"How did you come up with using poison to fight poison?"
Feng Bailing asked again.
"Although I can’t tell what ails Emperor Yongye, he is definitely poisoned. The antidote I prepared is a method my father often used to combat various poisons. It could have worked, had it not been for the Heartbreak Grass."
Hong Xuan was much bolder than Lu Yin. She used the prescription that Lu Yin dared not use without even a frown.
Feng Bailing made further inquiries. Once Hong Xuan confirmed that she had handed the prescription to the palace maid and had not tampered with it thereafter,
Feng Bailing left the Heavenly Prison with Hong Xuan’s words echoing in his ears.
"After the medicine was brought in, I checked it and found nothing wrong. During that time, the Empress came in, and there was also a eunuch, as well as a handsome man who seemed to be a close aide to Emperor Yongye. I heard Nalan Yan’er address him as Lord Hua. It was after their visit that Emperor Yongye drank the medicine."
Those three people... Feng Bailing was pondering
when someone approached him.
"Princess Consort Wu."
Hua Wushang greeted Feng Bailing with a bow.
"Lord Hua, long time no see. As a close aide to the Emperor, I’m surprised I didn’t see you just now."
Feng Bailing nodded slightly.
"I heard that the Emperor’s condition is critical. I went to the Imperial Hospital to search ancient texts, and I found a Method that might save the Emperor. The Emperor’s condition is severe, with poison blood attacking his heart. If we can use a living person’s blood to replace the poisoned blood in the Emperor’s body, there might be a slim chance for his survival."
"Lord Hua, are you trying to save a life or to take one? If the Emperor exchanges his blood, what about the life of the person whose blood is taken?"
Feng Bailing’s gaze turned icy.
"We can use death row inmates."
Hua Wushang whispered.
A chill settled in Feng Bailing’s heart; the seemingly harmless man in front of him was, in fact...
"Even if it is a death row inmate, they only have a fifty percent chance. Moreover, in the face of life, everyone is equal; no one is more noble than another."
Feng Bailing gave him a cold look and left Hua Wushang standing there stunned.
In the face of life, everyone is equal...
Hua Wushang, deep in thought, watched Feng Bailing’s retreating figure.
In the following days, while Feng Bailing was nurturing Emperor Yongye’s strength with nutrient solutions, he also investigated the matter of the Heartbreak Grass, but unfortunately, there was no progress.
Days later, Lu Yin brought the manor owner of Poison Dragon Villa, Hong Haoran, into the palace.
Inside the sleeping chambers, the Empress and all the Princes turned their eyes to the elderly figure before them.
Was this the famed manor owner of Poison Dragon Villa, Hong Haoran?
This man, whose reputation preceded him, was actually an elderly man in his twilight years.
He looked to be a very old man, hunchbacked, with snow-white hair and a face full of age spots.
"Is he really Hong Haoran? I heard he’s only fifty years old?"
Dongfang Cheng was skeptical.
No sooner had he spoken than Dongfang Cheng felt a sudden severe pain in his stomach.
"The Eldest Prince must have ingested something bad."
A cold glint flashed in the old eyes of Hong Haoran. He had not lifted a finger, yet Dongfang Cheng was inexplicably in unbearable abdominal pain and no longer dared to speak out of line. Mo Qianqian hurriedly went to summon the Imperial Physician.
Hong Haoran was assisted into the sleeping chambers, and the Empress and Princes hurriedly followed.
Upon seeing the state of Emperor Yongye, even Hong Haoran’s old face showed a flash of shock.
"My master requests that everyone step out first. Additionally, Princess Consort Wu, please stay behind. My master has something to discuss with you alone."
After Lu Yin finished speaking, the Empress and Princes could only retreat from the room.
Even Dugu Wu also left.
"Senior Hong, do you have an antidote for the poison?"
Feng Bailing asked anxiously.
The Emperor’s condition had been deteriorating day by day.
"There is no cure for Heartbreak Grass."
Hong Haoran’s aged face revealed a helpless and bitter smile.