"This kind of poisonous insect is extremely vicious. Generally, masters use it to deal with their servants. They’re afraid of being betrayed by their underlings, so they plant this kind of poisonous insect poison in them early on. The medicine is the master’s own blood fused with a toxin called ’Poppy’. When poisoning, the servant must have a wound on their body. Only when the wound is bleeding can the master drip their own blood into the servant’s wound, then have the servant ingest that opium poison. From then on, the poisonous insect poison takes shape."

She had originally thought that in the original book it was the female lead who removed this poisonous insect from her mother, but as the plot progressed and she recalled more clearly, it wasn’t that the female lead had this ability. However, Xi Yue was still fortunate, because she, Tangyuan’s true self, had lived through so many lifetimes and had actually seen this kind of poisonous insect before, and she also knew the method of undoing it. Naturally, some of the characters who appeared in the original story were no longer needed.

What she didn’t realize was that this speech of hers made everyone present turn to her with looks of utter disbelief. No one knew her true capabilities; even Shui Yixuan only knew that she liked to play with poison, but had never imagined that even the old Island Master of Xiran Island, who had been at his wits’ end with this poisonous insect, would be matched by her speaking of it so easily.

"Then how did you determine that this isn’t poison but a poisonous insect?"

"A normal illness could never lie dormant for ten years. These past years Mother has been soaking daily in medicinal baths, so her body must have developed quite a bit of resistance to toxins, enough to deal with ordinary pathogens invading her body. That’s also why, although she’s been sleeping all these years, she hasn’t actually fallen ill. Since it’s not poisoning, and not a normal sickness, then the only possibility left is a poisonous insect. If I’m not mistaken, this poisonous insect must have been planted by that Consort Hua. Back then, aside from Mother, her rank was the highest. If not for Mother, the one made empress should have been her. Her jealousy toward Mother is perfectly understandable. Since it was she who planted the poisonous insect, we must find a breakthrough point. If we use extreme methods to force her, it might backfire instead. So for this matter, we need to plan long and carefully!"

Knowing that it was a poisonous insect wasn’t the impressive part; the key was knowing the method to undo it so the problem could be solved at its root. So when everyone looked to Jiang Xue with hopes in their eyes, she smiled.

"Then is there a way to undo it?" Xi Yang was the most anxious. In all these years he had never dared to pin his hopes so high as at this moment. Now, just thinking that this poisonous insect had been lurking inside his little sister for ten years made his heart, lungs, and brain ache with pain!

"Of course there is a way. Mother’s two relapses very likely happened because the one who planted the poison themselves fell gravely ill or suffered some acute condition, so Mother reacted in turn. By the same logic, once that person dies, Mother will recover without medicine. However, before she recovers, Mother is bound to go through a bout of near-death struggle. Her body is so weak now that I’m very worried she won’t be able to make it through that pass..."

"Is there only this one method?"

Jiang Xue nodded. "This is the only method that is most direct, fastest, simplest, and safest, and it can solve the problem from the root. As for the so-called near-death struggle, don’t worry too much. As long as we all work together, I believe we can definitely get her through it!"

With things said to this point, everyone immediately grasped the key point that followed.

"But Xiao Xue, how are we supposed to be sure that the person we’re looking for is the one who planted the poison?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"That’s not difficult. As long as we confirm that on the two occasions when Mother fell ill, this person also came down with a serious illness or some acute condition, then it’s almost certainly them!"

Murong Han heard this and looked at Jiang Xue. "Xiao Xue, it seems you must return to Lanyue Country with me this time."

"Also, it’s not hard to investigate whether she’s been sick or not, but how to get her out is the real problem. I heard she has her own Hidden Guard. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it basically mean outright declaring war?"

"Sister, there’s another crucial point. She should have known from beginning to end that our mother is still alive, right?"

Jiang Xue shook her head. "With such a malicious poisonous insect, do you think someone like her would only plant it in our mother? I don’t think Mother is the only one. For all we know, all the women in the palace who opposed her were harmed by it. With so many Child Gu, there’s no way she could tell them apart, so you don’t need to worry about that."

"Then... how much longer can Mother’s condition hold on?"

"As long as the one who planted the poison doesn’t fall ill again, Mother can be said to be in no immediate danger. Here’s what we’ll do: after we return, we’ll set everything up as quickly as possible and only act once we’re absolutely sure; that’s fine too. Uncle can use my prescription during this period to help nurse Mother’s body first. That way, when the day of Detoxification comes, she’ll be able to make it through safely and soundly."