Gu Qianying awoke slowly in Nangong Mo's embrace. Before she could sit up, she felt a slight movement beside her. She opened her eyes and feigned a sudden起身, glancing sideways to see Nangong Mo watching her from his position on the bed.
"Awake?"
Her heart was clear, yet she had to pretend ignorance. Nangong Mo was only this cautious and considerate in front of Gu Qianying. Only he knew that even if she was used, even if she hurt him, as long as she was by his side, he would be content.
"Mm," Gu Qianying replied, preparing to get out of bed.
Bai Qi's urgent voice sounded from outside the door.
"Princess Consort, Your Highness, something terrible has happened, something very bad. The Gu family is in trouble."
Gu Qianying's feet instinctively slipped, and she nearly fell onto Nangong Mo.
At this moment, Nangong Mo had already risen and was sitting by the bed, holding Gu Qianying with one arm and steadying himself with the other.
Bai Qi rushed in, followed closely by Cai Xia, who had been guarding the door.
"What happened?"
Nangong Mo asked coldly, his hand reaching out to pick up the outer robe placed by the bedside and drape it over Gu Qianying.
Bai Qi had not yet replied.
Gu Qianying stepped forward, her expression worried. "What happened to my family? Tell me quickly!"
Nangong Li, clutching his fan, strode in, lifting his robes. "Ninth Imperial Uncle, something terrible has happened, something very bad. The imperial prison caught fire, and both General Gu and Gu Yefeng perished!"
With a clatter,
A teacup fell,
Everyone turned to look.
They saw Gu Qianying, standing precariously close to the tea table, staggering, her body swaying, about to collapse.
"Qianying!"
Nangong Mo looked sharply at Gu Qianying, his hand reaching out quickly, instinctively wanting to rise. However, Cai Xia was a step faster.
"Princess Consort!"
Cai Xia cried out, rushing forward to support Gu Qianying.
Gu Qianying leaned against Cai Xia, her face filled with grief. "Grandfather! Brother!"
Seeing Gu Qianying like this, Nangong Mo's heart ached. He blurted out, calling her name, "Girl, don't worry. This might be baseless. General Gu and the eldest son of the Gu family are both skilled martial artists; they will surely be fine. Don't be too anxious. I will send someone to investigate this matter thoroughly."
With that, Nangong Mo commanded Bai Qi, "Go and investigate this matter thoroughly, quickly!"
"No need to investigate. I have just returned from there. The fire in the imperial prison was too intense. After it was extinguished, the bodies of General Gu and Gu Yefeng were discovered. It is said they were burned beyond recognition. Although their faces could not be distinguished, their clothing confirmed their identities."
"Princess Consort! Princess Consort!"
As Nangong Li spoke, Gu Qianying, unable to accept the news, fainted into Cai Xia's arms.
Cai Xia cried out, grabbing and shaking Gu Qianying.
"What are you standing there for? Go and fetch a physician quickly!"
Nangong Mo shouted. Disregarding his seated position in the wheelchair, he suddenly stood up, walked to Gu Qianying, picked her up, turned, and gently placed her on the bed.
The others present stared in stunned silence, momentarily forgetting how to react.
Until Nangong Mo spoke coldly, "Drag all the maids serving here out and have them beheaded!"
His secrets were not to be leaked.
The maids knelt, crying and begging for mercy, but the black-clad guards arrived, grabbed them all, covered their mouths and noses, and dragged them all out.
These maids...