Go to the North

Gu Jinghong immediately suppressed all her emotions, and with a flash, she silently headed towards Chengxin Residence.

She did not enter directly through the main gate, but instead went around to the side and rear of the courtyard, and lightly leaped into the inner room through a half-open window.

The room was lit by only a dim lamp, casting a silent, head bowed shadow on the wall.

"It's me."

Upon hearing the sound, the dark figure immediately turned around and whispered to confirm.

Gu Jinghong looked down and saw that he was holding the black iron token that was shimmering with a dark blue light tightly in his hand.

It's an illusion.

Gu Jinghong reached out her hand, but Huanying did not immediately hand it over. Instead, she raised her eyes, her brows furrowed with hesitation.

His theft of this token from the secret chamber of the Prince Jin's mansion was definitely not in accordance with the prince's wishes.

But Gu Jinghong told him that this might be the only solution if he truly wanted to save the prince.

He had been secretly following Gu Jinghong for some time, acting as her bodyguard, and had become quite familiar with her habits. He knew that Gu Jinghong's vision and abilities far surpassed those of ordinary people, and that her judgments were quick and accurate; she was a trustworthy person.

But the prince is the one he truly needs to serve, and the prince's order is to "protect Gu Jinghong," not "support Gu Jinghong." So, stealing treasures from the prince's secret chamber for Gu Jinghong now seems rather unreasonable.

He hesitated for a long time, his voice low, and his eyes still showing doubt, "Master Gu, are you really sure that this will save the Prince's life?"

Gu Jinghong met his gaze, her eyes clear and firm.

“Phantom, I can’t guarantee you everything; this is a huge gamble. I just have a gut feeling that the Prince’s poison is related to my background… but it’s the only clue that might untangle everything. The answer to all the tangled mysteries may very well lie in the Zhiji Pavilion. If we don’t try, he will only waste his life in a stupor; if we try, at least there’s a glimmer of hope.”

She looked at the silent figure who stood guard behind Xiao Chengyan and sighed softly: "Phantom, I know you are loyal to him, and that's why we can't just sit here and wait to die, right?"

After a long while, Phantom took a deep breath and solemnly placed the cold black iron token into Gu Jinghong's hand.

“Yes, Phantom believes you. The prince’s safety is above all else,” he replied in a deep voice.

Gu Jinghong gripped the token tightly; its icy touch now warmed her heart. "Thank you."

"What about the Prince..." Phantom couldn't help but confirm again.

“Xuanru is safe for now, but we must hurry. I must go to Zhiji Pavilion immediately. You go back and assist Xuanru, making sure he is safe. No one is allowed to approach him until I return.”

"Yes!" Phantom clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, and with a flash, he silently disappeared into the night, just as he had come, and sped off toward the King of Jin's mansion.

The phantom streaked across the night sky like a wisp of smoke, returning to the King of Jin's mansion in a short while.

As he passed by the Prince's study, he saw Xiao Chengyan resting on a recliner with a deathly pale face.

The one kneeling below is A-Yuan.

She lowered her head, looking somewhat uneasy, as if she was thinking about something.

After a moment, she finally looked up at Xiao Chengyan: "Brother Chengyan..."

Xiao Chengyan slightly raised his eyelids, his tone icy and exuding an omnipresent pressure: "What did you call me?"

A Yuan paused for a moment, then lowered her eyelids: "Your Highness, King Jin."

He kept his eyelids lowered: "Ahem... I ask you, why did you dress like that that day, and why did you deliberately imitate her speech?"

she.

Gu Jinghong.

Ah Yuan knows.

In the past six months, she has been involved in almost every time Xiao Chengyan falls ill. How many times has he called out for Ah Hong when he is sick, and how many times has he called out for Ah Ning?

...She thought that since he would call out "A-Ning" even when he was having an attack, he must have feelings for her.

The two had known each other since childhood, and even people in the palace thought they were childhood sweethearts... If their father hadn't been demoted, they could have gotten married.

But she saw his reaction on their wedding day. How could he like someone else?!

A-Yuan cleared her throat lightly and replied, "There was nothing special that day. I had prepared two sets of palace dresses, one green and one red... Women naturally like to dress up, and I happened to want to change the color after I came back."

"A coincidence?" he said calmly. "If you continue to stammer and lie in front of me, Changfeng—"

"Your subordinate is here."

"Take him away."

A Yuan's eyes narrowed, and in her panic, she stood up on her own: "Your Highness, you can't take me with you. I still need to treat your illness. Without me, no one can suppress your Gu poison."

Xiao Chengyan seemed to curl the corners of his lips slightly, then coughed incessantly: "Cough cough, Yongning, you ultimately... cough cough cough... don't understand me. Take him away!"

Yongning refused to leave, roaring, "How can I not understand you?! You just like that..."

Before he finished speaking, Xiao Chengyan moved his hand and sent out a stream of air that sealed Yongning's acupoint.

She could no longer speak.

But she really didn't understand him.

He didn't care about life or death at all.

Yongning provoked her, imitated her, made her unhappy, and even caused him to be poisoned and go looking for her, which may have led her to discover secrets and fall into danger... All of these things, involving her safety and happiness, are what he finds most offensive.

He sighed softly. With Ah Hong's abilities, this secret was probably about to be exposed.

Thinking of this, he coughed violently again.

Changfeng had just returned and, seeing Xiao Chengyan's appearance, couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

“It’s alright.” His voice was low and hoarse. “…What is the situation in the North now?”

Changfeng's expression was solemn: "Your Highness, although the Fifth Prince's faction has suffered a heavy blow, Gongsun Lie has secretly contacted some restless border tribes in Beizhai, and there have been frequent disturbances at several passes on the western front recently. The Fifth Prince has even said that Your Highness... is seriously ill and not worth fearing. Some onlookers in the army are starting to have second thoughts."

Xiao Chengyan closed his eyes and pondered for a moment. When he opened them again, his eyes were filled with determination: "It seems that I must personally take the final step in this final attack."

Changfeng suddenly looked up: "Your Highness! Your health..."

"Go and invite Xuanru over," Xiao Chengyan interrupted him.

A moment later, Xuan Ru strode in, her face filled with worry.

Xiao Chengyan looked at her and said directly, "You promised to give me a pill when I need it. Are you ready now?"

Xuan Ru's pupils contracted slightly, her face paled instantly, and her fingertips unconsciously clenched her sleeves.

She paused for a moment, then finally lowered her head: "Yes, I'm ready. But although the medicine can temporarily stimulate my vital energy, the backlash afterwards is..."

"I know," Xiao Chengyan interrupted her calmly. "You will come with me to the Northern Border."

Xuan Ru suddenly looked up, her eyes still filled with fear, but she immediately replied, "Okay! I'll go."

No one knew his physical condition better than she did.

Now that A-Yuan is imprisoned, even if Xiao Chengyan doesn't take her with him, she will still go with him on her own!

Xiao Chengyan: "...Okay. Go and prepare."

"Yes." Xuan Ru gave him a deep look, then turned and quickly left to arrange the medicine box and other necessities.

Seeing this, Changfeng knew that dissuasion was useless, so he could only clasp his hands and accept the order: "Your subordinate will go and arrange the journey and guards in the northern border."

Xiao Chengyan nodded slightly. After the wind subsided, he looked out the window alone, his gaze seemingly having traversed thousands of mountains and rivers, landing on the snow-covered northern border defense line.

The tightness in his chest and the coldness in his palms reminded him that time was running out.

He unconsciously rubbed his fingertips, as if the faint sensation of his touch on her cheek from the previous night still lingered there.

“Ah Hong…” He sighed softly in a secluded spot, his breath condensing into white mist in the cold night, “I hope I can be quick this time, before you… know everything.”

The journey was perilous, but given the circumstances, he had to hurry.

...

Three days later

This was the first time Xie Yan had ever seen all three tokens gathered together.

He looked up at Gu Jinghong in a daze: "You're opening Zhiji Pavilion? You..."

Gu Jinghong raised an eyebrow: "Yes, is it not allowed?"

Despite her extremely arrogant demeanor, a faint trace of sadness flashed in her eyes.

Xie Yan's heart skipped a beat, and there was an indescribable worry in his eyes, but after thinking for a moment, he still said, "No, you decide."

Gu Jinghong smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying.

Seeing Gu Jinghong's hesitant expression, Xie Yan tentatively asked, "Do you want me to accompany you?"

Gu Jinghong smiled brightly: "That would be perfect."

Xie Yan thought to herself... Sure enough, she still couldn't pass the test.

He curled his lip and began toying with his jade flute again, asking, "Junior Sister, you wouldn't be tempted by Senior Brother's good looks and deliberately want me to accompany you to the Zhiji Pavilion, would you? A lone man and a lone woman in a secluded room... tsk tsk tsk."

Gu Jinghong was amused by Xie Yan's words, "I dare not joke with my senior brother now. I have witnessed Aru's methods."

Xie Yan hummed twice and sighed softly, "Hmm, I've seen it too."

Gu Jinghong looked up at Xie Yan, then smiled.

Actually, when talking about Xuanru, both of them would think of that person, but they both tacitly remained silent, which must be the tacit understanding reached over the years.

As they talked, they walked towards the top floor of Zhuoyue Tower and soon arrived at Zhiji Pavilion.

Gu Jinghong stood before the stone gate covered with mysterious patterns, the three tokens in his hands unusually heavy.

She carefully observed the patterns on the three tokens, then looked at the lock of Zhiji Pavilion. Based on her understanding, she followed the patterns on the lock and inserted the tokens into the grooves one by one in a specific order and orientation.

"Click-clack-clack-clack"

A heavy clanging of machinery came from inside the door, and the wooden door slowly opened with a dull creak. Dust danced in the moonlight, as if disturbing the slumber of time.

Xie Yan stepped into Zhiji Pavilion before Gu Jinghong, blocking Gu Jinghong's path with one hand. Only after confirming that there were no dangerous traps did he lower his hand.

The walls of the secret room were covered with old scrolls, and a cabinet was neatly arranged in the center, also filled with scrolls.

Gu Jinghong's heart pounded like a drum as she searched earnestly, accompanied by Xie Yan.

No one has entered Zhiji Pavilion for many years, and the books inside are covered in dust.

Gu Jinghong and Xie Yan stayed in Zhiji Pavilion searching. The sun rose and set, set and rose again... Before they knew it, three days had passed.

Finally, both of them collapsed against the wall of Zhiji Pavilion, exhausted.

Xie Yan frowned, looking puzzled: "Ah Hong, you said you were telling us that guy might be lying to us, that maybe there's no story about your past here?"

Gu Jinghong thought for a moment and said, "Probably not, and he's not the only one who said that."

Xie Yan sighed: "But we've searched thoroughly three times already, and we still haven't found 'Gu Jinghong'. Surely your real name isn't Gu Jinghong..."

Gu Jinghong suddenly sat up straight and looked at Xie Yan: "Gu Ning? Quickly take care of Ning's files."

Soon, the two found a box labeled Gu Ning in the "Gu" series.

Gu Jinghong composed herself, took out the box containing the scroll titled "Gu Ning," and opened it.

There were only two old items inside.

A neatly folded, faded mauve palace dress; a yellowish silk cloth pressed on top of the dress.

She picked up the silk cloth and looked down.

Above, her handwriting was both familiar and unfamiliar, revealing a childlike innocence and struggle, as if bearing the immense pain and resolve of the moment it was written. The words pierced the eye clearly:

"Gu Ning, ten years old, in the nineteenth year of Chonghua—"

Gu Jinghong looked at the silk and murmured, "The nineteenth year of Chonghua... was the year Nanfeng was destroyed, and also the twentieth year of Chengqian in Dayong." Gu Jinghong was ten years old that year.

A sudden, inexplicable pang of fear gripped her, making it almost impossible for her to breathe. She instinctively pressed her hand to her chest, and the image of Xiao Chengyan's pale, resolute face flashed before her eyes.

What happened to him?

It was at this moment that Xie Yan also came over.

He frowned as soon as he saw the lotus-colored palace dress: "This dress..."

He seemed to think about it very seriously for a moment, then blurted out, "Isn't this your clothing?"

Holding the silk handkerchief, Gu Jinghong stood frozen in place, her mind a jumble of unresolved questions about her identity and a sudden surge of worry for Xiao Chengyan: "Mine?!"