Self-Destruction
"I have served the old prince as always, just as I have before. The incense I lit today with my own hands is indeed the calming incense. It was taken from the same incense box as before, identical to what I have used in the past!"
"Little Prince, you all know my place. I am just a humble girl who sold herself into servitude. I have only ever cared for the old Prince Meng and brought him safely back to the mansion. I am deeply grateful to him—how could I ever dare to harm him?"
As she spoke, her voice broke into sobs, and tears fell like a string of beads.
Chen Buyu coughed lightly. "Madam, no need for tears. Just tell us the truth."
"Zhao Ji, tell us—what happened while you were serving the old prince?" Ye Wuchen asked calmly.
"Nothing," Zhao Ji replied, wiping her tears as she lifted her head in a daze. "The old prince was just as usual. After his bath, he went straight to bed. If anything was different, it was that he drank two extra bowls of Deer Bie Soup before sleeping—a tonic to nourish his qi and blood."
"Does he have... affairs in the household? And how often?" Wei Ling's blunt question caught everyone off guard. Zhao Ji turned red.
"Of course not!" she stammered. "The old prince followed a strict routine—his habits never changed. He was always precise with his schedule."
"How frequently, exactly? And was there anything unusual during these times? Did he ever consume aphrodisiacs or other tonics before noon?" Wei Ling pressed on. His questions made some of the officials visibly uncomfortable.
Governor Yu could no longer hold back and cast a glance at his daughter, who stood beside him, her face impassive. He cleared his throat. "Mr. Wei! Could you... phrase your questions more delicately?"
Wei Ling turned to Yu Shou. "Governor, this is a formal inquiry. If you're uncomfortable, you're welcome to excuse yourself."
Yu Shou subtly signaled to Chen Buyu to intervene.
Before Chen Buyu could speak, Yu Linlang's voice cut through the tense atmosphere. "The old prince has long suffered from... performance issues, hasn't he?"
Yu Shou coughed loudly, but his daughter's crisp and cold voice continued.
"When I first met him, I noticed his sunken eyes, his jaundiced complexion, and his gaunt frame. His hands trembled when he walked, swaying unsteadily. These are clear signs of long-term overindulgence without moderation."
"Linlang!" Governor Yu nearly collapsed from shock. He never expected his daughter to speak so boldly in front of the little prince.
Ye Wuchen's face darkened. He gripped the armrests of his wheelchair, staring coldly at Yu Linlang.
She met their gazes and spoke evenly, "With his deteriorating body, a few bowls of aphrodisiac soup would be ineffective. If he sought pleasure, he would have needed stronger stimuli. I suspect that Madam Zhao burned something more potent than simple calming incense at noon and in the evening."
All eyes turned to Zhao Ji.
Terrified, she collapsed to the ground, stammering, "Yes! It's true! But I only followed the old prince's orders. He had grown reliant on Spirit God Incense! He needed three doses before even stepping into the room... He insisted on it!"
"This incense has an... invigorating effect. Just a whiff brings an instant rush of energy. The old prince was particularly fond of it. Because of this, he would often enter the chambers, completely forgetting to drink his nourishing soup. When he finally remembered at night, he had several bowls in a row. But no matter what, he always followed his fixed routine—he never did anything at night. After his bath, he always went straight to bed!"
"If one cannot control their indulgences, then they are no better than a beast in heat," Yu Linlang said, her tone filled with contempt.
Prince Mu, Lord Lu, and the others remained silent, sensing that speaking at this moment would be unwise. Even Governor Yu, despite his disapproval, held his tongue.
Ye Wuchen clenched his jaw, feeling a suffocating pressure in his chest. "Lord Wei, retrieve King Liang's head."
Wei Ling wasted no time, hurrying off. Moments later, he returned, holding the old prince's severed head in his hands. His broad grin was unsettling.
Everyone took a silent step back.
The little prince, still seated in his wheelchair, glared at Yu Linlang. "What exactly do you mean by this?"
"Take a good look," she replied coolly. "The residue of vomit around King Liang's lips, the purplish flush of his complexion—this was a case of extreme overstimulation, followed by an inability to recover in time. In the evening, he consumed several more bowls of aphrodisiac soup, pushing his body to its limits."
Yu Linlang walked over to Duobao Pavilion, grabbed a jade ruler, and rudely pried open the old prince's mouth.
"See? His gums are swollen, and his tongue is dry. These are classic signs of yin deficiency and overstimulation. While external stimulants might temporarily heighten sensation, they do nothing to restore actual vitality. Strengthening aphrodisiacs only worsens the problem."
"King Liang had a depleted constitution yet continued taking excessive tonics to replenish his yang energy. This was like adding oil to a dying flame—it only hastened his demise. His body was already too weak to handle such strain. During the night, he experienced unconscious vomiting. Even if he hadn't been dismembered, he would have choked to death on his own vomit."
Yu Linlang threw the jade ruler aside, removed her gloves, and turned to leave.
"A person who cannot restrain themselves... is no different from an animal."
Her words hung heavy in the air.
"You are insolent!" Ye Wuchen coughed violently, nearly falling from his wheelchair.
"Calm yourself, please!" the governor pleaded.
"My grandfather was always strong and in good health! How dare the daughter of a mere official speak of him so shamefully?"
"Yes, yes!" Governor Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead, terrified beyond measure.
Chen Buyu, face grim, said, "Regardless, the true crime here is that the old prince was dismembered. Such a bold murderer must be found. By dawn, we will begin a citywide search."
Prince Mu nodded. "This killer is both cunning and fearless. We must send our best men to capture them."
On the return carriage, Governor Yu sighed heavily.
"Linlang, you are a young lady. Must you speak so... crudely?"
"Governor," she replied flatly, "are you incapable of hearing the truth?"
"That's not what I meant. But in the presence of the prince and high-ranking officials, a young woman should be more delicate with her words."
Yu Linlang scoffed. "I merely stated the facts. If the governor wishes for more flowery words, he may find comfort in the company of Qinhuai Huafang courtesans."