Chapter 54 Nanyue’s First Poison Master

Chapter 54: Nanyue's Top Poison Master

Jiang Yaozhen had been restless these past few days. Seizing an opportunity when no one was watching, she slipped out of the Prime Minister's estate and hurried straight to Laifu Tavern.

As soon as she entered the private room and saw the concubine, she sobbed. "Yiniang, please go ask the Fourth Prince for the antidote. Look at my arm!"

She pushed up her sleeve, revealing her arm.

The concubine was horrified. The once smooth, jade-like skin on her arm was now severely ulcerated.

"It's because of the Fragrance Pill!" she gestured frantically.

The Fragrance Pill could make a person's body emit a subtle fragrance and was often used by courtesans in Nanyue to please their clients.

While all medicine has some toxicity, taking this pill alone shouldn't cause skin ulceration.

Clearly, it was the interaction with the poison given by Xiao Lingchuan that had triggered its toxic effects.

Jiang Yaozhen's face was deathly pale.

To win the favor of the Third Prince, Xiao Xiuzhan, she had deliberately taken the Fragrance Pill before meeting him last time, making her sweat emit an unusual fragrance to pique his interest.

If this pill accelerated the poison's effects, how could she continue taking it in the future?

"It doesn't matter. I'm going to find the Fourth Prince and beg him for the antidote!"

"No!" the concubine gestured with a grave expression. "The one-month deadline hasn't arrived yet. If you suddenly go asking for the antidote, it will definitely arouse suspicion. If he discovers something, we'll be in trouble!"

This Fourth Prince was inherently suspicious and preternaturally cunning. They had to be extremely careful.

"Then what should I do? I can't just watch my skin rot like this!"

The concubine gestured to calm her. "Go back to the estate first. I'll figure something out."

In the dead of night, Third Madam Jiang was awakened from her sleep by a peculiar whistling sound.

Her eyes snapped open. She glanced at Third Master Jiang sleeping soundly beside her and, seeing him in deep slumber, quietly got up, dressed, and slipped out of the room.

The whistle came from outside the estate.

With no other choice, Third Madam Jiang used paralysis powder to incapacitate several guards at the gate and secretly left the Prime Minister's estate.

In the snow, she saw a woman dressed in black.

This woman was the concubine from the main branch of the Jiang family who was supposed to have died in childbirth.

"Why summon me outside the estate? Couldn't you have said whatever it is inside?" Third Madam Jiang asked, slightly displeased, tightening her robe.

She wasn't a martial artist. Being woken up in the middle of such a cold night, how could she be in a good mood?

The concubine gestured rapidly: "There are martial experts in the estate. I was afraid of being watched!"

Third Madam Jiang frowned. "Who?"

What kind of person could make her so wary?

After the concubine's series of gestures, Third Madam Jiang was somewhat surprised.

The maid Ling Wu by Jiang Shuning's side was actually a martial expert whom even the concubine feared.

Why would someone with such skills willingly serve as a maid?

Could it be that she was deliberately placed at Jiang Shuning's side by someone else?

Third Madam Jiang lowered her gaze, her tone cold. "Why summon me so late at night?"

"Do you have any medicine that can cure skin ulceration poison?" the concubine gestured urgently.

Third Madam Jiang gave a cold laugh. "I only know how to make poisons, not antidotes. I have no antidote, but I do have a poison that fights poison with poison. Do you want it?"

The concubine's face darkened. She turned and left, her steps decisive.

Watching her retreating back, Third Madam Jiang snorted coldly.

She really thinks of herself as a mistress now!

If not for their ongoing transaction, she would never have dealings with her.

Unable to get the antidote from Third Madam Jiang and unable to bear watching her daughter suffer from the flesh-rotting poison, the concubine had no choice but to infiltrate the palace late at night, intending to beg Xiao Lingchuan for the antidote.

However, before she could reach Jinghe Palace, she was intercepted by Xiao Lingchuan's men. After a brief struggle, she was brought before Xiao Lingchuan.

Xiao Lingchuan seemed to have anticipated her arrival. His eyes were cold as stars as he coldly glared at her. "What brings you here so late at night, Concubine?" Trembling, the concubine pulled a note from her sleeve and handed it to him.

Ling Feng took it and presented it to Xiao Lingchuan. On the note were only five words: "I beg Your Highness for the antidote."

"The month is not yet up. No antidote is needed. If you need it urgently, there's only one reason." A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Lingchuan's eyes. "You've taken another toxic drug. Tell me, where is the person who helped you make the poison now?"

The concubine's heart tightened. She struggled in panic, but before she could move, a sharp sword was pressed against her neck. The chilling cold made her shiver involuntarily.

She looked at Xiao Lingchuan with terror-filled eyes, only to see his expression calm and his gaze icy.

"When my mother entered the palace, she brought two personal maids with her. One was skilled in martial arts, the other in poison-making. It seems you are the martial arts expert. As for the one known as Nanyue's First Poison Master, the skilled one, you must know her whereabouts, correct?"

Under Xiao Lingchuan's unwavering gaze, the concubine felt her heart go numb.

How did he know?

His mother passed away when he was still young. Even if his memory was exceptional, his mother couldn't have told him these secrets!

A cold light flickered in Xiao Lingchuan's eyes. Seeing the concubine remain silent, his patience ran out. "If you don't tell the truth, I'll kill you! What use is a disloyal subordinate?"

Terrified, the concubine gestured frantically, hurriedly indicating her willingness to reveal that person's hiding place.

Only then did Xiao Lingchuan lazily sheathe his sword and coldly order Ling Feng, "Go with her to find that Nanyue Poison Master. If she doesn't cooperate, kill her on the spot. As for the antidote for her daughter, don't give it anymore. Let her die from the poison, her body completely ulcerated!"

Hearing this, the concubine's face grew even more horrified.

Why was this Fourth Prince so merciless?

"Yes, Your Highness." Ling Feng pushed the concubine forward, his tone icy. "Lead the way, now."

With no other choice, the concubine steeled herself and walked out, leading Ling Feng to the Prime Minister's estate.

Ling Feng frowned slightly. "This person is in the Prime Minister's estate?"

The concubine nodded, pointing toward the west courtyard.

Ling Feng had delivered messages for Xiao Lingchuan to the Prime Minister's estate several times and knew that the west courtyard was home to the Jiang family's third branch.

After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "Is it Third Madam Jiang?"

The woman nodded slightly.

Shock struck Ling Feng.

There were actually two Nanyue spies hidden within the Prime Minister's estate. If the emperor were to discover this one day, would anyone in the Prime Minister's household be spared?

Ling Feng produced the antidote and casually tossed it to the woman, then immediately turned and headed toward the palace.

"The Nanyue Poison Master is actually the Third Madam of the Jiang family?" Xiao Lingchuan's brow furrowed slightly, his tone carrying a hint of disbelief.

The person he'd futilely searched for in his past life was actually hiding within the Jiang family.

Why were these Nanyue spies so obsessed with the Jiang family?

"Your Highness, should we apprehend her?" Ling Feng asked for orders.

"This person is skilled in poison-making. Even if you and Ling Wu join forces, you might not be her match." Xiao Lingchuan's expression was grave. "For now, have Ling Wu keep a covert watch on her. Once we understand her background, we can decide our next move."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Just as Ling Feng was about to take his leave, Xiao Lingchuan called him back.

"Have Ling Wu remind Miss Jiang to stay far away from that Nanyue Poison Master and avoid being ensnared by her schemes!"

"Subordinate obeys!" Ling Feng accepted the order and left.

After Ling Feng departed, a glint of something dark passed through Xiao Lingchuan's eyes.

He had to find a way, and fast, to recruit this Nanyue Poison Master to his side.

Otherwise, with such a dangerous person lurking so close to Jiang Shuning, how could he rest easy?