Chapter 548 Revealing the Truth (First Update)
It sounds easy for her to say this, but it's actually very difficult to put it into practice.
For a person who has lost both legs to stand up, they must have a pair of prosthetics made to fit them. The prosthetics are not the most difficult part; the difficult part is the socket. Currently, there are no suitable materials for making sockets in the first-aid kit.
After visiting Empress Dowager Zhuang, Xiao Heng left the palace directly. He did not return to Biyue Alley, but went to the clinic first.
It was already night, and the aroma of food wafted from the clinic. The girls' school next door had not yet started and was still deserted. Only the clinic was doing good business, with people coming and going.
Xiao Heng entered the main hall and asked the second-in-command behind the counter, "Is Lord Xing still here?"
"Yes, yes," the second landlord said. He already knew that this Lord Xing was actually the Minister of Justice, a second-rank official, and suddenly felt that his clinic had gained a lot of prestige.
Xiao Heng was not a doctor and did not know much about the treatment process, so he did not find it strange that the Minister of Justice was still there.
He went up to the second floor and met Minister Xing and Doctor Song in the innermost side room.
Minister Xing's arm had already been reset by Doctor Song, but the reason he hadn't left yet was because Doctor Song had discovered other problems with him.
After carefully examining his pulse, Doctor Song prescribed a medicine and asked him whether he wanted to take it home and decoct it himself or have it made into pills. The latter would cost more money, but it would save him trouble.
Minister Xing's family was not short of money, so he had the apprentice medicine boy prepare it.
"Is it serious?" Xiao Heng asked Doctor Song after learning about the situation.
Doctor Song said seriously, "If the problem is caused by drinking and is discovered early, it's not a big problem. Just pay more attention to your diet in the future, take more walks, and control your food intake. Most importantly..."
At this point, he looked at Minister Xing with particular seriousness, "You must abstain from alcohol."
Minister Xing cleared his throat sheepishly: "Can't I drink even a drop?"
That's all he has.
"Not a single drop!" Doctor Song said, leaving no room for argument.
"Sigh." Scholar Xing sighed helplessly, "I've been drinking this for half my life, and suddenly I can't even have a drop left? Isn't that too cruel?"
Xiao Heng advised, "Doctor Song is only thinking of the master's best interests."
Minister Xing waved his hand dejectedly: "Fine, then I won't drink."
Doctor Song looked at him and said, "Don't just say you won't drink it. Go back and drink it secretly. I'll know whether you've drunk it or not when you come to have your pulse checked next time."
This is Gu Jiao's catchphrase: I'll know whether you did it or not.
The doctors at the clinic have all learned it, and it's quite effective for patients.
Minister Xing choked for a moment, thinking to himself, "Can't I just not come to your clinic next time?"
Doctor Song noticed that Xiao Heng had something to say to Minister Xing. After giving all the instructions, he said, "I'll go check on the pills," and then turned and went downstairs.
Minister Xing pointed to the table opposite him: "Sixth Prince, pour me some water."
Xiao Heng poured Minister Xing a cup of hot tea, which Minister Xing drank in one gulp: "Another one, please!"
After drinking three cups, Minister Xing finally felt his throat was less parched.
"Am I the one talking or is he?"
Minister Xing felt a headache coming on, thinking about how Doctor Song had been nagging him all afternoon.
Xiao Heng didn't respond to that.
Minister Xing shook his head, putting Doctor Song out of his mind, and spoke to Xiao Heng about serious matters: "You went out just now, did you find out anything?"
"The courtesan of Xianleju is not dead." Xiao Heng had already thought about what information he could say and what information he couldn't say on his way here.
Minister Xing was shocked: "What? That girl named Mo Qianxue isn't dead? Then why did they all say..."
Xiao Heng speculated, "The maids at Xianleju must have mistaken her for someone else, and as for Hua Xiyao, she's probably just putting on an act."
Minister Xing frowned: "Was it intentional? So you mean the two of them... are in cahoots?"
Xiao Heng: "Mm."
Minister Xing slapped his thigh: "I knew there was something wrong with Xianleju! What was their purpose in staging this whole thing?"
Deal with me, deal with Gu Jiao.
This scheme was set up for both him and Gu Jiao. The mastermind behind it might be Xianleju, or perhaps some other force.
Xiao Heng did not tell Minister Xing these things for the time being.
Minister Xing asked, "Where is that courtesan?"
Xiao Heng said, "At the clinic."
"The clinic!" Minister Xing abruptly threw back the covers and got out of bed. "Which room?"
Xiao Heng said, "She was seriously injured in a side room in the backyard and was taken in by the doctor from the clinic. She is an important witness, so we shouldn't alert her for now."
Minister Xing asked, puzzled, "Why was it that the people at the clinic picked it up? Did she do it on purpose? Is there something strange about this clinic?"
As expected of someone from the Ministry of Justice, his logical reasoning is too strong. However, Xiao Heng did not intend to tell him that Mo Qianxue came for Gu Jiao. It was not that he did not trust Minister Xing's character, but that the time was not right.
Now is definitely not the best time to investigate Mo Qianxue.
Xiao Heng said without changing his expression, "There's nothing strange about the clinic itself. However, this clinic is too famous. Even you, Minister Xing, have come here. Other dignitaries will come here when they have headaches or fevers. Perhaps she is here to watch over someone."
Minister Xing pondered for a moment and said, "What you said makes sense. Or perhaps she simply wanted to fake her death to conceal her identity so she could act in secret. After all, who would suspect a dead person? Then I wonder, is the owner of Xianle Residence really dead or not? If he's not dead, where is he? If he is dead, who are they working for?"
There's also a young master, Xiao Heng thought to himself.
Xiao Heng said, "My wife also works at this clinic. I'll talk to her later and ask her to send someone to keep an eye on Mo Qianxue. As long as we keep an eye on her, we'll eventually find some clues."
Minister Xing thought for a moment and said, "Alright, we'll do as you say. Tell your wife to be careful, Mo Qianxue is skilled."
Xiao Heng nodded: "I know."
Minister Xing then asked, "Besides you, who else knows about these things?"
"Empress Dowager."
In the sleeping quarters of Renshou Palace, Eunuch Qin gently called out to Empress Dowager Zhuang, who was sitting by the window.
Empress Dowager Zhuang snapped out of her reverie and casually pinched the two candied fruits on the plate: "What is it?"
Xiao Jingkong is a master of tattling; whenever Empress Dowager Zhuang steals food, he is always the first to run to Gu Jiao to complain.
However, the little guy also sensed the Empress Dowager's low mood and secretly slipped her two candied fruits.
Eunuch Qin said, "It's nothing. Miss Gu just asked me to make you some ginseng soup before she left. The soup is ready, so I'm bringing it to you now."
"Bring it up," Empress Dowager Zhuang said indifferently.
Eunuch Qin turned around, picked up the ginseng soup from the tray carried by the eunuch, and gently placed it on Empress Dowager Zhuang's table.
Empress Dowager Zhuang did not move.
Eunuch Qin smiled and said, "It's not hot anymore. Drink it while it's hot, it'll get cold soon."
Empress Dowager Zhuang lazily picked up the ginseng soup and took a sip.
Eunuch Qin said awkwardly, "Miss Gu asked for less salt, won't it taste a bit unpleasant?"
Empress Dowager Zhuang snorted: "Hmph, you have no right to say that the food is bad if you haven't eaten Liu Lang's cooking."
Eunuch Qin: "Uh..."
To be honest, it was really hard to drink. If Empress Dowager Zhuang hadn't been poisoned by Xiao Heng's cooking, she definitely wouldn't have been able to drink it.
Seeing that Empress Dowager Zhuang, despite her dislike, still forced herself to finish the drink, Eunuch Qin revealed a genuine smile.
Sure enough, no matter how unpalatable or unpleasant the food or drink was, as long as it was said that Miss Gu had instructed her to order it, the Empress Dowager would accept it without question.
"You were here when Ning'an was little, weren't you?" Empress Dowager Zhuang suddenly asked.
Qin Gonggong was surprised that the topic had turned to Princess Ning'an. He paused for a moment and replied, "Yes, yes, I entered the palace when the Empress Dowager first entered, but I didn't serve by your side."
Empress Dowager Zhuang looked out the window at the crabapple tree covered with a layer of snow and said, "Do you still remember Ning'an's temperament when she was a child?"
"I remember, I remember!" Eunuch Qin said as if reciting a familiar story. "She's sweet-talking, lively, and always on the go. Otherwise, how could she have bumped into your imperial carriage in the Imperial Garden?"
Empress Dowager Zhuang said dismissively, "It was just Consort Jing's scheme. What a coincidence that she ran into my imperial carriage! It's just a pity that I was young at the time and didn't understand the dangers of the palace. I mistook a villain for a confidant."
Observing the Empress Dowager's expression, Eunuch Qin asked, "Does the Empress Dowager regret it?"
Empress Dowager Zhuang tapped the table. Eunuch Qin, with his sharp eyes, poured a cup of hot tea. Empress Dowager Zhuang picked up the cup: "What are you regretting? Regretting befriending Consort Jing, or regretting treating her two children well?"
His Majesty is not Consort Jing's biological son, but since he is registered under Consort Jing's name, he is indeed Consort Jing's child.
Empress Dowager Zhuang continued, "There is nothing to regret. The Emperor and Ning'an were indeed adorable when they were young. I lost my son, and it was thanks to them that I was able to emerge from the shadows. Rather than it being Consort Jing's scheme, it was more like a mutually beneficial arrangement."
"So what do you mean by saying all this now?" Eunuch Qin was a little unsure what Empress Dowager Zhuang was up to, and something felt off.
First Princess Ning'an acted strangely, and now the Empress Dowager is acting strangely too.
Empress Dowager Zhuang took a sip of tea and said, "Ning'an is a paper tiger. She usually acts all high and mighty, relying on me to back her up. She's actually very timid. She's afraid of the dark, afraid of thunder, and afraid of pain and death."
Mentioning this, Eunuch Qin seemed to see little Ning'an crying in front of him. He laughed and said, "Princess Ning'an must have a lamp lit when she sleeps. This habit is just like His Majesty's."
Both siblings are afraid of the dark.
Empress Dowager Zhuang looked at Xiao Jiu, who was flapping her wings and landing on the crabapple tree, sweeping snow with her wings, and said, "But one night, she suddenly became fearless. I remember it very clearly. It was when I was banished to the Cold Palace by the late Emperor. You were punished to do hard labor in the dungeon at that time and were not by my side. I had been sick for a few days. That night, there was a thunderstorm, and Ning'an actually came to the Cold Palace to see me alone."
"Is that so?" Eunuch Qin asked in surprise.
Empress Dowager Zhuang continued sipping her tea and speaking her mind: "Usually, it's always the two siblings together. If only one of them comes, it's always Hong'er. So I was quite surprised. I asked her, 'Why are you here?' She said, 'Mother, I've come to see you. You're ill.' I hadn't told anyone I was ill, and I don't know how the child knew. I asked her, 'Aren't you afraid of the dark?' She said, 'No.'"
Eunuch Qin smiled and echoed, "The princess is truly devoted to you; she even forgot her fear for your sake."
Little Nine accidentally swept itself off the snow while shoveling. It plopped around in the snow a couple of times, looking a little aggrieved, before flying over and squatting down beside Empress Dowager Zhuang.
It seemed to be waiting for Empress Dowager Zhuang to touch its feathers.
Empress Dowager Zhuang pushed Xiao Jiu away with her cup with a look of disgust.
Xiao Jiu, who was rejected: "..."
Empress Dowager Zhuang said calmly, "I feel the same way, so I am really moved. I have made a vow in my heart that I will love this child for the rest of my life."
The more Eunuch Qin listened, the more confused he became. The Empress Dowager's words were correct, but her expression was a bit off.
Did Lord Xiao speak with the Empress Dowager today?
Xiao Heng saw Minister Xing off onto his carriage before setting off back to Bishui Hutong.
The alley was filled with the soft, rhythmic sounds of the janitors' clappers.
"So excited?" Xiao Heng shook his head and stepped over the threshold.
When he entered the house, he found that Gu Changqing and Gu Chengfeng had arrived.
Gu Chengfeng came to buy hair growth serum, while Gu Changqing came to visit his younger siblings.
Gu Changqing and Gu Jiao went to the border, leaving Gu Yan alone here. Yan was very angry, but he couldn't bear to be angry with Gu Jiao, so Gu Changqing endured all of his little tantrums.
Gu Changqing took Gu Yan horseback riding and accompanied him in archery practice before finally managing to appease him.
Next up is Gu Xiaobao.
Gu Changqing was not in the capital when Gu Xiaobao was born. After the war broke out, he rushed to the border. Therefore, today is the first time he has met Gu Xiaobao.
However, Gu Xiaobao seemed very afraid of him, and her little body trembled as he held her in his arms.
Gu Chengfeng rarely saw his elder brother make a fool of himself, and he laughed mockingly, "Brother, you're no good. Xiao Bao doesn't like you."
Gu Changqing said coldly, "If you're so capable, then you do it!"
"Come on, come on!" Gu Chengfeng took Gu Xiaobao without any pressure, and sure enough, Gu Xiaobao stopped shaking.
Gu Changqing's face darkened.
"Haha! I knew it!" Gu Chengfeng laughed three times.
The next second, he couldn't laugh anymore.
Because Gu Xiaobao suddenly snuggled into his arms and took his mouth into hers—
Gu Chengfeng was startled!
I'm not a wet nurse!
(End of this chapter)
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