Chapter 41

Chapter 41: A Mere Cold Poison

[How did Qi Shu Xian know about that?]

Qi Shu Xian looked at Sheng Zhi Wan with open impatience: “Stop wasting time. Meng Yang’s child is waiting for Heavenly Pearl Fruit to save its life. If you still won’t give it, I can only take it myself!”

Sheng Zhi Wan suddenly laughed: “Back then, you fell into Ice Lake. If I hadn’t jumped down to save you, would you still be standing here, demanding Heavenly Pearl Fruit from me?”

Sheng Zhi Wan was indeed born with Cold Poison in the womb, but later, three Masters spent years removing it. With only half a year of careful recovery, Sheng Zhi Wan could have been no different from a normal person.

But not long after that, Sheng Zhi Wan encountered Qi Shu Xian after Qi Shu Xian fell into Ice Lake. To save Qi Shu Xian, Sheng Zhi Wan did not hesitate for a second before jumping in.

From that moment on, Cold Poison clung to Sheng Zhi Wan again.

Every deep winter, the pain of Cold Poison made Sheng Zhi Wan unable to sleep through the night. Only medicine made with Heavenly Pearl Fruit could help Sheng Zhi Wan endure it.

Grandmother had spent an enormous sum to obtain Heavenly Pearl Fruit from the Western Regions.

Yet now, Qi Shu Xian did not remember any of it. Qi Shu Xian even stood before Sheng Zhi Wan, perfectly self-righteous, demanding it for another woman.

Qi Shu Xian’s brows knit with cold anger: “You were the one who made her fall. If not for you, she wouldn’t need Heavenly Pearl Fruit at all!”

Sheng Zhi Wan countered, “Did I force Miss Meng to come here?”

Ting Lan could not hold back: “Heir Apparent, Miss Meng really fell on her own! Every winter, Princess suffers Cold Poison. Without Heavenly Pearl Fruit, Princess cannot endure it!”

Qi Shu Xian sneered: “Even a farm girl knew filial piety and begged you for Mother, but what about you? It’s only Cold Poison. You won’t die from it, but Meng Yang’s child can’t wait! Where is Heavenly Pearl Fruit? Take it out!”

[So it was only Cold Poison.]

Sheng Zhi Wan looked at Qi Shu Xian and smiled: “I have a kind of Cold Poison here. It can let the Heir Apparent feel ‘only Cold Poison’ every night for the next three months. If the Heir Apparent is willing to take it, I will give you my last Heavenly Pearl Fruit.”

Ting Lan rushed forward, eyes red as she shook her head: “Princess, don’t! If there’s no Heavenly Pearl Fruit left, what will Princess do?”

For the past two years, Ting Lan had watched Princess endure winter day after day. Even with Heavenly Pearl Fruit, Princess hurt so much she bit through her own wrist. If Princess had no Heavenly Pearl Fruit, how was Princess supposed to survive it?

Qi Shu Xian answered without hesitation: “Fine!”

Qi Shu Xian truly did not care. Qi Shu Xian only thought Sheng Zhi Wan was being overly delicate, making a fuss over pain she could not even bear.

Qi Shu Xian had been to war. Qi Shu Xian had faced life-and-death moments more times than Qi Shu Xian could count. How could Qi Shu Xian take a little Cold Poison seriously? If it would not kill, it did not count as an injury.

So when Sheng Zhi Wan handed over a black pill, Qi Shu Xian did not even spare a thought for how a woman confined to the inner residence could carry such a thing. Qi Shu Xian swallowed it at once.

Then Qi Shu Xian held out a hand: “Heavenly Pearl Fruit.”

Sheng Zhi Wan took out Heavenly Pearl Fruit.

Qi Shu Xian turned and left.

That night, news came from Wei Yang Courtyard that Meng Yang’s child was saved.

Yet as soon as Meng Yang’s condition stabilized, Qi Shu Xian felt an icy, stabbing pain rise from deep within the cracks of Qi Shu Xian’s bones. It crept outward, little by little, spreading through Qi Shu Xian’s entire body.

Qi Shu Xian’s face went pale. Qi Shu Xian’s body swayed, and Qi Shu Xian nearly collapsed.

Meng Yang clutched Qi Shu Xian’s hand: “Heir Apparent…” After tonight, Meng Yang loved the man before her even more deeply.

But when Meng Yang looked up through tears, Meng Yang only saw Qi Shu Xian forcing himself to endure pain, and Meng Yang went white with shock: “Heir Apparent! Heir Apparent, what’s wrong with you?”

Cold sweat slid down Qi Shu Xian’s forehead. Even though Qi Shu Xian was sweating, Qi Shu Xian still felt cold crawling up from the four limbs and hundred bones, winding around Qi Shu Xian’s body until Qi Shu Xian’s muscles tightened and went stiff.

[So this was Cold Poison?]

Qi Shu Xian had suffered blade wounds. Qi Shu Xian had been hit by poisoned arrows. Yet compared to those bloody pains you could see, this invisible pain that could not be eased was a hundred times more torturous.

Qi Shu Xian endured for only half a quarter-hour before Qi Shu Xian went limp all over.

Meng Yang panicked, crying as Meng Yang held Qi Shu Xian tightly.

The Physician had not left yet. After examining Qi Shu Xian for a moment, the Physician looked shocked: “Heir Apparent, this is Ice Toad Cold Poison.”

Meng Yang’s heart clenched: “What is that?” Meng Yang had never even heard of it.

The Physician explained, “It is a poison extracted from an Ice Toad. Anyone who is poisoned will suffer unbearable Cold Poison every night. The toxin only lasts three months before it dissipates on its own, and it will not cause other harm, but it is far too domineering. Many who are poisoned cannot endure three months and choose to end their own lives. That is why it is also called Self-Ending Poison.”

Meng Yang sobbed, “Do you have an antidote?”

The Physician lowered his head: “This old man’s medical skill is shallow…”

Meng Yang felt Qi Shu Xian trembling and grew frantic: “How could this happen? Just yesterday, the Heir Apparent didn’t have symptoms like this. Madam – I have to see Madam. Madam will definitely be able to find an Imperial Physician!”

Meng Yang struggled to climb out of bed.

In the haze of pain, Qi Shu Xian heard that and barely managed to grab Meng Yang with a fist clenched so hard the veins on Qi Shu Xian’s arm bulged: “No! Don’t go!”

Meng Yang froze: “Does the Heir Apparent know who did this?”

Qi Shu Xian did not answer. Qi Shu Xian only shut his eyes tightly.

Qing Xing spoke carefully: “Heir Apparent just went to Ping Lan Residence. Heavenly Pearl Fruit was also taken from the Heir’s Wife.”