The Cat and his White Rabbit, Tu ShuYin [5]

The strong scent of medicinal herbs had a faint hint of a sweet floral note. It lingered in the air long after the last droplet of the concoction was swallowed by Sheng Hao.

Why? 

Tu ShuYin held the man in his arms. Watched as the chapped, thin lips slowly turned purple. 

Sheng Hao's chest rose and fell with effort, his breath raspy, slowing.

"Sheng Hao, why do this?" XueYa asked quietly as he picked up a piece of the shattered bottle, sniffing at it before his brows crinkled further.

"This flower-"

"Gelsemium Elegans," Tu ShuYin whispered.

XueYa's eye widened as he dropped the ceramic. 

"How did you know?"

Tu ShuYin's gaze trailed back to the peaceful figure trapped in ice.

"He told me… back then when I was still held prisoner on the ship."

.

.

"Holy shit- stop that!" Sheng Hai nearly dropped his tray of congee he had prepared for the rabbit shifter while he elbowed his way into the cabin of his ship.