Chapter 234
At this moment, the case of Princess Jiu, Gu Qianying, slaughtering her maternal family within the city was causing a huge stir. News of this incident even provided storytellers on the street with a new, sensational tale to earn money.
In their stories, Gu Qianying was portrayed as a vicious and cruel woman, a ruthless female demon of the current era. Thus, the title "Demoness Gu Qianying" originated.
On this particular day, major events unfolded in the imperial court and throughout the capital, each causing an uproar. The Crown Prince was assassinated by his own guard, Hu Biao, and was injured. The Emperor was furious and had Hu Biao immediately apprehended. At this juncture, a princess newly recognized by the Emperor knelt in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, claiming that Hu Biao was her husband, who had been living among the common people, and that they had a child together.
Although the Emperor was angered, the child of the newly recognized princess was also an imperial descendant. Considering the scarcity of princes, princesses, and imperial descendants within the palace, the Emperor decided to let the matter rest.
Hu Biao, who had been a criminal for assassinating the Crown Prince, was instantly transformed into a consort of the court. Furthermore, due to his considerable abilities, he quickly became a favored official by the Emperor's side.
An investigation into his assassination attempt on the Crown Prince revealed that he had been framed. It was discovered that the true culprit who had attacked the Crown Prince and framed Hu Biao was a guard hired by a minor concubine in the Eastern Palace, who harbored resentment for not being favored by the Crown Prince.
Ultimately, this minor concubine and her entire family were sentenced to death by beheading.
Another incident involved the Director of the Court of Judicial Review, Yan Kuan, the eldest son of the Yan family, who was being held in the imperial prison. He was abducted by several men in black.
The Emperor was enraged once more and dispatched Yang Ze, his most skilled inner guard, to pursue the abductors. He ordered that Yan Kuan be apprehended and that Yang Ze secretly investigate the treasure map case.
The treasure map had appeared out of nowhere, stirring various factions. The Emperor had also heard about this, but he was unaware of who had obtained the treasure map.
"No matter who finds this treasure, you must bring it back to me. Do you understand?" the Emperor, clad in imperial yellow robes, asked the kneeling man, his gaze sharp.
The man kneeling on the ground wore a purple robe, with only a simple jade pendant adorning his waist. Unlike his usual ostentatious style, his attire had remained consistent. However, he now had a peculiar fondness for the color purple. This unusual habit had once led the Emperor to harbor deep suspicions, but the man's face was impeccably handsome and flawless.
This led the Emperor to believe that Yang Ze, perhaps having reached an age where he should marry, might simply be choosing to wear vibrant clothing.
"Yes, your subordinate obeys the decree!"
After receiving the order, the man turned and exited the Hall of Mental Cultivation. As he passed through the winding corridors, he encountered Nangong Xuanning, who was on her way to meet the Emperor with her attendant.
Upon learning that the imperial prison had caught fire and that General Gu and his eldest son, Gu Yefeng, had both perished in the blaze, she had secluded herself in her chambers for over half a month, losing a significant amount of weight.
In the past two days, she had received further news that her Ninth Imperial Uncle, Nangong Mo, had fallen into a coma due to poisoning in his residence. Meanwhile, Gu Qianying, the Princess Jiu, had become an unforgivable fugitive overnight and had been stripped of her title as Princess Jiu by her father.
With such significant events occurring over two consecutive days, she could no longer remain idle.
Gu Qianying was Gu Yefeng's biological sister. Even without this familial connection, Gu Qianying had saved her life in the past. Now that Gu Yefeng was dead, she absolutely could not allow Gu Qianying to meet a similar fate.
"Princess, please do not worry too much. This servant believes that Miss Gu Qianying is not someone who would kill innocent people, nor is she a cruel and ruthless demoness."
"Of course, I know that. Gu Qianying, that arrogant woman, although I find her quite annoying, her heart is not bad. She would never commit such cruel acts. But you know her character, I know her character, and will my father know? Therefore, I will go and persuade my father now to have him reinvestigate the massacre at the Gu residence."
"But... Princess... His Majesty is currently enraged. If you go now, you will be scolded. Perhaps we should wait until His Majesty calms down?"
The maidservant cautiously advised.
Nangong Xuanning glanced at her and reprimanded, "What do you know? By the time my father calms down, that woman Gu Qianying will be dead, and it will be too late!"
"But, Princess, you will be scolded by His Majesty. His Majesty might even punish you."
The maidservant continued to persuade.
However, Nangong Xuanning refused to listen. "What are you afraid of? I am His Majesty's own daughter. Do you think my father would kill me for this?"
"But... Princess..."
"Enough of your 'buts.' Hurry and follow me."
Nangong Xuanning walked away quickly, her maidservant following closely behind. Neither of them noticed the man walking towards them.
The man's gaze was cool. He glanced at Nangong Xuanning, said nothing, and continued forward.
The sudden collision sent Nangong Xuanning into a solid embrace. She abruptly looked up and saw a handsome, unfamiliar face.
"How dare you collide with the Princess! Do you not wish to live?"
Nangong Xuanning's maidservant shouted angrily and quickly stepped forward to push the man away for her princess.
The man cupped his hands towards Nangong Xuanning, still silent, and straightened his back as he walked past her.
The purple robe he wore caught Nangong Xuanning's eye. She called out to him from behind, "You, stop!"
The man halted his steps but did not turn around. He simply asked, "Does the Princess have further business?"
Nangong Xuanning walked over, blocked his path, and looked at him again. His face and voice were unfamiliar, but the color of his robe was so familiar.
"What is your name?"
"Yang Ze!"
Yang Ze held a position in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, but he appeared in public very rarely, often being summoned secretly by the Emperor.
Therefore, Nangong Xuanning had never met this man before.
"Yang Ze?"
Nangong Xuanning, lost in thought, stopped looking at him and walked past him, mumbling, "You are not him. You are ultimately not him."
Watching Nangong Xuanning, looking lost, walk away with her maidservant.
The man stood frozen in place for a long time, unable to regain his composure.
Only after Nangong Xuanning and her maidservant entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation did the man finally retract his gaze and leave the palace.
In the capital, aside from the events unfolding in the palace, the Ninth Prince's residence was unusually lively.
Nangong Mo had been in a coma for several days. After continuous efforts by the physicians in the residence to detoxify him, testing antidotes, and retesting them, he finally woke up a few days later.
Everyone in the Ninth Prince's residence rejoiced. However, on this day, Nangong Mo received a letter of divorce personally written by Gu Qianying. The person being divorced was Nangong Mo, and the one divorcing him was Gu Qianying, who was on the run and nowhere to be found.
Looking at the letter of divorce, everyone couldn't help but doubt its authenticity. However, Nangong Mo could recognize Gu Qianying's handwriting.
"Pfft!"
Nangong Mo sat up, leaning on the bed. He clutched the letter of divorce tightly in his hand. Overwhelmed by anger, he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed heavily onto the bed.
"Ninth Imperial Uncle!"
"Your Highness!"
Nangong Li and Steward Qi exclaimed simultaneously.
Physician Ji Wuyi, carrying his medical kit, rushed over.
Beside them, Mama Shi was stunned.
After a night of treatment, Nangong Mo slowly opened his eyes. The people who had stayed by his side during the day were still present.
"Get out, all of you!"
Nangong Mo said coldly.
Everyone was stunned but too frightened to move.
"Get out!"
He shouted again.
After snapping out of their stupor, everyone immediately withdrew.
That night, Nangong Mo locked himself in his room, ordering everyone in the residence not to disturb him, under penalty of death!