The Villains Must Win-Chapter 30: Han Feng

"You’ve consumed this?"

Xue Li nodded hesitantly, her confusion perfectly crafted.

Han Feng’s jaw tightened, and he slammed his palm against the table with a force that made the dishes tremble. "Summon Master Gu at once!" he barked, his voice echoing through the halls like thunder.

The servants, who had been silently attending to their duties, scattered immediately. The emperor’s wrath could be felt, and even they, who had grown accustomed to the whims of the emperor, could not help but tremble in fear.

Xue Li lowered her gaze, hiding the satisfaction that glimmered in her eyes. As chaos unfolded around her, she remained a picture of calm, waiting patiently for the storm to rage its course. She had anticipated this outcome and had long prepared herself for the part she would play.

Han Feng’s fury was a tempest, and she, as ever, would be the calm within it.

Han Feng shifted his gaze toward Xue Li, his sharp expression softening ever so slightly. His voice was a gentle murmur, filled with reassurance. "Don’t worry, Xue Li. Everything will be fine."

Xue Li tilted her head, her features etched with feigned confusion. "What is going on, Your Majesty?" she asked, her voice innocent and curious.

Han Feng did not respond immediately. The way his jaw tightened and his eyes avoided hers told her all she needed to know—he would rather shield her from the truth than let her worry.

Moments later, Master Gu arrived, his presence announced by hurried footsteps. He was a man in his late thirties, his haggard appearance betraying the toll of sleepless nights spent toiling in the study of poisons.

His hair, an odd shade of mossy green, was unkempt, and his sunken eyes bore heavy shadows. Yet beneath his disheveled exterior, there lingered a faint trace of handsomeness—evidence of a man once untouched by the burden of his craft.

Without delay, Master Gu approached Xue Li, his sharp, practiced gaze sweeping over her. He carried an air of confidence despite his exhaustion, his movements precise as he assessed her condition. He also got blood and saliva samples that he sent to his lab.

Han Feng stood to the side, his fists clenched and his chest tight with dread as he waited for the verdict.

After what felt like an eternity, Master Gu straightened and stepped closer to the emperor. His voice was low, ensuring Xue Li would not overhear. freёnovelkiss.com

"It is a slow-acting poison," he began gravely. "Lethal, and nearly impossible to detect without careful examination. Left untreated, it will attack her heart in four days. By the end of a week, she would succumb to what would appear to be a natural death—her heart ceasing as if from illness."

Han Feng’s shoulders slumped, his relief tempered by the weight of this revelation. "She can still be treated?"

Master Gu nodded. "Yes, but it will not be easy. This poison is exceedingly rare, its antidote even more so. The intent behind this attack is clear—it was designed to ensure her death without suspicion. But rest assured, I will concoct the antidote now and Lady Xue Li will be fine tomorrow. I promise."

Han Feng inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring as he fought to maintain his composure. His hands trembled with barely contained fury. "Xue Li said the soup was sent by Yue Lan."

Master Gu’s eyes darkened at the mention of the name, his tone becoming grim. "This particular poison cannot be acquired through common means. It is not sold in markets, nor even in the shadows of the black market. Only another master poisoner with access to substantial resources could craft or obtain this. The Duke’s wealth and connections would allow access to such things. It is unlikely that Lady Yue Lan acted alone; her father’s influence would have been critical."

Han Feng’s expression hardened as he processed this information. His mind raced, piecing together the implications.

Yue Lan—ambitious and conniving—had dared to target Xue Li, a woman he held dear. And behind her stood Duke Yue, whose unchecked power had emboldened him to strike at the emperor himself.

"The Duke . . ." Han Feng murmured, his voice a low growl as his fury mounted. His thoughts turned dark. If the Duke and his daughter believed they could act without consequence, it was time to disabuse them of that notion.

With a sharp breath, Han Feng straightened, his regal bearing returning. His eyes gleamed with a deadly resolve. "It seems the Duke has forgotten his place in this empire," he said coldly. "If he believes he holds the power to poison one under my protection, it is time to remind him who truly wields power here."

The room grew heavy with the weight of his words, the quiet rage in his tone sending shivers down the spines of those present. Even Master Gu, accustomed to the darker machinations of the court, felt a chill.

Han Feng glanced at Xue Li once more, her serene expression untouched by the storm brewing around her. His heart clenched as he thought of the danger she had narrowly escaped. If she had been lost to him, he did not know what he would have done. He might turn mad.

"Gu," Han Feng commanded, "prepare whatever is needed to cure her. Spare no effort."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Master Gu replied, bowing low.

Han Feng turned to the servant who had delivered the tainted soup. "Find Yue Lan. She is not to leave the palace. Bring her to me at once."

As the servant scurried away, Han Feng’s thoughts darkened further. This was no longer a matter of palace intrigue. It was an open challenge to his authority, and one he would not let go unanswered.

The Duke and his scheming daughter had overplayed their hand. Now, the emperor would remind them—and the entire court—why he sat on the throne.

Beneath the chaos brewing in the palace, Xue Li sat silently, a small, unreadable smile curling her lips. The delicate arch of her brows and the serene calm in her demeanor masked the storm within. Lady Yue Lan had tried to poison her, and Xue Li had no intention of letting such a grave thing pass unanswered.

She traced her fingers lightly over the rim of the porcelain bowl, the remnants of the poisoned soup still evident.

Xue Li was no hapless victim, no fragile flower waiting to wilt under the danger of her adversary’s schemes.

"Lady Yue Lan," she murmured softly to herself, her voice barely audible above the chaos that was happening in the palace, "you’ll soon learn that poison cuts both ways."