Hu Xiaotian said, "Don't be afraid. It's just a pill to help stop your bleeding."
Baobao bit her lip. No matter how reassuring Hu Xiaotian sounded, she did not dare take it. But he suddenly pinched her nose, forced the pill into her mouth, and clamped his hand over it. Baobao struggled desperately, but she was no match for his strength. By then, the pill in her mouth had dissolved, and the medicine slid down her throat. It felt hot and burning, though the pain seemed to ease a little. She asked quietly, "What exactly did you give me?"
"Poison!"
"You..."
"A slow-acting poison. As long as you do what I say, you won't be in any danger. Come to me every seven days, and I'll give you the antidote. But if you disobey me and dare try to harm me... heh heh..." Hu Xiaotian gave a sinister chuckle. Where was he supposed to find poison at such short notice? It was nothing more than a pill to aid digestion, but it was enough to frighten Baobao and put some psychological pressure on her.
Although Baobao doubted whether he had really poisoned her, she could not help feeling afraid. "You're vicious," she said in a trembling voice.
Hu Xiaotian noticed that she was still bleeding and said quietly, "You're badly hurt. Won't the noble consort worry if you stay away this long?"
"It's all right. Her Highness has always had complete confidence in me." Enduring the pain, Baobao said, "Search him. See how he got in."
Hu Xiaotian had wanted to search Wang Desheng all along, but Baobao's presence had held him back. He sighed. "Forget it. He's already dead. Why trouble him?" He hung the lantern on the wall, then added, "Let me examine your wounds."
Baobao shook her