The Xiaos were quickly defeated, scattered like fallen flowers. The safe haven they had set up for themselves became a tomb that trapped them all, and they were all slaughtered without exception, including the women and children.
This seemed like a merciless massacre, but such is the cruel reality of war. Throughout history, new rulers have always eradicated the bloodline of the old regime to prevent any chance of resurgence.
After all, who could tell if another Zhao Yong or Xiao Cheng might rise among these children?
The common people, however, would not witness such a bloody scene. They would only cheer for the Dayong banners planted on the mountainside. Even the county magistrate had prepared wine and food in advance to reward the soldiers from the capital.
Yet, the celebration ended before it even began.
At the beginning of the new year, the sounds of fighting in the distant mountains had ceased for several days, but Dongxiang County had fallen into an eerie silence. The imperial army did not leave; instead, they remained in the county, surrounding it so tightly that not even a drop of water could get through. Soldiers with swords filled the streets and alleys, standing there menacingly, causing the pedestrians to move quietly and cautiously.
The worst off was the county magistrate, who couldn’t go home and spent his days sighing and frowning in the hall.
This inevitably led people to wonder, “Did they really win?”
Merchants gathered in the largest inn in Dongxiang County, all craning their necks to look at the heavily guarded Xu Residence across the street.
That was the home of Magistrate Xu Tao.
Now, it was as stern as a prison, with doctors coming and going daily.
Someone said, “I heard someone was seriously injured and is recovering at the magistrate’s residence. Maybe once they are well, they will return to the capital.”
An informed person then said, “The army is temporarily staying in Shu because the roads are difficult to pass until the snow melts. Once the snow has mostly melted, they’ll naturally return. As for the people at the magistrate’s residence, it’s not a serious injury. My father is one of the doctors there; he said it’s a case of Gu poison, very hard to cure.”
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone started discussing at once.
Gu poison, Gu poison?
As they talked, the topic inevitably shifted to the rumors about the Jinyiwei using poison to control their subordinates.
At this mention, someone else said, “It’s bad luck that the eunuch died in our Dongxiang County. That mountain will be considered a cursed place from now on.”
The informed person added, “Whether he died or not is unknown, but Xiao Cheng is definitely dead. His head is hanging on the banner as a warning to the world.”
The mountain was too far away; while people could see the banner fluttering, they couldn’t clearly see the head hanging beneath it. But they knew about it and, upon hearing this, curiously craned their necks out the window.
Unexpectedly, the head was gone, leaving only the fluttering banner.
Xu Tao emerged from the county yamen, adjusting his official hat with a grim expression. He retched and said, “Take it away quickly!”
A yamen runner was holding a large box containing Xiao Cheng’s head.
After being hung on the mountain for several days, the head emitted a foul odor, causing Xu Tao to retch the entire way, goosebumps rising on his skin.
Dongxiang County had been peaceful for years, making him a leisurely county magistrate. He had never encountered rebels hiding or the court raising troops. He hadn’t even set foot in the county jail a few times, let alone personally delivered a severed head!
Entering the inner prison, he was almost brought to his knees by the horrifying sight.
Zhao Yong’s hair was disheveled, his body covered in wounds, and his fingernails had all been pulled out. He hung pitifully from iron chains, looking nothing like the rumored powerful eunuch.
But he seemed to hear the noise, opening his eyes slightly and glancing over. His gaze was chilling, like a snake crawling over one’s skin, sending shivers down Xu Tao’s spine.
Xu Tao, terrified, quickly moved aside, forcing a smile and saying, “Lord Shen, the item has been retrieved.”
He didn’t know exactly what position Shen Qingli held, but the general who had come to suppress the rebels treated him with great respect. Xu Tao figured he must be someone formidable.
So he was extremely cautious, accommodating every request.
Especially towards the young lady sitting in the official hat chair.
Shen Qingli had Nanyue retrieve the head and place it in front of Zhao Yong, positioning Xiao Cheng’s lifeless, staring eyes to glare at Zhao Yong.
Zhao Yong’s face was anything but pleasant, but if he wasn’t a person with a strong heart, how could he have risen to his position?
Accustomed to the cruel methods of the Eastern Depot and the Jinyiwei, he could even face his son’s severed head without a trace of emotion, remaining completely indifferent.
Nanyue sneered coldly, “Look closely. The entire Xiao family army is annihilated. No matter how much you hold on, no one will save you this time. Seeing your son’s head, isn’t it unbearable, Lord Eunuch?”
Son.
Zhao Yong’s expression froze for a moment but then quickly relaxed.
Having come this far, what did secrets matter?
No wonder…
Huo Xian had dared to confront him after capturing Xiao Yuanting, knowing the inside story.
Thinking of this, Zhao Yong let out a cold snort.
Nanyue, losing his patience after days of interrogation, furiously kicked him in the stomach and shouted, “Tell me, what is the antidote formula!”
Zhao Yong coughed up blood but only grinned more sinisterly.
He seemed to go mad, pressing his voice down as he said, “If you want the antidote, have him come ask me himself. Let him come. As father and son, I still have questions for him. However…”
He sneered at Nanyue, “Your master is filial. He has long been prepared to accompany this old man in death.”
“Spit,” Nanyue tightened her grip around his neck, “Who the hell is your son? You think you’re worthy!”
The Gu poison’s effects would peak at the end of the month. Without the antidote, it usually lasted for half a month, during which the poisoned person would slowly and painfully deteriorate to death. Twelve days had already passed.
Zhao Yong clearly had nothing left to live for. He knew that whether he handed over the antidote or not, his fate was sealed.
He certainly intended to drag Huo Xian to the grave with him, believing it to be a worthy death.
Huo Xian understood Zhao Yong so well that he had foreseen this outcome. Whether Zhao Yong lived or died, he wouldn’t get the antidote from him…
Shen Qingli furrowed his brows, feeling a bit anxious. He turned to seek advice from Ji Yuluo but saw her holding a whip, seemingly indifferent to the interrogation. Her eyes were half-closed, her gaze distant.
Shen Qingli swallowed his words.
He recalled that night when he and his men arrived, Xiao Cheng and his father were already dead. Ji Yuluo knelt on the ground, supporting Huo Xian’s entire weight. She held him silently.
Since then, she had often been lost in thought, just like now.
After a while, Ji Yuluo came back to her senses. She raised her eyes lightly and slowly stood up, speaking without emotion, “Nanyue, he is old and weak. Be mindful of your strength.”
As she spoke, she approached Zhao Yong, using a short whip to lift his head. “Look, he’s almost out of breath.”
Zhao Yong looked at Ji Yuluo and smiled calmly. “I underestimated Ji Chongwang. A man full of false benevolence and righteousness, yet he raised such an extraordinary daughter.”
Ji Yuluo replied unhurriedly, “Ji Chongwang is just a dog. Does he deserve to raise me?”
Zhao Yong was somewhat surprised by Ji Yuluo’s words, but in his current state, even shock couldn’t stir much curiosity within him.
He let out a cold laugh and closed his eyes, adopting an unyielding stance.
Xu Tao, cowering in the corner, watched curiously and fearfully. Seeing Ji Yuluo playing with the short whip, he thought she was going to lash out at Zhao Yong. To his surprise, she merely stepped aside, revealing the gruesome head behind her.
Her tone was light and slow, “Dealing with such a stubborn person, how can we use brute force? Moreover, we are the ones seeking help. We should treat him with courtesy. Nanyue, gouge out Lord Xiao’s eyes—”
She paused, then gently added, “And make soup for the eunuch.”
Nanyue hesitated for a moment before swiftly pulling out a dagger and gouging out the eyes.
Blood and flesh flew everywhere, and from the corner came the sound of Xu Tao retching.
Zhao Yong’s eyelids twitched, and he abruptly opened his eyes.
Their gazes locked, and the corners of Ji Yuluo’s lips curved slightly.
She truly had an innocent-looking face. When she didn’t speak, she appeared as pure as a snow lotus on the Tianshan Mountains. For a long time, Zhao Yong had been deceived by that face, thinking she was as timid and pitiful as the rumors suggested, someone who would never have any connection with Huo Xian.
But she was merely a pawn Zhao Yong had chosen for Huo Xian!
Just a pawn…
Ji Yuluo seemed to see through his thoughts. Noticing the slight twitch at the end of his brows, she spoke in an even gentler tone, “If one bowl isn’t enough, then two. If two aren’t enough, then three. Besides the eyeballs, there are ears, tongue, nose, and… I wonder how the brain tastes.”
She pretended to think hard, then said, “No matter, the cook at the magistrate’s residence is excellent with seasonings. I’m sure the eunuch will be satisfied.”
Xu Tao, already weakened from vomiting, retched again upon hearing this. He pushed aside the yamen runner and ran outside.
Shen Qingli rubbed his nose, knowing that Ji Yuluo wasn’t just talking. Nanyue had already ordered someone to set up a cauldron.
She intended to torture Zhao Yong to death.
Just as Zhao Yong had brutally stabbed Young Master Qiao to death in front of her all those years ago, she now wanted to dismember Xiao Cheng’s head in front of him.
She also knew that Zhao Yong couldn’t save Huo Xian.
This situation was tough on the imperial physicians from the palace.
Since the road through Zhao Yong was blocked, their only hope lay with these physicians, who usually prided themselves on their superior medical skills. Now, faced with a real challenge, none dared to make a definitive diagnosis, each passing the responsibility to another, wishing they could bury themselves in the ground:
“This Gu poison is an art from beyond the pass. We’ve only heard of it and have never encountered it. Maybe we should start by using ginseng to sustain him…”
“Only three days remain. Even Hua Tuo himself would be helpless.”
“My medical skills are inadequate. I dare not rashly prescribe medicine for Lord Huo. Why not summon renowned doctors from across the land for a joint consultation?”
“Yes, yes, how can just a few of us treat this…”
Shen Qingli knew they truly had no idea. Master Jingchen had spent four years in vain; even the most skilled imperial physicians couldn’t find a solution in the short three days remaining.
But Ji Yuluo could not care less. With a loud bang, the door to the room was slammed shut. Everyone turned their heads to see—
Ji Yuluo stood there, expressionless, and said, “If you can’t find a solution, then stay here day and night thinking about it. If he dies, you incompetent doctors will accompany him in death.”
This was unacceptable. Huo Xian’s charges hadn’t been cleared, and many in the court were still concerned about his fate, eager to bring him back to die again. The imperial physicians couldn’t understand why the emperor had sent them to save a traitor. To go through so much trouble for a rebel was bad enough, but now their own lives were at stake?
It was utterly ridiculous!
One of them boldly slapped the table and said, “This is preposterous! How dare you!”
Ji Yuluo glared coldly at him and immediately drew Chaolu’s sword, ready to strike.
The imperial physician, terrified, hadn’t expected that Huo Xian’s wife would turn out to be a lunatic!
Whoever said the eldest daughter of the Ji family was gentle and virtuous must have been mistaken. Had she gone mad after being around Huo Zhe’an for too long?
Frightened, he stumbled backward.
At this moment, Shen Qingli quickly intervened, “No, no, no, don’t fight!”
The room descended into chaos.
Just then, a sudden knock came from the door.
At the moment when the blade was about to come down on the imperial physician, the door creaked open.
A slender, graceful figure appeared before them. As she lifted her veil, the entire room fell silent.
Both those in the know and those unaware were equally shocked, even Ji Yuluo stood there, stunned.
She said, “I can save him.”
