On the third afternoon, Tang Lici once again entered the palace with his own serum. Yunfei's poisoning had somewhat improved, and seeing him bring medicine again, she dismissed her attendants and allowed Tang Lici to inject the serum into her bloodstream. After everything was properly done, Yunfei lowered the curtains and sighed softly.
"Do you feel better now, Yun'er?" Tang Lici asked gently, still dressed in white robes with pearl-adorned shoes. Today's attire was embroidered with light-colored borders featuring the ornamental composite floral scroll pattern, auspicious and magnificent. Yunfei replied faintly, "Better. Tomorrow at noon, by the Green Willow Lotus Incense Burner, I will hand over the Green Charm..." Tang Lici interrupted her, "No need." Yunfei paused slightly, "Could it be that you—" Tang Lici raised a finger to his lips and softly shushed her, "Has the person who poisoned you and forced you to obtain the Green Charm continued to send messages?"
"Yes." Yunfei lifted the watery green curtain, staring intently at Tang Lici. He had obtained the Green Charm—how had he done it? Was it truly so easy? Tang Lici lowered his gaze, though the corners of his eyes lifted slightly, "How did you respond?" Yunfei exhaled deeply, "I said—" she spoke slowly, "I said that Imperial Uncle Tang is treating me, and I’ve already shown improvement, so... I’m no longer afraid of the Exotic Bloom Poison. I won’t take the Green Charm—I don’t have the audacity to touch the Emperor’s belongings." Tang Lici smiled faintly, "And their reaction?" Yunfei shook her head, "Since I gave that reply, Guard Qi’s young nephew hasn’t come again. But I think..." she whispered, "I’ve... implicated you."
Tang Lici had a way to cure the Exotic Bloom Poison—perhaps he could also cure the other two deadly poisons. Anyone would think so. Thus, it was highly likely they would abandon Yunfei and the Green Charm to target Tang Lici instead. Tang Lici didn’t seem concerned and said gently, "What were your original plans for the message at the Green Willow Lotus Incense Burner tomorrow?" Yunfei’s expression was desolate, "I intended to have Xiahe deliver the Green Charm for me, but I never told her what it was." Tang Lici’s eyes flickered, "Oh... You can leave the Green Charm alone, but you should still go to the Green Willow Lotus today at noon. I’ll be waiting there." Yunfei murmured, "Must you always resolve things so thoroughly? Perhaps if we remain silent, they’ll retreat once they realize they’ve failed." Tang Lici turned away, sleeves folded behind him, and said softly, "Yun’er, you know I’ve never liked settling things quietly." Yunfei lifted her gaze to his retreating figure, "I’ve told you many times—this temper of yours is no good." Tang Lici walked away slowly, "Hmm... Pity... You’ve never been able to persuade me."
He left.
Tears slid down Yunfei’s cheeks. How many times had she cried for him? She had lost count.
Pity... You’ve never been able to persuade me.
The words were cruel, but not the cruelest she had heard from him. How many heartbreaking things had he said to her? And the absurd thing was... she listened to every one, holding onto a faint sliver of joy deep in her heart—he never hid anything from her. Did that mean, to him, she was still somewhat different from others?
Was unbridled cruelty also a form of affection?At the very least, he had saved her life. To him, she was not as insignificant as a reed—whether for his future interests, for the sake of the Prime Minister's residence, or for his grand scheme... at the very least, he had saved her life.
That alone was enough to keep her living.
Tang Lici left Ciyuan Hall with a faint smile on his face, seemingly in high spirits. The serum administered today contained powdered Green Enchantment Pearl, so Yunfei’s lethal poison should no longer pose a threat. The only remaining issue was what needed to be resolved at Cuiliu Xiaohe. Not far from Ciyuan Hall, someone was waiting in the Wenxin Pavilion. Seeing him emerge, the man clasped his hands in greeting. "Lici."
"Brother Yang." Tang Lici paused. "On duty today?" Yang Guihua smiled slightly. "Indeed. You seem in excellent spirits today, Lici. Any joyous news to share?" Tang Lici returned an elegant, faint smile. "Yunfei’s condition has greatly improved. Naturally, I am pleased." Yang Guihua stood in the pavilion, taking a deep breath. "Lici, there are some matters I wish to ask as a friend. Will you answer me honestly?" Tang Lici glanced at him. "Oh? I will answer honestly—but will Brother Yang do the same?" Yang Guihua stiffened slightly. "Of course!" Tang Lici’s gaze turned ambiguous, tinged with amusement. "Ask away."
"Was last night’s incident in the palace related to you?" Yang Guihua asked gravely. Tang Lici didn’t even blink. "No." Yang Guihua lowered his voice. "Are you truly being honest with me?" Tang Lici replied, "Should you not trust me?" Yang Guihua hesitated. "It truly wasn’t you?" Tang Lici shook his head, still smiling. "Go on. What traces have you uncovered in Bianjing? What suspicions do the Imperial Guards hold?" Yang Guihua exhaled softly. "Recently, sixteen palace guards have been killed—all silently struck at their Death Spots in the dead of night. Some of them were martial artists no weaker than I. The locations of the deaths vary, but they have been drawing closer to Funing Palace. Some of the corpses bore red spots, highly similar to the effects of the 'Ape-Demon Nine Heart Pill' poison circulating in the martial world. Lord Jiao and I suspect... someone has infiltrated the palace, distributing poison among the Imperial Guards. But how many have taken it, no one can say." Tang Lici frowned slightly. "If they were poisoned, why were they struck at their Death Spots?" Yang Guihua’s expression was solemn. "Perhaps they refused to obey the poisoner’s orders. The slain guards were all straightforward, impulsive men. If poison truly is being spread among the troops, Bianjing is in grave danger. With our war against the Liao still unresolved, if the Imperial Guards lose control, the consequences would be unimaginable." Tang Lici pondered for a moment. "What would be the most likely motive for poisoning the Imperial Guards? Collusion with the Liao? Intent to rebel? Or... both?""I don't know," Yang Guihua said slowly. "We haven't reported this matter to His Majesty yet. I hope Lici can keep it confidential for now."
Tang Lici's voice was gentle. "Then I heard nothing at all." He lightly closed his eyes, lashes fluttering as he reopened them. "Brother Yang, keep an eye on Ciyuan Hall. Perhaps... you might find something unexpected."
Yang Guihua's expression shifted slightly. "What do you mean—?"
Tang Lici stepped forward, brushing past his shoulder with a low chuckle. "Chuntao... Xiahe..."
Yang Guihua's face truly paled. "They—?"
Tang Lici's sleeves fluttered as he walked away without looking back.
Yang Guihua stared at Tang Lici's retreating figure, fists clenched. Chuntao and Xiahe—Yunfei's maids. If they were truly involved, then Yunfei's illness might not be as simple as it seemed. And Tang Lici, the one treating Yunfei, couldn’t possibly be ignorant of it. Why had he mentioned Chuntao and Xiahe? What was his intention?
Tang Lici walked leisurely, as if strolling through the gardens of the Prime Minister's estate. He planned to spend most of the hour in the imperial gardens before heading to Cuiliu Xiaohe. After uttering "Chuntao and Xiahe," there was no doubt Yang Guihua would follow him. In the delicate balance of the palace, an extra ally might yield unexpected advantages.
Yesterday's assassination attempt on Taizong by a Liao assassin had been his own scheme—a letter in Khitan script tossed to a vagrant on the streets. Few could read it, but the place he chose ensured it would soon reach the right hands. Everything unfolded as expected. When the assassin's arrow flew, he pushed Taizong aside. The arrow severed the Green Charm, which he swiftly retrieved before it hit the ground, replacing it with a pearl—all under the watchful eyes of the crowd, yet unseen. Everyone saw only the assassin. That the assassin had been killed in prison was not his doing, though the death surely concealed another layer of intrigue—one beyond Tang Lici's immediate control.
Yang Guihua had treated him with sincerity, but to Tang Lici, promises and casual friendships were rarely worth cherishing.
In this life, he cherished little and harmed much.
The autumn wind was bleak. The imperial gardens bloomed with chrysanthemums—rare varieties, yet chrysanthemums all the same, never as opulent as peonies or herbaceous peonies. Tang Lici walked with sleeves trailing, the Ornamental Composite Floral Scroll embroidery brushing against the flowers, staining faint green from their juices. The wind scattered withered petals, tumbling and withering across the ground.
He walked slowly, taking nearly half an hour to traverse from Ciyuan Hall to Cuiliu Xiaohe. Yang Guihua followed at a distance, watching as Tang Lici paused briefly by a pond. On a longevity rock in the water crouched an old frog, shivering in the autumn chill. As Tang Lici passed, something struck the frog's head with a sharp crack , leaving it a bloody mess.
Yang Guihua startled. By the time he looked again, Tang Lici had already walked away without a backward glance. The cold wind whispered, and only a single white jade piece glinted atop the dead frog's skull under the sun.It was a mutton-fat white jade carved into the shape of a longevity peach, no larger than a thumb. The jade was smooth and delicate, worth at least a thousand taels. Tang Lici casually threw it as a hidden weapon, killing an old frog. Such an act sent a chill down Yang Guihua's spine, who was following behind him. This man... seemed possessed by a demon, his every move exuding an eerie aura that sent shivers down one's spine.
After nearly an hour, Tang Lici finally arrived at Cuiliu Xiaohe, a secluded pavilion within the imperial palace. Inside the pavilion stood a massive incense burner, near Ziyun Temple. Before Tang Lici arrived, someone was already there—judging by her dress and appearance, it was Xiahe. Upon seeing Tang Lici, she bowed and said something before taking her leave. Tang Lici did not stop her. After Xiahe left, he retrieved something from the incense burner, brushed off the incense ash, and tucked it into his robe.
What was he doing? Yang Guihua felt a slight unease. It looked like some kind of exchange, but... Before he could finish the thought, shadows suddenly flickered within the pavilion. Several figures clad in black leaped from the flower bushes—two palm strikes and a surge of sword qi all aimed at vital points on Tang Lici’s back. Yang Guihua was startled, but Tang Lici countered with his own palm strikes. Within a few moves, the three black-clad figures had all fallen, so swiftly that they barely made a sound. Impressive skill! Yang Guihua’s eyes flickered as he heard an almost imperceptible rustling beside him. He turned slightly and saw a figure darting away through the distant trees. Without hesitation, he crouched and followed, his mind momentarily clear of distractions—too preoccupied to dwell on what Tang Lici had just been doing.
Within three moves, Tang Lici had subdued three strange figures cloaked entirely in black, their faces hidden beneath hoods. Lifting the cloaks revealed three unfamiliar palace guards. Tang Lici’s white cloud-patterned shoe pressed lightly against one man’s chest. The guard’s expression was cold, his eyes shut, resolved not to answer whatever Tang Lici might ask. Unexpectedly, before any questions were posed, a crisp crack sounded—Tang Lici had stepped down and snapped one of his ribs. The man let out a sharp cry of pain, sitting up abruptly, his face deathly pale. "You... you..."
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