Being a reborn legitimate daughter is not easy

Chapter 267 Drunken Lotus Leaf

Chapter 267 Drunken Lotus Leaf

When Chunyu Yang, Ye Pianran, and the others arrived at Shuntian Prefecture, night had already completely covered the capital, and the prefecture gates were tightly closed. After the carriage came to a stop, Ye Lingyue was the first to jump down and knock on the gates of Shuntian Prefecture.

The constables from Shuntian Prefecture hadn't expected anyone to arrive at this time, and they shouted sternly from behind the door:

"This is a government office, and all unauthorized persons are to leave immediately. If you wish to report a crime, please strike the grievance drum outside the gate!"

Chunyu Yang raised his hand to stop Ye Lingyue from speaking, and replied, "The King of Beiwu has come to visit and has important matters to discuss with Lord Feng."

The guards at the gate never expected that it would be the Northern Martial King who came. They hurriedly opened the gate and welcomed Chunyu Yang, Ye Pianran, and the others in.

"I did not expect the Third Prince to arrive at this time. I am unaware of his identity and hope Your Highness will forgive me."

"Lead us to see your master," Chunyu Yang said as he walked towards the government office, without wasting any more words with him.

The constable quickly stepped forward and led the way for the group, saying, "This way, everyone."

Although they rushed along the road, they were too late. By the time the yamen runner led them to the backyard, Feng Ling was nowhere to be found in the Shuntian Prefecture. They asked many people but no one knew where he had gone. In the end, it was Prefect Yao Wen who came out to meet them.

"Yao Wen greets the Third Prince. I did not expect the Third Prince to arrive at this time. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly." Prefect Yao first bowed deeply to Chunyu Yang, then stood up and smiled apologetically, saying, "Third Prince, please forgive me. Lord Feng has left the manor on business and will probably not be back for a while. I wonder what important matter the Third Prince has to discuss with Lord Feng? May I convey your message?"

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Ye Pianran and Ye Lingyue, who were standing behind Chunyu Yang, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Why is this girl back again? Could it be that the Third Prince has come to Shuntian Prefecture for that case as well?

“No need. Since Feng Ling isn’t here, it’s the same as looking for you,” Chunyu Yang said. “Are those key criminals in Zhao Yuanwai’s case still locked up in the government jail?”

Yao Wen thought to himself, "Just as I thought," but replied calmly, "That's right, he's being held in prison under strict guard."

Chunyu Yang nodded and said, "Take me to the prison. I want to see them."

“This…” Yao Wen hesitated. The case of Zhao Yuanwai involved many officials in the capital. Although he didn't know the exact names on the list, before everything became clear, it was imperative that no official in the court be allowed to contact the wanted criminal. However, Chunyu Yang, as the Prince of Beiwu, held military power and controlled both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of War; Yao Wen simply couldn't stop him…

As if guessing Yao Wen's concerns, Chunyu Yang said, "What I want to ask is unrelated to this case. If Prefect Yao is worried, he may come with me."

Yao Wen breathed a sigh of relief and said, "In that case, Your Highness and the young ladies may follow me."

The entrance to the Shuntian Prefecture prison was located at the deepest part of the inner courtyard. The gate was guarded by layers of soldiers. Although it was not as large as the Ministry of Justice prison, it was still very solemn and imposing, with a cold and murderous atmosphere that made people afraid to approach.

Having lived two lives, this was Ye Pianran's first time entering such a prison. As soon as she stepped into the prison entrance, a chilling, foul wind rushed towards her. Ahead, she saw a damp and narrow stone staircase leading straight down into the ground. Although torches illuminated the stone walls on both sides, the depths of the staircase were a dark and chilling darkness.

They followed Yao Fucheng down the steps, and apart from the sound of their footsteps, there was no other sound, which made the place seem even more eerie and terrifying.

Goosebumps rose uncontrollably all over her body, and Ye Pianran involuntarily moved closer to Chunyu Yang. Sensing her fear, Chunyu Yang took her cold hand in his and pulled her even closer to him.

The prison in Shuntian Prefecture didn't hold many prisoners. If there were serious offenders, the case would be transferred to the Ministry of Justice, where they would be imprisoned. Therefore, at this moment, apart from Wang Bao, Granny She, and others involved in the case of the suburban villa, there were only some prisoners who had not yet been cleared of suspicion. Hearing footsteps coming from above, they all looked up, their eyes fixed on the only entrance leading outside.

When Prefect Yao appeared in the prison, the once tranquil cell was instantly rippled, like a stone thrown into still water. The prisoners rushed towards the iron bars, reaching out to Prefect Yao, crying out:

"My lord, I've been wronged, my lord!"

"Let me out! I didn't kill anyone, I didn't!"

"My lord, please have mercy and let me see my family!"

Because of their prolonged imprisonment, the prisoners were emaciated and ragged. In the flickering firelight, they looked like monstrous demons crawling out of the underworld to claim lives, sending chills down one's spine. But Yao, the prefect, was already used to these menacing prisoners. Without even frowning, he turned and asked without changing his expression:

"Four suspects have been detained today in connection with the case at the suburban villa. Which one would Your Highness like to see?"

Holding Ye Pianran's hand reassuringly, Chunyu Yang said, "I wish to see the girl named 'Min'er'."

"Your humble servant understands," Yao Fucheng replied, then summoned the jailer on duty and ordered him to lead them to the cell where Min'er was being held. However, before they had taken two steps, Chunyu Yang suddenly frowned deeply.

The prison was filled with a pungent, unpleasant odor, but his sense of smell was incredibly sharp. He could detect a strange fragrance in the air, a fragrance he recognized from somewhere before, which made him feel vaguely uneasy.

Chunyu Yang wasn't the only one who smelled this aroma. When he finally identified what it was, Liu Luluo, who was at the very back of the group, suddenly changed her expression and exclaimed, "Oh no, it's 'Drunken Lotus Leaf'!"

Suddenly realizing what it was, Chunyu Yang immediately released Ye Pianran's hand and rushed forward like an arrow with Liu Luluo.

"Moon, protect the pear tree!"

Although she didn't understand what had happened, Ye Lingyue immediately stood in front of Ye Pianran, keeping a close watch on her surroundings.

The jailer and Prefect Yao, who were leading the way, were both startled by Chunyu Yang's actions. They were stunned for a moment before they reacted and hurriedly chased after him, calling out, "Third Prince! Third Prince!"

Chunyu Yang and Liu Lulu followed the scent and soon found its source. The scent came from an inconspicuous cell. For some reason, one of the lights on either side of the cell door was off, and half of the cell was shrouded in shadow, making it impossible to see what was inside.

Prefect Yao and the jailer rushed over, but before they could even catch their breath, Chunyu Yang grabbed them and asked, "Who is locked up in this cell?"

His voice was icy cold, causing the jailer to tremble and stammer, "It's...it's the Min'er that Your Highness wants to see..."

Chunyu Yang took a deep breath, snatched the torch from the jailer, and relit the extinguished lamp. The firelight suddenly blazed, dispelling the shadows in the cell, revealing a figure lying diagonally inside. Judging from the clothes on her body, it was Min'er, whom Chunyu Yang and Liu Luluo longed to see.

However, when they saw her face clearly, both Prefect Yao and the jailer gasped in shock, their legs went weak, and they collapsed to the ground.

Min'er's once beautiful face was now covered with white fungi resembling lotus leaves. These things grew from her eyes, ears, mouth, and nose, piercing her eyeballs, eardrums, and throat, causing her to lose her life. The fragrance that made Chunyu Yang and Liu Luluo turn pale was coming from the fungi.

"Drunken Lotus Leaf" is a very peculiar form of Gu poison. Those afflicted with this Gu poison initially show no symptoms. However, as the poison spreads through the bloodstream into the internal organs, numerous lotus leaf-shaped fungi will unknowingly grow within the body. These fungi fully utilize the person's flesh and blood as nutrients, gradually eroding the heart, liver, spleen, stomach, and kidneys. The day the fungi fully mature and forcefully penetrate the seven orifices to grow outwards is the day the afflicted person dies!

This is one of the most prized poisons of the Wanku Sect! Unlike potent poisons that take effect immediately, it slowly torments people, taking anywhere from half a month to two months. Because it is completely unpredictable, people only realize its effects at the moment of death, making it extremely insidious!

It seems that Min'er had already been poisoned with "Drunken Lotus Leaf" when she received the poison used to torture Master Zhao. Unfortunately, she did not survive until their arrival and died.

Although they didn't learn any clues about the "Women's Pleasure" poison from Min'er, the appearance of the "Drunken Lotus Leaf" dispelled their doubts.

Indeed, there are still remnants of the Wanku Sect left in this world!