Chapter 163: Sudden Death, Venomous Insects and Evil Vermin

The detached residence in the city was located on the main street of Mo City, not far from the courier inn. A few days ago, a sudden influx of envoys from various countries had overwhelmed the inn’s capacity, so Meng Yuanheng arranged for this separate residence nearby to temporarily accommodate several important figures from the Northern Di, Xiliang, and Southern Zhan nations.

When Shen Qianmo hurriedly arrived at the residence with Ye Qinglan and Baili Xiao, the young Prefect of Mo City, Qiao Yuan, was already waiting respectfully at the door. However, his usually refined and scholarly face was now furrowed with worry, lending him a grave and solemn air. Seeing Shen Qianmo descend from the carriage, Qiao Yuan promptly stepped forward to greet her.

“Greetings, Princess Consort.”

Shen Qianmo nodded without pausing and walked straight inside, casually inquiring, “Prefect Qiao, what is the situation?”

Qiao Yuan followed closely behind, answering respectfully, “Your Highness, this morning, as usual, I came to inspect the residence. Just as I reached the gate, a guard from Southern Zhan rushed out in a panic. Upon inquiry, I learned that a few days ago, the Southern Zhan prince consort was stung by a venomous insect while visiting Fengming Mountain. This morning, he was found dead in his chamber. The guard was rushing to notify the prince’s mansion. The prince has been away on a city inspection tour in Yunzhou for several days and has yet to return. Given the gravity of the situation, I dared not delay and have come to inform Your Highness.”

Though Qiao Yuan knew well that the “tour” mentioned by these dignitaries was a euphemism for treasure hunting, he chose not to voice it. The prominent envoys residing in the residence were all key figures from their respective nations, and their gathering in Mo City placed immense pressure on Prefect Qiao. By nature meticulous and entrusted uniquely by Meng Yuanheng and Shen Qianmo, he was ever cautious. Not only did he closely monitor every move of the envoys, but he also made it a point to personally inspect the residence daily.

Despite his thoroughness, such an incident had still occurred, leaving him feeling defeated and anxious. The sudden death of the Southern Zhan prince consort in Mo City was no trivial matter; it carried significant diplomatic implications. A mishandling could severely damage the recently declared autonomy of the Northwest from the great Da Sheng Empire. He feared his lack of experience and capability might betray the trust placed in him by the prince and princess consort.

Shen Qianmo noticed Qiao Yuan’s disheartened expression and spoke calmly, “Prefect Qiao, your dedication is clear to both the prince and me. This matter is beyond your control; there is no need for concern. Have the premises been sealed off?”

Her poised and natural reassurance moved Qiao Yuan deeply, almost to tears. As a subordinate, to have one’s efforts recognized, one’s occasional mistakes understood and forgiven by a superior, was a warmth that revived his flagging spirit.

Gathering himself, Qiao Yuan respectfully responded, “As Your Highness commanded, I have ordered the area where Princess Yongle resides to be cordoned off. Apart from Southern Zhan’s own personnel, no outsiders are present.”

By the time Shen Qianmo and her party reached the courtyard of Princess Yongle’s residence, it was well guarded by the prefecture’s soldiers. To Shen Qianmo’s surprise, there was not a single onlooker outside—the place was eerily quiet.

Soldiers guarding the gate knelt upon seeing Shen Qianmo, but she raised a hand to stop them. “No need for such formality.” She disliked the constant kneeling rituals here. Then, turning to Qiao Yuan, she asked, “What of the envoys from Northern Di and Xiliang?”

Qiao Yuan hurried to reply, “I have kept watch over them; no abnormalities as of yet. However, the Northern Di crown prince and the heir to the Yanping dukedom have also been stung by venomous insects. Though less severe than the Southern Zhan prince consort’s case, they have been under continuous treatment these past few days.”

Shen Qianmo nodded and entered the courtyard. Though small, the residence was tranquil. However, the harshness of the Northwest’s bitter cold meant that despite it being early spring, the garden’s plants were still withered, save for a few plum trees in full bloom, their delicate pink petals radiant.

The Southern Zhan guards stood solemnly within the courtyard. Princess Yongle stood just outside the chamber, evidently having come upon receiving the news. The prince consort’s sudden death was a heavy blow to her. Shen Qianmo recalled how, at the wedding banquet days ago, the princess had been resplendent in her finery, radiant and brilliant. Today, her face was drawn and sorrowful, eyes swollen and marked by tears, showing she had just wept.

“My condolences, Princess,” Shen Qianmo offered gently, her words sincere, causing the princess’s eyes to redden further.

“Thank you, Princess Consort Xuan,” Princess Yongle replied, dabbing her tears with a fine silk handkerchief. Though mournful, her bearing remained dignified and graceful, her manners composed. “I know Your Highness is with child; I would not wish to trouble you. But the prince consort’s death was so sudden that, to avoid suspicion and prevent complications for both the Northwest and the Xuan prince’s household, I believe it is best for Your Highness to take command of this matter.”

Though polite, the princess’s words carried an unmistakable implication: you invited these people here, and now one has died under mysterious circumstances in your territory. As hosts, you owe an explanation.

Shen Qianmo nodded calmly. “It is my duty; no trouble at all, Princess.” Preferring directness, she quickly moved to the point. “The prince consort’s sudden passing is hard to accept. May I be allowed to examine his body?”

Princess Yongle had not expected such a request. To her knowledge, this composed and graceful Xuan princess consort, though appearing slender and elegant, was already over five months pregnant. Should she really be inspecting a corpse at such a time?

Seeing the princess’s hesitation, Shen Qianmo explained plainly, “If you wish to thoroughly investigate the cause of the prince consort’s death and dispel doubts, examining the body is essential—and the most critical step.”

Meeting Shen Qianmo’s steady gaze, Princess Yongle was slightly taken aback but bit her lip and led Shen Qianmo and her party inside the bedchamber.

Though gentle in appearance, the Xuan princess consort exuded an unyielding strength and decisiveness that rivaled even the domineering and fiery Xuan prince—only she concealed it beneath a calm exterior.

Behind a folding screen lay the prince consort’s bed, where a neatly dressed man lay rigid. This was the Southern Zhan prince consort with whom Shen Qianmo had briefly met at the wedding banquet. An elderly attendant in a blue robe stood by the bedside, examining the body. Upon noticing Princess Yongle and Shen Qianmo’s entrance, he bowed low.

“Greetings, Princess.”

Princess Yongle showed notable respect toward the old man, speaking with deference as she introduced them, “This is Master Gongsun. He is the imperial physician highly esteemed by my father, the king. During my envoy mission to the Northwest, it was thanks to his attentive care that I arrived safely.”

Princess Yongle was frail, and the stark climatic differences between Southern Zhan and the Northwest made her father uneasy. Thus, he sent his most trusted imperial physician, Gongsun Hua, to accompany her.

In Southern Zhan, the succession to the throne has always been based on merit, regardless of gender; both princes and princesses have the right to inherit. Rumor had it that among the king’s heirs, Princess Yongle was the most talented and virtuous, the leading candidate for the throne. Her father’s evident regard for her confirmed this.

Upon hearing the princess’s praise, Gongsun Hua remained composed, replying humbly, “Your Highness is too kind. It is merely my duty.”

To have risen above many imperial physicians to gain the king’s trust, he must indeed be exceptional.

Shen Qianmo gave a slight nod to Gongsun Hua and, without further preamble, said evenly to Princess Yongle, “Let us begin.”

Both Princess Yongle and Gongsun Hua were somewhat surprised by Shen Qianmo’s brisk manner. She spoke decisively, revealing impatience beneath her calm exterior.

In truth, Shen Qianmo was not anxious; rather, now pregnant, she wished to minimize her time around the corpse as much as possible—speed was essential.

Following Princess Yongle’s signal, Gongsun Hua stepped aside from the bedside. As Shen Qianmo approached, a pungent medicinal odor mixed with a thick stench of decay assaulted her senses, almost causing nausea.

Since becoming pregnant, she had avoided contact with corpses for some time. The sudden smell of rot made her furrow her brows. Beside her, Ye Qinglan softly asked, “Qianmo, are you alright?”

“No problem,” Shen Qianmo replied, shaking her head and focusing on the prince consort’s body. As she faced the corpse, she seemed to slip into a long-missed work mode, radiating an intense aura that drew all attention.

The prince consort lay supine, his face bluish-black, lips purplish—clear signs of poisoning.

“Master Gongsun, have you determined the cause of death?” Shen Qianmo asked. As the imperial physician, he must have gleaned some insight from his initial examination.

Gongsun Hua answered, “Upon inspection, it appears the prince consort died from insect venom.”

Insect venom? Qiao Yuan had mentioned the prince consort had been stung several days ago.

“Where is the insect bite?” Shen Qianmo inquired, unable to see any wounds due to the body’s intact clothing.

Gongsun Hua glanced at Princess Yongle, who nodded assent. He then gently pulled back the upper garment from the prince consort’s torso.

The sight drew a sharp intake of breath.

The prince consort’s exposed upper skin was an ominous bluish-purple. His entire chest was extensively ulcerated, flesh decayed almost beyond recognition, revealing glimpses of stark white bone beneath.

Shen Qianmo finally understood the source of the pervasive stench lingering in the room.

Behind her, Baili Xiao cried out in alarm, “What kind of venomous insect could be so potent?”

Gongsun Hua spoke gravely, “I suspect the insect was the evil du.”

[Note: “Evil du” refers to a particularly venomous or malevolent insect species known in this setting.]