Chapter 438 - 438: Full Outbreak

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Chu Qingzhi unfolded the letter which had only one sentence: “I am waiting for you in the eastern border.”

The two exchanged glances, puzzled. Una—ble to make sense of it, Tang Jinghong decided to focus on the current situation, “Clean up the scene and transport the goods back to the capital.

“Yes, General.”

Chu Qingzhi, holding the letter, leaned against a tree, arms crossed, deep in thought.

The first layer of meaning of the sentence was that the letter writer had returned to the eastern border.

The second layer: did “you” refer to Jinghong and her? If so, why them? If not, then who?

The third layer suggested that something significant was about to happen in the eastern border.

The fourth layer: the use of “waiting” implied certainty that “you” would go to the eastern border. Why was the writer so sure?

Suddenly, Chu Qingzhi had an epiphany. There was someone who had been consistently absent but involved throughout this whole affair. She realized who must have left the letter.

Tang Jinghong approached, extending his hand to lead her, “Qingzhi, we can go back now.”

Chu Qingzhi, following his lead out of the forest, declared, “I know who left the letter.”

Tang Jinghong paused. “Who?”

“The traitor of Yun,” Chu Qingzhi said. “He killed three merchants. By the way, didn’t you say that someone exposed the sale of official positions by the Minister of War? I think he did it too.”

Tang Jinghong held Chu Qingzhi’s hand and continued walking. At the same time, he thought about her words. As he thought deeper, he realized that there was nothing wrong. “He’s helping us.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded. “I’m a little curious about what grudge he has with Yun. Why is he so determined to bring Yun down?”

Tang Jinghong was deep in thought. “Let’s go back first. This case has come to an end. We’ll talk about it in the future.”

Chu Qingzhi replied, “Yes.”

After Tang Jinghong and Chu Qingzhi returned to the city, they went to the inn to report to Chu Xujin that they were safe. Then, they met up with Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang.

After capturing members of Yun in the capital, they could start to destroy the incense.

In the early morning, several ministers were summoned by the Emperor to the imperial study. The Emperor secretly informed them about the poisonous incense in their homes, instructing them to cooperate with Tang Jinghong in capturing the culprits.

For such a major issue, the ministers were naturally very cooperative, also terrified. If this matter had not been discovered, or discovered too late, their families would have been in danger.

This made the ministers break out in cold sweat. They could not help but feel grateful to the Emperor.

After learning about the poisonous incense, the ministers forbade its use at home. As night fell, many in their households started suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

Chu Qingzhi had given Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang a prescription, and they were now boiling the medicine at the Imperial Hospital. The entire place was filled with the strong smell of bitter medicine, causing some people to tear up.

At the Prime Minister’s residence.

Rong Shiyu, after taking a bath, suddenly felt a bout of heart palpitations, followed by cold sweats and uncontrollable shivering. It felt like ants were biting her bones, causing her to collapse on the bed in pain.

After a while, she managed to call out in agony, “Someone, help me!”

“Miss…”

A maid entered the room. She had also inhaled some of the incense but, compared to Rong Shiyu who loved incense, her symptoms were negligible. She only experienced mild cold sweats and shivers.

Rong Shiyu, clutching the blanket with whitened fingertips, pleaded, “Quick, call a doctor. I’m in so much pain…”

“Yes, Miss.” The maid, enduring her discomfort, hurried out.

Soon, the maid returned with Chu Qingzhi.

Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong were passing by the Prime Minister’s residence when a maid, suffering from withdrawal symptoms, rushed out and collapsed in front of Chu Qingzhi.

Chu Qingzhi approached Rong Shiyu to take her pulse and frowned, “Why is your addiction so severe?”

Rong Shiyu, covered in sweat and barely able to open her eyes, saw it was Chu Qingzhi and clung to her, crying, “It hurts so much. I feel like I can’t breathe. Am I going to die?”

Seeing that Rong Shiyu was crying so sadly, Chu Qingzhi’s heart softened and she gave her a wisp of spiritual energy. “It’s fine. Rest for a while. The Imperial Hospital will send medicine over soon. You’ll recover after drinking it.”

Rong Shiyu felt a cooling sensation in her body. The discomfort slowly subsided. “Thank you, Qingzhi.”

Chu Qingzhi patted Rong Shiyu’s back gently and comforted her. “You’re welcome.”

Rong Shiyu felt exhausted and fell asleep. Chu Qingzhi laid her on the bed and walked out of the room.

“Miss Chu, how’s Shiyu?” Madam Rong was a Buddist and abstained from these pleasure-inducing substances, so she was fine.

Chu Qingzhi looked at the kind-looking Madam Rong and had a good impression of her. “She’s asleep. Send the medicine to her later. She’ll be fine after a few days.”

Madam Rong put her palms together and bowed to Chu Qingzhi. “Thank you, Miss Chu.”

The butler ran over with cold sweat. “Miss Chu, the Prime Minister is about to die. Please take a look.”

Chu Qingzhi was speechless.

The butler was clearly exaggerating it. It was unlikely for anyone to die from the withdrawal symptoms.

When Madam Rong heard this, she almost fainted from anxiety. “Miss Chu, please save the Prime Minister. We will definitely reward you greatly.”

Chu Qingzhi nodded and followed the butler to the Prime Minister’s room.

Madam Rong glanced at her daughter’s room door and followed.

The ministers were the ones who inhaled the most poisonous incense and had the worst drug addiction.

At this moment, the Prime Minister gritted his teeth and curled up on the bed, trembling. The throbbing pain made his vision darken. It was unbearable. He swore in his heart that he would capture Master Yun and execute him.

Just like the Emperor, the Prime Minister also hated this Master Yun.

Not only the Prime Minister, but the other ministers who were addicted also hated Master Yun.

Chu Qingzhi kept shuttling through the ministers’ residences that night until dawn.

Tang Jinghong called for a sedan chair and brought Chu Qingzhi back home. “Rest for a while. I’ll instruct Nanny Han not to let anyone disturb you.”

Chu Qingzhi hooked her arms around Tang Jinghong’s neck and kissed him. “Ok.”

With this kiss, Tang Jinghong felt that he didn’t have to sleep for three days and three nights. “I’ll leave first. I’ll end everything today and come back in the afternoon to pack.”

Chu Qingzhi revealed a beautiful smile. “Okay.”

Tang Jinghong left.

Chu Qingzhi lay flat on the bed and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

On the street.

When Tang Jinghong and Rong Dayuan met each other, Tang Jinghong looked calm while Rong Dayuan looked awful.

Rong Dayuan had his own residence and didn’t live in the Prime Minister’s residence. Yesterday, he went out to do official business and wasn’t at home. Unexpectedly, as soon as he came back in the morning, he heard that something had happened to his father, the Prime Minister. Therefore, he rushed back at once. Unexpectedly, he met Tang Jinghong on the way.

The two of them didn’t get along, so Rong Dayuan’s expression became even uglier. He felt that under Tang Jinghong’s calm appearance, he was mocking him..