Chapter 135: Anxiety, is there poison? (1/2)

Chapter 135: Anxiety, is there poison? Original and most updated translations are from volare. If read elsewhere, this chapter has been stolen. Please stop supporting theft.

Han Yunxi was someone who refused to die before her words began to startle[1]! Her single sentence was enough to silence the crowds, including Grand Concubine and the rest. All of them were caught unawares as they stood gaping.

Han Yunxi really said it!

The true culprit was amongst them? And she had proof?

Heavens…was this real?

Nobody was more shocked than Madame Li. Her face turned pale as her palms grew slick with sweat. Tea leaves, had that canister of tea leaves fallen into Han Yunxi’s hands? Did she discover the Ten-Thousand Snake Poison within? The true culprit…did she mean her?

For a second, Madame Li couldn’t even stand straight. She backed up a few steps at the same time Han Yunxi looked over. Since everyone was focused on Han Yunxi, they naturally followed her line of vision towards Madame Li, whose face turned even whiter. She leaned back to rest against a door, unable to escape.

Han Ruoxue had no idea what was going on, but rushed over to support her mother. Who knew that Han Yunxi would stick out a finger to point them out. “The true culprits are that mother and daughter pair!”

These words were like lightning striking upon the crowd.

Too shocking!

The assembled masses started up a crow, but very quickly started backing away in fear. Regardless of whether or not Han Yunxi was telling the truth, no one wanted to be in danger. Poisoners weren’t compassionate people! Mu Qingwu and Chu Xifeng never expected Han Yunxi to point out Madame Li in public. Fortunately, they were able to react quickly and went forward to block her escape routes while protecting Han Yunxi. Everyone was stunned except for Han Ruoxue, who was indignant and angry. She forgot all etiquette as she pointed right back at Han Yunxi.

“Han Yunxi, you’re trying to frame us! Why are you doing this without any evidence?”

Madame Li seemed to recover at her words. She calmed herself before disputing the claims. “Esteemed wangfei, you can eat whatever you like, but you can’t say whatever you like. Without any basis or proof, how could you malign me and my daughter? We’ve always abided by the laws and behaved ourselves; we’ve never competed against you for the Han Family’s things! Lady Xu and her son are already in jail, are you not planning to let us off, either?” Madame Li had eaten iron and steeled her heart. She refused to believe that Han Yunxi could find any poison from her canister of tea leaves. It was impossible for her to have the skills! Master might appreciate Han Yunxi’s worth and want to leave her by his side, but neither she nor Heisha were convinced. Heisha’s refusal was written on her face, but her refusal stemmed from her very bones. She couldn’t believe that a useless trash like Han Yunxi could suddenly turn into a genius overnight. Neither did she believe that the Han Family, with its lack of knowledge in poisons, could have such a high-leveled poisons expert. Furthermore, she wouldn’t accept that her 30 years of hard work weren’t enough to defeat a mere lass who had yet to reach 20!

This time, she was going to risk everything as well!

As Madame Li and her daughter finished explaining, Mu Liuyue recovered as well. Truthfully speaking, Han Yunxi’s accusations had left her scared witless. If those two were really the culprits, then she would’ve been in contact with them all the time. It was a frightening thought! This Han Yunxi must have been pressured so much that she went crazy and spoke such words.

Her voice was filled with cold ridicule. “If anyone could find a culprit just by casual accusation, then that’d be too easy. Esteemed wangfei, you said there’s evidence in the tea leaves, so please bring it out.”

Han Yunxi was quick to issue orders. “Chu Xifeng, bring Bilü[2] here, as well as that canister of tea leaves. This wangfei will test it for poisons right here!”

This…

Chu Xifeng didn’t know what to do. Although he didn’t understand poisons, he still had common sense. It was hard to test for toxins once they’d settled in a person’s body, but much easier to test them outside it. Even if there was only a tiny quantity, as long as poison existed, it could usually be found. A canister of tea leaves should have plenty of poison inside if it was toxic. But so many poison doctors had examined it and found nothing! If esteemed wangfei was going to test for poisons right here, wouldn’t she be digging her own grave? How shameful would it be if she found no poisons?

Chu Xifeng dawdled a bit. He still wanted to persuade her otherwise, but Han Yunxi’s tone grew severe. “Hurry and go!”

Chu Xifeng gave a start as he saw her swift, fierce glare. He didn’t dare say any more, but braced himself to do as he was told. By now the skies had darkened, but the crowd of onlookers only increased. Even a few influential officials had caught wind of the news and hurried over to join the crowd. Amongst them was Crown Prince Long Tianmo, who’d disguised himself to hide in the crowd. Things had long become the talk of the town so that people both in and out of the palace heard the news. Everyone was very quiet as they waited, afraid to speak carelessly. Mu Qingwu and a few guards surrounded Madame Li and her daughter to prevent any potential mishaps.

When Chu Xifeng really did return with Bilü and the canister of tea leaves, the scene grew even quieter. Unexpectedly, Han Yunxi’s evidence really existed. The crowd exchanged looks with each other, afraid to comment out loud. It seemed like her words weren’t just idle chatter, but that depended on whether the tea leaves truly contained poison. Everyone waited expectantly for the results, but two people were especially astonished.

Han Ruoxue and Mu Liuyue recognized Bilü and the canister of tea leaves at a glance. This was the same canister that Han Ruoxue had brought over to gift to Mu Liuyue that day before she’d forgotten. Its packaging and seal were all designed by Madame Li, so Han Ruoxue was very familiar with it! How did Han Yunxi find Bilü and the tea leaves? It couldn’t be that…that she was telling the truth?

Han Ruoxue looked uneasily towards Mu Liuyue, who shared her restless gaze. Immediately, their arrogance and bluster died down. Han Yunxi processed the reactions of everyone present. Though she had nothing to rely on but her own stubbornness, she was still determined to test these tea leaves for poison, even if she wasn’t sure if they were toxic. This was the path she chose, so she’d walk it to the very end. Naturally, she kept calm and unhurried–there was no sense in losing one’s composure even if one was set to lose.

She stepped out easily, her cold gaze sweeping over the gathered crowd–including Grand Concubine Yi and company. Grand Concubine Yi felt inexplicably inferior, a completely foreign sensation. She pursed her lips and wanted to speak, but couldn’t find the words.

Han Yunxi withdrew her gaze before finally opening her lips. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is the tea servant Bilü from the Celestial Fragrance Teashop. She’s here as eyewitness testimony. As for this canister of tea leaves, they carry evidence of Ten-Thousand Snake Poison!”

What was this?

Mu Liuyue immediately called her into question. “This is what you call human testimony and material evidence?! On what grounds?”

Han Yunxi didn’t answer, but cast a glance at Bilü for her to step out and speak.