CHAPTER EIGHT — THE PRICE OF HER OWN POISON
Neither Tang Kexin nor Grandmaster Hui Yuan knew that the man who had already descended the mountain — the one whose presence could freeze the air itself — had turned back. And he was drawing closer.
But inside the meditation hall, Ruyue remained blissfully unaware of the danger approaching. She stood before Tang Kexin with a serene, self‑satisfied smile, convinced her plan was flawless. As long as Tang Kexin drank the tea she had laced with poison, everything would be over.
Her victory felt so close she could taste it.
Tang Kexin lifted her gaze, her expression calm, almost amused.
"Miss Liu's little… seduction powder is quite impressive."
Her voice was soft, almost lazy — but the words struck like a blade.
Ruyue's smile faltered. Her eyes widened before she quickly masked the panic, leaning in to block the view of the hall.
"You… what did you say?" she whispered.
Only Ruyue and Dong'er could hear Tang Kexin's quiet murmur. Dong'er stiffened behind her, fury flashing in her eyes, but she held her tongue.
Ruyue, however, felt her heart drop.
How could Tang Kexin know?
She had been so careful.
No one had seen her slip the powder into the tea.
No one had ever discovered her involvement in Sir Pimble's death.
Even the Crown Prince had found nothing.
So how could Tang Kexin possibly know?
She forced herself to breathe. It must be a bluff. Tang Kexin was trying to unsettle her. That had to be it.
But then Tang Kexin smiled again — a slow, elegant curve of her lips that made Ruyue's blood run cold.
"Of course," she murmured, "infatuation powder is even better."
Ruyue's composure shattered. Her breath hitched. Her fingers trembled. Her eyes widened with raw panic.
"You— what did you say?" she whispered, voice cracking.
Tang Kexin leaned back slightly, posture relaxed, tone almost conversational.
"There's a type of ecstasy powder that mimics Gu poison. The victim feels nothing unusual. Even physicians can't detect it. But unfortunately for you… I know how to identify it."
Ruyue's face drained of colour.
Tang Kexin continued, her voice gentle, almost soothing — which only made it more terrifying.
"A few drops of blood mixed with acid… and the reaction is unmistakable."
Ruyue's knees nearly buckled.
"How… how do you know?" she whispered.
Tang Kexin's smile deepened, soft and serene, like ripples across a still pond.
"How I know isn't important. What matters is that I know the consequences."
Ruyue swallowed hard. The girl she had mocked, manipulated, and attempted to kill now felt like a demon wearing silk.
"What do you want?" she whispered.
Tang Kexin pushed the teacup toward her.
"Nothing much. Just drink the tea."
Ruyue stared at the cup, rigid with dread. She knew exactly what she had put in it. She knew the consequences of drinking it. And she knew Tang Kexin knew.
But she also clung to one last thread of courage.
"Even if you tell him," she whispered, "he won't believe you. He'll believe me."
Tang Kexin tilted her head.
"Yes. He's infatuated with you. He wouldn't suspect you."
Ruyue exhaled shakily.
"But," Tang Kexin added softly, "what if that infatuation disappears?"
Ruyue froze.
Her uncle's powder — the one she had used on Mu Shaoyi — was a secret known only to her family. No one else knew the formula. No one else knew how it worked.
No one except—
"Then there are people who can solve it," Ruyue said quickly, forcing a cold smile. "People who know how to break the spell."
"Unfortunately," Tang Kexin replied, voice like a spring breeze, "I happen to know the antidote."
Ruyue's eyes widened in horror.
Tang Kexin leaned in, her voice soft and melodic.
"Two pieces of musk. Four of Su He incense. And a pinch of ice shards."
Ruyue staggered back, face turning ashen.
How?
How could Tang Kexin know the antidote to her uncle's secret powder?
How could she know something even the imperial physicians didn't?
"If I break his poison," Tang Kexin said lightly, "Mu Shaoyi will investigate. And you know his character. If he learns the truth… you know exactly what will happen."
Ruyue trembled violently.
"What… what do you want?" she whispered.
Tang Kexin didn't answer. She simply glanced at the teacup.
Dong'er watched silently, awe shining in her eyes. Her lady was brilliant — terrifyingly brilliant.
Ruyue's hands shook as she reached for the cup. She had no choice. If she didn't drink it, Tang Kexin would expose everything. And if Mu Shaoyi learned the truth…
She lifted the cup with trembling fingers and drank.
The poison slid down her throat like water.
"Congratulations again, Lady Tang," Ruyue said, forcing a smile. "I suddenly feel unwell. I'll return to my room."
She turned quickly, desperate to escape.
"Young Master Mu."
Tang Kexin's voice drifted across the hall.
Mu Shaoyi froze.
Ruyue froze.
The hall froze.
Mu Shaoyi turned, stunned. She had never called him that before. Never anything but "husband" or "darling."
Ruyue's heart pounded. She couldn't leave. Not yet. Not until she knew what Tang Kexin would say.
"I have something to tell Young Master Mu," Tang Kexin said calmly.
Ruyue's breath caught. Her palms grew slick with sweat.
"What is it?" Mu Shaoyi asked impatiently.
Tang Kexin looked at him for a long moment, lips parting slightly.
Ruyue felt her soul leave her body.
Then Tang Kexin smiled faintly.
"Ah. I forgot. I'm still recovering. My memory isn't very good."
Dong'er nearly choked.
She was doing this on purpose.
And she was adorable.
Ruyue's relief lasted only a heartbeat.
Because the moment she turned to leave — her legs buckled.
The poison hit her like a hammer. Her face drained of colour. Her breath hitched. Panic flooded her eyes.
Tang Kexin watched her calmly, gaze cool and sharp.
Heaven may forgive sins committed in ignorance, she thought, but the sins one commits knowingly… one must pay for.
Ruyue had killed the original Tang Kexin.
And today, she would taste the consequences of her own actions.