, resting on the small tea table, slowly clenched, feeling a wave of fear inside. He actually didnโt know when he had been poisoned; he was lucky that the person didnโt want his life, otherwise, he feared he would no longer be part of the living.
Liu Institute Head nervously swallowed his saliva, his eyes wandering back and forth.
"Speak."
"Itโs, โThe birds over a thousand mountains fly no more.โ" His voice trembling, he wiped the sweat from his forehead, his head hanging low.
Dugu Han frowned, โThe birds over a thousand mountains fly no more,โ he had never heard of this poison. Birds, fly, no more... Could it be... He looked down at his lower body, his originally pale face instantly turned a shade of purplish-black as he glared at the person on the ground and asked through gritted teeth, "Am I rendered unable to continue the royal lineage?" His voice was soft, but every word was heavily enunciated.
Liu Institute Head nodded with difficulty.
With a โbang,โ the fine purple sandalwood tea table cracked as if Dugu Hanโs frustration had found an outlet. He grabbed Liu Institute Head by the neck, his eyes slightly reddened, dangerously looking at him, "Is there an antidote for this poison?"
Liu Institute Head opened his mouth wide, struggling to breathe, his face turning bright red, veins popping on his forehead, his hands grabbing Dugu Hanโs, his eyes bulging, blinking with difficulty.
Seeing this, Dugu Han slowly loosened his grip on the manโs neck. Liu Institute Head collapsed to the ground, taking deep breaths of fresh air, sweat running down his face. Just a moment ago, he thought he would never return, as death had brushed past him.
"Iโm asking you, is there an antidote for this poison?" He looked down at the man groveling on the ground, hoping he wouldnโt be disappointed.
Liu Institute Head shook his head, โThe birds over a thousand mountains fly no moreโ was a poison newly developed by the Poison King, and even he had no antidote yet, so how could Liu Institute Head have one?
"Who does?" Dugu Han didnโt believe it, there must be an antidote for a poison.
"Your Majesty, the Poison King hasnโt developed an antidote yet." He knelt again on the ground, closed his eyes, feeling utterly devastated, resigned to his fate.
Dugu Han slumped back down, disappointedly closing his eyes. He had worked so hard to ascend the Dragon Throne; he couldnโt just lose everything now. Suddenly, he opened his eyes, frost-filled as ice peaks, and looked at the man on the ground, "The Empress Dowagerโs seven-colored lotus, can it cure my poison?"
Liu Institute Head, who thought he was doomed, didnโt expect a turn of events, "Yes, Your Majesty, it surely can." He looked at the Emperor with hopeful eyes, unable to conceal his excitement.
Dugu Han let out a cold laugh, "If someone asks tonight, do you know what to say?"
"The Emperor has caught a chill, His Majestyโs spirits are low, and he needs to purify and recuperate," Liu Institute Head quickly responded, carefully choosing his words, fearing that a wrong answer could cost him his life.
"If the seven-colored lotus is given to you, how certain are you that you can concoct the antidote?"
Liu Institute Head considered for a moment, "Ninety percent," he said confidently, meeting the Emperorโs gaze.
After scrutinizing Liu Institute Head for a while, he gestured dismissively, "Get up, go down. I trust that you are a smart man, you know what should be said and what shouldnโt."
"The Emperor is merely feeling a little unwell, having caught a chill, nothing else is known to this old official."
"Mm."
Watching Liu Institute Head rush out of the bedroom with the box, Dugu Han closed his eyes, quietly reflecting on what he had eaten that day and who he had been in contact with.
"Zhuifeng."
"My lord." The silently stepping Zhuifeng, clad in black, appeared in the hall.
"You heard the conversation just now. Go and find out who is behind the poisoning. Keep it quiet," Dugu Han said tiredly, his brows furrowed, as he opened his eyes to look at the man on the ground.
"Yes, my lord." In the blink of an eye, Zhuifengโs silhouette had disappeared within the great hall.
The next day at dawn, whispers spread among the palace maids and eunuchs in the palace, quietly discussing how the Emperorโs "matter" was no longer functioning, even describing it vividly.
In the Baihua Palace, Concubine Luo Qianxiang, ever since last nightโs sleep, remained seated until dawn. After managing to catch a brief moment of rest, she was awakened by Ming Xuan calling her.
"Sister Ming Xuan, what brings you to my place today?" She dressed herself, walked out of the sleeping quarters to see Ming Xuan sitting on a chair, and approached with a slight bow as she spoke.
Ming Xuan stood up, not presuming upon herself, and bowed in return.
"Little sister, why do you look so pale?" Ming Xuan sat down, noticing that Luo Qianxiangโs usually rosy cheeks had turned ashen, with heavy dark circles under her eyes, and she asked with concern.
Luo Qianxiang extended her delicate hand to touch her face, lightly smiling, "Perhaps itโs because I didnโt sleep well last night. A little more rest will do me good."
"Indeed, little sister, you can still have a good sleep, but I fear I will not find such comfort in rest," she sighed and shook her head.
"Whatโs the matter, Sister Ming Xuan?"
"Alas, itโs all over the place now, theyโre saying the Emperor... his โthingโ doesnโt work anymore," Ming Xuan whispered into Luo Qianxiangโs ear after checking to make sure no one was nearby.
"What?" Luo Qianxiang stood up in shock, her wide sleeves knocking over a cup on the small tea table, the warm tea spilling over her, and yet she was completely oblivious.
