A flicker of conflict immediately surfaced in Yun Mu Jing’s eyes. It wasn’t until Mo Han Zhao’s expression darkened that she lowered her gaze and pointed a finger to her chest.
“Earlier, when I first entered the hall, Father was angry when he saw me and threw a teacup at me,” Yun Mu Jing said, her face flushed red all the way to her neck, not daring to look up at Mo Han Zhao. “Here.”
Mo Han Zhao: “…”
The entire Ancestral Hall fell into a terrifying silence at that moment, as if even the sound of their breathing was exceptionally clear.
Especially Mo Han Zhao, whose handsome face faintly revealed an indescribable awkwardness.
The injury on her back—he could still tend to that. But the chest…
“Your Highness can leave the medicine. I can manage it myself,” Yun Mu Jing said, blinking her eyes. “Your Highness’s time is precious. I already feel guilty for taking up so much of it.”
“I’m fine. Once I finish copying the book, I’ll be released. Your Highness should go back.”
Mo Han Zhao thought that once Yun Mu Jing’s wound was treated, he truly had no reason to stay any longer.
Thinking this, Mo Han Zhao handed the medicine bottle to Yun Mu Jing, smoothed out the wrinkles in his robe, and looked at her twice before saying, “Then I’ll take my leave. You… take care of yourself. If you encounter any difficulties, come find me anytime.”
Yun Mu Jing forced a smile and said, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. This humble girl will take good care of herself.”
“When Your Highness returns, please investigate who poisoned the wine as soon as possible and clear my name!”
Mo Han Zhao: “…” He was amused by Yun Mu Jing’s naive words, the corners of his lips lifting slightly as he nodded. “I promised you, and I won’t go back on my word.”
“Mhm.”
Watching as Mo Han Zhao used his qinggong to leap onto the roof beam and then disappear from the Ancestral Hall, Yun Mu Jing’s smile finally faded slowly. Her somewhat cold gaze fell upon the medicine bottle in her hand.
It seemed that after this incident, she had completely gained Mo Han Zhao’s trust.
Next, she could set her pieces in motion, step by step drawing closer to the Eastern Palace.
Power would be hers for the taking.
With this thought, Yun Mu Jing pulled aside the clothing at her chest, carefully applied the medicine to herself, and gently bandaged the wound.
For a woman, appearance, skin, posture, and talent—each was a weapon, and every one needed to be carefully protected.
After finishing all this, Yun Mu Jing put her outer garment back on, picked up the wolf-hair brush on the table, and began copying the Female Virtues.
After leaving the Yun residence, Mo Han Zhao immediately instructed Zhu Ye to increase manpower and investigate the poisoning incident as quickly as possible.
Zhu Ye now understood that his master’s insistence on personally visiting the General’s Mansion had nothing to do with the wine—his true intentions lay elsewhere.
The task of investigating the poisoning ultimately fell on his shoulders.
Fortunately, he had already investigated most of the guests from the previous day, so proceeding now wouldn’t be too difficult.
By noon, Zhu Ye hurried back to the Eastern Palace and reported to Mo Han Zhao in Qianyun Hall.
At that time, Mo Han Zhao was sitting at his desk handling official duties. Upon hearing Zhu Ye’s words, his movements suddenly paused, and he said coldly, “You’re saying… Prince Yu was also present at Yu’er’s birthday banquet that night?”
“Reporting to Your Highness, yes,” Zhu Ye nodded lightly. “According to my investigation, not long ago, Prince Yu visited Anjing Hall and purchased some items.”
Mo Han Zhao naturally understood what Zhu Ye meant by ‘that thing’. A chill instantly surged in his ink-black eyes. “Prince Yu’s audacity truly grows greater by the day.”
Prince Yu was Consort Zhang’s son.
Ever since his own mother, the Empress, passed away, the authority to assist in managing the rear palace had fallen into Consort Zhang’s hands.
Consort Zhang had always been an ambitious woman, coveting the position of Empress and sparing no effort to help her son contend for the Crown Prince’s position.
Especially since Consort Zhang was a princess from a foreign kingdom, her status was illustrious. Therefore, those in the court who supported Consort Zhang’s faction were not few in number.
This was likely the main reason Prince Yu dared to be so brazen. Thinking of this, Mo Han Zhao’s other hand, hanging loosely before him, unconsciously brushed past the scented sachet at his waist, a trace of regret piercing his heart.
For Prince Yu’s crime, he had nearly wronged Yun Mu Jing.
That delicate and kind-hearted girl, hurt by him to the point of crying so bitterly—just the thought of it filled his heart with deep pity.
“Your Highness?” Noticing Mo Han Zhao suddenly staring blankly at the scented sachet Yun Mu Jing had given him, Zhu Ye couldn’t help but call out.
Mo Han Zhao coughed twice and said indifferently, “Since Mo Yu dares to act against me, it seems he hasn’t considered whether he can bear the crime of plotting against his own brother.”
“I was originally troubled about how to make Mo Yu quiet down. Now he has dug a very good pit for himself.”
“Zhu Ye, from whom did Mo Yu buy ‘that thing’ at Anjing Hall? I give you three days,” Mo Han Zhao said quietly. “But keep this matter absolutely confidential. Investigate discreetly.”
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ye couldn’t help but pause in surprise. “Your Highness, why is that?”
When the Eastern Palace handled matters, there had never been a reason to act covertly.
“The Charm Poison is prohibited from being bought or sold in Dongliang. If we truly investigate in that direction, according to Dongliang’s laws, Anjing Hall would certainly have to be sealed, and even the physicians within would hardly escape death,” Mo Han Zhao said with a sidelong glance at Zhu Ye, a derisive tone in his voice.
“Could you withstand the people’s fury then?”
Zhu Ye was immediately speechless.
Anjing Hall was one of the top major pharmacies in the capital. Its physicians were highly skilled in medicine, benevolent and compassionate, often performing good deeds of healing and aiding the world.
In the hearts of the capital’s common people, Anjing Hall’s status was absolutely unparalleled. If something happened to Anjing Hall, wouldn’t the people all go mad?
“Anjing Hall has indeed done well these many years; it is also where the people’s hearts lie. I also believe Anjing Hall would not engage in such despicable acts behind the scenes. It’s likely there are just one or two rats with ill intentions,” Mo Han Zhao said calmly.
“Catch the rats, and I’ll turn a blind eye. Understand?”
“Your Highness’s consideration is thorough. This subordinate will go handle it immediately.”
After speaking, Zhu Ye turned to leave.
“Wait.” Mo Han Zhao’s gaze swept over the scented sachet at his waist as he instructed, “Summon the best imperial physician in the palace and have him prepare several doses of medicine to replenish a woman’s qi and blood for me.”
He had promised Yun Mu Jing that he would definitely restore her innocence. Now that the matter had been clarified, he needed to find an opportunity to personally apologize to Yun Mu Jing.
Yun Mu Jing was a good girl, but the person he loved and would marry could only be Yun Si Yu. This point would never change, so in the end, he still had to break off the engagement.
Mo Han Zhao felt he owed Yun Mu Jing far too much, and now he simply didn’t know how to repay her.
Moreover, he and Yun Mu Jing would now be brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Even if Mo Han Zhao wished to care for Yun Mu Jing a little more, if they grew too close, it would easily invite gossip from outsiders.
Having unexpectedly shared such an intimate moment with Yun Mu Jing, he had already broken his initial promise to Yun Si Yu. He could not allow Yun Si Yu to be hurt again.
Previously, the physician had mentioned that Yun Mu Jing’s health was not very good and required careful nurturing. Perhaps this was the only thing he could do for Yun Mu Jing now.
As Mo Han Zhao’s personal subordinate, Zhu Ye naturally understood the purpose behind his request for these medicines. After acknowledging the order, he bowed and withdrew.
Mo Han Zhao then lowered his head to continue reviewing memorials, but his mind remained unsettled due to his guilt toward Yun Mu Jing. He could not even focus his attention again.
Just then, a commotion arose outside.
“Greetings, Eunuch Su.”
Mo Han Zhao instinctively lifted his gaze and saw Eunuch Su, his father’s personal eunuch, enter with a whisk in hand, wearing an ingratiating smile.