chapter 7 : poisoning

The afternoon sun filtered through the lush, vine-draped corridors of the Xu Mansion, casting a soft glow over familiar stone paths and blooming gardens. Crown Princess Xu Nuan's carriage rolled slowly to a stop at the ornate front gates, and as she stepped out, a radiant smile spread across her face. Today, she was not the regal figure of the imperial court but simply her parents' cherished daughter—a little girl returning home.

Clutching a delicately lacquered box filled with rare tea leaves, a porcelain tea set, and other small treasures, Xu Nuan bounded up the stone steps with an exuberance that made her parents' eyes sparkle with delight. Her father stepped forward, arms wide, and enveloped her in a warm embrace.

"My little blossom, you've grown so much, yet you're still our sweet girl at heart," he teased, his voice full of affectionate pride.

Her mother, her smile as tender as the fragrance of fresh tea, took the gift box from her with gentle hands. "Oh, my dear Xu Nuan, these gifts are exquisite. And knowing you, I'm sure you picked them with your unique little flair!"

Xu Nuan giggled, twirling a lock of her hair as she flounced playfully. "Oh, Mother, you know I can't resist a bit of pampering! I wanted to bring something special—just like the tea we used to sip under the wisteria tree when I was little."

Settling in the cozy drawing room with its embroidered cushions and low, inviting table, the family began a casual, heartwarming conversation. As her father poured the fragrant tea, Xu Nuan's eyes danced with mischief.

"Father, remember when you used to say I was too little to make my own decisions?" she asked in a singsong tone, leaning forward as if confiding a secret.

Her father chuckled warmly. "I do, my little one. And now look at you—Crown Princess and all—but still as playful as ever. It seems some things never change."

Her mother added softly, "Indeed, darling, it is that very spirit that has always lit up our home. Even amidst imperial duties and grand expectations, never lose that joyful spark."

Xu Nuan's cheeks flushed a tender pink as she pouted playfully. "I can't help it! I suppose some princesses are meant to be both elegant and a little mischievous. I just can't resist the comforts of home, or the endless love of my dear parents."

The conversation drifted seamlessly between lighthearted teasing and nostalgic reminiscences. They recalled afternoons spent reading stories beneath flowering trees, secret giggles over shared sweets, and the gentle lessons of family tradition. With every sip of the specially brewed tea—crafted from the very tea leaves Xu Nuan had brought—the bonds of family grew even warmer.

As the day waned and golden light softened into dusk, Xu Nuan nestled into her mother's lap, her playful demeanor giving way to quiet contentment. "I promise," she whispered, "no matter how grand the palace becomes, I will always be your little girl, forever grateful for the love that makes this house a home."

In that tender moment, the Xu Mansion wasn't merely a grand estate—it was a living tapestry of cherished memories, woven together by laughter, warmth, and the enduring love 

Returning to the palace beneath a slate-gray sky, Princess Xu Nuan's heart thundered as she hurried through silent corridors. In a modest servant's chamber, she discovered her devoted maid, Susu, slumped on a cot. Susu's ashen face and shallow breaths betrayed the sinister work of poison.

Kneeling by her side, Xu Nuan carefully examined the symptoms. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of toxins, she murmured, "This is the Umbral Toxin—a lethal venom that slowly corrodes the internal organs. Its source is even more insidious: extracted from the venomous fangs of the Midnight Viper that lurks in the Forbidden Marshes. If left untreated, it will claim her life within a day."

With practiced precision, she began to mix a preliminary antidote using the herbs available in the palace stores. However, as she worked, her eyes widened in realization. The formula required one crucial ingredient—a rare medicinal plant whose unique restorative properties could counteract the toxin's internal devastation. That plant was the Moonlit Jade Orchid, famed for its ability to regenerate damaged tissues and restore balance to the body. This orchid, however, was as elusive as it was precious, known to bloom only under the silver glow of a full moon along the perilous Crimson Cliffs.

Time was running out. Memories of an earlier encounter surged into her mind—when a brightly colored horse cart nearly struck her, and in its wake, she had a brief meeting with pei qian who was known for for his medicinal field filled with rare plants. Renowned for his ability to procure rare remedies, his medicinal field collection was now their only hope.

Determined, Xu Nuan wrapped her cloak tightly and raced to the secluded herbarium near the palace apothecary. There, amidst carefully nurtured medicinal plants, she found Pei Quinn, whose concern was immediately evident when he recognized her urgency.

"Your Highness, what calamity brings you here?" he asked, his tone a blend of worry and resolve.

Without delay, Xu Nuan explained, "My maid, Susu, has been poisoned by the Umbral Toxin—a venom from the Midnight Viper. I have drawn up an antidote, but it lacks the extract of the Moonlit Jade Orchid. Only your expertise can help me secure this rare herb."

Pei Quinn's eyes shone with determination as he led her to a hidden section of the herbarium. There, in a quiet, guarded nook, he revealed a single, luminous Moonlit Jade Orchid—its silvery-green petals and faint glow a testament to its rarity and potent healing power. With careful precision, he plucked a few of its delicate blossoms and leaves.

Returning to a secluded corner, Pei Quinn worked swiftly. He ground the orchid into a fine extract and mixed it into Xu Nuan's preliminary antidote. The resulting elixir shimmered faintly in its small vial—a beacon of hope against the relentless poison.

Clutching the vial tightly, Xu Nuan thanked him with a nod. "You ha be done me a favor this time we will discipline payment next time am in a haste ," she whispered urgently.

Without a moment to lose, she rushed back to Susu's chamber and administered the elixir. Now, as the minutes stretched into agonizing hours, Xu Nuan stood vigil over her loyal maid, determined that the combined remedy might just reverse the deadly course set in motion by the Umbral Toxin.

In that tense, fraught moment, amid the whispering corridors of the palace, Princess Xu Nuan's resolve burned brighter than ever—ready to defy death itself to protect those she cherished.

In the quiet hours of early evening, as a gentle glow of lantern light filled the secluded chamber, Princess Xu Nuan worked methodically at a low, worn table. Before her lay a carefully arranged array of rare herbs, delicate instruments, and a small mortar and pestle. With steady hands, she combined the extract of the Moonlit Jade Orchid with her preliminary antidote—a shimmering elixir destined to counteract the deadly Umbral Toxin that had ravaged Susu's internals. Every measured stir and careful drop was imbued with a quiet resolve, even as her mind raced with questions.

Susu, who had lain pale and motionless only moments before, now rested more peacefully on a modest cot. Her cheeks were gradually regaining color, and shallow breaths had softened into a steadier rhythm. Despite the dire situation, Xu Nuan's calm concentration betrayed little outward anxiety. Yet in the silent recesses of her thoughts, she was already pondering a troubling mystery: who could have contrived such a malicious poisoning, and how had the venom from the Midnight Viper found its way into the palace?

Just then, the heavy wooden door creaked open, and Crown Prince Li Feng stepped into the room. His usually implacable, cold countenance softened with concern as he took in the sight—the faint aroma of healing herbs mingling with the anxious energy that still hovered in the air, and Susu's gradual recovery offering a fragile beacon of hope.

Li Feng paused at the threshold, his dark eyes narrowing as he observed Xu Nuan. There she was, poised and composed, meticulously perfecting the antidote with the calmness of someone who had faced countless challenges. Yet he could sense that beneath that serene exterior, her mind was hard at work, plotting the next steps to uncover the truth behind the poisoning.

"You have been at work," he said, his voice low and measured as he stepped further into the chamber. "I received word of Susu's condition. I'm relieved to see that she is beginning to recover—but tell me, how did this poison reach her?"

Without pausing in her careful mixing, Xu Nuan met his gaze steadily. "I have drawn up an antidote from everything we have available," she replied calmly. "Yet the fact remains that this Umbral Toxin, extracted from the Midnight Viper of the Forbidden Marshes, was administered deliberately. I cannot let this matter go unanswered."

Li Feng's eyes darkened with a flicker of determination. "Then we must find the source of this treachery. It is unacceptable that such poison should be allowed to circulate in the palace."

Xu Nuan nodded, her mind already racing ahead. "Once Susu is stabilized, I will begin a discreet investigation. I will speak with the servants and review the supply records in the apothecary. Someone has compromised our defenses, and we must uncover who is behind this."

For a long moment, silence reigned as both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess regarded one another—Li Feng, the cold, calculating protector of the realm, and Xu Nuan, whose composed exterior belied a fierce inner resolve to seek justice.

Then, as if to underline their mutual commitment, Li Feng stepped forward and placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "You have handled this with admirable grace, Xu Nuan," he said quietly. "Let us ensure that Susu's recovery is complete—and together, we will find those who seek to harm our household."