The moment Gu Qianying saw Ouyang Qinglin, she understood that this was all Ouyang Qinglin's scheme, and its main purpose was to leave her with no other option but to depend on him.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, she became the male favorite of the current Imperial Advisor, accused of "murder."
In Gu Qianying's opinion, Ouyang Qinglin's motive was that he had seen through her disguise as a man, her usual male identity. She certainly didn't believe that someone like Ouyang Qinglin would help a stranger, or rather, help her, given their adversarial relationship.
"Oh my, so this young master is one of the Imperial Advisor's people? Haha, it's all a misunderstanding, a huge misunderstanding! Guards, quickly carry away this 'knocked out' Young Master Wang, don't dirty the Imperial Advisor's eyes here."
Lord Li whispered a low command to the officers behind him.
Two officers quickly dragged away the corpse of Young Master Wang.
Everyone present feared Imperial Advisor Ouyang Qinglin, so no one dared to say anything more about the murder of Young Master Wang.
A moment later, the crowd, filled with apprehension, dispersed.
Gu Qianying had no choice but to follow Ouyang Qinglin into his sedan chair. With two people sitting in it, the sedan bearers were bound to find it more strenuous.
Eunuchs and guards followed outside the sedan, creating a magnificent spectacle.
People by the roadside were all discussing the Imperial Advisor's favored male concubine.
Inside the sedan, Gu Qianying looked at the man sitting opposite her with a cold gaze.
The man smiled wickedly, playing with a human-skin scented fan. Before Gu Qianying could speak, he opened his mouth first, "When did Miss Gu disguise herself like this? Look at your ugly face, it's quite unappetizing. Why don't you take it off?"
Gu Qianying's cold eyes narrowed, her fists clenched, and killing intent flared.
As expected! Ouyang Qinglin recognized her, and this entire charade was staged for her!
Ouyang Qinglin completely ignored the killing intent in Gu Qianying's eyes, merely smiling wickedly at her, "What? Do you want this seat to do it myself?" Beneath the human-skin fan was a deed of sale. With a flick of his orchid-like finger, he casually unfurled it, revealing the name filled in on the deed: Lu Zhu!
"Although the Slave Market is not within my jurisdiction, I am aware that to acquire someone from there without spending money, one needs such a deed of sale. Otherwise, even a slave bought at a high price is still a pitiable person without freedom. I see Miss Gu's affection for that little maid, and I imagine you would very much wish for that little maid to follow Miss Gu of yours with a clear conscience. Am I correct?"
Her clenched fist, hidden in her sleeve, slowly relaxed. She looked directly at Ouyang Qinglin, "Where is she?"
Being able to speak to her like this, it was likely that Lu Zhu was currently in Ouyang Qinglin's hands.
"Miss Gu, you can rest assured. This seat will definitely bring her back and take good care of her. Once her injuries are healed, I will personally send your maid back safe and sound."
With a flick of his finger, the deed of sale landed in Gu Qianying's hand.
Gu Qianying glanced at it and put it away.
Ouyang Qinglin looked up at Gu Qianying, his intention as clear as day.
Gu Qianying raised her hand and removed the human-skin mask from her face, revealing her exquisite features.
A wicked smile curved Ouyang Qinglin's lips, "Miss Gu, I find you more pleasing to the eye in this appearance. I like it very much."
"Please address me as the Ninth Princess Consort."
Her words were meant to inform Ouyang Qinglin that she was on the same side as Nangong Mo, and if Ouyang Qinglin intended to do anything to her, he would have to consider Nangong Mo's power.
"Heh~!"
Ouyang Qinglin chuckled, put down the human-skin scented fan in his hand, and his wicked eyes held a hint of teasing, "In my eyes, you will always be Miss Gu."
"What is your purpose?"
Gu Qianying did not believe that Ouyang Qinglin's actions and words today were without purpose.
"Miss Gu, why do you think of me this way? I am so angry."
Suddenly, he leaned his face forward, looking at Gu Qianying at close range.
They could almost hear each other's breath. Gu Qianying wanted to push Ouyang Qinglin away but felt him gently blow on the side of her face, "However, if Miss Gu could give this seat a kiss, perhaps I would not be angry anymore!"
"Alright!" She quickly took out a silver needle from her waist pouch, placed it between two fingers, and with a swish, shot it directly towards Ouyang Qinglin's brow.
Ouyang Qinglin dodged quickly. As he raised his hand, his two fingers caught the silver needle that was about to pierce his brow. He played with the needle in his hand and smiled wickedly, "If a woman gets angry often, she will age."
Gu Qianying looked at him, "Then isn't the Imperial Advisor afraid of losing his lifespan by toying with this lady?"
"Losing lifespan?" Ouyang Qinglin continued to smile, "Isn't Miss Gu afraid of divine retribution for impersonating an elder?"
This time, Gu Qianying smiled, "If the Imperial Advisor is not afraid of divine retribution, why should this lady fear it?"
"Hahaha..." Ouyang Qinglin burst into laughter, "Miss Gu, you are indeed much more interesting. It was not in vain that I deliberately lost to you that day."
Mentioning that day, Gu Qianying suddenly understood, so that was the reason.
"To help you find an opportunity to kill Nangong Mo, or to help you find something else in the Ninth Prince's mansion?"
The purpose of the charade Ouyang Qinglin put on was one of the two possibilities she could think of at the moment.
"As I said, everything I've done is to make Miss Gu happy. Miss Gu doesn't need to think of me so despicably." His wicked eyes made it impossible to discern his true intentions.
"In that case, Qianying thanks the Imperial Advisor." Gu Qianying offered a perfunctory thanks, her words expressing gratitude, but her heart held no sincerity.
How could she not know Ouyang Qinglin's purpose?
The sedan chair was carried to a restaurant. The sedan bearers set it down, and the eunuchs knelt, using their backs as steps.
Guards stood on either side, guarding without looking sideways.
Gu Qianying lifted the sedan curtain and glanced out, her eyebrows furrowing, "Does the Imperial Advisor intend to linger and rest here?"
"Not just this seat, but both of us."
Ouyang Qinglin stepped down, treading on the backs of the eunuchs, completely disregarding Gu Qianying inside the sedan.
A cold glint flashed in Gu Qianying's eyes.
She put on the human-skin mask again and followed him out of the sedan.
They followed him into the tea house, went up to the second floor, and entered a private room.
On the dining table were delicacies and fine wines.
Gu Qianying sat opposite Ouyang Qinglin.
Ouyang Qinglin picked up a half-formed embryo with visible blood vessels, put it into his mouth, chewed it, and then looked at Gu Qianying, "I like to eat these unformed things. I suppose Miss Gu likes them too."
Gu Qianying pursed her lips, remaining silent.
He was forcing her!
For some reason, the scene of Nangong Mo cooking for her alone in the kitchen suddenly appeared in her mind.
It was only then that she realized Nangong Mo had never forced her to do anything.
She supposed it was all because she resembled the person Nangong Mo loved.
Feeling a surge of annoyance, she forcefully suppressed it. When she looked up, her expression had returned to calm. She picked up her chopsticks, took a half-formed embryo, and despite the churning nausea in her stomach, she forced herself to swallow it.