Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 76: Paper laced with poison

Chapter 76: Paper laced with poison

They rode through the misty borderlands of Yige, their horses’ hooves echoing against the ancient cobblestones. The palace, surrounded by tall walls, loomed ahead. It was a testament to a bygone era when Yige and Zhen had no animosity. It had once been the home of a Zhen princess and a Yige prince after their wedding. They had built this home so they could be able to visit their families on either side. But five decades later it was now a home to the late disgraced Empress of Yige.

As they approached the gates, the courtyard came into view, filled with cherry blossom trees that stood bare, their blossoms yet to shine. The guards at the gate who had been vigilant and strict after the Zhen crown prince breached their gate, stepped forward to stop them from proceeding further. Han Zhan, with a swift and practised motion, produced the general’s token. The guards immediately recognised it. They saluted before opening the gates for them.

The horses trotted through the open gates. The palace grounds were well lit with lanterns hanging along the path. When they reached the palace steps, they dismounted and a flurry of servants rushed to take the horses away. Han Xin’s presence was commanding, his aura one of authority and strength. As he stepped into the palace, the lady in charge hurried over, her head bowed in deep respect. "General Han," she greeted, her voice trembling slightly. "Have... have you found her Highness?" she asked, worry etched on her wrinkling skin.

Han Xin’s gaze swept over the grand hall trying to figure out where to start. "We haven’t found her yet. We came here to investigate so please cooperate," said Han Zhan speaking for his cousin. He said please but his tone was more of a command.

Han Xin’s gaze was unyielding as he addressed the elder woman. "Show me Princess Xiu’s courtyard," his voice firm and commanding leaving no room for refusal. The elder woman hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. But the oppressive weight of the general’s aura bore down on her and she found herself unable to disobey. Princess Xiu had told her if the general ever came sniffing around, they should let him, but she still feared her Highness’ secrets being exposed.

"General, wouldn’t it be better to wait till morning? After all, this is Her Highness’ private quarters," she said, but the temperature suddenly dropped drastically. She felt an inexplicable wave of fear coarse through her body. She had a feeling that she would be slaughtered if she so much as said something the general didn’t like. "This... this way, General," she murmured choosing to spare her life. She led them down the boarded floor that ran along the outside of the home.

As they walked, Han Xin took in the beauty of the garden overlooking the princess’s quarters. Even in its current state, it was clear that in spring, it would be a dazzling sight, filled with vibrant blooms and lush greenery.

They entered the princess’s bedroom. It was a spacious room, meticulously arranged and with no signs of someone living there. It was as though Peng Xiu hadn’t lived here for years. Han Xin’s eyes scanned the room, noting the neatness and order. Han Zhan, ever curious, moved around the room, touching anything that caught his interest. The room was so neat, with no personalisation in the room, like she had never lived there. It had been cleaned out.

Finding nothing of note, Han Xin turned to the elder woman. "Take me to the study," he ordered. He was determined to find out what she was hiding. He could almost imagine her face sneering at him while saying you found nothing, didn’t you?

Han Xin couldn’t believe that Xiang Yu, who cared more about the battlefield, would suddenly turn his attention to a deposed empress’ daughter, a daughter the emperor had no idea existed at the time. Even if he knew she existed she wouldn’t be favoured. There was no logic to Xiang Yu’s actions.

The elder woman hesitated again, her reluctance palpable. "There is nothing there, General," she stammered, but Han Xin’s sharp gaze caught the flicker of suspicion in her eyes. What was this woman hiding?

Han Zhan chuckled, a sound that held no warmth. "Don’t you want your princess to be found? I am starting to think you were involved in her disappearance." he taunted, his words cutting through the tension.

"How could you say such a thing? I want our princess returned to us safely," she said, her tone stern and confident, like she was speaking the truth. She wasn’t lying. She watched Peng Xiu from birth, so she was truly worried for her safety.

With no other choice, she led them to the study. As they entered, Han Zhan stopped her at the door. "Wait outside," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument. The elder woman stood outside, her nervousness evident. She stared at the closed study room door sweating bullets.

When Han Xin and Han Zhan stepped into the study their eyes were immediately drawn to the kang table and the tall bookshelf filled with volumes on military strategies and politics. Han Xin’s gaze lingered on familiar books, some of which were written by his own grandfather. Han Zhan moved around the room, his fingers brushing over various objects.

"I can’t imagine her reading all these books," he remarked, his tone laced with disbelief. Han Xin nodded in agreement, his hand reaching out to touch a gold statue on the shelf. As his fingers trailed over the statue, a soft click echoed through the room. The bookshelf shifted slightly, revealing a hidden mechanism. The pair exchanged glances, their instincts kicking in. They drew their weapons, ready for whatever was behind that door.

Han Zhan pulled the bookshelf aside, revealing a trap door. Han Xin moved cautiously behind it, his senses on high alert. Inside, they discovered a hidden room filled with books on apothecary and numerous porcelain bottles. The space was immaculate, yet it showed signs of frequent use, more frequent than her bedroom.

"Would you look at that," Han Zhan muttered, his eyes wide with curiosity. "Why would she want to hide a place like this?"

Han Xin’s attention was caught by a familiar piece of paper. He recognised it as the same type of paper Princess Xiu had used to write letters to him. However, there was a distinct, unfamiliar scent lingering on it. Using a handkerchief, he pinched the paper and brought it closer, his nose detecting a faint trace of poison.

"What’s wrong?" Han Zhan asked, noticing Han Xin’s sudden tension.

Han Xin handed him the paper and his cousin held it with the handkerchief. "This paper... it’s poisoned. It’s a substance I have never encountered before."

Han Zhan’s eyes widened in shock. "What is a princess doing with paper laced with poison?" The question hung in the air, heavy with implications.

Han Xin’s mind raced, piecing together the fragments of a puzzle that hinted at secrets far more dangerous than what he had expected. Who else could help him decipher her secrets than the elderly woman outside? She had to know what her master was up to.

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