Jing Rong acquiesced. “If Luan’er is found to be innocent, then you will become the prime suspect once more. We need to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible.” His remark reminded Ji Yunshu of the urgency of the situation.
Ji Yunshu said in all seriousness, “I need to make a trip to the Wei Mansion right now. We might find something there. But with the way things are right now, I don’t think that the people there will simply let me in.”
Jing Rong lowered his brows and hurriedly answered, “I’ve already been there, and it’s possible that I’ve found what you are looking for.”
“What?”
“Follow me,” He pulled her by her hand and led out of Memorial Hall, to Grand Canal Manor.
When they arrived, Jing Rong brought a handkerchief, a wine pot and two cups to her. “There’s a wooden shard within the handkerchief. We’ve found it inside the poisoned tea. As for the two cups and the wine cup, they are the ones Wei Yi’s parents used that night, but they have been washed clean, so I don’t know if they are still useful.”
Ji Yunshu opened the wrapped handkerchief and had to search for the wooden fragment because of how small it was. “Do you have any phosphorus powder?”
Jing Rong called for a bodyguard. One answered swiftly and he ordered, “Bring us some phosphorus powder.”
The guard returned with the powder quickly enough. Ji Yunshu took a small handful and spread it out onto the wooden shard. Its color immediately changed to pure black.
“There’s poison on this shard,” concluded Ji Yunshu. She then frowned and wondered, “But what is it exactly?” She brought the handkerchief closer to her nose and sniffed it. Although the shard itself was small, the distinct aroma of rice wine was still perceivable.
Jing Rong asked, “Did you find anything?”
She dropped the handkerchief and frowned. “Not only is there Pitohui poison on this wooden shard, but it has also been dipped in wine. But…what is this?” She was a little confused, so she picked up the wine pot and wanted to repeat the procedure.
“These have already been washed. Can you find anything despite that?” asked Jing Rong.
“As long as it touched the poison, and they haven’t washed it with sugary water, I’ll be able to find what I want,” answered Ji Yunshu. Nothing happened when she sprayed the wine pot with phosphorus, but when she did the same with the cups, the inner side darkened.”
This caught Ji Yunshu off-guard, “How did this happen?” She muttered.
Jing Rong also thought it was unexpected, “There’s poison in the cups, but none in the pot? Did someone add the poison while the wine was being poured?”
‘Well, that is certainly a possibility.’
Ji Yunshu nodded and mulled it over, “Then, who was the person who poured the wine for them?”
“Let’s go find out at the Wei Mansion.”
“Now?”
‘I doubt that the people there will just let me go in,’ thought Ji Yunshu.
Jing Rong saw through Ji Yunshu’s worries. “Don’t worry, if I come along, no one will even dare to stop you.”
“Of course, I forgot that I have a ‘Highness’ by my side. He would probably be able to roll into the Wei Mansion if he wanted to. Oh, he can also probably raise the dead, forgot about that.’
1. Plum flower is known as a symbol of love, chastity, purity and elegance.