Surviving as the Heavenly Demon’s Concubine - Chapter 11
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Jegal Lin’s face turned bright red as she kept bowing her head to Riser on the way to the room and even after arriving.
But that didn’t mean her anger at being troubled in the middle of the night was resolved.
“I’m really sorry, Riser. This isn’t much, but…”
“It can’t be helped. I can feel your sincerity, so I’ll forgive you this once.”
Riser eagerly grabbed the silk pouch that Jegal Lin handed over.
Jegal Lin’s sincerity did not disappoint Riser.
‘A luminous pearl. A good gift with high convertibility value.’
It was the skillful worldly wisdom befitting a daughter of the prestigious Jegal Family, which had produced countless officials from the ancient Zhuge Liang of Shu to this day.
‘With this level of convertibility… no, sincerity, one night of hardship might be worth it.’
-Miss! Time to cough!
“I’m up.”
When the servant’s voice became too loud to ignore, Riser had no choice but to get up from her spot. She had to get up already when she hadn’t even slept much.
Riser was yawning and roughly washing up, preparing to go out.
‘What’s that noise?’
The garden in front of the lodging was strangely noisy.
It was bothersome, should she just pretend not to know?
Honestly, that’s what she wanted to do, but Riser forced herself to get up.
It had only been one day since entering Cheonryeon Palace, but it would be troublesome to fall behind on news.
“What’s going on?”
“Ah, Riser, you’re up.”
Jegal Lin was already awake despite sleeping so little, and she quickly ran over to fill her in on the situation.
“Namgung Yeonhwa was… poisoned last night.”
“What?!”
Riser involuntarily shouted loudly.
She had gone through all that trouble yesterday to prevent Namgung Yeonhwa from being found as a corpse.
‘Who would have thought it was poison.’
She had considered the possibility of getting lost on the way to the outhouse or falling into a well while trying to drink water.
It was absurd that she hadn’t thought of the possibility of being poisoned, which was a cliché of harem stories.
“It can’t be helped. It’s unfortunate for Namgung Yeonhwa who left so futilely, but since she became the Heavenly Emperor’s concubine, some degree of palace intrigue is unavoidable. Lin, you need to stay sharp and live carefully too.”
“…? Riser, you…?”
“Dang Ri-seo!”
Just then, Moyong Hye and Peng Guyeon came running like the wind.
Then they looked at Dang Ri-seo from head to toe with worried faces and said.
“You don’t seem to be hurt anywhere.”
“That’s really fortunate.”
Riser was moved by Moyong Hye and Peng Guyeon’s sincere concern.
They had only known each other for one day, yet they cared for her this much.
“Well, we thought you were in the most danger.”
“Right. When even Namgung Yeonhwa, who was just a bit annoying, got poisoned, there’s no way they’d leave alone someone like you who stands out and likes to show off.”
“Who says I like to show off?”
Riser clenched her fists as if she had been greatly insulted.
If Sangwan Baek hadn’t recommended it, would Riser have been crazy enough to go out there and sing yodeling songs on her own?
“Well, it’s you. If you didn’t like standing out, why did you sing such a unique song?”
“Because I don’t know any ordinary songs to sing!”
Peng Guyeon wondered if Riser’s words were really meant to be believed.
For someone who presented such avant-garde art to say they couldn’t sing ordinary songs was impossible according to Peng Guyeon’s common sense.
But Riser’s expression was too serious to question further.
“…Okay. Well, if you say so.”
Right at that moment, the outer gate of the wall burst open and a group of warriors came pouring in. The warriors instantly took control of the garden and pointed swords at the necks of the prospective concubines, including Riser.
“What is the meaning of this!”
“How dare you! Do you know where this is!”
Despite the suddenly murderous atmosphere, the girls from martial arts backgrounds shouted loudly instead of being intimidated. They were even looking around for items that could be used as weapons, ready to fight if necessary.
“We apologize for being rude to the ladies.”
Fortunately, the face of the person who followed the warriors in was not unfamiliar.
“Palace Master…?”
“Lord Sangwan! What is this commotion about?”
“I’ll just take care of business and leave quickly, so please bear with us for a moment.”
Sangwan Baek looked around the gathering with a solemn expression, and his cold gaze reached Riser.
“Arrest her.”
“…?!”
When something is too absurd, words don’t come out.
Startled by the sight of warriors suddenly rushing at her, Riser ran away without saying a word.
Sangwan Baek’s eyes became as big as lanterns, never imagining that Riser would flee recklessly.
“What are you doing? Capture Dang Ri-seo immediately!”
“Yes, Palace Master!”
Riser dodged the warriors’ sword strikes by swiftly weaving left and right between the pillars.
When she noticed a dagger thrown openly at her head, as if they really didn’t care if she died, her blood ran cold.
‘Why is that old man suddenly acting like this?’
If only Riser hadn’t run away, it would have led to a peaceful question and answer session, but now it was an unknowable future.
“Stop right there! Do you really think you can escape!”
“At least you should tell me why you’re trying to arrest me!”
Riser leaped onto the roof in one bound and rolled forward like a squirrel, kicking roof tiles with her feet.
“Ugh!”
“Hup!”
“Gah!”
The roof tiles flew like projectiles and hit the heads of the warriors in the front row in sequence.
“What kind of lightness skill…!”
Sangwan Baek grabbed the back of his neck.
She wasn’t some mouse, so how could a person wearing such flowing clothes be so agile?
“Stop! Submit obediently! You know your own crime!”
“Well, I said I don’t know.”
She would peek out her face as if to answer, then disappear again repeatedly, so the warriors were equally bewildered.
‘What on earth did the Sichuan Dang Family teach her?’
After struggling for a while, Sangwan Baek finally gave up trying to capture Riser and sighed deeply while holding his forehead.
“Fine. Fine, so listen from there. You must already know that Namgung Yeonhwa was poisoned last night.”
“I did hear about it.”
Riser crouched on the roof and listened attentively to Sangwan Baek’s words.
But listening attentively didn’t mean all words were understandable.
“What? I’m a suspect in poisoning Namgung Yeonhwa?”
“There’s a possibility. As you know, you are…”
“Is it because I’m from the Sichuan Dang Family?”
“Ahem.”
Riser thought she had done well to run away.
This is why eras without forensic investigation are no good.
“Isn’t this too much? Of course, it’s true that the Sichuan Dang Family is famous for poisons. But that doesn’t mean we can be held responsible for all the toxic substances in the world!”
“Right. I think so too.”
“Then why!”
“Because the poison that Namgung Yeonhwa was afflicted with was the Dang Family’s Five Silkworm Powder.”
Riser was momentarily speechless.
Five Silkworm Powder was a paralysis poison in powder form.
An extreme poison that merely touching the skin would gradually dull the senses, stiffen the muscles, and ultimately render one unable to move their internal energy, like a puppet.
And another characteristic was.
‘It’s famous for being produced exclusively by the Sichuan Dang Family.’
The mere fact that the poison used to harm Namgung Yeonhwa was Five Silkworm Powder was more than enough to put Riser on the list of suspects.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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