Chapter 35: Murder at the Banquet Part 2
Imperial Physician Cuo Pei arrived shortly after the body had been brought back to the crime scene. Many people standing around could not stomach the stench and rotted body. In no less than an hour, Concubine Yun's body had started turning a darkish blue and her lips were already black. With just one look, it was no doubt caused by poison. Everyone that had originally wanted to see what was going on had slowly backed away, afraid to catch some sort of infection. The only people who didn't move or budge at the gruesome sight were; Da Ying, Qin Xie De, General Ming and the emperor. Even the cold hearted empress shuddered at the sight.
"Physician Cuo Pei greets your majesty," the elder man with white hair greeted. "It's a good thing you are here Dr. Pei. Examine Concubine Yun's body and identify what kind of poison was used," the emperor requested immediately.
"I will do my best," he set down his medicine kit and walked over to the body. Dr. Pei first examined the body, her neck muscles were constrained, which meant that the poison had injected itself into the cells somehow and targeted her lungs first. Cause of death was most likely suffocation. Just by looking at the skin color of the body, he could tell that the poison was very toxic. In less than an hour, almost every inch of her body had turned purple., Her body did not last longer than a minute after the toxin was injected. This much, he could conclude just by examining the physical features.
Everyone at the side were waiting anxiously. The room was dead silent, no one dared to make a noise as they immersed themselves into Dr. Pei's work. Who in the city did not know of the miracle Doctor Pei. His needle work was just as fascinating as the rumors. For these people to witness it, they were considered blessed. After testing several different parts of the body, he wiped clean the needle and closed his medicine kit.
After an hour, he had gotten his answer. He turned the emperor's way, "What did you find out?"
"Replying to his majesty, Concubine Yun died no more than a minute after the poison. According to the level of poison in her body, it seeped into her cells, constraining her lungs first, her death was suffocation. I've only read about this poison in books...this is the first time I have witnessed it. If I am not mistaken, this is definitely Black Gu Poison," everyone in the room gasped in horror. It was easy to read about it but hard to get your hands on one. How in the world did someone get their hands on this poison?
"Da Ying gongzhu, how could you murder my concubine with such an evil poison?" General Ming started accusing once again.
"And why would I want to kill Concubine Yun? Does it make sense? I've never even met her before," Da Ying retorted back. At this time, Pei'er spoke up. "It's true, my lady has never had contact with Da Ying gongzhu before…until…." She looked at General Ming with a face full of fear.
"Speak, I am here to protect you. If someone is threatening you, i won't spare them. What are you afraid of?" General Ming proceeded to support Pei'er.
"My lady met Da Ying gongzhu a few days ago. They met by accident at the jewelry shop. Da Ying gongzhu fought with Concubine Yun over a hairpin. Da Ying gongzhu was not happy after hearing that my lady had already paid for it…" Pei'er didn't need to go on for the crowd to understand the situation. This painted Da Ying in a bad light but she was not affected by the accusations. Da YIng let out a soft sigh. So that was the woman she fought with the other day.
But it didn't matter, Da Ying simply walked over to Dr. Pei and asked him a few questions. "Dr. Pei, I hear that this poison is bitter when swallowed in powder form. Is it true that it can go unnoticed and one cannot taste it when mixed with liquid?" Dr. Pei stroked his white beard a few times before answering her. "That is true? Even though Black Gu Poison is very deadly, it is also the most tricky. Once it is placed in liquid, it can only be in for no more than three minutes at most. After that, it will have no effects," Everyone in the room looked at the two confused. They could not understand the situation. Only Dr. Pei and Da Ying could understand what was going on. Da Ying faced her father, "Concubine Yun would not be willing to swallow such a poison. Which meant someone mixed the poison into her wine. That person still has it on them...." Da Ying looked at Pei'er. This meant the murderer had a max of 4 minutes to hide the packet without being noticed, 3 minutes to convince Concubine Yun to drink it and 1 minute before the poison acted up. There was no way she would be able to get rid of all the evidence.
"Search them," the emperor commanded. Both Pei'er and Ban Shiang stood up as two other maids went and searched them. Da Ying and Xie De looked on, there was no way they couldn't find the poison or at least traces of it. *plop* the small brown packet fell onto the ground…but why did it come off of Ban Shiang's clothes. Ban Shaing looked at Da Ying and then the whole room, they were all looking at her displeased."I didn't do it, I was framed," Ban Shiang kneeled on the ground crying. "Men, take her away," Da Ying couldn't figure it out, how could it possibly be on Ban Shiang. She thought it over; Pei'er must have bumped into Ban Shiang somehow after mixing the poison. "Wait, your majesty, I can prove Ban Shiang's innocence," Da Ying anxiously said before the guards could take Ban Shiang away.
"Ying'er, what more can you say? It is clear as day, the poison is on the body of your maid, how do you explain it?"
"Your majesty, it's true that the content is in Ban Shiang's hands but it was planted," Da Ying went to pick up the package and showed it to Xie De. Why him? Because his words were credible, who could go against the Duke of Lan. "Ying'er, I have yet to punish you. What foolishness are you planning next?" the annoyed emperor raised his voice. Da Ying ignored him and continued by placing the content in Xie De's hand. "Duke of Lan, what material is this?"
"Double thick paper,"
"And…what do you notice?"
"The tear, it needs a large amount of force to rip this material,"
"That's correct. Double thick paper is much stronger than regular paper. It requires more strength to tear open. Why this materal? To keep Black Gu Poison from leaking, even the smallest amount ingested could kill you," When Da Ying explained, in the corner of her eyes, she could see Pei'er. She put her hands behind her back, eyes filled with panic. Da Ying proceeded to walk over to Ban Shiang and Pei'er, accompanied by Xie De. "Ban Shiang, put your hands out." Ban Shiang complied and did as told, "Do you see anything strange about her nails?" Xie De shook his head no. Then she walked over to Pei'er, "What are you doing?" Pei'er stuttered.
"I'm confirming the murderer, what are you afraid of? I only need to check your hands," Pei'er blinked a few times; she refused to put her hands in front of everyone. There was no way she could. She wasn't even sure if she had the powder on her hand or not. Earlier, it was true, she had struggled to open the content and some of it got on her hand. "Pei'er, you have done nothing wrong. Put your hands out and get this over with," General Ming commanded. Pei'er had no choice; this was a 50-50 chance for her. Xie De carefully looked at her nails, "There's…" before he could finish, a shaking Pei'er kneeled down in front of everyone. "I didn't mean to. It wasn't my fault,"
"PREPOSTEROUS!" the emperor slammed his hand on his chair and stood up. "How dare you, explain yourself!" he threw the closest cup towards her, only missing by a few inches. Pei'er's body shook as she looked at General Ming. He didn't say anything, he only gave her a meaningful look as if saying, he would save her. He walked up to her inch by inch, "Pei'er, you have been with Concubine Yun for so many years now, why did you do it?"
"I didn't want to but she….Concubine Yun deserved it. She treats us like we are nothing, I couldn't take it any longer," Before she could finish speaking, a dagger pierced into her heart. Her eyes looked down at the bleeding, then to the blade and then to the person holding the dagger…General Ming. "I'll send you to accompany her then," he pulled out the dagger ruthlessly. Pei'er fell on her back, breathless. "General Ming, you've gone too far," the emperor raised his voice once more. General Ming got on one knee and apologized. "Your majesty, I apologize. I don't know what has gotten into me. I could not control my emotions just now, please punish me,"
"Aish...Nevermind! either way, she would have gotten the death penalty. Everyone, dismisse!" The emperor flung his sleeve and left. General Ming grit his teeth, about to leave with his wife when Xie De stopped him. "General Ming, I don't think we are finished yet," a serious Xie De stepped to block his way.
"We've already gotten to the bottom of this, what more do you want?"
"You owe Da Ying gongzhu an apology. I don't care how you handle your private matters but to accuse a princess and then leave this easily...I don't think so," General Ming wanted to rip Xie De apart as he let out a small but awkward laugh. He could not afford to offend the Duke of Lan at this moment, that much he knew. "I am such a mess right now, how did I forget my mistake," General Ming walked over to Da Ying, put both his hands together and did a 90 degree bow. "I must have been out of my mind to blame Da Ying gongzhu. It is my bad eyes to have not seen the truth in front of me. Hopefully Da Ying gongzhu can forgive this insolent subject,"
"General Ming has just lost someone dear to him, how can I blame you. Anyone would be angry. I offer my condolence to you instead,"
"I thank Da Ying gongzhu then. In the future, if there is anything you need help with, I am willing to assist you,"
"I will remember that," General Ming bowed once more before taking his leave. As Da Ying watched him leave, she couldn't help but pity Concubine Yun. Did she know how ruthless and cruel her husband was? If she knew that he used her life to frame another person, would she regret marrying him?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
SoaringSoul
SoaringSoul Scenes like these are so hard for me to write. Probably gonna be the only poison scene for me. I know nothing about poison...hopefully I wrote it in a believable enough way based on what I remember in dramas and novels. Hopefully it wasn't too off!
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