Master Wang got up in the morning and first checked the fine powder by the door. Finding no footprints, he inspected the things in the room and found nothing unusual. Only then did he leave with peace of mind.
While sorting medicinal herbs during the day, Master Wang remained cautious. Lin Taichu, meanwhile, carried on exactly as he had the day before, doing whatever he was supposed to do.
That afternoon, among the other apprentices taking the assessment at the medical hall, someone attempted to poison their mentor's tea and was caught on the spot.
When word of these incidents reached Master Wang, he became even more vigilant. There was a little more scrutiny in the way he looked at Lin Taichu, but no matter how closely he observed him, he could find nothing unusual.
Lin Taichu passed medicinal herbs when asked to do so and recorded prescriptions when asked to do so. He behaved properly from beginning to end, without making even the slightest suspicious move.
By the third day, only half a day remained before the assessment ended. Master Wang had already formed a judgment: either Lin Taichu had not found an opportunity to poison him, or he had never intended to do so at all.
While sorting medicinal herbs that morning, Master Wang deliberately placed his cup of water very close to Lin Taichu. He then pretended to turn around to fetch something else, creating an opportunity for him.
But Lin Taichu merely stood where he was without touching the cup. He did not even spare it more than a few glances. Master Wang became even more certain that Lin Taichu had given up on poisoning him.
"The assessment is about to end. If you don't make a move, you'll lose." Lin Taichu merely smiled and said