Chapter 38: Detoxification

Yu Lingxi always felt that Ning Yin, a person who looked down on everything, had no heart.

Even the most wicked people have at least themselves in their hearts.

But in Ning Yin’s heart, he didn’t even have himself.

However, when Ning Yin grabbed Yuling Xi’s hand and pressed it to his chest, asking her, “How many people do I have here?” Yuling Xi couldn’t answer.

She only knew that at least in that moment of approaching, his dark and cold eyes were locked only on her. Too many things happened tonight. After returning to the room, she couldn’t sleep all night.

In a daze, she slept for less than two hours. In her dreams, sometimes it was her father and brother imprisoned, and sometimes it was Ning Yin’s dark and approaching eyes. Bizarre and almost tearing her apart.

When she woke up, it was just slightly bright outside, and her elder sister who went out to monitor had not returned.

Unable to sleep, Yu Lingxi put on her clothes and sat until it was fully bright. Then she saw a guard rushing back on a fast horse, handing Yu Lingxi a letter.

The letter was hastily written by Yu Xinyi. She said that in the middle of the night, she did intercept a carrier pigeon’s secret message sent from Wang Assistant Minister’s Mansion. She had found a clue to the disaster relief grain and was hurrying to investigate.

Three long nights passed before the second letter from Yu Xinyi finally reached the mansion, its arrival heavy with unspoken news.

Yu Lingxi opened the letter too hastily, and the sharp paper cut her finger. On the top were only a few comforting words: “The matter is done. The disaster relief grain has successfully arrived in the four counties of Luozhou. Two traitors from the Eastern Palace faction have been captured and will be escorted back to the capital soon.”

Yu Lingxi read it several times, holding the letter in her hand, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

No, it’s not time to completely relax now.

She remembered her previous life when her elder sister, alone, went north to investigate the truth of her father and brother’s murder. It was also on the way back with evidence to the capital that she encountered an accident, falling with horse and body into a deep abyss, leaving no remains.

In this life, she absolutely cannot follow the same path as in the previous life.

Thinking of this, Yu Lingxi opened the door and called the duty guard in the courtyard, “Qing Lan, go get the regional map of the road from the capital to Luozhou, and gather all the guards on duty to await orders.”

After arranging everything, she noticed that her fingers were sticky and slightly painful.

Lowering her head to look, she found that her index finger had a cut from the letter, and blood droplets had congealed on the icy tip of her finger before falling to the ground.

At the same time, fifty miles east of the capital, the only official road leading to Luozhou extended into the depths of the mountains and forests. The floating clouds covered the moon, and the dense forest provided the best cover, suitable for ambush and assassination.

The ink-blue mist lingered as a tall and slender figure walked slowly at the end of the official road. It seemed as if he were leisurely enjoying the night scenery, unhurried. The leader of the assassins squinted, raised his hand to signal the crossbowmen to prepare to shoot.

However, when that figure walked into the range, he discovered that it wasn’t the Yu family members escorting the witness, but a black-clothed youth whose face couldn’t be clearly seen. The raised hand paused in mid-air, and the sweat of the assassin leader slid down his temple, seeping into the triangular scarf covering his face.

However, the youth stood still. In the misty night, his figure, with hands behind his back, presented a mysterious tranquility. After a moment, he turned his face, and his icy eyes seemed to pierce through the dark concealment, accurately meeting the gaze of the assassin leader.

“Leave two alive,” the youth hooked an elegant smile, “kill the rest.”

The cold gleam of the blade appeared suddenly, startling the birds in the forest. Blood splattered into the bushes, congealing into a deep purple in the night. When the group of assassins died, not a single scream was uttered.

Only the assassin leader was left alive, and he cast his bloodshot eyes toward the youth on the road. This wasn’t a young noble out for a night stroll; it was clearly the reaper of souls!

Capture the leader first; the assassin leader brandished his sword and charged out of the dense woods towards the youth. It was his fate as a death warrior of the Eastern Palace, and he would not retreat until the moment of death!

“Ugh!”

Accompanied by the crisp sound of a broken arm, the sword fell, and the assassin’s throat was seized. He widened his eyes, trying to pry off the youth’s iron-like arm, but instead, he grasped a loop of apricot-white silk wound around the youth’s wrist.

The silk slipped smoothly, fluttering in the night wind, floating towards the sky. The youth promptly bit down on it, holding it between his teeth. The last image the assassin saw was the youth biting on that apricot-white ribbon, with flowing ink-like hair in the wind, exuding a handsome and ruthless aura like a war god.

The assassin leader’s corpse was thrown to the ground, and a large pool of dark purple thick blood quickly spread beneath him.

Ning Yin wiped his hands, his gaze falling on the hand of the assassin who touched the ribbon, his brows lightly furrowed. He lifted his boot and stepped on the hand, pressing down hard until the bones crushed and the flesh blurred.

Only then did he bite the end of the ribbon, wrapping it around his left arm and tying a knot.

“Take the ones still breathing back and clean up the scene,” he ordered.

Immediately, subordinates responded, jumping out and dragging the assassin’s corpse deep into the woods.

As the clouds unfurled their grip, the full moon spilled its light onto a shallow pool, transforming its murky depths into a mesmerizing canvas of purple-red.

The night in the capital was calm.

On the second day, the guards dispatched by Yu Lingxi successfully met up with Yu Xinyi. The captured witness of the stolen grain, along with intercepted secret messages, was sent to the Ministry of Justice, directly pointing to the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. The court was in an uproar, not just because it involved life-saving disaster relief grain, but also because thirty thousand stones of grain were enough to sustain a rebel army forcing a palace coup. For the aging and suspicious Emperor, the Crown Prince’s early involvement in political factions was undoubtedly a sensitive issue.

The Crown Prince was imprisoned in the Eastern Palace, while the Empress, disheveled and barefoot, knelt outside the Chengde Hall for an entire afternoon.

As for the situation in the court, Yu Lingxi had no time to consider. Her elder sister’s investigation and evidence gathering went surprisingly smoothly, and if not for astonishing luck, someone must have been secretly assisting her.

With the capability and cunning mind, Yu Lingxi could only think of one person.


In early summer, the sound of insects buzzed around. Yu Lingxi wore only a light summer dress, yet still felt uncomfortably hot. This heat wasn’t the external heat of summer, but rather a restlessness and agitation originating from within her body. Even sitting down, her cheeks would periodically flush.

In the past few days, the incident with the disaster relief grain transported by her elder brother had left her on edge. Now that the tension had eased, she realized something was amiss with her body.

Yu Lingxi calculated the days and realized there were only two days left until the third onset of the poison. She couldn’t help but feel startled, unsure of what to do.

Should she obey like last time?

But if she did, what would Ning Yin think of her? What would she be in Ning Yin’s eyes?

“Miss, what happened to your face?” Hutao brought in tea and observed her crimson complexion.

“It’s nothing.” Yu Lingxi patted her cheek to regain composure, stood up, and said, “It’s too stuffy inside; I’ll take a walk in the courtyard.”

The night wind provided some relief as it brushed against her face.

“Miss, it seems you’ve been fond of the scenery in the backyard lately.” Hutao, holding a lamp, led the way and casually remarked.

Yu Lingxi snapped back to reality and realized she had unconsciously walked into the backyard pavilion. Whether it was due to the influence of the medicine or not, she noticed an increase in Ning Yin’s presence, even to the extent of blurred boundaries between public and private matters. This was not a good sign.

Yu Lingxi pursed her lips and turned to change her route when she heard the pavilion’s door creak open behind her.

As if sensing her struggle, Ning Yin, behind the door, lifted his head and called, “Miss.”

Hearing his clear and deep voice, Yu Lingxi’s feet seemed to have taken root, refusing to obey. After a while, she closed her eyes and sighed resignedly.

Dismissing the maidservant, she turned to face the black-clad youth descending the steps, softly saying, “Tonight, with the full moon, Wei Qi will accompany me for a stroll.”

The flowering period of the white magnolia tree had passed, and the moonlight, divided by sparse shadows, created numerous mottled color blocks. The two walked through the long corridor, heading towards the Flower Garden Pavilion.

“Sister safely returned to the capital. The witness and evidence of the stolen grain have been handed over to the Ministry of Justice.” Yu Lingxi broke the silence first, her dewy eyes turning slightly to the side to glance at Ning Yin walking behind her. “Everything went smoothly on the way, indicating a benevolent guardian.”

Ning Yin discerned the implicit meaning in her words and adopted a cold and indifferent demeanor. “Miss doesn’t need to beat around the bush. I did it for myself.”

He wanted to let the old schemer and his son fight each other. If Yu Xinyi died and the evidence couldn’t reach the Emperor, this whole scheme would lose its meaning.

Yu Lingxi made an acknowledging sound and smiled, “Regardless of who it’s for, the goal is the same.”

Her tone tonight was different from before, sweet and soft, with a hook-like charm in the trailing notes.

Ning Yin glanced at her crimson ear tips, understanding something, and asked, “Uncomfortable?”

Yu Lingxi halted her steps, gazing into his dark and profound eyes. Restlessness mixed with an uncontrollable bitterness surged within her, a myriad of emotions swirling.

After a moment, she lowered her gaze and nodded faintly, “A bit.”

As she spoke, she felt a tug on her wrist. Ning Yin pulled her into the shadow of the rockery, holding her pulse. The slightly cool fingertips, like a clear spring, neutralized her restlessness.

Surprisingly, Yu Lingxi felt a hint of greed, wanting to catch his fingertips, seeking more. And indeed, she did just that. Touching the raised veins on the back of his hand, she recoiled her fingers as if suddenly awakened.

Raising an eyebrow, Ning Yin looked at her retreating fingertips and said, “If it’s uncomfortable, why endure it?”

Recalling something, he chuckled, “Right, Wei Qi is ranked below the cat; he probably doesn’t even qualify to be an object for Miss.”

Yu Lingxi furrowed her brows lightly, “You are a living person. I have never treated you as an object.”

In reality, whenever she wanted to engage in inappropriate behavior, memories of unequal servitude and her solitary confinement in a secret room would come back. Understanding the feeling of being treated as an “object,” she refused to let anyone become her “object,” even if that person was Ning Yin, whom she had feared and resented.

A patrolling guard passed by, carrying a lantern, casting moonlight on the gravel path, creating a mosaic of silver scales by the waterside pavilion.

“The moon is beautiful tonight,” Yu Lingxi lifted her head, trying hard not to think about the challenges she would face in two days. Problems were never-ending; it was better to enjoy the present tranquility and beauty.

Thinking for a moment, she asked, “Wei Qi, when was the most beautiful moon you’ve seen?”

Leaning against the rugged rockery, Ning Yin took a while, looking at her before saying, “The first time I killed someone.”

Yu Lingxi turned her head in surprise.

As if recalling a distant past, Ning Yin’s side profile appeared particularly desolate under the cool moonlight. Slowly describing, he said, “Hot blood splattered into my eyes, and the moon turned red.”

He chuckled briefly, his voice lax and deep, “Exceedingly beautiful.”

Yu Lingxi couldn’t find the will to smile.

The first time, she willingly succumbed to the effects of the drug while still conscious. Hesitating, she hooked Ning Yin’s hand. His hand was slightly cold, colder than moonlight.

The scalding blood in his recollection couldn’t warm his ice-cold fingertips. Ning Yin gradually stopped smiling, turned his head to look at her, and let her hold his hand without responding or shaking her off.

After a while, he lightly pinched her little finger, bringing up an unrelated topic, “Tomorrow, Miss will go to the Jinyun Temple.”

Mentioning Jinyun Temple, Yu Lingxi uncontrollably recalled the absurdity in the secret room that day. She couldn’t help but suspect: did Ning Yin know about the approaching day and intentionally take her to the secret room at Jinyun Temple to relive the previous experience?

“What’s Miss thinking about?” A mocking laughter came from above. Ning Yin blinked slowly with his deep black eyes. “I have gained some information about the poison Miss asked me to investigate.”


The next day, the weather was exceptionally good, and colorful kites were flying everywhere in the capital. Gold Cloud Temple had many worshippers, and Ning Yin, familiar with the surroundings, led Yu Lingxi to a side hall.

While the other Buddhist halls had their doors wide open, offering solace to those in distress, this one had its door closed.

Yu Lingxi knew that the answers she sought were inside. She instructed the guards and Hutao to wait outside the courtyard and took a few steps forward.

Seeing Ning Yin standing confidently with hands behind his back, she stopped and curiously asked, “Aren’t you coming in with me?”

Ning Yin watched her and replied casually, “That’s the answer Miss wants. I’m not interested.”

Yu Lingxi thought for a moment and said, “Alright.”

She mentally prepared herself, took a deep breath, and then pushed open the heavy door. A faint aroma of incense filled the air, and the hall was dimly lit with no statues of Buddhas or bodhisattvas. There stood a slender alchemist. The alchemist’s half face appeared frail and delicate, but when he turned the side with a burned disfigurement, it looked more ferocious than the furious dragon statue nearby.

Seeing Yu Lingxi, he clenched his fist and coughed weakly, speaking with a hoarse and lifeless voice, “It’s been a long time since we parted ways in the Immortal City.”


The door closed, shutting out the sunlight from the courtyard.

After a moment, in a secret chamber below the meditation room.

The dim light of the oil lamp cast shadows of two bodies hanging in mid-air, slowly swinging like a pendulum.

“The assassins who ambushed Miss Yu on the official road were indeed dead soldiers raised by Cui An under strict secrecy. I used some methods, and everyone we needed to capture has been caught.”
Zhaji, kneeling with one knee, presented the blood-stained roster over his head.

Ning Yin leaned against the couch, casually scanning the roster after taking it. “The investigation ordered by His Highness into the ‘Extreme Bliss Incense’ also has results.”

Zhaji placed a white jade bottle on the table. Seeing Ning Yin’s lack of movement, he continued, “As expected, things in the palace unfolded according to His Highness’s predictions. The Emperor has started suspecting the Crown Prince, and Consort Hui successfully gave birth to a prince last night. The power dynamics in the court will surely be disrupted again.”

“This fire is still not lively enough; burning it is not interesting.”

Recalling something, Ning Yin closed the roster, leaned forward with his elbow on his knee, and said, “The secret scandal from over twenty years ago should be revisited.”

By then, with fathers fearing their sons and sons killing their mothers, that would be truly amusing.

After noting down the names, Ning Yin placed the roster on the oil lamp and ignited it. He leisurely twirled his fingers, waiting until the fire approached his fingertips before throwing the roster onto the couch, igniting the blanket.

“Burn this place clean.”

Ning Yin’s eyes reflected the leaping flames, warm yet frenzied. He stood up, saying, “We probably won’t need it in the future.”


In the side hall.

Warm light from outside slanted through the window, illuminating the dust particles in the air. Yu Lingxi looked at the young alchemist whose face was marred, asking, “Did the master really find out about the poison?”

“Miss, please have a look.”

The alchemist walked to the two porcelain vats on the side, indicating for Yu Lingxi to observe the two goldfish swimming freely inside. He took out a medicine bottle, poured half of it into one of the vats, and the pale green liquid quickly blended into the clear water, disappearing without a trace.

After a cup of tea’s time, the previously leisurely swimming goldfish began to struggle uncomfortably, causing the water in the vat to ripple loudly.

Another cup of tea’s time passed, and the goldfish weakly turned belly up. In no time, thin strands of black blood oozed from its gills.

“Opening the coffin for examination, the woman vomited blood and died. The silver needle pierced through, but there was no change in color, which reminded me of a peculiar poison”, the alchemist said. Then he added, “Initially, the poisoned person shows no symptoms. Subsequently, they become weak, and by the time they realize the abdominal pain, it’s already too late… Is it like this?”

“Exactly.”

Hearing the description of her own past death, Yu Lingxi couldn’t hide her emotions. She took the bottle from the pharmacist and sniffed it. The faint and familiar bitterness made her heart sink. Clenching the bottle, she said, “Yes, it’s this scent.”

“This medicine has an exquisite name, called ‘Hundred Flowers Poison.’ Originally, it was a peculiar poison brought into the Central Plains by the surrendered tribes from the northern desert. Besides being undetectable, this poison has a unique characteristic.”

The pharmacist picked up the dead goldfish and placed it in another tank that hadn’t been poisoned, gesturing for her to take a look. The fish in the untreated tank, when opening its mouth, ingested the black blood oozing from the dead fish. In less than two cups of tea’s time, it also weakly turned belly up.

“This is…”

Yu Lingxi vaguely sensed an ominous sign.

“If this poison is used on a person, it takes about six to twelve hours to take effect. When the poisoned person’s bone and blood merge with another person, the other person will also be infected with this poison.”

The alchemist, immersed in herbs for many years, spoke excitedly about the subtleties of this poison. His pale face showed signs of enthusiasm as he continued, “In the previous dynasty, Emperor Gaozong conquered the northern desert. The tribes that surrendered let their beauties ingest this poison and then presented them to Emperor Gaozong. Within a few days, Emperor Gaozong passed away. Everyone thought he died from a sudden illness, but it was not the case.”

As if a basin of cold water poured over her head. Yu Lingxi pursed her lips for a while and asked with difficulty, “Are you suggesting…”

“That’s right, this poison is tailor-made for assassinations. Not only can imperial physicians not detect it, but it can also kill another person through intimate relations.”

Assassination, intimate relations…

Yu Lingxi’s mind buzzed, feeling as if she had been struck on the head.

“Master… Are you certain?”

She heard her own voice choking slightly.

The alchemist’s expression changed, “If Miss doubts my ability, you shouldn’t have come to me.”

Yu Lingxi felt a chill all over, cold to her fingertips. Thinking of the black blood she sprayed on Ning Yin’s collar before dying in her previous life, she felt like the world was turning upside down. So, it was like this, unexpectedly like this.

She initially thought that Zhao Yuming poisoned her because of Xue Cen. It wasn’t until Zhao Yuming in this life also died from this poison that she vaguely guessed that the Zhao family in her previous life was just a pawn manipulated by the real culprit behind the scenes.

Yu Lingxi pondered for a long time. In her previous life, without family or relatives, she lived alone. She couldn’t figure out why this worthless and miserable life of hers was worth the enemy’s elaborate schemes.

However, it turned out that she wasn’t the initial target of that person. From beginning to end, she was just a tool calculated by others, used to assassinate Ning Yin. Even though Ning Yin’s drug resistance was different from ordinary people, it couldn’t hide the dirty fact that she had become a sacrifice and an “accomplice.”

Yu Lingxi stared blankly at her trembling fingers. Subconsciously, her abdomen twisted in pain, causing nausea. It felt as if a heavy boulder pressed against her chest, making the air thin. She didn’t know how she walked out of the side hall.

Sunlight poured over her body, stabbing her eyes painfully.

Hutao came up and said something, but she couldn’t hear anything. Her eyes were misty, and her ears were filled with the sharp screeching of tides.

Yu Lingxi walked directly past Hutao, accelerating her pace, faster and faster, and finally, she threw away all constraints and ran. Through the door, across the backyard, the wind filled her sleeves. Her lungs hurt as if they were about to burst, but she was oblivious to it.

She wanted to see Ning Yin immediately.

A person slowly walked along the bamboo path. Yu Lingxi stopped, panting heavily like a drowning person. The wind rustled through the bamboo leaves.

Ning Yin saw her and looked somewhat surprised. “Miss…”

Their eyes met, and a faint light flickered in Yu Lingxi’s eyes. It was as if the long-unmaintained machinery had finally responded. Disregarding everything, she rushed towards him.

Ning Yin instinctively opened his arms and embraced her.

The hem of her dress fluttered open, and her long, silky hair rose and fell like clouds. Ning Yin stiffened for a moment, feeling the trembling girl in his arms like bamboo leaves, and his hands, which had paused in mid-air, slowly descended. Hesitant, he pressed her trembling head against his chest.

After a moment’s thought, he smiled and said, “It shouldn’t be, it’s only the ninth day today.”

“Wei Qi…”

Yu Lingxi’s trembling voice came from his embrace, with a hint of a crying tone.

Ning Yin’s gaze darkened, and the playful smile faded.

He lifted Yu Lingxi’s chin with his hand, staring at her tear-streaked face for a long time, and asked, “Who bullied you?”

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