Xue Hongyi had been exposed to various medicinal herbs and poisons for years, making the Hundred Poisons Gu within him a life-saving treasure for others.
However, once removed from his body, the medicinal herbs and poisons used to nurture the Hundred Poisons Gu would turn into potent toxins, rapidly poisoning him.
To save Xue Hongyi's life, the Anshen poison had to be resolved quickly.
And after detoxification, the previous Hundred Poisons Gu returning to her body would be tantamount to administering a potent poison to a normal person; Xue Hongyi's body simply couldn't withstand it.
"Are you being foolish?"
Lu Qingwan helped Xue Hongyi lie down on a nearby couch. "Yao Yao is indeed my only friend, but it's not as if we have no way to save her. Why would you risk your own life? Did you not consider that if you were to die here, your fellow disciples would flay me alive?"
"They wouldn't."
Xue Hongyi stated with absolute certainty, "Master said you are the Saintess of the Samsara Hall. They will only do their utmost to protect you, and no matter what you do, they won't let anyone bully you again. They themselves would never bully you."
Lu Qingwan applied needles and medicine to him with a blank expression, not responding to his words.
Xue Hongyi felt no awkwardness and continued on his own, "Your friend is riddled with too much poison and Gu. The parts we haven't dealt with are precisely the most lethal. You should arrange for her to see Senior Sister Ziyi as soon as possible. I'm afraid there won't be enough time if she's delayed."
"Someone is already arranging it. Everything is prepared. I will take her to see Senior Aunt Ziyi without you urging me."
Lu Qingwan said this, taking out medicinal herbs and a cauldron to brew medicine on the spot.
The small red clay stove made the already cramped medicine room warm. Xue Hongyi, with his pale face and sleepy demeanor, chatted with Lu Qingwan to keep himself awake, for fear of falling asleep.
"You really didn't pick the wrong husband. Although his skills aren't much, he truly cherishes you like the apple of his eye. Knowing that this Chi Yaoyao is covered in poison, when she almost kicked you, he rushed over without a second thought. Your judgment is much better than your mother's!"
Lu Qingwan, fanning the medicine with a palm-leaf fan, turned her head in surprise upon hearing this. "You found her?"
Xue Hongyi's expression stiffened. Lu Qingwan seemed not to notice and continued fanning, asking him, "Then have you found my birth father? What does he look like? How does he compare to my adoptive father, is he as handsome as my adoptive father..."
She was full of enthusiasm, as if inquiring about gossip. Xue Hongyi, however, sheepishly touched his nose. "We only found someone suspected to be your mother, and we don't know if it's her yet. As for your father, don't even mention it. We don't even know if he's alive or dead. But judging by your mother's demeanor, she probably wishes your father had died long ago."
Xue Hongyi, habitually speaking carelessly, immediately slapped himself. "Ahem, look at my foul mouth. Well, I only said that person is suspected to be your mother. Don't take it to heart. Perhaps your father and mother are also looking for you..."
"You're mistaken. I have never looked for them, nor have I ever thought of looking for them."
Lu Qingwan took a warm medicine bag to Chi Yaoyao and tied it to her acupoints. She thinly sliced ginseng, soaked in a special medicinal broth, and placed it under Chi Yaoyao's tongue.
After checking Chi Yaoyao's pulse and confirming she was temporarily out of danger, Lu Qingwan picked up a small bowl to prepare medicine for Xue Hongyi.
Xue Hongyi looked at her guiltily. "You really don't want to find them? They are your birth parents!"
Lu Qingwan remained silent, only glaring at him with fierce eyes. Xue Hongyi grinned sheepishly. "Alright, alright, if you don't want to look, then don't. You focus on your work, I won't say anything more."
Finally, silence descended. Lu Qingwan brewed the medicine herself and gave it to Xue Hongyi to drink, occasionally checking on Chi Yaoyao's condition.
As night fell, Duan Yue and Li Jin arrived.
Li Jin, travel-worn, said, "Princess Consort, the transit visas from Zhongzhou to Daqian are ready, and our baggage has been packed. We can depart at any time."
Duan Yue, with a cold expression, presented a memorial. "That witch is a direct descendant of the former royal family of Nanzhao. All individuals related to the former royal family of Nanzhao are listed here, with their whereabouts clearly marked. When shall we act?"
"These people are all experts in Gu and poison. Don't let our brothers easily sacrifice themselves. Once their specific hiding places are confirmed, ask Shen Qingzhou for firearms. We'll bomb them directly. Let's see how they can harm people with Gu and poison!"
Duan Yue raised an eyebrow, clearly very pleased with Lu Qingwan's plan.
"Furthermore, Princess Consort, it is now confirmed that Nie Wuming is a member of the Wuan Palace. And six years ago, someone killed the former palace master of Wuan Palace and supported Nie Wuming to take power. It can be confirmed that the person who repeatedly obstructed the Prince from helping you and made you venture alone was Nie Wuming. The current Wuan Palace is ostensibly controlled by Wuan Palace, but my subordinates have discovered that there is someone behind Nie Wuming. However, when we tried to investigate thoroughly, the clues broke off. Currently, regarding the person behind Nie Wuming, my subordinates are mostly clueless."
Twelve months, from the very beginning of following Lu Qingwan, had relied on the Samsara Hall. With the Nevernight Continent before them, their actions had been consistently successful. Such a situation was truly rare, and Duan Yue was quite frustrated.
Lu Qingwan, however, was not overly concerned. "If we can't find them for now, there's no need to rush. We will be returning to the Qian Dynasty soon anyway. As long as they don't intend to disappear forever, they will eventually reveal their tracks. We're not afraid of not being able to catch them."
Duan Yue nodded. At this point, even if Lu Qingwan hadn't said so, he had no other recourse.
"Everyone go rest. Prepare the carriages and horses early. We will depart tomorrow morning and return to Daqian."
The others responded, but how could they truly rest when Lu Qingwan herself was guarding the medicine room? Li Jin and the others were naturally worried.
Thus, as expected, a group of people surrounded the medicine room and stayed up all night. They departed the city before dawn.
Outside Zhongzhou City, Gu Xingzhi had been waiting at the Ten Mile Pavilion early on. Upon seeing Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu's convoy arrive, he rode forward alone. Lu Qingwan smiled brightly. "General Gu, why are you out of the city so early? The new official is quite diligent, isn't he?"
Gu Xingzhi was speechless. "His Majesty and the Empress knew you would sneak away, so they specifically asked me to prepare some things for the Prince and Princess Consort to make your journey more convenient."
The several packages contained food, clothing, and daily necessities. Lu Qingwan accepted them without politeness, but then asked, "What is this?"
Flipping the silver notes in her hand, Lu Qingwan looked bewildered. Her ability to attract wealth was recognized by everyone. She had always been the one giving money to others. This was the first time someone had given her money, and it felt quite novel.
Gu Xingzhi chuckled. "This subordinate knows Princess Consort is not short of money. These silver notes are not for you to spend. When you reach the Southeastern Three Kingdoms, if anyone makes things difficult for you and the Prince, just show these. No matter where you are, the Imperial Merchants of Daqin will help you both out of trouble."