noffsinger Chapter 121 A Fire Is Missing
Chapter 121 A Fire Is Missing
It was lunchtime, in the backyard of Junkangtang.
"Tell me, do you have this kind of poison?" Jiang Zhi looked at Yu Jiuxia with a determined gaze.
Yu Jiuxia's eyes darkened as she looked at Jiang Zhi with some shock.
"What do you intend to use this poison for?"
“I’ve heard that both the poison and antidote for Jia Fanghua are very rare,” Jiang Zhi said, tilting her head. “I believe you can naturally obtain them.”
Yu Jiuxia's eyes flickered.
Although it is unknown who she intends to use it on, the drug is extremely toxic to men. In her interactions with Jiang Zhi, she could sense the deep hatred Jiang Zhi felt for the person she hated, who must have been of very high status.
Jiang Zhi is a man of his word, decisive and ruthless, a friend worth having, and naturally she didn't want her to take any risks.
"Jiang Zhi, have you thought about the consequences of using this medicine?" Yu Jiuxia asked worriedly. "If others find out, it might backfire."
She paused, recalling the screams of Yu'er when her heart's blood was divided in her past life. She was so small, yet the sound she made was so loud. She couldn't forget it.
Thinking of this, Jiang Zhi looked at Yu Jiuxia and smiled calmly, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
"Can you prepare this poison?"
Yu Jiuxia remained silent, but seeing Jiang Zhi's persistence, she finally gave in.
“I can provide it; come back in three days to collect it,” Yu Jiuxia relented. “But you must guarantee your safety.”
Jiang Zhi reached out and poured a cup of tea, smiling, "This is the Mojiang Cloud Needle tea I just got at noon, have a taste."
The amber-colored tea liquor flowed into the porcelain cup, steaming hot and exuding a rich aroma.
She moved her lips, as if to speak, but then met her gaze with those watery eyes.
She had promised her something, so it was normal for her to try and win her over with a cup of tea.
“Of course.” Yu Jiuxia smiled.
-
The Prince Jing's Mansion was brightly lit late at night.
The main courtyard bedroom smelled of alcohol and cosmetics.
Gu Yuan got up from the bed, shirtless, and went to the table to pour himself a glass of wine.
A soft hand reached out from behind and hugged his lower back.
Gu Yuan turned around and put her arm around the maid. "What? Aren't you satisfied yet?"
The maid's face was flushed, her black hair was disheveled, and her eyes gleamed; she could easily start a prairie fire.
She gently pressed herself against Gu Yuan's chest and rubbed against him.
Gu Yuan slid his hand across her small nose. "What an obedient little kitten. Here, have a sip."
He brought the wine glass to his lips, and the maid obediently took a sip, then tiptoed to meet his lips.
Gu Yuan picked her up and carried her back to the bed.
Just as he was engrossed in the conversation, Xiao Feng's voice came from outside the door.
"Your Highness, there is news from Her Majesty's side."
Gu Yuan paused in her work, a hint of impatience in her voice. "Come in."
Xiao Feng stepped in and reported from a meter away, "Minister Wen has admitted to everything."
The commotion on the other end stopped for a moment.
Gu Yuan buried his head in the maid's ample bosom and asked, "How is Mother Consort?"
Xiao Feng lowered his eyes, unable to bear watching any longer, and said, "According to Her Majesty's wishes, His Highness should enter the palace tomorrow to meet the Emperor, admit his mistakes, and then reflect on his actions in seclusion."
"How long do you need to think about it?" Gu Yuan asked.
"Her Majesty said not to act rashly before His Majesty summons us."
Gu Yuan scoffed, "Don't act rashly? What about her?"
"The Empress will ask His Majesty to resign her position as Imperial Noble Consort tomorrow."
Gu Yuan suddenly looked up, the alcohol on her face gradually fading. "She dares?"
“Your Highness, Her Majesty is always cautious in her actions. In my humble opinion, she is using a strategy of retreat to advance.”
Gu Yuan pushed the maid aside, sat down, and rested her forehead on her hand to calm herself down.
"Tell me, why is Mother so confident that Father won't depose her?"
This question had been buried in his heart for a long time, and even if he had to go through it all again, he would never be able to find the answer.
He succeeded in his previous life, so he didn't need to care about these things. But in this life, all his plans will be inexplicably disrupted.
He also began to have doubts.
Xiao Feng cautiously replied, "This humble servant does not know."
Gu Yuan stood up and stumbled a little as he approached Xiao Feng. "This king would never be soft-hearted."
"So what if my uncle takes the blame for me this time? How could Father Emperor possibly think that this matter has nothing to do with me?"
"Your Highness need not worry. Her Majesty will consider your situation and protect you before His Majesty. Besides, His Highness Prince Liang does not have much time left."
“Indeed.” Gu Yuan smiled. “I should be the Crown Prince. I went to great lengths to poison him back then, and when I saw his wound at the birthday banquet last time, the poison was still there.”
"However, I am also curious as to why he is still alive today."
Xiao Feng continued, "Your Highness should now think about how to explain things to the Empress tomorrow, so that you can make a good impression on His Majesty when you enter the palace tomorrow."
"My mother truly has good intentions."
He looked down and sniffed the smell of alcohol on himself. "Go tell someone to prepare, I want to take a bath."
The Liang Prince's Mansion on the other side.
Under the flickering candlelight, the two each held a piece.
"Why are you eavesdropping?" Gu Liang looked up. "It's not like you can't be seen in public openly."
Jiang Zhi gave a wicked smile, glanced at the chessboard, and decisively placed his piece. "You've lost this game."
Gu Liang's slender fingers destroyed the chessboard, and he grabbed Jiang Zhi's fair, jade-like wrist. "Jiang Zhutao, are you—sure?"
Jiang Zhi was taken aback when he heard her use the word "little".
But he quickly pressed his hand down, and the cool touch made him react instantly.
“I shouldn’t interfere in your affairs with the Duke,” Jiang Zhi said. “But since he’s brought me up, it’s not a big deal for me to listen to my opinion.”
Gu Liang let go and smiled helplessly.
"How did you know I have a small name?" she pressed.
“As your husband,” Gu Liang said matter-of-factly, “can’t I know?”
Although he didn't learn her nickname from her, he was already very satisfied just to know it.
Jiang Zhi narrowed his eyes.
For some reason, the way he called her "Zhu Tao" warmed her heart, and she even wanted him to call her that from now on.
Isn't she being a little too greedy?
She paused for a moment, then changed the subject, "So, what happened to Minister Wen in the end?"
“He asked me to take care of his daughter,” Gu Liang said, following her train of thought.
Jiang Zhi could roughly guess Wen Xiangyu's fate.
"Wen Yanran?" Jiang Zhi asked again, "Does he need care, or is it just a matter of sparing his life?"
Jiang Zhi immediately realized that she first met Wen Yanran at Princess Zhaoyang's residence.
At the time, she didn't think there was anything wrong with her, but Gu Liang's words made her feel that Wen Yanran seemed a bit abnormal.
“Wen Xiangyu had a son late in life. His wife was very careful when she first became pregnant with Wen Yanran,” Gu Liang explained. “But she didn’t expect that her food was poisoned, and the poison was transferred to the child. That’s why Wen Yanran looks a little different from ordinary people. He has less fire than normal people.”
“I see.” Jiang Zhi sighed. “Her behavior is different from that of ordinary women. I only met her once and thought she was just a little slow to react.”
"Who is that person?" Jiang Zhi asked with a hint of doubt.
"Yes." Gu Liang confirmed her doubts.
"Then you can't blame me for wanting to embellish it," Jiang Zhi said with a wicked smile.
"You add it," Gu Liang said, letting her have her way. "I'll help you."
Jiang Zhi tilted his head and smiled.