Poison Genius Consort

oxins.

“It doesn’t seem like it.
At the very least, we wouldn’t use slow-acting poisons to create them,” Bai Qingyan said before storing the rest of the sample away in his sleeve.
“Master will keep this for now and study it more thoroughly.”

Jun Yixie was reluctant to part with the sample because he wanted to research it too.
But since master had already claimed it, what else could he say?

“Have you found out the source of the horse disease?” Bai Qingyan asked next.

“I still don’t have proof that it was man-made, but I’ve controlled the pestilence itself.
It’s a shame that our cavalry have suffered serious losses in the meantime.” The news left Jun Yixie extremely depressed.
Because the horses had fallen sick, his escape from Fishery Island had been delayed as well.

“Horses are Northern Li’s lifeblood.
When master left you in the past, I reminded you that you had to gain control of all three major horse farms.
But the only one you own now is the Skypool Horse Farm.
What am I supposed to say to that?” Bai Qingyan lectured.

Jun Yixie was a stormy and arrogant type, but he was infallibly meek before his master.
His head drooped as he replied, “Your disciple knows his wrongs.”

“Use this chance to get the horse farm in the south and the Hong City one as well.
You are prohibited from leaving Northern Li until you accomplish these tasks!” Bai Qingyan commanded.

Jun Yixie didn’t object at all, but replied, “Yes, this disciple understands!”

Bai Qingyan rose to leave, refusing to let Jun Yixie send him off.
He hadn’t revealed his presence in Northern Li after his arrival, but remained concealed in the Duke of Kang’s branch estates in Linjiang. Even the emperor of Northern Li had no idea that he was here.

After reaching the estate, Bai Qingyan immediately went to his rooms and took a sample of blood-tainted spittle from his tongue.
He placed it in a porcelain bottle and dripped in a few drops of medicine.
Immediately, the scarlet red hues of the blood began to change until it turned black and emitted a strange fishy smell.
It was faint and not cloying, almost like the scent of an ocean breeze.
Bai Qingyan heated up the black blood and saw white smoke emit from its depths.
He shut his eyes and took another whiff, almost enjoying it like a pipe.
After all, this smoke was full of concentrated poison vapors from the blood samples.
Bai Qingyan didn’t fear such toxins—even inhaling all of the smoke would fail to poison him.
Such venoms were child’s play in his eyes.

Once the black blood was all burned up, its remnants reverted back to fresh red blood.
Bai Qingyan slowly opened his eyes and stared at the single, offending drop of red left in the bottle.
It seemed that his own eyes had been stained red with its reflection as well.
For a long time, he remained silent before barking out a cold laugh.

“So it was Mermaid Clan blood! When did they resurface? Hmph!”

It wasn’t clear whether Bai Qingyan was hiding his revelation from Jun Yixie on purpose.
In any case, Jun Yixie never found out about his master’s discoveries.
He was nothing but all compliance to Bai Qingyan’s wishes even if he loathed Long Feiye and Han Yunxi and wanted to take revenge.
For now, he would focus on settling internal affairs in Northern Li first.

—

A few more days passed.
Long Feiye didn’t find any leads from Su Xiaoyu’s things, while the girl herself was still unconscious.
Gu Beiyue dropped by for another examination, this time with Long Feiye in tow.
He sat expressionlessly in a corner while Gu Beiyue greeted him with a bow and got to work.
The two men didn’t seem to have any conflicts between them, but only they knew the actual state of their relationship beneath the surface.

“How is it?” Han Yunxi asked. The longer she stays unconscious, the poorer her prospects will be!

Gu Beiyue shook his head in resignation, causing Long Feiye to look over.
“Even Imperial Physician Gu is at a loss?”

“This official’s abilities are limited, may Your Highness mete punishment,” Gu Beiyue apologized.

“Your lordship still has faith in your abilities after you pulled me from King Yama’s gates,” Long Feiye said icily.

“Your Highness’s trust in this official makes this one apprehensive,” Gu Beiyue’s attitude remained unchanged.

Han Yunxi stood to one side, feeling that there was a strange undercurrent between the men’s words.
In any case, she didn’t dare to stick her nose in.
Su Xiaoyu’s burns were just about recovered by now.
She began to consider handing the child to Baili Mingxiang’s care if she didn’t wake up.
She still needed to go to Pill Fiend Valley!

Alright, I’ve been thinking about going this entire time! And how to make claim damages from Gu Qi Sha!

Long Feiye had only spoken half his piece when Baili Mingxiang, who was standing vigil by the bedside, suddenly cried out, “Esteemed wangfei, she moved!”

Gu Beiyue and Han Yunxi hurried to the bed at her words, their movements and speed so perfectly synchronized that it irked Long Feiye just to see them.

“What part of her moved?” Gu Beiyue asked.

“Her eyes, they opened just then!” Baili Mingxiang was truly moved.
Most of the responsibility for looking after Su Xiaoyu had fallen to her over the past few days.
Although she didn’t like this child, she had still conscientiously done her work.

Gu Beiyue immediately went to examine Su Xiaoyu’s pupils, but as soon as he lifted her eyelids, the girl shoved his hand aside and opened them herself.

She was awake!

Everyone rejoiced at the realization except Long Feiye, who was still sitting expressionlessly in his seat.
The girl waking up was a boon to them all, because they could keep asking her about her origins.
Unexpectedly, the first thing Su Xiaoyu said made Long Feiye’s expression shift as well.
She peered around at the crowd of faces and asked, “Who are you guys?”

This…

Everyone felt startled, but Gu Beiyue remained calm.
“You… You don’t remember us?”

Su Xiaoyu shook her head, then asked, “Where is this place?”

“You stinker, you’ve gotten amnesia?” Han Yunxi was both alarmed and furious.

Su Xiaoyu lifted her head to meet her gaze.
“Who the heck are you?”

Di Clan (狄族) – dizu, another one of the Seven Noble Families. Di is an archaic word for “northern tribes.”  Li Clan (离族) – lizu, in which Li means “leave, part from, be at a distance.”