Chapter 105: Narrow Escape

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"Possession" is a general term for encounters with malevolent spirits—essentially, being assaulted by unclean forces. It’s hardly surprising here, as this side hall contains many who met violent ends, inevitably carrying grudges. Although the guards outside are fearless of formidable foes, they dread these inexplicable ghosts. Each of them looked pale and terrified.

The imperial physician Liu from the Prince’s Mansion was soon swarmed by the crowd. Though a doctor, Liu was no exorcist and knew nothing of warding off evil spirits. He could only gather all the necessary items into his medicine box and bring them along.

As soon as Liu entered, Qiu Chengshan blocked the doorway, refusing anyone else entry.

Liu saw Emperor Li Longji standing in the middle of the hall and hurried over to take his pulse. Li Longji waved his hand, saying, “Physician Liu, I did not summon you to examine my pulse but to save this man,” pointing at Wang Zhong.

Liu was puzzled: this man was already dead, how could he possibly be saved? Though he thought this, he dared not voice it and obediently approached Wang Zhong.

He reached out and felt the pulse, then murmured, “Indeed, he is alive.” He quickly opened his medicine box and took out needles and herbal remedies to treat him. After a short while, Wang Zhong emitted a soft sigh and regained consciousness.

Outside, the guards grew furious and clamored to enter to protect Li Longji, but Qiu Chengshan resolutely barred the way. The guards shouted, “Are you trying to harm the Prince? Why won’t you let us in?”

They raised their fists, ready to strike Qiu Chengshan. Amidst the chaos, Li Longji stepped outside, and the crowd immediately fell silent. After leaving a few trusted guards behind, he dismissed the rest to disperse.

Once the courtyard was empty, they secretly carried Wang Zhong to a warm pavilion in the back garden to nurse him. The other deceased were quietly buried in a desolate area outside the city under the cover of darkness.

This massacre in Chang'an was ignored by the Wei family, overlooked by the ministers, and unknown to the sleeping populace—just as if nothing had happened.

After taking a ginseng decoction, Wang Zhong was much clearer. He looked at Li Longji beside the bed and smiled bitterly, “Your Highness, I have now lived twice over.” Li Longji asked, “Who struck? How many were they? The Prince’s Mansion is nearby—why was there no sound of fighting?”

Wang Zhong sighed, “Ah! It didn’t take many. Only one—the ‘Nian Ci Xi.’ I never could have imagined that woman’s martial skill was so formidable. Dozens of fierce men under her command were like lambs to the slaughter, snuffed out in moments. I was lucky to escape with my life.”

Beside him, Qiu Chengshan said, “Master Wang, your survival was no accident. The assailant deliberately spared your life.”

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Wang Zhong angrily replied, “That ‘Nian Ci Xi’ is ruthless. She pierced me through with a single sword. How could she spare me?”

Qiu Chengshan explained, “Master Wang, please calm yourself. Though I don’t know much about the ‘Nian Ci Xi,’ I can tell from your wound that while the sword pierced your body, it was no random stab. The blade entered through the chest acupuncture point and exited from the ‘Shen Tang’ point on your back. To outsiders, it looks like a grievous injury, but the sword cleverly avoided your heart, stomach, lungs, and spine. Thus, your life was not in danger. You lost consciousness because the assailant lightly pressed your ‘Tian Shu’ acupuncture point during the attack. This shows her swordsmanship is nearly perfect.”

Wang Zhong, long experienced in palace intrigue, immediately understood who the ‘Nian Ci Xi’ was. If she truly intended to kill him, how could she have failed? He ceased speaking of himself and instead recounted the tragedy of Li Xian.

Trembling, Wang Zhong took out a delicate glass gourd from his chest and handed it to Li Longji. “It was this gourd that caused the late emperor’s death.” Li Longji admired the exquisite gourd, noticing the pink mist swirling inside, and was about to open it.

“Do not open it!” Wang Zhong cried out sharply. “The late emperor inhaled the contents of this gourd and soon departed this world. When he died, blood flowed from all seven orifices—it was truly horrific.” Overcome with grief, Wang Zhong burst into tears.

Li Longji pressed him for details. Wang Zhong, struggling to hold back his sobs, recounted, “That day, I was attending the emperor and empress at the hot spring palace. From afar, I saw Princess Anle approaching with her attendant Liu Bin. Near the palace gate, Liu Bin took out this glass gourd and handed it to the princess. They exchanged a few words—I only caught Liu Bin saying, ‘Princess, remember to hold your breath.’ I was puzzled, thinking it was some strange trick or tool. Who would have thought Anle could kill her own father!”

Wang Zhong wept again uncontrollably, then composed himself and continued, “The emperor merely inhaled once and immediately grew weak and motionless. Anle tucked the gourd back into her sleeves. I thought the emperor was simply tired, so I hurried to fetch a robe. When I returned, Anle was anxiously searching for me. I entered and saw the emperor bleeding from all his orifices—he was gone. The Wei family forbade me from speaking of this, and I knew this must not be spread, else the realm would descend into chaos. Though my heart bled, I still helped the Wei family arrange the emperor’s funeral. As I left the hot spring palace, I saw Anle hastily departing with Liu Bin’s assistance, but this glass gourd had fallen to the ground and was unnoticed. I picked it up and hid it on myself as evidence, hoping one day to clear the late emperor’s name.” Overcome, he fainted from grief.

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Li Longji knew the matter was grave and could not be delayed. He left Physician Liu to carefully tend to Wang Zhong and assigned elite guards to protect him. Before dawn, he secretly led a group to the Princess’s residence.

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