Hearing a familiar voice, Gu Qianying quickly lay back down on the bed. As the door opened, she sat up groggily.
"Aunt Wang? It's so late, what is your command?"
Gu Qianying looked confused, but Aunt Wang led her out.
"The Grand Tutor wishes to see you. Miss Gu, please."
Considering what she had just witnessed and the conversation between Grand Tutor Su and Her Majesty the Empress, Gu Qianying guessed that she might be summoned to discuss strategies for the impending delivery.
Since she was no longer in control of her own fate, she could only allow Aunt Wang to lead her to the Grand Tutor's room.
"You may all leave."
Su Qingqing was reclining on a soft couch. Seeing Gu Qianying enter, she dismissed everyone.
With only the two of them in the room, Gu Qianying immediately became vigilant.
"May I ask what the Grand Tutor requires of this humble one so late at night?"
She tried to compose herself, making her words and actions appear as natural as possible.
The person before her looked at her figure, observing her with a probing gaze, then suddenly leaned forward.
"Gu Qianying, I didn't expect you to be so… perceptive. But since you've discovered it, there's no need to hide anymore."
His words were sudden, but Gu Qianying's heart still jolted.
Discovered what? It could only be what she had seen on the rooftop just now.
Her mind raced, realizing that this Grand Tutor had discovered her long ago.
Gu Qianying lowered her body further.
"The Grand Tutor's abilities are superior, otherwise, you wouldn't have found my tracks."
Since the Grand Tutor already knew she had been eavesdropping but didn't expose her on the spot, she must still be in need of her.
This thought brought Gu Qianying temporary relief, but this person was so mysterious and unfathomable that she would have to be even more careful in the future.
"There's no need for false flattery. The reason this Grand Tutor keeps you is that only you can do this."
A flicker of sadness reappeared on Su Qingqing's face, and Gu Qianying looked up at her.
She was genuinely curious about what Grand Tutor Su wanted her to do.
After a long silence, Su Qingqing closed her eyes, emerging from her sorrow.
"This Grand Tutor requires you to save the mother and abandon the child during the delivery."
So that was the reason for her sorrow. But the child was innocent. Even if she gave her all, she would try to save both. Why would Grand Tutor Su choose to abandon the child without knowing the specific situation?
Her confusion outweighed her shock, and Gu Qianying spoke hesitantly.
"Your Excellency, although I obey you, I still wish to ask. I only mentioned there was danger, not that it was a certainty. Why must you insist on saving the mother and abandoning the child?"
This was the first time someone had questioned her decision, but since it was Gu Qianying, Su Qingqing was not surprised.
This person was always meddling, and now she had come to her.
She chuckled, her gaze drifting.
"Heh heh, the child in her belly is a boy. Such a gender will be discriminated against, scorned, abused, and beaten from birth. Rather than enduring suffering, it would be better to reincarnate early, perhaps in another country, or even better, to be born a girl."
Gu Qianying detected a hint of bitterness in her words, and these words were not what someone of Su Qingqing's status should be saying.
Beyond her shock, the answer to her question was almost within reach.
"The Grand Tutor's true identity is always questionable. Whose child is the Empress carrying?"
Su Qingqing's words just now had given her an answer, but this answer was truly more shocking than the Empress's pregnancy.
"So that's how it is. Yes, in the Kingdom of Nan Yi, a man's life is destined to be without peace. If such a gender were born at the cost of the mother's life, they would surely live a life of scorn and trampling."
Gu Qianying naturally followed the implication of Su Qingqing's words.
She leaned down and agreed to save the mother during the delivery.
"Good, I knew you were a smart person. Prepare yourself well. If this matter is handled properly, this Grand Tutor will reward you handsomely. But if it is not handled well, you know the consequences yourself."
Since arriving here, Gu Qianying had heard many threats. This was just one more matter that involved her life.
Whether she died alone or with two others, she truly wasn't afraid.
However, though her heart remained calm, Gu Qianying quickly knelt and kowtowed.
"Your Excellency the Grand Tutor, this humble one will surely handle this matter well and will not make any mistakes. Please rest assured."
Seeing her compliance, Su Qingqing waved her hand, signaling her to leave.
Gu Qianying slowly stood up and took two steps back.
Su Qingqing held her temples. Just then, a figure lunged towards her.
Gu Qianying had not left but had attacked Su Qingqing.
"You are seeking death."
The Grand Tutor's voice was filled with ferocity, and Gu Qianying did not relax for a moment.
The two exchanged blows, and the room once again echoed with the sounds of struggle.
However, Gu Qianying was skilled with swords and blades. In close combat, she was at a disadvantage.
As Su Qingqing pressed her advantage, Gu Qianying found an opening and lunged at the attacker's clothes.
As she tore away the inner lining, two red objects fell out.
Both were stunned, and Gu Qianying saw that what had rolled to her feet were two apples.
She had sensed something during the fight, and now, with these two apples falling out, her suspicion was confirmed.
"Grand Tutor, it seems your identity is the greatest secret. You are a man."
Her words were sharp and decisive, leaving Grand Tutor Su frozen in place.
"Hahaha, what nonsense are you talking about?"
Her secret exposed so nakedly, Su Qingqing's face became flustered, and her movements became more forceful.
"The child in the Empress's belly is yours, isn't it? If such a thing were to spread, the entire nation would be shocked. You two would be the most talked-about couple."
Gu Qianying laid bare all her discoveries. She was making a desperate, last-ditch effort.
Seeing that everything had been guessed by this woman, since she could no longer hide it, she would kill her.
Su Qingqing no longer concealed it and directly admitted it.
"So what? Do you think you can leave here alive after knowing this?"
He no longer hesitated and showed no mercy.
Seeing that the Grand Tutor had murderous intent towards her, Gu Qianying, while defending herself, also reminded him.
"Your Excellency the Grand Tutor, you must think carefully. The Empress's child is in a breech presentation. If the delivery is forced or the medical skills are inadequate, both mother and child will perish. Do you truly want me to gamble with the lives of the Empress and her child?"
Her words were both a reminder and a gamble with the Grand Tutor's heart.
Hearing this, the Grand Tutor's movements slowed, and the distance between them widened.
"Good, truly good. This Grand Tutor has indeed found an extraordinary physician."
Gu Qianying fell silent. It seemed the Empress's life was truly more important than her secret being exposed.
So be it!