Was that person trying to harm her or Feng Linyuan?
Was it the assassin? Only he knew about the yellow jade stone and how to make Liufeng go out of control!
Who on earth was that assassin?
Bai Zheng felt more annoyed than ever. No matter who it was, if they had used her to hurt Feng Linyuan, she would make this person pay the price!
"What's the antidote?" she asked coldly.
Uncle Zhu pondered for a moment before saying, "There's a kind of herb called Sarcandra glabra. It originally grew in Fengming Valley in Liyang City, at the border between the Great Zhou and Southern Shu. A fire a hundred years ago wiped out this herb, leaving only a few scattered plants."
"Where can we find this herb now?" Bai Zheng asked.
"This Sarcandra glabra can relieve minor ailments and cure all kinds of poisons. It's an excellent herb. For martial artists, taking it can greatly enhance their skills. So once it appears, it will attract many people to fight for it. After a hundred years, there's no trace of this herb in the world now."
Suddenly, Song Yiqing seemed to think of something. "Speaking of which, five years ago, the Marquis of Gaochang swept across the southwest and captured three cities in a row. The current emperor issued an imperial edict and bestowed a lot of things on him."
Uncle Zhu nodded while stroking his beard. "Although there were a lot of gold, silver and jewels among the things the Marquis of Gaochang received, the most precious one was a herb."
"The Sarcandra glabra is in the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang," Bai Zheng understood immediately. "But it's been five years since the reward. How can we be sure that the marquis hasn't eaten the herb?"
A smile appeared on Uncle Zhu's wrinkled face.
"The Marquis of Gaochang is a well - known filial son. His father passed away early, and he was brought up by his mother. Later, his mother fell seriously ill. The marquis searched for famous doctors everywhere, but they all said there was no cure. However, a reclusive expert said that Sarcandra glabra could relieve his mother's symptoms. So as soon as he received the reward, he rushed to his mother with the herb. Unfortunately, his mother didn't wait until then and passed away on the way when the marquis was rushing to her."
"Then this Sarcandra glabra wasn't buried with his mother in the mausoleum, was it?" Bai Zheng asked worriedly.
Uncle Zhu shook his head and replied firmly, "This is a gift from the emperor. Without the emperor's special permission, it can't be buried with the dead. And considering the marquis's filial piety, the Sarcandra glabra must still be in his mansion."
"But the guards in the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang are notoriously strict," Song Yiqing said, looking helpless.
The Marquis of Gaochang had never been on good terms with Feng Linyuan. Moreover, this Sarcandra glabra was a gift from the emperor and was related to his mother. If they went to him openly to borrow it, the marquis would surely refuse.
But if they were to steal it...
It would be easy for any other mansion, but not the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang. Like the mansion of the Marquis of Dingyuan where Feng Linyuan lived, it was a military - family mansion with a large number of soldiers. They were all granted the title of marquis because of their remarkable military achievements. Any of the guards in the mansion could fight against a hundred people.
"Let this subordinate go and scout," Mo Li, who had been standing silently on one side, suddenly said.
"No!" Bai Zheng suddenly thought of something and exclaimed in a hurry.
Mo Li glanced at her with his deep eyes. Then Song Yiqing's confused voice came, "Why?"
Bai Zheng knew better than anyone else how strict the guards in the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang were. On the night when she returned to Yongding and caused a stir in the court, Bai Zheng, together with the secret guards of the general's mansion provided by Bai Yizhang, had sent letters accusing officials of corruption to almost every minister's mansion in Yongding.
The only ones they didn't send to were the mansions of the Marquis of Gaochang and the Marquis of Dingyuan.
Because Bai Heng had reminded her that although there was only one general, Bai Yizhang, in Yongding who was granted the title of general's mansion, compared with the two marquis's mansions, the secret guards of the general's mansion would probably be shot to death by arrows before they even got close.
Although she didn't know whether the people in the mansion of the Marquis of Dingyuan would have a better chance of winning compared with those in the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang.
But at this critical moment, there was no room for the slightest mistake.
Bai Zheng pondered for a moment and slowly said, "To steal the Sarcandra glabra this time, we must ensure a successful strike. If we just go to scout and alarm the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang, the guards will be even stricter, which will be counterproductive."
"What do you mean?" Song Yiqing asked.
Bai Zheng lowered her eyes and hesitated for a moment. Finally, she made up her mind and looked up. "Tomorrow, the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang will hold a grand banquet for my engagement. At that time, there will be a large number of people coming and going in the mansion. It's the best time to steal the Sarcandra glabra."
"It's not difficult for the people from the mansion of the Marquis of Dingyuan to go to the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang," Feng Linyuan had woken up at some point. His face was still pale, but his tone was gentle yet firm, and there was a faint look of nonchalance in his eyes.
"My lord," Mo Li knelt down and said, "Mo Li can enter and leave the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang without alarming anyone."
"But you still have to find out where the Sarcandra glabra is and steal it without alarming anyone. The guards in the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang are not just for show," Bai Zheng said worriedly.
A faint smile curved Feng Linyuan's lips. "The people from the mansion of the Marquis of Dingyuan are not that useless. You go and scout first. It would be best if you can find it. If not, it doesn't matter. Just don't alarm the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang."
"Yes," As soon as the words were spoken, Mo Li had disappeared from the room.
"Miss Bai is right. Mo Li may not be able to steal it this time. Since the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang will hold a banquet tomorrow, why don't we take this God - given opportunity and plan carefully how to steal the Sarcandra glabra?" Song Yiqing suggested.
Bai Zheng nodded. "For tomorrow's banquet, it would be inconvenient for a woman to go. But for a young master, like Young Master Song, no one will be suspicious."
"I'll go too," Feng Linyuan said lightly.
"You should rest in peace!" Song Yiqing was the first to object.
Feng Linyuan gave him a cold look. "Since when has Young Master Song become so talented in both literature and martial arts that he can go to the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang to steal things? Even though there will be a large number of people, it's not a place where you can just barge in at will."
Song Yiqing glared at him. He wanted to refute but didn't know where to start.
Yes. How could he, a man without the strength to even bind a chicken, possibly steal something from the mansion of the Marquis of Gaochang? But besides Feng Linyuan and himself, who else could they find to help?
Feng Linyuan knew that the other person was worried about him. He sighed and said, "I'm fine. Uncle Zhu's medicine is very good. It can protect me for three days. Moreover, it's just for tomorrow. You can rest assured."
Song Yiqing looked at Uncle Zhu. Seeing Uncle Zhu nodding, he finally agreed. "Then you should move around as little as possible tomorrow. I'll take care of things if there's anything."
Bai Zheng looked at the two close friends in front of her and couldn't help but sigh secretly. Their friendship was really extraordinary... good.
"Then tomorrow, we'll have to trouble Miss Bai. It's getting late today. Miss Bai should go back first," Feng Linyuan said, looking at Bai Zheng with gentle eyes.
Bai Zheng didn't decline. After all, she knew there would be a tough battle tomorrow. She bowed and said, "Your lord, please take good care of your health. Bai Zheng will take her leave."
After walking out of the warm pavilion, Bai Zheng noticed that the sun had already set in the west. It would be dark in a moment.
Because there were too many people around the Bai Mansion in the morning, to avoid being noticed, Bai Zheng didn't bring Zhuling with her. She came to the Song family's outer residence alone.
Now, because of Feng Linyuan's injury and poisoning, Song Yiqing no longer had the mood he had when he picked her up in the morning. He just sent a coachman to take her back.
The coachman was waiting at the door of the mansion with a green - felt carriage. When he saw her getting on the carriage, he sat on the driver's seat, whipped the horses and left.
The way back to the mansion was as long and winding as in the morning. As it was getting darker and darker, the carriage galloped even faster.
If they didn't hurry, the city gate would be locked.
Bai Zheng was sitting in the carriage, a bit absent - minded.
Liufeng always guarded Feng Linyuan closely on weekdays. How could it be smeared with the purple capsicum fruit without anyone noticing?
There had been too many things happening in a hurry just now. She didn't have time to think deeply.
Now sitting in the quiet carriage, she finally calmed down and her mind was working at high speed.
Unless!