"Why did you come?" Nangong Ling asked. "Weren't you supposed to deliver a message to the lord?"
Yin Xuan approached Nangong Ling and said, "I couldn't rest easy, so I rushed back as soon as I arrived in Yuzhou. And now, it's clear that my choice was right. If I had come back any later, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life!"
She complained again, "I didn't expect the lord to attack you. She went too far!"
Nangong Ling sighed and said, "I was puzzled by the lord's actions at first. But after seeing you, everything became clear."
"What do you mean?" Yin Xuan asked.
"When the lord shot the arrow, were you nearby?" Nangong Ling asked.
Yin Xuan nodded, confused. "What does that have to do with the lord's behavior?"
"She must have noticed your presence and deduced that you would save me. That's why she took action."
"But the city wall is so high, I could have missed catching you!" Yin Xuan exclaimed.
Nangong Ling flashed a captivating smile. "Do you really think so?"
Her smile was so beautiful that it enchanted Yin Xuan.
Unconsciously, Yin Xuan leaned forward and kissed her...
Suddenly, a loud slap echoed in the room!
Ling Yuan jumped in through the window and saw the two of them blushing and sitting awkwardly. He asked, "Aren't you two leaving? Do you plan on growing old here?"
Startled by the sudden voice, Nangong Ling and Yin Xuan looked over together.
"Ha!" Ling Yuan teased. "You two are quite in sync."
Nangong Ling asked, "Did the lord send you?"
Ling Yuan nodded. "The lord was worried about you. She couldn't think straight or eat properly and wanted to see you as soon as possible. Hurry and leave the city with me."
Nangong Ling pursed her lips. "At least she has a bit of a conscience."
Yin Xuan, eating a lemon nearby, spoke up, "You and the lord are obviously friends. Can't you use less ambiguous words?"
Nangong Ling gave her a disdainful look. "You're too nitpicky. The way the lord and I interact is just like ordinary friends."
·
Under the night sky, Qin Zhao stood outside the tent, gazing at the stars.
The Acquisitive Wolf Star was still shining, indicating that Nangong Ling was safe.
There were faint sounds not far away, and Qin Zhao looked in that direction.
She saw Yin Xuan and Ling Yuan carrying the weak Nangong Ling, approaching her.
Qin Zhao hurried over and said, "Let me take over."
She lifted Nangong Ling and walked towards an empty tent.
Entering the tent, she placed Nangong Ling on a chair.
She lit a lamp, casting a dim light that enveloped the dark space.
Nangong Ling smiled and said, "You're so attentive, but do you feel guilty about shooting an arrow at me?"
"You don't have to worry about that," Qin Zhao replied, sitting beside her. "A person who achieves great things doesn't get caught up in trivial matters. Even if the lord really wanted me dead, I wouldn't object. After all, the existence of the Acquisitive Wolf Star is to assist you in ascending the throne. If I become an obstacle, I should be eliminated. Your decision is the right one."
Qin Zhao was moved in her heart but retorted, "I have to say, you're like a foolish woman who has been deceived and still helps count the money."
Qin Zhao saw that Nangong Ling's speech was weak and dreamlike, so she asked, "What's wrong with your body?"
Nangong Ling replied, "Xu Xiao drugged me."
Qin Zhao took Nangong Ling's wrist and checked her pulse. "Tell me about your symptoms."
"I feel physically exhausted and weak, but other than that, I don't have any other sensations."
Nangong Ling, with a handprint on her face, shouted inwardly, "Then where did you get the strength to hit me?"
Qin Zhao examined Nangong Ling's pulse and only detected the word "weakness."
All her internal organs were functioning normally, but at a much slower pace than an average person.
A passage about "Confusing Butterfly Grass" flashed through Qin Zhao's mind from the book "Medical Book of Twisted Paths"!
If someone inhales the fragrance of Confusing Butterfly Grass, they would exhibit the same symptoms as Nangong Ling!
Confusing Butterfly Grass, with its striking purple color and butterfly-like appearance, has a pleasant fragrance that often attracts innocent animals to linger.
When an animal inhales the fragrance of Confusing Butterfly Grass and falls into a deep sleep, the grass takes the opportunity to burst its seed pod!
Tiny seeds, like specks of dust, fall onto animals or people and accompany them to various places.
Confusing Butterfly Grass spreads its seeds through this method.
However, if the amount inhaled is not significant, the effects would last at most half a day, and one's energy would be restored.
Xu Xiao must have exposed Nangong Ling to a large amount of Confusing Butterfly fragrance to achieve the current effect.
Coincidentally, Qin Zhao had seen a patch of Confusing Butterfly Grass on her way back to the capital!
Qin Zhao excitedly patted Nangong Ling's hand and said, "You've helped me a lot!
I was just wondering how to take over the capital with minimal losses, and luckily, you're here."
Nangong Ling listened in confusion, "What does my lord mean?"
Qin Zhao smiled mysteriously and said, "You'll find out three days from now."
The next day, Qin Zhao ordered her men to gather all the Confusing Butterfly Grass growing outside the capital!
She specifically instructed them to hold their breath while picking the grass.
Although some people ignored the advice and fell asleep, most of them came back awake.
Wearing a homemade triple-layered mask, Qin Zhao dealt with the Confusing Butterfly Grass.
From the cold and deep snow, it looked like she was burning fire and brewing flowers, creating quite a spectacle.
Unable to resist their curiosity, the two couldn't help but approach and see what she was doing.
Qin Zhao heard their footsteps and shouted without looking up, "Don't come closer!"
But it was too late, Cong Han, who was walking faster, suddenly collapsed!
Shen Xue quickly caught her and, after smelling a scent of confusion, hurriedly retreated, narrowly avoiding the danger.
However, she felt a bit dizzy as well!
Qin Zhao raised her eyes and looked at the fainted Cong Han, satisfied with her comment, "This stuff is indeed potent!"
She was purifying the Confusing Butterfly Grass, extracting the intoxicating part and turning it into Confusing Butterfly fragrance.
Just one sniff, and it would make one even weaker than Nangong Ling!
Upon learning that Qin Zhao needed Confusing Butterfly Grass, Huo Jun personally went to search for it again.
At this moment, she was walking towards them with the Confusing Butterfly Grass.
Covering her nose with her sleeve, she said, "Your Highness, I've brought a cart full of Confusing Butterfly Grass. If it's not enough, I can continue searching."
Qin Zhao took out a mask from her pocket and handed it to Huo Jun, saying, "It wouldn't have been enough originally, but with what you brought, it will suffice. Thank you."
Wearing the mask, Huo Jun asked, "Does Your Highness need my assistance?"
"No need, continue training the Northwest Army, but don't push them too hard. Just keep them in good physical condition.
Two days later, we will enter the capital as planned!"
Time flowed like a waterfall, rushing forward, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day of the siege!
Xu Xiao stood on the city wall, commanding the defense of the Imperial Guards.
Prince Jin, Qin Lie, also came to observe the battle.
Xu Xiao noticed that Qin Zhao had brought around a thousand men and stationed them below the city, while the rest of his forces remained hidden, their whereabouts unknown.
He sneered, "Do you really think you can take the capital with such a small number of men?
Are you naive or foolish?"
Qin Zhao smirked and replied, "You'll find out the answer very soon."
Although Xu Xiao didn't understand the meaning behind his words, he heard a soldier exclaim, "General, there's a monster!"
