Di Renjie's Interlocking Scheme

Night, Five-City Military Office, Youzhou.

A Qinniu Guards squad leader led his men in escorting Zhang Yong, Hu Jinbao, and Fang Hongliang, whom Di Renjie had ordered arrested, toward the Youzhou Governor-General's Office where Di Renjie was staying.

Di Renjie was still administering acupuncture to Li Er. Afterward, he fed the emperor-bestowed Snow Toad into Li Er's mouth.

With a grave expression, Di Renjie said, "There is no hope."

Hu Jinghui asked doubtfully, "Even the Snow Toad is useless?"

Feigning sorrow, Di Renjie said, "The Snow Toad is a treasure of extreme cold. It can dispel poison and dissolve blood stasis, but it is not some miraculous life-saving elixir."

After speaking, Di Renjie let out a deep sigh.

Hu Jinghui finally breathed a sigh of relief. After two assassination attempts, Li Er was finally about to die. Yet he continued to feign a heavy expression.

Softly, Di Renjie said, "I truly do not understand. How could this snake venom flare up a second time?"

Lu Dayou replied from the side, "Exactly. I find it strange too. He was perfectly fine this morning. How did he suddenly start bleeding from all seven orifices?"

Still puzzled, Di Renjie muttered to himself, "Li Er, Li Er, just who are you? Why has your fate been so fraught with misfortune? Such is the time, such is fate—what more is there to say?"

With that, Di Renjie sighed, rose to his feet, and silently walked away.

Seeing how grief-stricken Di Renjie was, Hu Jinghui consoled him. "My lord, you have done all you could."

Di Renjie said, "Yes. If he can hold on through tonight, there may yet be hope."

At those words, Hu Jinghui's newly eased heart leaped back into his throat.

Just then, Li Yuanfang returned. Upon seeing Di Renjie, he hurried