FRGNM -Chapter 126 The Poisoned Meal

The moment Ling Ruoxi took a step forward, an instant sense of danger coursed through her, making her whole body shiver. It was a spy’s instinct, a vigilance born from life-or-death situations. A fear that stabbed straight into her mind erupted. Her right foot hit the ground, but she couldn’t stand upright. Her frail body pitched forward, pupils narrowing involuntarily.

“Hey, you…” Luo Mingyu quickly reached out and hugged Ling Ruoxi’s waist, pointing at her small head. “What’s wrong? Feeling unwell? Could it be because of yesterday…”

“Lo… Luo Mingyu…” Her voice was hoarse. Pale as death, she grabbed his hands and turned sharply toward the crowd.

But the figure that had passed by was far too swift. She couldn’t see him at all. All she knew was that the oppressive presence around her eased, and the clothes on her back were already soaked.

Breathing rapidly, Ling Ruoxi held onto Luo Mingyu’s wrist. “Did you… feel that just now?”

“What? What happened?” Luo Mingyu frowned, scanning the crowd, seeing nothing unusual. But her expression wasn’t one of joking.

What was going on?

Even Ling Ruoxi couldn’t explain the feeling—it was as if her heart had been suddenly clenched in someone’s hand. Eyes from behind were fixed on her, leaving no escape. She was completely exposed, helpless to resist.

“N-No… it’s nothing…” She tried to steady herself, shaking her head. Though she didn’t know who it was, this lurking, hiding presence didn’t seem friendly.

She needed to stay alert. Especially now, at this critical moment. Luo Mingyu was a wanted man by Qiongyu Immortal Island—no mistakes could happen.

“Rest if you feel unwell. Fengdexuan can wait anytime,” Luo Mingyu whispered, touching her cold forehead, frowning slightly.

Wang Yuqing’s anger flared. The woman was just acting delicate, with two handsome men around caring for her. She shouted, “What’s this public display of hugging in the street?”

“And what about you forcing a married man in public?” Ling Ruoxi retorted, tugging Luo Mingyu back, eyebrow raised at Wang Yuqing.

Women like her deserved a good slap.

The guard next to Wang Yuqing scowled. “My lady has the right to do this. You don’t.”

“Oh really? Your right doesn’t decide. She’s openly trying to seduce my man—does that not concern me? Does Duan Yun allow such… women to seduce men while officials stand idly by?” Ling Ruoxi said coolly.

This was a slap to Wang Yuqing’s face. Stunned, she asked, “What did you say? He’s your man?”

“Yes, my man… my husband.” Ling Ruoxi held Luo Mingyu’s wrist and stood on her tiptoes to press a light kiss on his slightly cold lips.

No one would doubt their relationship now.

Wang Yuqing’s face darkened, fists clenched. “Even so, who do you think you are? Do you think you can book Fengdexuan at will? I’ve never met people as audacious as you!”

“Let’s see if it’s audacious,” the man in blue said with a helpless smile. Women’s jealousy was often incomprehensible. Something simple could become difficult just because of their attitudes.

He Yunxu frowned, pointing at Wang Yuqing. “Ruoxi, who’s this woman? Ugly as she is, she dares to roam the streets?”

“I don’t know. Heard she’s from the Wang family, seems important!” Ling Ruoxi gave a thumbs-up, looping her arm through Luo Mingyu’s. The man before her was hers—no one was allowed to take him.

Smiling warmly, Luo Mingyu pinched her nose. She loved that gesture.

Even Wang Yuqing’s thick face couldn’t justify taking action against them just for boasting. But when news spread that Fengdexuan had been reserved, she realized her ignorance. Someone who knew the Eastern Capital King could hardly be ordinary.

“That woman is really annoying,” He Yunxu muttered.

Looking at Fengdexuan, Ling Ruoxi drew in a deep breath. The magnificent building was gilded and silver-plated. Inside, a centuries-old tree grew through the center, its branches spreading outward, blossoms releasing waves of fragrance.

A gentle breeze stirred the petals, letting them fall into the tea cups, mixing to create an indescribable flavor.

Fengdexuan lived up to its reputation.

Inside, only the central table rotated. Fang Xu, Nangong Mo, Ye Ningfeng, and Tang Yinhai were already seated, apparently discussing something while sipping tea.

“Fang Xu, Senior Brother!” Ling Ruoxi waved, but the seated people could not hear her outside.

Luo Mingyu pressed her head. “Forget it. To ensure guests’ safety, once seated, the area forms an automatic barrier, blocking the outside world and eavesdropping. Even if someone follows you inside, they hear nothing.”

“Incredible.” Upon closer inspection, Ling Ruoxi saw a faint silver-white glow around the table. Without careful observation, it would go unnoticed.

Once the attendant opened the barrier, Ling Ruoxi followed inside.

“Ruoxi, come, sit,” Fang Xu said calmly, moving a chair.

Inside, Ling Ruoxi was even more amazed. From the outside, it looked normal; from the inside, the view was transformed. Surrounding them was a virtual grassland with grazing sheep. No wonder people outside couldn’t see them.

“Congratulations, Senior Brother, on reviving Tang Sect!” They exchanged a friendly clap. Years together had built mutual understanding.

Tang Yinhai only smiled softly, stroking Ling Ruoxi’s hair, pampering her as on Liuli Island.

“Ready?” A pill dropped into the soup, colorless, tasteless, impossible to detect.

The attendant nodded. “Ready. The most potent. Once ingested, death is instantaneous.”

“Good, serve it!” In the silent kitchen, the stripped, bound attendants and chefs had already passed out.

“Jade Soup, please enjoy…” The man in white set the pot on the table and left, leaving a smiling maid to serve.

“This is our famous Jade Soup,” she said sweetly. “Eighteen herbs, thirty-eight ingredients, slow-cooked. Very delicious, the most popular dish. Please taste it.”

“So impressive! I’ll try it first—don’t move, I’ll test the flavor!” Ling Ruoxi declared proudly.

Luo Mingyu smiled wryly. “Let her try first. Her taste is superior; if it’s good, she’ll know immediately.”

“Oh? Then Ruoxi, taste it.” Fang Xu smiled, and the table put down utensils.

Ling Ruoxi stirred the soup, the aroma of fresh wild herbs mingled with a hint of earth. Just looking, it was impossible to gauge all the ingredients.

She sipped the soup. A fiery heat seared her, like swallowing poison. The second sip brought a chilling cold. Hot and cold assaulted her stomach, but she sensed something more hidden in the soup, undetectable at the moment.

“How is it? The taste?” Ye Ningfeng asked calmly.

The third sip made her face turn pale. Excruciating stomach pain struck. She hurled the table aside and collapsed, blood spilling from her mouth. “There… there’s poison in it…”

Sensitive to toxins, she had sensed something was off while eating, but now it was too late.

The poison was potent enough to kill a cow. Her blood seemed to freeze; she could barely breathe, her eyes immobile.

“Ruoxi!” Luo Mingyu panicked, holding her, releasing Dou Qi to forcibly restrain the poison spreading in her body.

But he realized—the toxin had already infiltrated her organs, rapidly advancing toward her heart meridians. If it reached her heart, she’d be in mortal danger.

The man in blue swiftly pulled out silver needles, aiming at vital points. Being medically trained, they knew the emergency procedure.

Tang Yinhai snorted and kicked open the barrier, rushing to the backyard.

Outside, the maids screamed in panic.

Nangong Mo’s face darkened. This was only the beginning—was the poison targeting him, or someone inside?

“It’s no use! The poison spreads too fast to control!” The man in blue’s face changed drastically. Even with rapid silver-needle insertion, the toxin crept ever closer to her heart.

Blood spewed from her mouth, black clots staining her clothes. Ling Ruoxi looked at Luo Mingyu—her eyes dimmed gradually, light fading.