The idea to drug Chu Qianli with the soft bone powder was Gui Tong's.
Now, seeing that even a mere maid dared to bully this once proud and arrogant woman, Gui Tong felt inexplicably agitated.
Especially her tone just now, as if he were an idiot.
So indifferent and cold, it made him doubt if he was truly foolish.
The procession finally set off.
As they left the city, someone from behind caught up.
Gui Tong went to find out and reported back to Chu Minghao, "It's said to be Chu Qianli's former maid, who has always served by her side."
Chu Minghao initially didn't want to bother, but Gui Tong, for some reason, thought of the maid he had dealt with earlier.
Gui Tong said in a low voice, "Young Master, if... you want her to reach the imperial city alive, it's better to have someone she trusts serving her."
"What do you mean?" Chu Minghao turned and glanced at him.
Chu Minghao had heard some commotion about Gui Tong dealing with a maid before but hadn't paid it any mind.
Gui Tong was his most capable assistant; whether it was dealing with a maid or an entire army, he wouldn't have any objections.
Gui Tong thought for a moment and then said, "That maid... belongs to the Princess's side. She wouldn't truly want to kill Chu Qianli, but it's better to be safe than sorry."
"Chu Minghao waved his hand, "If Fei Yan can get her revenge, letting her cause a little trouble is fine."
Gui Tong's mood was inexplicably complicated.
"Does the Young Master mean... you're not going to interfere?"
"I cannot have Chu Feiyan hold a grudge against me now." Chu Minghao was about to leave, holding the reins.
Gui Tong was still somewhat persistent, "Young Master..."
"Fine, if you feel she's pitiful, let that maid come and serve."
In Chu Minghao's eyes, this was a trivial matter. He paid it no more mind and rode forward.
Gui Tong breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn't know why he felt sorry for Chu Qianli. It was just that, in the past, she was at least an Empress and a general.
Now, because he had ordered the soft bone powder to be administered, even a lowly maid could bully her.
Gui Tong had a sense of guilt, as if he had destroyed a formidable figure.
In the end, he rode back to the rear of the procession and personally brought over the young woman named Fu Ning.
"Don't play any tricks under my nose. If I discover you have ulterior motives, Chu Qianli's future days will be filled with misery!"
"This servant knows. This servant merely pities the young lady and wishes to serve by her side."
Fu Ning lowered her head, meek and cautious, "Thank you, sir! Thank you!"
Gui Tong waved his hand.
Fu Ning breathed a sigh of relief, as if granted a great pardon. She quickly slipped into Chu Qianli's carriage and began to cry until her voice was hoarse:
"My lady, you have suffered! Have they bullied you? You've become so thin..."
Gui Tong had no interest in the conversation between the young women and rode away.
The procession continued to move forward.
Chu Qianli looked at Fu Ning.
Fu Ning wiped away her tears and carefully took something out of her bundle.
"This is... something Master Wu Chen Zi asked me to give you."
Chu Qianli opened the small bag. Inside was a jade pendant.
On it, the character "Yang" was inscribed.
Fu Ning immediately explained, "This is a jade pendant that Prince Ling, Chu Lingyang, the second prince of Nanming, gave to Master back then. Master said that if you take this jade pendant to Prince Ling, no matter what request you have, Prince Ling will definitely grant it."