Little Fuzi's heart pounded like a drum. He clutched the thin prescription tightly, the sheet of paper seeming to weigh a thousand pounds.
He knew he had no way back.
From the moment he fell to his knees, his life had been bound to Gu Shen's.
"Your servant... obeys." He forced the words through clenched teeth, then quickly tucked the prescription into his robe. He kowtowed, got to his feet, straightened his clothes, and resumed his usual cautious demeanor before pushing open the door and walking out.
The two Imperial Guards outside glanced at him impassively but did not stop him.
Gu Shen stood where he was, listening as Little Fuzi's footsteps gradually faded into the distance, until they vanished completely into the night.
He walked over to the tea table and poured himself another cup.
This time, he drained it in one gulp.
The Chess Piece had been moved.
Now all that remained was to see how his opponent would respond.
The Third Prince's Mansion, Study Room.
Zhao Xun, the third son of His Majesty, stood by the window, idly turning a string of glossy purple sandalwood prayer beads in his hand.
He was handsome, with sharp brows, bright eyes, and a high-bridged nose. Even when he wasn't smiling, he had the imposing air of royalty.
At that moment, however, a dark cloud hung over his face.
A black-clad adviser stood bent over behind him, quietly reporting something.
"...After leaving the Hall of Questioning the Heart, Little Fuzi went first to the Imperial Hospital, then to Hundred Herbs Hall, where he picked up a pile of deadly poisons. Finally, he went to our Glazed Tile Workshop in the western market."
Zhao Xun's fingers paused on the prayer beads.
"Oh? What did he go to the Glazed Tile Workshop