Transmigrated as the Doomed Scumbag Alpha of the Eldest Princess (GL , ABO) - Chapter 19
As soon as Lan Shao spoke, the one who panicked the most was Zhi Miao.
That was because all of Mowan Ci’s personal belongings had always been handled solely by Zhi Miao. No one else had ever been allowed to get close enough.
Terrified, Zhi Miao dropped to her knees beside Mowan Ci, her eyes filled with tears.
“Your… Your Highness… I swear, I have never done anything to betray you…”
Whether it was because of what Lan Shao said or because of Zhi Miao’s reaction, Mowan Ci remained calm and composed. Her expression did not change. She even raised her hand slightly, signaling Zhi Miao to rise. But Zhi Miao was so frightened that her soul seemed to leave her body.
Just hearing that Mowan Ci had been poisoned had already left her shaken. Now that it had something to do with the sachet she personally handled, how could she not be terrified?
She clung to the edge of Mowan Ci’s robe, sobbing softly.
“Princess…”
Seeing how scared she was, Mowan Ci had no choice but to comfort her.
“This has nothing to do with you. What are you afraid of?”
“But…”
“In Qingyi Hall, besides you and me, many others have come and gone.”
“Have you never thought about how Qingyi Hall has changed from what it was six months ago?”
Zhi Miao may have been a little slow, but after hearing Mowan Ci speak so clearly, she finally understood.
During those two days in Qingyi Hall, the entire hall had been filled with unfamiliar faces. Even though Zhi Miao had grown up in Yeting Pavilion, she had never seen those people before.
It could only mean that after Mowan Ci left the palace, Mu Zesheng had sent in new people to take over Qingyi Hall.
“Have you figured it out now?”
Zhi Miao wiped away her tears and nodded.
“Yes, I have.”
She then looked up at Wei Nian and Lan Shao. Seeing that both of them were calm, she realized they had likely figured it out long ago. She was the only one left in the dark. Embarrassed, she lowered her head again and did not dare meet anyone’s eyes.
“Forgive her, Physician Lan. This maid has always been a little slow.”
“It is nothing. Miss Zhi Miao is simply loyal to her mistress.” Lan Shao smiled gently, then bowed slightly.
“Let us return to the main concern. I have come to examine the Princess’s condition.”
Lan Shao’s method of checking the pulse was different from Wei Nian’s. As someone from Qianyuan, she normally would have avoided close contact. But given the urgency of the situation, she placed the pulse cushion lower and used a silk handkerchief to take the pulse.
Compared to Wei Nian’s earlier panic, Lan Shao was much calmer. The process did not take long. By the time she was done, Zhi Miao had already composed herself and quickly asked,
“What kind of poison is it?”
Not only Zhi Miao, even Wei Nian looked toward Lan Shao with concern.
Only Mowan Ci remained calm and unhurried, quietly adjusting her sleeves.
“The poison Her Highness was given is a rare toxin from the Western Frontier. It is a slow-acting poison. For now, it is not fatal.”
“But…”
Lan Shao spoke slowly, and Zhi Miao, who was naturally impatient, immediately asked,
“But what?”
“Zhi Miao, let Physician Lan finish speaking.”
Mowan Ci quickly stopped her when she noticed Lan Shao’s helpless expression. Her gaze told Zhi Miao to be quiet.
Although worried, Zhi Miao did not dare to speak again. She obediently stood beside Mowan Ci, waiting for Lan Shao to continue.
“But the antidote is extremely difficult to create.”
“There are two possible options. The first is to send someone to the Western Frontier to search for the antidote. That would be faster, but it would also be far more dangerous in a foreign land.”
“The second option is for me to try and develop the antidote myself. That would take more time, and I cannot promise it will work.”
Although Lan Shao explained the options for treatment, she still had not said what would happen to Mowan Ci in the meantime. Zhi Miao wanted to ask, but she held back.
It was Wei Nian who spoke instead.
“If there is no antidote yet, what will happen to the Princess?”
“Is she in danger?”
“Hmm… I would not say it is fatal, but she will experience far more suffering than usual.”
“What do you mean?” Wei Nian did not understand and continued asking. Lan Shao looked over at Mowan Ci. Seeing that, Mowan Ci gave a nod.
“You may speak freely, Physician Lan.”
“The Western Frontier is a border region, and unlike the Rongdi in the north, they have many strict customs, especially concerning Kunze.”
“This poison is called Meishu. It was created specifically for Kunze, designed to control those who refuse to obey.”
“Several hundred years ago, this poison was extremely rare and only used by the royal family of the Western Frontier. Later, it spread into the general population. After the Ximen clan established the new dynasty, they declared it a forbidden substance. Now, it can only be found within the royal family. It is nearly impossible to find elsewhere.”
“The person who poisoned the Princess clearly went to great lengths.”
“My late master once worked with this poison and managed to identify part of the formula. But the full list of ingredients was never preserved. I can try to replicate it, but Her Highness will need to wait at least three months, perhaps longer.”
“During this time, the effects of the poison will become more severe. By the second month, which is next month, the Princess will constantly be in her Yulu phase. It will be more intense and more painful than usual.”
Lan Shao spoke for a long time without interruption. Afterward, the room fell into complete silence.
Zhi Miao started crying again halfway through her explanation. Wei Nian clenched her hands, struggling to suppress her anger.
At last, Lan Shao turned to Mowan Ci, who had remained calm all along, and asked,
“While checking your pulse, I noticed that your Yulu phase is unlike others. Your Highness… are you not afraid?”
“Afraid? What would that change?” Mowan Ci responded with a faint smile, leaving Lan Shao speechless for a moment.
It was true. If the antidote could not be created, and it could not be found in the Western Frontier either, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Lan Shao could see that Mowan Ci was a strong and unyielding person. She would never submit to such suffering.
Suddenly, Lan Shao stepped forward and bowed deeply.
“If Your Highness is willing to trust me, allow me to take full responsibility for this matter.”
“The fact that I let you take my pulse means I already trust you,” Mowan Ci replied.
That kind of trust was unexpected, yet somehow completely fitting.
Mowan Ci had always been good at reading people.
Aside from the times when family affection clouded her judgment or when she failed to see through Jiang Si, she was rarely ever wrong.
From the first moment she saw Lan Shao, she sensed the compassion and sincerity of a true healer in her.
Just like Wei Nian.
…
When Lan Shao left, she took Wei Nian with her. Even though Mowan Ci had said she trusted her, it was still safer to keep someone of her own by her side.
Besides, there was something in the way Wei Nian looked at her that made Mowan Ci feel at ease.
It was a look filled with admiration and respect for medicine, a look that once shone in her own eyes.
In addition to taking Wei Nian, Lan Shao left her with one final message.
“The Marquis assigned me to stay at your side. For matters like this, I must report to him. I hope Your Highness understands.”
Lan Shao carried a quiet pride and stubborn determination. If she said she would report to Jiang Si, then she had the confidence to manage the outcome as she intended.
Mowan Ci had chosen to trust her. That trust, once given, would remain. She said nothing more and let Lan Shao handle things her own way.
After the two of them had left the main hall, Zhi Miao came over, looking confused and anxious.
“Your Highness, if she tells Marquis Jiajing, and if she means us harm, what then?”
Lan Shao’s explanation had not been entirely clear, but Zhi Miao was not truly foolish. She had understood enough to be worried.
That was exactly why she had asked.
“It’s nothing to worry about,” Mowan Ci said calmly.
“Whether she says it or not, the Marquis will find out eventually.”
“Do you really think this poison can be handled so easily?”
Zhi Miao had felt a flicker of hope after hearing Lan Shao’s words earlier. But now, that hope vanished. Her face crumpled in despair.
“Then what should we do, Your Highness?”
Mowan Ci rose to her feet and began walking toward the inner chambers. As she walked, she answered in a steady voice.
“We depart for Lingchang City tomorrow.”
“Princess… we’re leaving already?”
“What else can we do? Only after we return to Lingchang can Lan Shao begin preparing the antidote. For now, we are leaving quickly so she can find a way to suppress the poison in my body.”
Mowan Ci had thought it through clearly.
If this ordeal had come upon her and there was a cure, that would be fortunate. If there was no cure, then that too was fate.