Amidst the hopeful gazes of those present, Feng Xi Wu turned and maneuvered his wheelchair down the steps.
When the wheels were on a flat surface, the wheelchair was no different from Feng Xi Wu's previous four-wheeled contraption.
However, once it ascended the steps, the wheels, under control and subjected to force, transformed into feet that could adjust their contact points at any time.
From a distance, it appeared as if a chair with legs was carrying a person, descending step by step.
Feng Xi Wu was both thrilled by his newfound mobility and impressed by Lu Qing Wan's ingenuity. Distracted for a moment, he misjudged the force distribution on the wheels.
The wheelchair tilted, heading towards the ground. "Your Highness!"
Several people cried out in alarm and rushed forward. Lu Qing Wan grabbed the armrest, pulling both the person and the chair back, pressing it against the ground.
"Are you alright?"
Lu Qing Wan was still shaken.
"I was too careless; I should have tested it more times."
Feng Xi Wu comforted her, "It's not your fault. I was the one who got distracted. This gift is wonderful; I like it very much."
"I'm glad you like it."
Lu Qing Wan let out a sigh of relief. "You've spent all your time at Bai Xing Lin today. Shall I push you to the garden for a stroll?"
Feng Xi Wu was more than happy to oblige and readily agreed.
"Certainly! If you don't feel cold, perhaps we could have dinner in the garden as well?"
Lu Qing Wan smiled and rose, pushing Feng Xi Wu towards a garden she had never set foot in before.
Behind them, a group of people collectively exhaled in relief. Li Yang exclaimed, "It still takes the Princess Consort's touch!
I even feel like kowtowing to Marquis Lu three times. Did he and Princess An Yang save the entire continent in their past lives to be blessed with such an intelligent daughter?"
Li Jin chuckled coldly beside him, "Who was it that disliked her appearance and said she wasn't worthy of His Highness?"
Li Yang quickly darted over and covered Li Jin's mouth. "Don't talk nonsense. If the Princess Consort hears you, she'll think His Highness is displeased with her. Don't cause trouble..."
As the two bickered, they didn't forget to arrange for dinner.
The royal manor's garden was a scenic spot. Lu Qing Wan, who was accompanying him, was more delighted than Feng Xi Wu. She casually pushed him towards a small table and then settled down, unwilling to leave.
"Didn't you want to stroll through the garden? Why stop now?"
"Sitting here, I can see half the garden's scenery."
Lu Qing Wan sat on the bench, sighing. "You asked me to help investigate Zhou Guanjia and Lan Yu Ru's contacts before they died. There's no need to investigate anymore.
However, you can have someone keep an eye on Feng Qing Heng. Perhaps you can find out who the person who planted the蛊 (gu) is.
Pulling out the radish might bring out the mud. Even if the 蛊 (gu) poison in you can't be completely investigated, at least there will be some clues."
It would be good if she could cure the 蛊 (gu), but such poisons were insidious and difficult to defend against.
To truly resolve the threat of the 蛊 (gu), the problem had to be addressed at its root.
Feng Xi Wu was surprised. "So, you deliberately told Prince Chen that the person who planted the 蛊 (gu) had a special medicinal guide that could help him, all to lure the snake out of its hole?"
"With a 'Xiang Si Gu' (lovesick gu), the planter usually sows the mother 蛊 (gu) and then plants the child 蛊 (gu) in the person they desire, using this extreme method to bind that person to themselves.
That's why I initially suspected Feng Qing Heng was the one who planted it.
But as you saw today, Feng Qing Heng was completely unaware of the 'Xiang Si Gu,' so I suspect he was also manipulated.
It's hard to say whether the planter's initial target was Feng Qing Heng or me.
I just thought that someone who could plant a 蛊 (gu) in Feng Qing Heng without being discovered would likely be someone familiar with him. Once they find out the 蛊 (gu) worm in his body is gone, wouldn't they make some move?"
Feng Xi Wu understood. "I've already ordered people to keep an eye on Prince Chen. If it truly is someone around him, we won't miss them."
Li Yang and Li Jin, their ears perked high, saw that their masters had finished their serious discussion and brought in the meal.
As they were leaving, Li Qing brought back surprising news. "Princess Consort, Zhou Guanjia is dead."
"Dead? How did he die?"
The death of Princess An Yang, her past experiences, and the actions of the Lan family and Lu Si Wan had all had a hand from Zhou Guanjia. Lu Qing Wan had long planned to make him disappear.
She hadn't expected him to die before she could act, and she was astonished.
Li Qing's expression was complex. "His death was rather peculiar. Marquis entrusted me to bring the coroner to examine him. The coroner concluded that he died from a type of 蛊 (gu) poison called 'Shi Xue Gu' (blood-thirsty gu), causing his blood to congeal and leading to his death.
Many disgusting little insects crawled out from around the body. I was worried the 蛊 (gu) poison might harm the Marquis, so I had the body cremated."
Li Qing looked somewhat remorseful. The matter hadn't been fully investigated, and the body should have been preserved to uncover the truth. Now that it was cremated, all clues were lost.
Lu Qing Wan did not blame him. "You did well. The truth is important, but the living are more important.
Besides, the coroners at the Jingzhao Prefecture are experienced. Since they already know it's 'Shi Xue Gu,' they likely wouldn't find any other clues."
Feng Xi Wu waved his hand, signaling for the late meal to be cleared away, and said with some disdain, "Can you choose a better time to report such matters next time?"
The scene of him curing Feng Qing Heng's 蛊 (gu) today was still fresh in his mind. As soon as Li Qing mentioned 蛊 (gu) worms, Feng Xi Wu felt nauseous and lost all appetite.
As for Lu Qing Wan, not vomiting on the dining table was already the greatest respect she could show Feng Xi Wu.
Li Qing looked embarrassed. "Your Highness, please forgive me. As soon as I heard about the 蛊 (gu) poison, I rushed to report it."
Lu Qing Wan suppressed a smile. "Besides the 'Shi Xue Gu,' did Zhou Guanjia leave any other clues?"
"There's this."
Li Qing produced an envelope. "I've already asked Marquis. The handwriting on this is indeed Zhou Guanjia's. However, based on Marquis's understanding of Zhou Guanjia, he wasn't the type to commit suicide out of guilt."
"What, a suicide note!"
Lu Qing Wan stretched her neck, too lazy to reach out. Feng Xi Wu smiled dotingly and took the envelope to read.
"Tsk, wanting to help Lu Si Wan plant a 蛊 (gu) but accidentally planting it in me, inadvertently killing Lan Yu Ru, and then harming Lu Si Wan. Truly reasonable, isn't it?"
Lu Qing Wan muttered as she read, her eyes suddenly widening. "Lu Si Wan is Zhou Guanjia's daughter? Really?!"
Feng Xi Wu was speechless. "As for the truth of such matters, perhaps only Lan Yu Ru knows. How would I know?"
"I have a way."
Lu Qing Wan had a sudden inspiration. "Go get some of Zhou Guanjia's hair, the kind with the follicles."
Li Qing blinked in confusion. "What are follicles?"
"The white little things at the root of the hair. And bring me two strands of Lu Si Wan's hair."
Li Qing felt that Zhou Guanjia's death was suspicious and that he had handled the matter poorly. He followed Lu Qing Wan's instructions and turned to run out.
Meanwhile, Lu Qing Wan leaned back on Feng Xi Wu's arm. "Zhou Quan said he planted the 'Xiang Si Gu,' and that Zhang Shi's poisoning was also done by him for Lan Shi. Do you think it's true?"