Duoduo always acted on her ideas immediately, so she quickly wrote down several more prescriptions.
For strengthening the body, for beauty and youthfulness, poisons, anesthetics, antidotes...
"Lüdou, take some silver from the box, and then go to a few different medical clinics to get these prescriptions filled."
Lüdou looked at the stack of lists in her hand, feeling quite puzzled.
She found it even stranger that Duoduo had instructed her to get the herbs from several different clinics.
"Yes, Princess, I will go right away!"
However, Lüdou didn't ask any questions. She took some silver from the box, tucked the prescriptions away, and went out.
In the morning, it was time for Master Zhang's class as usual.
Today, Master Zhang was still teaching about poisons.
"Since ancient times, medicine and poison have been inseparable. Some poisons are also medicines that cure diseases."
"Every medicine has a trace of toxicity, so medicine is also poison."
Master Zhang stroked his beard and recounted to Duoduo the various poisons he had encountered over the years.
"Master, I want to make some poison pills myself today, but how will I know their effects once they are done?"
Duoduo thought of a problem.
She could test the anesthetics on people.
But what about the poisonous ones?
Master Zhang stroked his beard. "You can try them on animals."
"Animals?" Duoduo's eyes lit up.
"Yes, like chickens, ducks, or rabbits. Any of those will do. However, after testing, you must bury them deep in the ground so that no one accidentally eats them and loses their life."
"Mhm! I understand!" Duoduo nodded.
"How is the Princess coming along with the medical cases I gave you?"
"I've read almost half of them. Many of the cases you mentioned are so rare."
Duoduo furrowed her brows. She was memorizing them very slowly, worried she might get them wrong.
Master Zhang nodded. "I have traveled all over, and I like to study any difficult and complicated illnesses I encounter. That is why I have so many medical records."
"Keep them in your heart, Princess. If you ever encounter the same symptoms one day, you will definitely be able to put them to use."
"Don't worry, Master, I'm remembering them all!"
"By the way, Master, aren't you coming with us to the capital this time?" Duoduo was very reluctant to part with him.
A glimmer of light flashed in Master Zhang's eyes, then quickly returned to calmness.
"I am getting old and no longer wish to travel around."
"On your journey, if you encounter any difficult illnesses or things you don't understand, you can write to me."
"Okay," Duoduo nodded.
While Duoduo was studying diligently with Master Zhang, in the next room, Xiao Yi was looking down at a letter in his hand.
When he finished reading the contents of the letter, his knuckles gripping the paper had turned white from using too much force.
"Are you sure our people didn't make a mistake?" Xiao Yi's tone carried an imperceptible hatred.
Ling Yu lowered his head.
"To answer Your Highness, there is no mistake. The men in black who attacked you, Ling Feng, and the others last time were Prince Ling's men."
"Prince Ling's men happened to find out that you were going to the manor, so they wanted to carry out an assassination before retreating."
"It's just that they didn't expect to encounter a landslide."
"They also suffered casualties and were worried about being exposed, which is why they retreated so hastily."
After Ling Yu finished his report, the room fell into infinite silence.
Just as Ling Yu wanted to steal a glance at Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi spoke up.
"What about the butler? Whose man is he? Have you found out?"
Ling Yu hurriedly lowered his head.
"The butler traveled all the way to the capital by water, and then he went to a residence."
"Our people have investigated that residence; it is just an ordinary house."
"After the butler went in, he never came out."
"Our people waited outside and didn't see anyone else go in."
"How many days has it been?" Xiao Yi suddenly asked.
Ling Yu paused for a moment, then replied, "Two days."
Xiao Yi immediately said, "Send a message by carrier pigeon at once. Have our people disguise themselves. They must see the butler today."
"No matter what method they use, they must see the butler in person."
Ling Yu was startled and looked up in surprise.
"Your Highness, do you mean... the butler might no longer be in that house?"
Xiao Yi looked up. "Why aren't you going? If you're late, the man might just slip right from under your noses!"
"Yes, this subordinate will go right away!"
Ling Yu didn't even bother to bow; he rushed out.
Xiao Yi looked at the letter in his hand once more, his lips pressed tightly together.
Prince Ling!
Heh!
Xiao Yi held the letter over the candle flame and watched it burn away bit by bit.
After doing all this, Xiao Yi called out, "Someone come!"
"Your Highness, this subordinate is here!"
A guard walked in from outside the door and bowed to Xiao Yi.
Hearing a familiar voice, Xiao Yi looked up.
"Ling Feng? Are your injuries healed?" Xiao Yi frowned.
Seeing Xiao Yi's doubtful gaze, Ling Feng immediately thumped his chest.
"Your Highness, this subordinate is completely healed. Look, strong as an ox!"
"If Your Highness has any orders, please do not hesitate to ask!"
Xiao Yi didn't speak. Instead, he stared at Ling Feng, lost in thought.
Ling Feng was one of the guards who had served Xiao Yi closely for the longest time, so he quickly guessed what Xiao Yi was thinking.
"Your Highness, this subordinate will go and call Ling Yu over."
Without a single word of explanation, Ling Feng bowed to Xiao Yi and walked out.
Xiao Yi watched Ling Feng's retreating back, deep in thought.
Just as Duoduo had said, ever since he became paralyzed, Ling Feng had been the one serving him the most.
It was also because of their time together that Ling Feng could guess what he was thinking with just a single glance.
His imperial father had once taught him never to let others easily guess his thoughts.
On one hand was tacit understanding, on the other was caution. Should he listen to Duoduo's advice, or follow his imperial father's teachings?
Ling Yu had just released the pigeon when he heard Ling Feng say that the Prince had orders.
Seeing the sadness in Ling Feng's eyes, Ling Yu patted his shoulder.
Earlier, he had deliberately asked Ling Feng to guard outside just to create an opportunity for him.
In the end, the Prince still refused him.
"Don't be sad. We are all the Prince's men. The Prince is definitely just worried that your body hasn't fully recovered yet."
"Why don't you rest for another day? We will be setting off tomorrow."
Ling Feng forced a smile. "Alright."
Ling Feng turned and left. Ling Yu watched his dejected back, spacing out for a moment.
He quickly gathered his emotions and hurried back to the study.
"Your Highness, you were looking for me?" Ling Yu bowed.
"Have our men launch a night raid on Prince Ling's estate!" Xiao Yi's words were like the frost of a harsh winter.
Ling Yu was greatly shocked.
"Your Highness, didn't you order us not to alert the enemy?"
Xiao Yi shot a sideways glance at Ling Yu. "What? Are you trying to teach me how to do things?"
Feeling a wave of pressure, Ling Yu immediately lowered his head. "Forgive me, Your Highness! I wouldn't dare! I will go make the arrangements right away!"
Ling Yu hurried away. Xiao Yi lowered his eyes and looked at his own legs.
Endure?
He had endured long enough!
Since Prince Ling wanted a war, then bring it on!
He wanted to see who would ultimately emerge victorious!
