Chapter 245: Chapter 245 This Woman, Must be Eliminated Chapter 245: Chapter 245 This Woman, Must be Eliminated However, Murong Jiu did not fully trust Miao Wuxie.

Whether he truly had a change of heart, who knew?

She still made some preparations, speaking softly to her master Hong Yi Chun Tao and Chang Chonghai outside the carriage.

The little black bird had already flown away, and before long, the carriage arrived at Fuyuan Tea House.

The proprietor and a server came out to greet them personally, their obsequious attitude disguising their true intent. With his head bowed, the proprietor spoke in a voice only a few could hear:
“The Third Prince has secretly sent someone ahead. A few dark red dried flowers have been placed in the private room you requested, hidden in an ornamental vase that appears empty. They’re not easily noticed.”

Murong Jiu nodded, indicating that she understood.

She had just sat down in the private room when the Third Prince Zhuo Yinzhu and Divine Doctor Miao, led by the server, came in.

At that moment, another server came in to serve tea; as he arranged the teacups, he stealthily placed a mint leaf under the cup in front of Murong Jiu.

No one noticed this action.

Because both Zhuo Yinzhu and the Third Prince’s eyes had already fallen upon Murong Jiu’s translucent, jade-like complexion; seeing her from such a close distance for the first time, unabashed admiration shone in the Third Prince’s eyes.

Only on closer inspection did he realize that her features were flawlessly delicate: her eyes like autumn waters, lashes long and fine, her nose high-bridged with a dainty tip, and her lips a watermelon red like petals soaked in water.

Most importantly, her skin was smooth and fair; even women with the finest complexions would have tiny blemishes and faint lines around their mouths when they smiled, but none of these were seen on Murong Jiu–she was like a flawless piece of beautiful jade.

The Third Prince thought, no wonder the Eldest Imperial Brother treasured her like a gem. Having such a beauty at home, one could feel pleasured just by looking at her every day.

Not to mention, she was slender where she should be, and full where it counts. Despite being with child, her figure remained perfect with none of the puffiness seen in other expectant mothers, but instead, it added to her unique charm.

The Third Prince didn’t shift his gaze, and neither did Zhuo Yinzhu, but for her, it was due to shock; she could hardly believe that the woman before her was the same “ugly monster” from years past.

When the Zhuo family found her and brought her to the Capital City, she also had seen Murong Jiu a few times, with everyone saying she was the ugliest woman in the Capital.

Yet, unbeknownst to her, once the Capital’s ugliest woman rid herself of her birthmark, she turned into such a vivid beauty.

Noticing the Third Prince’s gaze, Zhuo Yinzhu couldn’t help but clench her fists tightly.

Meanwhile, Divine Doctor Miao was staring at Divine Doctor Zhai, enemies meeting with especially hostile eyes. Divine Doctor Zhai showed little emotion, but Miao’s eyes were filled with resentment and viciousness.

He said with a sneer, “I heard that my junior brother blinded himself while testing medicine. Looking at you now, your eyes seem quite well. Junior brother, it seems you might have committed the crime of deceiving the Emperor!”

The Third Prince snapped back to reality and glanced coldly at Divine Doctor Zhai.

It must have been to avoid treating him that Divine Doctor Zhai had faked an illness.

Such an old man, what audacity!

Divine Doctor Zhai’s face was expressionless: “My eyes and ears were merely affected by the medicinal trial at the time, it wasn’t permanent. After taking the medicated soup for a while, they naturally recovered without issue.”

The Third Prince still scoffed, “His Royal Highness Prince Rui thought Divine Doctor Zhai and Princess Consort Ling were too good for him, deliberately finding excuses to flee.”

Murong Jiu said, “What kind of words are those, Your Royal Highness? We had no idea what ailment His Royal Highness Prince Rui suffered from, and had no reason to flee.”

The Third Prince’s face subtly changed as his gaze fell on her calm and unperturbed eyes, and he suddenly gave a slight smile.

“The Eldest Imperial Sister-in-law is right. What sickness could I possibly have? It was just a minor ailment left over from a past injury,” he said.

Everyone knew the truth, so there was no need to continue the discussion.

“The Eldest Imperial Sister-in-law has waited long enough, please, take a seat.”

Murong Jiu first helped her master to sit down, then, with the aid of her maid, slowly seated herself.

She picked up the teacup and took a delicate sip.

The mint leaf had already been pressed under her tongue.

It truly was miraculous. She had just been able to smell the faint fragrance of the dried flowers, but once the mint leaf touched her mouth, a cool sensation spread and her sense of smell seemed even sharper. She could detect all the other scents, but that light fragrance had disappeared.

The medical texts of my great shifu did not deceive me; mint indeed counters that dried flower.

The Third Prince also slowly drank a mouthful of tea, subtly exchanging glances with Divine Doctor Miao, silently inquiring if the dried flower was still in the room.

Divine Doctor Miao, having detected the scent, subtly nodded.

Zhuo Yinzhu breathed a sigh of relief.

However, the Third Prince felt a sense of regret. Such a beauty was about to wither and fade.

If Murong Jiu were just an ordinary woman, it would be one thing, but she excelled at business and used her medicinal knowledge to win over the ladies of Capital City. Whether she sided with Jun Yuyan or the Second Prince, she would bring great convenience to either party.

Such a woman must be removed.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was a pity.

If only she were his woman.

They didn’t have much in common. It was regrettable, indeed, but the Third Prince wouldn’t change his mind. His gaze, now even more unscrupulous, lingered on Murong Jiu’s beautiful face.

Murong Jiu felt his sticky gaze and was disgusted, thinking to herself no wonder in her past life, despite the Emperor’s covert support, the Third Prince achieved little and met a gruesome end. With the way he carried himself, it would be strange if he had any real ability.

Zhuo Yinzhu spoke up, “I wonder why Princess Consort Ling wishes to see Yinzhu?”

Murong Jiu ignored her and turned to Divine Doctor Miao, “Uncle Master Miao, it has been many years, how have you been?”

Divine Doctor Miao indifferently replied, “Not dead yet.”

“May I know if my brother’s gu poisoning has anything to do with you?”

“What gu poisoning? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he retorted.

“A few days ago, my senior brother came to see me, which coincided with the day you arrived in Capital City. That very day, my brother was poisoned by gu. In all of Capital City, only Uncle Master and senior brother are skilled in casting gu. While I cannot think of any grievances we have had, my brother is completely innocent. I truly cannot comprehend the situation, and so I took advantage of meeting Zhuo Yinzhu to see Uncle Master and ask for clarity. If there has been any misunderstanding, we can clear it up in person.”

Divine Doctor Miao responded, “There is no misunderstanding. It’s true we are skilled in casting gu, but do you have any proof it was us?”

Divine Doctor Zhai scoffed, “Senior brother is still as skilled at lying as before, fluent in deceit. No wonder our master did not wish to pass on his mantle to you before he died.”

The words seemed to hit a nerve with Divine Doctor Miao, who banged the table in anger, “It was you who sweet-talked our master and cheated him of his legacy. I haven’t even settled that score with you, yet you dare to bring it up!”

Murong Jiu said, “Since Uncle Master lacks the courage to admit it and doesn’t wish to turn hostility into harmony, then there’s no need for further discussion. Master, let’s go.”

Saying this, she rose with the help of her maid.

“You can’t go!”

Zhuo Yinzhu’s expression changed; it wasn’t the third watch yet, they couldn’t leave!

She quickly said, “Princess Consort Ling, I believe there must be some misunderstanding with my master!”