The man let out an angry roar, frightening the ladies present. They scrambled to get dressed and knelt on the ground in panic, their faces filled with dread. "We... we dare not..."
"Scram, all of you, get out! Guards, drag these lowly servants out and beat them to death!"
The man turned around, revealing his face.
With his handsome features, arrogant demeanor, and a penchant for wearing gold-threaded brocade robes, who else could it be but the extravagant and high-profile Crown Prince, Nan Rong Qi?
At this moment, the ladies kneeling on the ground, before they could even utter a plea, were dragged out one by one by guards in black plain clothes who had rushed in.
Just then, a man in red, wearing a silver-white mask, pushed open the door and stood at the entrance, not entering.
His gaze fell upon the sheer embroidered clothes scattered on the floor, and the disgust in his eyes was extremely evident.
Nan Rong Qi looked towards the man in red. Noticing the man's displeasure, he quickly ordered those outside the door, "Guards, clean up the room."
A moment later, the room was tidy again.
The man in red then walked in and said faintly, "How is it? Still not satisfied?"
Nan Rong Qi put on his outer robe and sat down at the desk. His personal eunuch, bowing, entered and poured two cups of tea: one hot, and one the usual chilled tea prepared daily.
Nan Rong Qi casually picked up the cup of chilled tea and poured it directly over his head. The personal eunuch, seemingly accustomed to such unusual behavior, respectfully handed him a handkerchief, bowed, and silently left, closing the door behind him.
After Nan Rong Qi felt the qi within him stabilize somewhat, he replied, "Counting the women inside and outside the palace, there are at least a thousand. Even so, I still feel a fire burning within me. For several days, I haven't been able to sleep, feeling restless and overheated. I wonder when this poison within me can be resolved?"
The man in red sat down opposite Nan Rong Qi and lightly brushed his sleeves.
Seeing this, Nan Rong Qi exposed his wrist.
After the man in red took Nan Rong Qi's pulse, he said, "Still no progress. The antidote for the Qing Luo poison requires the Yin blood of a woman to enter the body. Moreover, this Yin blood constitution is not something ordinary women possess. It requires the presence of a Yin ailment. However, this Yin ailment shows no symptoms on the surface of the body. Therefore, Your Highness the Crown Prince can only resort to the most cumbersome method of trying them one by one.
Furthermore, these past few days, Your Highness has been suffering from an inner fire, only able to alleviate it through constant sexual intercourse. This is the only way to keep Your Highness safe for the time being."
"Constantly? Will I not die from exhaustion?"
The man in red took out a red handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped his hands. "The Qing Luo poison has a long onset period. If, after a month, there is still no solution, then Your Highness might..."
*Clang.*
Nan Rong Qi's hand trembled in fright, and the teacup he was holding fell to the ground and shattered.
He grabbed the man in red's hand and pleaded, "Sir, please save me! I don't want to die!"
The man in red remained silent, but his gaze fell on Nan Rong Qi's hand, his brow furrowed, and displeasure evident.
Seeing this, Nan Rong Qi quickly let go, his eyes filled with fear and unease. "Sir, please forgive me. I didn't mean to..."
Before he could finish speaking, the man in red stood up, looked at him, and said with a chilling voice, "I never cooperate with someone who is so impatient. Today, I have matters to attend to at my residence. Farewell!"
As the man in red was about to leave, Nan Rong Qi hastily stopped him. "Sir, please don't rush. It is my fault. I shouldn't have been so agitated. I beg you to forgive me this once."
While apologizing, Nan Rong Qi lowered his head, his attitude sincere, but the deep-seated anger in his eyes could not be concealed.
"Still can't recall when you were poisoned?"
The man in red did not respond to Nan Rong Qi's previous words and suddenly asked.
Nan Rong Qi looked up, his voice tinged with annoyance. "These past few days, I've been in and out of the Eastern Palace, attending court. Besides that, I've gone to the Pear Garden Pavilion to listen to music. Other than these, I haven't been anywhere else. And the people in these places are all my own people. How would they dare to poison me!"
Listening to Nan Rong Qi's words, the man in red pondered and then said, "In that case, it must be that you've overlooked something, or forgotten someone you met."
Nan Rong Qi suddenly stood up. "That's right! I went to the prison to see the eldest daughter of the Gu family, Gu Qianying, a few days ago! Could it be that she poisoned me? Damn woman, I'll send someone to capture her right away!"
As he spoke, Nan Rong Qi was about to walk out when he heard the man in red say, "Stop. What's the hurry? If such an interesting woman is merely captured for you to consume, what's the point!"
Nan Rong Qi's footsteps halted, and he turned back. "What does Sir mean..."
The man in red narrowed his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. "This interesting girl not only caused us to lose a spy we've cultivated for many years, but she even extended her reach to Your Highness the Crown Prince. This little girl has quite the nerve. I truly like her."
Hearing the man in red's tone, Nan Rong Qi leaned closer and said with a smile, "Does Sir have his eye on that girl?"
The man in red remained silent, but the possessiveness in his eyes was extremely strong.
Nan Rong Qi pressed him. "When Gu Qianying was imprisoned, I went to see her. I originally wanted to give her an opportunity to 'leap over the dragon gate.' On the surface, she agreed to my proposal and obeyed my every word. However, I never expected her to collude with the damned Nan Gong Mo and set a trap for me. Not only did I lose a loyal subordinate, but I also lost several potential loyal officials.
If you want to move against Gu Qianying, Nan Gong Mo will surely intervene. This shows that Gu Qianying is extremely important to Nan Gong Mo. If Sir desires this woman, you might anger Nan Gong Mo."
"An interesting little darling, it's normal for someone to like her."
"However, Nan Gong Mo not only likes Gu Qianying, but I also observe that Gu Qianying's attitude towards Nan Gong Mo is different. Otherwise, why would she agree to become his Ninth Princess Consort?"
The man in red did not follow Nan Rong Qi's words but instead chuckled. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, you know how I treat things I like. Just a few days ago, I stuffed my most beloved maid, Dong'er, into a wine jar. Human heart as medicine, human skin soaked, internal organs removed, then fried and roasted – another delicacy.
In this way, Dong'er can never leave me. I see that the eldest daughter of the Gu family, Gu Qianying, has fair skin and a beautiful appearance. I imagine her taste would be even more delicious than Dong'er's."
As Nan Rong Qi listened to the man in red's words, his stomach churned with nausea, and his body tensed, afraid to interrupt.
"Alright, it's getting late. I should be going back. For the next few days, Your Highness should continue to stay here as you have been. I will cover for you in the palace. Currently, your father the Emperor has high hopes for you. Do not let him know about your foolish deeds."
"Yes, Sir. I understand."
Nan Rong Qi stood up to see him off.
After the man in red left.
Nan Rong Qi, who had been about to call for some girls to serve him, was suddenly embraced from behind by a woman who rushed in.
"Young Master, save this humble servant! I'm so scared."
The woman was dressed in pink, sheer gauze, revealing her collarbone and shoulders, her voice delicate.
Nan Rong Qi froze. Upon seeing the woman's face, he was greatly surprised. "Gu Ming Yue?"