Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1043 - 106: Forbidden Medicine (Part 2)

Prince Chu offered a faint chuckle and remarked, "This is quite an advantageous development." Numerous individuals from the Western Regions have journeyed to the Central Plains over the years for their education, with quite a few achieving notable success, even earning entry into the esteemed Imperial College as scholars. While those admitted from the Western Regions are technically eligible for the imperial examinations, very few have actually succeeded. To date, only a handful have managed to pass and secure official posts. Even if their ranks are modest, they remain deeply satisfied with their appointments.

Living within the Great Zhou is considered a immense stroke of luck for these people. To hold an official office in the Great Zhou—effectively becoming half-citizen—is seen as the equivalent of having smoke rise from their ancestral graves, as the local saying goes.

"Your Highness, do you intend to remain here for a couple of days to recover before returning to the capital, or shall we make our departure early tomorrow?" Liang Run asked, fully aware of the prince’s pressing, time-sensitive duties that prevented any long-term stay in Wusun.

After deliberating, Prince Chu replied, "We shall depart in two days' time."

"Then, please make the most of these forty-eight hours to rest and perhaps discover the local flavors and sights of Wusun," Liang Run suggested warmly, detailing the finest food, drink, and entertainment options available. Following his advice, he promptly organized a local guide to escort Prince Chu through the thoroughfares to sample the regional cuisine.

Despite several days of travel, Prince Chu felt little fatigue. After finishing his tea, he departed along with his retinue to roam the city streets. A conventional human-skin mask concealed his true features, granting him the freedom to investigate without the risk of discovery.

As evening fell, Prince Chu ventured alone toward a local academy to arrange a meeting. The individual he sought was Li Ruixian, an adopted scion of the Li family. His clandestine mission in Wusun was to observe the various Western Region kingdoms and Xiongnu tribes, while systematically gathering intelligence on the Southern Wei factions.

Southern Wei agents had embedded themselves into nearly every kingdom within the Western Regions, operating under the guise of various commercial enterprises.

Greeting Prince Chu, Li Ruixian delivered an update regarding the intelligence he had compiled: "The Southern Wei are currently in pursuit of a powerful aphrodisiac and a specific Fertility Pill."

"An aphrodisiac? And a Fertility Pill?" Prince Chu asked in surprise, "What would they want with such items?"

"It is almost certainly intended for Lord Wei," Li Ruixian answered.

"For Prince Wei?" Prince Chu quickly grasped the implication. "Is this because Prince Wei is currently without an heir?"

Li Ruixian nodded, "That appears to be the primary motivation."

"Have they managed to source these items?" Prince Chu asked.

"They have," Li Ruixian confirmed. "They acquired a potent aphrodisiac from Dayuan in the Western Regions. It is odorless and colorless, yet incredibly effective; it is rumored that anyone—human or beast—who consumes it will be driven to intense carnal desire, supposedly granting the stamina to handle seven partners in a single night." Li Ruixian shifted uncomfortably as he finished his report.

Prince Chu listened with an indifferent, stoic expression, showing no signs of discomfort before asking, "And the Fertility Pill?"

"They obtained that from Qiuci, also in the Western Regions. It is said that any woman who consumes it is practically guaranteed to produce a son," Li Ruixian continued. "Several beauties were delivered to the Prince Wei Mansion by the Southern Wei just days ago. They have all taken the pill, and now they are simply waiting for the Prince to ingest the aphrodisiac."

A cold, mocking smile touched Prince Chu’s lips. "The Southern Wei truly go to great lengths, scheming to ensure Prince Wei’s successor carries their bloodline."

Princess Consort Wei had suffered from infertility for years, likely due to a combination of their sparse intimacy and secret poisoning by Southern Wei operatives prior to the marriage.

The Southern Wei would never permit the Princess Consort to provide an heir, as they were convinced the succession had to be secured by a woman of their own blood to maintain purity.

"These Southern Wei agents have also been infiltrating the residences of numerous officials with their own trained beauties, who have subsequently become great favorites," Li Ruixian added.

"Their standard bag of tricks," Prince Chu remarked. His own estate had been infiltrated as well—maids, guards, and servants. Prince Chu had opted not to expunge them, choosing instead to keep them on-site to monitor their movements and use them to his advantage. "Have they attempted to place anyone within the Han Prince Mansion?"

"None in the Western Regions sector, though I cannot speak for other territories," Li Ruixian replied.

Prince Chu found some solace in the belief that Prince Wei would pose no threat to Zhao Yao.

"What information did you gather concerning the Third Princess, as I requested?"

"Your Highness, it seems your prior inquiries into her affairs alerted her. Many of our recent agents were exposed and captured." The outcome for those discovered was grim.

"Cease all efforts to monitor the Third Princess for the time being. We need to let things cool down." He had underestimated the caution exhibited by both the Third Princess and Prince Han. "What about the other Xiongnu factions?"

"There has been no notable movement," he reported.

"That is welcome news." It seemed their recent skirmishes had sufficiently intimidated the Xiongnu from launching any impulsive raids against the Great Zhou.

"By the way, Your Highness, aside from their interest in aphrodisiacs and fertility aids, the Southern Wei have also managed to acquire restricted substances from the Da Yuezhi."

At the mention of restricted toxins, Prince Chu’s expression turned grim. "What kind of substances are we talking about?"

"We have yet to identify the exact nature, but the evidence points toward high-grade poisons," said Li Ruixian, whose long tenure in Wusun had given him a keen insight into regional threats. "You may not be aware, but the Da Yuezhi are masters of toxin creation; many of their concoctions are considered incurable."

Prince Chu was acutely aware of why the Southern Wei would covet such resources, with his own assassination being a primary goal.

"Prioritize identifying the nature of these poisons," he commanded.

"You have my word, Your Highness, I will discover the truth," Li Ruixian pledged. "However, while many Da Yuezhi toxins are incurable, some can be tempered so that they are not immediately lethal."

"And what could modulate such lethal substances?"

"I have gathered that Tibetan Orchid is the solution, though it is so exceptionally rare that no amount of gold has been able to procure it for us thus far." Li Ruixian sighed. "I will continue to search, though."

"Tibetan Orchid?" Prince Chu asked with a strange expression. "Are you certain that is the name?"

Li Ruixian offered a firm nod, "I am entirely certain."

Prince Chu burst out laughing, "Then spare yourself the effort."

Li Ruixian asked, looking perplexed, "Your Highness, what do you mean?"

"I have already ingested the Tibetan Orchid," Prince Chu revealed.

Li Ruixian gasped, "You have? Where could you have possibly obtained such a relic?"

Prince Chu smiled softly, "Some years back, my tenth brother gave me a tonic he had prepared, which he dubbed the 'Great Replenishing Pill.' One of the key components listed was the Tibetan Orchid." He remembered the moment vividly, largely because the ten components had such unusual names. He had even asked his tenth brother if it was a flower, to which his brother replied that despite the name, it had nothing to do with standard orchids.

Hearing this, Li Ruixian breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your Highness, if you have already consumed it, the forbidden substances of the Da Yuezhi will be unable to claim your life."

Prince Chu mused quietly; perhaps his tenth brother had suspected something all along, which was the very reason he had provided the tonic.

"The Tibetan Orchid is beyond priceless. How did Prince Han manage to get his hands on it?" Even after years in Wusun, Li Ruixian had never encountered a single specimen. Where could it possibly have been bought?

"I never thought to ask." He assumed his brother had paid a heavy price to secure it.

"It is truly an invaluable treasure, Your Highness. Prince Han clearly holds you in very deep regard," Li Ruixian observed.

Feeling a familiar warmth, Prince Chu replied, "My tenth brother has always been exceptionally thoughtful toward me."