Chapter 6 A Haunting Dream (2/2)
Yun Shang puzzled at the man in front of her. With Lin, she still needed to act like a child. She could only be herself with Qin Yi.
After a long silence, Lin suddenly spoke up, ”Your Highness, the empress is plotting to murder you.”
Yun Shang was shocked to hear the same thing from Lin's. She quickly calmed herself before replying to Lin. She shook her head, trying to sound childish and naive. ”That's impossible! You could get beheaded for saying something silly like that. I don't believe you. The empress is like my mother and has always been so nice to me. She has always sent me the most wonderful food and has never made me study poems or the lyre like the mean attendants back home.”
Lin, clearly uncomfortable, hurriedly replied, ”Please, your Highness, you are my master. You have to trust me. The reason I say this is because, last night I was captured by bandits. But just as I thought they were going to beat me to death, I was throw in front of the empress. She promised to save me if I put something in your meals. She wants to send Taoist priests to perform an exorcism.”
”Put something in my food?” What could it be? The empress loves me. I know it must be a big surprise.” Yun Shang further concealed her feelings behind an ear-to-ear smile.
”Oh… my princess.. Fearing the other attendants might be working for the empress, I have only told you. I also fed what the empress gave me to a few chickens..” Lin looked uncomfortable, his brow was glistening with sweat as he spoke.
Eyes wise, Yun Shang looked at him and asked, ”What.. What happened?”
”They were fine at first. Then, after about three days, something changed. The chickens began to run madly around their pen. They would attack and peck at each other's eyes!” The poison will not immediately cause madness. It is slow-acting. The empress is sending the Taoist priests in just two days. Just enough time for the medicine to show effect.” Lin looked down and frowned.
After a few long moments of silence, Yun Shang spoke, ”Thank you, I understand. Please give me the poison. Oh, and did the empress threaten you? How did she plan to make you poison me?”
Li took out a small bag and handed it to Yun Shang. He laughed as he spoke, ”I'm an orphan, I have little to be threaten. The empress promised to give me gold and other riches, of which I have no need. I thought everything through carefully on the way back from the empress' palace. I have made my decision to help you.”
Moved at his show of loyalty, Yun Shang smiled, ”I know you enjoy working with food and drink in the kitchen. Tell me your favorite dish and I will have the chef prepare it at once!”
Expectantly, Lin smiled happily and nodded, ”Your Highness, I love sweet wine rice dumplings.”
Yun Shang nodded. ”Then sweet wine rice dumplings it is! It's already late Lin. You'd better head back. I need to have a rest. Yun Shang tucked the poison away in her robe and left for the inner sanctuary.