Chapter 155 Small-Scale Lethal Weapon?

It did not include Li Mancang, but he was worried about Lu Yunxiao, so he came along as well.

Miao Yunyou cursed, “What kind of dog is this newly appointed Director of the Imperial Observatory? How could he come up with such a harmful and inhumane idea? Isn’t he afraid of divine retribution?!”

And this kind of person succeeded Su Wangkui???

Lu Cheng’an said, “For now, we don’t know his identity—only that he is newly appointed.”

Xie Dingnian sat to the side, his brows tightly furrowed and his expression solemn. After pondering for a moment, he slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of doubt:

“I think something is off about this matter. There were clear reports before that the smallpox outbreak in the capital had been completely brought under control. How could it suddenly flare up again? And why is it the emperor himself who has fallen ill?”

Logically speaking, the emperor’s protection should be the most stringent. Palace maids, eunuchs, and guards all undergo strict screening—how could he alone be infected?

Chu Ningshuang held her teacup, her fingertips slightly cool. With a calm, analytical gaze, she spoke slowly: “I think, rather than natural transmission, this seems more like a targeted poisoning.”

After all, the emperor is under heavy protection. It would be nearly impossible for an ordinary person to get close. For him to contract smallpox without a trace is hardly a coincidence.

Miao Yunyou looked at Chu Ningshuang and said, “Wait, that’s not right! Didn’t you have some senior martial brother who just became the head of the Imperial Medical Academy? He has the prescription your father left behind for treating smallpox. With that prescription, couldn’t he treat the emperor’s illness?”

Chu Ningshuang gently shook her head, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness: “My father’s prescription is already ten years old. The smallpox virus mutates easily. After ten years, the virus may well have changed. That prescription may not be able to cure this instance of the disease.”

If it could be cured, there would be no need to sacrifice one hundred children to Heaven.

At that moment, Luo Xinglan suddenly spoke. His voice was cold, devoid of any warmth—like ice itself: “If that damn emperor were to die right now, what would happen?”

Upon hearing this, both Xie Dingnian and Lu Cheng’an were taken aback. Their expressions grew even more serious, filled with concern, and almost simultaneously, they shook their heads.

Xie Dingnian spoke first, his tone heavy:

“If he were to die at this point in time, it would be extremely, extremely bad. The court is already not stable. Once the Son of Heaven passes away, it will inevitably trigger chaos.”

Lu Cheng’an also nodded slowly, his voice filled with worry:

“The crown prince is still young, and his character… lacks governing experience. He simply cannot yet support an entire nation or hold down the veteran ministers in court.”

Xie Dingnian furrowed his brows even tighter, speaking with a speculative tone:

“My guess is that the Eighth Prince will seize this opportunity to act. He has long harbored ambition, secretly building his forces and coveting the throne. I even suspect that the emperor’s illness this time may have been orchestrated by the Eighth Prince.”

He paused before continuing:

“If the emperor dies, the Eighth Prince will have a legitimate excuse to usurp the throne. If he doesn’t die, then by sacrificing one hundred children, public resentment will surely build up. At that point, he can act under the banner of ‘acting on behalf of the people’ to attack the Imperial Observatory—or even the emperor himself—and still manage to exploit the chaos for his own gain.”

However, the rise and fall of dynasties has never been a simple matter. It is usually accompanied by countless bloodshed, tears, and wars.

Lu Cheng’an’s voice was filled with exhaustion:

“Many regions and counties have not yet recovered from the previous disasters. The people are struggling to put food on the table. If a struggle for the throne erupts again and war breaks out, the common people will truly suffer. They will likely be displaced once more, their families destroyed.”

Miao Yunyou frowned and thought carefully for a moment before speaking with determination:

“So in other words, that old bastard can die—but preferably not right now.”

Lu Cheng’an remained silent for a long while before finally saying:

“…That’s probably what it means.”

Luo Xinglan spoke succinctly:

“Then hand over Ningshuang’s prescription.”

Since the emperor could not die and the children could not be sacrificed, the only option left was to hand over the prescription.

Upon hearing this, Lu Cheng’an nodded slightly:

“In fact, that was exactly what I came here intending to do…”

Chu Ningshuang looked at him, her tone carrying a hint of concern:

“However, doing so at such a sensitive time—bringing out this prescription—you won’t be able to explain its origin. It could easily bring trouble upon yourself…”

Even retaliation from the faction of the Eighth Prince.

Lu Cheng’an gave a bitter smile and shook his head. His eyes were filled with determination:

“I have no other choice. So…”

As soon as he finished speaking, he abruptly stood up, then dropped to his knees with a “thud” in front of Miao Yunyou and the others. With his forehead pressed against the ground, his voice was full of pleading and entrustment:

“I entrust Yunxiao to all of you. If I do not return, please take care of him and let him live here peacefully. Let him be an ordinary child—go to school like everyone else, attend those tutoring classes you mentioned before as well. Let him stay away from court politics, away from these turbulent and bloody struggles, and live a life of peace and happiness.”

“Father!”

Seeing this, Lu Yunxiao burst into tears immediately. He rushed over and clung tightly to Lu Cheng’an’s legs, tears falling like broken beads:

“Father, what are you saying? Are you abandoning me?!”

Miao Yunyou could not stand such a scene. She quickly urged him to get up:

“Come on, come on, this isn’t necessary! Get up! Don’t make it so tragic—it’s like a farewell between life and death! It’s not that big of a deal. With us here, we won’t let you die! If worst comes to worst, you can come work here instead—quit that county magistrate position. We’ll guard Xuanwu Mountain together, and no one will be able to touch us!”

Lu Cheng’an shook his head and stood up with a bitter smile, his tone full of helplessness and responsibility:

“If I leave, what about the people in the county? They’ve just barely recovered from the disaster. If I leave and a new magistrate comes, and they discover the secrets of Xuanwu Mountain, then you, Yunxiao, and the villagers will all be in danger. By then, it will all be too late.”

Upon hearing this, Miao Yunyou immediately got upset. She slammed the table and said domineeringly:

“In any case, you are not allowed to die or get into trouble!”

As she spoke, she took out her phone and quickly dialed Lei Lingyin’s number.

In an unquestionable, commanding tone, she said:

“Come here. Bring all the small-scale lethal weapons you and Master Wei tinkered with before! Don’t play dumb—I didn’t allow you to make large ones last time, but you definitely made a bunch of smaller ones behind my back. Don’t think I don’t know! Hurry up. Bring them to the rooftop immediately!”