The Famous Detective of the Red Mansion
Chapter 562 - Clinical Trial [Part 3]
Due to the initial lack of careful consideration, the three people who tested the first wave were still in their good time.
Although forcibly using medication to boost mood was not impossible, this clinical test was not meant to try extreme challenges. If it couldn’t be determined whether it was poisoning, what was the significance of this experiment?
So in this fourth round, the two death row inmates from the second wave replaced them, while the three from the first wave were directly transferred to the sixth round.
The two death row inmates were originally quite happy when they learned that they could make an early appearance. They had been held in prison for a long time and had taken tonics to boost their spirits. However, yesterday they were not fully satisfied before being replaced.
Therefore, the two of them rubbed their fists and palms to boost their spirits, while taking medication and asking eunuchs for tips on prolonging time.
This might sound like a fantasy, but it was actually very scientifically based.
As was well known, once eunuchs in the palace had gained power and status, they would also follow the example of ordinary people, buying houses and properties outside the palace, and taking wives and concubines.
The eunuchs who were responsible for going out to the palace to buy goods were not only rich in oil and water but also convenient in coming in and out of the palace, so the proportion of buying property and getting married could be said to be unparalleled in the palace.
Getting married and taking concubines was not a difficult task for eunuchs, but maintaining marital relationships was even more difficult for eunuchs who lacked communication bridges.
Especially, eunuchs were not allowed to stay overnight outside the palace unless there were special circumstances.
This allowed many apprentices to take advantage of it. Many eunuchs' wives and concubines lived the days of fake phoenixes, virtual phoenixes, and live ammunition at night.
Those eunuchs who want to live a decent life, and even want to find a cheap son, naturally have no grudges about it.
But many eunuchs detest being cuckolded and tried every means to prevent adulterers from taking advantage of the situation.
Those who have power and influence both inside and outside the palace, such as eunuchs like Dai Quan and Zhou Wuyou, could naturally rely on coercion and inducement to maintain the loyalty of their wives and concubines to themselves.
But those who were neither up nor down have little power in the palace but have no reliance outside, could only settle for second place, diligently studying the techniques in the room, and relying on verbal and manual skills to defend and comfort the stability and unity of the family.
It was said that some eunuchs even made time to go to the brothel to practice Buddhist scriptures before getting married, to successfully establish a harmonious life after marriage that was good for both sides.
Therefore, the saying ”How much sorrow can you have, just like a group of eunuchs strolling through brothels” was purely fabricated by poor scholars out of thin air!
They would go to the brothel to study and learn with a longing for a better future and a spirit of hard work and research. Where was there anything to worry about?
It seemed to have been pulled too far.
In short, eunuchs imparting techniques to death row inmates was not absurd at all, and it was very in line with scientific logic!
In theory, this academic discussion on the gender level should be quite harmonious.
However, all night in vain, coupled with Prince Zhongshun watching and mocking from the side, did the eunuchs still have the "enthusiastic heart" of last night?
One by one, their faces were taut and their buttocks were cold as if opening their mouths meant insulting, and raising their hands meant whipping. This quickly cooled down the enthusiasm of the death row inmates to ”live to death, learn to die.”
The scene was once extremely awkward.
It wasn't until the death row inmates sat at the dining table and charged fiercely towards the table full of food that the atmosphere eased slightly.
Speaking of which, these two people were also fortunate. The morning meal was either a masterpiece that required a lot of effort to stew, or the fresh seafood, which was even better than the added and reduced versions in the latter half of yesterday night.
It was said that Sun Shaozong was on the side, constantly dealing with the difficulties of Prince Zhongshun, and also pondering how to boost morale. His heart was restless, and he wanted to send him to the west with a punch.
Unfortunately, Prince Zhongshun will not shout "I will definitely come back," like the villain in the animated series, and then appear heartlessly again next time.
But this guy was really idle, constantly gossiping with him here; why didn’t the court arrange a job for him so that he wouldn't be absent from work early or late?
"Your Highness, Your Highness!"
Just as Sun Shaozong had a thought in his mind, he saw a young eunuch running towards the direction of the Qianqing Palace, holding a corner of his clothes. When he reached the step, he couldn't help but point in the direction of the Qianqing Palace and said, "The Emperor... the Emperor, please hurry over."
"My Brother is looking for me?"
Prince Zhongshun frowned and said, "What's so urgent?"
"How would I, a servant, know?"
The eunuch said with a bitter face, "The message from Eunuch Dai is that you should hurry over."
Prince Zhongshun was actually just casually asking, without expecting him to answer at all.
Therefore, before the eunuch could finish complaining, he turned his head and explained to Zhou Wuyou, "Didn't you listen to me yesterday? Just go and hide in peace. Today, you can't delay your official duties anymore!"
"How dare I not listen to your words, Your Highness? Yesterday, something happened, and I had to deal with it."
Zhou Wuyou first called out a few times and then confidently said, "Don't worry, these servants have more than a dozen eyes staring on your behalf. Even the boldest master can't do any fancy work!"
Speaking, he deliberately gave Sun Shaozong a provocative glare.
Obviously, after tearing off his face last night, he had no intention of continuing to be submissive in front of Sun Shaozong.
Also…
This guy should have gone to change the ledger last night, right?
Otherwise, there would be a sense of unease in his heart. How could his waist stand so straight?
However, Sun Shaozong was too lazy to argue with him, watching as Prince Zhongshun drifted away with the eunuch while speculating on the reason and purpose for the Emperor's call for Prince Yizhong's passing.
First of all, it could be confirmed that it has nothing to do with the ongoing testing here; otherwise, Emperor Guangde would have sent someone to stop it long ago.
Moreover, although Prince Zhongshun constantly mocked, he didn’t cross the bottom line. For example, he directly relied on his identity and called for the cessation of testing the "Recovering One’s Youth Pill."
Second, the possibility of being related to court politics was also unlikely.
After all, today was not the day of the morning court. It has just passed the second quarter of the morning, and the daily meeting between the Emperor and the cabinet would only be held in two-quarters of an hour.
If there was really a big event happening in advance and it was reported to the palace early in the morning, then the eunuch would not be completely unaware.
Was it…
Was it related to the message that Prince Yizhong sent back yesterday?
This was highly likely, after all, the Emperor's fear and importance towards Prince Yizhong could be seen by all. After listening to those vague words, he definitely hoped to understand what medicine was being sold in Prince Yizhong's gourd.
But the gilded youth was still unable to be at ease, let alone this ruler of all things?
Sending someone else to ask might not reassure Emperor Guangde, so having Prince Zhongshun explore the way was naturally the best choice.
He didn’t know what amazing "nonsense" Prince Yizhong would say when he saw Prince Zhongshun.
"Ouch!"
He was lost in thought as he looked in the direction of Prince Zhongshun when, suddenly, he heard someone behind him scream in pain.
Sun Shaozong instinctively turned his head and saw one of the death row inmates, bowing his head and spitting out many yellow and black things, then sticking out his tongue and dripping blood.