BLHO Chapter 29
by VolareChapter 29: Life-Extending Ointment
Her saying so was indeed true; in such a large Northern Garrison, someone breaking in without permission shouldn’t only result in her coming alone to apprehend them.
Seeing them still not moving, Shen Tan anxiously said, “Do I need to tell you what the crime is for breaking into the Imperial Prison? If Li Yuliang discovers you, before the truth of Princess Meng Ning’s case comes to light, he will surely execute you first and report later!”
Seeing her change her expression repeatedly, He Yuncheng dared not trust her easily. “You wanted to seize my military seal just now, why do you want to help us now?”
Shen Tan had no time to waste with him, “If you don’t leave now, even the King of Heaven can’t help you!”
As she spoke, the sound of hurried footsteps approached the secret prison. Under the current circumstances, a direct confrontation with Li Yuliang was not a wise move. He Yuncheng turned to look at Lin Shuangxu and received his approving gaze. Therefore, he no longer hesitated, released Shen Tan, and quickly left with him.
Confirming that they had safely left, Shen Tan calmed her emotions and stepped out of the secret prison, treading on the stone steps.
The moonlight was like silk, reflecting on the faces of the people in the courtyard, making them appear deathly pale, like ghosts.
“This subordinate greets the Grand Eunuch…”
Shen Tan stepped forward to salute, but before she could finish a complete sentence, a whip lashed out heavily at her face.
The sound of the wind howled as the rough, hard whip landed on her body. She dared not dodge and took the blow head-on.
The force of the whip was so great that it made her unsteady on her feet and she fell to the ground.
The end of the whip swept across her cheek, tearing the skin, and a bloody mark appeared on her face.
Li Yuliang looked down from above and questioned her in a sinister voice, “Where are the people I want?”
Shen Tan knelt upright on the ground, “This subordinate has been ineffective in handling matters and has not been able to find Song Jiting’s whereabouts. Please punish me, Grand Eunuch.”
Li Yuliang closed his eyes, his face full of gloom, and his light, floating voice was terrifying, “Can’t find him, or don’t want to find him? Shen Tan, are you not listening to my orders now?”
Shen Tan kowtowed her head on the ground, “Grand Eunuch, please be discerning, this subordinate has absolutely no disloyal intentions.”
“I’ll give you one more day.” Li Yuliang said, “Bring him back before tomorrow night. If he’s missing a single hair, I’ll hold you accountable.”
“As you command.”
–
Shen Tan did not lie, there was an exit of the Northern Garrison deep within the secret prison, and He Yuncheng and Lin Shuangxu escaped safely.
On the way back to the General’s Manor, the entire city was filled with soldiers sent by Li Yuliang, searching every household, digging three feet into the ground, determined to find Song Jiting.
The situation was becoming increasingly complicated. In the carriage, Lin Shuangxu remained silent, sorting out his chaotic thoughts.
At first, he thought that Li Yuliang had killed the person and that Shen Tan was merely a knife used by him, unaware of the truth.
Later, Shen Tan repeatedly defended Li Yuliang, so he then thought that they had long colluded.
But tonight, she helped them escape from under Li Yuliang’s nose, and it seemed that she was not loyal to the eunuch.
Inconsistent.
But still, she wouldn’t stand with them even if she betrayed Li Yuliang. She must have another purpose.
What is that purpose?
Shen Tan doesn’t seem like someone who would rebel. Who is instructing her to take the He family’s military seal?
…
The night was deep and the wind was cold. Lin Shuangxu was thinking nervously, his fingertips as cold as ice.
He Yuncheng’s warm hand grasped his own.
He Yuncheng was naturally also thinking about these things that he was worried about.
He said to Lin Shuangxu, “The Emperor is young and the court is corrupt. Li Yuliang is not the only treacherous minister with ulterior motives. Now that I am in danger, it is not surprising that someone wants to fish in troubled waters and seize the He family’s military power. In my opinion, this is actually a good thing. If there really is someone like the eunuch, harboring rebellious intentions, they will definitely not sit idly by and watch the He family’s army be controlled by him.”
“That’s the logic.” Lin Shuangxu said forlornly, “But I can’t rely on an unidentified force to come to our aid. That’s too risky.”
He Yuncheng said indifferently, “Who can we rely on now that isn’t risky? Even if I produce evidence to prove my innocence, those who want to harm me won’t admit it. Similarly, if the Empress Dowager wants to keep me, even if I really killed the person, she will protect my life.”
“The Empress Dowager.” When Lin Shuangxu mentioned these two words, an uncontrollable chill arose from his heart.
He Yuncheng continued, “At least for now, it’s of no benefit to her if I fall. However, after all, the princess is her own flesh and blood. If she believes that I did it, there is no mother in this world who can watch her child die unjustly.”
He Yuncheng didn’t notice what was wrong with these words, but saw a deep sorrow arise in Lin Shuangxu’s eyes, and he actually let out a cold chuckle.
“What’s wrong?” He asked puzzledly, “What do you want to say?”
Lin Shuangxu shook his head, slowed his breathing slightly, and said, “No matter what, the seven-day deadline hasn’t arrived yet. We must try our best to find the evidence we can find. Even if the Empress Dowager is willing to protect you, I still want… to give Princess Meng Ning justice.”
–
It was already late at night when they arrived at the General’s Manor. As soon as the two entered the courtyard, they saw Song Jiting standing in the courtyard waiting for them, wearing only thin clothing.
Lin Shuangxu walked forward, unable to hide his apology.
“Tonight, we failed to rescue your father.”
Song Jiting’s eyes were lonely and indifferent, “I expected it.”
He had expected that the eunuch was despicable and shameless and would not give anyone a chance to take advantage.
But he still held a glimmer of hope in his heart, what if, what if they really brought his father back.
“Give me a few more days.” Lin Shuangxu said.
Song Jiting shook his head, “It’s useless, no one can save the person that Li Yuliang wants to imprison.”
Lin Shuangxu did not argue further. After thinking for a while, he asked him, “You have been following Li Yuliang for quite some time, are you familiar with Shen Tan?”
Song Jiting answered truthfully, “I wouldn’t say familiar, I only know that she is Li Yuliang’s confidant.”
Lin Shuangxu asked, “Then in your opinion, if she betrayed Li Yuliang, who would she rely on?”
Song Jiting gave an answer without thinking, “She wouldn’t.”
“I’m saying, if.”
“There is no such ‘if’.” Song Jiting said firmly, “You don’t understand Li Yuliang. He doesn’t win people’s hearts by relying on emotions or money. He relies on seizing people’s weaknesses. He can use my father to control me, and he naturally has ways to control Shen Tan.”
“What ways?”
“Poison.”
“Poison?”
“Yes, Shen Tan has a strange poison in her body. If she dares to have disloyal intentions, Li Yuliang will surely make her wish she were dead. ”
Lin Shuangxu looked back at He Yuncheng, making eye contact.
“What kind of strange poison is it?” He asked Song Jiting.
“I don’t know.” Song Jiting said, “That’s not an ordinary poison that can be seen. I’ve only encountered Shen Tan’s appearance when the poison acted up once. She was in so much pain that she wanted to die but couldn’t, and she had to take another dose of the poison to recover.”
He Yuncheng thought quickly, and then said, “Life-Extending Ointment.”
Song Jiting squinted his eyes to recall, he couldn’t remember clearly. In his impression, Li Yuliang seemed to have mentioned these few words.
“Do you know about this?” Lin Shuangxu asked.
He Yuncheng said, “There is a Pu Yu country in the southeast of the Qi Dynasty. There is a local plant that can be refined into medicine. During military operations, if someone is injured, only a grain of rice is needed to relieve pain and calm the nerves, so they can continue to kill enemies. It is even more valiant than usual, and has the miraculous effect of prolonging life, but this medicine must not be taken in excessive doses, otherwise it will become addictive in less than three times. The divine medicine becomes poison. Once the poison addiction flares up, the whole body feels like ten thousand insects are gnawing, and the suffering is unbearable.”
Song Jiting nodded, “That should be it.”
He Yuncheng crossed his arms and said, “Pu Yu country is thousands of miles away from Bei Sheng. It’s not enough to have mountains of gold and silver to bring this thing over. The Directorate of Ceremonial is really rich and powerful.”
He teased lightly, “However, I’m really curious, this Li Yuliang is a eunuch, and he’s not a physician. He spends his days researching aphrodisiacs and poisons. What special hobbies does he have?”
Song Jiting disdained but also sympathized, “He probably wants to find a way to regain his manhood.”
No man can accept his incomplete body, especially since Li Yuliang is already second only to one person and above ten thousand.
“Regain…” He Yuncheng couldn’t hold back and chuckled, “Sorry, I shouldn’t discriminate against eunuchs. I wish him a grand resurgence in his next life.”
Lin Shuangxu didn’t have as much amusement as he did. Listening to Song Jiting’s words, he carefully thought about the relationship between Shen Tan and Li Yuliang.
If Shen Tan was really controlled by the Life-Extending Ointment, then it would be reasonable for her to bear a grudge against Li Yuliang and betray him.
Regardless of which camp she is behind, in this crisis, the enemy of the enemy is a friend.
Lin Shuangxu still wanted to find her again.
“I understand.” Lin Shuangxu said to Song Jiting, “I will think of another way about Song’s father. It’s getting late, Young Master, go back and rest.”
After he finished speaking, he left, and He Yuncheng followed closely.
The two had not walked a few steps when they suddenly heard Song Jiting calling them from behind, “Wait!”
Lin Shuangxu stopped, not turning around.
Song Jiting said to their backs, “Li Yuliang must be looking for me everywhere now. It’s very risky for you to keep me locked up like this.”
Lin Shuangxu did not speak.
Song Jiting continued, “Let me go back, I’ll cooperate with you from the inside out. As long as you can rescue my father, I will definitely help you testify.”
Lin Shuangxu slowly turned around, his gaze colder than the moonlight.
“Why should I trust you?”