Chapter 350: Hiding Poison with One's Life

The Taiye Pond was silent, devoid of frog croaks or cicada chirps.

White Dragon stood with his hands clasped behind his back, bathed in moonlight. His white robe seemed to emit a soft glow in the darkness.

He quietly scrutinized Chen Ji, his gaze fixed not on his clothes or boots, but solely on his eyes.

This was Chen Ji's first truly meaningful interaction with White Dragon. The latter's gaze held less sharpness and frenzy, and more caution and serenity. Their mannerisms were strikingly different.

After a moment of scrutiny, White Dragon slowly spoke: "You seem a little anxious, as if you're betting on whether Mr. Feng has deceived you."

Chen Ji replied calmly, "It doesn't matter if the gamble pays off or not. My lord has just assumed the White Dragon's position and will surely need capable subordinates. With the top three positions currently vacant, ambitious Zodiacs are all vying for them, each believing they have a chance to rise and no longer be beholden to others. Take Black Snake, for instance; he probably has no interest in assisting you at the moment, only in achieving remarkable feats."

White Dragon remained noncommittal, asking dispassionately, "What else did Mr. Feng say?"

Chen Ji quickly glanced at White Dragon, then humbly replied, "Mr. Feng also said that you, My Lord, are a person of compassion and loyalty, and would never mistreat your subordinates. He added that you protect your own and would never use subordinates as cannon fodder. Finally, he said you are exceptionally brave and capable, and following you guarantees a great future."

White Dragon chuckled softly, "Lie too much, and your tongue might rot."

Chen Ji, without changing his expression, continued, "Mr. Feng also instructed this humble servant to assist White Dragon diligently. It is precisely because of his instruction that I came to you, My Lord, to help alleviate your worries and capture the true culprit."

White Dragon asked with interest, "Then do you know what Mr. Feng said about you?"

Chen Ji's heart tightened. "I do not," he replied.

Standing with his hands clasped behind his back by the Taiye Pond, White Dragon gazed at the newly unfurled lotus leaves. "Mr. Feng said you're someone who only acts when there's profit to be made, and that everything you do has an ulterior motive. He also advised me to be wary of you, to consider every word you say three layers deep. He even suggested that if I couldn't control you, I should kill you first."

Chen Ji subtly raised an eyebrow. *Mr. Feng, you son of a…*

White Dragon turned his head slightly. "Are you cursing Mr. Feng in your mind?"

Chen Ji hastily lowered his head. "No, this humble servant is merely curious what else Mr. Feng discussed with you, My Lord."

White Dragon smiled. "Mr. Feng also said that while you are intelligent, you are not intelligent enough. He claimed that you might not be swayed by money, but you could be manipulated through sentiment or loyalty. Do you think he's right?"

Chen Ji replied calmly, "My intelligence, humble as it is, is merely petty cleverness."

White Dragon, still facing the Taiye Pond and not looking at Chen Ji, said indifferently, "Then stop playing your petty games. You came here in the middle of the night, feigning sincerity to share my burdens. Tell me, if you solve the case, what do you want from me?"

Chen Ji no longer hesitated. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "This humble servant wishes to first inquire: how many salt fields does the Inner Court control?"

"Have you set your sights on the salt business?" White Dragon asked casually. "The entire Ning Dynasty has 235 salt fields in total, and 59 of them are controlled by the Inner Court. Of those 59, 35 are in Lianghuai, 11 in Liangzhe, 7 in Changlu, 4 in Luzhou, and 2 in Fuzhou."

Chen Ji then asked, "May I ask, My Lord, how many catties of salt do these 59 salt fields produce annually?"

White Dragon replied nonchalantly, "The year before last, it was 68 million catties. Last year, some salt workers fled, and production dropped to 62 million catties, which is the equivalent of 310,000 salt vouchers, with each voucher redeemable for 200 catties of salt. Young man, this is not something you should be plotting against."

White Dragon quipped, "Otherwise, why not castrate yourself and enter the palace? I could recommend to the Grand Eunuch that you be assigned as a Salt Field Superintendent in Lianghuai, and then the entire salt field would be under your command."

"My Lord, you jest."

Chen Ji found it odd, thinking to himself that he had merely inquired about the number of salt fields and their output, yet the other party had provided every detail.

He continued, "May I ask, My Lord, how far back are the salt merchants queued to redeem salt vouchers?"

"Fifteen years from now."

Chen Ji lowered his head, deep in thought and calculation.

White Dragon asked indifferently, "Why are you silent now? Who are you plotting against this time?"

Chen Ji, having formed a plan, said, "This humble servant will solve the case for you, My Lord, and I hope you will grant me the power of priority salt redemption. Any salt merchant holding a salt voucher bearing my seal will be able to bypass the queue."

White Dragon sneered. "That's quite a bold request. Do you know that if salt merchants want early redemption, they have to pay an extra five *qian* of silver per voucher to the Inner Court? This is called 'express redemption fee.' And this money is distributed to everyone, from the Inner Court's Salt and Mining Tax Commissioner down to the Salt Field Superintendents and even the lowest-level salt officials. You want to cut off their income source? Let's see if you're tough enough to survive it. Your life isn't worth 155,000 *taels* of silver."

Chen Ji shook his head. "No, no, no, My Lord misunderstands. The 'express redemption fee' of five *qian* per voucher will be paid as usual; not a single coin will be less."

White Dragon let out a soft "Oh?" "Then what do you stand to gain?"

Chen Ji sincerely replied, "This humble servant merely wishes to help alleviate your worries, My Lord."

White Dragon burst into laughter. "Mr. Feng said that if you, young man, put on a sincere face, you're definitely planning to deceive someone. You don't want to earn this small sum of five *qian* per voucher, so are you perhaps aiming for a much larger profit?"

Chen Ji cursed silently to himself. *What is wrong with Mr. Feng?*

He said in a low voice, "This humble servant merely wishes to earn a small sum to support his family."

White Dragon turned around, silently staring at him without a word.

Chen Ji endured the pressure, meeting the dragon-patterned mask with a steady gaze.

A moment later, White Dragon said calmly, "If it doesn't impact the profits of the salt field tax commissioners, I can grant your request. But remember, salt merchants have powerful backing. If you intend to interfere with their profits, you should first consider if you have enough heads to spare."

Chen Ji assented, "This humble servant understands."

White Dragon began walking south. "Tell me, how do you plan to investigate the true culprit? You weren't at the scene, yet you confidently came to me seeking salt field privileges, as if you already knew who the killer was. The real culprit wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"

Chen Ji felt a jolt of alarm, but maintained a calm expression. "My Lord, you jest. This humble servant has no connection whatsoever with the Goryeo envoys; how could it be me? I have previously assisted Lords Jiaotu and Yunyang in solving cases on multiple occasions. This is my area of expertise, and I merely wish to use my skills to help alleviate your worries, My Lord."

White Dragon suddenly stopped, quietly scrutinizing Chen Ji, lost in thought.

The hairs on Chen Ji's neck stood on end.

This White Dragon differed greatly from Mr. Feng. He lacked Mr. Feng's capriciousness and his overt killing intent, yet they shared one crucial trait: both were equally shrewd. Dealing with such individuals left no room for error.

White Dragon slowly and deliberately said, "Since you came to me in the middle of the night, demanding a string of benefits, you've raised my expectations considerably. If you fail to find the true culprit, then you will be the true culprit. After all, someone must be sent for execution."

Chen Ji replied, "This humble servant must first examine the case details."

White Dragon grunted, "I'll take you to the Huitong Hall now."

Chen Ji shook his head. "No, this humble servant needs to see the case files and the coroner's 'autopsy report' first."

He couldn't risk going to the crime scene. What if the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Bureau was still monitoring the Huitong Hall? Given how familiar Director Cao Gui was with him, even a mask might not be effective.

White Dragon glanced at him. "Come with me to the Inner Prison."

Chen Ji calmly replied, "My Lord, this humble servant cannot go to the Inner Prison."

He also preferred not to examine the documents at the Inner Prison, as he wasn't sure if a high-ranking spy from the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Bureau was lurking within the Directorate of Ceremonial. Being forced from the shadows into the limelight was already a last resort.

White Dragon cast a sideways glance at Chen Ji. "You don't even want to go to the Inner Prison. What are you worried about?"

Chen Ji replied, "Lord Black Snake is eager to earn merit. If this humble servant solves the case before him, it would essentially obstruct his path to promotion, and I do not wish to incur his resentment."

White Dragon pondered for a moment. "You are indeed cautious enough. Wait here."

White Dragon returned to the Imperial Prison and retrieved two case files and a coroner's autopsy report. He tossed them to Chen Ji, saying, "Read them here. You cannot take them away."

Chen Ji simply sat on the grass behind the rockery and began to review the files by moonlight.

The first file contained a list of individuals who had recently interacted with the Goryeo envoys, secretly recorded by surveillance spies. The list was short, consisting entirely of officials from the Court of State Ceremonials.

The second file contained the testimonies of pedestrians present yesterday, detailing their identities, names, where they came from, where they were going, and why they were on Qipan Street and Dongjiangmi Lane.

As Chen Ji reviewed the files, White Dragon did not rush him, merely standing nearby with his hands clasped, resting his eyes.

While reading, he asked, "Lord White Dragon, where is Wu Xuange's testimony? Why is it not in these files?"

White Dragon remained with his eyes closed, showing no intention of replying.

The files recorded that those present that day included the Vice Minister of Rites, the Vice Minister of Works, a Director from the Ministry of Personnel, as well as numerous clerks from the Six Ministries, and probationary and regular compilers from the Hanlin Academy. However, the majority were merchants and pedestrians from Qipan Street. Due to the large number of officials present, detaining them all would have caused unrest within the Six Ministries. The Secret Intelligence Bureau had therefore sent most officials home, with the sole stipulation that they were not to leave the capital and must report when summoned.

The merchants and pedestrians were all held in the Five Cities Constabulary prison. The entire Qipan Street appeared desolate, with every household's doors shut.

The files also stated that after yesterday's disturbance on Qipan Street, the Secret Intelligence Bureau thoroughly searched all Goryeo envoys. The simple mention of "seven orifices examined" in the files confirmed that the Goryeo envoys had no hidden contraband.

Chen Ji was puzzled: how exactly had the Huitong Hall secretary managed to bring the poison inside?

He continued to read through the files: "At *shenshi* (3-5 PM), Black Snake ordered the Goryeo envoys to be escorted into the Huitong Hall. At *xushi sanke* (around 7:45 PM), Black Snake again dispatched secret agents to the Hall, only to find the Huitong Hall secretary dead from several stab wounds in the backyard wood shed, covered by dry firewood. All the Goryeo envoys had been poisoned to death inside the Hall."

The poison was identified as Goryeo fermented bean paste, placed directly into the paste jar.

Chen Ji put down the files and picked up the coroner's autopsy report.

The autopsy report meticulously detailed the coroner's findings at *xushi*, with the Goryeo Crown Prince's examination recorded first:

"Deceased: Li Yi, Crown Prince of Goryeo, approximately twenty-eight years old, five feet three inches tall. Autopsy time: *Haishi yike* (around 9:15 PM). Autopsy location: Second floor of Huitong Hall, Dongjiangmi Lane."

"Face bluish-purple like indigo, lips dark purplish-black. Eyes slightly open, whites veined with red."

"Skin and flesh flaccid, fingers flexible, jaw slack. Nail beds dark purplish, a black line visible beneath the nail of the right middle finger."

"Cloud-like patches present on back and buttocks, temporarily fading with finger pressure. Slight white froth at mouth and nose. No signs of excretion from either orifice."

"Death was sudden due to poisoning, requiring re-examination by the bone steaming method."

Following the report were the words "Coroner Cheng Zhe, Coroner Li Bin: Examination without error," along with their red handprints. This signified the coroners' signatures and seals, indicating that they would be held jointly accountable if the examination proved incorrect.

Chen Ji quickly scanned the autopsy report, finding the record for the Huitong Hall secretary only on the very last page. The details were largely similar to those of the Goryeo envoys, with only two distinct sentences.

"Jaw slightly rigid."

"One-finger-deep stab wound on the outer left arm. A stab wound one inch above the navel, exposing the internal organs. A dagger embedded in the heart, identified as the fatal wound."

The first sentence suggested the secretary died approximately ten to forty minutes earlier than the others. The second sentence, however, was peculiar... Who had stabbed him?

Chen Ji looked up at White Dragon. "Lord White Dragon, what was the conclusion reached by the secret agents who investigated?"

White Dragon didn't even lift an eyelid. "Secretary Wang Peng discovered the Goryeo envoys poisoning the food. Before he could report it, he was silenced. The assailant stabbed him with a dagger; the first blow was blocked by his arm, the second cut open his abdomen, and the third pierced his heart and lungs. The stab wounds were consistent."

Chen Ji shook his head. "That's incorrect."

White Dragon finally opened his eyes. "What's incorrect?"

Chen Ji stated with certainty, "Wang Peng committed suicide."

White Dragon said unhurriedly, "The coroner stated that the dagger was thrust from in front of him, and the wounds were consistent with that."

Chen Ji pointed at the files. "My Lord, Wang Peng's face was cyanotic at the time of death, indicating severe poisoning and symptoms of asphyxia. At that stage, since he was already poisoned, why would the Goryeo envoys need to use a dagger to silence him? Wouldn't that be a superfluous act?"

White Dragon showed little surprise, likely having been aware of this fact already. The experienced coroners of the Secret Intelligence Bureau would not have overlooked it. However, such details could not form a definitive conclusion. Perhaps the Goryeo envoys were exceptionally cautious, or perhaps Wang Peng still had the strength to cry out, either of which could have prompted a final stab. It proved nothing conclusive on its own.

Chen Ji, however, was different. His deductions were based on foreknowledge of the answer. He knew the problem lay with the secretary; all he needed to do now was convince White Dragon of his theory.

Chen Ji pondered for a moment. "My Lord, considering Wang Peng's time of death, he succumbed to the poison shortly after being escorted back to the Huitong Hall. Wang Peng had just been subjected to a 'seven-orifice' examination; how could he immediately eat calmly? Moreover, the secretary was a citizen of our Ning Dynasty. Why would he idly consume bean paste brought by the Goryeo envoys?"

White Dragon said indifferently, "State your conclusion."

Chen Ji stated with certainty, "The arsonist on Qipan Street must have given the wooden box containing the poison to Wang Peng, the Huitong Hall secretary. To avoid being searched, Wang Peng simply took out the poison and swallowed it, using his life to conceal the evidence. Upon returning to the Huitong Hall, he already showed signs of poisoning. He immediately cut his arm and abdomen, using his own blood to make it appear as if he was struggling or poisoned by an external agent. Then, he dragged his failing body, hid under the dry firewood in the wood shed, and pierced his heart and lungs with a dagger, fabricating the illusion of having been murdered to be silenced."

The conclusion was imperfect, with many flaws, yet only the theory of 'using his life to conceal the poison' could explain the origin of the poison.

These clues were enough to plant a seed of suspicion in White Dragon's mind. Chen Ji didn't need a perfect argument; he only needed to awaken the Ning Dynasty's suspicion.

Sitting on the grass, holding the autopsy report, he took a deep breath, then looked up at White Dragon and said, "My Lord, this is a trap."