Chapter 104

Chapter 104: Did They Die in Vain?

Facing Sheng Zhi Wan’s piercing questions, Meng Yang fell into complete panic.

“I…I don’t know!”

“My Lord, I truly don’t know! How could there possibly be an antidote for Qian Ji Powder?” [Even in modern times, no one ever developed a cure for this toxin!]

Even in the advanced future, painkillers could only soothe the agony, but no antidote was ever found. How could this ancient world possibly have one?

“Brother Zhang Da, I only wanted to help you all back then. Please believe me—I truly meant well!” Meng Yang pleaded through tears, looking desperately toward Zhang Da Hu.

But Zhang Da Hu refused to hear her excuses. If she hadn’t arrogantly chased away the military doctors to gain fame through Qi Shu Xian, would he have ended up so miserable? Would his brother have suffered such a dreadful death?

Good intentions? Could mere good intentions bring back the lives of hundreds?

“My Lord, I refuse to believe every healer knew this. Surely ignorance isn’t a crime! I acted out of kindness—” Meng Yang saw Zhang Da Hu remained unmoved, so she turned pleading eyes toward the Minister of the Dali Court.

The Minister ordered firmly, “Fetch a few physicians from the medical shops outside for questioning.”

A constable quickly complied.

Not long after, four physicians were brought into the hall.

Meng Yang stared at them desperately, as if holding onto her last lifeline.

“Do any of you know of the poison called Qian Ji Powder?” the Minister asked directly.

The four men froze for a moment, then all nodded promptly.

Meng Yang staggered. Qi Shu Xian quickly caught her.

“My Lord, Meng Yang was raised in the countryside. It’s reasonable she wouldn’t know something widely known among Capital City healers. Moreover, she sincerely wished to save lives—”

“With military doctors present, why would a simple village woman’s help be necessary?” Sheng Zhi Wan coldly interrupted.

Qi Shu Xian fell silent.

Meng Yang, overwhelmed by scornful and condemning gazes, lowered her head in shame and shrank behind Qi Shu Xian.

Zhang Da Hu sneered bitterly, seeing Qi Shu Xian still shielding Meng Yang.

“Heir Apparent Qi might not know, but this wretched woman wrote to me just last month, sobbing that Princess Qing Ning constantly mistreated her.”

Qi Shu Xian froze.

Zhang Da Hu continued harshly, “That attack on Princess Qing Ning—yes, that was my doing!”

“What!”

Qi Shu Xian advanced angrily. “Who gave you the courage?”

Zhang Da Hu burst out laughing madly, “Meng Yang, of course! I owed her a debt of gratitude. How could I tolerate her suffering? Princess or not, whatever Meng Yang asked, even if it cost my life, I would gladly do it!”

[Outrageous!]

Qi Shu Xian spun furiously toward Meng Yang, his icy glare causing her to shrink back.

But she quickly regained her composure.

“My Lord, I never ordered harm upon the Princess!” Meng Yang’s eyes filled with tears, cascading down her cheeks, a perfect picture of innocence.

“You truly never did?” Qi Shu Xian narrowed his eyes suspiciously, glancing between Meng Yang and Zhang Da Hu before demanding fiercely, “Do you have proof?”

“Certainly!”

Zhang Da Hu replied confidently, “Jiang Mang personally delivered her letters to me. He can bear witness!”

[Jiang Mang!]

Qi Shu Xian closed his eyes, despairing.

The Minister immediately summoned Jiang Mang.

Shortly, Jiang Mang hurried into the hall with a constable, startled by the scene before him.

“My Lord Qi, Meng Miss, why are you here?”

Meng Yang softly called out, “Brother Jiang,” tears still glistening on her face, appearing pitifully vulnerable.

Jiang Mang had always cared deeply for her. Seeing her sorrowful state, then noticing Sheng Zhi Wan nearby, anger surged within him.

“Princess.” Jiang Mang gave a perfunctory bow to Sheng Zhi Wan, his voice harsh, “Your Highness, with your noble status, why torment a common woman like Meng Miss? Isn’t it beneath you?”

“Brother Jiang!” Zhang Da Hu suddenly spoke.

Startled by the familiar voice, Jiang Mang turned in disbelief and saw the pitiful figure sprawled nearby, raising his face toward him.

Under tangled, filthy hair was a face he recognized.

Jiang Mang’s eyes widened instantly, rushing forward to crouch beside him.

Sweeping aside dirty strands, he gasped.

“Da Hu!” Jiang Mang’s voice shook. “How did you become like this? Who—who did this to you?”

“Brother Jiang, I… I hate! I hate her so much!” Seeing his brother, Zhang Da Hu could no longer suppress his sorrow. Tears streamed down his dirt-covered cheeks. “Qian Ji Powder had an antidote!”

“All the military doctors knew it!”

“It was Meng Yang, this wicked woman! If not for her, my arm wouldn’t be lost, Er Hu wouldn’t have died! All those brothers wouldn’t have taken their own lives!”

With each word, Zhang Da Hu’s remaining fingers dug painfully into Jiang Mang’s flesh.

Yet Jiang Mang felt nothing.

“Qian Ji Powder…can military doctors truly cure it?”

Jiang Mang reeled from the shock, murmuring numbly, turning his head slowly toward Zhang Da Hu.

Then gradually, he looked back at Meng Yang.

“No… impossible,” he laughed hollowly, “if that were true, why would Meng Miss lie? Da Hu, were you deceived?”

Jiang Mang glanced at Qi Shu Xian, who avoided his gaze.

He looked again at Meng Yang, “Meng Miss…”

Meng Yang sobbed bitterly, “Brother Jiang, forgive me, I truly didn’t know…”

Jiang Mang’s faint smile froze. Slowly, he asked, voice strained, “So, Da Hu’s telling the truth?”

Qian Ji Powder—was truly curable?

“Brother Jiang, I genuinely wanted to save lives…”

“So…my brothers…all of them…died in vain?” Jiang Mang’s eyes gradually turned bloodshot.

He gazed blankly around, lost in memory, transported back to that bloody battlefield.

He saw his brothers writhing in pain.

He saw Jiang Yong, once known as Er Gou Zi, an orphaned boy who’d blocked a fatal strike for him, saying earnestly, “Brother Jiang, Er Gou Zi’s life is yours now!”

“Get lost! Who needs a dog? Why not share my surname? Jiang Yong, how does that sound?”

That boy was just seventeen! Begging Jiang Mang to end his torment quickly.

Jiang Mang lifted his right hand—trembling violently—that same hand had ended the boy’s agony.

“Jiang Mang!” A harsh shout suddenly cut through his trance. “Did you deliver Meng Yang’s message to Zhang Da Hu?”

“I…!”

Jiang Mang struggled, lips twitching.

“Brother Jiang!” Zhang Da Hu gripped him fiercely. “Look at me! Think of our dead brothers!”

“I…” Jiang Mang closed his eyes bitterly. Meng Yang had saved his life by stitching his wounds.

Yet Zhang Da Hu’s misery was right before him; Er Gou Zi’s youthful face haunted him still.

His eyes snapped open, filled with rage and grief, “Yes, I did deliver a letter for Meng Miss to Zhang Da Hu.”

Meng Yang trembled violently.

“Wicked woman!” Qi Shu Xian slapped Meng Yang across the face furiously.

Sheng Zhi Wan was his lawful wife, a Princess despite everything. How dare Meng Yang plot against her with such despicable methods!

“My Lord,” Meng Yang clutched her cheek, sobbing piteously, “I wrote the letter, yes—but I never asked them to attack the Princess! I simply expressed my fears and grievances!”

“If I’d known Zhang Da would dare such boldness, I’d never have written it!” Meng Yang tugged desperately at Qi Shu Xian’s sleeve. “If you doubt me, demand the letter! I’m willing to face them openly!”