Liu Huo learned of Gu Zhixing's route back to Kyoto from an informant and pursued him relentlessly.

The sound of horses' hooves pounded rapidly on the road.

He didn't know how far he had walked, nor how much time had passed, but he finally saw Gu Zhixing's figure in the distance.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Liu Huo shouted, pulled hard on the reins, dismounted, and scrambled toward Gu Zhixing.

His clothes were stained grayish-brown with dust, and sweat dripped down his cheeks onto the dry ground.

Hearing the shout, Gu Zhixing turned around and saw the disheveled Liu Huo. He frowned slightly: "Liu Huo?"

Liu Huo was Shen Jintang's personal bodyguard and should have been by her side at all times, but now that he was here, Gu Zhixing felt an ominous premonition.

"Has something happened to her?"

——

"drive--"

The night wind howled, carrying a chill, as a light cavalryman galloped through the darkness, heading straight for the county government office.

The moon hung high in the sky, its cool light shining on the gate of the county government office, making the vermilion gate appear particularly eerie in the night.

In the dead of night, when all was quiet, a loud "thump" suddenly rang out as the door was kicked open, the sound particularly jarring in the stillness of the night.

Soon, lights began to come on one after another inside the county government office.

"Your Highness, this way."

Liu Huo led the way, with Gu Zhixing following closely behind. The two walked one after the other toward the small courtyard where Shen Jintang used to live.

But when they arrived at the courtyard, it was already deserted.

Gu Zhixing looked around and saw that the small courtyard in front of him was dilapidated and desolate.

The surrounding walls have long been eroded by time, with peeling paint revealing mottled marks, and the ground is also pitted and overgrown with weeds.

A night wind blew by, making the windows creak and groan as if they might be blown off at any moment; the sound was particularly jarring in the quiet night.

Shen Jintang has been sleeping in this kind of environment for a while now, it would be strange if she didn't get sick.

Where are they?!

Liu Huo suddenly turned around and went out, grabbing the collar of the servant guarding the courtyard. His eyes were sharp as he demanded, "Where did they go?"

The servant was terrified, his legs trembling uncontrollably. He stammered and couldn't utter a coherent sentence for a long time, only pleading repeatedly, "I...I really don't know!"

Gu Zhixing glanced at the situation over there, but his gaze was quickly drawn to a faint scent emanating from the room.

It was the scent of mugwort, though it was very faint, Gu Zhixing still managed to detect it keenly.

The courtyard was filled with the smoke of mugwort, which suggests that they have already convicted Shen Jintang.

Gu Zhixing's eyes turned slightly cold as he walked into the room, his gaze sweeping over every corner before finally settling on the headboard.

There hung a sword there, the very sword he had given to Shen Jintang.

Gu Zhixing frowned slightly.

Shen Jintang had always loved this sword; it was not only a gift, but also a life-saving charm he had given her.

Shen Jintang would never leave without it!

He slowly raised his hand, took the sword off the wall, and held it in his hand.

The hilt of the sword seemed to still retain the warmth of Shen Jintang, and a slight warmth came through the fingertips.

Gu Zhixing gripped the sword hilt tightly, his eyes instantly turning icy cold, devoid of any warmth.

He gripped the sword tighter in his hand, as if trying to condense all his anger and unease into that grip, and then strode out.

"His Royal Highness?"

Liu Huo caught a glimpse of Gu Zhixing out of the corner of her eye, noticed that his expression was off, and quickly followed him.

As soon as the two left the courtyard, they saw Shen Huaixu walking towards them.

Liu Huo was furious when he saw Shen Huaixu, but before he could make a move, a dark figure rushed towards Shen Huaixu faster than him.

"Thump—"

A muffled thud.

Shen Huaixu and his wheelchair were kicked to the ground.

Gu Zhixing stepped forward, grabbed Shen Huaixu by the collar, and looked at him with a sinister gaze, saying, "Didn't I tell you that I would find a way to get you the medicine and the person? You have to protect Shen Jintang for me?"

Shen Huaixu was planted on the ground, and his eyes saw stars.

Upon hearing Gu Zhixing's words, a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.

Why is Gu Zhixing here?

Shouldn't he be locked up in Kyoto at this time?

Anything else to say?

When did you tell him?

"Let go."

Shen Huaixu was struggling to breathe from the tightness of the grip. He reached out to pry Gu Zhixing's fist open, but it wouldn't budge.

"waste!"

Not only do they lack ability, they don't even have a brain!

Did he think that the governor of Sizhou would send troops to him based on the few letters he wrote?

That's absolutely out of the ordinary!

That was because he had Chongyang take his order and risk being suspected of forming cliques to force the governor of Sizhou to send someone!

Pig brains!

They were even thinking of having Shen Jintang accompany them for drinks?

Whether you drink the wine or not will not affect the final result at all!

The governor of Sizhou was a man who loved to drink, and he would naturally not refuse if someone invited him to drink.

It's a pity that Shen Jintang drank so much wine for nothing and felt terrible all night.

"master!"

Upon seeing this, Shi Shu quickly stepped forward to dissuade him.

But before he could get close, Chongyang and Liuhuo blocked his way, preventing him from getting even half a step closer.

You really deserve to die!

Gu Zhixing punched Shen Huaixu in the face.

Shen Huaixu had no ability to resist at all. Even if he hadn't been injured, he couldn't have beaten Gu Zhixing, who had practiced martial arts since childhood, let alone now.

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