C4 Leaving the Suspense

A tragic event had unfolded. The table was overturned, its contents strewn about in disarray, yet no one seemed concerned with the spilled delicacies or wine. The focus was solely on Esmeralda's injuries. Two brothers stood by, seemingly helpless. Had they not come, perhaps this misfortune would have been averted, but their presence had sealed the fate of the evening...

"My sister-in-law! Why didn't you confide in me sooner? I could have helped you find a proper solution. Now, a life has been lost, and it puts me in a difficult position. I'm here on behalf of the Emperor to oversee a personnel transfer. The Emperor, recognizing Daniel's diligent efforts, has appointed him as the provincial chief in the coastal region—a prestigious post indeed! Peyton, your deputy, will be promoted in your stead. I intended to announce this after we had resolved current matters, but this incident complicates things. How will we explain this to Mr. Cook?" Rupert lamented.

"Talking about it now is pointless. Brothers, I implore you to help me. Whatever the cost, whatever service I must render for the rest of my days, I am prepared. I would even forsake my office and return to civilian life if it meant getting my wife back..." Daniel's voice was heavy with anguish.

Rupert's eyes darted about, reflecting his skepticism. He finally spoke up, "Listen, brother, you can be reckless with your diet, but not with your words. Are you truly serious? Would you do anything? If..."

Daniel was initially confused, but he soon picked up on the subtle hint. Rupert must have had a secret up his sleeve; otherwise, he wouldn't have spoken out. "Brother, I know you've been holding back on some business deal, keeping us in suspense. Should I kneel before you to express my desperation?" Daniel offered, ready to prostrate himself in earnest.

Before Daniel could act on his impulse, Rupert quickly stepped in to prevent him from kneeling. "Old friend, there's no need for such formalities. A man's knees are as precious as gold—reserved only for the heavens and our elders. I'm not looking for grand gestures. It just so happens that I recall an old technique, taught to me by a mentor, that could counteract poison. However, I can't guarantee it will save her. You mustn't hold me accountable if it fails. Let's be clear on that upfront, so you don't come seeking retribution later—I couldn't bear that burden."

Daniel was aware that Rupert, though a guard general in court, spent his time peacefully cultivating and seeking out teachers and friends for greater adventures than most. It wasn't that he was just any guard general; he embodied the role. If Rupert was determined to act, he surely had his reasons.

Rupert laid Esmeralda down and inquired, "Hey, brother, why the gritted teeth? Is this coercion? And do you have a coroner in town?"

"Yes, there is one. He's a meticulous and error-free city official who takes his duties seriously," Daniel replied.

"Okay, okay. I don't need a rundown; just summon him to examine the body. If your wife has passed, we'll need a death certificate before proceeding with cremation," Rupert stated.

"Why do we need to examine the body if you're not trying to save your sister-in-law and no one's dead?" Daniel asked, bewildered by his brother's intentions.

"Are you going to save your wife or not? Since she's as good as dead, let's just go through the motions and create a diversion. Call for help quickly. If anything happens, just play along—laugh loudly, cry hard. We need to blur the lines here. I'll explain everything later. You really can be tiresome," Rupert chided.

Rupert then applied the Turtle Breathing Technique to Daniel's wife, rendering her silent and still. Although Daniel was angry, he nodded, holding back further complaints. He doubted his ability to feign madness convincingly.

"Coroner, can you tell if the lady still breathes? Check for bleeding in her eyes, throat, and so on. Look at her husband; he's gone mad with grief over her death. It's pitiful," Rupert said with a shake of his head.

"Your Excellency, this lady... Her mouth and tongue are black, and she's vomited black blood. Her pupils are dilated; it looks like poison. She's not breathing and appears close to death. Can you save her?" Rupert asked, pinching Daniel's thigh. The coroner re-examined the body amidst the tense atmosphere, double-checking to avoid errors. It seemed the bleeding from her orifices was beyond help.

"Sir, your wife has succumbed to the venom of countless scorpions. It appears she may have already passed on to the afterlife," Daniel feigned a loud wail. "She accidentally ingested some medication. Please go and draft a death report. I need to present it to the palace by tomorrow. Make arrangements for her funeral." Once the coroner had sorrowfully departed, he gathered his belongings and left, knowing he could do no more beyond his duty to examine the body.

Rupert, seeing the man leave in distress and knowing no one could hasten his departure with mere words, quickly turned and urged, "Brothers, we must act fast... We've already wasted too much time. Let's not waste words. To save a life is as crucial as saving our own. Help me lift your sister-in-law..."

Whispering apologetically to his sister-in-law, Rupert instructed, "I'm sorry for any improper contact. Quickly stimulate the acupoints on the chest, the Qi Sea, the Life Gate, and the Loss Gate to protect her heart. Also, prepare a large bucket of water and soap to create a foam bath!"

Gongsun Wen, Willis, Erik, and Zach hurried in at their master's call without a moment's delay. "Zach, prop the lady against the wall... Daniel, carefully pour soapy water into her mouth, ensuring not to block her nostrils. Hurry, hurry, hurry! Any delay could be fatal. Yet, there's something satisfying about this urgency!"

The men were stunned by Rupert's words, unsure how to react to the madness of the situation. The notion of finding pleasure in the chaos left them speechless.

Rupert, unconcerned with whether they were genuinely shocked or simply shirking their duties, commanded, "Erik, take the city seal and leave immediately. Head to the Unmarked Slope outside the city's eastern gate and find a female corpse resembling the lady. Wrap it in a sack and do exactly as I've instructed. Be swift and discreet; we cannot afford to draw attention. The rest of you, follow my orders..."

He then turned to Gongsun Wen, "Stay vigilant. You may leave the city but not re-enter. Willis, take the city seal and secure some men. Gather logs to build a large fire—the bigger, the better. Arrange for carriages and servants, and gather clothing and provisions. We'll need them shortly. And don't forget to prepare some herbs; we'll use them as necessary. These people, they're so naive."