However, this position of Crown Prince was something he could not afford to lose, even if it was for Shen Xihe's sake.
As long as he remained the Crown Prince, his and Shen Xihe's children would be legitimate heirs, the rightful successors who could command widespread allegiance.
If he were no longer the Crown Prince, Shen Xihe's path to victory in the struggle for the throne would become exceedingly difficult.
From the pessimistic attitudes of Xie Yunhuai and Aler, Xiao Huayong could deduce that the cure was most likely perilous. He could not gamble Shen Xihe's future for the slim one or two chances of recovery.
What she cared about most in life was the survival of her father, her brother, and the entire Shen clan. He had already wronged her by selfishly forcing her to marry him without knowing whether he could accompany her for a lifetime. If he were to stake everything she had devoted her life to protecting on an uncertain and minuscule possibility, he felt that even if he miraculously survived, he would never be able to face her again.
"Do not let the Crown Princess know," Xiao Huayong instructed impassively, his expression revealing no emotion.
Xie Yunhuai opened his mouth to speak, but Aler spoke first.
Xiao Huayong cast an inquiring glance at Xie Yunhuai.
After listening, Xie Yunhuai said with concern, "Your Highness, if you wish to attempt the cure, you must not delay beyond this year."
The Crown Prince's carriage moved smoothly, and the roads of the imperial city were level, with no sound of wheels to be heard. It was the season of blooming spring flowers, and the streets of the capital were particularly lively, bustling with people and the cries of vendors, a scene of prosperity.
Inside the carriage, however, it was so quiet that one could almost hear the soft sound of breathing. Xiao Huayong seemed lost in thought, his gaze fixed on one spot as if his mind had wandered far away.
It was only when the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Cui residence that Xiao Huayong alighted first and said to Xie Yunhuai behind him, "I am aware."
With that, he hunched slightly, coughing lightly as he entered the gates of the Cui residence.
Xie Yunhuai brought Aler to examine Cui Jinbai's pulse. Shortly after placing his hand on Cui Jinbai's wrist, his expression changed drastically. He spoke to Aler in a language no one could understand.
Aler's eyes widened upon hearing this, and he replied to Xie Yunhuai. Though his words were incomprehensible, his tone conveyed shock and disbelief. Aler then verified the situation by drawing Cui Jinbai's blood, just as he had done with Xiao Huayong.
Watching from behind the screen, Xiao Huayong's eyes darkened.
Once Aler seemed certain, he retrieved a shell from the leather pouch he carried, opened it to reveal some medicinal powder, and handed the powder to Xie Yunhuai. Xie Yunhuai instructed someone to fetch stored snow water, mixed the powder with it, and administered it to Cui Jinbai.
Afterward, Xie Yunhuai sat quietly by the bedside, checking Cui Jinbai's pulse at regular intervals. After an hour, his expression relaxed, and he came out to report to Xiao Huayong, "Your Highness, the poison affecting Cui Shaoqing has been neutralized."
The Cui family was naturally overjoyed. Cui Zheng even attempted to bow deeply to Xie Yunhuai, but Xie Yunhuai quickly stepped aside and supported him, saying, "Duke Cui, you honor me too much. I acted under His Highness's orders to detoxify Cui Shaoqing."
"This old servant kowtows in gratitude for Your Highness's great kindness," Cui Zheng said, leading his family in performing a formal bow to Xiao Huayong.Xiao Huayong gave Tianyuan a meaningful glance, and Tianyuan immediately supported Cui Zheng. With a smile, Tianyuan said, "The Cui family are pillars of the court, trusted ministers of great importance. Cui Shaoqing is a promising young talent. The Crown Prince could not bear to see such a capable minister meet an early demise, so seeking medical treatment is only natural. Duke Cui, there is no need for excessive courtesy. Why not listen to what additional advice Doctor Qi might have? Carefully nurse Cui Shaoqing back to health, hoping he can soon serve the court again. Only then will it not disappoint the Crown Prince's efforts to save him today."
Everyone turned their gaze to Xie Yunhuai, who indeed had something to say: "Although the poison in Cui Shaoqing's body has been neutralized and his life is no longer in danger, this poison was extremely potent and has caused significant damage to his body. Cui Shaoqing was poisoned by a dart in his arm. While the toxins have been cleared, the damaged tissues require gradual recovery. It is normal for his arm to remain weak for half a month. During this time, someone must massage his arm daily..."
At this point, Xie Yunhuai paused and looked at Sui Axi: "If Physician Sui can perform daily acupuncture to stimulate the meridians in Cui Shaoqing's arm, he may recover in less than half a month. I will prescribe some medication for Cui Shaoqing to decoct and take internally for internal regulation, and I will return every three days to check his pulse."
The Cui family expressed their gratitude repeatedly. After the exchange of pleasantries, Xiao Huayong finally stood up.
"Since Cui Shaoqing is no longer in critical condition, I shall return to the palace. A Xi will remain at the Cui residence until Cui Shaoqing has fully recovered."
Xie Yunhuai prescribed the medication and left with Aler. When they arrived at his cottage in the outskirts of the capital, they found Xiao Huayong waiting for him.
"Your Highness wishes to inquire about the poison that afflicted Cui Shaoqing," Xie Yunhuai said, already aware of Xiao Huayong's purpose.
Xiao Huayong turned around, his silver-hued eyes calmly fixed on Xie Yunhuai, awaiting his response.
Xie Yunhuai first spoke to Aler, who carried their belongings into the house. Then, he addressed Xiao Huayong: "The poison that afflicted Cui Shaoqing is different from the one affecting Your Highness. This poison is designed to take lives directly."
Had Cui Jinbai not been fortunate enough to carry the antidote pills bestowed by Xiao Huayong, which originated from Linghu Zheng and temporarily suppressed the poison's effects, and had Sui Axi not intervened promptly with her exquisite and unique Sui family acupuncture techniques to contain the toxin, Cui Jinbai would never have survived long enough to receive the antidote.
The poison affecting Xiao Huayong, on the other hand, is difficult to cure but not immediately fatal.
"Though different, they originate from the same source," Xiao Huayong said softly.
Xie Yunhuai nodded: "Yes. In the place where Aler resides, poisonous plants grow everywhere, diverse and bizarre. Both the poison in Your Highness's body and the one that afflicted Cui Shaoqing originate from this location."
"Location," Xiao Huayong uttered briefly.
Xie Yunhuai understood perfectly and had even prepared in advance. He retrieved a piece of parchment from his luggage and handed it to Xiao Huayong: "Your Highness, this is the location I have deduced. There may be some deviation, but it is not far off."
It was a map, depicting territories beyond the dynasty's borders. Without Xie Yunhuai's specific markings, it would have been impossible to notice the existence of such a mysterious and unique tribe on the map. Xiao Huayong's gaze fell upon the several countries adjacent to the tribe.
The dynasty had set a precedent, with myriad states coming to offer tribute, gathering rare treasures from across the land, and foreigners frequently visiting and trading.
Xie Yunhuai had annotated the map in great detail. The tribe where Aler grew up did not belong to any country. It faced the sea on one side and was surrounded by three other countries on the other sides, though at some distance. These three neighboring countries had all sent envoys to the capital to pay their respects.They also brought some rare treasures from their own country, but peculiar poisons like this would certainly not be presented to the palace. Instead, they would be brought to the capital for private transactions. As for who they were sold to, it would be extremely difficult to trace.
The likelihood of using this clue to uncover the mastermind behind poisoning Xiao Huayong and Cui Jinbai was minuscule.
Xiao Huayong had been poisoned for over fourteen years. Even if this poison had only flowed out sparingly from the tribe where Aler lived, pursuing this lead would be exceedingly futile.
OpenNovel