Lingxi looked a bit embarrassed about forgetting, "that is indeed true", she said adjusting her hair trying to cover it up.
She turned to see He Yu still looking at her. His facial expression was clearly saying he was wronged.
"You can't blame me. I did know today marked a month together but anniversaries are usually celebrated annually so I didn't put much thought into it", she explained.
He Yu stared at her for a long while making her slightly nervous but she remained composed, "why are you staring at me like that?"
He Yu withdrew, "at least you remembered", he said with a smile.
"Did your highness make this arrangement especially for me?" Lingxi asked.
"What do you think?"
"It's lovely but I hope Your Highness would not be offended as I didn't bring a gift", she asked looking at him.
He Yu thought for a while and heaved a refreshing sigh, "it's fine", he said but just Lingxi was about to relax, he added, "but if Your Highness insists on giving me a gift, I have suggestion"
"What is it?" she asked.
He Yu paused for a long time before saying, "Zhizhi"
Lingxi was caught off guard by the name she heard.
"Zhizhi?"
"Yes, I wonder if I have Your Highness's permission to address you as Zhizhi", He Yu said.
Lingxi thought for a while before focusing her attention on the bright full moon, "my biological family gave me that nickname gotten from my former name, Sang zhi. My father and brother still address me as Zhizhi. It's nothing special", she said.
"So that's a yes?" He Yu asked.
Lingxi did not answer and He Yu took that as a confirmation.
"Zhizhi", He Yu called softly.
Lingxi paused for a while before turning to He Yu, "yes, your highness?" she answered with a slightly teasing voice as she looked at him.
He Yu's smile widened, "your gift is way better than mine"
Lingxi gave a slight smile and lifted her hands pointing at the sky in He Yu's direction, "look".
He Yu turned to look in the direction she pointed. A bright star shone brightly.
"That's the Jiao Xiu star. It symbolizes growth and a new beginning", she said.
He Yu watched the star with her. It truly would be a new beginning.
Meanwhile...
While the two of them were admiring the scenery, behind the gates, three eunuchs, two maids and even Steward Lu, were watching from a corner.
"Wow, it's so romantic", one of the maids, Xin Lan, said.
The other maid was Xin Xie. They were the maids that served Lingxi.
"I have never seen His Highness with such tenderness in his eyes", Steward Lu said brimming with emotion.
"I feel His Highness's eyes are filled with affection rather than tenderness", they heard a voice.
"I agree"
Then they realized who was talking. They all turned at once to meet Jun Jie's gaze. They gave a nervous smile. Jun Jie smiled back.
The smiling lasted for a minute and he blurted, "what are you all still doing here? Can't His Highness have some privacy?"
"Yes, yes", they all scurried away. When he was sure they had all left, he leaned by the wall to watch Lingxi and He Yu by himself.
He sighed shaking his head, "when it comes to being romantic, His Highness is another level, very proactive. I'm impressed"
[Wei City]
"I found a way to detect the poison. If a person has drunk even a little quantity of dust sleep, it can be detected within three months", Fu Jiu said.
"It's an ancient method. If one drinks the crimson water, their earlobes would turn red varying on the time range"
"Crimson water? Never heard of it", Lv Chi said.
"Crimson water is tasteless, colorless and odorless just like water. If you are poisoned, crimson water is the best detector you could use. When taken, a certain body part turns red depending on the poison hence the name. Dust sleep affects the earlobes. If it is taken without being poisoned, there is no reaction. Within seven days - the shade is scarlet, within one month - the shade is deep red and, within one to three months, the shade is pale pink", he explained.
"That's impressive, why didn't you do so earlier?" Lv Chi asked.
"I..... The crimson water is very difficult to refine. Although the herbs, materials and ingredients are ordinary and easy to find, the process is extremely complex. Every measurement and timing must be precise and not even top alchemists can make it easily. It is really rare", he defended himself looking wronged as though he felt his efforts were not appreciated.
"Then, Medical Officer Fu is truly impressive". Lu Qian said.
"I would not believe it if Lv Chi had said it but you rarely give compliments so I believe you appreciate my work", Fu Jiu responded.
"What do you mean by that?" Lv Chi asked.
"If the crimson water is very difficult to make, with your average knowledge of poisons, how did you get it ready in such a short time?" He Rui who had been quietly listening asked.
"It was Master Xu, Xu Yicheng who helped me", he said.
Everyone was surprised at this revelation.
"Xu Yicheng?" they heard Liu ying's voice.
She had just walked in holding a mini bag.
"Liu ying, where have you been?" Lv Chi asked.
She lifted up the bag, "I went to get us some snacks"
"This late?" Fu Jiu asked.
She did not answer and went on to hand out the persimmon cakes. It was round and crispy stuffed with walnuts in the middle.
"It's delicious. It is better than the sweet ones in the palace", Lv Chi said.
"It's good", Lu Qian added.
"Delicious", Fu Jiu was obviously enjoying it.
Liu ying took one out for herself and stretched the bag containing the last piece to He Rui, "try it".
He took it without saying a word.
She turned to Fu Jiu, "you were saying something about Xu Yicheng"
"Oh, right", he said as he swallowed the bite he had just chewed.
He took a breath before proceeding, "Xu Yicheng is a renowned alchemist. He is known as the youngest poison genius earning him the title of a prodigy"
"We know he is a prodigy. Isn't that because his pharmacy is one of the top three?", He Rui asked.
"Not at all, the Hall of Benevolent Healing has always been a top pharmacy decades before Xu Yicheng was even born. Xu Yicheng was trained in medicine since childhood. He is worthy of being called a top physician but I heard he not only learned medicine but loved researching poisons. His father was always furious with him saying he had turned away from the path of righteousness and chased him out but that didn't stop him. He kept doing what he loved and researching poisons and antidotes, eventually creating them himself to inventing new ones too. He only later returned to take over after his father's death", Fu Jiu explained.
"Impressive", Lv Chi was no doubt impressed.
"But that doesn't explain how you met him", He Rui said.
Fu Jiu looked a bit surprised, "don't you know?"
"Know what?"
"Xu Yicheng is the grand prince's personal physician"
"Hunh?" the room sounded at the same time.
"Grand prince's personal physician?" Liu ying asked.
"Yes. His Highness, as we all know, has been poisoned since childhood. Xu Yicheng was recommended to take care of His Highness's health."
"If Xu Yicheng is His Highness's personal physician, why is he allowed to live outside the palace, more so, outside the capital?" Lv Chi asked.
"He had to take care of his father's business. His Highness also granted him that permission. He visits His Highness every month to check his health and also give prescriptions", Fu Jiu, yet again, explained.
"So that means he can still lead a normal life outside", Liu ying realized.
"Yes but he is not allowed to treat nobles or other royal members. They are not allowed to go near him", Fu Jiu added.
There was a short pause before Lu Qian finally spoke up, "but His Highness and Miss Liu, one is noble and the other is royalty, and they both spoke to Xu Yicheng. If His Highness, the grand prince, finds out, will our investigation team be charged with the crime of inquiring about the grand prince's medical condition?"