Ms Jiang was momentarily stunned by the question, and hesitantly said, "Zhaozhao, I'm not going to hide it from you. I have a son who's not very promising. The Prince, considering our old relationship, gave him a guard job. He can muddle through his days, earn some silver coins, which isn't bad. But recently, I don't know what happened, he's gotten into gambling. Last time, Mr Mu had to bring him back, and the Prince gave him a good lecture. I think this must be the only trouble because he hasn't come to see me in days. I thought he was still angry with me."
"Ms Jiang, I fear it's not that simple. If he didn't have a gambling addiction before, then there's definitely something evil at work. He's brought it onto you too."
Yu Nianzhao found two pieces of paper in the room, casually drew two ghostly talismans, and sealed them with a gesture, a layer of golden light merging into them.
"Ms Jiang, these are Soul Calming Talismans. Keep one on you and give the other to your son. They will protect your souls from being eroded. But you'd better hurry and bring your son to me so I can see what's going on, or else you might have to prepare for his funeral."
Yu Nianzhao's face was serious as he earnestly informed her.
Ms Jiang felt a sudden jolt, holding the Soul Calming Talisman. She felt a warm sensation, and the evil qi was dispersed from her body.
Having been in the Prince's residence for so many years, not only had she seen Mr. Dongfang exorcise a few times and understood some of the ways, but even if it was just Yu Nianzhao's words, she would believe.
Ms Jiang clenched the Soul Calming Talisman tightly, her face pale, "Alright, alright, I'll go find him right away. Zhaozhao, wait for me at the Prince's residence!"
Ms Jiang hurriedly rushed out.
Yu Nianzhao then leisurely walked towards the main hall.
Mr Chen arrived quickly, almost carried over by Yiu Renjian.
Mr Chen furrowed his brow, "The Prince's pulse is stable. Apart from some previous injuries, I can't find any signs of poisoning."
"It seems that woman was lying. She escaped from Tomb Guard City, spouting nonsense, just trying to sneak into the Prince's residence. In my humble opinion, we should send her back to the Marquis Wu'an's residence."
Mu Hongxuan let out a sigh of relief but his eyes were still filled with killing intent.
His life was given by the Prince, and he wouldn't allow anyone to harm the Prince.
"Mr Chen, are you sure I'm not poisoned?"
Xie Jiuxiao pondered for a moment before asking again.
Mr Chen stepped back and saluted, "I've looked closely and indeed can't see any problem with Your Highness, but although the pulse is stable, I always feel something is odd, but I can't put my finger on it. I can only say that my medical skills are limited. If someone more skilled could diagnose, that would be ideal."
Mr Chen was the only one in the entire Imperial Medical Institute who could quickly suppress Xie Jiuxiao's evil qi without being harmed. His medical skills were the best in the institute. However, as he aged, his temper also grew. He was practically semi-retired and mentoring students, and only the emperor and Prince Su could still invite him.
Yiu Renjian scratched his head, "Our Prince eats well, drinks well, and seems very healthy, indeed not at all like someone who's poisoned."
Mu Hongxuan coldly said, "Mr Chen's medical skills are superb. In all of Shangjing, there's no one more skilled. Who knows what methods that Miss Yu used to get close to the Prince, or what her true intentions are."
"Of course it's to ensure his safety."
A voice as melodious as a songbird came in, and they all turned to look, utterly stunned.
The scruffy, thin girl from before had changed into a cloud-embroidered fringed robe, with bright eyes and moonlit teeth, a beautiful face like the bright moon in the sky, her beauty left them unable to look away.
Dongfang Chenyuan rubbed his eyes, shocked, "Am I seeing things? Was that ragged child just now transformed into an absolute beauty? This isn't just bathing and changing, it's a complete transformation!"
Yu Nianzhao stuck out her tongue at him, unceremoniously arguing, "Why don't you try staying in Tomb Guard City? There, everything is decided by strength, according to their hierarchy. If you don't have any skills, not to mention bathing, you wouldn't have new clothes to wear, or even rotting food to eat, leaving you to starve."
Her light-hearted words made one think of how harsh her past days in the Tomb Guard City must have been. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been in such a state upon coming out.
Dongfang Chenyuan, awkwardly rubbing his nose, "True, I did go to the Tomb Guard City, but I only stayed for a day. If I had to stay for five years, I'd probably...."
...go mad!
Meeting Xie Jiuxiao's deep gaze, Yu Nianzhao seemed oblivious, bouncing towards him, only to have his cold sword bar her way just before she reached him.
Mu Hongxuan coldly interjected, "Miss Yu, you said the Prince had been poisoned and would die within ten days. Are you serious? Mr Chen has checked the Prince's pulse, and there's no sign of poisoning. Are you approaching the Prince to save him or to save yourself?"
"Of course both!"
Yu Nianzhao unabashedly told him, "This relationship is mutual. I save him, he saves me. Isn't that how it should be? You have little experience, I don't blame you, but refusing to learn and then denying me is really not good."
Mu Hongxuan tugged at his lips, not expecting her to remain unfazed and even lecture him after her deception had been exposed.
Yu Nianzhao looked up to Xie Jiuxiao and asked, "And you, Prince, do you trust me?"
Xie Jiuxiao furrowed his brows lightly, silently watching her.
He cherished his life. If someone could truly save him, he would be willing to try.
However, if it required complete trust, he feared he might not trust enough.
"Oh dear! Where's the basic trust between people? Honestly, it's so hard to communicate happily."
Seeing his expression, Yu Nianzhao knew what he was thinking and couldn't help but snort lightly, "What I say is naturally the truth. You didn't say your Imperial Physician indeed doesn't have the skills for this, did you?"
Mr Chen heard this but wasn't annoyed. Instead, he brightened his gaze, focusing intently on Yu Nianzhao.
After so many years, there were too few who would speak plainly in front of him. All had been full of flattery.
Hearing Yu Nianzhao's words, his mood was rather uplifted, "Girl, indeed my medical skills aren't advanced enough for this. The Prince's health does seem peculiar. So, tell me, what exactly is he poisoned with?"
"Gu poison!"
Yu Nianzhao lightly uttered the words, pinched the sword blade between her fingers and tossed it aside without a glance at Mu Hongxuan's ugly expression, walking over to Xie Jiuxiao, and without a word lifted his sleeve.
A shadow flashed across his arm and was gone.
Yu Nianzhao slightly furrowed her brows and, moving swiftly, ripped open Xie Jiuxiao's clothes with a 'swoosh', revealing his bronzed chest, along with those bright eight-pack abs.
Mu Hongxuan was both shocked and furious, "What are you trying to do to the Prince?"
Dongfang Chenyuan's eyes sparkled, "Wow, explosive! Miss Yu, are you really so proactive and enthusiastic? I'm rooting for you!"
Yiu Renjian shyly turned his head away, "I'm still young, I can't look at these things!"
Mr Chen's gaze fluttered, "Do not look at what is improper, do not look at what is improper!"