A Magic Steeped in Poison

The next round begins, and Shao and his partner go first. Shao brews a tea that gives him the ability to transform the jincan silkworm into a date, which the piya eats willingly. Marquis Kuang is impressed. Shao’s partner then pours a tonic down the bird’s throat, forcing it to vomit the jincan back up. This saves the bird from the poison. The judges approve.

Next, it is Ning and Lian’s turn. Ning places the jincan into a jar of water and slides it into the cage with the piya. Then she brews a tea, making it as bitter and powerful as she can.

The magic awakens in her, and she connects with the piya. She twists its mind. Convincing it that it is dying of thirst, she urges it to drink. She feels guilty for using her magic in such a cruel fashion, but it works. The piya drinks the water that has been poisoned by the jincan. Then Lian removes the poison from the bird in a way that echoes what Ning did for Ruyi. Ning vomits, understanding what her mother meant with her warning that the Shennong magic “turns on the wielder tenfold if using it for harm” (263).