The poison from the Western Regions must pass through Yumen Pass to reach Dayou.
And guarding Yumen Pass, the Eighth Prince inevitably arouses suspicion.
"Your Majesty, there is no antidote for this Gu Poison, and the three Du Tongs who were poisoned will bleed from all seven orifices and die within half a month."
These three Du Tongs knew too much, their lives definitely couldn’t be spared.
"Since there’s no antidote, let them fend for themselves. Make sure not to alert the enemy unnecessarily."
Knowing there were issues with the new Du Tong and the old eunuch, investigation could only be conducted secretly.
Lin Yi directly scooped up a small handful of Poisonous Insect Medicine with his fingers and sniffed it.
"Give me the Poisonous Insect Medicine, maybe I can find an antidote."
The scene terrified the young Emperor.
"Put it down, do you have a death wish? This is Poisonous Insect Medicine, what if something happens to you?"
Although he didn’t finish his sentence, Lin Yi could feel the young Emperor’s concern.
"Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to me, and I won’t leave you and your mother alone. I haven’t even heard the baby call me ’dad’ yet."
While speaking, Lin Yi gently pulled the young Emperor into his arms, and naturally, took Ying Yi’s hand as well.
’I can’t have my women end up widows, that’s not my style as a handsome guy. Besides, my Mrs. Ying isn’t even pregnant yet.’
The young Emperor leaned quietly against Lin Yi, somewhat grateful that this libertine had at least some conscience.
Then, Lin Yi suggested arranging a fake death for Du Tong Wu, and then moving him for treatment.
Du Tong Wu was chosen because investigations showed that almost his entire family had been secretly killed or exiled.
If Du Tong Wu could speak, with the hatred in his heart, he was bound to reveal many secrets.
"Are you sure you can cure Du Tong Wu?" Ying Yi looked at Lin Yi doubtfully.
This was Gu Poison, after all. There had been no known cure; it would be fortunate enough to save his life.
"Don’t forget we still have Nanshan Academy, and me. Leave the Poisonous Insect Medicine to me."
Since the breakthrough had to come from Du Tong Wu, they would go all out. Besides, the old eunuch wouldn’t suspect a "dead man", right?
Lin Yi requested the young Emperor’s permission to skip the morning court and went straight to Nanshan Academy.
Going to Nanshan wasn’t just to study antidotes; more importantly, it was to rush out a batch of new, loose Hanfu styles.
The young Emperor’s belly was starting to show; it was time to introduce a new fashion item to the circle of noble ladies.
As for the price, it wasn’t important for Lin Yi to make money, but rather to match the noble women’s temperament.
Nanshan Academy was good at researching big things, but the delicate task of researching antidotes needed high-tech.
"Ding ding ding, host successfully purchased one set of high-tech laboratory, 200 million Heavenly Bead Coins paid, laboratory has been completed. Additionally, a Genius Medicine King gift package is given."
That’s 200 million gone in an instant; Lin Yi felt somewhat a pang.
"Du Tong Wu, Du Tong Wu, I just spent 200 million to save your life, you better make it worth my while."
No more nonsense, Lin Yi immediately began researching the Gu Poison powder.
It turns out, high-tech laboratories are indeed effective. In less than half an hour, the components of the Poisonous Insect Medicine were analyzed.
It also provided the corresponding antidote — Artemisinin.
Lin Yi was stunned; in the future, Artemisinin was recognized worldwide as a specific cure for malaria.
Unexpectedly, it could also counteract the current Poisonous Insect Medicine.
Then, Lin Yi had someone bring two large bundles of Yellow Wormwood, and extracted two bottles of Artemisinin in the laboratory.
Upon returning to the Imperial Palace, the antidote was ready, but Du Tong Wu hadn’t yet been moved. This was somewhat embarrassing.
There was no choice, Lin Yi had to do it himself.
In ancient times, there was a Fake Death Medicine. Lin Yi had it mixed into Du Tong Wu’s medicine. Half an hour after taking it, Du Tong Wu was wrapped in a mat and thrown onto a carriage, which was then pulled into the desolate wilderness.
Fortunately, Lin Yi had made preparations in advance; the people sent for the burial included his own men.
Once the carriage left, Du Tong Wu was dug out. He was immediately given the Fake Death Medicine and secretly taken into Lin Yi’s General Mansion.
Looking at the frail Du Tong Wu on the bed, Lin Yi gritted his teeth in anger.
"I haven’t slept a single day in my own General Mansion, yet you slept here first. If you don’t cough up something valuable, believe it or not, I will have you torn apart by five horses."
Lin Yi sent Ying San to take care of Du Tong Wu, and if everything went well, Du Tong Wu would wake up in three days.
After settling Du Tong Wu, Lin Yi returned to the Imperial Palace to find the young Emperor.
By then, the young Emperor, not fully awake, was nibbled by Lin Yi.
"My treasure, did you miss me?"
"Go away, you scoundrel, are you born in the Year of the Dog?"
The young Emperor did not even want to open his eyes and simply pushed Lin Yi away, continuing to bury his head in sleep.
Looking at the sleepy young Emperor, Lin Yi did not disturb him further and went to find Ying Yi instead.
"Sir, you were right. Under the Moat, when the sky turns dark, several women come to wash clothes by the river and throw in small wooden boxes."
Ying Yi spoke and handed a square wooden box to Lin Yi.
Opening the box, Lin Yi took out a small slip of paper which read:
"Exchange for 200 bolts of silk in three days."
Lin Yi put the slip back and instructed Ying Yi to place the wooden box upstream of the Yuquan River.
"Sir, what shall we do next?"
Once again witnessing Lin Yi’s brilliant tactics, Ying Yi held even greater respect for him.
"Did the old eunuch also secretly visit the Du Tong residence?"
Ying Yi nodded, the old eunuch had left the palace not long before complaining of stomach pain, and went quietly to the Du Tong residence.
Lin Yi thoughtfully concluded that it was time to visit Yuquan Mountain.
The security there was the strictest; Lin Yi must rely on the Human Skin Mask.
"I want Zhang Ting’s portrait and all his information, including his personal habits. Ideally, arrange a meeting with him today."
Zhang Ting’s physique and build were most similar to Lin Yi’s, and he was one of the generals guarding Yuquan Mountain with ten Death Exemption Tokens.
"Sir, these past few days, Zhang Ting has been indulging heavily with the top courtesan at Yichun Courtyard."
Lin Yi laughed, having been here so long, he had never been to Yichun Courtyard.
It is said that the girls at Yichun Courtyard are not only skilled in Kung Fu but also highly gifted in their arts.
If by chance his will was not firm and he was swayed by one of the girls, it would spoil the big plan.
"Ying Yi, why don’t you accompany me to the Yichun Courtyard tonight? You even look somewhat heroic in men’s clothing."
’Hehe, it’s better to have someone supervise me, that way my chief wife, Ying wife, will also be at ease.’
"I shall follow your arrangements, Sir."
Ying Yi’s ears turned red, unsure if Lin Yi’s arrangement meant he was supposed to learn some professional knowledge on the visit.
The Yichun Courtyard was bustling at night, especially since Zhang Jian had booked the top courtesan again.
Lin Yi wore a disguising mask, and no one recognized him as the Great General.
Looking at Ying Yi, dressed in green robes with a sash, his clean and neat face had absolutely the feel of a Scholar.
Having money makes one the boss, a concept equally applicable in the ancient Yichun Courtyard.
And in their midst, surrounded by people, was Zhang Ting, drinking and enjoying the enchanting dance of the top courtesan.