Song Yu'er grew increasingly angry as she thought about it, glaring fiercely at Gu Qianying.
But Gu Qianying seemed to have found amusement, glancing at Song Yu'er with a slight frown.
Song Gang, who had been observing Gu Qianying, naturally noticed this and was heartbroken. He immediately reprimanded Song Yu'er, "What are you doing? It seems I've indulged you too much, to the point where you no longer have any semblance of a county princess!"
Hearing this, Song Yu'er's eyes widened. She looked at Song Gang, disbelief etched on her face. It was too cruel for her doting father to say such things.
Tears welled up in Song Yu'er's eyes. She bit her lower lip tightly, glanced at Song Gang, then at Gu Qianying, threw down her chopsticks, and ran out, wiping away her tears.
Xia Zhu, watching her young lady leave from behind, knew she couldn't stay any longer. After curtsying to Song Gang, she followed Song Yu'er out.
Gu Qianying said nothing. Only after Song Yu'er had left did she pick up her chopsticks to eat, taking small, elegant bites. She was so captivating that Song Gang was smitten; he had never seen anyone so beautiful.
In short, as the meal concluded, everyone harbored their own intentions.
...
Gu Qianying and her companions were arranged to rest in a pavilion in the rear garden. Before fifteen minutes had passed, a maidservant arrived to escort Gu Qianying away.
"Where to?"
The maidservant was honest and dutiful, answering Gu Qianying's question.
"His Majesty has finished his official duties and requests you to come for a pulse diagnosis."
Ouyang Qinglin and Duan Xifeng, who were behind her, wanted to follow, but they were stopped by the seemingly honest maidservant.
"Gentlemen, please halt. His Majesty only wishes for this young lady to enter alone."
Ouyang Qinglin and Duan Xifeng accompanied Gu Qianying to Song Gang's residence, only to be stopped by the honest maidservant.
As Ouyang Qinglin was about to follow, he inadvertently spotted a hidden silver needle in the maidservant's hand. If they tried to force their way in, they would likely be attacked. It seemed that even a small city domain was full of hidden talents.
Gu Qianying's expression remained unchanged. She turned to Ouyang Qinglin and Duan Xifeng and said, "It's alright. You wait here for me. I'll be out soon."
Gu Qianying's expression remained indifferent, showing no emotion, but Duan Xifeng frowned.
The City Lord clearly had ill intentions. If his sister went in alone, there might be danger. However, since Gu Qianying had said so, they couldn't say anything more and could only comply.
The maidservant considerately opened the door for Gu Qianying.
The room was pitch black, yet it exuded a different aura during the day. Ouyang Qinglin and Duan Xifeng were very worried. But in the blink of an eye, the maidservant closed the door and gestured for them.
"Gentlemen, please follow me to the side hall to wait."
Ouyang Qinglin and Duan Xifeng exchanged glances. Then, they remembered what Gu Qianying had instructed them to do.
Therefore, neither of them objected and followed the maidservant to the side hall.
...
In the City Domain Residence, in Song Yu'er's room.
"Bitch, she's a bitch, a vixen! All she does is strut around showing off her face and seducing men!"
After being reprimanded by Song Gang, Song Yu'er returned to her room. The moment she thought of the look Song Gang had given Gu Qianying, she felt wronged. Her father had never scolded her like this before. Why did everything change with Gu Qianying's appearance?
Her intended fiancé ignored her, and her usually doting brother and father sided with Gu Qianying. She felt as if the whole world had abandoned her.
Jealousy contorted Song Yu'er's face. She was extremely jealous of Gu Qianying.
"Miss, please don't be angry. The most important thing now is not to let Gu Qianying enter. If His Majesty truly fancies her and favors her, making her a madam, then your future will be dire."
Xia Zhu's face still bore a red mark, but it didn't stop her from strategizing for Song Yu'er.
"Yes, you're right. We absolutely cannot let that vixen enter. Once she's in, Mother will lose favor. Absolutely not. So, tell me, what method can we use to ruin her?"
Song Yu'er grabbed Xia Zhu's hand with some force. Xia Zhu winced in pain and quickly said,
"His Majesty fancies her appearance and desires her body. If her body is touched by someone lowly, Miss, do you think His Majesty will still like her?"
Xia Zhu spoke a few words, and though her words were crude, the logic was sound. It was indeed the case.
As expected, her words met with Song Yu'er's approval. "Good, you're right. Let's do as you say. Hurry and do it. I remember there's a pharmacy in the west of the city that sells aphrodisiacs. Go and buy some. Tonight, send Gu Qianying a pot of wine, and everything will be settled."
Song Yu'er was somewhat deranged. As for the lowly person, it would be best to find a guard her father hated the most.
That guard was the illegitimate son of a madam in the residence and another man. Her father despised him the most. If her father found out that the woman he liked was lying in the same bed as the person he detested the most, he would likely be so enraged that he would kill Gu Qianying on the spot!
The more Song Yu'er thought about it, the happier she became, constantly urging Xia Zhu to carry out the plan.
Meanwhile, concerning Gu Qianying.
Gu Qianying entered Song Gang's room. There was a strange fragrance within.
Gu Qianying felt something was amiss. She first took a poison-dispelling pill before speaking, her voice cold and clear, "Come out!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a figure appeared behind her. Gu Qianying turned to look and felt a surge of blood rush to her head.
Song Gang had removed his outer robe, wearing only his thin, white silk sleeping garment underneath. The texture of his muscles was very apparent.
Song Gang, being a martial artist, was tall and burly, but his physique was not well-proportioned, making him appear somewhat rough and unrefined. Gu Qianying felt a sense of disgust.
Gu Qianying's voice was very cold.
"Sir, we only need to diagnose your pulse, not remove your outer robe."
Gu Qianying could no longer hold back her words. Song Gang's character was too despicable.
Was he trying to ruin her reputation today?
Gu Qianying said coldly. Song Gang, however, chuckled, his fleshy face shaking.
"Is that so? Then I must have misunderstood! Let's begin the examination!"
Song Gang feigned ignorance, tapped his head, and apologized playfully, yet his face showed no hint of remorse.
Gu Qianying quietly gripped the dagger in her sleeve, preparing to defend herself if he made any untoward advances.