I inherited my grandfather's Tang Dynasty assets.

Chapter 19 Hallucinogenic Mandrake Pollen and the Immortal Cultivation Workshop

Chen Yue wasn't sure when he went to bed; according to his usual routine, it was around 11 p.m.

Yesterday was an accident; it's impossible for him to go to bed so early like people in ancient times.

The moon sets and the sun rises; I slept until I naturally woke up, and it felt wonderful.

"Young master, you're awake."

Zhao Qimei arrived at some unknown time, and it seemed she had been busy for a while.

Chen Yue stretched out a big yawn.

"Okay, you don't need to come so early anymore."

"I'm used to it. Oh, by the way, young master, I'll go heat up your breakfast. The water's already boiled, I'll bring it to you right away."

"I never thought I, Chen Yue, would live a life where I'm waited on hand and foot."

Chen Yue smiled, got up and dressed. Seventh Sister brought over a basin of hot water. After he finished washing up, breakfast was also heated up and was still very plentiful.

She had cleaned the house very thoroughly, and it looked very comfortable.

"Sit down and eat with us. By the way, how's the thing I asked you to do yesterday?"

"Young master, I have already contacted Uncle Tie, but one night is not enough time. He said he can prepare it by noon, and I will bring it to you when I deliver the meal later."

Chen Yue was somewhat surprised.

"So fast? Not bad, you're quite reliable. Has your stepmother been giving you a hard time lately?"

He already had a general understanding of Zhao Qimei's situation. He felt sorry for the girl, which was one of the reasons why he kept her by his side to serve her.

Although Chen Yue wasn't some saint, he was still quite happy to do small favors that he could easily help with.

The little girl's eyes reddened at the mention of this, and she almost knelt down to Chen Yue again, quickly saying...

"My mother doesn't treat me like she used to. They all know I'm your maid, and they're very kind to me now."

The two chatted casually while eating breakfast. Chen Yue did most of the questions, and Zhao Qimei answered them. They talked about ordinary, trivial things in life.

"My lord, Liu Boyan and his friend Fan Tao have come to visit."

After finishing her meal, Seventh Sister cleaned up the dishes and chopsticks. Chen Yue was teaching her to read when Liu Boyan and Fan Tao's voices suddenly came from outside.

They had just talked about the Hu family case yesterday. Chen Yue asked Fan Tao to go back and investigate the situation of Yang Wanli's case. I didn't expect him to come today. Could it be that there are results so soon?

Chen Yue asked Seventh Sister to invite the two of them in. As soon as they entered, Chen Yue noticed that their expressions were slightly off, but he assumed it was because there was some new development in the case and didn't pay much attention to it.

"Lord Fan, have you found out anything?"

Upon hearing this, Fan Tao immediately clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

"After hearing what the adults said yesterday, Fan went back and immediately investigated Yang Wanli's case file and also sought out connections in the Dali Temple."

One thing is certain: Yang Wanli's entire family was executed, without exception.

This included Yang Wanli's parents, his wife and three concubines, his children, and all his parents and brothers; his entire family had perished.

Chen Yue frowned.

"That can't be right. Could it be that I guessed wrong?"

Fan Tao didn't say anything, but the expression on his face was enough to show that this was what he thought. Fortunately, he hadn't spread the news yet, or it would have become a laughing stock.

"Are there any other situations besides these?"

This time, Fan Tao's expression was no longer calm; instead, it became somewhat excited.

"My lord, do you still remember what you said about using illusions to kill people? I thought that since it's about inducing hallucinations, some drugs must be used to help."

Therefore, I asked some doctors, and they said that there was a strange pollen in the Western Market that could cause hallucinations, giving people a dreamlike feeling.

They are usually sold to alchemists and Taoist practitioners who use this item for alchemy and cultivation. The management of this item is extremely strict, and ordinary people cannot buy it.

This flower is called Mandarin Duck, and according to the servants of the Hu family, Hu Wenyuan and Hu Wenbo underwent some changes in temperament about a month before their deaths.

They used to be gentle and refined, but during that period they became irritable and would curse and even fight if things didn't go their way. This enraged Lord Hu, who gave them both a severe scolding.

Then he became extremely sleepy and started acting strangely…

After hearing his account, Chen Yue immediately sat up straight. If his previous statements were all just guesses without any evidence, then he was wrong.

At this point, it can be definitively concluded that this was a premeditated murder.

It's impossible for Chen Wenyuan and Chen Wenbo to suddenly change their personalities; they must have been poisoned with pollen from a flower called Mandrake during the time they were hallucinating.

They were constantly subjected to psychological suggestion, gradually blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Finally, on the second day of the old man's birthday celebration, the two were murdered.

"If someone bought datura pollen, there would be detailed records, right? Have you checked them all?"

Chen Yue discovered that he quite enjoyed the process of unraveling the mystery and finding the truth in the investigation. Now he has confirmed that the two were murdered after being controlled by a hallucinogenic monster for a long period of time.

Once we find out which member of the Hu family bought Manro, everything will become clear. To scare the two brothers to death without them knowing and to poison them over a long period of time, there is one necessary condition: they must have been able to contact the brothers anytime, anywhere, or for an extended period of time. That could only be the Hu family.

"Fan has already had someone investigate, and none of the servants of the Hu family have purchased this medicine. Moreover, Manro is very expensive and the quantity is relatively small. Most of those who purchase this medicine are alchemists and practitioners who live in the Immortal Cultivation Hall."

I didn't investigate that thoroughly. These alchemists wouldn't have killed the Hu brothers for no reason.

Normally, there must be a motive for murder to commit a crime. But the Taoist priest and the Hu family have nothing to do with each other. How could he go to such great lengths to kill two complete strangers?

The "Cultivation Hall" he mentioned was one of the 110 wards in Chang'an. The Tang Dynasty was tolerant and open, and did not restrict those who cultivated immortality, as long as they did not commit crimes.

The Immortal Cultivation Hall is home to many such people. In addition to masters who specialize in performing rituals, there are alchemists who claim to be able to cure all diseases with elixirs, rain masters who pray for rain, fortune tellers, and so on.

Although many people do not believe in this, even more people do. People from all eras will encounter setbacks in life, and it is perfectly normal to seek help from gods when practical means cannot solve the problem.

Chen Yue agreed with Fan Tao's point that, based on the current investigation, the two matters seemed completely unrelated.

"Brother Fan, could it be that the Hu family's servants bought the datura pollen from these sorcerers?"

Liu Boyan suddenly said something.

"Absolutely impossible. Mandrake pollen is extremely expensive and there is no market for it. Many alchemists don't even have enough for themselves, so why would they be willing to sell it to the servants of the Hu family?"

Moreover, they were well aware that if someone used it to drug others and harm them, they would also be implicated. Furthermore, if the plan had been implemented more than a month ago...

This clearly demonstrates that the medication has been administered frequently over the past month. The servants of the Hu family earn only 500 coins a month; how could they afford it?

Fan Tao easily refuted Liu Boyan's question with facts. The two looked at Chen Yue again; it was Chen Yue who suggested the illusionary killing, and he was the one who had to make the decision.

But Chen Yue is not a god. Now that all possibilities have been ruled out, what can he do?