Vol 3 Chapter 7 (1/2)

Volume 3 Chapter 7: Don’t tell me this is the poisoning by Ji Ping (2)

“I was planning on sending an a.s.sa.s.sin, but now I can save the trouble.” State Uncle, who sat in front of me, said meaningfully as he clapped a few times.

I, Ji Ping, came to State Uncle the moment I received Imperial Chancellor Cao’s orders. After I’d explained what happened, State Uncle clapped and commended the situation.

“Haa…” I felt uneasy seeing State Uncle being so jovial. “Then what you mean is…”

“Since Cao Cao has asked you to deliver medicine to her, then you can be the one to poison her.” A rich young master– w.a.n.g Zi Fu said as he drank wine happily, with no majesty about him whatsoever.

I really don’t know what I was thinking then, to have joined them in their plot.

“But, just m, me? Alone?!”

“Maa, little lady, everyone has their first time when it comes to murder~ Don’t be so nervous.”

It’s too difficult. How could they let a weak young girl do this alone.

And though it seemed like a simple affair from what he said, in reality these are just empty words. When it comes down to it, no one else would dare to volunteer.

Hai~~ I really am unlucky. To think that I have to risk my life when I’m only a young girl in my teens. Just the tiniest mistake, and my life will be over.

The Han is important, but sometimes the value of life is higher.

“What are you mumbling about there huh?” State Uncle tightened his face and shouted at me on seeing my unwilling expression.

“Ah, nothing nothing, I’ll do it.” I hurriedly allayed their concerns and nodded as I smiled before leaving quickly.

Maa, forget it, no need to think too much. If I don’t do it, I’ll probably be toyed by these royals to the death anyway.

I steeled my heart, and went to prepare the herbs.

(TL: In the original, Ji Ping was truly loyal to the cause.)

(TL: This is the same reason our Xuan De here can’t rat on them to Cao Cao. If he does, it will be easy to find out that Xuan De was the one who blabbered and then he and his subordinates will become targets for revenge. You might argue that Cao Cao could just execute the lot, which the original did by the way, but that would lose a lot of support from the Imperial Court, the people and the Emperor.)

It was now in the evening, and I brought my herbal pouch that was filled with the poisonous concoction into the Imperial Chancellor’s house.

“Speaking of which, why is Lord Hua Tuo following me?”

I looked at the wavy haired girl beside me who was about one head shorter and felt that she was a nuisance.

This fellow is a skilled medical pract.i.tioner as well and it will be over if she detects something wrong with my herbs.

“Don’t mind me, I came here to learn.” She smiled innocently, and seemed like she really was here to learn from what I did.

I’ve spent a fair amount of time with Hua Tuo so I understand what she’s like. To put it bluntly, she’s just a kid.

But I can’t be careless, who knows if an unintentional act of her’s will ruin my plans?

For now, I just hope she doesn’t ask about the herbs I’m using.

“What kind of herbs is Lord Ji Ping planning to use today?”

“!!” She asked it just when I was thinking about it!

“Un?” She looked at me with curious eyes and I couldn’t help but look away.

My heart was racing badump badump and my scalp was getting drenched in sweat. I felt uncomfortable all over– This must be the stress from guilt.

“Ah… Ju, just some ordinary herbs which help facilitate blood circulation.”

I instinctively held my herbal pouch tighter. By the time I regained my composure, I realised that my actions were suspicious even from my own perspective.

“Un? Really?”

“What? Don’t come so close~~”

Hua Tuo squinted her eyes and stood on her tiptoes as she leaned over. We were already standing pretty close to begin with but now that she was leaning over, that distance became ever more miniscule. It feels… Like a distance at which I can kiss her– What am I thinking?! We’re both girls~

And this wasn’t the time to think about this, I had to dispel her suspicions first.

But this could be difficult. Unlike the past, children aren’t so easy to bluff these days.

“I got it!”

“!” Hua Tuo’s sudden exclamation of realisation gave me such a scare that I nearly dropped my herbal pouch. “Wh, what did you get?”

Hua Tuo smiled confidently when she heard my question. Her smile, only induced greater fear in me.

How much does she know? … Ah! Could she have smelled the pungent smell of the herbs? Indeed, the poisonous herbs used this time have a distinct sourish smell.

I’m done for.

Kuh, I didn’t think I would be found out before I could even execute the a.s.sa.s.sination. And of all people, I was found out by a little kid.

I didn’t want to accept it but I could only give up as I loosened my clenched fist. Any amount of struggling won’t work now that I’ve been found out. I looked outside at the night sky in despair as I waited for the nightmare to begin.

“I understand,” Hua Tuo said as she took a step forward and gave me some breathing s.p.a.ce. “The stuff you brought this time must a new concoction you made yourself so you’re not willing to tell anyone.”

…

“Hah?” I couldn’t understand what she said at that moment and responded instinctively.

“So as I was saying, the herbs you brought today must be a new mixture.” Hua Tuo sneered as she elbowed my back. “You cunning fellow, I didn’t think you would be working so hard behind the scenes.”

… Could it be that Hua Tuo is just an idiot?

“Ah… Ah, right right right. I can’t believe you found out!” I quickly seized the opportunity before me and went with the flow as I slapped Hua Tuo’s back.

“Don’t, underestimate, me. Apart, from carrots, nothing is, beyond me.” She said choppily as I slapped her back.

Good, looks like she doesn’t suspect me at all. I was thinking too much as expected.