Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 409: Ghostly Tricks

The Fourth Prince could enter because he held a gold medal bestowed by the Emperor.

Meanwhile, the others accompanying him could only wait at the entrance.

Each one of them glared intently at the Dong Family’s gate,

afraid that something might go wrong inside with the Fourth Prince, prompting them to rush in for rescue.

At the same time, those arranged by Ruan Ming were also stealthily scattered around the vicinity.

If the Fourth Prince indeed brought anything out from inside, it would likely disrupt the current favorable situation.

If necessary, they were even prepared to send the Fourth Prince to the Western Heaven.

Thus, one by one, they were all fixated on the Dong Family’s gate.

Behind the tightly closed gate was the Dong Family.

Internally, it was no different than usual, except that the number of servants walking around had significantly decreased.

Partly because some had accompanied the Dong Family women to an estate outside the city and had not returned.

Partly because Old Master Dong, fearing household betrayal, had instructed the remaining servants to follow strict protocols.

No one could appear in places they weren’t supposed to, and anyone who dared to step out of line would be immediately beaten to death.

The rules were extremely stringent, but as a result, the Dong Family enjoyed an unusual peace.

Other than being under surveillance, there seemed to be little additional impact.

However, from the time of the incident until now, more than half a month had passed without seeing a single person outside.

If someone from outside appeared suddenly, everyone grew excited, thinking they might finally be let out.

The Fourth Prince randomly grabbed a servant by the road and sternly instructed.

"I need to see Eldest Master Dong. Lead the way!"

"Yes."

The servant, unaware of the situation, just felt hopeful that the Dong Family was saved.

Thus, he led the Fourth Prince quickly into Eldest Master Dong’s courtyard.

At this moment, Old Master Dong and the Eldest Master were discussing matters.

Although Second Young Master Dong was previously injured, having been carefully nursed at home, he had mostly recovered by now.

Therefore, he was also present, listening to his father and elder brother talk.

Unexpectedly, although no strangers had entered the Dong Family for a long time, the Fourth Prince came visiting in person.

The first to see the Fourth Prince, naturally, was Eldest Master Dong.

"Prince, what brings you here?"

Eldest Master Dong’s eyes showed surprise, but quickly turned to delight.

"Has the Emperor clarified things, proving our Dong Family’s innocence, and specially sent you to release us?"

It must be said that Eldest Master Dong was somewhat naive at this moment.

If they were indeed coming to release people, why would he come alone?

Hence, before the Fourth Prince spoken, he saw Old Master Dong step forward with a calm expression and asked.

"Did the Fourth Prince come to request medicine?"

The Fourth Prince evidently didn’t expect Old Master Dong, being confined, could still be so astutely shrewd.

He hadn’t said a word, yet the other had already guessed his purpose.

Indeed, impressive skills.

Without wasting time, he glanced towards the direction of the servant.

Old Master Dong immediately understood.

He then shouted to the outside.

"Uncle Li."

"This old servant is here."

"Guard the courtyard well, and let no one approach."

"Yes."

Once the arrangements were made, the Fourth Prince began to speak about the situation outside.

"The women of the Dong Family are all well, so rest assured. I took the opportunity of the Princess Consort’s severe illness to come and fetch the Green Sweet Fruit. Does the Dong Family’s medicine warehouse have such an item?"

"Green Sweet Fruit?"

"Yes."

Second Young Master Dong, being the most knowledgeable about medicinal properties, knew the moment he heard the name that everything was caused by Wutou Gold Poison.

He spoke somewhat angrily.

"Did someone really put Wutou Gold Poison in the items we sent to the Charitable Hall?"

Hearing this, the Fourth Prince was evidently a bit impressed too.

To infer such a thing from one medicinal material indeed shows great skill.

"Yes, the Second Madam has already identified the source of the poison, so she sought my help to come and verify with Eldest Master Dong whether the Dong Family’s medicine warehouse contains this medicine."

Upon hearing this, Eldest Master Dong’s face turned from joy to worry. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

He shook his head and said.

"Last year we originally collected a batch and stored it in the warehouse, but later it got damp by accident and became unusable, so I disposed of it."

Dampened?

"When did that happen?"

"Two or three months ago, one day a heavy autumn rain collapsed the roof of the medicine warehouse, just flooding the place where the Green Sweet Fruit was stored."

At this moment, Eldest Master Dong’s words indeed evoked many associations.

It seems that the person behind this was thoroughly prepared.

Before poisoning, they rendered all places capable of containing Green Sweet Fruit in Shengjing City nonexistent.

Even knowing that the poison is Wutou Gold, what can they do now?

Without an antidote, those charitable people can only await death.

If they died, the Dong Family would face similarly dire consequences.

This scheme is extremely vicious!

Just when everyone felt there was no way forward, Second Young Master Dong suddenly spoke.

He directly looked at Old Master Dong and said.

"Father, although we don’t have Green Sweet Fruit, we do have the Red Ridge Bean, whose effect is hundreds of times better than the Green Sweet Fruit! Presumably, it can instantly neutralize the Wutou Gold Poison."

Red Ridge Bean?

Eldest Master Dong couldn’t recall such a precious item in their medicine warehouse.

You must know that the Red Ridge Bean is one of the rarest medicinal materials, long extinct.

Not only the Dong Family, but even searching the entire Da Wei, you might not find much of it.

Suddenly, a flash of insight reminded him of something.

He looked at his younger brother, feeling somewhat excited as he said.

"The Nine Treasures Medicine Box?"

Second Young Master Dong nodded, indicating that was the case.

When Doctor Dou sent over the betrothal gift, this Nine Treasures Medicine Box was extremely precious.

He and his father opened it and were quite astonished.

Considering it too rare, they originally planned to return it as part of the dowry when Qiuyue married into the Dou Family.

Thus, they kept it treasured and never disclosed it to anyone outside.

Now, this very thing turned out to be key to reversing the entire situation.

While Eldest Master Dong was naturally excited, he quickly furrowed his brows.

Since this was meant to be returned to the Dou Family, would it be inappropriate for them to use it for self-preservation?

But Old Master Dong spoke up and said.

"In the future, we’ll make it up with something more precious than the Red Ridge Bean."

Then he turned to Second Young Master Dong and said.

"Go, fetch the medicine."

"Yes!"

In no time, Second Young Master Dong, who went out, returned to Eldest Master Dong’s courtyard.

In his hand was a small porcelain vial containing the precious Red Ridge Bean.

This item was not only rare but also difficult to preserve.

So, although the porcelain vial looked fragile, it was actually made of reinforced steel, neither breakable by dropping nor shattering by impact.

Second Young Master Dong handed the vial to the Fourth Prince and then said.

"No one is more familiar with this medicine’s properties than the lady; I kindly ask the Fourth Prince to give it to her to save everyone’s lives."