Chapter 637 - 639: Negotiating with the Tiger, Resourcefulness in Emergencies
There were people on night duty in Bai’s family yard, and even if Bai Ruozhu’s own guards were incapacitated, there should still be Zhang Liangcai, the guard from Meng residence that was gifted by the old lady Meng. But now there was no movement at all, which meant that this butterfly has made its way into her room, even lighting the oil lamp. This implies that all the guards must have been defeated.
A chill ran down Bai Ruozhu’s spine. This person was not simple. What did he want here?
"You behave and sit still and I’ll help you unlock your acupoints to let you speak." The butterfly extended a hand and tilted Bai Ruozhu’s chin, speaking in a captivatingly seductive voice.
Annoyance burst in Bai Ruozhu’s heart. This act was utterly discourteous. She wanted to slap that hand away but was helpless to the fact that she couldn’t move.
Soon, she squinted slightly. The man’s hand wasn’t just delicate like a woman’s; it carried a faint scent. As someone constantly working with medicine, how could Bai Ruozhu fail to recognize it?
This person was undoubtedly a poison expert, which explained why the guards were knocked down so effortlessly.
Bai Ruozhu could only blink at him to signal that she wouldn’t scream or shout.
"The wise are adaptable", the man chuckled with a laugh hinting a flirtatious feminine charm.
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but shudder, cold sweat soaked her back making the underclothes stick uncomfortably.
The man tapped Bai Ruozhu again, and she found that she could speak, but she still couldn’t move.
"May I know who you are and why are you looking for me?" She said while shifting her body a little, trying to shield Little Dengdeng inside the bed.
The butterfly man put his hand over his mouth and laughed lightly. His behavior was so much like a charming, flirtatious woman.
"Stop trying to hide him. I’ve investigated you thoroughly; how could I not know about your son?" He said, wrinkling his nose,"I particularly dislike children, so it’s best if you cooperate. Otherwise..."
He deliberately dragged his voice. Even though he giggled afterward, Bai Ruozhu still felt a chilling murderous intent. Her pupils darkened a bit. This man dressed and behaved strangely, and he seemed unpredictable and irascible.
"Okay, I’ll cooperate," Bai Ruozhu replied softly.
"I won’t waste time then. Teach me the suturing technique," The butterfly man demanded.
"Haven’t you already captured those four doctors? Why do you need me to teach you?" Bai Ruozhu understood instantly. This man was undoubtedly the one who kidnapped the four doctors.
He laughed, "What they taught is inadequate, it’s contemptuous to learn from them. Don’t want to teach? If you don’t, I’ll have to use your family to test my newly developed poison. It’s not too bad. It keeps one living in their happiest dreams until death. Isn’t that considerate of me?"
Bai Ruozhu’s eyes reddened with anger. Death is death, even if it’s in joy. How is this considered courtesy?
She was torn. She could teach this butterfly suturing technique. Anyway, he had already kidnapped the four doctors. Even if he mastered the suturing technique, the imperial court might not assume she was the one who leaked it.
However... she was afraid that he was bluffing, like, he didn’t capture the four doctors after all, and never learned the suturing technique from them. If she agreed to teach him now, it would all be exposed sooner or later, and by then, the entire family might be executed for this severe crime.
"Are you hesitating? Do you think you still have a choice?" He stretched out his hand. His beautiful fingers, more delicate than a woman’s, were tinged with a faint touch of blue. This man had even weaponized his fingernails with poison.
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t deny her nervousness at this moment. She couldn’t move. The man was not only a poison master but also a top-level martial artist, as she could tell from the speed at which he had rushed at her and sealed her acupoints.
Luckily, the man didn’t seem to want to pressure her more. After a moment’s pause, Bai Ruozhu, who had been mulling it over in her head, finally asked, "Are you the prince of Chengshui Country?"
The man raised an eyebrow, seemingly interested, "Oh? How did you come to this conclusion?"
"The style of the belt you are wearing isn’t like what people in Danliang Country usually wear. Your accent is also different from those in Danliang Country. It’s a bit similar to that in Jiangnan, but still different. Furthermore, your demeanor is not of an average person, which indicates to me that you are either rich or of high status."
She then eyed his waist and added:"I’ve heard that people in Chengshui Country prefer to embed jade in their belts rather than hang waist pendants. The jade on your belt is extraordinary. If you are not the prince, your status shouldn’t be much lower."
The butterfly man covered his mouth and giggled, "You are indeed smart, no wonder you know something like that suturing technique. It’s just that the emperor of your country, Danliang, is too stupid. If it were me, I would have brought you under my control to prevent others from coveting you."
Bai Ruozhu’s heart skipped a beat, "I’m a simple village woman; all I know are some strange little things. They won’t matter once they’re handed out, so why bother?"
The butterfly man didn’t hurry to argue with her but only touched his cheek and smiled charmingly, saying, "However, there’s one thing you inferred incorrectly about me." He drew out his words, "I’m not a prince but the princess of Chengshui Country."
Bai Ruozhu’s mouth fell open in surprise. A princess? Was she blind? Although he was beautiful like a fairy and his manners resembled a woman’s, the room was well-lit and she could clearly see his adam’s apple. It moved slightly when he spoke. Was he still saying that he was a princess?
Does Chengshui have different customs where they refer to princes as princess and princesses as princes?
"Is it that shocking to you? I guess my appearance must have taken you aback. Aren’t you skilled with poisons? How could you not recognize that I’ve been fed poison since young?" The butterfly man noted.
Listening to this, Bai Ruozhu was even more surprised. She hadn’t taken his pulse, how would she tell his physical condition? However, a prince (or princess) who has been fed poison since young, must harbor grudges and be rather insane, right?
She took a quiet deep breath. She didn’t dare to delay any longer; she was no match for someone like this.
"I don’t want to teach you the suturing technique, but I also don’t want to offend you. As you suggested, I am in no position to offend you," Bai Ruozhu slowly voiced, "but I can teach you something else that might be more beneficial to Chengshui Country. After all, haven’t you captured four doctors? Can’t you eventually learn the suturing technique from them?"
The man started laughing, "Haha, you are indeed bold, daring to negotiate terms with me. Well then, tell me what you want to teach. If I am not satisfied, I will have to use the people in this yard to test my poison." While speaking, he moved his finger slightly. The faint blue on the tip of his glow was piercingly cold to Bai Ruozhu’s eyes.
"Chickenpox is highly contagious and many people die from infection. Even those who survive easily end up with scars. Don’t you want to know the method of preventing chickenpox?" Bai Ruozhu saw the small scar on the corner of his mouth. Though he had covered it with makeup, it was undoubtedly a scar left by chickenpox in his childhood.