Chapter 124 Chapter 124 is the only genuine version...
Xie Jingwei was stunned.
Liu Ling's affair caused a sensation in the capital, and Xie Jing had also heard a little about it.
The Liu family, utterly disgraced, had Liu Ling arrested and imprisoned. However, after just two days, Liu Ling suddenly set fire to the mansion and escaped in the chaos. He returned to Yanziwei Lane, threatening to refuse his return unless the Liu family accepted the old blind man. Now, expelled from the Imperial College for his misconduct, his future was shattered.
But why did Gu Zhizhuo suddenly mention Liu Ling?
"Are they similar?" Gu Zhizhuo asked with a smile.
"Like what?"
"Why are you so stupid!" Gu Zhizhuo pointed to the sky impatiently and repeated, "Resemble it?"
Like what? Xie Jing was about to ask again, but suddenly came back to his senses.
After this incident, Xie Jing heard someone say that Liu Ling's sweetheart was originally a little girl from a ruffian family in the east of the city. For some reason, he suddenly changed his mind and fell in love with an old blind man. He insisted on being married to the old blind man for the rest of his life, and even admitted in person that he had ruined Miss Zheng Liu's reputation in order to break off the engagement.
This inexplicable crazy behavior is really similar to my father's. Not just similar, but exactly the same.
"Do you know what's going on?"
Xie Jing suddenly became excited and reached out to grab Gu Zhizhuo. His voice was loud and attracted the attention of the people around him.
Xie Yingchen raised his arm to block him a step away: "If you still can't learn how to speak properly, then don't talk anymore."
Xie Jing:!
"What you should be asking is whether your Ke'er knows." Gu Zhizhuo held his chin with one hand, and gently touched her cheek with the tip of his index finger. "She seems to have a plan for everything, doesn't she?"
Xie Jing said coldly: "Don't stir up trouble."
Gu Zhizhuo wasn't afraid of him, and continued slowly, "She knew what was going to happen, didn't she?"
"She's happy to see everything happen." Gu Zhizhuo covered his mouth and smiled, "Isn't she?"
These few words, like a heavy hammer, struck Xie Jing's heart hard, bringing out all the dark speculations that had been circling in his mind for the past few days. For a moment, he felt cold all over. This shivering chill ran from his tailbone to his limbs, and he couldn't help but shiver.
Facing Gu Zhizhuo's teasing gaze, Xie Jing wanted to tell her loudly, "No." However, the words turned into a very low, "Wu..."
He covered his lips in a hurry, and the word "gu" was not uttered in the end.
Xie Jing blinked at her desperately, meaning, is that so?!
Gu Zhizhuo smiled without saying anything, neither saying yes nor denying it.
Xie Jing's heart sank.
My father's obsession with Ji was completely groundless.
It would be fine if Ji was a stunning beauty, but her appearance was simply unbearable to look at. The rash covered her entire face from her forehead to her chin. It was red, swollen, and oozing pus.
There are all kinds of beauties in my father's harem, so why is he so deeply in love with her?
He had thought more than once whether his father was possessed by evil spirits, but Ke'er told him that his father had been deeply in love with Ji Shi for a long time, but they could not be together because Ji Shi Luofu was married.
He was skeptical.
If it was witchcraft, then everything would be logical.
Ke'er used witchcraft on her father!
She used him to cast a witchcraft on her father.
His mind was buzzing and his heart felt sour and uncomfortable. He rushed to the door curtain, wanting to go back to the palace to tell his father. Maybe if he asked Master Qingping to perform a ritual, his father would get better.
However, after taking a few steps, he couldn't help but retract his foot.
Witchcraft is a taboo and a capital crime.
Once this matter gets out and people know that it was Ke'er who did it, Ke'er will die.
Even he couldn't save her.
Can't.
His feet seemed to be glued to the ground and he couldn't move.
Gu Zhizhuo tugged at Xie Yingchen's sleeve, whispered to his ear, and felt her warm breath brush against his cheek. She pursed her lips softly and said, "A filial son." Then she leaned on his shoulder and laughed.
The matter involved Ji Nan Ke, this "filial son" who didn't even care about the emperor's reputation and safety.
Xie Yingchen laughed.
He stroked her long hair, running his fingers through it, which was as soft as the finest satin.
Gu Zhizhuo leaned on his shoulder and spoke in a voice that only he could hear, "I've made up my mind~"
As the ruler of a country, even if the emperor insists on his own way, he will only make himself infamous. If he really disregards his reputation and allows the imperial envoys to impeach him and the students to bang their heads against the wall, he will only be labeled as a fool, but the country will not be destroyed in a short time.
Gu Zhizhuo didn't have the patience to wait for half a year until he sobered up before settling the score.
At this time, we need to add fuel to the fire.
The firewood is burning well.
"Kitten, aren't you right?"
"Meow~"
"Come here," the princess ordered from inside, "bring the porridge."
"Have some porridge." This was Prince Li's voice. "Can you have something better?"
"no."
Princess Li came out and said to Concubine Jiang, "Go in and take a look."
Concubine Jiang couldn't wait to go in quickly.
"Miss Gu." Princess Li walked straight to Gu Zhizhuo and bowed to her.
According to seniority, Xie Yingchen should call her great-aunt, but Gu Zhizhuo quickly stood up to avoid her and returned the greeting.
Princess Li held her and thanked her again and again.
The prince looked completely different from before. She had prepared herself for the worst and thought that the best scenario would be that he could barely get out of bed and walk a few steps. She never expected that he was just a little weaker than a normal person and moved a little slower, but he could speak and had a clear mind.
I can never repay you for saving my life.
Princess Liqin asked gratefully, "Miss Gu, does my prince still need to take medicine?"
"It will take some time for Tai Fang to heal." Before she could ask, Gu Zhizhuo took the initiative to say, "I'm not good at Tai Fang. Please ask the imperial physician to take a look."
"Okay." Princess Li Qin responded and ordered the imperial physician, "Go and see the prince."
The imperial physicians agreed, thinking that Miss Gu was unwilling to take credit for the treatment, so they assigned the task of recuperation to them.
Doctor Zhou couldn't help but ask, "Princess, can I go with you?"
He was invited by the Duke of Wei. He had described Prince Li's condition when he fell ill to him in detail, and the imperial physician had also examined his pulse. The voice he had just heard from inside didn't sound like someone seriously ill at all. This young woman's medical skills must be truly exceptional.
He said, "I am also good at Taiping."
Princess Li didn't want to refuse Xie Jing's kindness, so she said, "Thank you for troubling me, Doctor Zhou."
Doctor Zhou went in with the imperial physicians. Prince Li was leaning on the pillow, looking a little pale but conscious. He was still telling his concubine that he wanted to eat braised pork.
After taking the pulse one by one, the imperial doctors were all shocked.
Doctor Zhou was the last one to feel the pulse. He pondered for a moment, then put his hand down and quickly ran out. He ran to Gu Zhizhuo and asked impatiently, "Young man, did you use a long needle?"
Gu Zhizhuo was startled and nodded subconsciously; "Yes."
"How many inches?"
"Three inches."
"Where are you taking the blood?"
Gu Zhizhuo went to see Xie Yingchen and explained, "His surname is Zhou. He's the doctor Xie Jing hired. He specializes in stroke."
Gu Zhizhuo understood and asked him to sit down. He said gently, "Old Doctor Zhou, I am a Taoist doctor. I also use some Taoist techniques. As for acupuncture points, I have taken Baixue and Naohu..."
Doctor Zhou nodded repeatedly after hearing this.
The Baixue, Shenting, and Naohu acupoints are all located on the top of the head, making it extremely difficult to use long needles. Careless manipulation could even lead to fatal results. Dr. Zhou also knew how to use a three-inch needle, but he only became more confident after turning thirty-five.
Moreover, if he were to treat the case, he could only wake the prince up at best, but he would definitely be paralyzed on the bed for the rest of his life.
Are Taoist medicine's methods so magical? Doctor Zhou plans to find a Taoist temple to seek advice.
"My friend, Baihui acupoint is more suitable for curved needle method."
"Curved needle method?" Gu Zhizhuo had never heard of it.
"It happened to me accidentally over the years. Let me show you my silver needle."
Doctor Zhou took out the silver needle from his arms with great interest.
His silver needles were different from ordinary ones. The needle tip was extremely flat and had a tiny curvature that was difficult to detect with the naked eye and could only be discovered by touching with the fingers.
"I am a fine needle."
Gu Zhizhuo also showed him the silver needle.
Her silver needle was extremely thin, as thin as a hair.
Doctor Zhou's eyes lit up and said, "Yes, thin needles are indeed suitable for use on the head, but long needles that are so thin are easy to bend."
The old and the young were talking lively.
Xie Jing was upset and subconsciously wanted to ask Gu Zhizhuo what to do next.
But Xie Yingchen sat beside her, his eyes soft as he listened to her talk, words Xie Jing couldn't understand at all, as if he never got tired of it. The only thing he gave Xie Jing was a look that said, "Keep away, you idiot."
Xie Jing: “…”
For some reason, he felt very upset and turned away without looking back.
After leaving Prince Li's Mansion, Xie Jing realized that he was really presumptuous. He did not say goodbye to the princess, and even did not say a word to the prince.
Why.
Xie Jing sighed and said to Xiao Yunzi who was following him, "Let's go back to the palace first."
This time things were not done well again.
He seems to be unable to do anything right.
"Don't go back to the palace yet. Go and ask Wei Jiu to come see me."
Wei Jiu was his confidant. As a prince who hadn't yet established his own court, he didn't have many people he could use, and Wei Jiu was the most loyal one. He summoned Wei Jiu and gave him some instructions, and within two days, Xie Jing had six pages of paper in his hands.
After he finished reading them one by one, he leaned weakly back in his chair and did not move for a long time.
"Your Highness," Xiao Yunzi saw that he was in a bad mood and said carefully, "Miss Ji asked you to watch a play today, you still remember."
Xie Jing raised his eyelids, as if to confirm the situation: "Where is it?"
"Changyin Tower is here."
Xie Jing put all the papers into his arms and said, "Then go."
Changyin Tower was another major theater in the capital, standing alongside Xiangxi Tower. Because Ji Nanke preferred the operas at Changyin Tower, Xie Jing often accompanied her there. Xie Jing also knew that people in the capital teased him, saying that he followed a woman's skirt all day long and obeyed her orders.
In the past, Xie Jing was devoted to Ji Nan Ke and he didn't care, but now, Xie Jing finds that his efforts may not be worth it.
If Ji Nan Ke cared about him, she should have thought that once the witchcraft incident was exposed, he would be guilty of the same crime as she had brought her father to Zhuangzi.
She did it anyway.
Xie Jing left the palace in a state of frustration and ran all the way to Changyin Tower, where he reined in his horse.
Ji Nan Ke waved to him with a smile from the elegant seat on the second floor where they often sat.
Xie Jing didn't react at all. He threw the reins to the waiter and walked in.
Ji Nanke's brows were tightly knitted together, and she didn't give Xie Jing a good look until Xie Jing walked into the private room.
Xie Jing sat across from her at the round table, and the two looked at each other in silence.
Xie Jing didn't take the initiative to talk to her, which made Ji Nanke feel a little uneasy.
Since the Lotus Manor, Xie Jing's attitude towards her has been lukewarm. Ji Nan Ke originally wanted to take the initiative to ask him out to meet as a way to reconcile. Unexpectedly, he still gave her the cold shoulder. Ji Nan Ke had always enjoyed Xie Jing's attention, but faced with his cold shoulder, her pride and arrogance made her unable to say anything soft.
The two sat facing each other, and neither of them took the initiative to speak.
The gongs sounded, and the opera began on the stage downstairs. The actors danced with their sleeves, humming and singing in a high-pitched voice.
Ji Nan Ke simply stopped caring and focused on watching the show.
She was watching with great interest when Xie Jing suddenly spoke up, his first words since arriving: "Xiao Yunzi, have someone close the partition door. You stay outside and guard."
What do you mean? How can you watch the show if you close the partition door? Ji Nanke looked at him coldly, and her soft voice was tinged with anger: "Are you deliberately trying to quarrel?"
"Don't close it."
"Close it!"
Xiao Yunzi looked around at the two of them. Of course he had to listen to Xie Jing, so he hurried out to call the waiter.
Ji Nan Ke pursed her lips and stood up suddenly, causing the dishes and chopsticks on the eight-immortals table to bang.
She was about to leave, but Xie Jing grabbed her arm and pulled her down to sit.
Ji Nanke looked at him in astonishment: "Let me go! Xie Jing, are you crazy?"
Soon, all the partition doors were closed, and Xie Jing let go of her arm. He used a lot of force, leaving a clearly visible red mark on her fair wrist.
Ji Nanke covered her wrist in pain, and Xie Jing's face showed a trace of heartache, but it quickly subsided.
He whispered, "Did you use witchcraft on Father?"
This was not the place to talk. Xie Jing had wanted to wait until after the show to take Ji Nan Ke out before talking, but he really couldn't help it and just wanted to know the truth immediately.
"Yes or no!?"
"No." Ji Nanke rubbed his wrist and said angrily, "Do you believe me when I say this? Are you going to send me to your father to seek credit? Then go ahead."
Xie Jing looked at her with a hurt expression.
If he wasn't trying to protect her, why would he do this? Ji Nan Ke was always like this, always pushing him in an unbearable direction.
She herself never does anything wrong.
"What did Gu Zhizhuo say to you again?" Ji Nanke sneered, "She can't stand seeing me get ahead of myself, and she's just trying to sow discord. You believe everything she says, and you won't believe anything I say."
Xie Jing took a deep breath, took out the stack of papers hidden in his arms, and threw it in front of Ji Nanke.
He used so much force that the thin paper almost flew out.
"See for yourself."
Ji Nan Ke didn't say anything and turned his head away.
Xie Jing shouted even louder: "Look."
Ji Nanke's shoulders trembled slightly and he slowly picked up the paper.
Xie Jing scratched his hair, looking annoyed, and leaned back against the back of the armchair.
Ji Nan Ke glanced at him cautiously and quickly read the contents written on the paper. Each piece of paper was written quite simply and not in great detail.
The first page is Liu Ling.
It describes how he was deeply in love with a blind fortune teller named Chen, and was determined to marry him.
The second page is about Zhou Jinnuo. She first intended to elope with a scholar, but later the scholar was hit to death in a teahouse.
The third page is about Miss Zhao Wu. Not long after her hasty marriage, her husband fell into the river and drowned.
Page 4, Page 5...
Ji Nan Ke finished reading it quickly and became more and more frightened the more she read.
There are six pages in total, and each page contains a name.
Xie Jing downed a glass of wine and sneered at her, "Do you think witchcraft is some good thing that can make your dreams come true?"
Ji Nan Ke pinched the silk paper, and the strength of his fingers caused the edges of the paper to wrinkle.
She first learned about the marriage talisman because of Princess Qinrou. Princess Qinrou fell in love with her eldest sister's fiancé and wanted to exchange her sister for marriage. However, the fiancé and her eldest sister were childhood sweethearts and they were in love with each other. She privately inquired about the old blind man, and later the marriage exchange was successful.
Xie Jing would not take out these papers casually.
Did these people also use the marriage talisman? Why did they die? One person could be said to be an accident, but so many people died in the same strange way, it definitely can't be explained by the word "accident".
Ji Nanke's heart was beating wildly, almost jumping out of his throat.
"What on earth do you want to do?" Xie Jing slammed his hands on the Eight Immortals Table, staring at her intently, and uttered through gritted teeth, "Witchcraft has been a taboo since ancient times. Why do you insist on getting involved in it?"
Ji Nanke: “…”
Xie Jing became increasingly angry as he spoke, pointing to the pages in her hand and saying, "Do you think I'm the only one who can find out about this?"
"I, a prince without a palace, can find out about something, so I can't hide it from anyone."
He stood up, walked around twice in annoyance, and then walked in front of Ji Nan Ke. Suddenly, he leaned over and supported the armrests of her chair with both hands, facing Ji Nan Ke.
"For three days, the students sat in the Meridian Gate. The crowd grew larger and larger, and they became increasingly passionate. They wrote articles demanding that the emperor take responsibility for his actions. The imperial study was filled with impeachment letters from court officials."
"Father's temperament has changed drastically, as if he's been possessed by a demon. Do you think no one will notice? Ke'er, don't treat everyone else as fools. You're not the only smart person in the world."
Just like Miss Gu, she had already seen through it.
"They've been caught off guard by our father," Xie Jing took a deep breath and lowered his voice, "but the court is full of shrewd people. They can definitely connect our father's abnormality with..." He pointed at the silk paper in Ji Nan Ke's hand, "all these things together!"
"You can't hide it."
"Witchcraft is a capital crime. Do you understand?"
"Even me."
Even if he was a prince, if he was involved in witchcraft, he would either be put to death or imprisoned.
Xie Jing's words made Ji Nanke's ears buzz.
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