A flicker of a shadow appeared, and a middle-aged man wearing a Tai Chi Taoist Robe stepped out. With a wisp of floating beard, he truly looked like a worldly master.
He bowed to Rong Si and said with a smile, "Princess has keen insight. Indeed, I have two thods to assist you."
"State Preceptor, please sit and speak slowly!"
Rong Si, extrely proud before others, showed much more respect towards this State Preceptor. She invited the middle-aged man to sit down and personally brewed tea for him.
The middle-aged man, not being modest, took a sip of the tea and said, "The first thod involves the Heart-devouring Gu, from the Western Regions. This insect can manipulate a person’s mind, making them obey commands. However, it turns the person into a walking corpse, devoid of vitality and spirit. I imagine the Princess would not want this."
Rong Si nodded slightly, "And the second thod?"
"The second thod involves taking a secret dicine. Depending on the mixture, it can erase mories from one to ten years. For the month following the mory erasure, they will be most confused. During this ti, reconstructing new mories for them allows them to genuinely serve the Princess!"
Rong Si thought for a mont; the second thod seed suitable for him but asked worriedly, "Are there any side effects?"
"Yes, if the person has a strong will or the mories are deeply engraved, the dicine will only have a temporary effect. Over ti, these mories may resurface."
Rong Si’s gaze flickered; both thods had advantages and disadvantages. Upon reflection, the second thod seed more appropriate, yet riskier.
"It seems the Princess is hesitating."
The middle-aged man stroked his beard, smiling as he looked at her.
Rong Si was indeed hesitant. She wanted to have complete control over Li Qingmu in her grasp; hence the first thod seed suitable. However, she was a mother, and unless absolutely necessary, who could bear to harm their own flesh and blood so ruthlessly?
The middle-aged man saw her indecisiveness and sighed, "I can understand the Princess’s feelings. After all, you are his biological mother, naturally unwilling to use such cruel thods. But as the Princess of Daliang, the first thod aligns with your interests."
Rong Si looked down, "The State Preceptor’s words resonate with my thoughts. So, can you devise a foolproof plan?"
"This is actually simple. You could wake him first, then test his resolve. If he shows a strong will, then choose accordingly!"
The State Preceptor said while bowing, handing the final decision to Rong Si.
Rong Si fell into contemplation.
By now, the two had moved outside the screen to speak, completely ignoring the man lying on the bed and not noticing his fingers lightly moving under the covers.
In a dazed slumber, one may experience this sensation where all bodily senses beco dull, but hearing becos sharply enhanced.
Believe it or not, in the dead of night, while half-asleep, even a slight sound can awaken you.
Rong Si and the State Preceptor spoke without bothering to lower their voices, nor did they guard against the still slumbering man. Thus, their words entered his ears like a Demon Sound.
"Fine, let’s see how his resolve truly is. State Preceptor, please wake him up!"
"Alright!"
The State Preceptor retrieved a small white jade porcelain bottle from his pocket, walked to Li Qingmu’s bedside, opened the bottle’s stopper, and placed it beneath his nose.
A pungent aroma wafted over, causing Li Qingmu to shiver and cough violently.
"Cough cough cough..."
"Princess, he is awake now, though he might be a bit confused."
Rong Si nodded in understanding since anyone would be disoriented after sleeping for so long.
"No... don’t co near... cough cough cough... stop..."
Li Qingmu’s consciousness was still muddled, his mory seemingly stuck at the mont Aunt Yin forcibly fed him poisoned wine. At this mont, he was muttering softly.
Rong Si knew what he was talking about, exchanging glances with the State Preceptor.
"Let him stabilize first; he’ll be fine after a while!"
"Yes!"
Thus, Li Qingmu kept mumbling to himself until he finally ca to his senses, slowly opening his eyes.
What t his eyes was a plain and simple bed canopy.
Beside him was a faint fragrance, but it was not the i Hua Xiang he was familiar with.
This place is...
He slowly moved his gaze and turned his sowhat stiff body to see two people standing by.
A woman wearing a silver mask, and a man who appeared sage-like.
"You..." Li Qingmu’s gaze lingered briefly on the man, but then settled on the silver-masked woman. He exclaid, "Mother?"
Rong Si was pleased; the first thing upon waking, the child recognized her, which showed she still held so significance in his heart.
"Yes, Mu’er, my dear child, you’ve finally awakened."
"I... where am I?"
He tried to rise, but having slept for so long, his body was too stiff to support him. Rong Si quickly assisted him to sit up and placed a soft pillow behind him as a cushion.
"This is Daliang." Rong Si said, her gaze subtly shifting.
Li Qingmu was stunned, "How... how did I get here?" Pausing, he continued, "Right, at the Ministry of Justice prison, soone wanted to harm . It was a woman; she tried to kill . Who was she?"
"Mu’er, mother doesn’t know who she was. But ever since we parted, I’ve had people protecting you secretly. On that day, seeing you in danger, I saved you in ti. However, the poison she fed you was exceptionally potent; it’s taken until now to clear it, enabling you to wake."
As Rong Si spoke, she gently patted Li Qingmu’s shoulder, showing extre affection.
"Then I..."
Suddenly, Li Qingmu found himself unable to continue, his mind reeling with past conversations echoing repeatedly.
—After all, you are his biological mother, naturally unwilling to use such cruel thods. But as Daliang’s Princess, the first thod aligns with your interests!
—This is actually simple. You could wake him first, then test his resolve. If he shows a strong will, then choose accordingly!
These sentences inexplicably erged in his mind, causing Li Qingmu to instinctively remain silent and glance at the middle-aged man: "Mother, who is he?"
"Oh, he is You Su, the State Preceptor of our Daliang Country, a highly skilled and accomplished master. Mu’er, he is the one who saved your life, quickly thank him!"
Li Qingmu looked at this middle-aged man, actually wanting to hear his voice.
Thus, Li Qingmu hastily bowed, "I express my gratitude to Master You for saving my life!"
"Young Master, no need for formalities. Saving lives is the duty of a humble priest; no need to be courteous!"
You Su quickly stepped forward and lightly assisted Li Qingmu.
And with these words, Li Qingmu’s thoughts were confird in his heart.
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