Nothing happened.
Horse and I took a sip. It was sweet–perhaps a bit too sweet for me–but I saw that Horse enjoyed it. We waited for a while, and waited, again. Nothing happened.
Finally, our meeting with Prince Huang came to a close. We stood up, bowed, and bid our goodbyes. As we left the inn, I couldn’t help but wonder who else would have been responsible for my master’s death. The noble lady and the prince said that they weren’t guilty. All that was left was to ask the priest. I discussed this with Horse, who agreed that we should go see the body the next day to see if our master was really poisoned. I did not like the idea, but it had to be done.
Waking up as a human being is a completely different sensation. Horse and I chose to sleep in the shed, for getting up in our master’s room seemed wrong, and went by the well to clean ourselves and get ready for the day. Our clothes seemed to smell, and we had no choice but to rummage through our master’s wardrobe for some clothes that we could wear.
Finally, we were ready, and after having a meal of porridge, we proceeded to the city’s infirmary, where the physician would be waiting.
As soon as the physician’s hall was in sight, I saw that then herbalist, Master Qiu, had come out to greet us. We bowed, and so did he. Horse’s nose twitched, and I could see why. The overpowering scent of herbs had enveloped us, even before we even entered.
“Young masters, uh–” Master Qiu addressed us, but couldn’t seem to find our names.
“Master Horse and Ox will be fine,” I said, and he ushered us in. The scent of herbs grew stronger and my partner and I surveyed the rows and rows of drawers that hung above us, all replete with ingredients of all kinds.
“I have terrible news about your master.”
“I beg your pardon, but he’s dead. Nothing could be more terrible,” I replied, and he took a step back.
“Why my brother means–” Horse opened his mouth to apologise, but the herbalist merely raised his hand.
“No. I understand. You are much aggrieved. I only meant to say that we found a rare poison, wolf fungus, in your master’s innards. It was present in the wine he had drunk.”
Horse and I looked at each other. It was confirmed, then. We had sniffed wolf fungus when out grazing in the fields that we didn’t have to plough. Even then, we always avoided it. Its faint but sweet odour masked a deadly poison–one that, when ingested, ensured that the victim will not wake up.
“Someone who lived here poisoned Master,” I spoke. Horse nodded.
“My deepest, sincerest, apologies,” Master Qiu said, but I believe someone you know is paying his respects, too.”
The herbalist escorted us to the back hall, where Master’s body was wrapped up. The priest, Master Yu, was there.
We bowed. He asked us to get up.
“My condolences. What horrible news. And yet, Nüwa has sent you on an errand! Goodness! What was she thinking? You have no time to mourn!”
Some of the resentment that I had pushed away burbled up again, but I thought of the questions I wanted to ask him.
“What happened during the last dinner with my master?” I asked.
“Not much. There was talk of doing two weddings–one here, and the other, in the Northern state of Yi, where the prince and the lady are from.”
“How was the mood like?” Horse asked.
“Oh. The prince was loud and kept jokes, telling stories of his hunting expeditions while the lady clapped admiringly. The more drunk the prince grew, the sadder he became. It was awkward.”
“And how did you feel?” Horse asked.
“Embarrassed that someone royal was behaving so crudely and not befitting of his station, but it’s rude to reprimand him among all of his attendants–”
“Wait. Attendants?” Horse and I asked.
“Didn’t Lady Li say that there was no one else at the gathering?” Horse sputtered.
“Noble ladies and men always have servants at their beck and call, even if they choose to treat them as invisible,” Master Yu said. “Since you were not human before–”
“We forgot,” I said.
“Well, yes. I wonder if there was still time to question them. Did you happen to meet the prince and his cousin?”
We nodded. Could we still go and question their assistants?
“Wait,” Horse narrowed his eyes at Master Yu. “And why would you sanction this union between them both?”
“It seems like it’s best for Farmer Yan, is it not? I am merely here to facilitate.”
We had all of the information we needed, more or less. The funeral was tomorrow, and everyone in the village was to attend it. We were this close to finding the criminal. If anyone would try to poison us, it would be during the dinner.
Horse and I had to be ready, no matter what. We strode off, discussing a plan. Master had to be avenged no matter what.