Volume One, Chapter 15: It Is Mandrake Poison

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She had long grown accustomed to the cold neglect and ridicule from her several blind brothers and blind parents in the Duke’s mansion. Suddenly, this unexpected expression of concern left her momentarily at a loss.

“Is the prince worried I’ll become the subject of gossip? But I, your humble servant, have a thicker skin than the city walls.”

A stifled chuckle escaped Wei Guxiao, who nearly choked on his tea. He had never heard a woman speak of herself in such a manner before.

“You truly are a woman who can say anything and do anything.”

Su Zhizhi offered no reply. In his heart, she must be a coarse woman who would stop at nothing until she achieved her goals.

Enough. She would eat and drink as she pleased.

As for a man—Su Zhizhi was certain there was no fate for one in her life.

Wei Guxiao’s face darkened as he summoned a servant to bring several quilts—one to lay upon the rosewood carved bench and another to cover himself.

After a long day, he was utterly exhausted.

As for this madwoman beside him, he had no strength left to contend with her for now.

Soon, a sudden snore broke the silence.

Su Zhizhi was shocked.

So the prince actually snored.

Removing the phoenix crown from her head, she lay back on the bed, her body relaxing completely.

Now she was wealthy, beautiful, and the proud head of the world’s foremost pavilion. When this icy prince learned that she was his lifesaver and a beauty unmatched, he would surely regret it on the spot.

She pressed her lips together, barely containing a smile.

Turning over, in the dim candlelight, Wei Guxiao’s exquisite profile still made her heart race.

Su Zhizhi slapped herself awake.

The first to fall was always the one who lost most miserably.

She turned away, back to that breathtaking face.

She must not lose.

Before long, she drifted into a deep sleep.

The next morning, as Su Zhizhi stretched and prepared to rise, she noticed that the prince had already left.

Madam Wang arrived with a group of maids to offer congratulations.

“Your Highness, you truly are the blessed star of our household. This old servant kneels before you.”

Madam Wang, aged and tearful, spoke with heartfelt emotion.

Having served the household for many years, she had always been treated kindly by the prince and the virtuous consort.

When she heard the prince’s tragic news last night, she was heartbroken, grief-stricken to the core.

Thankfully, the prince married a veritable godsend, a lucky star; only then did the fortunes of the house begin to turn, allowing them to hold their heads high again.

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She had someone bring a splendid jacket and skirt embroidered with golden clouds—clothing made from the finest fabric carefully chosen at the Lily Cloth Shop.

“Your Highness, your servants will assist with your change of clothes.”

Su Zhizhi glanced at the pearl pendants, onyx bracelets, and white jade hairpins the maids carried—golden crowns and jade hairpins—all seemingly of great value.

“Your Highness, these jewels and accessories were left to the Jin Princess by the virtuous consort.”

No wonder. Qingzhu had told her that Madam Wang had not touched the gold she brought. Such precious items could not be afforded even by Madam Wang, even if she saved silver her entire life.

Despite the household’s hardships, Madam Wang had never considered selling these treasures—truly loyal.

“However, these jewels were worn by the previous eight princesses?”

Though Su Zhizhi did not believe in ghosts, she was wary of items once worn by restless spirits.

“Your Highness, I swear to heaven these jewels have never been worn by anyone. They were prepared by the virtuous consort for the princess who bore her grandchildren, but the previous princesses... and the virtuous consort herself...”

Madam Wang, her eyes red, shook her head and sighed, unwilling to continue.

Su Zhizhi felt relieved. Madam Wang truly regarded her differently. Without an heir, such precious possessions were entrusted to her.

Yet, she felt a pang of sorrow; the Jin Prince’s birth mother, the virtuous consort, had truly suffered misfortune, departing this world before even meeting her daughter-in-law.

Su Zhizhi gently said, “Madam Wang, from now on, aside from the silver given by the court, all household expenses may be paid from the gold I brought. Furthermore, expenditures under ten taels of gold need not be reported to me; you may decide at your discretion.”

Ten taels of gold? That was nearly a hundred taels of silver.

Having authority over such an amount was almost unheard of.

Madam Wang’s surprised eyes shone with disbelief.

“This old servant thanks Your Highness.”

Wait.

As Madam Wang prepared to help her change, Su Zhizhi caught a peculiar scent from the embroidered garment.

Datura?

Poisonous datura extract had been used to tamper with the clothing?

The assassin had met their match.

Su Zhizhi frowned, deep in thought. “Madam Wang, where did this golden embroidered jacket and skirt come from?”

“The Lily Cloth Shop, Your Highness. All noble families in the capital commission their garments there for joyous occasions. The shop’s name is auspicious, symbolizing a hundred years of harmony and happiness.”

Su Zhizhi studied the golden threads on the skirt and knit her brows.

The poison had been applied to the golden threads; anyone wearing this garment would suffer red swelling and ulcerations, and within a month, would die suddenly.

No matter how ruthless, Su Zhizhi would never stoop to such a vile poison.

When she tampered with Madam Li’s clothes at the Xuanlin Pagoda, she used only non-lethal poisons, cured after three months of continuous antidote treatment.

Who was this killer?

“Madam Wang, were the previous eight princesses also dressed by the Lily Cloth Shop?”

Madam Wang nodded, perceiving nothing amiss. “Yes, Your Highness. Even Princess Huayang’s dresses were bought at that shop.”

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Princess Huayang?

The eight princesses who wore the garments had all died mysteriously, yet Princess Huayang was unharmed?

The matter was too strange for Su Zhizhi to discern immediately.

What she could be certain of was that the deaths of the previous eight princesses were directly linked to these golden-threaded clothes.

“Qingzhu, put on gloves and carefully store this golden embroidered jacket and skirt. Remember, do not touch it directly to avoid injury.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Qingzhu retrieved a pair of cloth gloves from a sandalwood chest carved with peony patterns and carefully placed the garment inside a box.

“Who is the proprietor of the Lily Cloth Shop?”

Madam Wang was truly puzzled—how could such perfectly good clothes cause harm?

“The shop’s owner’s surname is Ge. I don’t know his full name, but Princess Huayang is acquainted with him. I heard the owner was once a military officer under General Jing before turning to business.”

Again, Princess Huayang?

Su Zhizhi began to doubt her previous assumptions.

Could this innocent wildcat have hidden her true nature so well?

“Su Zhizhi, what trick did you use to spend the night with Brother Xiao?”

Princess Huayang arrived at Zhao Ming Hall before morning meal, immediately demanding answers.

Speak of the devil.

“Your Highness, getting angry so early is bad for your liver.” Su Zhizhi leisurely sipped a bowl of white fungus soup.

This wildcat showed her claws again, and Su Zhizhi found it amusing.

“Stop drinking!” Princess Huayang swished her sleeve, overturning the bowl.

The shattered jade bowl was worth a tael of silver.

Such ingratitude.

“Princess Huayang, what have I done to deserve having my bowl smashed to pieces?”

“Today, I will shatter your body and soul. Brother Xiao’s wedding night belongs to me alone!”

As she spoke, the catlike princess lunged toward Su Zhizhi.

Su Zhizhi dodged deftly, and Princess Huayang stumbled and fell.

“What are you two doing?”

Seeing her savior arrive, Princess Huayang immediately broke into tears, her face streaked with mascara.

“Brother Xiao, look at the princess! She pushed me—boo hoo hoo...”