"Clang!"
Faced with the Imperial Guards, clad in military uniforms, their movements synchronized and exuding a palpable killing intent,
Gu Yi, startled, loosened his grip. The dagger hidden in his sleeve fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
"Assassin! Protect the Empress!"
Gu Yi's expression shifted dramatically. He crouched down, his hand hesitantly reaching for his dagger. However, a sharp saber was pressed against his throat. He swallowed nervously, his movements freezing. He dared not move again.
Gu Qianying, who was about to act, silently retracted the silver needles from her sleeve.
With her and Lu Zhu's current skills, they could fight their way out, but Gu Yi was a frail scholar who knew no martial arts. If they made a move now, Gu Yi would surely die.
"This humble woman is Gu Qianying, the eldest daughter of the Gu family from Dong Sheng Kingdom. This humble woman pays her respects to the Empress."
Since her identity had been exposed, why not admit it openly?
From the moment she saw Nanny Lan, Gu Qianying knew her identity could not be concealed. However, what surprised her was the purpose of Nanny Lan's appearance at their Gu manor in the guise of a governess.
Was it solely on the orders of Crown Prince Nan Rong Qi?
And Nanny Lan, at this moment, was clearly someone close to the Empress of Xia Kingdom, meaning her true master was the Empress of Xia Kingdom. Then, what was her purpose in infiltrating Dong Sheng Kingdom for so many years?
Or perhaps…
Whatever she was thinking, she couldn't dwell on it now.
"You say you are who?"
Her phoenix-shaped hairpin, adorned with cinnabar, was almost broken by her grip. Her voice trembled slightly.
Gu Qianying frowned, glancing at the Empress of Xia Kingdom.
Judging by her tone, she seemed surprised by her name or her person?
"Eldest daughter of the Gu family, Gu Qianying."
She repeated.
The Empress of Xia Kingdom cast an icy glance at Nanny Lan, who was sweating profusely beside her. She turned back, her voice growing colder, "Guards! Drag this woman named Gu Qianying before me, strip her clothes, flay her skin, gouge out her eyes, sever her limbs, and soak her in poisoned wine. Just make sure she doesn't die!"
The sudden change startled Gu Qianying.
Such cruel methods of disposal, did she have a grudge against her?
But she had never met this Empress of Xia Kingdom, nor had she had any interaction with her in her previous life.
Two Imperial Guards seized Gu Qianying.
Gu Qianying did not resist, fearing that the saber at Gu Yi's throat might shift, causing Gu Yi to lose his life on the spot.
Lu Zhu, standing beside them, shuffled closer to Gu Qianying, revealing the dagger hidden on her person.
In a voice only she and Gu Qianying could hear, she quickly suggested, "Miss, don't worry about us. This servant will cover you as you break out. As for Young Master Gu, this servant will protect him with her life."
She knew her young lady was worried about Young Master Gu.
Even with the palace heavily guarded, no matter how impenetrable it was, if they fought their way out with all their might, the chances of success were slim, but it was worth a try. She would die, but her young lady had to live well.
The moment the dagger was about to spin into her palm, a hand reached out and pressed it down. Lu Zhu looked up, meeting Gu Qianying's beautiful eyes. "Don't be rash. Your lives are equally important."
Sacrificing those around her to survive alone was not something she could do.
"Miss~"
Lu Zhu's eyes welled up with tears.
A servant's life was inherently lowly; dying for one's master was only right. Yet, her young lady said her life was also important.
Her heart stirred, just as it had that day. At this moment, as Lu Zhu lowered the dagger in her hand, she took out a crucial item that could resolve this crisis. Hidden in her sleeve, she clutched the item tightly.
Once this step was taken, there would be no turning back. She would then accept the fate of being controlled.
This was a fate she had endured through countless hardships and pains, but now, she was willing to return to her past for the sake of the person who protected her.
"Irregular menstruation, an abnormal scent from below, unbearable itching, sometimes, pain spreads, followed by intensified pain, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. This illness is difficult to treat, but I can cure it and eradicate it!"
A resolute voice echoed through the hall.
Only the Empress of Xia Kingdom understood the meaning of these words. Others present either seemed to understand or dared not speculate, while some feigned deafness or were lost in thought.
The Empress of Xia Kingdom's body trembled violently. She looked at Gu Qianying, her killing intent slightly diminished, but the hatred in her eyes remained undiminished.
"Guards! Imprison these three before me. No one is to see them without my decree!"
The Empress of Xia Kingdom changed her mind, opting for imprisonment instead of brutal execution. The place of imprisonment was her Changchun Palace.
Changchun Palace was heavily guarded both inside and out. These guards were all loyal to the Empress. Before this, they had been stationed at the Empress's Kunning Palace, their lifelong duty being to protect the Empress's safety.
In Xia Kingdom, although imperial concubines were not allowed to interfere in politics, they could still mobilize a few highly skilled guards.
Before imprisoning the spies from another kingdom, the Empress of Xia Kingdom had already informed the Emperor of her situation and publicly announced that among the three spies, one could treat her chronic headaches. This was why she had imprisoned these three in her Changchun Palace.
In the main hall,
The Empress of Xia Kingdom sat on the main seat, wearing a deep red phoenix robe. She held a black Persian cat in her arms, plucking several tufts of its glossy black fur, revealing patches of blood. Upon closer inspection, the Persian cat in her arms had bulging eyes, stiff limbs, and had long since ceased to breathe, becoming a lifeless object.
"She is actually Gu Qianying, the eldest daughter of the Gu family, that slut who seduced him and became the Ninth Prince's consort. Didn't you say this slut was already dead?"
Her long, sharp nails cruelly pierced the cat's back,
Again and again, the bloodstains on her nails resembled a vibrant, enchanting poppy.
At her feet,
Nanny Lan knelt with her hands on the ground, trembling all over. "Reporting to Her Majesty the Empress, this old servant is guilty. I deceived Your Majesty. This old servant's sins are heinous and I deserve death.
However, on that day, at the Gu manor in Dong Sheng Kingdom, this old servant incited the second daughter of the Gu family, Gu Mingyue, to attack Gu Qianying. But who knew that the second daughter, Gu Mingyue, was so incompetent and ended up defeated. Afterward, the old general of the Gu family and his grandson Gu Yefeng were both imprisoned.
After this incident, this old servant always felt that the Gu family was in decline, and there was no longer any possibility of a marriage alliance between the Gu family and the Ninth Prince's manor. Gu Qianying would naturally not enter the Ninth Prince's manor. But who would have thought that this Gu Qianying would shamelessly cling to the Ninth Prince herself? However, recently, this old servant heard that Gu Qianying, this little slut, had committed a grave crime and had become a major fugitive sought by the authorities of that court. She had also divorced the Ninth Prince.
With such an outcome, this old servant thought that this slut could no longer cause any significant trouble, whether she was killed or not, it wouldn't matter. Therefore, this old servant did not tell Your Majesty the truth. I implore Your Majesty, considering how many years this old servant has served as a spy for our Xia Kingdom, to spare this old servant this once.
This old servant swears that from now on, this old servant will never dare to deceive Your Majesty again."
She kowtowed to beg for forgiveness, yet her words reminded the Empress of her contributions to Xia Kingdom over the years, contributions that had been recognized by their Emperor.
"Heh!"
The Empress of Xia Kingdom suddenly laughed, lifting the cat's ear with her blood-stained finger and then tossing it into Nanny Lan's arms. "Alright, get up. When have I ever blamed you?"
The bloody, mangled cat's body stained her clothes. Its bulging eyes stared directly into hers.
Nanny Lan, terrified, slumped to the ground, holding the bloody cat and not daring to let go. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."
Her hands stained with blood, her personal maid knelt and stepped forward to wipe them clean.
As the maid retreated, the dead cat in Nanny Lan's hands was also disposed of, but the unpleasant smell of blood still lingered on her.
She remained kneeling on the ground, waiting for the Empress of Xia Kingdom to question her.
"So, this Gu Qianying is quite capable. Her medical skills might truly be able to treat my current, unspeakable illness."
Since her return, Nanny Lan had been serving as the Empress of Xia Kingdom's personal attendant, and she was well aware of her condition.
"Reporting to Your Majesty the Empress, when this old servant was lurking in the Gu manor, I witnessed Gu Qianying's medical skills. Her medical skills are far superior to those of ordinary doctors, even surpassing those of the imperial physicians in the palace. She was even the final winner of the triennial disciple selection ceremony at the Poison Doctor's Sacred Hall.
It is a pity that the elusive Divine Poison Doctor did not appear, nor did he take her as a disciple. If she can treat you, it is worth a try."
"Then... let's try. However... the outcome of this... " She turned to look at Nanny Lan, a sinister smile playing on her lips. "She must die!"