Chapter 354 On Tenterhooks (1/2)

Soon Baiji and Baishao returned with the information that Lin Mengya wanted.

Those few rolls of fabric belonging to Concubine De were untouched. The women in the kitchen also confirmed that Concubine De had not asked for any red birdnest. Where on earth did Yun Ruo get those red birdnests as a reward?

Was it even possible for the fine linen clothes and red birdnest to appear from nowhere?

Moreover, it was apparent from Yun Ruo’s attitude that she did not really care much about these luxuries.

Where did this young maid acquire such extensive insight from?

These bits of information were pieced together and provided her with the final answer.

In Lin Mengya’s mind, a vague answer was taking form.

Yun Ruo’s identity was definitely not as simple as that of a maidservant.

For the imposter of Concubine De to have created such a stir, Lin Mengya supposed half of the reason would have been because she had been instigated by Yun Ruo.

The queen had gotten rid of Yun Ruo while she was trapped in the palace. Apparently, she was a chess piece held in high regard.

She did not expect herself to miss such a good opportunity.

“Master, what do think is amiss about Yun Ruo?”

The ever sensitive Baiji knew very well that her master would not be so interested in an insignificant maidservant for no reason.

Lin Mengya smiled, but shook her head.

What could she do about her suspicion when Yun Ruo was long gone?

Moreover, if the queen was determined to hide her, not to mention Lin Mengya, even Long Tianyu would not be able to find her.

“It’s nothing. Oh yes, since Baisu is not around anymore, try not to leave the mansion for no good reason. The situation is not stable at this moment. I don’t want you to get into an accident.”

The three maidservants suddenly looked lost at the mention of Baisu.

Lin Mengya, however, did not seem bothered at all. It was as if Baisu had not gone away for good, but was only taking a holiday.

The girls had the urge to ask about Baisu, but eventually held back their questions.

They were unable to find anyone who could answer the many doubts in their hearts.

Conversely, Lin Mengya had thrown herself entirely into researching and developing the antidote.

Once she finished her breakfast, she went straight into the little hut in the Liuxin Courtyard, which had been specially cleared and converted into her laboratory.

She had changed into overalls which allowed her to move around easily, coupled with an apron. Lin Mengya seemed to have reverted to the fanatical research student she used to be.

There was a continuous supply of over a hundred medicinal materials being sent into the little hut.

“Leave the materials here, but be quick and careful so you don’t disturb my master.”

All the while, Baiji remained by Lin Mengya’s side to be her assistant.

Baishao, on the other hand, stood by the gates to manage the transporting of herbs.

Earlier on, Lin Mengya had handed Baishao a checklist of the herbs she needed.

In the end, Baishao had been running around the entire morning, but had barely finished half the work.

Dabbing the perspiration on her forehead, Baishao thought about how her master had personally taken on the task of studying into all these herbs, and she was awashed with a wave of admiration for her master.

If she knew Lin Mengya was merely sorting the herbs according to their names, and that not all the herbs would be used, would she think that her master was toying with her?

Baiji did not understand initially why her master did not touch certain herbs.

It took sometime before she gradually realized her master’s intention.

Although the Liuxin Courtyard was prepared to keep out any spies at anytime,

It was not possible to keep the process of transporting the herbs a complete secret.

If someone put his mind to it, he would be able to discover the prescription.

For this reason, her master used a trick to keep the prescription a secret, so that Baiji was the only one who knew.

“Are you still unable to locate it? Strange, it should not be difficult to find the Tranquil Lotus.”

Lin Mengya went through the batch of herbs that just arrived, and muttered under her breath, apparently disappointed.

Tranquil Lotus was not an expensive herb, but was extremely difficult to cultivate. In fact, no one in Dajin had succeeded in cultivating it.

Even the Tranquil Lotus which they acquired from the other countries were of different grades.

The Tranquil Lotus they needed had to be exactly three years old, nothing more and nothing less.

This had proved challenging to Lin Mengya, because there was a limit to the way the Tranquil Lotus was preserved. Therefore by the time the three-year-old Tranquil Lotus arrived, it could not be used in the prescription.

Although Sanjue Hall, which had just gotten on track had planted its manpower all over the Jin State, but still drew a blank outside the country.

Did she have to compromise and make some alteration to the most effective prescription, by replacing it with something else?

Lin Mengya was hesitant. If the prescription failed to have a direct effect on the poison in the emperor’s body, his condition would worsen.

On the other hand, adopting another prescription would further delay the treatment and it would not help the situation.

Just when she was pondering over this matter, a figure in white had quietly come up to her door.

Qiu Yu had brought his little medical kit, and was stunned when he saw everything that was in the small hut.

Had he come to the wrong place?

The four internal walls of the hut were lined with drawers containing all kinds of medicine. The fragrance from the herbs was as strong as that in the Court of Imperial Physicians.

“What massive plans you have. Do you think you need such a large amount of herbs?”