LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 78: Poison Again

You turn around and watch Concubine Zhuang fade into the distance, lost in thought.

Shi Lian: Is something bothering you, my Lady?

Xiu Ying: Do you believe in coincidences? Because I don't.

Shi Lian: You are referring to Concubine Zhuang keeping track of your movements?

Xiu Ying: Speaking of which, it was she who first asked to see my painting. It was her comment that drew my attention to its strange fragrance... and the poison concealed within it.

Shi Lian: So many coincidences! I fear she must be the one behind it!

Xiu Ying: But we have no proof. I need to keep looking.

You get the feeling Concubine Zhuang doesn't really like you... but there's no great hatred between you, and you can't think of a reason she would want you dead. You are lost in thought when Eunuch Yin's greetings brings you back to your senses.

Xiu Ying: Eunuch Yin, have you noticed any other suspicious looking people lately?

Eunuch Yin: No I haven't, my Lady. Perhaps I frightened Bernie away for good... Besides, hasn't the painting been burned?

Xiu Ying: How can you be so sure it was Bernie?

Eunuch Yin: I think it was most likely him. I mean if it was a regular person, why go to all the trouble of hiding your identity? Not a hair was showing.

Xiu Ying: Well why not give evidence in front of the Emperor? You could confront Bernie.

Eunuch Yin: [Widened eyes] But I didn't get a good look at his face. How can I confront him?

Xiu Ying: Oh? I thought you were sure. That's a pity, Without witnesses, I suppose I'll just have to suffer in silence.

Eunuch Yin: Bernie is a fool, my Lady. He will make a mistake eventually.

TRUST NOBODY

You sit in the main hall, looking around you. The room is fit for a princess, thank to the ongoing attentions of the Empress Dowager and Emperor. At first the Household Department assigned you servants appropriate to the station of princess, though you put an end to that. You didn't really need that much servants. Besides, the thought of sharing your room with lots of strangers made you feel uneasy... so you decided to keep the one- Shi Lian, your maid.

Xiu Ying: You're the only person I can trust around here, Shi Lian. I can't stand the thought of so many strangers in my chambers. Still, I feel like someone's watching us.

Shi Lian: Don't worry, my Lady. I'll keeping my eyes and ears open. Any suspicious-looking characters, I'll... (runs finger across her throat).

Dinner time. A young maid knocks at the door. You give her permission to enter and she carefully brings in the dishes. The girl's name is Lan Zhi. Her task is to bring you your meals every day, but today she seems to hesitate. You ask her the reason.

Lan Zhi: My Lady, after the food is cooked it is taken from the Imperial kitchen to an antechamber where it is kept warm. Just now when I went to collect your dishes I saw Eunuch Yin inside, poking around... I am worried my Lady. What if he means you harm? Shall I call the Imperial Physician to check for poison?

Xiu Ying: [Putting chopsticks] Very well. Please fetch the Imperial Physician.

The Physician arrives quickly and after a few moments detects poison in your food. You bring Eunuch Yin in for questioning. He falls to his knees and bangs his head on the ground repeatedly, swearing his innocence.

Lan Zhi: My Lady, when I startled Eunuch Yin I saw him quickly hide a packet inside his robes. Could it have been the poison?

Shi Lian strides over and opens Eunuch Yin's robes. There's nothing inside, but Shi Lian pulls away, rubbing her hand.

Shi Lian: There's powder! You didn't have time to get rid of it I suppose. Come and see, Doctor. What is it?

Imperial Physician: Poison. The same one found in your Ladyship's food!

The proof is irrefutable. Eunuch Yin stops protesting and starts wailing, admitting his guilt. He says he was greedy and doesn't know what possessed him.

Xiu Ying: There was no thief that day. It was you- I interrupted you and you tried to lie your way out of it.

Eunuch Yin: Someone paid me to steal the painting. I was confused. Forgive me, my Lady! They said the powder... would only upset your stomach. I was confused, I didn't mean you any harm...

Xiu Ying: The person you mention... who was it?

Eunuch Yin: [Terrified] I never met them. We communicated by letter. He paid me, so I never asked. Spare me, my Lady!

Xiu Ying: You plotted against me. Your crime is unforgiveable. Take him away. The Stewardess can deal with him.