Volume One: Chapter 19 - Blood Jade Bodhi

The jade bangle was entirely emerald green, clear and translucent, radiating a gentle luster under the sunlight.

Madam Qin’s expression darkened instantly, her tone turning even colder. “This bangle… where did you get it?”

Lin Wantai withdrew her hand without betraying any emotion, gently caressing the jade as she replied calmly, “It was left to me by my mother.”

Madam Qin stared fixedly at the bangle, a complex flicker in her eyes—surprise, suspicion, and… a trace of fear.

“Your mother…” Madam Qin murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief, “She actually gave you this bangle…”

Suddenly, she lifted her head, her gaze sharp as she fixed her eyes on Lin Wantai, enunciating each word: “You’d best pray the prince lives long, and always keeps you under his protection.”

With that, she spun around abruptly and left without a backward glance.

The two maids hastened after her, leaving Lin Wantai standing alone, her hand clenching tightly around the jade bangle…

Outside the pavilion, a shadow flickered past.

After Madam Qin departed, Lin Wantai remained where she was, her fingers lightly stroking the warm surface of the bangle, savoring its gentle touch.

This bangle had been given to the original host by her mother, who claimed it was an heirloom that could ward off misfortune.

But now it seemed the bangle was more than a mere talisman. It appeared to hide some secret—one that even Madam Qin feared.

Perhaps this was the very reason she had crossed into another world.

Had she not been captivated by the beauty of the bangle at auction, willing to spend fifty million for it, and found herself unable to remove it after trying it on, she might never have traveled to this strange place.

After purchasing a few useful medicinal herbs, Lin Wantai returned to the mansion.

Yet Madam Qin’s words echoed in her ears: “You’d best pray the prince always protects you.” A sense of unease crept into her heart.

She knew that by refusing Madam Qin, she had severed all ties with the Prime Minister’s household.

Upon her return to the prince’s residence, Lin Wantai went straight to Murong Yunyi’s bedchamber.

As she pushed open the door, the heavy scent of medicine assaulted her senses. Murong Yunyi lay on the bed, his face deathly pale, eyes tightly closed, and breath shallow.

“My lord!”

Lin Wantai hurried to his bedside and grasped his hand, only to find it icy cold.

Her heart tightened as she hastened to take his pulse, discovering his illness had worsened.

“Princess Consort, the prince…”

The old steward at her side looked anxiously at Murong Yunyi, hesitant to speak.

Lin Wantai paid him no heed, instead retrieving silver needles from her medicine chest to administer acupuncture to Murong Yunyi.

After inserting the final needle into his acupoint, she lifted her head to look at the old steward.

“Steward, the prince’s condition is dire. Go and prepare some medicinal herbs—I must refine a pill for him as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Princess Consort.”

The old steward said no more and turned to make the preparations.

Lin Wantai gazed at the unconscious Murong Yunyi, her heart full of worry.

Madam Qin’s threats and Murong Yunyi’s deteriorating health weighed heavily upon her.

Night had fallen, yet Lin Wantai remained by his bedside, wiping away his sweat and coaxing him to take his medicine.

Gradually, Murong Yunyi’s breathing steadied, and a hint of color returned to his cheeks.

Only then did Lin Wantai breathe a sigh of relief. She rose and walked to the window, gazing out at the pitch-black night, her mind awhirl with thoughts.

Suddenly, the faint sound of footsteps came from outside the door. Lin Wantai turned alertly and saw a shadowy figure standing at the threshold, his features obscured.

“Who’s there?” she asked in a low voice.

The figure gave no reply, but slowly approached, stopping a few steps away from her.

Lin Wantai was certain she did not know this person.

He spoke in a low, hushed tone, tinged with mystery, “Princess Consort, someone wishes to see you…”

He lowered his voice further, “Princess Consort, someone wishes to see you. He knows about the prince’s illness.”

Lin Wantai’s heart skipped a beat. The specifics of the prince’s condition were a secret within the residence, known only to a handful of trusted retainers—few outsiders would be aware.

Rumors outside claimed the prince suffered from a congenital malady.

Yet this person knew the truth—he was clearly no ordinary figure.

She asked without betraying her thoughts, “Who wants to see me?”

“Once we arrive, Princess Consort will know.”

He offered no further explanation.

Lin Wantai remained wary, but after a moment’s consideration, said, “Lead the way.”

She was determined to see who was behind this mysterious summons.

Moreover, since the prince’s illness was mentioned, perhaps this person truly knew something valuable.

Murong Yunyi’s illness was unpredictable, and she had never found the root cause. Any clue would be a blessing.

The shadow turned and glided silently ahead.

Lin Wantai followed, passing through corridors and gardens until they reached the back gate of the residence.

All the while, she remained vigilant, constantly aware of her surroundings.

Beyond the rear gate, an unremarkable carriage awaited.

The man lifted the curtain, signaling for Lin Wantai to board.

She hesitated briefly, but still entered the carriage.

Inside, the light was dim, and she could only make out a vague figure seated opposite her.

The carriage jolted along for an indeterminable time before coming to a stop.

Led out, Lin Wantai found herself before a humble rural clinic.

She was puzzled—why would someone arrange a meeting here?

Entering, a strong medicinal scent wafted through the air.

Inside, only an old man sat behind the counter, busy sorting herbs.

Hearing movement, the old man looked up, his clouded eyes surveying Lin Wantai. He spoke slowly, “Please, Princess Consort, have a seat.”

She did as instructed, getting straight to the point, “Who wants to see me?”

The old man did not answer, but pointed to a prescription on the table. “This is the prince’s prescription. I have studied it for many years and know a little.”

Lin Wantai picked up the prescription and examined it carefully.

It was indeed Murong Yunyi’s, but included several herbs she had never seen before.

Perplexed, she looked up at the old man. “What is the purpose of these herbs? Are you the one who wished to see me?”

The old man stroked his beard and said slowly, “I see that you and Yunyi share a certain fate, so I invited you here. His illness is no ordinary disease, but the result of poisoning.”

“The poison is a chronic one, gradually eroding the bone marrow, eventually leading to paralysis or death.”

Lin Wantai had long suspected as much and inwardly admired the old man’s skill.

She asked, “Is there an antidote?”

The old man shook his head and sighed, “The ‘Bone-Eroding’ poison has no cure.”

Lin Wantai felt the world spin and nearly lost her footing. She steadied herself, asking through clenched teeth, “Is there truly no way at all?”

The old man pondered for a moment before replying, “There may be a way, but…”

He paused, his gaze deep and searching as he looked at Lin Wantai. “Princess Consort, do you know—the only remedy for ‘Bone-Eroding’ poison is the ‘Blood Jade Bodhi.’”

“Blood Jade Bodhi?” Lin Wantai had never heard of such a thing.

The old man explained, “It is an exceedingly rare medicinal treasure, growing only in the most frigid places, and rarely seen in a hundred years. If you can find the Blood Jade Bodhi, there may yet be hope.”

A glimmer of hope sprang to life in Lin Wantai’s heart. She pressed urgently, “Where can I find the Blood Jade Bodhi?”