noffsinger Chapter 172 Meeting Gu Shi Again as Nanyuan Crown Princess
Chapter 172 Meeting Gu Shi Again as Nanyuan Crown Princess
"Shouldn't I hate you?"
Gu Shi sneered and asked back.
"If you hadn't interfered, I wouldn't have been able to..."
As if he didn't want to recall the past anymore, a trace of pain flashed in Gu Shi's eyes.
Although the roots of his gray hair have shown signs of turning black again, he still feels uncomfortable when he thinks that he may never see Shen Muxi and her daughter again in his life.
The feeling of suffocation and pain that was tightly wrapped around my heart could not be dispelled no matter what.
"Get out while I still have the control to not kill you."
Su Liuxi was furious. "You...you simply don't know what's good for you."
As if unwilling to give up, she said before leaving, "If you displease me, you will be against the entire Su Mansion. Gu Shi, I hope you will not do anything foolish in this regard with the Rongjun Prince's Mansion."
Gu Shi turned a deaf ear to it.
His gaze was still fixed on the void.
Until the servant came to report that Pei Wang had arrived.
These days, because Gu Shi has been dealing with Pei Wang more and more frequently, he and Pei Wang have become more and more familiar with each other.
"The Su Mansion has made some moves recently."
Gu Shi was not surprised at all when he heard the news Pei Wang brought back.
"My people have told me that Su Kang has been in close contact with the Hui people recently. Moreover, Su Yong is not dead, and the people around him are all Hui people."
Pei Wang's expression was solemn. "It seems that the Su family is colluding with Huijiang to stir up hatred between Beichen and Nanyuan. If the two countries go to war, Huijiang will ultimately benefit."
"There doesn't seem to be much reaction from His Majesty. What do you think?"
"What else can I say?" Pei Wang sneered, "He's just trying to play dumb and take advantage of me."
After all, who wouldn’t want to take a bite of Nanyuan’s fat piece of meat?
But it’s hard to say who was the first to speak up.
only...
"If a war breaks out, there will definitely be heavy casualties, which is a pity for the civilians." Gu Shi sneered.
There was a strong hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"Let's first see what Nanyuan means. I know that the envoys coming here are the unpopular Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Nanyuan. If Crown Prince Nanyuan also advocates peace, then perhaps we can still cooperate with him."
At this point, Gu Shi's scattered eyes gradually gathered, and he murmured to himself, "I'm afraid that Prince Nanyuan is also a fool."
...
"Ah sneeze~~"
At the same time, Murong Jingyan, who was sitting on a tall horse thousands of miles away, sneezed loudly in an ungraceful manner.
He Hong turned to look at Murong Jingyan curiously, "I just felt that the strange mountain breeze blowing here was inappropriate, but I didn't expect it to catch you cold all of a sudden."
"Alright, stop talking nonsense in front of me."
"Your Highness, if this is really not possible, let's not force it. Please get in the carriage first and sit down. Otherwise, your cold will only get worse."
Not to mention that when entering Beichen, I'd have to change into a drafty sedan chair. If someone saw the two big snot hanging from my nose, it would be very damaging to my image...
Just thinking about it made He Hong feel uncomfortable all over.
Turning his head to meet Murong Jingyan's half-smile, he shrank his neck and listened exaggeratedly, "...Ah, I think I heard He Xuan calling for someone. I'll go check it out."
After saying that, He Hong rode his horse forward at a swift speed.
Shen Muxi heard the conversation between the two clearly in the carriage.
Unable to resist, he lifted the curtain and looked at Murong Jingyan, who was slowly riding his horse forward. "I don't eat people. Come in, I can even take your pulse."
In case it really was a cold, she had some cold medicine on hand, and she could just take it and sweat it out.
Murong Jingyan wanted to refuse, but when he met her slightly concerned look, he couldn't bring himself to say no.
In the end, He Hong was called over to take his horse away, and he obediently got into the carriage.
Xia Chan retreated tactfully.
Shen Muxi took his pulse meticulously.
Murong Jingyan's left fingertips, which were behind his back, were about to spark with his twist...
"In fact, it would be fine if Xiaoxiao stayed in the Little East Palace. There is no need to send her to Danyang."
"For me, Danyang is also my roots."
Fallen leaves return to their roots. No matter where she and Xiaoxiao will travel in the future, Xiaoxiao doesn't know where they will part ways with her, she will always have to go back to the way she came.
Don’t forget the original intention of “living beautifully”.
Shen Muxi did not tell Murong Jingyan what happened next.
In her opinion, it was totally unnecessary.
Murong Jingyan originally wanted to find a topic to start the conversation.
But she refused to listen.
His fingers, which were about to produce sparks, finally stopped and took the time to touch his nose to ease his embarrassment.
Shen Muxi took Murong Jingyan's pulse and originally thought that he just had a cold.
His face looked very relaxed.
But as her fingertips touched Murong Jingyan's pulse, her expression gradually became solemn.
Finally, he released his hand from Murong Jingyan's wrist.
"How is it? Is the cold serious?"
Murong Jingyan still looked relaxed.
Shen Muxi, however, seemed to be unconvinced and took Murong Jingyan's pulse again.
This time, after taking Shen Muxi's pulse carefully, he was able to tell the truth.
"Your Majesty, how long has this coughing and sneezing been going on?"
Her eyes were so terrifying, as if she was about to pop her eyeballs out of her body.
Murong Jingyan hurriedly recalled, "Since the night I roasted your meat, I've felt a foreign body in my throat. The next day, I started coughing. As for the sneezing, I said that was the first one. Do you believe me?"
What is there to believe or not?
People who eat whole grains don't even think about sneezing.
Even if Murong Jingyan farted, burped, or went to the toilet, it was normal.
Shen Muxi nodded, "Of course I believe it."
She didn't know if it was her illusion, but on the day Murong Jingyan mentioned roasted meat, she seemed to see a slightly resentful look in Murong Jingyan's eyes.
No one ever mentioned what happened that day of roasting the meat. She fell asleep and it was over.
Since no one mentioned it, she naturally didn't mention it either.
Could it be that he roasted too much meat that day and couldn’t finish it, so it was wasted?
"If there's anything different about the things you touched, it's probably that I touched a secret letter after leaving the palace. Then, on the day of the roasting, you were sound asleep, and He Hong came to talk to me about some official business. During that time, I also touched a secret letter sealed with wax. Otherwise, there's nothing unusual."
As he continued his investigation, Shen Muxi's expression became more and more serious.
Murong Jingyan's heart began to hang in the air, "But what's the problem?"
Shen Muxi raised her eyes and met Murong Jingyan's puzzled gaze. "Congratulations, Your Highness. You have been poisoned by the cold again."
Murong Jingyan: ???
!!!
...
half a month later.
Beichen Capital.
Gu Shi and his servants were waiting outside the city gate early in the morning.
It is to welcome the envoys from Nanyuan.
From the rising of the sun, we wait all the way until the sun is high in the sky.
Nanyuan’s flag finally began to appear before our eyes.
Next came a team of cavalry, and behind the cavalry was a luxurious sedan chair specially used by Beichen to receive envoys, and behind it was the tribute brought by Nanyuan when it paid tribute.
The formation is neat and uniform.
It seems to be different from the tribute missions in previous years.
Especially when Nan Yuan's entire team stopped in front of him.
Gu Shi's heart skipped a beat uncontrollably.
Over the years, envoys from Nanyuan who were sent to escort tribute were always escorted by Nanyuan guards, who would then take over from Beichen guards.
Afterwards, the Ministry of Rites arranged for him to stay in a special villa or palace, waiting for the emperor to summon him.
Before meeting the emperor, the envoys from Nanyuan had to stay in the villa and were not allowed to go out at will.
Shen Muxi sat in the carriage the whole time, far away.
She saw Gu Shi, whose gray hair could not be covered even with his official hat.
When she saw that the roots of Gu Shi’s white hair had turned black, she only felt irony in her heart.
It's funny.
It was also her credit that Gu Shi's hair turned white overnight.
People like Gu Shi only love themselves, so how can they have any deep affection?
It's okay now too.
After seeing through Gu Shi's intentions completely, she could take back everything that belonged to her without reservation.
She used to think that Gu Shi was good in every way.
Now the filter has faded.
She felt that it was no different.
After going through all the ups and downs, she only hopes to take back everything she had given to Gu Shi before. After that, she and Xiaoxiao traveled around the five countries in the Central Plains.
"The envoy has come a long way and must have worked hard. Our Majesty has specially prepared a welcoming banquet. Tomorrow evening, please invite the envoy to the palace to meet His Majesty."
The eunuch beside him introduced, "This is our current Minister of Rites, Minister Gu. If His Highness Nanyuan encounters any problems in Beichen, you can find Minister Gu..."
The five Central Plains countries share the same origin, and their official systems and powers are basically similar. The only difference is that the position of Minister of Rites is now vacant, and the emperor seems to have not found a suitable candidate. Therefore, all the affairs of the Ministry of Rites are basically managed by Gu Dai.
So it seemed that the eunuch was just making a routine introduction.
Let both parties meet to proceed to the next step.
"...This is His Royal Highness Crown Prince Nanyuan and the Crown Princess."
Being mentioned, Shen Muxi could no longer hide it. When Murong Jingyan took out the sedan chair, she took the initiative to lift the curtain in front of her.
This made Gu Shi, who had been looking at him nonchalantly, open his eyes wide instantly.
Shen Muxi has a very special habit when lifting the curtain.
Others would raise their hands to open the curtain or have servants lift it.
But she liked to pinch a corner of the curtain with her thumb and middle finger and gently lift it up, using her index finger as a fulcrum to gently press on it.
In the whole world, only Shen Muxi can do this action smoothly.
Look again at the stunning face that appeared from behind the carriage curtain.
Gu Shi even had the illusion that he had just met Shen Muxi for the first time.
That look...
It's so much like her.
With a "buzz", it was as if something exploded in my brain.
For a moment, Gu Shi forgot where he was, and even his breathing seemed to be strangled.
Until a member of the official behind him called out, "Master Gu..."
Only then did Gu Shi realize that he had been distracted so badly that even the Prince of Nanyuan was looking at him with great displeasure.
"Master Gu, what's wrong? Could it be that my appearance is too scary and frightened Master Gu?"
Murong Jingyan smiled kindly, but the smile did not show in his eyes at all.
"Your Highness Nanyuan, you are too kind."
Gu Shi forced a smile and walked forward to greet Murong Jingyan.
Murong Jingyan hummed, and said casually, "This is my Crown Princess."
Gu Shi was stunned. When he met the inquiring eyes of the "Crown Princess", the absurd idea in his mind became even stronger.
The word "Crown Princess" was stuck in his throat, as if it was draining all his strength.
He clenched his palms tightly, and it took him a while to steady himself.
"Your servant, Gu Shi, greets the Crown Princess Nanyuan."
Each word was spoken with pause, like a dagger scratching a metal plate.
Even the accompanying official looked at Gu Shi with surprise.
He seemed to have no idea where his loss of composure came from.
Murong Jingyan seemed not to notice Gu Shi's loss of composure. He just nodded slightly and took Shen Muxi back to the carriage with satisfaction.
Let others make the arrangements.
The servants in the villa were very efficient. Murong Jingyan and Shen Muxi quickly settled everything down and sent the servants away.
As soon as he sat down, Shen Muxi began to give acupuncture to Murong Jingyan.
After half a month of acupuncture and detoxification, the remaining poison in Murong Jingyan's body was finally almost cleared.
This is the last acupuncture.
After Shen Muxi withdrew the needles, the frown that had been on his face for the past half month finally relaxed.
Murong Jingyan looked at her intently, and after a while he slowly spoke, "Are you worried about me?"
As if his thoughts were seen through, Shen Muxi quickly denied it, "No."
She turned around while disinfecting the silver needles and said insincerely, "Xiaoxiao likes you, I don't want to make Xiaoxiao sad."
"I'll be fine. I was just careless this time. I didn't expect the Hui people to be so cunning."
Who could have imagined that those people would actually think of putting poison on the wax stamp?
Moreover, the calming incense in the palace will only be effective if it is exposed to the patient within twelve hours.
It was as if he had known that he would touch those things...
"Now that the remaining poison has been removed, you'll need to soak in medicinal baths for the next two weeks. Also..."
Shen Muxi took out a small porcelain bottle from her waist and placed it in Murong Jingyan's hand. "One pill a day until the medicinal bath is finished."
The smooth bottle still retained the woman's body temperature. This time, Murong Jingyan did not ask why, but tightened his grip on the porcelain bottle. "Okay, I understand."
The voice is low and hoarse.
...
Rongjun Prince's Mansion.
During the day, Gu Shi saw that Princess Nanyuan was distracted, and the news soon reached Su Liuxi's ears.
She swept down an exquisite colored porcelain vase on the spot.
"Is the prince really stunned?"
Cui'e nodded. "That's what the man who came back said. If it weren't for the Yuanwailang's reminder, I'm afraid he would have already incurred the displeasure of Prince Nanyuan."
Su Liuxi clenched her fists.
"No, if Gu Shi continues like this, something bad will happen sooner or later."
If someone takes advantage of what happened today...
She didn't dare to think about the consequences.
She decided to have another frank and detailed talk with Gu Shi.
Unexpectedly, it was not until midnight that I received the news that Gu Shi was busy with official business and would not return home to rest today.
Su Liuxi felt even more uneasy.
Especially since there was a palace banquet the next day.
Su Liuxi tossed and turned and had no good sleep all night.
The next day, at dawn, she sent Cui'e back to the Su Mansion.
The palace banquet was very grand.
As envoys, Shen Muxi and Murong Jingyan did not need to arrive at the banquet in advance like the court officials of this dynasty.
Therefore, when they arrived, many carriages were already parked outside the palace.
As envoys, Murong Jingyan and Shen Muxi were specially allowed to take the imperial road.
No matter what the reason was, Emperor Beichen gave the envoys from Nanyuan enough face.
"I'm afraid this might be a Hongmen Feast. I'm going to meet an old friend first. No matter what happens, you just stay where you are and don't wander around."
Murong Jingyan explained worriedly.
He knew that neither Shen Xi nor Shen Muxi had ever attended a palace banquet.