Chapter 237: Shadows in the Prison

Hearing these words, Gongsun Xing’s expression softened with emotion.

What Yue Mingxuan sought was simple, yet also far from simple.

A life like that could only be found by leaving the palace behind.

“I understand,” he said.

“You just wait here and keep yourself safe. Don’t easily consume anything of unknown origin.”

Since the person behind all this intended to frame Yue Mingxuan, it was impossible that their plan would end with merely throwing him into prison.

There would surely be further moves.

Yue Mingxuan nodded.

The concerns Gongsun Xing raised were things he had already realized long ago.

Although he appeared to eat and drink without a care during these meals, he had secretly inspected everything out of the attendants’ sight, only daring to consume it after confirming it was safe.

Too many people had died in this prison already and one more or one less would hardly make a difference.

Seeing that Yue Mingxuan already had his own plans in mind, Gongsun Xing did not say much more.

He took a small vial of poison testing liquid from his sleeve pouch and handed it to him, saying, “Take this, just in case you need it.”

Yue Mingxuan accepted the poison testing liquid and said, “You don’t need to be too anxious either. His Majesty is paying very close attention to this matter, so they won’t dare to make a move for the time being. The more you fail to find evidence right now, the more they’ll lower their guard instead.”

Gongsun Xing knew that although Yue Mingxuan’s words made some sense, they were largely meant to comfort him.

He forced a faint, relieved smile and said, “So what you’re saying is that my inability to find anything is actually beneficial to you?”

Yue Mingxuan smiled and replied playfully, “Exactly.”

Seeing that Yue Mingxuan was still in good spirits and had not suffered any harsh interrogation or torture, Gongsun Xing’s heart finally eased.

As the young master of the Silver Needle Sect, he was famously protective of his own.

In his view, Princess Xie had dared to scheme against Yue Mingxuan right in front of him back then, so there must have been no shortage of underhanded tricks behind the scenes as well.

Even if Yue Mingxuan really had poisoned her, it would have been entirely justified.

To repay grievance with virtue, how, then, should virtue be repaid?

At this moment, a jailer quietly walked over and said in a low voice, “Miracle Doctor Gongsun, it’s about time…”

Letting him in had already been a risk, but that risk was still less tempting than a gold ingot.

Prince Yue was clearly no ordinary figure, aside from knowing Prince Rong, whom the jailer had encountered last time, he also seemed to have deep ties with Miracle Doctor Gongsun.

Someone like this would not remain in the prison for long.

During this period, it was best to serve him well and avoid offending such an important figure.

Because Yue Mingxuan was a major suspect in Princess Xie’s poisoning and death, the emperor had issued a strict order of “no visits without explicit permission.”

Thus, after being urged by the jailer, Gongsun Xing said, “Mingxuan, I have to go now. Is there anything you need? I can have someone bring it in for you.”

Yue Mingxuan shook his head.

He couldn’t exactly tell Gongsun Xing to bring him a cat, could he?

The jailer glanced around and urged again, “Miracle Doctor Gongsun, you really can’t stay any longer. Otherwise, it’ll be very hard for me to answer for it.”

That gold ingot really wasn’t as easy to earn as it seemed.

Gongsun Xing looked deeply at Yue Mingxuan and said, “Take care of yourself.”

Yue Mingxuan nodded and added, “When you have time, help me look in on Sui He. Don’t let her be bullied by others.”

Gongsun Xing nodded and followed the jailer out at a brisk pace.

After Gongsun Xing left, the entire prison suddenly fell silent.

Only the flickering light of the torches wavered faintly, casting shifting shadows that made the surroundings seem even more gloomy and terrifying.

From time to time, there were subtle rustling sounds.

Yue Mingxuan knew those sounds were caused by rats scurrying past and he could not help but feel a wave of goosebumps rise all over his body.

Being imprisoned itself was not really a serious problem, but the rats were truly horrifying.

He curled himself tightly into a corner of the wall and doing his utmost to eliminate any possibility of a rat passing anywhere near him.

“If you’re this afraid, why did you pretend to be so fearless just now?” In the darkness, Shang Qinghua’s voice suddenly rang out.

Yue Mingxuan was startled so badly that he jerked and instinctively took a step back.

His head immediately slammed heavily into the wall behind him.

Rubbing his head, he complained unhappily toward the source of the voice, “Shang Qinghua, do you know that scaring people like that can actually scare them to death?”

Shang Qinghua stepped out from where he had been concealed and said, “Weren’t you acting like nothing was wrong earlier so Gongsun Xing wouldn’t worry? Why are you suddenly so timid now?”

Yue Mingxuan shot him a look of disdain and replied, “Some things wouldn’t help even if I told him. It’s better to let him focus his energy on properly studying the components of the poison so he can clear my name as soon as possible. What’s more important and what’s secondary, you should be able to tell the difference.”

Hearing this, Shang Qinghua’s voice carried a trace of jealousy that even he himself did not notice. “You trust him that much?”

Fortunately, the prison was dimly lit.

Otherwise, Shang Qinghua would certainly have seen the expression of utter contempt Yue Mingxuan wore toward his intelligence.

“If even he can’t do anything about it, then this is simply my fate.”

At least in the entirety of Beirong, there was no one whose medical skills surpassed Gongsun Xing’s.

And taking a step back, even if someone more skilled did exist, distant help could not put out an immediate fire.

Based on Yue Mingxuan’s understanding of Imperial Consort Zhou, at most five days would pass before she would make her move, take his life, and then add another charge on top of it, that’s death by suicide out of fear of punishment.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep