The Mad Villain Driven to Death - Chapter 26

The man fell silent again. He simply tightened his arms, carrying Shen Zhaoxue into the kitchen. Shen Zhaoxue had spoken too much; while he had initially questioned the man’s raspy voice, his own throat now felt parched and itchy. He couldn’t help but cough for a long while, the sensation like a blade tearing at his windpipe.

“Water” Shen Zhaoxue murmured.

Before he could finish, he was suddenly dropped into a chair. The impact sent a jolt of pain through his tailbone. He couldn’t help but snap, “Why did you drop me?”

“My hand slipped.”

“Hand slipped?” Shen Zhaoxue sneered. “I think you have a grudge against me. I haven’t provoked you, nor did I ask for your help. Why are you taking your temper out on me?”

Wan Shenghan, bearing a large bump on his head that hadn’t quite subsided yet, replied tonelessly, “Oh?”

He was being intentionally sarcastic, but Shen Zhaoxue, who usually ignored emotions or questions he didn’t like, completely overlooked the strange tone. The blind youth stood up, rubbing his waist, and began fumbling around. “Where is the food?”

Wan Shenghan found it truly bizarre. This person could demand food from a stranger on unfamiliar territory with such ease, yet remained perpetually wary and desperate to escape from him.

Fortunately, Wan Shenghan had disguised his voice, and because Shen Zhaoxue was currently blind, the youth hadn’t realized he was with the very man he’d flee from at all costs. Wan Shenghan watched in silence as Shen Zhaoxue’s hand reached toward the hot stove. He quickly pressed down on the youth’s wrist to stop him.

“Do I have to give you whatever you want?” Wan Shenghan asked.

“I simply see that you are kind-hearted. You held me in the cave for warmth and brought me to town; naturally, you would be kind enough to cook for me.” Shen Zhaoxue tried to pull his hand back. “Let go.”

“It’s not impossible to give it to you,” Wan Shenghan said. “But I am no saint, and I don’t help people for free. You should provide some benefits, Young Master.”

Shen Zhaoxue thought to himself that this was exactly what he expected. There were few purely selfless people in the world; likely, the man realized he wasn’t a local and, like Li the Third, wanted to extort money from a city noble.

It didn’t matter to him. “I can give you as much gold and silver as you want, provided you serve me well or do as I say.”

Wan Shenghan didn’t respond, crossing his arms as he surveyed him. Shen Zhaoxue’s generous display suggested he was well-accustomed to paying others to do his bidding.

“Looking at you, you have no money on your person,” Wan Shenghan noted. “Except for the women’s robes you were wearing before, even your current clothes were provided by me. How do I know you aren’t lying?”

The Shen family had been ruined for years. Shen Zhaoxue relied on the Wan family for everything; he shouldn’t have any personal funds, which was why he had taken to copying books for extra pocket money.

Shen Zhaoxue remained unfazed. He reached for his waist, then suddenly remembered—the jade pendant Wan Shenghan had given him had shattered long ago. His memory was getting worse; he’d forgotten. His wrist stiffened for a moment before he regained his composure.

“I have a close, lifelong friendship with the Eldest Young Master of the Wan family in the capital. His money is my money. Why would I lie to you?”

Wan Shenghan let out a half-smile and another “Oh?” before adding, “But I don’t want money.” He dragged Shen Zhaoxue back to the table and set the food down. “Eat first. I will tell you what reward I want once I’ve thought it over.”

Shen Zhaoxue assumed this farmer lacked ambition if not money, he likely wanted some other favor or the protection of a capital noble. These were things Wan Shenghan could provide, but Shen Zhaoxue was a vengeful person. This man had defiled his honor in the cave; he wouldn’t let him off so easily. His promises were merely lies.

He heard the man’s footsteps receding and let out a cold laugh, picking up his chopsticks to eat. He expected the farmer’s food to be coarse compared to a noble estate or the palace, assuming he’d only eat enough to stay alive. But as he tasted the dishes, he paused in surprise. It was much better than he imagined not unpleasant at all.

He knew he was difficult to please. Fortunately, even after his family fell, he had the Wan family to maintain his lifestyle. Had he been born to commoners, he might have starved. He recalled Li the Third’s words about the divination. Had he been a commoner, Emperor Yuanshun likely would have killed him as an infant. It was his mother’s quick thinking and the bribe to Li the Third that had hidden the truth.

But what did hiding it accomplish? In his past life, the Emperor found out anyway, driving him toward his fate. He didn’t believe in destiny; fate might guide a future, but it couldn’t chain a person’s choices. He believed he could change his future and if he couldn’t, he’d drag those who hurt him down to hell with him.

Wan Shenghan stepped outside the house. He had heard that Chen Shi was coming for relief work, but he hadn’t expected to see Zhang Shu by the boy’s side. Zhang Shu had been a retainer for the Wan family and knew him well.

When did Zhang Shu meet Chen Shi? Wan Shenghan wondered. He knew Shen Zhaoxue’s nephew was a sharp child, but it still felt strange.

Wan Shenghan headed to the tailor shop. He had ordered some clothes to be made in a hurry.

“The wedding robes you ordered this morning aren’t finished yet,” the tailor said. “It will take a few more days.”

“There is no rush for the wedding clothes,” Wan Shenghan said calmly. “Just ensure there are no mistakes. Taking your time is fine.” He paused. “Is there a doctor nearby?”

“Yes, there is a pharmacy near the magistrate’s manor. But the doctor is a bit of a hack; he can’t cure serious illnesses. People in town usually head to the capital for real medical help.”

Wan Shenghan thanked him and headed toward the pharmacy. As he passed the magistrate’s manor, he saw Chen Shi’s carriage. He stopped, thought for a moment, and took an iron nail, bent it, and wedged it into the axle of the carriage. He did it silently, then walked on as if nothing had happened.

The pharmacy was narrow, dark, and filled with the bitter scent of herbs. Wan Shenghan walked to the counter and found a doctor napping in a chair. He kicked the chair, sending the man tumbling.

“Who is it?” the doctor grumbled, rubbing his backside.

“Sorry,” Wan Shenghan said without sincerity. “My foot slipped. I’m blind and didn’t see you lying there.”

The doctor suspected it was intentional but had no proof. “What do you want? If you’re dying, don’t bother; just go home and wait for the end”

A silver ingot thudded onto the counter, cutting him off.

“I ask, you answer,” Wan Shenghan said.

The doctor swallowed hard. “Please, speak.”

“Are you familiar with the ‘Falling Peach’ poison (Luotao)?”

“Somewhat. It’s not a strong poison. It causes abdominal pain, vomiting, or fainting. It clears up in two days with the right medicine.”

This was the poison Wan Jingyao had used. Every doctor said the same thing, yet none mentioned it causing blindness.

“Are there other symptoms?” Wan Shenghan pressed.

“Perhaps… diarrhea?”

That wasn’t it either. Wan Shenghan thought of Zhang Shu being with Chen Shi, and remembered that Zhang Shu had entered the room that night to “clear the remaining toxins” from Shen Zhaoxue. What did he do? He used a needle.

“If a needle is placed in the wrong acupoint, can it cause blindness?” Wan Shenghan asked, his heart racing.

“I don’t know,” the doctor admitted. “I’m a hack; I never learned acupuncture from my master.”

Wan Shenghan’s face went cold, and he turned to leave. The doctor, not wanting to lose a wealthy customer, chased after him. “I really don’t know, but my master will be back in a few days. I can ask him for you! Where do you live? What is your name? I’ll come tell you personally.”

Wan Shenghan glanced at him. “My name is Li. I live by the academy on the east side of town.”

He lowered his bamboo hat and hurried away.

A moment later, Zhang Shu entered the pharmacy. “The man who was just here—what did he say?”

The doctor hesitated, but Zhang Shu placed a medical manual on the counter. “I know a bit of medicine myself. If you tell me the truth, I will give you this manual and everything I know. And… if you want wealth in the capital or the palace, I can help you.”

The doctor looked at the silver ingot from earlier and decided to tell Zhang Shu everything Wan Shenghan had said, though he omitted the specific questions about the poison.

“The name is Li?” Zhang Shu murmured. He whispered to his attendant, “Go to the east side. See if there is a family named Li by the academy preparing for a wedding.” He still felt the man’s silhouette was familiar. If Wan Shenghan was here, he had to leave before being discovered.

Wan Shenghan hid in an alley until he saw Zhang Shu’s attendant pass by, heading east. He then headed in the opposite direction back to his manor.

Shen Zhaoxue was a picky eater; he had only touched a few dishes. He wasn’t in the kitchen, likely wandering elsewhere. Wan Shenghan always locked the gates, and since Shen Zhaoxue wasn’t foolish enough to wander into town while blind, he didn’t worry. He finished the youth’s leftovers before going to find him.

Shen Zhaoxue, meanwhile, was lost. His blindness made navigation difficult, and he had quickly lost his sense of direction. He began wandering the house, opening doors and feeling around. He was surprised the “farmer” had such a large estate. Is he a merchant? But the callouses on the man’s hands weren’t right for a merchant or a scholar. A soldier? A hunter?

He tried to find a clue to the man’s identity. In one room, he found a heavy trunk by a bed. It wasn’t locked.

“What’s in here?” he muttered, reaching in.

Just as he did, Wan Shenghan entered the room and grabbed his wrist.