Osmond looked at her with conflicting emotions.
It was not that he disliked this child.
Rather, he did not believe she was that capable.
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After all, Craig Eastwick’s identity was only gradually revealed in Sinderin City over the last twenty–odd days when Margaery fell out with the Wallen family publicly.
In just over twenty days, even if Margaery were a genius, what could she truly learn?
In reality, the reason Craig gave Margaery the secret prescription in her previous life was not for her to use it to win Avery Wallen’s favor. It was because he recognized her talent and wanted to take her as his apprentice. Thus, he offered that as bait.
Unfortunately, in her previous life, Margaery kept running after the Wallen family’s father and sons and Dominic Hadley. She failed to take the bait totally.
But now, things were different.
Although it had only been a little over twenty days, whether reading prescriptions, studying medical theory, or examining meridians and acupoints, Margaery only had to read through the information twice to master it thoroughly.
She had effectively memorized all of Craig Eastwick’s core skills.
Now, all she needed was practical experience.
However, Osmond was not aware of this.
Moreover, no one had been able to cure his illness for four years. The Eames family had sought out renowned physicians everywhere. Even the veterans from the Royal Medical Hall had tried to treat him without success.
How could a young, inexperienced girl succeed where older and wiser heads had failed?
However, to avoid embarrassing Margaery, he still nodded. “Go ahead.”
He might as well give her a chance to practice,
Margaery settled herself down by the bedside and took his pulse,
As far as pulse diagnosis went, she had only practiced on her maid in the past, so she was quite inexperienced.
However, her master’s notes and annotations were extremely detailed.
With these for reference, she was not left to fumble blindly.
After pondering for a moment, Margaery stood up and looked at Osmond with a grim expression. “Mr. Eames, may I draw a little of your blood? Just a little.”
Osmond was rather astonished by her request. “Why?”
‘Has this girl discovered something?‘ he wondered.
Even Phillipa was surprised and hurriedly asked, ‘Margaery, what is wrong with my grandfather?”
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1:08 am DD M
Chapter 255
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“Mr. Eames is not ill. He seems to have been poisoned.” Fearing that the elderly man might not believe her and think she was speaking nonsense, Margaery explained, “Mr. Eames, your pulse is very unusual. It is sometimes fast, sometimes slow, much like a sparrow pecking. After every four to seven beats, there is a temporary pause, and this cycle repeats.
“Additionally, I observe that your lips are rather dark and your breathing is labored. You seem to gasp for breath after every few words. This condition typically indicates that poison has penetrated deep into the lungs, Mr. Eames.”
After Margaery explained, Osmond’s brows furrowed slightly. He was no longer dismissive of this girl.
Margaery sensed that he must have recalled some particular incident, so she asked, “May I ask, how did this illness come about, Mr. Eames? At that juncture, did you consume anything unusual?
“Perhaps you drank alcohol at a feast, or had some tea? Or was there incense burning in the room, and so forth?”
Osmond’s face turned stony while Phillipa became visibly incensed.
Christina and Marc exchanged glances in silence. They both sensed that the matter might be more complicated than it
seemed.
After a moment of silence, Osmond finally spoke. “Now that you mention it, I do recall something.
‘Four years ago, the youngest son of the Salome family got married, and I attended the wedding feast. Two days after returning home, I became ill. That wine was personally offered by the current Minister Salome’s youngest son.”
Everyone in the chamber widened their eyes upon hearing this.
Margaery’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected to stir up a hornet’s nest. Something unthinkable was about to erupt…
After Osmond fell ill and could no longer handle his official duties, his subordinate, Deputy Minister Sigurd Salome, was promoted to Acting Lord of Warfare.
In that sense, if Osmond had not fallen ill, Sigurd Salome would not have become the Acting Lord of Warfare.
The Salome family stood to benefit from Osmond’s illness.
Therefore, the Salome family had a motive to poison Osmond.
For a moment, Margaery did not know what to say.
Finally, Phillipa spoke. “Grandpa, I will have someone investigate this matter. If any clues are found, I will make sure the Salome family members responsible pay with their lives!”
Phillipa could not tolerate anyone who was deceitful. At this moment, murderous intent surged in her eyes. “I can’t believe his. Grandpa groomed him, yet his family committed such a treacherous act in return!”
As she spoke, she turned and grabbed Margaery’s hand. “Margaery, go ahead and draw blood from Grandpa for the oxicology test. If Grandpa’s health can be restored, Sigurd Salome’s position will be in danger!”
If he should be demoted to his previous position as Assistant Minister, then so be it!‘ she swore under her breath.
Margaery roused herself from her thoughts and nodded. “I will do my best.”
“Thank you, my child.” Osmond snapped out of his reverie and gazed at Margaery solemnly. “All these years, no one could tell it was poison. It must be difficult to cure, isn’t it?”
Margaery shook her head slowly. “It’s hard to say. It depends on what kind of poison it is, and also the victim’s reaction to it. My master’s medical skills are unrivaled in the world. Even if I cannot cure you, I’m sure my master can.”
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11:08 am D
Chapter 255
Margaery had already formed some suspicions.
But she could not be certain until the toxicology results were out. “Let’s get your blood sample.”
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Osmond took a deep breath. He was indeed short of breath and could not speak much. Whenever he spoke, he felt tightness and discomfort in his chest that resembled suffocation.
Phillipa sent someone to fetch a small ceramic bottle.
Margaery pricked the elderly man’s fingertip and drew enough blood to fill half the bottle. “Done. I’ll go back now and try to get the results out as soon as possible.”
She put away the ceramic bottle with a grim expression.
“In that case, I won’t hold you back. After this matter is resolved, I must thank you properly.” Phillipa wished she could chat more with Margaery, but she did not have much time left.
She only had three days off.
Margaery also had only two days, so she nodded and said, “I’ll come again tomorrow.”
“Sure.” Phillipa nodded.
Margaery bid a respectful farewell to Osmond. Just as she was about to leave, Osmond spoke, “If you can cure the poison in my body, our family will be your support in the future.”
At this moment, his dim eyes regained their original sharpness. There was also a glint of anger.
Margaery acknowledged his words with another respectful curtsy.
In the future, as she rose through the ranks, she would naturally need support. The more allies she gained, the better.
At the main gate, Margaery bid farewell to Phillipa. “Phillipa, don’t worry.”
Phillipa nodded firmly. “I’ll wait for your news.”
There was no need for excessive formality between them by this stage. It was just like the time when Margaery merely sent a letter, and Phillipa took leave to testify for her without question.
When Margaery helped Phillipa this time, few words were needed.
On the way back, Marc lamented gravely. “Who would have thought that there was such a sinister plot behind Mr. Eames’s illness…”
What he found even more remarkable was that Margaery managed to discover it. “You have only studied medicine for a few days, haven’t you? You may not be familiar with Mr. Eames’s condition, but as far as I know, the palace physicians have treated him no fewer than ten times. Even Nolan Fischer was at a loss.
“Over these years, no one has ever said he was poisoned.”
Margaery leaned against the carriage seat as she pondered over the matter. “Whether it was overlooked, left unsaid, or no one dared to speak up, or worse, they could not speak about it, there are so many possibilities.
“It also depends on what kind of poison it is. In fact, I do not quite believe that Nolan Fischer failed to detect it.”
Margaery felt a heaviness in her heart. Perhaps she ought to get to know Nolan Fischer better….
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
