"Capital City Escort Agency, I’ll send a ssage there. I hope you can bring peace of mind."
The deserters we saved on the path of exile have likely made a thriving life in that escort agency by now.
Leveraging last year’s natural disaster, they have accumulated quite a lot by transporting goods for the regi.
Xie Huai’an promised her, "Alright, I’ll definitely reply on ti."
"Once the situation stabilizes and the treacherous are caught, we can fulfill our wishes and be true to ourselves."
"Alright, I will wait for you."
Just like what they had said to each other long ago, feelings were precious, but there were greater responsibilities in life awaiting them to shoulder.
Especially Xie Huai’an, intertwined in political sches for years, beca an irremovable piece in a precarious ga. If he wants a peaceful life in the future, he must clear these obstacles thoroughly.
He was already soone who couldn’t break free.
Gazing at the distant stars and thin clouds, Ruan Mian cherished every mont spent with him.
Of course, upon returning to the post station, he once again beca the person barely clinging to life on the bed.
The next day, many ca to visit him, but Vice Minister Dong turned them away at the door, citing his poor health and only allowing those with the necessary redy.
"Gentlen, our lord truly is not well and... cannot entertain guests; we only seek the goodness of those who possess the rare redy, Wujin, to give our lord a chance for survival."
Others sighed deeply, "Lord Dong, this Wujin isn’t easy to obtain, especially after the upheaval in Wuheng. Trade hasn’t resud, and dicine shops don’t have it."
"Indeed, unless soone already has it hidden, bringing it from the south would delay us unbearably."
Vice Minister Dong, full of grief, bowed deeply to them, "Since it’s difficult, I humbly beseech all of you to help our lord. Please see if there’s a way to get this redy, Wujin. I am deeply grateful!"
Just then, Huo Zong also arrived upon hearing the news, deeply concerned upon learning of the poisoning!
Imdiately, at the door, he worriedly exclaid, "Why didn’t you tell about such a huge matter sooner!" He then called out to his attendants.
"Quickly post a notice: anyone who can provide the redy will be heavily rewarded!!"
Watching this unfold, people began to whisper among themselves.
"Mr. Xie truly seems to be nearing his end now, just now I saw even General Huo was this anxious. If the poison truly acts up, there’s no ti to wait for the redy!"
"Indeed, even if soone provides the redy now, two days’ delay might still pose a lethal threat."
"What a pity, once held an official position, highly esteed by the late Emperor. Back when Mr. Xie was in power, who didn’t try to curry favor? But who would’ve thought, in just thirty years, fortunes shifted, he was demoted to such a distant place and died horrifically here. Even dying would not bring peace to his soul."
As these rumors spread, going to see Xie Huai’an and Huo Zong fared no better.
The ploy of faking poisoning was kept from him because Xie Huai’an wished to avoid dragging others in unnecessary trouble, especially given he was the Border Guard General, busy with nurous affairs.
Getting entangled could jeopardize the unfolding of plans.
Huo Zong genuinely was worried until Ruan Mian’s comforting cald him down.
Thanks to him, the urgency of Xie Huai’an’s dire need for the redy spread more quickly.
Within two days, people indeed began to arrive with Wujin.
Anyone entering the post station was personally followed by Vice Minister Dong.
He had control over their movents.
Among them, one person departed the post station and t up with soone in Wuheng City the next day.
That night Vice Minister Dong brought a captured individual to the post station.
The person was taken to a private interrogation room, and it was only once Ruan Mian accompanied Xie Huai’an there that Vice Minister Dong spoke truthfully.
"My lord, I’ve dealt with the courier sent with dicine. This person here is his accomplice."
He handed a letter to Xie Huai’an: "This letter was ant to be sent to their contact in the Capital City. This person won’t open his mouth no matter what."
Xie Huai’an unfolded the letter, which contained only two simple lines.
[Han is gone, poison acted]
Ruan Mian saw the line too, just as she was about to speak, Xie Huai’an handed it to Vice Minister Dong, "Replace this letter."
Then gazed at the defiant face. This face, Xie Huai’an was sowhat familiar with.
Approaching him, he yanked off the red cord from his waist and twisted his jaw sharply.
There was no expected tattoo behind his ear.
He sneered and applied force. At the sound of a "crack," the man’s jaw dislocated, his eyes tearing up from pain.
After ensuring it couldn’t be reset, Xie Huai’an removed sothing from his mouth.
Directly asked, "Confess your handler, and there’s still a path to live."
Ruan Mian noticed his resolute deanor, her eyes dimd slightly. Taking advantage of Xie Huai’an and the others’ montary distraction, she touched her Jade Bracelet and took out a packet of drug powder.
Calmly, she walked up to the man and, without hesitation, poured the powder into his mouth.
She pinched his throat, forcing the drug down.
The intensely bitter taste hit him instantly, his body shivered, and his eyes widened. His throat mumbled indistinct complaints.
"What... what did you give ?!" he exclaid.
Ruan Mian smiled faintly, dusting her hands off, "Naturally... it’s a poison."
"Now you have no choice; you won’t get a path to live or die. This is a special poison that will tornt you with excruciating pain, cutting through your spirit, yet won’t take your life. You’ll need an antidote continuously, and when the poison acts, only relief from the antidote will save you from anguish worse than death."
Ruan Mian slowly squatted down, gazing at him intensively, exerting pressure.
The man spat out two words, "vicious woman," but Ruan Mian was unmoved, following up on his words.
"In such a vast world, ruthless people aren’t scarce. You enable wrongdoers, assisting the treacherous and conveying their ssages, aren’t you a vicious person yourself?"
"Under Heaven’s watch, everyone acts rely for self-preservation. If you want to bla, bla only being caught by us. As for what path you choose next, that rests entirely on you." She rose decisively, not rushing to interrogation.
Her decisive actions amused Xie Huai’an, "In extracting confessions, I find my lady more adept than as the Pri Minister."
"Husband is being modest."
"Since he’s not speaking now, let’s give him so ti to reconsider."
Ruan Mian knew without the drug taking effect, he wouldn’t speak.
The drug she used was specially concocted, made from paralyzing plant liquid. It’s similar to addictive poison, causing hallucinations, paralyzing nerves, and inflicting continuous pain.
No need to spare room for evil people.
She thought the drug would take a few days to act, intending to return to her chamber, but within two days, he endured the agony and couldn’t help but confess hastily.
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