A commanding voice followed.
The man in red glanced at Nangong Mo.
At the same time, Nangong Mo was also looking at him.
Their gazes collided.
One, clad in red, exuded an evil, captivating beauty and alluring charm.
The other, in white, possessed a cold, noble demeanor and a soul-stirring presence.
Though their styles differed, the powerful aura radiating from both was unmatched.
"So it's the Ninth Prince. My apologies, I truly didn't recognize you. With the Ninth Prince here, I failed to see. How have you been lately, Ninth Prince?"
The man in red spoke with a wicked charm, his beautiful eyes sparkling as he looked around.
"Hmm, Grand Tutor. What brings you here today? It's quite a surprise to have you visit."
Nangong Mo's voice was cool and clear. Though his words were polite, they carried no hint of flattery. Instead, they exuded the dominance of a superior looking down upon the world.
Ouyang Qinglin, the foremost Grand Tutor of the current dynasty, was a ruthless killer, a man of extreme cruelty, and a favored confidant of the Emperor. He was also the commander of the palace guards and the mentor to the Crown Prince and many other princes. His power was immense, second only to the Emperor.
If there were two people in this world who dared not be offended, one was Nangong Mo, the Ninth Prince, who, despite his aloofness and apparent disinterest in women, had publicly declared Miss Gu, the eldest daughter of the Gu family, as his intended Ninth Imperial Consort. The other was Ouyang Qingyang, who was rumored to favor men and was the Emperor's most beloved companion.
"I was ordered by His Majesty to leave the palace on official business. After completing my tasks, I heard that the Crown Prince and several princes were guests at the Gu manor today. I also heard that the manor was hosting many young ladies and madams from other estates. It sounded like quite a lively affair, so I thought I would drop by and take a look. I didn't expect to witness such an interesting scene."
As he spoke, Ouyang Qingyang glanced at Gu Qianying and then said, "When did the Ninth Prince acquire such a delightful companion?"
At this moment, someone behind him stepped forward and whispered a few words into his ear. He then smiled, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Oh, so this is the eldest daughter of the Gu family. Look at how pretty she is..."
As he spoke, Ouyang Qingyang raised his hand, intending to reach for Gu Qianying's face.
At this moment, Gu Qianying's body tensed, her legs feeling as heavy as lead. She wanted to move but couldn't. Her face was pale, her eyes filled with terror.
He had arrived! She had encountered him! Ouyang Qinglin! A man of ultimate danger, a man so cruel that he held no regard for anyone's life. In her previous life, after Nanrong Qi ascended the throne, he had issued an edict posthumously bestowing the title of Emperor Emeritus Xiao Qing upon the deceased Emperor. Everyone believed the Emperor Emeritus was dead, but only she knew that he was not. He had been imprisoned by Ouyang Qinglin. No one knew what horrific experiences the Emperor Emeritus had endured, but the last time she saw him, he was a living corpse, his body infused with poison, his limbs gone, his features distorted. It was evident how extraordinarily tortured the Emperor Emeritus had been, and how merciless Ouyang Qinglin was.
Furthermore, a few days prior, she had sensed a dangerous aura, and this fear stemmed from this very man. She was terrified of him.
Ouyang Qinglin's fair, bone-defined palm brushed lightly past Gu Qianying's ear, his fingers grazing her hair.
Suddenly.
A large, gentle hand grasped her wrist, pulling her forcefully. A familiar scent wafted towards her. Gu Qianying turned her head to look. Nangong Mo's chiseled profile met her gaze.
"My woman, you may not touch her!"
"Heh!" Ouyang Qinglin let out an extremely seductive smile, his wicked eyes fixed on Nangong Mo. "When did the Ninth Prince become so possessive? To cherish a mere woman so much. Have you forgotten the young beauties you sent to my estate years ago? Those beauties were personally selected by you, Ninth Prince. According to them, they even emerged from your chambers."
As he said this, Ouyang Qinglin deliberately glanced at Gu Qianying. Gu Qianying showed no sign of the sadness he expected. Instead, her eyes held a fear that was not meant for him, which made Ouyang Qinglin somewhat puzzled. This little girl was so afraid of him? Could it be that she had seen something she shouldn't have? If so, that would be quite interesting!
"Nonsense! Grand Tutor, you jest." Nangong Mo knew Ouyang Qinglin's intentions and would not let him succeed.
"Haha!" Ouyang Qinglin laughed. "My memory fails me again. Ah, those beauties were not gifts from the Ninth Prince, but from others in the court. They knew I favored delicate young beauties. I find this eldest daughter of the Gu family quite pleasing. Her appearance is truly captivating. Perhaps the Ninth Prince would be so kind as to bestow this eldest daughter of the Gu family upon me? I will surely cherish her..."
Old General Gu and Gu Yefeng's faces turned ashen. Just as they were about to speak simultaneously, a powerful surge of internal energy struck towards Ouyang Qinglin. Ouyang Qinglin smiled wickedly. He didn't move, merely raising his palm slightly.
Bang!
Behind him, a guard standing close to him bled from the mouth and fell to the ground, dead.
The crowd was stunned, especially the madams and young ladies from other estates who had wanted to leave but couldn't. Some of the more timid ones, having witnessed the incident with the poisonous insects earlier and now seeing the guard's death, fainted.
Crown Prince Nanrong Qi and the princes who accompanied him exchanged bewildered glances. Old General Gu and Gu Yefeng's expressions improved somewhat.
"Grand Tutor, speak carefully!" Nangong Mo's voice was cold, his eyes radiating a chilling glint. Those princes and Nanrong Qi, who had worked with him for many years, knew that Nangong Mo was truly angered.
"Heh! The Ninth Prince is angry. It seems this eldest daughter of the Gu family holds significant weight in the Ninth Prince's heart. In that case, from now on, you servants attending the Ninth Prince must protect this eldest daughter of the Gu family well. If, in the future, some reckless ruffians happen to harm her, your master might be heartbroken!"
Ouyang Qinglin's words were laced with hidden meaning, completely disregarding the guard Nangong Mo had killed with his internal energy. Through this exchange, Ouyang Qinglin had gained a clear understanding of the relationship between Nangong Mo and Gu Qianying, and he began to plot his next move.
A moment later.
With Ouyang Qinglin's arrival, many princes stepped forward to curry favor. Ouyang Qinglin was, after all, a trusted confidant of the Emperor, and any recommendations he made would surely be considered by the Emperor. Of course, these princes did not include Nan Gongli, Nanrong Qi, Old General Gu, or Gu Yefeng. Nan Gongli had declared his allegiance with Nangong Mo from the outset and disdained to flatter Ouyang Qinglin, as did Old General Gu and Gu Yefeng. Despite their outward show of allegiance, they maintained their integrity. They disdained associating with villains like Ouyang Qinglin. As the Crown Prince, Nanrong Qi could not openly show any attempts to flatter him.
Through the flattery of these princes, Ouyang Qinglin learned the entire sequence of events of the day. After understanding everything, he looked at Nanrong Qi and smiled again. "Since the Crown Prince has lost, you must fulfill your promise as agreed and apologize to the Ninth Prince and the eldest daughter of the Gu family, and then loudly proclaim yourself a scumbag."
Ouyang Qinglin's smile was no different from his usual demeanor, but the playful glint in his eyes revealed his true intentions.
"Grand Tutor!" Nanrong Qi looked at Ouyang Qinglin in shock. He had never expected Ouyang Qinglin to say such a thing. To make him bow to Gu Qianying and Nangong Mo was an unbearable humiliation! He was the noble Crown Prince!
"Crown Prince!" Ouyang Qinglin's voice intensified. Nanrong Qi knew Ouyang Qinglin's temper. Although Ouyang Qinglin was merely a Grand Tutor, his authority surpassed his own. At times, the Grand Tutor could review memorials on behalf of the Emperor, but he could not. Reviewing memorials without the Emperor's consent was an act of overstepping. This was the difference in their standing in the Emperor's eyes. Furthermore, Ouyang Qinglin was his most important strategist, and he needed him greatly at the moment, thus he had to listen to him.
With this in mind, Nanrong Qi reluctantly spoke: "Eldest daughter of the Gu family, Ninth Imperial Uncle, this Prince has offended you greatly today. I hope the eldest daughter of the Gu family and the Ninth Imperial Uncle can forgive me."
As the apology left his lips, Nanrong Qi felt displeasure, and his wounded pride led him to resent Ouyang Qinglin even more, deepening his hatred for Nangong Mo. A sinister glint flashed in his eyes. Nangong Mo! You just wait! One day, he would repay the humiliation he suffered today tenfold!
Looking at the man bowing before her, Gu Qianying had thought her hatred for him might lessen, but she felt it had not. Visions of her past life flashed before her eyes, and the cold light in Gu Qianying's eyes became even more pronounced.
"The Crown Prince seems to have forgotten one more thing he needs to say: 'scumbag'," Gu Qianying reminded Nanrong Qi, a playful smile gracing her lips.
"Eldest daughter of the Gu family, you are not yet married into the Ninth Prince's manor, nor are you truly my Ninth Imperial Consort. Do not go too far!" Nanrong Qi glared at Gu Qianying through gritted teeth, his words carrying a clear threat. While he might not have the power to move against the Ninth Prince's manor, he certainly had ways to deal with a legitimate daughter of an estate. After all, he was the Crown Prince! He could even destroy the entire Gu manor, let alone a legitimate daughter. However, he would not resort to a "mutual destruction" approach.
"If I say she is, then she is," Nangong Mo declared protectively. Nanrong Qi's face turned ashen. The clash of kings, the winner and loser were evident at a glance.
At this moment, Ouyang Qinglin smiled slyly. "A few days ago, while watching a famous opera troupe, I saw a play. In the play, the male and female leads were deeply in love for half a month. The man betrayed the woman, and the woman wept for the man as a scumbag. Thus, it seems the relationship between the eldest daughter of the Gu family and the Crown Prince is as exciting as the storybooks say?"