Gu Qianying slowly woke up after the time it took for an incense stick to burn. Upon waking, she found Nangong Mo by her side. She sat up, intending to get out of bed.
Nangong Mo suddenly reached out and supported her.
"You're awake. Are you hungry? Or thirsty?"
As soon as he spoke,
Nangong Mo quickly had the servants in the room prepare snacks and tea, deliberately not mentioning the news of General Gu and Gu Yefeng's deaths.
During the time Gu Qianying was unconscious, he had already sent Bai Qi to the imperial prison to check the situation.
When Bai Qi returned, his account was largely consistent with Nangong Li's. This suggested that General Gu and Gu Yefeng might indeed have died in the fire.
However, it was hard to believe that two individuals with such high martial arts skills would perish in a fire. For this reason, he was still having people investigate discreetly.
But for now, to soothe Gu Qianying's emotions, he could only try to distract her.
"Ninth Imperial Uncle, today is Qianying's day to visit my parents."
Although tears welled up in Gu Qianying's eyes, the stubbornness at the bottom of her gaze could not be concealed.
"Didn't Ninth Imperial Uncle promise this concubine that you would accompany me for my visit today?"
Gu Qianying looked up at Nangong Mo, her eyes brimming with tears that she stubbornly forced herself not to let fall.
Such a Gu Qianying was truly heartbreaking.
"Alright, then this King will accompany my wife for her visit today."
Nangong Mo's voice finally softened. He glanced sideways at Bai Qi, who had just entered, "Go and prepare some gifts for the visit. Today, this King will accompany the Princess Consort for her visit."
"Yes, Your Highness."
As Bai Qi left, he secretly glanced at Gu Qianying, filled with confusion.
Upon learning that her grandfather and elder brother had perished in the fire, she had fainted from grief, only to wake up and no longer inquire about their deaths. Was his Princess Consort too heartbroken and had become a little muddled?
"Wait!" Gu Qianying looked at Bai Qi.
Bai Qi paused and looked back at his master, Nangong Mo.
Nangong Mo turned to look at Gu Qianying.
"Also, help this Princess Consort procure some tonics. Grandfather and elder brother have worked hard leading troops in battle. In a couple of days, they will be returning to the capital. As their granddaughter and sister, it is only proper to present some tonics in advance when we visit."
As Gu Qianying finished speaking, everyone present was greatly shocked.
The maids who were left to serve by the side exchanged glances, their hearts filled with confusion.
Had their Princess Consort gone mad? Was she speaking nonsense?
Bai Qi and Cai Xia's mouths were wide open.
"Princess Consort, this..." Bai Qi scratched his head, unsure how to respond.
"Princess Consort!"
Cai Xia's eyes welled up with tears.
What had happened to her Princess Consort?
Nangong Mo, who had been gazing intently at Gu Qianying, finally spoke after a long while, his voice somewhat hoarse, "Qianying... you..." His face was also filled with heartache. "Your grandfather and brother..." He had intended to make things clear and wake Gu Qianying up, but he changed his words as they came to his lips. "Your grandfather and brother will surely be delighted to see the tonics you have prepared for them."
"Heh..."
Gu Qianying covered her mouth with a handkerchief and chuckled coquettishly, "Ninth Imperial Uncle always teases me. They are just ordinary tonics, not rare treasures. Why would grandfather and elder brother be so happy?"
"If that's the case, then they are rare treasures?"
Nangong Mo followed Gu Qianying's words.
If this way, his girl could be happier, he would indulge her confusion.
"Precious and priceless items, who wouldn't like them?"
"In that case, today, when this King accompanies my wife for her visit, I will bring more rare treasures to make them happy when they return."
"Alright, then this concubine thanks Ninth Imperial Uncle on behalf of grandfather and elder brother."
Gu Qianying appeared very happy.
Bai Qi looked at his master: "Your Highness... this?" He seemed to have something to say but stopped.
Cai Xia, standing by, cried even more sadly.
It was over, it was over, her Princess Consort had completely lost her mind!
Just then, Ji Wuyi entered with the prepared medicinal soup, "Reporting to Your Highness, the Princess Consort's medicine is ready."
Nangong Mo looked at him, his intention more than obvious.
Ji Wuyi understood instantly. After handing the medicinal soup to Cai Xia, he took Gu Qianying's pulse again. Afterward, he was called to the side chamber by Nangong Mo.
"My wife, please wait for this King for a moment. I will go and change my clothes and be right back."
Nangong Mo casually found an excuse and was pushed by Bai Qi to leave first.
"Mm, okay."
Gu Qianying seemed very cooperative.
Watching Bai Qi push Nangong Mo out of the door and around the corner, the previously lost and helpless look in her eyes flickered.
Cai Xia did not notice this.
In the side chamber,
Ji Wuyi knelt in the center of the hall and reported, "Replying to Your Highness, the Princess Consort's current abnormality is due to delusional anxiety disorder. This is a psychological illness. As the saying goes, a doctor cannot heal themselves. This condition requires the patient to slowly overcome it themselves. At the same time, it is necessary to prevent the patient's condition from worsening. When the patient's condition worsens, mild cases may exhibit impulsive and uncontrollable behavior, while severe cases may even result in suicidal behavior. Therefore, Your Highness needs to pay more attention to this condition..."
"Princess Consort! Princess Consort, please don't!"
As soon as Ji Wuyi finished speaking, Cai Xia's startled cry came from outside the door.
Nangong Mo's heart clenched, and he realized something was wrong. He instinctively needed to get up.
Bai Qi was a step ahead, rushing out of the door like a gust of wind.
Ji Wuyi, who remained in place, quickly pushed Nangong Mo towards the sleeping quarters.
"Princess Consort, this servant begs you, please come down quickly!"
Cai Xia cried and knelt on the ground, pleading.
Seeing Gu Qianying holding a white silk ribbon and trying to hang herself, she cried out in distress.
Whoosh!
A long sword flew out, cutting the white silk ribbon that was tied to the roof beam.
Gu Qianying's hands grasped at empty air and she naturally fell to the ground.
"Princess Consort!"
Cai Xia hastily crawled over and embraced Gu Qianying, who was sitting on the ground.
Nangong Mo, pushed by Ji Wuyi, entered and saw Gu Qianying half-lying in Cai Xia's arms, her face filled with grief. "Let me die. Grandfather and elder brother are gone, what is the point of me being alive? Don't stop me, let me die!"
Gu Qianying pushed Cai Xia away and tried to run into a pillar.
Cai Xia held her down forcefully, preventing her from doing so,
and cried, begging, "Princess Consort, please don't be like this, this servant begs you, please don't be like this..."
The maids serving in the room lowered their heads and dared not look up when they saw Nangong Mo enter.
Nangong Mo's eyes were as cold as ice. He glanced at the maids who dared not look up and coldly ordered, "Drag them all out and have them beaten to death!"
Soon, all the gossiping servants were dragged out without exception.
Ji Wuyi pushed Nangong Mo to Gu Qianying's side. Nangong Mo extended his hand to Gu Qianying, "Don't listen to their nonsense. Nothing like that has happened. Your grandfather and brother are all alive and well. Come, this King will take you to visit your parents and give gifts. Just now, this King received news that your grandfather and brother will be returning tomorrow. Today, this King will not bring you back. We will stay at the Gu residence for a day and wait for General Gu and Gu Yefeng's return, alright?"
Looking at Gu Qianying, who had developed delusional anxiety disorder, Nangong Mo felt extremely heartbroken.
To prevent Gu Qianying from taking any further drastic actions, Nangong Mo told a lie.
"Really? Ninth Imperial Uncle, is what you're saying true? You're not lying to me?"
Gu Qianying looked at Nangong Mo, her face filled with disbelief.
"It's true. This King is a dignified prince, how could I lie to you?"
On the way,
Nangong Mo and Gu Qianying sat together in a carriage, followed by several boxes of gold and silver jewelry. The guards who followed stood in two rows, exuding great presence.
The onlookers, who were curious but dared not approach, whispered amongst themselves...