Within the east wing of the foremost pavilion in the realm.
Gu Qianying sat before a table laden with fine wine and delicacies. She toyed with a teacup in her hand, the tea within gently swirled, tea leaves floating on the surface. The liquid level neared the brim, yet Gu Qianying held the cup steady.
Clad in a soft crimson dress, her slender waist accentuated, she was exceptionally beautiful even without rouge or powder.
Lu Zhu stood by her side.
Hu Biao pushed the door open and entered.
“Miss, your subordinate has returned.”
Gu Qianying looked at him. “How was the investigation?”
“As Miss predicted, before the Fourth Miss Gu Yu Mei died, she did indeed meet someone. Furthermore, before the Second Miss went mad, she also saw the same person.
When this individual visited, they not only bribed the jailer within the prison but also took special care to disguise themselves. The guards did not get a clear look at the person’s face. They only knew that this person was not very tall and carried a faint fragrance when they passed by. They knew nothing else.”
Gu Qianying handed the teacup in her hand to Hu Biao. “This is for you.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Hu Biao took the teacup and drank it down in one gulp. Suddenly, as if recalling something, he took out a white handkerchief from his embrace, unfolded it, revealing half of a broken bracelet. He handed it to Gu Qianying.
“When the jailers carried away the Fourth Miss’s body, this fell from her person.”
Gu Qianying took the handkerchief and looked at the half bracelet on it. A faint smile curved her lips.
“It is indeed her!”
Gu Qianying wrapped the bracelet and handed it to Lu Zhu for safekeeping. She then looked at Hu Biao. “There is no need to investigate this matter further. That is an old fox. If we want her to reveal her flaws, we will need to plan carefully.
Moreover, tomorrow is the opening day of the Poison Doctor Sacred Hall’s triennial disciple recruitment ceremony. At present, I do not have the energy to deal with other matters.
Hu Biao, from today onwards, you are to constantly guard my mother and Gu Nian and the others. Besides ensuring their safety, you must also guarantee that they are not bullied by anyone.”
As she spoke, Gu Qianying took out a jade pendant from her sleeve.
The jade was crystal clear, with iridescent light swirling within, illuminating the entire room. Its quality was excellent. The jade pendant was also engraved with the characters “Nangong.”
Hu Biao looked at the engraved characters on the jade pendant with surprise, stunned for a moment.
Gu Qianying tossed the jade pendant in her hand into Hu Biao’s embrace.
This item was given to her by Nanny Wang. She currently had no time to investigate its origin, but she was well aware of its importance and the authority it could wield.
“I am giving this to you. If I am away these few days, no matter who comes to trouble my mother in the manor, do not be polite. If they are injured or crippled, simply throw them out of the manor and let them fend for themselves.
If they are killed, it will save some trouble. Dead is dead.
If the troublemaker is one of the masters in this manor, and you kill them, take out this jade pendant and tell them that the owner of this jade pendant instructed you to do so.”
“Yes, Miss. Your subordinate understands.”
Hu Biao carefully put away the jade pendant.
After finishing her tea, Gu Qianying glanced towards the door and then instructed Hu Biao, “The Second Young Master Xu of the Xu family, Xu Zichen, has not arrived yet. Go and inquire if he has left the manor.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Hu Biao turned and left.
Tomorrow was the day of the Poison Doctor Sacred Hall’s disciple recruitment. Although she was confident she would become the first place in the various trials, according to the rules of the Poison Doctor Sacred Hall, all those who entered the hall for the competition had to sever contact with the outside world. Among the many contestants, she knew no one.
To stand out among them, she needed to seize the initiative and find an accomplice to face unforeseen circumstances and other examination items that required cooperation.
In Gu Qianying’s opinion, her senior brother Xu Zichen was the most suitable accomplice. Although this person was a chatterbox, he possessed some genuine skill.
Therefore, today, she had specially hosted a banquet for the Second Young Master Xu of the Xu family, Xu Zichen, to discuss their cooperation.
However, after waiting for a long time, she looked at a certain person sitting in a wheelchair with a cold expression and was somewhat shocked.
“Ninth Imperial Uncle, why are you here?”
“If I did not come, how would I know that you are causing trouble outside behind my back again!”
Nangong Mo’s gaze was clear and cold, his entire being exuding an icy aura.
“Ninth Imperial Uncle, what do you mean? This humble woman does not quite understand.”
It was over. She had been discovered again! Looking at this, her senior brother probably wouldn’t be able to come.
“Do not understand?”
Nangong Mo turned his wheelchair and slowly approached Gu Qianying.
“Unless, I were to cut off Xu Zichen’s head, would you then speak the truth?”
“Ninth Imperial Uncle!”
Gu Qianying glared at him. “This humble woman has not yet married into the Ninth Prince’s manor… so this humble woman and other men…”
“If you are willing, I will come to escort you tomorrow.”
Gu Qianying: “……”
Did this fellow understand what she was trying to say?
“Ninth Imperial Uncle, you are being too overbearing,” Gu Qianying frowned.
“Or do you find it too late? Then I will come to your manor today to escort you, and tonight we will enter the bridal chamber.”
“Ninth Imperial Uncle!!”
Gu Qianying was about to explode with anger. When had this fellow Nangong Mo become so unreasonable?
“Come here,” Nangong Mo extended his hand.
Gu Qianying remained silent and did not move.
“Come here!”
Nangong Mo’s voice rose slightly.
Gu Qianying turned her face away, unwilling to look at Nangong Mo.
Nangong Mo sighed. “I am not angry.”
?????
So she was the one who was angry!
Gu Qianying still did not look at him.
Nangong Mo took out a package from his embrace, unfolded it, and placed it on the table.
“Turn around and take a look.”
Gu Qianying did not move.
“I think cutting off Xu Zichen’s head is too lenient for him. I will cut off his nose and mouth and pickle them, then peel his skin and flesh to make…”
Gu Qianying immediately turned her face back.
Exquisite and delicious lotus crisps came into view.
Gu Qianying was stunned for a moment.
“Although my legs cannot walk, these hands are quite nimble.”
Gu Qianying looked at him. So, he had made these lotus crisps himself?
“Try them. How do they taste?”
Nangong Mo looked at Gu Qianying, seemingly eager to see her expression after tasting the pastry.
She picked up a lotus crisp and put it into her mouth, taking a small bite.
A cool, crisp sensation spread through her senses.
Gu Qianying suddenly froze.
The taste was both familiar and strange. She felt as if she had eaten it somewhere before, yet also as if she hadn’t. The fleeting scenes in her mind were so unclear.
“Hmm, the taste is good,” she said simply.
“Just tastes good?” Nangong Mo looked at Gu Qianying, trying to discern something from her face.
“Mm, thank you. I really like these lotus crisps.”
Gu Qianying picked up another one and took another small bite.
A flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes, but Nangong Mo quickly regained his composure. The future was long; his girl would eventually remember him.
Nangong Mo snapped his fingers towards the door.
Bai Qi walked in.
Lu Zhu, who wanted to follow Bai Qi in, was stopped by other hidden guards. She was holding a basket of small steamed buns and was attempting to bribe them.
“Big brother, want a bun?”
…
Within the wing.
Bai Qi took out a list from his embrace and pushed it towards Gu Qianying.
“Eldest Miss, this is the list of participants for the preliminary trials of the Poison Doctor Sacred Hall’s triennial disciple recruitment ceremony tomorrow. Among them, two named Zijin and Ziyin were arranged by my master. They are primarily responsible for your safety and will sacrifice themselves if necessary to protect you.
Furthermore, they know some medical skills. Although their skills are not exquisite, they are feasible if they cooperate with you.”
Gu Qianying glanced at the list a few times before closing it. She asked, “So the Second Young Master Xu was captured by you?”
Nangong Mo remained silent.
Bai Qi nodded obediently.
“You have restricted his freedom and prevented him from participating in the Poison Doctor Sacred Hall’s triennial disciple recruitment ceremony?”
Every sentence Gu Qianying spoke contained the phrase “Second Young Master Xu,” which made Nangong Mo’s expression grow colder.
Bai Qi shivered. Seeing this, he quickly tried to persuade her, “Eldest Miss, Zijin and Ziyin also know martial arts.”
“Are they as good as Miss?”
Bai Qi shook his head.
“So, they are just a burden?”
Bai Qi: “……”
“Eldest Miss, Zijin and Ziyin are much more useful than the Second Young Master Xu,” Bai Qi earnestly advised.
“But the Second Young Master Xu has fair skin and is also good-looking.”
“……”
“Bai Qi! Get out!”
Nangong Mo’s face darkened.
Bai Qi slipped away quickly, and as he left, he did not forget to close the door of the wing. At the same time, in his heart, he silently lit a candle for the Eldest Miss of the Gu family.