Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

In Place

(DAYU)

"I finally formulated a plan on how to get rid of the Emperor's guests." Mei said while I wash and put on some clothes. "You can listen it and change things if you have a better alternative."

"I will," I smiled at my cousin. "Are we still going for poison?" I asked him.

"Yes," Mei nodded. "But sadly, the former First Minister won't die in that travelling road but on his bed. With the Empress on his bedside." My cousin related.

"What? Why?"

"The poison I have concocted has a gradual effect on the heart. Once we gave it to him, the former First Minister will fall in a deep sleep where he will never be able to recover. He will die in his sleep, from a heart failure, after three days." Mei explained.

"We still have to guard him for three days and wait for him to die?" I find the thought tiresome.

"I only estimated the days, it could take longer." My cousin gave me an apologetic look, "But since the former First Minister had been in the dungeon for quite sometime and probably in a weakened state, I gave him only three days. But nonetheless, once he digested that poison and fall to sleep, his demise will be inevitable and he will cease to be a problem to us," Mei gave me that thought as a consolation. "This is better than outright killing the man where suspicions might arise. This way, we can preserve the Empress' family name to protect Crown Prince Han who will be the husband of my daughter. This is all for ShuYin, Dayu ah."

I nodded, "You are right. This is for ShuYin and Hua. You plan is brilliant, Mei. What will be the scenario on your plan?"

"A bandit attack on the former First Minister while he is traveling to go to one of his property outside of the Capital. His "guards", two of them, will die while protecting their master. The former First Minister will suffer a massive shock that will make him collapse and the doctors will announce that it's a fatal heart collapse and that the patient is in deep slumber. Until his heart gave out after three days and die. No trace of poison will be detected. The end..."

I nodded while listening to Mei's plan. "I like it. Let's go with that. I will assemble my people, both for the bandits part and some will be guards as well. I will be there to administer the poison myself," I said.

Mei nodded, "I will be there too."

"That will be fine," I said. Mei helped me clean our room. He didn't even ask why the place looked disheleved, like a fight commence here. Mei is more tactful and discreet than to ask outright questions.

We went out after cleaning and checked on the children again. ShuYin is now sleepy while ZhouLin woke up when he heard Mei's voice. Mei carried his son down to feed him snack while I help ShuYin to Hua's bed so she can take a nap.

"Aren't you sleepy as well?" I asked Hua who organized the things on top of her vanity table.

"No, Father. I am fine," Hua said.

"Will Prince Jin visit today?" I asked my daughter.

"No," Hua shook her head. "I asked him to check on Dao instead. The Palace of the Crown Prince is being prepare for the Crown Prince's arrival on his private residence. Jin will visit the place and see how the preparation is being done and I asked him to seek Dao as well to have a word with him,"

"Hua..." I called her name in a censoring tone.

"What?" Hua turned to me and sighed defeatedly. "I know that it is cheating, but I miss Dao." She said, a bit stubbornly.

I sighed because I understand what she is talking about, "I miss him too. Don't worry, your Baba told me last night that he will give the permission for Dao to start sending letters to us."