Chapter 124 — Heaven-Sent Masterstroke

He made too many enemies, but no one ever knew his true face. It is said he was betrayed by his disciple, the Little Poison King, who exposed his appearance. Unable to keep his footing, he cut off his own face and disappeared.

" The Empress Dowager nodded. "I have heard that story. As a matter of fact, I also once met that Jade-Faced Poison King. We had several trysts, and in those days I was quite smitten with him.

" The imperial physicians did not dare speak. The Empress Dowager said softly, "Who would have known that the Jade Gentleman, famed across the world, would turn out to be the infamous Jade-Faced Poison King?

After his disciple exposed him, how many young women's hearts were broken! After the late Emperor died, I had my heart set on this Jade Gentleman and met with him several times.

When he was cornered with nowhere to go, I told him I could protect him. There were also a few nasty women who wanted to protect him. Hmph—those little sluts never got the better of me, and I never got the better of them, and in the end he still left. When I think of it now, fate truly plays cruel tricks.

The strange poison that kept me lying on this sickbed for decades, unable to leave, actually came from my lover's hand. " Cold sweat beaded on the imperial physicians' foreheads. They felt their heads were forfeit now that they had heard this secret, and inwardly regretted not having left with Lord Yan. Shen Mu's heart stirred. The Jade-Faced Poison King gave him a familiar feeling.

"It couldn't be Grandfather Alchemist, could it? " "Then does Your Majesty know who poisoned you? " Shen Mu asked.

"It was not the Jade Gentleman.

" The Empress Dowager smiled. "Then it must naturally be the Little Poison King, Fu Yuanqing. I have heard that Fu Yuanqing went over to the Imperial Preceptor of Jingping. If he poisoned me, it was certainly at the Imperial Preceptor's bidding. The Imperial Preceptor of Jingping has wanted me dead for a long time. Perhaps because I could not stomach some of his methods, he wants me dead so I will no longer block his path. " The imperial physicians' faces turned ashen. They dropped to their knees with a thud and dared not rise. The Empress Dowager laughed. "The Imperial Preceptor of Jingping dared to poison me, and he is not afraid.

Why should you be? Get up and speak.

" Imperial Physician Qu and the others rose unsteadily, as silent as winter cicadas, and dared not say a word. The Empress Dowager looked at Shen Mu and suddenly asked, "Your master is the Jade Gentleman, isn't he?

How is he?

" Shen Mu thought, The Jade Gentleman she speaks of must be Grandfather Alchemist.

It was also Grandfather Alchemist who taught me how to undo the Thousand Mechanisms Poison. Only its creator could know it so well. He bowed slightly. "He is very well, Your Majesty. " The Empress Dowager let out a breath and said softly, "Did he send you to save me?

So he still has me in his heart.

. .

" Shen Mu blinked, thinking she was reading too much into it, but he could hardly say so.

Newly recovered from a long illness, the Empress Dowager was also tired. She waved a hand.

"You have all been up all night. Go back and rest early. " Shen Mu acknowledged, and the imperial physicians, as if a great burden had been lifted, left with him.

They had not gone far when shouts of "Make way!

Make way! " rang out.

Imperial Physician Qu hastily pulled Shen Mu to the roadside, and then they saw Emperor Yanfeng striding toward them, guards running behind him, and palace maids carrying a ceremonial canopy hurrying in his wake.

Besides the Emperor, there were several richly dressed men and women—presumably the Empress, imperial princes, or princesses. "Cowherd!

" Suddenly a crisp voice, startled and delighted, came from the crowd. It sounded familiar. Shen Mu looked up and saw a girl in the crowd, bright and lovely. "Cowherd boy, it really is you! " the girl exclaimed joyfully. "How did you get here? "