Lüdou hurriedly went to pick up the lantern. Princess, it is dark outside. What are you going out for?
Duoduo saw that Lüdou had taken up the lantern. Let's go.
Seeing this, Lüluo hurriedly followed.
Lüluo, where did you fall just now? Take me there!
Yes. Princess, please walk this way, it is in the garden.
Lüluo quickly walked ahead to lead the way, while Lüdou carried the lantern to light the path for Duoduo.
The three of them walked through the winding corridors in the night. The light of the lantern cast dim, flickering shadows over the surrounding scenery.
Unknown insects lay hidden among the flowers, chirping occasionally.
Princess, it is right here!
Lüluo found the spot where she had tripped earlier and came to a halt.
Duoduo hurriedly walked over and crouched down to take a look.
It was a pile of uprooted flowers and plants, still mixed with some soil.
Lüdou raised the lantern over the plants so that Duoduo could see more clearly.
Duoduo reached out to sift through them for a better look, but Lüdou grabbed her hand.
Princess, this plant is poisonous!
Duoduo paused. She looked at the plant in the soil, which was hard to make out in the dim light of the lantern.
Lüdou crouched down as well. Yes! Nanny Ni said this is poisonous, so the Princess Consort ordered them all to be uprooted.
This one must have been dug up but left behind before they could take it away.
Lüluo probably pricked herself on its thorns, which is why she lost feeling.
Duoduo picked up a dead branch from the side and carefully poked at the plant in front of her.
The plant had thorns on it, faintly gleaming in the dark.
Lüluo, go find something to carry all of this back with us!
Duoduo stood up and thought for a moment. Actually, just bring this whole pile back, dirt included!
Lüluo did not understand why Duoduo wanted these poisonous plants, but she acknowledged the order and went to find some tools.
Duoduo walked a few steps forward, but there were no more of such plants.
Princess, this pile must have been missed when the old servant women were cleaning up, Lüdou explained from the side.
Meanwhile, Lüluo had returned with a broom and a dustpan, sweeping the entire pile of dirt and plants from the ground into the dustpan.
Princess, it is done. Lüluo held up the dustpan.
Mhm, let's go. We are heading back. Duoduo nodded.
As soon as Duoduo returned to her room, the first thing she did was crouch down and carefully observe the poisonous plant.
She was not entirely sure if this plant was truly the cause.
After thinking for a moment, Duoduo pressed her finger directly against one of the thorns.
Princess! Lüdou, who had been keeping a close eye on Duoduo, cried out in a panicked attempt to stop her.
But it was too late.
Duoduo's hand had already been pricked by the thorn.
Duoduo felt a sharp pain at her fingertip, followed immediately by numbness, and finally, she lost all sensation in it.
Curious, Duoduo brought her pricked finger up to her eyes.
With her left hand, she felt the pulse on her right wrist.
Just as she suspected, she could feel a blockage in her meridians.
Excitement flashed in Duoduo's eyes. Lüdou, this is it!
This is what pricked Lüluo!
Lüdou curiously bent down to look at Duoduo's finger.
Princess, have you lost feeling in it too?
Duoduo nodded excitedly. Yes! It is exactly the same!
Lüluo also leaned in. Princess, was it really this little thing that pricked me?
Duoduo nodded. Mhm, it was this!
Look, my finger cannot move either! Duoduo held out her finger to show Lüluo.
Lüluo was amazed. She crouched down and poked the plant's thorn once again.
Oh, it really is like that! Princess, my hand cannot move either!
Lüluo held up her finger and smiled foolishly at Duoduo.
Watching the two of them holding up their fingers and giggling at each other, Lüdou felt somewhat worried.
Princess, this plant paralyzes a person with just a single prick. Could it be harmful to the body?
Lüluo was instantly frightened, her face full of regret.
Lüdou, do not scare me!
Why would I scare you? I am just worried about the Princess.
I remember hearing when I was little that if you get bitten by poisonous snakes or scorpions, you will die.
Lüluo's face turned completely pale with fear.
Princess, I do not want to die... Lüluo's voice trembled with tears.
Duoduo checked her own pulse once again.
It is fine. It is only a mild toxin, nothing serious. We do not even need to take any medicine.
Lüluo immediately broke into a smile through her tears.
Princess, really? Is it really fine?
Seeing Lüluo crying one second and laughing the next, Lüdou felt utterly helpless.
Would the Princess lie to you? Who told you to go and touch it again just now?
I was just curious, wasn't I? Oh, right, Lüdou, get a handkerchief and wipe it for me. Earlier, my hand got better right after it was wiped.
Lüdou glared at Lüluo but still went to fetch a handkerchief.
Princess, shall I wipe yours too?
Lüdou handed a handkerchief to Lüluo, then walked over to Duoduo.
Duoduo shook her head.
No! I want to wait and see. I want to see how long it takes for this toxin to dissipate.
Lüluo, who was vigorously rubbing her finger with the handkerchief, suddenly became curious upon hearing Duoduo's words.
Princess, why do you need to know that?
Duoduo blinked and said nothing.
Lüdou nudged Lüluo. Is your finger better yet?
Interrupted by Lüdou, Lüluo immediately forgot what she had just said.
It is a little bit better, look!
Lüluo held up her finger toward Lüdou and gently bent it.
Lüdou nodded.
Princess, it seems that wiping it with a handkerchief makes the toxin dissipate.
Duoduo looked thoughtful.
She continuously checked her pulse, feeling the changes in its rhythm.
Worried that Lüluo might disturb Duoduo, Lüdou pulled her away.
The night grew deeper, and the sound of the night watchman's clapper marking the second watch echoed outside.
Princess, has it still not recovered? Lüdou walked in, looking somewhat anxious.
Duoduo looked up, her eyes strikingly bright!
Lüdou, look!
Duoduo bent her finger at Lüdou.
Lüdou was thrilled. It is healed! This toxin lasted for a full incense stick's time!
Amitabha, it has finally worn off. I was worried to death!
Lüdou patted her chest.
Duoduo moved her finger again and checked her pulse one more time.
Lüdou, how long did you just say it took?
About the time it takes an incense stick to burn. You said you wanted to see how long it would take to wear off, so I kept track of the time.
Princess, how is it? Has the toxin in your body completely dissipated?
Lüdou stared at Duoduo with a face full of concern.
Duoduo tilted her head and carefully sensed her body's condition.
Very little is left, I can barely feel it.
Duoduo flexed her fingers; they had indeed returned to normal.
She crouched in front of the plant from earlier and studied it closely.
Lüdou, where else in the manor can we find a plant like this?
Lüdou inspected it carefully and shook her head.
There shouldn't be any left. The Princess Consort ordered them all to be removed, and Nanny Ni immediately took the servant women to dig them all up in the garden.
This little bit was probably just one that slipped through the cracks.
Duoduo rested her chin in her hand. Lüdou, where do you think I could buy this plant?
