Qingyao not only had to manage the Fengchen Kingdom, but also regularly check on those dozen children. Their progress in this period of training had been rapid, and given time, they could certainly be utilized.
Besides these, Qingqing had recently conceived other ideas. She planned to divide these dozen children into two groups.
One group would serve as an intelligence source, and the other would operate a small-scale armory. The knowledge in Little Fish’s mind should be put to good use. Although there was insufficient raw material to produce hand grenades and the detonating agents were few, other things could be produced to replace them.
For example, smoke grenades and mist grenades. Their raw materials were not difficult to find; the valley had everything.
A mist grenade, when its fuse was pulled, would emit dense smoke to disorient enemies, an essential component for escape.
Smoke grenades were more potent, essentially poison grenades. Upon pulling the fuse, they released poisonous smoke.
This was a valuable item. Thrown into a group when they were caught off guard, it would poison many.
Qingyao calculated and informed Wuqing of her preliminary plan. Wuqing was utterly astonished. How did Qingyao think of these things? If she had people at her disposal, the world would likely be hers.
Besides Wuqing, Little Fish was also delighted because everyone had something to do recently, and she was the most idle. Now that she heard about operating a small armory, it was a perfect opportunity for her hero to shine, making her extremely happy.
Upon hearing their intentions, Qingyao instructed Mochou to speed up the children’s training. The armory would soon be operational.
Busy days always passed quickly, but Qingyao’s expression grew increasingly somber because she discovered something: Wuqing had secretly left the valley several times. Each time he returned, his expression was grim, and he looked pale.
In the past few days, she noticed his loss of appetite, his dazed demeanor, and that he would often sit alone at a distance, watching her. When she asked him what was wrong, he said nothing.
Lately, Qingyao had been afraid to look at him because, knowing he had something on his mind, she was powerless to help. This feeling was unbearable.
Moreover, she was a bit annoyed. He should know that no matter what happened, she would help him. Why did he still insist on not telling her? Could that matter be something beyond ordinary people’s capabilities?
In the afternoon, Qingyao leaned back in her lounge chair, repeatedly pondering this matter. She moved her hand towards the table, only to find it empty. She looked up and saw Little Fish carrying away her tea, drinking it down in a few large gulps. Finally, she sighed and patted her chest.
“I was so thirsty. Mother, I’ll pour you another cup.”
Saying this, she turned to help Qingyao pour tea. Her small body wobbled precariously, making people’s hearts jump. Xiao Tao, standing nearby, spoke up first.
“Young lady, let me do it. You don’t need to move.”
Xiao Tao, nimble with her hands and feet, walked over, poured a fresh cup of tea for Qingyao, and handed it to her. Qingyao took the tea jug and looked at Little Fish. Her little face was flushed, as if she had just finished practicing martial arts, explaining her exhaustion.
“Little Fish, you haven’t been slacking, have you?”
Little Fish didn’t reply. Xiao Tao quickly spoke up, “She hasn’t been slacking at all. The young lady is very diligent.”
After speaking, Xiao Tao lowered her head to look at Little Fish. She noticed that her complexion was somewhat pale and she was sweating. On her small head, her brows furrowed, and her little hand subconsciously covered her abdomen as she crouched down. Seeing this, Qingyao was greatly alarmed. She quickly set down the tea jug, leaped up from the lounge chair, and scooped up Little Fish.
She saw that Little Fish was biting her lip hard, her face as pale as paper.
“Little Fish, what’s wrong?”
“Mother, my stomach really hurts. Did I eat something bad?” Little Fish mumbled, pressing her stomach frantically with her hand.
It hurt so much, as if someone was tugging at her intestines, twisting them incessantly. Even her stomach felt knotted. She curled up into a ball, nestling in Qingyao’s arms.
Seeing her state, Qingyao knew it was not a simple case of indigestion. Such intense pain was unusual. She quickly looked up and instructed the stunned Xiao Tao, “Quick, go and invite Young Master Wuqing immediately. Tell him the young lady is ill. Now!”
“Yes, Miss.” Xiao Tao did not dare to hesitate and quickly flashed away.
Wuqing was soon summoned. Today, his expression was much better. Upon hearing that Little Fish was ill, he was also anxious. Qingfeng pushed him, and as the two entered, Qingyao couldn't help but call out:
“Quick, what’s wrong with Little Fish? She said her stomach was upset, but I don’t think that’s it.”
“Don’t worry,” Wuqing comforted her while reaching out to take Little Fish’s pulse. Soon, a grim expression flickered across his handsome face, his eyes deepening like an ancient well, unfathomably profound.
Seeing his expression, Qingyao knew the matter was not simple and anxiously tugged at him.
“What is it, what is it?”
“She’s been poisoned,” Wuqing said with a pained voice. He quickly took out a pill for Little Fish to swallow. This would only suppress the toxins in her body, slowing their progression. If the poison reached her heart, even a divine physician would be unable to cure her.
Hearing Wuqing’s words, Qingyao’s face turned grim, and her heart ached. She had grown accustomed to Little Fish’s companionship. May heaven spare her from any harm.
“Wuqing, what kind of poison is this? Do you have an antidote?”
“Duanchang San,” Wuqing said softly. Duanchang San was not an incurable disease. Seeing Qingyao’s terrified and uneasy look, he comforted her with great affection, “Don’t worry. Although I don’t have the antidote, I can cure it. The valley has these medicinal herbs, and the antidote can be made quickly.”
“That’s good, hurry,” Qingyao urged anxiously, truly afraid of what might happen.
Little Fish, who had been clinging to her, enduring the pain without a whimper, saw her mother’s distressed expression. Her little face was already filled with emotion. “Mother, don’t be anxious. Little Fish doesn’t hurt. My wish has been fulfilled, and Little Fish is very happy. Even if it can’t be cured, please don’t be sad, Mother. Just consider it a dream.”
After Little Fish spoke, Xiao Tao in the room couldn’t help but burst into tears. The young lady was so good.
Although Qingyao did not cry, her eyes were moist. She clasped Little Fish’s shoulder. “Little Fish, you’ll be alright. You must persevere, or I will never forgive you. Didn’t you say you would be filial to me forever? That you would help me? That you would watch me find happiness? You haven’t accomplished any of these yet?”
Seeing the mother and child’s sorrowful expressions, Wuqing quickly said, “Alright, don’t worry anymore. Everything will be fine.”
“That’s good,” Qingyao sniffled. At this moment, she was so emotional, so different from her usual coldness and the ruthlessness she displayed towards the subordinates of Fengchen Palace.
Wuqing turned to Qingfeng and coldly commanded, “Immediately have Mingyue gather the herbs for Duanchang San. Also, summon everyone in the valley to the gate. I want to find out who administered this poison.”