Ye Jingkuan still wore his full armor as he entered, standing to the left of the screen alongside Lai Chenglong on the right. His expression grave, he asked Imperial Physician Yan, “Since you know the origins of this poison, sir, can you cure it?”

The suppression of the rebellion was nearly complete. If Zhou Weizhao died from poisoning at the very end, it would be truly tragic. Lai Chenglong also stared intently at Imperial Physician Yan, his face cold as frost, as if the moment Imperial Physician Yan said “no,” he would step forward and strangle him—in truth, he was indeed the most anxious one now. Emperor Jianzhang had sent him to ensure Zhou Weizhao’s safety. Zhou Weizhao had been fine during the siege, yet the incident occurred under his escort at the county office. He couldn’t escape responsibility.

Imperial Physician Yan’s heart turned cold under his gaze. Looking at Song Chuyi, he said, “Sixth Miss, I know what poison this is, but I don’t know which specific toxins were combined together. We must find the person who administered the poison.”

In other words, they needed to know the poison’s formula before they could concoct an antidote. Song Chuyi turned to ask Ye Jingkuan and Lai Chenglong, “They still don’t know who harmed His Highness?”

It had already been a day and a night. Given Lai Chenglong’s capabilities, he should have found out long ago. How could there still be no progress? And what about Ma Yuantong’s group? They had fled from the county office. The city had been taken—where could they have run to?

Lai Chenglong’s expression was grave. Though he couldn’t put on that frightening face when addressing her, he shook his head gently, appearing quite troubled himself. “An advisor leaked His Highness’s whereabouts, which is why that group of rebels specifically waited at the county office for His Highness. The moment the incident occurred, that advisor immediately slit his own throat and died, leaving not a single trace.” Otherwise, if the man were still alive, even if he had a body of copper and iron, the Imperial Guard would have ways to extract information from him. Speaking of this made him extremely irritated, his face darkening terribly.

An advisor had passed information to Ma Yuantong’s rebel group? Song Chuyi raised her eyebrows in surprise. Everyone Zhou Weizhao had brought from the capital had been carefully selected. He was always cautious and meticulous in his affairs. How could a traitor have appeared out of nowhere?

“That won’t do!” Imperial Physician Yan interrupted them, his expression serious. “This poisoning matter can’t be delayed. If we can’t formulate the antidote within seven days, His Highness’s life will be in danger!”

Lai Chenglong’s gaze grew even colder. He left the room without a word. Ye Jingkuan made a gesture of invitation to Song Chuyi, and the group proceeded to a temporarily prepared study, their expressions all rather grim.

After a moment of silence, Ye Jingkuan spoke first. “There’s no doubt Ma Yuantong’s group was behind this, but despite searching the city extensively for so long, we haven’t found anyone. The surrounding area is full of towns and villages with so many remote places. If they burrow into some corner, finding them will be as difficult as ascending to heaven.”

Difficult or not, they had to search. They’d have to go door to door. Lai Chenglong made an immediate decision with a cough. “I’ll order Hongfa and the others to search right away. Even if we have to turn Yangquan County upside down, we must find them!”

Commander Zhou arrived late and couldn’t help but hesitate. “But if we do that, won’t word spread that the Grand Prince has been poisoned and injured? Won’t that affect military morale?”

After all, they had just captured the city. There were still many stubbornly foolish people in the city. For instance, in Tianyi Town, nearly a thousand people had gathered forces and were desperately resisting around the mines. They had initially suspected Ma Yuantong had fled there.

If news of the Grand Prince’s injury spread at this time, who knew if those common people who had finally accepted the amnesty might have second thoughts? If Ma Yuantong’s group took the opportunity to coax them back with honeyed words, all their previous efforts would be wasted.

Song Chuyi tapped the table, drawing everyone’s attention to herself. After thinking for a moment, she spoke. “Why don’t we have the Imperial Guard search door to door and make quite a commotion about it?” Seeing Commander Zhou about to voice objections, she paused and raised her voice slightly. “Just say that we already know how to cure the Grand Prince’s poison and have sent people to the Cui family to fetch the antidote. We’re now only searching for Ma Yuantong.”

Commander Zhou frowned but fell silent. He seemed to grasp Song Chuyi’s intention.

Lai Chenglong and Ye Jingkuan exchanged glances and simultaneously uttered four words. “Draw the snake from its hole?”

Ma Yuantong’s sole purpose was to take the Grand Prince’s life. Learning that the Grand Prince’s poison was about to be cured, he would surely try other methods to harm His Highness. Only by claiming the Grand Prince’s poison had been cured would he become anxious, and only when anxious would he reveal his weakness. Even if someone on their side suspected it was a trap, to be absolutely certain whether the Grand Prince had truly been cured, they would have no choice but to take the risk.

At this point, this was the only viable plan. Seeing that no one else spoke, Ye Jingkuan nodded. “Then let’s proceed this way.”

Darkness quickly fell again. Song Chuyi had traveled all day without food or water. Ye Jingchuan hurried to instruct the kitchen to prepare something for her. As soon as he stepped out, he ran into Qing Zhuo. With no time to speak with Qing Zhuo, he waved his hand and headed straight for the kitchen.

Qing Zhuo stood on tiptoe, peering inside. Spotting Song Chuyi, he quickly beckoned. “Sixth Miss, His Highness has developed a fever. Imperial Physician Yan says you’re still carrying antidote pills. Though they can’t cure His Highness’s poison, we can use them first to at least address the immediate crisis.”

Imperial Physician Yan had said earlier that Zhou Weizhao’s poison would worsen progressively. If they couldn’t formulate an antidote within seven days, his life would be in danger. Sure enough, he had now begun running a high fever. Song Chuyi knit her brows and quickly followed Qing Zhuo to Zhou Weizhao’s room. Indeed, she saw Han Feng emerging with another basin of bloody water.

Hadn’t he just vomited blood yesterday? Before Song Chuyi could voice her question, she heard Qing Luo cry out from inside. “Imperial Physician Yan, His Highness is vomiting blood again!”

She hurried around the screen to see both Imperial Physician Yan and Advisor Hu drenched in sweat, surrounding Zhou Weizhao and administering acupuncture.

She took the antidote pill from Nanny Xu and handed it to Qing Luo, taking two worried steps forward. From this angle, she could just glimpse Zhou Weizhao’s pale face.

This person before her had helped her countless times. Never once had he been like this—lying in bed, unable to laugh and chat as if everything in his hands was easily resolved with a smile. She blinked, her hands unconsciously clenching into fists.