Chapter 361 Applying Eye Drops (First Update)
After the hood of her cloak fell off, she quickly put it back on, and then, escorted by a man in black, entered a house with gourds hanging on it.
Gu Jiao was about to follow when someone grabbed her shoulder after she had only taken a few steps.
Gu Jiao swung a chop at him with her hand, but the other person grabbed her wrist.
"It's me!"
The other person was also wearing a mask, just like Gu Jiao, but Gu Jiao recognized the voice all too well.
Gu Jiao put down her hand and looked at Gu Changqing, who was dressed as a swordsman, with a strange expression: "Why are you here?"
Gu Changqing lowered his hand, looked around, and asked her, "I should be asking you that. What brings you here?"
Gu Jiao touched her mask. "Yes, it's there. How did you recognize her?"
Gu Changqing's lips twitched. He had recognized her back when she tricked his father into calling him "father."
Besides her, no one else in the world has such a twisted sense of humor.
"You still haven't told me why you came here?" Gu Changqing looked at her seriously.
This is not a place she should be in; even if she has some fighting skills, it's still too dangerous for her.
Gu Jiao paused for a moment and said, "Would you believe me if I said I was just passing by and came in to use the restroom?"
Gu Changqing: "..."
Before Gu Changqing could respond, Gu Jiao started chattering, "And you? Are you here to use the outhouse too?"
Gu Changqing was speechless again.
Many people looked over at Gu Changqing, their eyes familiar, clearly indicating that this wasn't the first time they had seen him there.
"Why are they looking at you?" Gu Jiao asked.
"It's nothing." Gu Changqing grabbed Gu Jiao's wrist and led her into a room diagonally opposite.
Gu Jiao noticed that there was also a gourd hanging on the door of this room.
Okay.
She couldn't have barged in on her own, could she?
The furnishings inside were very simple: a screen, a bed, a table and chairs, and some antique furniture, exuding a rustic and dignified feel that easily made one's mind resonate.
Gu Jiao was mostly curious.
Looking at her fearless, youthful appearance, Gu Changqing shook his head helplessly. Those who knew her would say she had come to the most dangerous place in Zhao Kingdom, while those who didn't would think she was just strolling through a vegetable garden.
"Sit down," Gu Changqing said, and he sat down in the chair at the table.
Gu Jiao sat down opposite him, withdrew her gaze from looking around, and looked at him: "You really came to borrow the outhouse?"
Gu Changqing paused in pouring tea, his lips twitched, and he said, "They're here to see someone."
Gu Jiao said, "Oh, what a coincidence, me too."
Gu Changqing looked at her with a complicated expression: "Didn't you just say you came to borrow the outhouse?"
Gu Jiao waved her hand: "They're about the same."
Gu Changqing simply couldn't continue the conversation.
Gu Jiao was usually a woman of few words, but this underground martial arts arena had truly piqued her curiosity, so she asked, "What kind of place is this? Is it just an ordinary martial arts arena?"
ordinary……
This girl is probably the only one who would think that way.
Anyone who truly understands this would be terrified, or at least feel a sense of dread upon hearing it.
Gu Changqing placed the poured tea beside her and said, "We mainly do martial arts competitions, but we also do other business. Many people choose to trade here because it's confidential and safe. The martial arts arena takes a 20% cut of the profits."
Gu Jiao said, "Twenty percent? That's quite a lot."
If the transaction involves 10,000 taels of silver, then 2,000 taels of silver must be paid to the martial arts school.
Is running a martial arts training ground really that profitable?
but--
What is that person doing here?
Are you here to watch the martial arts competition or to make a deal?
As I pondered this, bursts of excited roars and shouts came from outside.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The underground martial arts arena has four arenas: east, west, south, and north. At this moment, there are masters competing on all four arenas. However, the arena with the most onlookers, the most aggressive betting, and the most enthusiastic cheers is the east arena.
Coincidentally, their house was right opposite the East Arena.
Gu Jiao saw a shirtless, muscular man pinning another expert to the ground and beating him mercilessly. His face was ferocious, and he showed no mercy.
If this fight continues, the opponent might be beaten to death.
If this fight had taken place at the Taihe Martial Arts Academy, it would have been stopped long ago.
Seemingly sensing Gu Jiao's doubts, Gu Changqing explained, "The experts here have all signed life-or-death waivers, and they are responsible for their own deaths and injuries."
This reminded Gu Jiao of the underground fighting arena in her previous life, which, like the underground martial arts arena, was filled with bloodshed and violence. No one cared about the life or death of the fighters; they even hoped to see someone beaten to death.
Gu Jiao was once one of many fighters.
The youngest and weakest.
She was sent to the fighting arena by her godfather along with her companion. Six months later, Gu Jiao was released, but her companion was left behind forever.
Gu Jiao watched the brutal and violent scene on the stage, her eyes remaining completely calm.
"Those are human clothes, how strange." Gu Jiao's gaze shifted from the east arena to the south arena.
Gu Changqing looked at them and said, "Those are Turks."
Gu Jiao grunted, "Are there Turks here?"
The Turks were a large ethnic group outside the six kingdoms. Although they called themselves a kingdom, they were never recognized by the six kingdoms. In the hearts of the six kingdoms, their status was not as high as that of the three inferior kingdoms.
However, the Turks were exceptionally brave and produced many skilled warriors.
The Turkic expert on the stage knocked out his opponent, stomped his face hard on the ground with one foot, and raised his arms provocatively and smugly, eliciting screams from the audience.
Gu Jiao's gaze fell on the expert he had stepped on: "Was the one who was defeated also a Turk? His clothes are so strange."
Gu Changqing's gaze narrowed slightly, clearly disapproving of the Turkic expert's actions: "No, that was a swordsman from the Zhao state."
Turkic master, Zhao swordsman...
This underground martial arts arena was quite unexpected for her.
"Who exactly were you following just now?" Gu Changqing got back to the point.
Who said military generals are brainless? In Gu Jiao's opinion, Gu Changqing's scheming is no less than that of Gu Yan, that little devil.
I didn't press her for answers earlier; I spent half the day giving her information to lower her guard before suddenly asking the question.
Well, there's nothing I can't say.
Gu Jiao said, "I think I just saw Consort Jing."
"Consort Jing?" A hint of surprise flashed in Gu Changqing's eyes. "Why is she here? Isn't she in the palace? Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"I'm sure," Gu Jiao said.
She would still recognize that wicked woman even if she turned to ashes.
Gu Jiao continued, "She was wearing a cloak and looked furtive; she must have sneaked out of the palace."
As Gu Jiao spoke, she pointed and said, "She went into that room."
Gu Changqing glanced at it and frowned.
"What's wrong?" Gu Jiao asked. "Oh right, I forgot to ask you, what does it mean to hang a gourd on the door?"
Gu Changqing said solemnly, "It means that you absolutely cannot provoke them in this martial arts arena."
Gu Jiao gave an "oh" and didn't take it too seriously. She asked, "You also have a gourd on your door. How can I get it?"
Gu Changqing gave Gu Jiao a chilling look: "You still want to do this? Be careful, or I'll tell Liu Lang."
Gu Jiao: ...You're ruthless, you win.
Gu Changqing looked at the house diagonally opposite again and said, "If I remember correctly, the current owner of that house seems to be a pharmacist."
Gu Jiao stroked her chin: "Pharmacist? Doctor?"
Gu Changqing thought for a moment: "That's one way to put it, but it doesn't seem quite accurate. Doctors save lives and heal the wounded, while pharmacists only make medicine."
Gu Jiao said thoughtfully, "So why did Consort Jing seek out the pharmacist? Is she ill? Or does she intend to do something? Could we go and intercept her?"
Gu Changqing rejected the idea without hesitation: "Absolutely not! She has the Dragon Shadow Guards by her side! Besides, even putting aside the Dragon Shadow Guards, the underground martial arts arena also has its own experts. They will not allow anyone to break the rules of the transaction within the arena."
Gu Jiao hesitated for a moment, but was still unwilling to give up: "Then... can we catch that pharmacist?"
Gu Changqing shook his head: "That's a pharmacist from the Yan Kingdom. He's surrounded by experts, so it's not easy to get his hands on him."
"How did you know?" Gu Jiao asked.
Gu Changqing said, "I have bought medicine from him and met his subordinates."
Gu Changqing didn't say what kind of medicine he bought.
Consort Jing did not stay in the Yan Kingdom pharmacist's room for long. She came out while the two were talking. She was covered up completely, and even her walking posture was different from what they usually saw.
If Gu Jiao hadn't told Gu Changqing that this was Consort Jing, Gu Changqing probably would never have recognized her.
The man in black beside her should be a member of the Dragon Shadow Guard.
Neither Gu Jiao nor Gu Changqing believed they could outrun the Dragon Shadow Guards, so they abandoned their plan to run to the palace to expose that Consort Jing was not currently there.
However, Gu Jiao still went to the palace.
She had someone summon Eunuch Wei to the Imperial Garden.
"Miss Gu!" Eunuch Wei was overjoyed to hear that Gu Jiao had come looking for him. "Why have you come? Are you here to see His Majesty?"
Ever since Miss Gu said she would never come to Huaqing Palace again, His Majesty has been in low spirits for a long time.
Gu Jiao shook her head: "No, I'm here to see Eunuch Wei."
"Looking for a servant?" Eunuch Wei was flattered.
Huaqing Palace has not yet suspected Consort Jing, so Gu Jiao is not in a hurry to put her in a bad mood: "I would like to ask about Consort Jing's recent condition. Wasn't she attacked last time? I heard she was injured. Is she feeling better?"
Eunuch Wei sighed, "She's still resting. The imperial physician said that the Dowager Consort is old and, after such a shock, she may not recover for a long time."
Hehehe, I wonder who that old hag who was walking so fast in the martial arts arena just now was.
Eunuch Wei exclaimed in surprise, "Why is Miss Gu suddenly showing concern for the Imperial Concubine?"
Gu Jiao said without changing her expression, "I just know she doesn't get along with my great-aunt, and I'm worried that people will suspect her."
Eunuch Wei smiled and said, "Miss Gu, please rest assured that His Majesty has not suspected the Empress Dowager this time."
Gu Jiao knew this, of course, and she nodded: "That's good! If Consort Jing's injuries are serious, I can take a look at her!"
Eunuch Wei was surprised again: "Miss Gu...didn't you say you wouldn't treat people from Huaqing Palace?"
Gu Jiao instantly transformed into a logical genius: "But she's already moved out of Huaqing Palace!"
Eunuch Wei choked on his words. "This...this is acceptable?"
Eunuch Wei went to report to the emperor.
The emperor assumed that Gu Jiao was using this opportunity to reconcile with him and did not suspect her motives at all. He chuckled and said, "Alright, she's given me a way out, so I'll take it."
Eunuch Wei: ...But why do I feel that Miss Gu doesn't think that way?
The emperor was to dine at the nunnery tonight, and Consort Jing had instructed the kitchen to prepare a large table of vegetarian dishes. However, when the emperor arrived, there was someone else with him.
"Miss Gu?" Consort Jing was slightly taken aback.
"Your Highness, the Imperial Concubine," Gu Jiao greeted.
The Emperor said in a gentle tone, "My mother's health has not yet fully recovered, so I brought the young physician here to examine her."
Consort Jing smiled helplessly: "My health is much better now. It was just that the imperial physicians exaggerated and caused His Majesty to worry. There's nothing to trouble Miss Gu."
Gu Jiao quickly replied, "It's just taking a pulse, no need to trouble yourself."
The Emperor was very pleased with Gu Jiao's filial piety. He held the Consort Jing's hand and said, "Let the young physician examine Mother's pulse. I cannot completely trust what the imperial physicians say. Only after the young physician examines her can I feel at ease."
Unable to refuse, Consort Jing had no choice but to sit down and agree to let Gu Jiao take her pulse.
Gu Jiao placed three fingers on Consort Jing's pulse.
There is internal injury.
She didn't manage to beat her so badly last time that she suffered internal injuries.
Gu Jiao asked in confusion, "Has the Imperial Concubine been attacked again recently? Her tendons are all severed."
The emperor was shocked: "My mother's tendons are severed?"
Gu Jiao said nonchalantly, "It's just a few broken hairs, a minor injury, nothing serious. However, she must have coughed up blood. Didn't anyone notice?"
The emperor suddenly remembered the night the old marquis eloped with Consort Jing. He left in anger, and afterwards a servant came to report that Consort Jing had vomited blood.
Could it be... that's when Consort Jing's meridians were severed?
But he hadn't heard that she had been assassinated—
Consort Jing tugged at her handkerchief and said, "I was just upset and injured my meridians."
Gu Jiao raised an eyebrow: "Oh, then Your Highness should not damage your meridians anymore, it's very harmful to your health."
Consort Jing's face paled. She glanced at the Emperor and said, "I didn't damage my meridians! It was anger that overwhelmed my heart... caused by grief!"
Even the Emperor thought it impossible. Otherwise, why would Consort Jing do such a thing? Was it a ploy to soften his heart?
His mother, Consort Jing, was the most innocent and kind person in the world, and she didn't understand these conspiracies and schemes at all.
(End of this chapter)
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