Gu Sinian’s lips curved upwards, a smile gracing his face. He gazed intently at Qi Zhenzhen, "Don't worry, I won't give anyone else a chance."
The group left the hot spring villa and sped towards the Duke of Protectorate's mansion.
"She's in my grandmother's courtyard during the day, so we'll go directly to the Yan Nian Courtyard. Yuanbao, take them to the west wing to wait, I'll lead Xu Miaoniang over," Gu Sinian instructed.
"Alright, be careful with everything."
Upon learning that Xu Miaoniang might be the one who cast the curse, Qian Yuanbao's heart pounded erratically. He frequented the Duke of Protectorate's mansion and had paid his respects to the Old Madam several times. Although he had no particular friendship with Xu Miaoniang, he had seen her a few times. She appeared to be a rather refined young lady, so how could she resort to such malicious methods? And to think these methods were used on Anian, it was truly terrifying.
"Anian is here?" the Old Madam said with great joy.
"I've come to see Grandmother. How has Grandmother been lately?" Gu Sinian inquired.
"Very good, very good. Miaoniang has been helping me regulate my health every day, and I'm feeling much better," the Old Madam said with a smile. "Since you returned from the border, Grandmother feels you've lost quite a bit of weight. Why don't we let Miaoniang help regulate your body as well?"
Xu Miaoniang looked at Gu Sinian with anticipation. Although she knew he had always deliberately kept his distance from her, she still harbored a sliver of hope.
"Then I shall trouble Miss Xu," Gu Sinian said, gesturing faintly towards Xu Miaoniang.
Xu Miaoniang struggled to suppress her excitement, doing her best to maintain the demeanor of a refined lady. She replied softly, "Miaoniang is a guest in this mansion, receiving care from the Old Madam and the Young Master. Now that I can do something to contribute, Miaoniang couldn't be more pleased."
"Grandmother, since Miss Xu will be troubling herself to help me regulate my body, I would like to speak with Miss Xu further," Gu Sinian said.
The Old Madam beamed, nodding at Xu Miaoniang with an understanding expression. "Go on, go on. You young people can chat amongst yourselves, no need to stay here guarding this old woman."
Xu Miaoniang's cheeks flushed, and she stomped her foot playfully.
"Miss Xu, shall we go to the west wing?" Gu Sinian asked.
Xu Miaoniang was completely immersed in the joy of him speaking to her, her mind almost unable to process anything. Naturally, she agreed to whatever Gu Sinian said.
"Please sit, Miss Xu." After entering the room, Gu Sinian closed the door behind him.
Sharing a room, Xu Miaoniang felt her heart pound like a drum. The moment she had always fantasized about had come true, and it felt wonderful.
"Such a beautiful woman, yet alas..." Luo Wanqing emerged from behind the screen. "My master told me that those who raise Gu often feed the Gu with their own bodies. Gu worms are poisonous, which is why Gu raisers are often hideous in appearance. But looking at you, that's not the case. It seems my master was also mistaken."
A flicker of panic flashed in Xu Miaoniang's eyes. She dug her nails into her flesh, quickly regaining her composure before speaking, "Young Master, who is this? Why is she in the Old Madam's courtyard? And what are these nonsensical things she's saying? Miaoniang doesn't understand."
"This is Doctor Luo from Hundred Herbs Hall, her medical skills are so profound that people in the common folk say she is a reincarnation of the Medicine Saint," Gu Sinian said. "Miss Xu, weren't you going to help me regulate my body? Let Doctor Luo examine my body and see why it is so weak. That way, it will be more convenient for you to regulate it, won't it?"
"Does the Young Master not trust me?" Xu Miaoniang appeared very hurt. "Since that is the case, why should Miaoniang shamelessly linger here? With Doctor Luo present, there is no need for Miaoniang." With that, she turned to leave.