The wait did not last too long.
Two days later, at dusk, Lin Zhao finished his day's work and was about to leave Lin De Hall when Steward Qian stopped him. Steward Qian's expression was odd, carrying a subtle, difficult-to-miss tension.
"Lin Zhao, don't leave yet," he whispered. "A noble person… wants to see you later."
A noble person? Ling Zhao's heart tensed, but he displayed appropriate surprise and apprehension: "A noble person? Steward Qian, who is this noble person who wishes to see this humble one? And for what matter?"
Steward Qian's eyes flickered; he spoke vaguely: "Why ask so much! Just wait as you're told! Be sharp, don't say what you shouldn't!" He was clearly not fully informed, merely carrying out orders.
Ling Zhao asked no more, standing silently in a corner of the side hall, his mind racing. Had Physician Hu reported his "discovery"? Had it drawn the attention of the Imperial Medical Office high command? Or… had the Eastern Palace finally reacted?
After about the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn, a slightly hurried sound of footsteps came from outside the hall, accompanied by the sharp, high-pitched call of a eunuch: "The Court Administrator arrives—!"
Court Administrator of the Imperial Medical Office? Ling Zhao's eyes narrowed. It was the second-in-command of the Imperial Medical Office!
An official, dressed in deep scarlet robes, with a lean, clear face and three long strands of beard, walked in with a solemn expression, surrounded by several physicians and eunuchs. Steward Qian had already rushed forward, bowing deeply with utmost deference.
The Administrator's gaze was like lightning, sweeping over Ling Zhao, his voice carrying official authority: "Are you Lin Zhao?"
"This humble one is Lin Zhao. Greetings to the Administrator," Ling Zhao stepped forward, bowing low, his posture extremely respectful.
"This official heard that while organizing ancient texts, you have some knowledge of medicine?" The Administrator got straight to the point, his tone betraying neither pleasure nor anger.
Ling Zhao understood clearly that the pulse record and the note had worked. He answered cautiously: "Reporting to Your Excellency, this humble one dares not claim to have knowledge. It is merely that when organizing medical texts of the former dynasty, I occasionally came across things I did not understand, which aroused my curiosity, causing me to look a few extra times. It is merely amateur dabbling."
"Oh?" The Administrator stared at him. "Then do you know what 'Phantom Heart Vine' is?"
It's here! Ling Zhao's heart tightened, knowing the crucial moment had arrived. He took a deep breath, still keeping his head lowered, but his tone carried the stubbornness of a scholar: "This humble one… knows a little. The former dynasty's Records of Strange Flora notes that its root has a marvelous effect in relieving pain, but its nature is violent, like a double-edged sword. A slight overdose can cause hallucinations and mental confusion, and prolonged use will erode one's sanity, leading to a state of madness."
He quoted from unofficial historical miscellany, not official medical texts, which both explained the source of his "knowledge" and avoided the suspicion of directly pointing to palace secrets.
The Administrator's gaze sharpened: "You certainly read curious miscellanies. Then do you know where this medicine is now? And who dares to use it?"
Ling Zhao's body trembled slightly, as if intimidated by the Administrator's power. His voice was laced with fear: "T-This humble one does not know! Such a vicious herb—I only saw it in old papers. How dare I speak carelessly of reality? It is just… just…"
"Just what?" the Administrator pressed.
"It is just that a few days ago, when organizing miscellaneous items, I accidentally came across a discarded draft pulse record," Ling Zhao seemed to gather his courage, taking out the copied pulse record of the old eunuch that he had prepared, and presenting it with both hands. "It mentioned the harm of 'Phantom Heart Vine' incense. This humble one… this humble one just felt that since this herb appeared in the palace, it was perhaps an ill omen, which made me uneasy. That is why I presumptuously sought guidance from Physician Hu that day…"
He pushed everything onto "accidental discovery" and the instinctive fear of a "vicious herb," making his account perfectly logical.
The Administrator took the pulse record and examined it carefully, his face growing darker. He recognized the handwriting—it was indeed Physician Hu's—and the record was of the condition of the supervising eunuch at Lin De Hall. Everything matched. This scholar truly seemed like an outsider who had accidentally glimpsed the tip of the iceberg and was frightened.
But… was it truly just a coincidence? The Administrator's gaze once again fell upon Ling Zhao, full of scrutiny. How could he, as the Administrator, be unaware of the situation of that Prince in the E