Chapter 164
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The Master’s expression changed, and he quickly stowed away the silver needle in his hand. “I intend to wake him up for questioning.”
“Alright, since you have a potent antidote, just give it to him. Ensure he survives. No need for any other actions,” said Dai Heng, who had always been at odds with the Master, taunting him with his words.
The Master hesitated and said, “Antidotes are precious, how can I…”
“Master, provide the antidote, and it’ll clear your name,” suddenly spoke the patriarch.
Feeling the pressure behind him, the Master gritted his teeth and had no choice but to offer his precious antidote to Chu Lishu. Originally, he intended to kill Chu Lishu. Since Chu Lishu couldn’t possibly know who poisoned him, waking him up would be useless. However, the Master began to worry that the situation might change, so he wanted to expedite Chu Lishu’s interrogation to avoid future troubles.
After all, since Chu Lishu encountered him, he was bound to die.
However, the plan fell short. Soon, Chu Lishu woke up. His first reaction was to clutch his clothes tightly, his voice hoarse as he said, “Don’t touch me!”
As he realized the room was filled with people, Chu Lishu instinctively stepped back, widening his eyes, wearing a pair of clueless expressions, “What… What do you guys want to do with me?”
This performance instantly made everyone’s hearts skip a beat.
Suppressing his temper, the patriarch questioned him, but the answers received were naturally evasive. Chu Lishu acted as if he didn’t even know he was poisoned and believed that he had been knocked unconscious by the Second Master.
Watching Chu Lishu’s skillful acting, Dai Xueyang couldn’t help but cast a suspicious glance at her brother. There was a doubt if the cooperation with Chu Lishu was just a facade. If they didn’t know the truth, they would have all been deceived. Dai Heng was also left dumbfounded, never expecting Chu Lishu to be not only intelligent but also adept at acting.
Dai Xueyang saw that it was almost enough. What if the patriarch felt that Chu Lishu was of no use and have the thought of ending his life, she said, “Patriarch, it seems useless to interrogate him now. Let’s lock him up first, and we can deal with the matters of Second Master.”
At that moment, suddenly, the Master sternly exclaimed, “No, he’s lying!”
That resolute voice had a profound impact on the minds of Chu Lishu and the others who knew the truth. It didn’t sound like desperate sophistry but rather a confident assertion.
“Lying? How is he lying?” Dai Xueyang asked calmly.
However, the Master couldn’t explain it in time. He could only say, “He is just acting. He is not that kind of person. So the death of the Second Master must be related to him.”
“Ridiculous. The Master only saw him once when he was captured. How does he know what kind of person he is?” Dai Heng sneered.
Chu Lishu, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but feel a whirlwind of thoughts. The fact that the Master had met him before and knew about his true nature surprised him.
“Why are you siding with him?” the Master questioned Dai Heng.
Dai Xueyang replied, “And why would you blame everything on a captive? Do you have some personal grudge against him? Have you known each other before? If so, why didn’t you mention it earlier? I have long felt that things are not logical. Assuming someone chose to poison, they would undoubtedly avoid being seen. Moreover, if even a motionless captive could identify the assailant, wouldn’t the Second Master be aware? Why didn’t he fight back or call for help? There are no signs of struggle here, and the tea and snacks on the table are undisturbed. The only thing that has changed is the captive’s clothes, indicating that both of them were suddenly affected by the poison when the Second Master was preparing for the wedding night.”
Because Dai Xueyang was always seen as a symbol of intelligence in the stronghold, her analysis of the case wouldn’t raise suspicions. It would be considered reasonable.
The patriarch’s trust, already precarious, was now on the verge of collapse as he looked at the now less composed Master.
The Master, still maintaining composure, argued, “I repeat, the situation down the mountain is known to everyone. It’s evident that someone is trying to sow discord among us. I have no motive to harm the Second Master. Don’t forget, Patriarch, we still have important matters to attend to.”
The patriarch’s eyes flickered.
At this moment, Dai Xueyang suddenly spoke, “Patriarch, we were just making casual analyses. Since we are all comrades, it’s better to investigate thoroughly. Master has done a lot for the fort, and if we misunderstand him, it will disappoint our brothers.”
People felt uneasy, as the patriarch and the Master were the two most crucial figures in the Wu Xin Fort. If they were in conflict, it would indeed be a problem both internally and externally.
But they all forgot about the patriarch’s temperament. When everyone was trying to persuade him, the patriarch’s eyes became even more fierce. Seeing almost all his people standing on the Master’s side, he began to doubt everything. Was the Master trying to eliminate his brother to seize power?!
The patriarch immediately issued an order to temporarily confine the Master to his own garden, restricting him from going outside. They would investigate as quickly as possible. All the drinks and cups from the banquet, anything touched by the Second Master, would be examined. As for Chu Lishu, he was naturally taken back to the place where hostages were held, ready for interrogation whenever he remembered anything.
Dai Xueyang couldn’t help but steal a glance at the man with a stunning appearance. As he was taken away, everything unfolded just as he had anticipated. What kind of intelligence allowed him to understand the patriarch’s character in just a brief moment of interaction? He knew exactly how the patriarch thought. Requesting her to persuade the patriarch during crucial moments, leading the crowd to side with the Master, isolated the patriarch. Even if the patriarch hesitated, he would stubbornly seek more suspicions about the Master. This would only deepen the rift between them.
Putting it nicely, confining him was part of the investigation; putting it harshly, it was imprisonment, and at any moment, the Master’s life could be at risk. The Master naturally understood his situation, cast a gloomy glance at Chu Lishu, and was then escorted away.
At this point, the sky had darkened, making it even more convenient for those in the shadows to act.
Chu Lishu was taken to the cages built along the mountain. There weren’t many, and as they walked past, all the cages were empty. It wasn’t until the end that they saw Xu Wenze.
Xu Wenze was greatly alarmed and immediately approached the cage. “Lishu, what happened to you?”
Chu Lishu was pushed inside, and Xu Wenze hurriedly supported him. Looking at Chu Lishu, who was only wearing a white shirt without an outer garment and had a pale complexion, Xu Wenze’s expression was filled with sorrow. He remembered the lascivious look the Second Master had on Chu Lishu when they were captured, and later, Chu Lishu was taken away alone.
Xu Wenze dared not think about what Chu Lishu might have experienced. His hands trembled as he supported him.
“I’m fine. What about the others? Why aren’t they here?” Chu Lishu frowned and asked.
“Ah… I… I don’t know. When I was captured, I had just witnessed them being taken away. After that, they never returned, and no one paid attention to me,” Xu Wenze said. “You…”
Xu Wenze was about to say something when suddenly Chu Lishu made a hushing sound and looked toward the outside of the cell.
Two figures descended.
Xu Wenze was overjoyed, “Big Brother Yue, Big Brother Huo…”
“Surprised, aren’t you?” Yue Chen teased, then looked at Chu Lishu with a serious expression. He directly explained that they had been watching from the rooftop, aware that Chu Lishu had orchestrated the downfall of the Second Master. Although they didn’t know how he managed it, after Chu Lishu left, there was a subtle scent of gunpowder in the fort. The patriarch had sent many people to surround the garden; it seemed like they were on the brink of internal strife.
“At first, I thought causing internal strife would be best, but I didn’t expect you to kill the Second Master directly and so thoroughly. Impressive,” Yue Chen remarked.
Huo Luo, indifferent and carefree, said, “Did you start planning from the ceremony? How did you administer the poison? Could you move at that time?”
As soon as Huo Luo finished speaking, he was elbowed in the abdomen by Yue Chen. Huo Luo immediately drew in a sharp breath, witnessing Yue Chen’s eyes frantically conveying a message to him. ‘Don’t mention the wedding ceremony incident, are you seeking death?’
Huo Luo, being casual and carefree, suddenly realized that this might be awkward. Moreover, it seemed that not many people were aware of this, and it shouldn’t be publicized. He immediately tried to retract his words.
However, Xu Wenze’s face turned even paler upon hearing this, feeling the humiliation even more deeply.
At that moment, Chu Lishu calmly explained, “At that time, I indeed couldn’t move. The poison was put in the toasting wine by the Master. He wanted to poison me to death. My cousin learned about it in advance from the siblings of the Dai family, so he took an antidote, drank two cups of wine, and saved me. As for the Second Master, he had already been rendered unconscious by my cousin and Dai Heng. Later, I poisoned him myself, setting up a scheme to create discord.”
Chu Lishu seemed to be narrating the progression of events, but the three men were left dumbfounded.
Wait, what does this have to do with Lin Qingyang again?
“Qingyang… is here?” Xu Wenze asked in bewilderment.
Ho Luo nodded stiffly, “Yes, he came with me. Did he enter here?”
Yue Chen widened his eyes. A good subordinate could quickly grasp the unspoken words of the boss. “So, from the beginning to the end, the one who got married and drank the toasting wine was Lin Qingyang disguised as the Second Master?!”
Chu Lishu’s lips curled into a subtle smile, and his tone was solemn, “At that time, someone wanted to harm me. My cousin could only risk his life for me. Otherwise, if I, without the antidote, drank that cup of wine, I would have undoubtedly died on the spot.”
The intelligent Yue Chen had now understood the course of events. Annoyingly, he had missed witnessing this rare spectacle. Initially, he thought Ho Luo had seen something he shouldn’t have seen and might be resented by His Highness in the future. However, it seemed that His Highness not only wouldn’t hold a grudge but might even treat those who witnessed his secret marriage with Lin Qingyang kindly.
However, Ho Luo still hadn’t fully grasped the situation and asked, “But they just confirmed that you were also poisoned, right? How did…”
Chu Lishu’s face appeared somewhat awkward, but the curve at the corner of his mouth remained unchanged.
“That was part of the plan. I had to ingest a trace of mild poison. To deceive the Master, I couldn’t use any other poison. So, during the exchange of wedding’s cup of wine, my cousin secretly passed a bit to me.”
Absorbing the poison? Passed a bit? How did you absorb it? How did he pass it to you? Is it as they thought?”
Ho Luo unintentionally continued to play along, “No wonder I saw him getting inside the veil just like…” When he reached this point, Ho Luo finally realized that discussing this matter was somewhat awkward and quickly shut his mouth. Nonetheless, his part had been successfully played.
Yue Chen squinted at Ho Luo, wondering how this guy, who seemed simple-minded, could make the master so happy. Look at the smile in Chu Lishu’s eyes.
With the intermittent narration and his own imagination, Xu Wenze had completely understood the development of the situation. His pale face immediately turned slightly red. Fortunately, nothing happened to Chu Lishu; otherwise, if they were all caught, he wouldn’t have the face to face Lin Qingyang.
But now, it seemed they didn’t know how to face it. Although it was fake, they… unexpectedly truly became a couple through the wedding ceremony. It looks like these two people are really destined couple bestowed by heaven.
Xu Wenze’s mood inexplicably became somewhat low. Just then, the people involved arrived.
Ho Luo suddenly hugged Yue Chen and hid, then they heard hurried footsteps.
But now it seems like I don’t know how to face it. Although it was fake, they… unexpectedly really got married. It seems the two of them have a destined relationship bestowed by heaven.
Xu Wenze’s mood became inexplicably low. Just at that moment, the people involved arrived.
Huo Luo suddenly hugged Yue Chen and hid, then immediately heard the sound of hurried footsteps.
Then, they saw the Dai siblings bringing Lin Qingyang.
“Chu Lishu!” Lin Qingyang hurriedly saw the person and felt relieved. Then, noticing Xu Wenze beside him, he exclaimed with joy, “You’re okay too, that’s great.”
Xu Wenze, however, awkwardly smiled. The Dai siblings opened the prison door, and the two came out.
Lin Qingyang still cared about Chu Lishu’s condition, worried about his health, especially considering his old ailment – once exposed to poison, it could easily worsen.
Chu Lishu smiled and said, “I have already taken an antidote, I’m fine.”
At this moment, Yue Chen and Huo Luo finally walked out as well. Everyone gathered, quickly exchanging all the information they knew, and confirming the next steps of their plan.
After summarizing and concluding, they realized that before dawn, they needed to accomplish three tasks:
1. Determine the whereabouts of the other hostages.
2. Identify the location of the explosive devices and see if they could be defused in advance.
3. Figure out how the perpetrators planned to escape.
With the two major forces now in a state of division, the third faction, represented by the Dai siblings, found themselves abandoned as mere pawns. When the Dai siblings learned that they, along with the others, had been forsaken and might be blown up in the process, they were truly shocked.
Lin Qingyang was also bewildered. In the original plot, there was no mention of explosive devices. If, as Yue Chen claimed, the adversaries had already set up the explosives, then the original scenario where the patriarch was captured and the Master escaped would undoubtedly trigger the explosives. Unless the explosives were not yet ready during the first skirmish and couldn’t be used. They were unaware of the existence of someone like Chu Lishu who knew the ins and outs of Wu Xin Mountain. If he had not been captured, he might have thwarted their plans, causing the Master to flee in haste, unable to activate the explosives in time.
Lin Qingyang was just thinking about how to bring up this matter when suddenly Chu Lishu spoke, “Tonight, the design of the explosive devices must have a final step. So, keep a close eye on the confidants around the patriarch; you may get some clues.”
“How so?” Yue Chen asked.
“If the layout was truly completed earlier, when the three armies clashed, they could have retreated while fighting, luring people into the fort. They would have left the others in the fort, the driver fleeing, rather than engaging in a difficult battle. Perhaps they didn’t anticipate the three imperial princes vying for credit and the court acting so swiftly. They might not have even prepared an escape route, which is why they had to seek the help of you, the Dai siblings, to delay matters. Taking hostages was probably just a spur-of-the-moment decision to serve as a pawn for delaying time.”
After Chu Lishu finished speaking, everyone fell silent. Their thoughts shifted once again, and they found Chu Lishu’s explanation to be logical and reasonable.
Lin Qingyang stared at Chu Lishu in astonishment. Chu Lishu questioned, “What’s wrong? Do you find anything inappropriate?”
Lin Qingyang quickly shook his head, looking somewhat excited. His eyes gleamed as he gazed at Chu Lishu, saying, “No, I just think you’re really clever, completely insightful. There’s no need for me to remind you.”
Everyone nodded in agreement, but as people from ancient times, they naturally couldn’t express their praise as straightforwardly as Lin Qingyang.
Chu Lishu felt a little uncomfortable under the gaze of Lin Qingyang’s eyes, which had slightly stunned him. He coughed awkwardly. Lin Qingyang always had this direct way of praising him in front of others, so straightforward and lacking in subtlety. Couldn’t he save these kinds of compliments for private moments? If he found out that their feelings for each other were mutual, he might boldly express his love in public. It wouldn’t be good to hurt his sincere feelings. Well, it seemed he would have to get used to it slowly.
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