Chapter 24-part 1

Duan Wenyin was flustered: “This poisonous insect is only with Shizi. Eldest son, have you had any dealings with Shizi these past few days?”

Du Tinglan exchanged a glance with Teng Yuyi.

At this point, even attempting to clear her brother’s name regarding his relationship with Dong Erniang?

Was she suggesting that Lin Chengyou had framed Duan Ningyuan?

That would depend on whether Lin Chengyou was willing to take the blame.

Princess Ah Zhi widened her round eyes: “Are you saying my brother released the insect on General Duan’s?”

Duan Wenyin froze for a moment, quickly smiling: “Princess, please don’t overthink it. What I meant was that this insect was raised in Qingyun Temple, so it is inevitable that one or two might escape. When Ningyuan had dealings with Shizi, he might have accidentally come into contact with it.”

Ah Zhi was upset and turned to look at Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi behind her: “I don’t understand Taoist magic. You two explain it to my brother.”

Jue Sheng and Qi Zhi had long wanted to speak, but due to their need to keep their identities hidden, they had delayed.

Since Princess Jingde had exposed their identities, there was no need to hold back any longer.

Qi Zhi spoke truthfully: “I’m afraid I don’t understand Madam Yong’an’s words. While this insect comes from Qingyun Temple, my senior brother would never release it without cause. The reason it was used against Dong Erniang that day was because she implicated people from Ziyun Pavilion but refused to tell the truth. If the insect were easily spread, countless people inside and outside the palace would be suffering, but as of now, no more than five people in Chang’an have been infected, and all had a reason for it.”

Jue Sheng said sternly: “That’s right. Not only have we brothers not seen General Duan’s recently, but even if we had, there’s no way for him to have been infected with the poisonous insect.”

The guests grew more uncomfortable, as the meaning was clear: Duan Ningyuan knew how he was infected, and there was no way to shift the blame to Shizi.

Qi Zhi continued: “The itching insect prefers young, strong males, and when it finds a better host, it will abandon the old one. From General Duan’s condition, it seems he has attracted the insect from its original host. Currently, only two people in Chang’an have been infected, and if you want to know where General Duan got it, just check the Jingzhao prefecture dungeon.”

Although Duan Ningyuan was in hell, his mind had not completely left him.

Hearing this, he calmed down a little.

He hadn’t seen Dong Erniang for several days, so it was impossible to have caught the poison from her; there must be another source.

As long as the insect on Dong Erniang remained, it would help preserve their reputations.

He staggered and struggled, intermittently speaking: “I… I don’t know that Dong Erniang. Even if I am infected, it’s absolutely not from her.”

Duan Wenyin quickly exchanged looks with the stewards: “Since all the elders are here, hurry and send someone to the Jingzhao prefecture dungeon to investigate. Once confirmed, report back so Ningyuan won’t suffer an unjust accusation.”

Just as the servants were about to leave, Ah Zhi said, “Wait a moment; remember to bring people from every household to serve as witnesses.”

Duan Wenyin and Old Madam Duan’s faces turned hot.

They had suspected that Ningyuan had been infected by Dong Erniang.

Even if they were going to confirm it at the Jingzhao prefecture dungeon, they were already prepared to have their subordinates conceal the truth.

But to their surprise, Princess Jingde, in order to protect her brother from bearing a false accusation, insisted on sending people from all the households.

How could they cover up the truth in time now? Reflexively, they wanted to obstruct this, but doing so would seem too guilty.

Thinking further, Ningyuan had been so open and even suggested going to the Jingzhao prefecture dungeon. It seemed he knew his whereabouts better than they did these past few days.

Perhaps the poison wasn’t from Dong Erniang after all.

Thus, they stopped blocking it and quickly agreed.

“You go with the stewards of the Duan household. Once you arrive at the Jingzhao prefecture dungeon, investigate carefully and report back as soon as possible,” Ah Zhi said, resting her chin in her hand, her expression serious.

As the conversation continued, the Duan mother and son became even more agitated, both looking crazed, scratching at themselves incessantly.

If they didn’t resolve the poison soon, they would end up tearing their own flesh apart.