Gu Qianying shut herself in the room,
Guarded by several eunuchs outside.
She was currently in a side hall of the Empress's Kun Ning Palace in the Xia Kingdom.
This location was chosen to facilitate the detoxification of her esteemed guest, and also to keep her under the watchful eye of the Xia Empress, ensuring her peace of mind.
However, no one knew that Gu Qianying, whose expression was as calm as still water, experienced unprecedented excitement the moment she closed the door. Her heart churned like a surging tide.
Was it him?
Could it really be him?
How could it be him?
And why him?
Her mind was filled with numerous questions, but she couldn't fathom them. Nor did the current situation allow her to ponder. Detoxification! Yes, detoxifying him was the most crucial task at hand!
Selecting medicinal herbs, stirring, grinding, mixing the juices, testing for poison with silver needles – every step was critical. Given his current physical condition, he could not afford any mistakes or delays!
After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Gu Qianying was still busy inside.
An hour later, Lan Momo, hiding outside the door, caught a glimpse of her. Seeing that she was indeed diligently preparing the antidote, Lan Momo felt considerably more at ease.
Several hours later, Gu Qianying finally opened the door and emerged.
At this moment, her face was pale from exhaustion, her steps unsteady, her hair disheveled and unkempt. Even a splash of colored poison on her dress had gone unnoticed.
As she walked out, Lan Momo hurried over, "Miss Gu, how is it? Have you prepared the antidote?"
"Quick, quick, give this to him, let him... let him..."
Handing the small white bottle to Lan Momo, Gu Qianying's voice trembled, her words trailing off. Her already unsteady body swayed, and she collapsed into Lan Momo's arms.
Lan Momo frowned. Considering she had finally prepared the antidote, she pushed Gu Qianying towards the waiting palace maids behind her and ordered, "Carry her back to lie down and rest for a while. When she wakes, bring her some cold food and tell her that Her Majesty the Empress is still waiting for her to prepare medicinal meals for her."
"Yes, Lan Momo."
The two palace maids complied, carrying Gu Qianying back into the room and unceremoniously dumping her onto the cold floor. One of them, without waiting for Gu Qianying to wake up, turned and left. She returned moments later with a basin of cold water.
Although this woman was a temporary female physician by the Empress's side, Lan Momo had instructed that they need not be polite to her; as long as she didn't die, it would suffice!
Before the entire basin of cold water could be thrown, a shadow suddenly appeared behind the two palace maids.
With a raised hand, the figure roughly knocked out the palace maid holding the basin of cold water.
The wooden basin fell to the ground with a crash, splashing cold water all over him. He frowned. Before the other palace maid could cry out, he struck her down with another palm.
He scooped Gu Qianying off the floor, slung her over his shoulder, circled the room, and then gently placed her on the bed. He covered her with a brocade quilt, sat by the bedside, leaned against the wall, a blade of grass dangling from his lips, his legs crossed, and simply waited.
After receiving the antidote, Lan Momo hurried towards the main hall of Kun Ning Palace. Along the way, she inexplicably felt as if her entire body was being pricked by needles. The pain caused her to collapse onto the ground, unable to move, screaming in agony.
The Empress sent someone to urge her on. She had no choice but to quickly hand the small white bottle to the Empress's personal palace maid.
The palace maid, holding the antidote, paid no heed to Lan Momo and turned, running swiftly to present the small white bottle to the Xia Empress.
Inside the sleeping quarters, by the bedside,
The Xia Empress pried open the man's mouth and placed the black pill from the small white bottle into his mouth, making him swallow.
As half an hour passed, the man finally woke up.
The Xia Empress was slightly agitated. "A'Mo, you're finally awake."
The man slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the Xia Empress's exquisite face. He frowned, his voice tinged with coldness, "Why is it you?"
He supported himself by the bedside, attempting to rise, only to discover that his hands were bound by heavy iron chains.
His eyes turned cold. He looked at the Xia Empress, "What are you doing?"
From the moment the man woke up, the Xia Empress had hoped for a kinder attitude from him.
However, the man's slightly cold expression and his voice, as chilling as the winter frost, displeased her. Without a second thought, she raised her hand and slapped him.
The man's gaze darkened. He raised his palm, intending to retaliate, but found that his body was utterly weak, as if paralyzed.
"A'Mo, I... I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean to, I..."
The Xia Empress attempted to explain something to the man, but his continued indifference further enraged her. She raised her hand, and before she could lower it, she suddenly smiled again. "A'Mo, you were injured and poisoned. I had the imperial physician detoxify you and bandage your wounds. You are now out of danger. However... I was afraid you might escape, so I had the imperial physician give you some Ten Fragrance Soft Tendon Powder. You have no strength now."
A sickly smile lingered on the Xia Empress's face for a long time. She looked at the man, "A'Mo, our reunion is a blessing from heaven. This time, I will never let you go again, never."
She sat beside the man, tilting her head, leaning on his shoulder, and smiling sinisterly.
The man tried to push her away, but he couldn't lift his hands and lacked the strength. His eyes were filled with coldness. "Don't touch me, you're dirty!"
The Xia Empress's eyes suddenly turned red. She sat up straight, turned her head, and raised her hand to slap him again.
The slap left a deep imprint on the man's cheek.
Her sharp, slender fingernails scratched his cheek, leaving a shallow bloody mark.
He turned his gaze to the Xia Empress, a thick killing intent spreading in his eyes. "Good, very good."
"No, A'Mo, I didn't mean to. Don't look at me like that, I'm scared." The Xia Empress dared not meet his eyes. She ignored the bloody scratch on his face, picked up a handkerchief, and opened it. "A'Mo, do you still remember this canine tooth? This canine tooth is from the tiger you killed when you saved me that day. I was very scared then. Fortunately, you were there, and I was safe..."
The Xia Empress rambled on, paying no attention to whether the man was listening.
"Let me go. I can overlook past matters."
Looking at the woman before him, the man's eyes were icy. He recalled the days years ago when he was imprisoned by this madwoman.
During those days, his life was dark and hopeless, worse than that of pigs and dogs. He was shackled with a pipa bone lock and bound by chains. If the people below were diligent, he might get one meal a day. If they were lazy, he would starve for days.
After escaping from here, he returned to the Eastern Victory Kingdom. Several times, he had wanted to lead his elite forces to destroy this small country.
However, at that time, he was besieged within the palace, walking on thin ice. For years, he had been secretly developing his own influence. He was too busy with daily affairs to remember the ordeal here, let alone seek revenge.
"A'Mo, now, I am the Empress of the Xia Kingdom. I will definitely not neglect you as I did before. Rest assured, you will have no worries about food and clothing here. After these few busy days, I will find a suitable opportunity to have you appear in the Xia Kingdom under another identity and stay by my side, alright?"
"Dream on!"
The man's words were sharp and cold, refusing even to pretend.
"A'Mo, you!"
The Xia Empress was choked with anger. She turned and ordered her personal palace maid, Huan Bi, "Go, find a pipa bone chain. I need it now!"
Huan Bi knelt on the ground, trembling. "Yes."
On the other side,
When Gu Qianying woke up, she was momentarily stunned to see Duan Xifeng sitting by the bed. Once she regained her senses, she asked, "Why are you back?"