Chapter 714
Chapter 714 - Ji Li Blocking the Return
Mo Ruo stayed silent .
"You don't have to keep it from me . I experienced similar pain when we were at the woods, and it was just as painful as this one . "
Knowing that he could not hide it any longer, Mo Ruo answered, "It's Bufotoxin . " [1]
"Bufotoxin?"
Mo Ruo put on a solemn expression . "When you were attacked at the inn, the dagger that was stabbed into your back… had Bufotoxin applied on it . "
Ah! For a brief moment, Ji Yunshu was stunned as she tried to stomach what Mo Ruo just said .
She asked softly, “Then… is there an antidote?”
"There's no antidote . It won't cost your life, but it would be so painful that one will rather die than endure the pain . When one experiences a flare-up , there will be excruciating abdominal pain, and the symptoms may last from three to ten days . "
"I'll have to live with it for the rest of my life?"
Mo Ruo nodded, but quickly added, "You don't have to worry about it . There's nothing in this world that I can't cure . I will do my best to find the antidote . "
Ji Yunshu forced a smile .
After a long pause, she replied, "Don't tell Jing Rong about this . "
That was what Mo Ruo planned to do initially, but…
"I didn't want to break the bad news to you too . But since you've now learned about it, Jing Rong should know too . "
"You cannot tell him," Ji Yunshu insisted . "Right now, his dealings with Prince Yi are at a critical juncture, so I don't want him to be affected by my matters . Moreover, you just promised that you would find the antidote, right? If I'm going to be cured eventually, you don't have to inform him . I don't want him to be worried . "
"But he'll learn about it sooner or later . "
"Then we can decide after he returns to the capital . " Ji Yunshu stood firm .
Mo Ruo could not persuade her and had to acquise . He then placed the medicine bottle on the table, and pushed it towards Ji Yunshu .
"Keep the medicine for now . You don't need to eat it if it doesn't hurt too bad, and only take it when you can't take the pain . Although this medicine can relieve the pain, consuming too much of it will be harmful to your body . "
"Thanks . "
"I will find an antidote for you once I return to Yuhua Pavilion . "
Ji Yunshu nodded .
By then, the sky had already turned dark .
Thus, Mo Ruo left after leaving more instructions about the medicine .
Ji Yunshu could still feel some pain around her abdominal region . She sat there quietly for a while before she finally felt more comfortable . Although she was also frightened by this malady, what could she do?
Regardless, Jing Rong should never find out about this .
The next day, the heavy rain had stopped, and the sun started to show itself .
When the bunch was ready to leave, the abbot came to send them off . "Benefactors, the mountain roads are slippery . I wish you a safe journey . "
Jing Rong replied, "Thank you, abbot, for letting us stay the night . "
"Amitabha . In the name of Buddhism, we are all family . Moreover, benefactor shares an affinity with Buddha . If there's ever an opportunity for benefactor to drop by again, this monk wishes to be able to study Buddhism with benefactor once again . "
"If fate wills it be so . "
"Amitabha . "
Jing Rong and his men then boarded the carriages and left for the capital .
Before their departure, Ji Yunshu lifted the curtain, and her gaze swept through all the monks standing outside Guang'an Temple . She could not find the crippled old monk whose face was burnt .
"What are you looking at?" Jing Rong asked .
She let go of the curtain, and looked back at him . She shook her head and answered, "Nothing . "
"You look rather pale . Are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm alright . Perhaps I was slightly chilled by the strong wind last night . "
"I will ask Mo Ruo to check on you later . "
"It's only a minor issue, and there's no need to trouble him . " Ji Yunshu added, "You don't have to worry about me . Two more days and we will arrive at Mount Liang . You should make your preparations instead," she reminded him .
Jing Rong put on a solemn expression and sank into his own thoughts .
The fleet continued their journey . The weather had turned sunny, and the road was no longer wet . Naturally, they travelled much faster than before .
Two days later, they were finally approaching Mount Liang . They looked as if they were almost at the foot of Mount Liang, with a smooth journey ahead . It was so quiet that not even a single blade of grass was disturbed by the wind . Normally, a road approaching the capital like this ought to have heavy traffic, bustling with pedestrians and carriages alike, but the entire road was shockingly quiet .
It felt like the calm before the storm!
Lang Po pulled the reins to stop his horse, then turned it around to trot towards Jing Rong’s carriage . “Your Highness, the road is too quiet . ”
After a long pause, a reply came from the carriage . “Stay alert . ”
“Perhaps…” We should rush directly towards the capital .
Before he could finish his words, Jing Rong interrupted, “We should slow down and wait for them to show themselves . ”
What? “Yes . ” Lang Po could only accept his orders . . The entire fleet slowed down their pace .
Then, Lang Po said, “Be careful, everyone . Pay attention to of the surroundings . ”
The guards stayed on high alert and surrounded the two carriages protectively t .
Inside the carriage, Jing Rong remained seated with his back ramrod straight, still and stern . Beside him, Ji Yunshu remained silent as well .
They continued their journey, and soon reached the foot of Mount Liang .
Suddenly, a flurry of approaching footsteps rose from around them, accompanied by the clinking of weapons . A few hundred men clad in armour rushed towards them . They drew their swords and pointed them at Jing Rong's men .
"Hiss!!" Startled, the horses neighed and reared up . The guards tightened the reins and gripped the horse tightly to hold onto their seat .
"Stop . " The carriages shook from the abrupt stop .
After Jing Rong made sure Ji Yunshu was safe, he parted the door curtain in front of him slightly to check out what was going on .
Ji Li's men were blocking their way .
Suddenly, the men moved to the side, making way for Ji Li who was walking towards Jing Rong . Ji Li raised his brows, a killing intent suffusing the frigid expression on his face .
Lang Po glared at Ji Li, and tightened his grip around his sword . “War Secretary Ji, what is the meaning of this?”
"The Emperor had issued an oral decree in court . Before the investigation of the missing relief silver is concluded, Prince Rong is banned from entering the capital . If Prince Rong insists on returning to the capital, that would be considered defying the imperial decree . As the War Secretary, it's my responsibility to ensure the safety of the Imperial palace and the capital, so I'll naturally must have my troops stop you here . "
"Are you saying that His Highness is jeopardizing the capital's safety?"
"Whoever defies the decree are rebels . And it's the Ministry of War's responsibility to stop rebels from entering the capital . " Ji Li lifted his chin before he threw a condescending glance at Lang Po .
Lang Po sneered as he swept a look at the men before him . His opponent had brought along many men, and had definitely outnumbered his party .
However, he was not afraid of death . Lang Po raised his hand, signalling his guards to brace themselves for a physical fight . "War Secretary Ji, His Highness will return to the capital no matter what happens today . If you insist on blocking our way, we will have no choice but to fight our way to the capital . "
Lang Po's men drew their swords . Both parties were now facing off .
Ji Li scoffed and shouted at the carriage, "Your Highness, this humble one is just carrying out my duties . If the Emperor has issued the order to stop you from entering the capital, why must you insist on entering the capital?"
Jing Rong quirked his lips, but was stopped by Ji Yunshu as he was preparing to alight from the carriage . "Be careful . "
Jing Rong nodded in reply .
Once Jing Rong alighted, he walked towards Ji Li . Immediately, Lang Po and the other guards dismounted as well .
Jing Rong threw a side glance at his men and ordered, "Keep your swords . " The guards promptly put their swords back into their sheathes .
Hands cupped, Ji Li bowed at Jing Rong . "This humble one greets Prince Rong . "
"War Secretary Ji is very well-informed . I guess you've been waiting for me here ever since this Prince left Yufu . "
"Your Highness does not need to be paranoid . "
"What if this prince insists on entering the capital now? Is War Secretary Ji going to execute me on the spot?"
"This humble one dares not do anything to Your Highness . However, if Your Highness agrees to return to Yufu, everything will remain peaceful . "
A sinister grin painted across Jing Rong's lips as he shot a chilling glare at Ji Li . He took two steps forward, inching towards Ji Li .
"War Secretary Ji, remember that this prince has already warned you . Remember the last time you and Ji Huan stood in this prince's way, this prince told you: A ruler is a ruler, and a subject should act like one . Despite your great contributions to the country, you remain a subject . If you continue to prevent this prince from entering the capital, you're acting against this prince, and I'm afraid that you will not be able to bear the consequences . "
They locked eyes . Ji Li was unnerved by Jing Rong's glare .
[1] Toad poisons exist IRL, but the effects described here are ENTIRELY FICTIONAL . IRL bufotoxins can affect the heart, cause hallucinations, or irritate eyes .