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The two of them walked into the inner courtyard while talking. Nangong Shuang asked, "Is there any news from the Crown Prince?"
Xiao Zhongyan nodded. "I just received word that Zhang Quan has been living in seclusion in Jiangnan for these past years, making a living by selling medicine. Recently, he suddenly appeared in the capital, reportedly to look for the descendants of the Nangong Family."
Nangong Shuang pondered, "Is he looking for me?"
"That's very likely," Xiao Zhongyan replied. "The Crown Prince has sent someone to investigate his residence in the capital; perhaps we can find more clues."
They arrived at Nangong Shuang's residence, a small courtyard in the back of the Crown Prince's Mansion, serene and elegant, far removed from the hustle and bustle. Nangong Shuang took out the medicinal herbs she had purchased and also retrieved a sample taken from Zhang Quan's corpse, beginning her research on the composition of Mei Ying San and its antidote.
Xiao Zhongyan watched her skillfully prepare the potion and experiment with various reactions, unable to help but exclaim, "The medical skills of the Nangong Family are indeed well-deserved; your understanding of toxicology is so profound."
Nangong Shuang focused intently on her work while explaining, "Mei Ying San is an extremely rare and deadly poison. Its main components are Xue Mei petals, Thousand-Year Snow Toad, and a special mineral. Once poisoned, the toxin spreads rapidly throughout the body, leading to organ failure and immense suffering."
"Is there an antidote?" Xiao Zhongyan asked.
Nangong Shuang shook her head. "As far as I know, only the Heavenly Fragrance Life-Extending Technique contains a record of the antidote formula for Mei Ying San. Unfortunately, that Medical Book I have does not mention it."
At that moment, hurried footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard, followed by a voice from a guard sent by the Crown Prince: "Lord Xiao, the Crown Prince requests your presence!"
Xiao Zhongyan quickly stepped outside to greet him. "What has happened?"
The guard's expression was grave. "Another corpse has been discovered; it is also an old member of the Nangong Family, and the manner of death is identical to Zhang Quan's!"
Hearing this, Nangong Shuang nearly dropped the test tube in her hand and hurried out of the room. "Another person has been murdered? Who is it?"
"The deceased is named Li Fu; he was reportedly the steward of the Nangong Family," the guard replied. "The body was found in an inn west of the city, with similar plum blossom-shaped poison marks on his chest."
Nangong Shuang's heart sank: Li Fu was the old steward of the Nangong Family and one of her father's most trusted individuals, just like Zhang Quan! Ten years ago, when their family faced disaster, they had been arranged to evacuate early by her father and took away important family items. Now that they were being killed one after another, it was clear someone was searching for something!
"The Crown Prince has ordered that the body be sent to a charity house while sealing off information to prevent panic," the guard continued. "He wishes for Lord Xiao and Miss Nangong to go examine it to see if any new clues can be found."
Xiao Zhongyan nodded in agreement. "I will meet with the Crown Prince right away. Nangong Shuang, you continue your research on the toxin; I will return to inform you after I understand more about the situation."
Just as Nangong Shuang was about to respond, a faint sound suddenly came from within the room. The three turned their heads simultaneously to see that a petal of Xue Mei on the table began to tremble on its own, emitting a faint red glow!
"What is this..." Nangong Shuang exclaimed as she moved closer to investigate.
The trembling of the petal grew more intense, and the red glow became stronger. Suddenly, with a loud bang, the petal exploded into a wisp of red smoke that dissipated into the air!
"Be careful!" Xiao Zhongyan shouted as he quickly pulled Nangong Shuang back.
The red smoke swirled in midair for a moment before condensing into a shape resembling a plum blossom and slowly drifting toward Nangong Shuang's left wrist—right where her Plum Blossom Birthmark was located!
Nangong Shuang felt a sudden sharp pain radiating from her birthmark as if it were being burned by fire! She couldn't help but cry out in shock, clutching her left wrist and collapsing to the ground.
"Nangong Shuang!" Xiao Zhongyan exclaimed anxiously as he supported her. "What happened?"
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