Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 1043: Chapter 106: Forbidden Medicine (Part 2)

Prince Chu chuckled lightly and said, "This is a good thing." Over the years, many people from the Western Regions have come to the Central Plains to study, and quite a few have achieved excellent results, even passing into the Imperial College and becoming students there. Those admitted to the Imperial College from the Western Regions also have the opportunity to participate in the imperial examinations. However, very few have managed to pass. So far, only one or two people from the Western Regions have passed and become officials. Even though their positions are minor, they are quite pleased with their roles.

For them, being able to live in the Great Zhou is already a significant fortune. Now, being able to hold a governmental role in the Great Zhou, becoming half-Great Zhou people, as the saying goes in the Great Zhou, it’s like smoke rising from their ancestral graves.

"Your Highness, do you plan to rest for two days before returning to the capital, or will you depart early tomorrow?" Liang Run knows that Prince Chu has urgent business and cannot linger in Wusun for long.

Prince Chu calculated the days, "Let’s set off in two days."

"Then in these two days, rest well here, and take the opportunity to explore Wusun and taste the local delicacies," Liang Run suggested warmly, recommending the best foods, drinks, and amusements there. After his recommendations, he thoughtfully arranged someone to guide Prince Chu in exploring the streets and tasting local cuisine.

Even though he had traveled for days, Prince Chu wasn’t tired. After finishing his tea, he went out with his entourage to stroll through the streets. His face was still hidden behind a common human-skin mask, allowing him to wander boldly without worry of being recognized.

By evening, Prince Chu went alone to a local academy to find someone. The person he sought was named Li Ruixian, an adopted son of the Li Family. His main purpose in coming to Wusun to teach was to monitor the various kingdoms of the Western Regions and the Xiongnu tribes, as well as to gather intelligence on the Southern Wei people.

There are Southern Wei people in all kingdoms of the Western Regions, and they engage in various businesses.

After meeting Prince Chu, Li Ruixian reported the information he had gathered during this period: "The Southern Wei people are seeking an aphrodisiac and Fertility Pill."

"Aphrodisiac? Fertility Pill?" Prince Chu asked in astonishment, "What are they looking for these two items for?"

"It should be for Lord Wei to use."

"For Prince Wei?" Prince Chu quickly understood, "Because Prince Wei has no heirs?"

Li Ruixian: "It seems to be for that reason."

Prince Chu asked, "Have they found them?"

"Yes, they have," Li Ruixian reported, "There is an aphrodisiac in Dayuan of the Western Regions, colorless and tasteless, incredibly potent; whether a person or a beast consumes it, they’ll desire that act, and it’s said to enable one to handle seven people in one night." Finishing his report, Li Ruixian’s expression was a bit awkward.

Prince Chu listened with an unchanged expression and without the slightest embarrassment, "What about the Fertility Pill?"

"They also found it, from Qiuci of the Western Regions. As long as a woman takes it, she is guaranteed to bear a son," Li Ruixian continued, "A few days ago, the Southern Wei people already sent several beauties to the Prince Wei Mansion, and they all took the Fertility Pill, now just waiting for Prince Wei to consume the aphrodisiac."

Prince Chu curled his lips in a mocking smirk, "The Southern Wei people are truly scheming to have Prince Wei’s heir carry the blood of their people."

The Princess Consort Wei has been barren for a long time, partly because Prince Wei rarely shares a bed with her, and partly because she was drugged by the Southern Wei people before marrying him.

The Southern Wei people would never let the Princess Consort Wei bear the heir for Prince Wei. They believe the heir must be born of a Southern Wei woman to have a pure bloodline.

"The Southern Wei people have also sent beauties to many officials’ residences; these beauties have been meticulously trained and are very much favored by the officials."

"It’s their usual trickery." The Prince Chu Mansion had also been infiltrated by a few Southern Wei people, including young and beautiful maids, robust guards, and housemaids. Prince Chu hadn’t driven them away but kept them there to monitor and make use of them. "Have they sent anyone to the Han Prince Mansion?"

"There are none in the Western Regions, but as for other places, I am not informed," Li Ruixian replied.

Prince Chu believed Prince Wei wouldn’t harm Zhao Yao, which gave him some peace of mind.

"I asked you to investigate matters related to the Third Princess, what have you found?"

"Your Highness, perhaps because you previously investigated the Third Princess, they became wary, and most of the spies we sent recently were discovered." The fate of discovered spies goes without saying.

"For now, do not send anyone to look into the Third Princess’s matters. Give it some time." He hadn’t anticipated such vigilance from both the Third Princess and Prince Han. "What about the other Xiongnu tribes?"

"There hasn’t been any movement."

"That’s good." It seems the recent conflicts with the Xiongnu made them fear and not dare to invade the Great Zhou recklessly again.

"By the way, Your Highness, besides looking for an aphrodisiac and Fertility Pill, the Southern Wei people also acquired forbidden drugs from the Da Yuezhi."

On hearing about forbidden drugs, Prince Chu’s expression immediately became serious, "What kind of forbidden drugs?"

"They have not yet been identified, but it’s suspected to be poison," Li Ruixian, who had been in Wusun for years, somewhat understood the conditions of the Western Regions, "Your Highness, you may not know that the Da Yuezhi excel in making poisons, many of which are incurable."

Prince Chu knew very well why the Southern Wei people would want the Da Yuezhi’s forbidden drugs, one purpose being to poison him.

"Find out what forbidden drugs they are," he instructed.

"Rest assured, Your Highness, I will definitely find out," Li Ruixian, understanding the implications, assured. "Your Highness, although many poisons from the Da Yuezhi are incurable, they can be mitigated so that they do not result in death."

"What medicine can mitigate these poisons?"

"I’ve heard that Tibetan Orchid can mitigate them, but it’s so rare that even offering high prices has yielded no results in acquiring it." Li Ruixian had used various connections to no avail. "Your Highness, rest assured, I will continue to investigate."

"Tibetan Orchid?" Prince Chu asked with a peculiar expression, "Are you sure it’s Tibetan Orchid?"

Li Ruixian nodded affirmatively, "I am certain."

Prince Chu suddenly laughed and said, "Then you don’t need to look anymore."

Li Ruixian asked confused, "Your Highness, why is that?"

"I have already consumed Tibetan Orchid," Prince Chu stated.

Li Ruixian exclaimed in surprise, "You have? Where did you get it?"

Prince Chu smiled, "A few years ago, my tenth brother gifted me a bottle of tonic, which he named the Great Replenishing Pill, and one ingredient was Tibetan Orchid." He remembered clearly because the names of the ten ingredients in the tonic were very distinctive. At the time, when he heard of the "Tibetan Orchid," he asked his tenth brother if it was an orchid. His brother told him that although it contained the name "orchid," it had nothing to do with orchids.

Hearing this, Li Ruixian felt relieved.

"Your Highness, since you have taken Tibetan Orchid, the forbidden drugs from the Da Yuezhi will not cost you your life."

Prince Chu pondered: perhaps his tenth brother was aware of something, which was why he specially gave him the Great Replenishing Pill.

"Tibetan Orchid is priceless. How did His Highness Prince Han acquire it?" Having been in Wusun for so many years, Li Ruixian hadn’t even seen a trace of it. Where did His Highness buy it?

"I never asked." Presumably, his tenth brother had spent a considerable sum to procure it.

"Your Highness, Tibetan Orchid is truly priceless, and Prince Han shows great care for you," Li Ruixian remarked.

Feeling somewhat pleased, Prince Chu responded, "My tenth brother has always been considerate toward me."