Chapter 122: Thorough Investigation of the Poisoned Porridge

Xie Yingying stood there, suddenly feeling unsure of what to do. What exactly was going on with this poison? And now it had even directly harmed Bo Meng?

From what she could see standing nearby, Bo Meng’s condition didn’t seem too serious; he was already attempting to dispel the poison on his own.

Knowing Bo Meng’s background, Xie Yingying felt there was no immediate danger, so she sat quietly to the side, not paying much more attention. When she looked up, she noticed that, for some reason, Bai Shengyun had suddenly entered.

Dressed in a swordsmanship uniform, Bai Shengyun appeared sharp and resolute, walking with steady, confident steps before stopping in front of Xie Yingying.

She was a bit puzzled—why had he suddenly appeared before her? Was he specifically looking for her?

“Why did you come here? Are things over on that side?” Xie Yingying asked him with some curiosity.

Indeed, Bai Shengyun had come specifically to find Xie Yingying because they needed to discuss their upcoming journey to the Wonderland Peach Blossom Spring.

This trip to the Peach Blossom Spring was no simple matter. Though the place sounded idyllic, in reality, countless dangers awaited. Before going, they had to prepare thoroughly for the threats they might face.

If they didn’t make perfect preparations, venturing there recklessly would be unthinkable.

Bai Shengyun had originally preferred to go alone, thinking it would be easier to handle the dangers by himself. Bringing Xie Yingying along might mean having to take extra care of her.

Though she usually seemed clever, there was an inexplicable urge to protect her.

Especially Bai Shengyun himself couldn’t shake the feeling of unease about bringing her along. If she became a liability, it could jeopardize his plans.

However, just as he was about to step inside, he overheard Bo Meng’s recent words.

His attention immediately shifted, and he turned to confront the matter.

“What exactly is going on? You two owe me an explanation!” Bai Shengyun demanded.

Xie Yingying and Bo Meng stood there, unsure of how to respond. The fact was, there was poison involved.

Bai Shengyun then turned around and called in one of his subordinates, instructing him to fetch their most skilled medical officer to examine the situation.

Was there really poison? And was it easy to deal with?

He never took such matters lightly—once he heard of something like this, it had to be resolved immediately.

The medical officer arrived swiftly, inspected the food, and nodded to Bai Shengyun, confirming the presence of poison.

Though the meal looked delectable, with a pleasing color and presentation, when a silver needle was inserted, its tip turned black.

The poison was deeply embedded—simple testing would not reveal it. The needle had to remain inside for a few seconds before being withdrawn to detect the faint darkening at the tip.

Bai Shengyun’s expression darkened. How could there be poison in the food?

He had already forgotten about the matter they were supposed to discuss, his mind now entirely focused on solving the poisoning issue.

He immediately ordered his subordinates to thoroughly investigate the cooks who prepared the meal, as well as the maids and servants who delivered it.

Anyone who had contact with that dinner had to be questioned.

They had to find out who was behind this—no one could be overlooked.

Such a deadly poison hidden in a bowl of porridge was a grave threat; if left unchecked, more harm might follow.

His men acted quickly, bringing in the cooks and maids responsible for today’s meal.

Both stood trembling, seeming genuinely frightened—or perhaps feigning it.

Bai Shengyun’s cold, imposing presence filled the room, naturally exerting pressure.

The cook appeared somewhat composed, but the maid seemed on the verge of tears.

“Tell me—who made this porridge?” Bai Shengyun’s icy voice cut through the silence.

“We don’t know,” the cook said, clearly the angriest of the two. “When we prepared the food today, no porridge was made, only a soup.”

He was bewildered and upset to be blamed, insisting that no porridge had been made, only a clear lotus seed soup. The food had been delivered still slightly warm, yet the table now held a bowl of porridge.

“I only made a clear lotus seed soup. I have no idea how this porridge appeared, and there’s no way I would have let it be delivered!” the cook protested, feeling the weight of Bai Shengyun’s scrutiny and struggling to explain.

The maid, however, contradicted him.

“That’s not true. When I was carrying the food, I never saw any soup like that, let alone a clear lotus seed soup!” she said, frightened but firm in her memory.

Their accounts clashed completely.

“I only made soup—no porridge. You must have made the porridge and brought it here; otherwise, how could there be poison?” the cook snapped at the maid angrily.

“You’re lying! I never carried any lotus seed soup!” the maid shot back.

Bai Shengyun watched silently as the two argued, their bickering growing irritating.

One of them had to be lying—or if both were truthful, someone else must have switched the food.

Either way, the matter demanded further investigation.

“Lock them both up in the dungeon. I will personally interrogate them. No interference from anyone else,” Bai Shengyun commanded.

He didn’t want to endure their endless quarrels any longer.

By separating them and putting them in the dungeon, their psychological defenses would falter, possibly revealing new truths during his questioning.