"A person must be honest? Heh, third sister, don't you find your words rather jarring?" Gu Qianying retorted, a cold smile playing on her lips. She turned to Cai Xia, "When I was unconscious just now, did anything happen?"
Cai Xia curtsied to Gu Qianying and reported, "Replying to the Princess, just now, someone tried to throw poisonous smoke through the paper window into this room. Fortunately, Physician Ji discovered it, and the person failed to poison us and escaped. At that time, Physician Ji was administering acupuncture to treat you, Princess, and couldn't move. He instructed this servant to open the window to let out the small amount of poisonous smoke that had entered the room. Physician Ji said that once this small amount of poisonous smoke dispersed, it would not cause harm to the human body. But this was because Physician Ji discovered it in time. Otherwise, our Princess would have suffered greatly!"
As she spoke, Cai Xia knelt heavily before Nangong Mo, "Your Highness, our Princess was almost poisoned by someone here. We implore Your Highness to uphold justice for the Princess!"
A cold glint flashed in Nangong Mo's eyes, and his entire being exuded killing intent. "Someone dares to court death like this! Bai Qi, have these people surround the Gu residence. Without my command, no one is to leave the estate!"
Nangong Mo seized the opportunity, using the current situation to justify his围攻 of the Gu residence.
Gu Kun's expression darkened. "Ninth Prince!"
Gu Ziran reacted quickly, "In that case, Eldest Sister should be looking for the person who poisoned her within this estate. What does this have to do with Ziran?"
As Gu Ziran voiced her question, Madam Bai quickly chimed in, "Indeed, Ninth Princess, what does this have to do with this lowly concubine?"
Gu Qianying shot them a cold glance. "My maid hasn't finished speaking yet. Why are you in such a hurry?" She turned to Cai Xia, "Continue."
Cai Xia nodded, "Yes, Princess." She turned to face everyone, "Originally, this servant did not know who intended to poison our Princess. But it was only when Third Miss entered that this servant suddenly realized that the one who poisoned her was the Third Miss of this estate. This is all because Physician Ji said that the poisonous smoke had a peculiar scent, carrying a unique orchid fragrance. Those who are exposed to it will retain the scent on their bodies, which cannot be easily dispersed. Although the scent of the poisonous smoke in this room has somewhat dissipated, the fragrance of orchids still lingers. This scent is very familiar to this servant. As soon as Third Miss entered, this servant smelled the same fragrance on her. Therefore, this servant is certain that the poisoner is the Third Miss of this estate."
Her words struck home with precision.
Nangong Mo's icy gaze swept over Gu Ziran. When she looked at him, it was as if she were gazing at a cold corpse. He spoke indifferently, "Fifty strokes of the cane are not enough. Bai Qi, deal with it on the spot. Kill her!"
He did not allow her to defend herself, merely concluding that someone had tried to poison his wife. He would rather kill the innocent than let the guilty go.
Nangong Mo's ruthless and venomous demeanor made everyone present tremble.
Bai Qi drew his saber.
The crowd fell silent in terror.
Gu Ziran, terrified, burst into tears, "No... it wasn't me, I didn't..."
In her extreme fear, she no longer cared about her jealousy towards Gu Qianying.
Immediately, she ran towards Gu Kun and knelt at his feet, pleading, "Father, your daughter did not poison Eldest Sister. Your daughter is being framed. I beg Father to plead for your daughter, to prevent the Ninth Prince from killing me. Your daughter is truly innocent, sob..."
Among those present, Gu Ziran still possessed some wit, knowing to seek help from Gu Kun at this critical moment.
The entire estate had been surrounded by Nangong Mo's men, which had already angered him. Now, he was about to have his third daughter executed in front of him. Although offending the Ninth Prince for the sake of one daughter was not worth it, it was a matter of face at this moment. He had to argue.
"Ninth Prince, is there perhaps some misunderstanding? My third daughter, Ziran, is usually well-behaved and sensible, treating everyone with kindness and friendliness. How could she poison her own Eldest Sister?"
He then looked at Gu Qianying, his tone displeased, "Qianying, even if you dislike your third sister, you cannot frame her like this, can you? What orchid fragrance? Your father didn't smell anything. Moreover, you just said that you were unconscious. Even if you hadn't woken up then, and you woke up only when Father and the others arrived, it means you were unaware of everything that happened while you were unconscious. Yet, Father saw you looking so confident just now, as if you had foresight. Furthermore, your maid spoke so coherently, as if she had prepared her words beforehand. Such abnormality makes Father feel that you have orchestrated a scheme of 'borrowing a knife to kill.' Qianying, we are all born of the same root, why must we harm each other so?"
Gu Kun, though a selfish and profit-driven individual, possessed a logical mind.
Having served as an official for many years, he naturally knew how to benefit himself.
His words at this moment directly placed the blame for jealousy and revenge on Gu Qianying, putting her in a disadvantageous position.
"Heh! Father, your daughter never knew that Father's mind was so sharp and intelligent. Your logical thinking is no less than that of a junior secretary in the Dali Temple!" Gu Qianying mocked, then added, "Since Father has so many questions, then your daughter must make Father understand. Otherwise, if outsiders were to witness this, they would think that I, the dignified Ninth Princess, specifically returned to my maiden home to engage in the despicable act of intentionally framing my own third sister!"
She turned to Nangong Mo, "Ninth Imperial Uncle, the matter has reached this point. If it is not clarified, your concubine fears she will be accused of having a malicious heart. Such an accusation, your concubine cannot bear."
Gu Qianying's words carried hidden meaning.
Nangong Mo naturally understood.
The doting in his eyes had not yet faded. He looked at her and said, "Wife, do whatever you wish, without regard for anything else."
With this, Gu Qianying understood. She looked at Bai Qi, "Go, apprehend everyone in the estate, from the Madam and concubines to the servants and stable boys. Leave no one behind. In addition, take people and thoroughly search all their living quarters, including my father's residence."
As soon as these words fell, Bai Qi received the order and complied.
Gu Kun, however, began to panic. He quickly stopped her, "Wait! Qianying, what are you doing?"
Gu Qianying looked at him, her voice cold, "Doesn't Father want the truth? Then your daughter will give Father the truth! Oh, and regarding why I knew so much while I was unconscious, it's because your daughter had already woken up before Father and the others entered. As for why I feigned unconsciousness, it was to lure the person who poisoned me into a trap. My maid and Physician Ji were not aware of this.
Naturally, as a qualified physician, your daughter can also smell the scent of the poisonous smoke that Physician Ji mentioned. Does Father find this explanation satisfactory?"
Gu Qianying looked at Gu Kun again. Before Gu Kun could speak, she added, "As for investigating who poisoned your daughter, Father can rest assured and wait."
Gu Qianying's words had a double meaning. Gu Kun did not understand at first, but after thinking it over, he suddenly remembered the items hidden in his room and immediately became vigilant.
At the same time, he wished he could slap himself. He could abandon his third daughter, Gu Ziran, but the items hidden in his room could not be discovered by others!
He was extremely anxious, and at the same time, he thought that the items were hidden so secretly that others would not be able to find them.
Thus, he would wait, waiting for Gu Qianying to lift a rock only to drop it on her own feet!
Gu Qianying captured Gu Kun's expression with her eyes.
The corners of her mouth curved slightly. She had originally planned to sneak into her father's room at night to find the item her grandfather had asked her to look for.
However, Nangong Mo was often by her side, and she feared being discovered by him. In this way, she could openly search the rooms, which provided her with much convenience.
Her gaze passed through the door crack to look outside.
Madam Han would likely have heard the news from this side by now. She should be even more panicked than her father.