"In the imperial family, there has never been blood relation. You will be my Imperial Noble Consort from now on."
As she left Jiuhua Palace.
Nan Rong Qi was in a very good mood.
That day, he also bestowed many gifts upon the Noble Consort of Jiuhua Palace, including rare and precious luminous pearls, as well as red corals from other small countries and other valuable items.
Thus, the news that the Imperial Noble Consort was greatly favored by the Emperor was confirmed, making all the other concubines in the harem extremely envious.
And the incident of the death of Concubine Shu, Gu Ming Yue, was thus concluded.
At that time, the few concubines who were driven out kept their mouths tightly shut, none of them wishing to offend this new favorite Imperial Noble Consort.
For the next few days, Nan Rong Qi summoned the Imperial Noble Consort every day. But strangely enough, after being "favored" by the Emperor, the Imperial Noble Consort fell ill and could not get up.
At first, Nan Rong Qi thought Gu Qian Ying was likely faking it, but after several imperial physicians examined her, the result was that the Imperial Noble Consort had indeed caught a cold and was not fit to serve His Majesty.
This illness lasted for several days.
For several days, Jiuhua Palace kept its gates tightly shut, and Gu Qian Ying announced that she was recuperating.
However, Gu Qian Ying herself was not in the palace during this period.
Inside the Poisonous Doctor's Sacred Hall, in a bamboo cottage courtyard.
"Bai Qi is out of danger, he only needs a few days of rest."
Meng Qing Hua poured Gu Qian Ying a cup of tea and placed it in front of her.
"Mm, how is Ouyang Qing Lin?"
Gu Qian Ying had not seen Ouyang Qing Lin for several days. She had not seen him since he was poisoned last time.
"He soaks his body in medicinal wine all day. He should be recovering soon."
Meng Qing Hua sat opposite Gu Qian Ying and answered truthfully.
"Mm, that's good."
Gu Qian Ying took a sip of tea and was about to get up when Meng Qing Hua looked at her and asked, "How is your plan progressing?"
When the plan was mentioned, a sharp glint flashed in Gu Qian Ying's eyes.
"Very smoothly."
Gu Qian Ying did not elaborate on the question.
Meng Qing Hua did not ask for details of the plan.
He knew that Gu Qian Ying had her own way of doing things.
After a brief inquiry, Gu Qian Ying finally got to the main business.
"I need Dan Zhu Pills. I'll give you two days. I'll come to pick them up myself in two days."
Meng Qing Hua's teacup almost fell to the ground. Gu Qian Ying caught it with her bare hands. Not a drop of tea spilled, and the tea leaves inside only stirred slightly.
As she placed the teacup back into Meng Qing Hua's hand, he walked over and stood before her, his voice serious: "What? Dan Zhu Pills? Why do you want this? This item is extremely harmful to the body!"
"Mm, I know. You don't need to say more. I've decided."
Gu Qian Ying did not explain why she wanted the Dan Zhu Pills, but she knew that Meng Qing Hua would not pry into her affairs outside.
Meng Qing Hua finally sighed: "Alas, forget it. Since you've decided, even if I try to stop you, I can't. However, I must remind you that those who take Dan Zhu Pills will eventually be backlashed by its toxicity. Think carefully!"
"Mm, alright, I understand."
Gu Qian Ying replied and turned to leave, but she saw Meng Qing Hua picking his cultivated mushrooms.
"Cooking again?"
In her memory, Meng Qing Hua was never one to enjoy cooking.
Meng Qing Hua nodded. He glanced at Gu Qian Ying and continued picking mushrooms: "Xiao Lin Zi and Nangong Li are coming for a drink later. I'm preparing."
Who? Xiao Lin Zi?
Gu Qian Ying, who had just stepped out, retracted her right foot.
"I'm hungry too, let's have it together."
"Ah?"
Meng Qing Hua was stunned for a moment.
"You want to stay for a drink?"
Gu Qian Ying stood by the window, fiddling with the medicinal herbs planted by Meng Qing Hua. Her back was to him, and as she kneaded the herb that had just bloomed, a few petals fell.
"Why, is that not allowed?"
She did not turn around, but she picked up the fallen petals from the table and casually tossed them out the window.
The pale purple petals, amidst the green bamboo in the courtyard, looked like a delicate embellishment.
"Of course, you can. We would be very happy if you stay."
Meng Qing Hua quickly moved over and carefully moved away his precious possession.
His medicinal flower was called Zi Xian Ding, the king of detoxification. Although it could not cure all poisons, it could easily handle common toxins.
This medicinal flower was very difficult to cultivate, and it had taken him a lot of effort to grow it.
"What else do you need? I'll help you."
Gu Qian Ying sat down at the wooden table.
"No, no, no, nothing is needed. You just sit and wait."
Meng Qing Hua's smile was very proper.
But heaven knew how frantic he was at that moment.
The last time Gu Qian Ying had said she wanted to cook a few dishes for him to try, his small kitchen had almost caught fire, and the exquisite jade bowls and plates in the small kitchen had all been smashed to pieces by Gu Qian Ying.
"Do you really not need my help?"
Gu Qian Ying poured herself a cup of tea.
Meng Qing Hua smiled, maintaining his gentle and elegant demeanor.
"No, really not. Just sit and wait to eat."
"Alright."
Gu Qian Ying said no more unnecessary words.
At the wine table.
Meng Qing Hua and Nangong Li had intended to drink until they were drunk, but now they could only eat quietly.
They watched Gu Qian Ying and Xiao Lin Zi, each holding a jar of wine, drinking together.
Mm... They suddenly felt that the meal was very uninteresting.
"Drink!"
They switched from small wine cups directly to large bowls.
Gu Qian Ying and Xiao Lin Zi drank with great gusto.
"Stop drinking, you're drunk."
Meng Qing Hua snatched the empty wine bowl from Gu Qian Ying's hand.
At this moment, Gu Qian Ying's cheeks were flushed, and her fingers were fumbling on the table.
Gu Qian Ying alone had drunk one of the two jars of wine.
"Don't bother me, get up, come on, Xiao Lin Zi, you accompany me."
Gu Qian Ying snatched the wine jar back from Meng Qing Hua.
"Alas, forget it, forget it. Drink if you want, however you want. Aren't you afraid of getting drunk and making a fool of yourself, a young lady?"
Although Meng Qing Hua said this, he still got up and went to the small kitchen.
He felt he needed to make a hangover soup for Gu Qian Ying.
Meanwhile, Gu Qian Ying, swaying unsteadily, got up, hugged the wine jar, poured a large bowl, and kicked Nangong Li, who was beside her, aside before sitting next to Nangong Mo.
At this moment, although Nangong Mo had also drunk a jar of wine with Gu Qian Ying, his expression was unchanged, and he showed no signs of drunkenness.
Even his snow-white robe had no wrinkles.
Gu Qian Ying leaned close to Nangong Mo. Before Nangong Mo could react, she suddenly raised her hand, pinched his chin, and forced him to look at her.
The two met each other's eyes.
One was as steady as a mountain, while the other had already leaned in.
"I feel like you're very familiar, but your face is so strange. Xiao Lin Zi, have you really never known me before?"
Gu Qian Ying's eyes were hazy. Under her long eyelashes, her unfocused gaze now reflected only his miniature reflection.
As she asked this question, Gu Qian Ying rubbed her nose against his.
Nangong Mo's body tensed abruptly, and a ripple flashed in his deep eyes.
He raised his hand, grabbed Gu Qian Ying's wrist, and moved her hand away: "No."
Actually, saying he didn't know her wasn't entirely true.
Gu Qian Ying's face was also familiar in his blank memory, but he knew very well that the person before him was familiar because she was Zi Ling Nu.
Those two old men had said that Zi Ling Nu was originally his subordinate, but as for his memories as Lotus Emperor, he had forgotten them.
Now, all he had in his mind were the memories told by those two old men; he hadn't recalled those things himself.
The loss of memory was not that important to him.
As the Lotus Emperor, being devoid of emotion and love was his essence.
As the Lotus Emperor, managing the Six Realms and ensuring peace and prosperity for them was his sacred duty.
And although he could have quickly won Zi Ling Nu's heart, he had to admit that he hesitated.
He had been unable to strike several times, all because she gave him a familiar feeling.
"Don't know me? But... why do I feel... you're so familiar?"
Nangong Mo pushed Gu Qian Ying's hand away, but Gu Qian Ying leaned even closer.
They could clearly hear each other's breathing.
"Xiao Lin Zi, Gu Qian Ying, what are you two doing?"
Seeing that Gu Qian Ying was about to embrace Nangong Mo,
Nangong Li, who had eaten a face full of dirt, immediately became agitated.
Gu Qian Ying was his Ninth Imperial Uncle's! No one was allowed to touch her!
Nangong Li pressed on the table and moved towards Gu Qian Ying and Nangong Mo.
But... Nangong Mo waved his sleeve.
Nangong Li instantly fainted.
At this moment, Gu Qian Ying was already completely drunk.
Nangong Mo picked her up and walked towards the bamboo house...