An oil painting half as tall as a person hung on one wall of the room.
The painting depicted a lush green lawn, a white round table, and people sharing a meal. Even Qin Ran, who had never received any formal art education, could see the happiness of the figures through the brushwork.
Without a doubt, it was an excellent painting.
"2567, what's wrong?"
Mary asked quietly.
"Move your father to another room right now."
As Qin Ran spoke, he walked toward the painting.
Mary was somewhat puzzled, but she followed Qin Ran's instructions, summoning the palace maids to carry James VIII out of the room on a couch.
By the time the underage princess returned after making those arrangements, Qin Ran had already taken the painting down from the wall.
"Is there something wrong with that painting?"
The underage princess was no fool. Qin Ran's actions told her everything she needed to know.
"Yes."
"It's poison."
Qin Ran nodded.
"Impossible."
"Warren Palace may not have anyone powerful enough to take on an entire army single-handedly, but the experience accumulated here over hundreds of years has given us the most rigorous procedures. Not just poisons-even little-known secret arts couldn't get past them."
Earl Shilin shook his head, disbelief on his face.
"That's why these people used a very clever method."
Qin Ran turned the painting over. Patches of mold covered the back of the canvas.
"There's nothing wrong with the painting itself."
"But once it grows moldy, some of the pigments-especially this Scheele's green containing arsenic compounds-can release highly toxic arsenic substances."
"Wouldn't you agree?"
"Perikena."
As Qin Ran spoke, he looked toward the doorway.
A figure emerged from the shadows at his words.
"I didn't expect you to be so knowledgeable about poisons, too."
Surprise flickered in the pale