“Initially, the coroner found no poisoning signs on Yang Hexuan, no overdose. I didn’t believe it at first, but then I understood – Yang Hexuan died from this drug package.”
“
“Honestly, just one breath made me feel like dreaming, forgetting even my own name. Intoxicated, as if ascending to immortality, body burning, wanting to shout, feeling invincible – that feeling is indescribable, beyond ultimate pleasure. Ordinary people might never experience such happiness in a lifetime without this drug.”
Shen Yice pressed his temples, bitterly smiling: “Fortunately, Little Tang was outside and dragged me out when things went wrong. But when the door opened, the fragrance spread, affecting General Wei and others. Though not as concentrated, it likely disrupted their sleep. The prisoners went completely mad, uncontrollable. Those with weaker constitutions had collapsed by morning.”
“Sir, do you know the drug’s most terrifying aspect?”
“People are greedy. Once tasting ultimate pleasure, they’ll desperately seek to recreate it repeatedly.”
Yan Xiaohan’s pupils contracted: “Addictive?”
Shen Yice nodded: “Also, when Little Tang collected the copper tray, the drug had vanished – not exactly ‘burned dry’, more like morning dew disappearing in sunlight, completely gone.”
Killing invisibly, leaving no traces, undetectable even on corpses, symptoms mimicking sudden stroke or acute death.
Yan Xiaohan unexpectedly recalled the few IOUs in Yang Hexuan’s boot.
Initially strange – Yang Hexuan’s aunt was the empress, his family held official positions, he was wealthy with a good salary. Why borrow money? Fifty taels was insignificant for someone like him.
But what if the money was for… buying drugs?
The memorial from the Flying Dragon Guard’s Qin Inspection Commissioner could be directly submitted to the Emperor. After Tian Tong left, no eunuch would dare to obstruct him. The Emperor quickly approved with “emergency measures take precedence.” Yan Xiaohang obtained the imperial sword and immediately, with righteous confidence, brought Wei Xiuzhou to visit the Marquis’s residence.
The Marquis’s residence was indeed as difficult to deal with as expected. Horse madness was not a respectable illness, and the entire Yang household kept silent. Yang Xiu’s expression remained unfriendly. Yan Xiaohang patiently questioned for a while before finally understanding that the family had long been aware of Yang Hexuan’s unusual condition but hadn’t taken it seriously.
Yang Hexuan was naturally dissolute. Despite having numerous wives and concubines, he was still unsatisfied and often sought pleasure outside. The family had sought medical treatment for him, but his habits were deeply ingrained.
Coincidentally, the family was preparing a marriage for his elder brother Yang Sijing, and the household expenses were tight. When Yang Hexuan tried to request silver and was denied, he became furious, causing a scene at home before angrily leaving.
The family heard he was staying in Xinghua Lane, assuming he was throwing a tantrum. They never expected that the next time they would hear of him would be news of his death.
A virtuous person dying from horse madness would certainly be considered suspicious, but for someone known to be unrestrained, even his closest family would not doubt the cause.
If Yang Hexuan hadn’t happened to have an incident after Mu Boxiu, attracting the Flying Dragon Guard’s investigation, this medication would have continued to spread silently, driving countless people mad and ultimately rotting the entire Great Zhou from within.
Two days later, the Flying Dragon Guard gathered again, and the situation was not optimistic. The deceased had diverse identities. Although their families described symptoms consistent with medication use, no evidence could be found.
Moreover, none of these individuals were related to Yang Hexuan. The only commonality was their love for brothels. According to information gathered by Cao Fenchen, the young gentlemen close to Yang Hexuan showed no signs of drug addiction.
The case’s leads had completely dried up. Yan Xiaohang wanted to investigate thoroughly, but he lacked the right timing, location, and support. Moreover, a significant matter needed preparation, so the Gold Prohibition Guard case had to be temporarily shelved.
March 3rd, the Longevity Festival.
Emperor Yuantai visited the Imperial Ancestral Temple, sacrificed to Heaven and Earth, and then received congratulations at the Imperial Extreme Hall. Officials performed thirty-three prostrations, submitted congratulatory memorials, and Left Minister Pei Ke offered a toast. Emperor Yuantai served tea to the officials. After the ceremony, he moved to the Qichun Hall for a noon banquet.
At today’s Longevity Banquet, besides Emperor Yuantai, the most eye-catching figure was Jingning Marquis Fu Shen, returning to the court. After months apart, his demeanor was more impressive than ever. The Emperor specially permitted him to skip the full prostration and offered warm words of comfort, presenting imperial wine and new fruits.
The monarch and subject were harmonious, so much so that Fu Shen almost believed it himself.
The Qichun Hall was far from the Imperial Extreme Hall. A young eunuch pushed a wheelchair behind him. After politely handling various greetings, Fu Shen suddenly narrowed his eyes, looking ahead and asking the eunuch behind him, “Hey, the one with his head down, isn’t that the imperial censor from the Censorate, Gu Shanlu?”
The eunuch, surprised by his initiative to speak, responded, “Yes, Master Gu.”
Fu Shen said, “Let’s go say hello.”
The eunuch looked bewildered, probably never having seen a first-rank military officer eagerly approaching a fourth-rank civil official.
Yan Xiaohan carried Fu Shen up the steps while quietly asking: “What were you talking about with Gu Shanlu just now?”
Fu Shen recalled the distant glance thrown at him, suppressing his laughter and answering seriously: “I told him ‘I accidentally knocked over Old Chen’s vinegar jar just now’.”
Chapter 34: Birthday Banquet | Assassination
Before Yan Xiaohan could speak, Fu Shen added: “Brother Yan, will there be pufferfish at the banquet today?”
Yan Xiaohan, seeing his serious demeanor, was stunned and said: “No.”
…the imperial banquet would never serve such a poisonous thing.”
“How strange,” Fu Shen said, “I just saw such a big one, round and puffy, staring at me on the steps…”
When he put Fu Shen down in front of the hall, Yan Xiaohan pinched his waist in retaliation. Fu Shen, ticklish, shrank back and pointed at him, whispering: “Behave.”
Yan Xiaohan gave him a look that meant “you’re the one to talk.”
Fu Shen didn’t quite understand and started trembling again. Taking advantage of Yan Xiaohan lowering his head, he mischievously leaned close to his ear and laughed: “Don’t just look cold, it’ll harm your handsome looks. Isn’t it more exciting to look slightly angry and resentful, hmm?”
The “hmm” was full of provocation and bone-melting seduction. Yan Xiaohan’s blood boiled, but with eyes all around, he could only suppress his urge to strip this fox spirit and throw him on the bed. He pinched Fu Shen’s tiger’s mouth in frustration and walked away with a cold face.
Fu Shen, shaking his numbed hand, wanted to hum a tune but was quickly pushed away by a trembling little eunuch.
The princes, prime ministers, and second-rank and above nobles sat in the front of the hall, with others seated in the side corridors. The Emperor and Empress sat at the head.
At noon, the banquet began, with the Emperor drinking the first cup of imperial wine, and foreign envoys coming forward to offer birthday wishes. Pipes and drums played, and palace women danced with flowers.
