Villainess Series 1: Bullying the Male lead

31: Flames

In the original work, the villainess failed. The male lead didn't die with her poison.

Needless to say, our beloved Nan King never doubted the female lead. He ordered to conduct more extensive investigations which lead by General Ming.

Then, the further investigations proved that the culprit was none other than the eldest legitimate daughter from Left Prime Minister House– Bai Suxin and naturally, the mastermind was the woman's father, the Left Prime Minister Bai Muro.

Thus, the beautiful Chu Wanwan was released from prison.

The greed in power and corruption of the Bai family and it's relatives were one of the reasons why people in the Li Empire suffered from hunger and poverty. Coincidentally, evidences of the Bai Family's corruptions including bribery or inappropriate gifts, manipulating elections, diverting funds and laundering money from the common/poor citizen of the empire mysteriously appeared in the office of the Minister of Justice.

Attempting to kill a dragon's son is high treason, punishable by 9 familial exterminations.

Declared guilty by an imperial edict, Bai Muro was condemned to slow slicing. While her daughter was ordered to commit suicide by drinking a poison tea.

Somehow, Emperor Li Hai spared the other members of the Bai Family; he only banished them from the capital. The novel didn't mention anything the reason to it though. It only stated, Emperor Li Hai said that the death of the two members were enough to serve as warnings.

As one of the readers of this sadomasochistic novel, I also thought at first that Bai Meili and Bai Suxin were so vicious. Well girl, tell you what_ I was absolutely wrong.

Because the crown goes to.. the praiseworthy male lead's mother.

It was once mentioned in the novel, Li Han becomes immune to poisons and it's all thanks to his biological mother, Concubine Zhi.

Concubine Zhi Ruo was born in a medical family. The Zhi family was known for their proficiency in medical field throughout the Li Empire. Her grandfather used to be the personal imperial physician of Emperor Li Tang (father of Emperor Li Hai). Her grandmother was a distinguished herbalist in Kanlun City.

Diagnosing the mysterious disease befallen to the Queen Dowager that even the other experts cannot, her mother's superb skills was undeniably acknowledged by the imperial family.

And her father's towering reputation was built up from his experiments and expertise in poisons.

The novel revealed that Concubine Zhi was a former child prodigy. At the age of five, she learned the four arts. She was six when her interest in medicine was peaked; she saw her cousin died, taking his last breath in front of her and her older brother, doing chest compressions.

The little Zhi Ruo at that time was incredibly amazed, that a person can decide a person's life and death. Because usually as a master, she can just order her servants to die using her family's name. But by learning medicine and the great human body, she can both kill and save a person.

'Just a small child. So brutal!'

At the age of fourteen, Zhi Ruo became the royal concubine of Emperor Li Hai.

But the reason why Concubine Zhi was sent to the Cold Palace— wasn't because she tried to poison the other concubines or the empress, but because she was proven guilty at harming one of the dragon's heir.

Testing and playing the little body of the male lead with poisons became one of her daily entertainment.

Concubine Zhi treasured Li Han so much just like how she treasured her poisonous plants. After all, the little Li Han was her precious experiment_ her human research study.

This woman's eyes would sparkle as she awaits on how, when or what kind of poison that this son of hers would take his last breath.

Everyday since Li Han was a child, from mild to dangerous poisons known in this world, to her own child, this insane mother of the male lead would put different varieties of poisons on his food and drinks.. for consumption (like that of vitamins).

And it was too late, that the emperor found out about his son's predicament. When he sent the concubine to the Cold Palace as punishment, at the age of eight, the male lead was already become immune to poisons.

*biting my imaginary shirt* 'This psycho! What kind of mother are you?!' No wonder the male lead was also became twisted!

'That tragic childhood.. who would withstand that!'

Anyway, I am very much pleased with my today's acting, I can't help but hollered inside. 'He-he. I'm going to the legendary dungeon, this villainess beloved last scene!"

After Li Han drank the poisoned herbal tea, he wrinkled his brows and closed his eyes.

'Goodbye you perverted novel!'  I was celebrating.

When the male lead once again opened them, as he started coughing, my breath hitched. I instinctively sensed that something was amiss.

Blood splattered.

A burst of rich, deep red color of blood splashed onto my white skirt. My eyes widened. My mind instantly went numb.

'The male lead is coughing up blood! This.. is too much blood!!!'

Like a film playing in a slow motion, I watched the male lead half-kneeled. His one hand was on the floor, while the other was miserably covering his mouth. Although whenever Li Han coughed, the blood would still flowed nonstop.

"Li Han!"

When I recovered from shock; I hastily ran to him, immensely scared.

"W-what's ha-happening?" I stuttered.

I also kneeled in front of him; I put my trembling hands on his shoulders, gently shaking him.

'This.. isn't supposed to happen!'

The novel only stated that after drinking the poisoned tea, Li Han immediately pretended to faint. Nothing like this!

'Not this! Li Han doesn't look like he's pretending at all!'

"Guards! Someone! C-come! His H-Highness..!"

Li Han glanced down and stared at me for a moment. Reaching up, his bloody hands cradled my tear-stained cheeks; smearing blood all over my face.

"You wanted my life. Bai Suxin, take it. It's yours."

"I plan to give you everything. The crown of an empress, power, glory and.. the whole world. Suxin, I swear to give you everything.. anything_ even my life." His voice hoarse.

My body trembled.

"Why can't I hold you? I really.. want to touch your heart. Even if I have to be burnt down in flames, Suxin.. I want you."