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In the courtyard, the night was dark, the wind fierce, and the atmosphere bleak and silent.
Servants brought over a grand chair, and Lan Xun sat upright upon it.
The wind whipped his robes dramatically. Under his sword-like brows, his eyes were deep and cold as a frozen pond. His lips were tightly pressed, exuding an overwhelming authority that commanded awe. The title of “Living Hades” was far from undeserved.
The middle-aged doctor below trembled and wailed, confessing everything. “Your Highness, spare me! I was coerced. They threatened my wife’s life, forcing me to tamper with the sick girl’s medicine so she would die without anyone noticing. I had no choice… I beg Your Highness to spare me…”
Had Lan Xun not stayed in Mu Shengsheng’s room tonight, or if Doctor Luo had arrived a moment later, Mu Shengsheng might truly have died silently in the night, achieving their purpose.
Tianshu demanded sharply, “Tell us, who ordered you to do this?”
The doctor shook his head desperately. “I really don’t know. They all wore masks. The silver they gave me had already been exchanged… I was being careful from the start, I couldn’t know their identities.”
Tianshu immediately drew his sword, his tone threatening. “It seems you only shed tears when facing your coffin!”
A cold glint flashed, and the blade hovered just an inch from the doctor’s neck. The sword, sharp as iron against mud, could easily cleave his head.
The doctor’s soul seemed to vanish. His legs went weak as he crumpled. “I’ve confessed to everything, please spare me…”
Clearly, the mastermind had been extremely cautious, leaving no trace. With nothing more to extract, Tianshu had the man dragged to the dungeon for further interrogation.
Knowing the poison was aimed at Mu Shengsheng, Lan Xun already had a suspect in mind.
A frail girl who stayed shut indoors all day—how many enemies could she have?
Perhaps her stepmother, the Lady of Xuanwu Marquis; the Lady of the Zhen Guo Residence, with whom there had been open conflict; or the Zhaoyang Princess, who had caused trouble at the house that day.
The Lady of Xuanwu Marquis was just a woman—how could she dare poison someone at the Regency Prince’s mansion?
The Lady of Zhen Guo had been bedridden from anger and might have wanted revenge against Mu Shengsheng—but she had already spread rumors about Lan Xun and Mu Shengsheng, aiming to ruin Mu Shengsheng’s reputation. Why take the huge risk of poisoning her? There didn’t seem to be enough grudge to justify it.
As for Zhaoyang Princess Xie Wan’ning, she was most suspicious. Lan Xun’s previous marriages had failed due to various reasons, some orchestrated by her. But since he never intended to marry at that time, the matter didn’t concern him, so he didn’t investigate further.
Although Lan Xun suspected Xie Wan’ning, it remained a guess; he had no solid evidence.
Tianshu, hearing Lan Xun’s suspicion, shook his head slightly. “Your Highness, I heard that the day the Zhaoyang Princess caused trouble in our mansion, she was placed under house arrest for a month by the Grand Matriarch. Even if it was her idea, she likely didn’t handle it herself.”
Xie Wan’ning was under house arrest; the poisoning had been done by someone else.
The Grand Matriarch’s punishment had been for show, to demonstrate the court’s stance to the Regency Prince. She was too shrewd to act on petty quarrels or help Xie Wan’ning poison anyone.
The person who helped Xie Wan’ning poison Mu Shengsheng must be someone else.
Lan Xun ordered, “Keep an eye on her. See who Xie Wan’ning has been in contact with recently.”
Tianshu acknowledged and left.
By the time everything was arranged, dawn had broken, and the sky had begun to lighten.
Lan Xun returned to check on Mu Shengsheng. Her lips were still red, swollen, and cracked. She lay quietly, sleeping deeply, but occasionally furrowing her brows, shaking her head, and murmuring in her sleep, “Your Highness, don’t… don’t… Shengsheng will die…”
“…”
Was she dreaming that he had forced her?
Lan Xun had never intended to force Mu Shengsheng to do anything. Even if she had consented, he would have refused. Her body was far too fragile. During their previous kiss, even a little pressure had cracked her lips; if he applied more, who knew what might happen.
His harsh words had only been meant to scare her, so she wouldn’t dare provoke him again. The nights were growing colder, and no matter how strong her body seemed, nightly baths in icy water would inevitably harm her.
Lan Xun tucked the blanket around her and closed the door behind him.
After leaving the Lingxi Courtyard, he returned directly to his room and changed into his court robes. It was almost time to enter the palace for morning court, and he hadn’t slept all night.
Just as he mounted his carriage, Tianshu rushed over, handing him several pages of confessions. “Your Highness, the person has been captured and confessed. Here are the statements.”
Lan Xun read the confessions, his expression growing even darker.
As expected, it was Xie Wan’ning who had ordered someone else to do this. She was utterly audacious.
Lan Xun rode in the carriage, moving toward the palace in the dim light of dawn.
At the early court session, all officials were on edge, like walking on thin ice.
Everyone noticed that the Regency Prince had been in a foul mood the previous day, finding fault with them and causing trouble. Several officials had suffered: some demoted, some dismissed or exiled.
Even the emperor had been reprimanded for recent shortcomings, left alone by the Regency Prince for a stern lecture, and even the Grand Tutor had his stipend reduced.
No one knew who had dared provoke the Living Hades Regency Prince.
After court, Lan Xun went directly to pay respects at the Kunhe Palace to the Empress Dowager.
She was unaware of the events at the Regency Prince’s mansion the night before, thinking Lan Xun had come simply to greet her. She intended to discuss his marriage to the Zhaoyang Princess but was unsure how to broach the subject.
Seeing his solemn and slightly fatigued expression, the Empress Dowager advised, “Don’t shoulder too many burdens. Overworking will harm your health. The emperor isn’t young either, and you mustn’t worry him unnecessarily.”
She paused, then lectured at length, as always. “I hear you sent Su Yun’er away? You’re not young, and marriage is a matter of utmost importance. Don’t delay any longer; settle it before the new year, to secure the royal line.
“I see that the Zhaoyang Princess has been devoted to you, refusing to marry anyone else for years. It seems her feelings are genuine. Don’t waste her time…”
“I have already agreed to this marriage. Find a time to bring Su Ning here, and we’ll discuss it properly.”
Lan Xun snorted coldly and followed her words. “I do have matters to discuss with Su Ning. Mother, why not summon her to the palace now?”
Of course, he had no intention of discussing marriage; he intended to confront Su Ning about Xie Wan’ning’s treachery.