Beside the bed, separated by a curtain, a traveling healer was taking Jiang Fei's pulse.
After an unknown amount of time, the traveling doctor withdrew his hand and sighed softly: "The poison that Princess Changning has been afflicted with is the Cold Flower Poison. According to my investigation, this poison has already penetrated deep into her lungs and internal organs. Taking the Sorrow-Relieving Herb can only barely suppress the toxicity and prolong death. To cure it completely..."
"How can we cure this completely?" Chu Mo asked from the side.
The itinerant doctor glanced at Chu Mo and continued, "To cure it completely, we must go to the Western Regions to find a type of Gu worm called Blood Silk Gu. This Gu worm feeds on poison and can cure all poisons, including Cold Flower Poison."
"Back then, I also obtained one by chance, which saved my life."
Blood Veil Gu.
Chu Mo pursed his lips. He had heard of this Gu worm before, but he never expected that it could cure the Cold Flower Poison.
"Thank you, doctor."
The itinerant doctor shook his head, stroked his beard, and was about to walk out when he stopped at the door: "By the way, that Blood Silk Gu is very delicate. Once it enters the flesh, it takes root and can only survive for three days. The prince consort must be careful."
Chu Mo nodded, ordered someone to bring a box of silver to the itinerant doctor, and then turned and walked towards the bedroom.
So now we know there's an antidote for the Cold Flower Poison, isn't there?
"Chu Mo..." Jiang Fei's voice was very soft on the bed.
Chu Mo snapped out of his daze and walked closer.
"Chu Mo, is there any hope for me after being poisoned?" A faint light appeared in Jiang Fei's eyes, but she seemed afraid of disappointment and asked cautiously.
Chu Mo looked into her eyes, his heart skipped a beat: "Yes, the doctor said there's still hope..."
A glint seemed to appear in Jiang Fei's eyes.
Chu Mo's throat tightened, and he lowered his head to avoid her gaze: "You should rest well first. In the meantime, I will send people to find the antidote."
After saying that, he turned around and quickly left the bedroom, striding towards the door.
The guard quietly followed beside him: "Master, our troops are secretly gathering and will be fully assembled in less than ten days."
Chu Mo paused for a moment.
In ten days, after years of enduring humiliation, he will finally be able to avenge himself and find the antidote to cure Rongrong. When that time comes, as long as she leaves with him, everything in the Great Yan can be discarded at will!
This includes this already shameful engagement.
Chu Mo clenched his fists, suddenly recalling Jiang Fei's appearance and voice from just now. He quickly banished her image and said, "Mm."
...
Chu Mo became very busy, and he was rarely seen in the mansion.
The people in the princess's residence all thought that he was going to great lengths to find an antidote for Jiang Fei, and they thought to themselves that the prince consort was really good to the princess.
Only Jiang Fei knew that this person was secretly gathering troops in exchange for the bargaining chip to take Jiang Rongrong away from Great Yan.
However, she was too lazy to pay attention to it and stayed in the mansion as usual, which saved her the trouble of making lunch.
In the past few days, Jiang Fei also went to the palace to see the old emperor and had a conversation with him.
Although the old emperor was old, he seemed to be in relatively good spirits.
After returning from the palace, Jiang Fei never left the princess's residence again.
This day was the day before Chu Mo's rebellion.
The mansion was very calm, without any abnormalities, like the stillness before a storm.
It was late at night.
Chu Mo stood atop a high mountain in the capital region, looking at the troops already deployed, and then up at the dark night sky, his heart filled with hatred and bloodlust.
It won't be long.
He had been waiting for this day for more than ten years.
Suddenly, a faint light flickered and drifted silently in the distant night.
Chu Mo was slightly taken aback, staring at that faint light.
A lone red lantern floated in the air, probably the last embers of a family's lantern festival.
“Master,” the guard knelt on the ground below the mountain, “the soldiers are all ready, and we will attack the city at your command tomorrow.”
Chu Mo withdrew his gaze, his voice cold: "Hmm."
"And..." the guard hesitated for a moment, "We received news from the Princess's residence that Princess Changning has been asking where you are these past few days."
Chu Mo's fingertips trembled slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and scoffed, "What could she possibly want?"
It's just urging him to return home; it's been like this for a long time.
But why... can I not feel any disgust in my heart now?
The guards withdrew, but Chu Mo remained standing on the high ridge, the lamp gradually disappearing from sight.
He watched as the lantern disappeared completely into the night sky, took a half-step forward, and then suddenly realized what had happened, standing there with a gloomy expression.
Then, something occurred to Chu Mo.
On Lu Zhi's side...
With this in mind, Chu Mo set off and disappeared into the night.
It's just about negotiating a condition; it's definitely not because of Jiang Fei!
When they returned to the princess's residence, it was past midnight.
Chu Mo arrived at the study quietly without alerting anyone, but did not go in; he simply stood at the doorway.
A moment later, footsteps approached, and a young man dressed in black followed with a blank expression.
"Guard Lu."
Lu Zhi looked at Chu Mo through the dim light: "The Prince Consort is leaving."
It's not a question, it's a statement of certainty.
Chu Mo smiled and said, "I know the whereabouts of the Blood Silk Gu."
Lu Zhi froze.
Chu Mo didn't say anything more. He had investigated Lu Zhi and found that he treated Rongrong differently from other women.
Even though Lu Zhi's attitude towards Jiang Fei has changed recently, he doesn't believe that he would fall in love with someone else so quickly.
The Blood Vein Gu is related to Jiang Rongrong's life.
Lu Zhi should know who Jiang Rongrong would be safer with.
Moreover, Lu Zhi is highly skilled in martial arts; if we can get his help, we can achieve twice the result with half the effort.
Chu Mo glanced at Lu Zhi's obviously out-of-control expression, leaped onto the wall, and prepared to leave the mansion.
But as he passed the central bedroom, he gradually came to a stop.
A candle flickered gently in Jiang Fei's room, as if waiting for someone to return.
Chu Mo's heart tightened. Looking at the faint light, he paused for a long time before stepping forward and slowly pushing open the door.
The candlelight flickered slightly. Several plates of light dishes were on the table, already cold. Jiang Fei, fully clothed, lay asleep on the table, her thin figure a stark contrast to her daytime recklessness, appearing unusually quiet.
Chu Mo looked at the dishes, all of which were the ones he had eaten a few extra bites of.
Is she... waiting for him?
"Hmm..." Jiang Fei hummed softly and shifted her body.
Chu Mo's body stiffened.
"Chu Mo?" Jiang Fei's voice was still sleepy. "Is that you back?"
Chu Mo remained silent.
Jiang Fei tilted her head, her eyes hazy: "Dreaming again... He's busy..."
As he spoke, he leaned to the side, about to fall under the table.
Before Chu Mo could even react, he had already caught her.
"Hmm?" Jiang Fei looked up at him with difficulty, as if trying to see him more clearly. "This dream is so real."
She reached out and suddenly hugged the waist of the person in front of her tightly: "Chu Mo, I thought you didn't want me anymore..." Her voice choked with sobs, and she felt very aggrieved.
Chu Mo clenched his fists and looked down at her leaning against him, her eyes and nose red.
He bent down and carried her to the bed. Just as he was about to straighten up, she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck again, looked at him sleepily, and then suddenly kissed him hard on the lips: "Chu Mo, I love you so much."
Chu Mo froze, still bent over, staring intently at her.
She had already let go of his hand, and gently curled up inside the bed, making room for him.
Chu Mo stood up, staring blankly at the empty seat she had left, and after a long while gave a mocking smile.
A shameful engagement.
He and she... were never a real couple.
Never.
He turned around, and his figure quickly disappeared into the night.
Chu Mo's favorability rating: 50.
The next day, morning.
When Jiang Fei woke up again, it was already daylight.
The sky was very gloomy and dark today, as if a storm was about to break.
A series of hurried footsteps rushed in from outside the door, and someone collapsed in front of Jiang Fei: "Princess, the Prince Consort, he, he..."
"They've rebelled!"
...
Chu Mo's plot to rebel shocked the court and the public. All the civil and military officials condemned his wolfish ambitions and were even more furious that the Great Wei had broken its promise.
In the capital, the people lived in constant fear.
The once bustling capital city is now deserted in its markets.
The emperor sent military generals to suppress the rebellion, but they suffered repeated defeats. Finally, after Chu Mo's troops broke through the city gate, the emperor personally appointed the imperial advisor Pei Qing to take command and resist the rebels.
After Pei Qing took command, he sent troops to garrison the city walls and dispatched generals to outflank the city from outside. Three days later, they stopped Chu Mo's offensive.
During this time, Jiang Fei ate and drank as usual at the princess's residence, enjoying a very leisurely life.
Green Bamboo always reported the current situation with a worried look on her face, and in the end, she always managed to bring up the point that "Chu Mo doesn't know what's good for him."
Jiang Fei listened quietly, occasionally playing the role of a "worried" sick Xi Shi.
Jiang Fei finally took it seriously when he learned that Chu Mo and Pei Qing's armies were facing off inside and outside the city walls.
It was her turn to appear.
On this day, Jiang Fei specially changed into a white cloud-patterned dress, without any makeup. Her bright features appeared somewhat fragile. She took the token and rode her horse toward the city wall.
The sky remained overcast, and a somber atmosphere permeated the air.
As soon as Jiang Fei approached the city wall, he heard the cold, sharp sounds of clashing weapons, accompanied by the sounds of horses' hooves, neighing, and wailing, as well as the strong smell of blood.
The soldiers guarding the city looked at the woman riding in with surprise: "Princess Changning?" Then they understood, after all, the one who was plotting this rebellion was her husband.
Jiang Fei didn't speak, but after showing the token, he staggered toward the city wall with a pale face.
The soldiers bowed and made way, no longer daring to obstruct them—it was the Emperor's token, and seeing the token was like seeing the Emperor himself.
Jiang Fei walked all the way to the city wall and immediately saw Pei Qing standing behind the crenellations.
He was not wearing armor, but still dressed in white, his face pale. The wind at the crenellation was extremely strong, and his robes rustled in the wind. Under the gloomy sky, he looked as clean as a stranger from the world.
The -10 favorability rating above his head is quite glaring.
Upon seeing Jiang Fei, Pei Qing frowned slightly, but her voice remained calm: "This is not a place for a princess..."
“I’m looking for Chu Mo,” Jiang Fei interrupted him, her voice hoarse.
Pei Qing glanced at her, but said nothing more.
Beneath the city wall, soldiers from both sides were locked in a fierce battle.
Through the crenellations behind Pei Qing, Jiang Fei immediately spotted Chu Mo, who was riding a horse at the very front.
He wore cold silver armor and a fiery red cloak, which diminished his delicate features and added a touch of coldness.
It looks really good.
Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow, then lowered her eyes and looked lost in thought. Judging by the time, Jiang Rongrong should have arrived by now.
She was all prepared to watch a good show.
Just as I was thinking this, I heard footsteps behind me.
Jiang Fei looked back and saw that Jiang Rongrong had already climbed the city wall. Her face was pale, her eyes were full of anxiety, and her cheeks were thin and sunken from the torment of the Cold Flower Poison.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Pei Qing's tone shifted slightly compared to its previous calmness: "Why are you here?"
Jiang Rongrong looked at Pei Qing: "Can I say a few words to Chu Mo?"
Pei Qing looked at her for a long time before finally slowly giving up his seat.
Jiang Rongrong stood at the edge of the battlements, her dress fluttering wildly in the wind: "Chu Mo!" she called out Chu Mo's name loudly.
Beneath the city wall, Chu Mo's hand gripping the reins trembled. He looked up and saw Jiang Rongrong. His expression faltered for a moment, unsure whether he felt joy or disappointment.
"Chu Mo, please stop hitting them, okay?" Jiang Rongrong's eyes were full of pleading. "The people are innocent."
Chu Mo looked at Jiang Rongrong, the woman he cared about deeply. He had endured for so long, only to get what he wanted.
Power, and Jiang Rongrong.
Everything else is too insignificant!
Jiang Rongrong continued, "Chu Mo, stop now. Princess Changning is waiting for you..."
"What I've always wanted is you!" Upon hearing this, Chu Mo's previously calm expression cracked. He abruptly interrupted her, his voice filled with anger, "Rongrong, what I want isn't Jiang Fei at all, but you!"
Jiang Rongrong was also stunned: "What did you say?"
Chu Mo laughed: "You don't believe me? Marrying Jiang Fei was just to gain the trust of the Emperor of Great Yan and cultivate my own power. She's so rude and domineering, how could I like someone like her?"
"Chu Mo!"
"And another thing," Chu Mo clenched his fists, determined to completely erase the image from his mind, "Do you think Jiang Fei was poisoned by the Cold Flower? Because from beginning to end, she was just testing medicine for you!"
That's right.
It was all just to use her and get the antidote.
Jiang Rongrong was utterly horrified. Overwhelmed by the shock, she felt a sharp pain in her chest. She clutched her chest with one hand, her face growing paler and paler: "Chu Mo, you've gone mad!"
"Crazy?" Chu Mo laughed. "Rongrong, didn't you say the common people are innocent?"
"Leave with me, and I will withdraw my troops."
Jiang Rongrong's hands trembled. Just as she was about to speak, she felt her whole body turn ice cold and her limbs stiffen. Then, waves of sharp pain surged through her, and she couldn't help but fall to the side.
Pei Qing rushed forward and caught her swaying body.
Jiang Fei didn't look at the two people, but listened to Chu Mo finally make a choice. She sneered inwardly, but her face was still full of despair.
She slowly walked to the top of the battlements and stared blankly at the man.
Beneath the city wall, Chu Mo's expression suddenly changed drastically, and his gaze fixed on Jiang Fei.
Jiang Fei was also looking at him, the light in her eyes gradually fading, her expression blank, her face pale.
Then she suddenly crouched down, hid behind the city wall, and refused to look at him again.
Chu Mo's hand trembled. Had she heard everything?
But he quickly calmed down. Now, he no longer needed her, and it didn't matter if she knew the truth. Anyway... she was just a pawn.
But is that really the case?
On the other side.
Jiang Rongrong collapsed into Pei Qing's arms, her voice filled with panic: "Qing, it's the Cold Flower Poison, it's the Cold Flower Poison..."
This poison is so terrifying that it makes people wish they were dead.
"I'll send someone to fetch the herb of relief from sorrow; you'll be alright." Pei Qing's usually calm expression revealed a hint of panic.
Just as he was about to leave, Jiang Rongrong grabbed him, her voice hoarse and strained: "Aqing, I want to leave with him."
"Nonsense," Pei Qing said without thinking.
“I’m serious,” Jiang Rongrong said weakly. “Aqing, I can’t bear to see you all turn against each other because of me, and to involve so many people.”
"Rongrong..."
“Moreover,” Jiang Rongrong interrupted him, cold sweat beading on her forehead, “Aqing, you can’t leave the capital. If you leave with Chu Mo, perhaps you can cure the poison in my body.”
Pei Qing also quieted down, looking calmly at Jiang Rongrong.
“Ah Qing…” Jiang Rongrong breathed rapidly, “Don’t worry, I will definitely come back. Chu Mo… won’t hurt me.”
Pei Qing pursed her lips and remained silent.
"Princess Changning?" a soldier nearby suddenly exclaimed.
Pei Qing turned his gaze, following the soldiers' eyes. Jiang Fei was huddled at the foot of the city wall, her face pale, her limbs stiff, her whole body trembling slightly from the cold, yet she was still murmuring, "Chu Mo..."
This is a sign of poisoning.
Pei Qing squinted, scrutinizing the face that bore a resemblance to the woman in his arms, as if deep in thought.
Then he withdrew his gaze, looked at the woman in his arms, and nodded slightly: "Okay, I promise you."
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