A sudden sentence stunned Duan Xifeng. "What? What did you say?" He thought he must have misheard.
"To be taken as a concubine by Nangong Mo, with you here, no matter what I do, you can cover for me, and you can also investigate what you want to investigate. We can continue to cooperate, otherwise, I will make you lose everything and gain nothing."
Gu Qianying looked at Duan Xifeng, her calm eyes reminding him that she was serious.
"Gu Qianying, what are you trying to do, you bitch? Is your brain squeezed by the door? Are you crazy?" Duan Xifeng grumbled endlessly.
Gu Qianying picked at her ear. "Old Bai is a skilled physician and knows disguise. He can definitely help you change from male to female."
"No, no, absolutely not. Nangong Mo is not a fool, and I certainly can't..." Duan Xifeng shook his head in disagreement.
Gu Qianying interrupted him before he could finish. "Ice Spirit Grass, forbidden arts, and half of the Ninth Prince's estate, how about that?"
"Half of the Ninth Prince's estate?" Duan Xifeng leaned in, grinning. "Really?"
Gu Qianying walked to the bed and sat down, leaning back. "If not, then forget I said anything."
"Don't, don't, don't, yes, yes, yes. Your martial uncle is the poorest and extremely fond of money. Then it's settled. A gentleman's word is his bond. But how do I get into the estate? I can't just move in, can I?"
Duan Xifeng scratched his head, looking troubled.
"There will be a way. The immediate task is for you to investigate this person thoroughly." As Gu Qianying spoke, she tossed a prepared bamboo tube into Duan Xifeng's arms.
Duan Xifeng opened it and looked. He was surprised. "Isn't this so-and-so?"
"Nangong Mo's wet nurse, Granny Shi," Gu Qianying's voice was cold.
"Yes, it's her. Why are you investigating someone who is about to die?" Duan Xifeng put the paper with the drawn portrait back into the bamboo tube, asking with a puzzled expression.
"Naturally, it's useful. Just do as I say." Gu Qianying didn't want to say more.
Duan Xifeng scoffed. "Alright, alright." He stood up, put the short bamboo tube into his embrace, and preserved it well. As he turned, he seemed to remember something, took out a small white jade bottle from his embrace, and placed it on the table. "The day your poison flares up is approaching. This is the antidote."
Looking at the small white jade bottle placed on the table, the light in Gu Qianying's eyes deepened.
"Mm, okay, I understand." Although Gu Qianying said so, she did not take the small white jade bottle.
With the important matters discussed, Duan Xifeng walked to the window, intending to climb out. He turned around, returned, came before Gu Qianying, scratched his head, and asked with a blushing face, "Do you have any more fragrant powder? Give me some more."
"..."
Seeing Gu Qianying's prolonged silence, Duan Xifeng urged, "Do you have any? Say something!"
Gu Qianying said faintly, "You can chop up that silver snake and eat it."
Duan Xifeng: "..."
After Duan Xifeng left, the maid Cai Xia walked in with a food box. "My lady, I've made some pastries. Please try them."
Cai Xia opened the food box and took out a small plate of Poria cocos cake.
It was exquisite and translucent, looking delicious.
Gu Qianying picked up a small piece and took a bite, then nodded. "It really tastes good."
The maid Cai Xia was very happy to be praised.
Knock, knock, knock!
A knocking sound came from outside the door.
Gu Qianying and the maid Cai Xia stopped talking.
The maid Cai Xia looked outside, then turned back and said respectfully to Gu Qianying, "My lady, don't be afraid. I'll go and see."
Gu Qianying said nothing, but her cold eyes showed more vigilance.
At this late hour, who could it be?
She couldn't discern the other party's strength.
Cai Xia opened the door and walked out.
After a long while, she still hadn't returned.
"Cai Xia! Cai Xia!"
Gu Qianying called out, but there was no response.
Her eyebrows furrowed. She went to the door to look and was suddenly stunned by the sight before her.
Dozens of luminous pearls were arranged in a heart shape, illuminating the area brilliantly and colorfully. Hundred flowers bloomed around, competing in beauty and filling the air with fragrance.
In mid-air, countless fireflies flew and flashed, adding a touch of spiritual energy to the brilliance.
Gu Qianying walked out the door. The ground where she stood was covered with a red carpet. As she walked forward, she saw, in the flickering light, a perfectly sculpted, resolute profile.
The person sat in a wheelchair, with black hair and a red robe, as handsome as could be.
Gu Qianying walked over.
The person held the armrest of the wheelchair and turned their face. Beneath the exquisite features were eyes as dark and unfathomable as ink.
"Little Qianqian, you're here."
A voice as gentle as water, with a hint of laziness, sounded in her ears.
Gu Qianying looked at him.
When he looked at her, his eyes were hazy, his gaze misty, and he exuded a strong scent of alcohol.
"Did you drink?"
Gu Qianying frowned.
"Heh heh," Nangong Mo chuckled. He tilted his head and leaned on the wheelchair, suddenly opening his arms. "Little Qianqian, I want a hug."
"..."
Gu Qianying walked over, raised her hand, and touched Nangong Mo's forehead. "Do you have a fever?"
His body trembled violently. He lowered his gaze and saw that someone had "shamelessly" hugged her.
His head rested against her chest, his hands clasped tightly around her waist, like a child throwing a tantrum and acting spoiled.
"I want a hug, I want a hug."
"..."
Gu Qianying turned her head and looked around. When she confirmed no one was around, she unceremoniously tried to push Nangong Mo away, but he held her tightly, making it impossible to move.
"Your Highness..."
"Call me Ninth Imperial Uncle."
"Alright, Ninth Imperial Uncle, please let go of your concubine."
Unable to push him away, Gu Qianying had to speak.
"No, I won't let go. I won't let go. I want to hold you. I miss you so much."
"..."
If it weren't for the fact that she was now certain the person before her was indeed Nangong Mo, she would have suspected that someone had used disguise to impersonate him.
Seeing Nangong Mo completely different from his usual proud and indifferent demeanor, Gu Qianying was speechless.
Could it be that Nangong Mo behaved like this when he was drunk?
"Ninth Imperial Uncle, I miss you too. Please let me go, okay?"
Gu Qianying, unable to move while being held by Nangong Mo, could only go along with his words.
Unexpectedly, the person shamelessly added, "Wife, I want to sleep. Wife, quickly carry me to bed."
"..."
Gu Qianying inhaled sharply. She looked down at the top of his head, her hand slightly raised, about to knock him unconscious. Suddenly, Nangong Mo let go of her, looked up at her, and said in an extremely gentle voice, "Wife, you are so beautiful."
Nangong Mo released Gu Qianying, and she immediately stepped back.
Butterflies fluttered around, and the fireflies emitting light surrounded her. Their glow shone upon her, her white dress billowing in the wind. Her exquisite face fell into his eyes. At this moment, she was dazzling, enchanting, and breathtaking.
"Have you seen enough? If you have, your concubine will return. Ninth Imperial Uncle can enjoy the moon alone here."
She was not interested in his praise. What was the point of staying with a drunk person?
She turned to leave. The butterflies scattered, and the light from several fireflies dimmed.
The man in the wheelchair stared dotingly at her retreating back and suddenly called out to her, "Girl!"
Gu Qianying did not look back, nor did she stop.
In her opinion, the address "girl" was not meant for her.
"Girl! Do you still remember that time I carried you on my back, and you said you wanted me to carry you for a lifetime?"
He leaned softly on the wheelchair, his deep gaze fixed on the sky. The faint moonlight cast upon him, and he smiled brilliantly. "You also said you could forget me, but you wouldn't allow me to forget you. You also said that I could only have one sip from the vast sea of water, and you said that back then, I laughed at you, saying such a domineering girl, who would dare to marry her? But you said, if I dared to marry, you would dare to marry me."
As he spoke, the smile on his lips deepened. "Indeed, for such a reckless and domineering girl like you, only I would dare to marry you."
At this moment, a figure enveloped him, and Gu Qianying's enlarged face was within inches of him.
"Ninth Imperial Uncle, you are drunk. I'll push you back."
Gu Qianying stood before Nangong Mo. Nangong Mo suddenly hugged her again. "Okay, wife, accompany me back to sleep."
"Okay."
Gu Qianying raised her hand and touched Nangong Mo's head, coaxing him like a child. Her tone was so gentle, but only she knew how shocked she was at that moment.
So, Nangong Mo had someone in his heart, and that person might have looked somewhat like her, which was why Nangong Mo married her?
With this realization, a plan began to form in Gu Qianying's mind.
She curled her lips coldly and pushed Nangong Mo towards the main hall of the front courtyard.