Doctor Zhu's body trembled ever so slightly. "What nonsense are you spouting?" he snapped, his face darkening as he glared at Butler Dai. "Did you bring this quack here to disrupt my work? If First Lady dies because of this, I'll hold both of you responsible!"
Butler Dai gulped, cold sweat forming on his back. He instantly regretted forcing Fang Mo to examine First Lady. So many renowned doctors had seen her... none found a trace of poison. How could this young doctor possibly know better?
"Doctor Mo, are you sure you aren't mistaken?" Butler Dai asked, his voice tinged with worry. "All of the First Lady's food undergoes strict inspection. There are multiple poison testers who check every meal she eats. Forgive me for doubting, but… it should be nearly impossible for anyone to poison her. Besides… her health has been declining for months. It didn't happen overnight."
Fang Mo met Doctor Zhu's cold smile and seemed to grasp what was truly happening. "Butler Dai," he said calmly, "since you doubt me, why don't I prove it? Not only can I show that it's poison, I can also cure her."
His words left both Doctor Zhu and Butler Dai speechless. It was one thing to identify the cause of an illness, but to claim he could cure it without even a thorough examination? To them, it sounded like sheer arrogance, the words of a reckless charlatan.
Doctor Zhu burst out laughing, his tone filled with disdain. "Ridiculous. You expect us to believe such nonsense? Leave now, before I stop being polite."
Butler Dai hesitated. His instincts screamed at him to drag Fang Mo out before things escalated, but just as he was about to step forward, a soft, fragile voice came from the bed.
"Young man… is it true you can cure me?"
Fang Mo turned. First Lady lay there, deathly pale, her breathing shallow, yet her eyes held a flicker of hope, fragile but undeniable, as they met his.
Fang Mo stepped closer, gently removed the cup from her trembling hands, and said without hesitation, "As long as there's still breath in your body, I can save you."
Doctor Zhu's face twisted. He hurried to the other side of the bed and leaned toward First Lady. "My Lady, you must not believe him. If you go through whatever reckless treatment he has in mind, your body won't survive the strain. You'll die today. You must drink my medicine. Only it can prolong your life and let you stay by your son's side a little longer."
Hesitation flickered in First Lady's eyes. On one side stood a young man claiming he could cure her. On the other hand, the only doctor who had managed to ease her suffering and extend her life until now.
Fang Mo could tell both First Lady and Butler Dai were more inclined to believe in Doctor Zhu, but he remained calm. His lips curved into a cold grin as he stared down at Doctor Zhu. "At first, I thought you were just an incompetent doctor. But I was wrong. You're not a doctor at all. You're a murderer." His gaze shifted sharply toward Butler Dai. "Bring me a set of acupuncture needles. Now. If you don't, your lady won't survive the month."
"You—" Doctor Zhu glared at Fang Mo like a venomous snake. He bitterly regretted ever allowing Fang Mo a chance to speak. "Butler Dai, if you insist on listening to this quack, then I'll leave right now! Let's see if you can find anyone else capable of keeping First Lady alive."
Butler Dai froze. If he chose to believe Fang Mo and the First Lady died, he would bear the blame as well. His mind raced, weighing the risks. But before he could decide, a weak yet firm voice cut through the tension, forcing the choice from his hands.
"Butler Dai," First Lady ordered, "bring whatever this young man asked for."
Butler Dai bowed. "Yes, My Lady." He dashed out of the room to retrieve a set of acupuncture needles. Now that First Lady had made her decision, he had no choice but to comply. Of course, if she were to die today, the State Lord would skin both him and Fang Mo alive.
"Hmph." Doctor Zhu sneered. "Since First Lady no longer finds my services necessary, I shall take my leave." He turned and strode toward the door—only to be blocked by a figure stepping into his path.
Doctor Zhu's face darkened. "What's the meaning of this, Doctor Mo?" he asked, glaring at Fang Mo, who stood there with a cold, almost mocking smile.
"You dare poison First Lady and think you can just walk away? Things aren't that simple." Only Fang Mo knew the real reason he wanted Doctor Zhu to stay had less to do with justice and more with the fact that the man had dared to call him a quack.
Doctor Zhu's eyes widened. Before he could speak further, Fang Mo shouted, "Guards! Arrest this fraud. Make sure he doesn't escape!"
The door swung open, and two guards stepped inside, blocking the exit with firm expressions. They exchanged glances with First Lady, who nodded weakly from her bed.
"Until this matter is settled," one of the guards declared, "no one is to leave."
"This is outrageous! You have no proof!" Doctor Zhu bellowed, pointing a trembling, fat finger at Fang Mo.
A resounding slap echoed in the room as Fang Mo's palm met Doctor Zhu's cheek. The force sent him stumbling to the ground, his face turning red and swelling within seconds.
"Shut up," Fang Mo said coldly. "Your annoying barking is disturbing the patient's recovery."
The guards stood frozen, unsure whether they should intervene. Thankfully, before the situation grew any more awkward, Butler Dai returned, clutching a black wooden box in his hands.
He hurried to Fang Mo and opened it. "Doctor Mo, these are the needles you requested. Is there anything else you require?"
Fang Mo took the box and set it on the table beside First Lady. "Not for now. Just stay put and watch."
Then, he glanced at the cup still filled with the pale brown liquid, placed it beside the needles, and prepared to begin. "Excuse me, First Lady," Fang Mo said as he carefully placed five needles along her right arm. "The poison affecting her is made from two ingredients. When consumed separately, neither is harmful. The problem arises when both are ingested together over an extended period."
After setting the last needle, he picked up a sixth and gently pricked First Lady's index finger. Instead of pure red, the blood that seeped out was a disturbing mix of crimson and green. Gasps filled the room as everyone stared at the unnatural color staining her skin.
"I've drawn the poison toward her fingers so you can witness it yourselves." Fang Mo's voice was calm but carried weight. "The first ingredient must have been given to her regularly with her meals. Since it poses no danger by itself, it easily passed the poison testers. It's called Greenroot Powder. I wonder… has First Lady consumed any recently?"
First Lady's lips parted in shock. "I-I have. Sister Chu gave me some a few months ago… to help with my digestion."
Fang Mo nodded knowingly. "Indeed. Greenroot Powder does aid digestion and improves appetite. However, the problem lies in combining it with Vermilion Lotus Resin. First Lady, do you happen to still have any of that Greenroot Powder in your possession?"
First Lady glanced at Butler Dai, who immediately understood her unspoken command and hurried toward the kitchen. A few minutes later, he returned carrying a small sack. "Doctor Mo."
Fang Mo took the sack, opened it, and pinched a bit of the powder between his fingers. He sprinkled it onto his fingertip, then, to everyone's shock, dipped his finger into the cup that Doctor Zhu had been feeding to First Lady.
"As soon as it's ingested," Fang Mo explained calmly, "the patient will experience shortness of breath, a sudden loss of color in the face, and persistent trembling. The severity depends on the amount of Greenroot Powder consumed. Funny enough, taking more Vermilion Lotus Resin actually alleviates the symptoms… but it also strengthens the poison inside the body. Eventually, the body won't be able to withstand it and collapse. It's like trying to quench your thirst with poison."
Before their eyes, the liquid in the cup began to change. The pale brown turned into the same sickly green that stained First Lady's blood. Fang Mo's eyes shifted to Doctor Zhu, whose body shook uncontrollably, like a leaf caught in a storm. His face was as pale as paper.