Chapter 124 [VIP]
Xie Jingwei was taken aback.
The matter of Liu Ling caused quite a stir in the capital, and Xie Jing had also heard about it.
The Liu family, utterly disgraced, sent men to arrest Liu Ling and imprison him. However, after only two days, Liu Ling suddenly set fire to the mansion and escaped in the chaos. He returned to Swallowtail Lane, declaring that he would never go back unless the Liu family acknowledged the old blind man. Now, due to his misconduct, he has been expelled from the Imperial Academy, his future completely ruined.
But why did Gu Zhizhuo suddenly mention Liu Ling?
"Does it look like it?" Gu Zhizhuo asked with a smile.
"Like what?"
"How can you be so stupid!" Gu Zhizhuo pointed impatiently to the sky and repeated, "Does it look like it?"
What does it resemble? Xie Jing wanted to ask more, but suddenly came to his senses.
After this incident, Xie Jing heard someone say that Liu Ling's sweetheart was originally the youngest daughter of a rogue in the east of the city. For some reason, he suddenly changed his taste and fell in love with an old blind man. He insisted on being with the old blind man for all eternity and even went so far as to admit that he had ruined Zheng Liu's reputation in order to break off the engagement.
This inexplicable madness is really like his father's, not just like him, but exactly the same.
"Do you know what happened?"
Xie Jing suddenly became excited and reached out to grab Gu Zhizhuo. His voice was loud and attracted the attention of those around him.
Xie Yingchen raised his arm to block him a step away: "If you can't learn how to speak properly, then don't speak at all."
Xie Jing: !
“What you should be asking is whether your Ke’er knows,” Gu Zhizhuo said, resting his chin on his hand and tracing the tip of his index finger across his cheek. “She seems to have everything under control, doesn’t she?”
Xie Jing said coldly, "Don't try to sow discord."
Gu Zhizhuo wasn't afraid of him at all, and slowly continued, "She knew exactly what was going to happen, didn't she?"
"She's happy for everything to go smoothly," Gu Zhizhuo said with a smile, covering her mouth. "Isn't that right?"
These words struck Xie Jing's heart like a heavy hammer, bringing to light all the dark speculations that had been swirling in his mind for the past few days. For a moment, he felt a chill run through his body, a shivering cold that spread from his tailbone to his limbs, and he couldn't help but shudder.
Meeting Gu Zhizhuo's teasing gaze, Xie Jing wanted to loudly tell her "No." However, the words that came out were replaced by a very low whisper: "Witch..."
He hurriedly covered his lips, ultimately not uttering the word "poison."
Xie Jing blinked frantically at her, as if to say, "Is that right?!"
Gu Zhizhu smiled without saying anything, neither confirming nor denying.
Xie Jing's heart sank.
The Emperor's infatuation with the Ji family was completely unfounded.
If Lady Ji were a stunning beauty, it would be fine, but Lady Ji's appearance was simply unbearable to look at. Red rashes covered her entire face from her forehead to her chin, and they were red, swollen, and oozing pus.
What kind of beauties didn't my father have in his harem? Why is he so deeply in love with her?
He had wondered more than once if his father was possessed by a demon, 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 was already married.
He was skeptical.
If it's witchcraft, then everything makes perfect sense.
Ke'er used witchcraft on her father!
She used him to cast a spell on her father, the emperor.
His mind was in turmoil, and his heart ached with a bitter feeling. He rushed toward the curtain, wanting to hurry back to the palace to tell his father that perhaps if he could have Master Qingping perform a ritual, his father would get better.
However, after taking only a few steps, he couldn't help but pull his foot back.
Witchcraft is a grave taboo, punishable by death.
If this gets out and people find out that Ke'er did it, Ke'er will be dead.
Even he couldn't save her.
Can't.
His feet seemed to be glued to the ground, unable to move.
Gu Zhizhuo tugged at Xie Yingchen's sleeve, whispering in his ear, her warm breath brushing against his cheek. She pouted and said quietly, "What a filial son." Then she leaned on his shoulder and chuckled softly.
When Ji Nanke was involved, this "filial son" didn't even care about the emperor's reputation and safety.
Xie Yingchen chuckled.
He stroked her long hair, his fingers running through her dark strands, as smooth as the finest silk.
Gu Zhizhuo nestled on his shoulder and spoke in a voice only he could hear, "I've made up my mind~"
Even if the emperor, as the ruler of a country, acts arbitrarily, he will only suffer a bad reputation. If he truly disregards his reputation and allows the censors to impeach him and students to bang their heads against the wall, he will only be labeled as incompetent and will not bring about the downfall of the country in the short term.
Gu Zhizhuo didn't have the patience to wait half a year until he sobered up before settling accounts.
At this point, we need to add fuel to the fire.
Make sure the firewood burns brightly.
"Little kitty, aren't you right?"
"Meow~"
"Someone come here," the princess ordered from inside, "Go and bring the porridge."
"Have some porridge." That was Prince Li's voice. "Can't you eat something better?"
"no."
Princess Li came out and said to Consort Jiang, "Go in and take a look."
Consort Jiang hurried inside.
"Miss Gu." Princess Li walked straight up to Gu Zhizhuo and bowed to her.
According to seniority, Xie Yingchen should address her as his great-aunt, but Gu Zhizhuo quickly got up to avoid him and returned the full greeting.
Princess Li pulled her along, thanking her again and again.
The prince's appearance was completely different from before. She had prepared herself for the worst, and thought that the best-case 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 and slower than normal people. He could still speak and was clear-headed.
I have no way to repay the life-saving grace.
Princess Li asked gratefully, "Miss Gu, does my lord still need to take his medicine?"
"It will take some time to treat her with Tai Chi." Before she could ask, Gu Zhizhuo offered, "I'm not good at Tai Chi, so please have the imperial physician take a look."
"Very well." Princess Li responded and instructed the imperial physicians, "Go and check on the prince."
The imperial physicians agreed, assuming that Miss Gu was unwilling to take credit for the treatment and that's why they had assigned the task of recuperating her to them.
Doctor Zhou couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, may I also go along?"
He was invited by the Duke of Wei. The Duke of Wei had described in detail how Prince Li had fallen ill, and the imperial physician had also examined his pulse; it was indeed very dangerous. Judging from the voices coming from inside just now, it didn't sound like a seriously ill person at all. How superb must this young girl's medical skills be?
He said, "Even a commoner like me is good at peace."
Princess Li, not wanting to refuse Xie Jing's kindness, replied, "Thank you for your trouble, Doctor Zhou."
Doctor Zhou entered with the imperial physicians. Prince Li was leaning against the pillow, his complexion slightly pale but his mind clear. He was still telling his concubine that he wanted to eat braised pork.
After taking each patient's pulse, the imperial physicians were all astonished.
After taking one last pulse, Dr. Zhou pondered for a long time before finally putting his hand down and rushing out to Gu Zhizhuo. He asked impatiently, "Young friend, did you use a long needle?"
Gu Zhizhuo was startled and nodded subconsciously; "Yes."
How many inches?
"Three inches."
"What about taking the blood?"
Gu Zhizhuo went to see Xie Yingchen and explained, "His surname is Zhou. He is a doctor that Xie Jing found. He specializes in stroke."
Gu Zhizhuo understood, and invited him to sit down, saying gently, "Dr. Zhou, I am a Taoist doctor, and I also used some Taoist techniques. Just speaking of blood extraction, I extracted blood from Bai Xue and Nao Hu..."
Dr. Zhou nodded repeatedly as he listened.
The acupoints Baixue, Shenting, and Naohu are all located on the top of the head, making it extremely difficult to use long needles. A single mistake could be fatal. Even the venerable Dr. Zhou knew how to use them, employing the same three-inch needles, but he only gradually gained confidence after the age of thirty-five.
Moreover, even if he were to treat the prince, at most he could only revive him; the prince would surely be bedridden for the rest of his life.
Are the methods of Taoist medicine really that miraculous? Doctor Zhou plans to find a Taoist temple to learn more about it.
“Young friend, Baihui Xue is more suitable for the curved needle method.”
"The curved needle technique?" Gu Zhizhuo had never heard of it.
“It happened by accident over the years. Let me show you my silver needles.”
Dr. Zhou took out the silver needles from his pocket with great interest.
His silver needles were different from ordinary ones; the needle tips were extremely flat, with a tiny curve that was barely perceptible to the naked eye and could only be detected by touching them with a finger.
"I am a fine needle."
Gu Zhizhuo also showed him the silver needles.
Her silver needles were extremely fine, as thin as a hair.
Dr. Zhou's eyes lit up. "Yes, that's right. Fine needles are indeed very suitable for use on the head. However, long needles that are this thin are very easy to bend."
The old man and the young man were chatting enthusiastically.
Xie Jing was upset and subconsciously wanted to ask Gu Zhizhuo what to do next.
But Xie Yingchen sat right next to her, listening gently as she spoke in words Xie Jing couldn't understand at all, seemingly never getting tired of it. Only when Xie Jing tried to get closer did he give him a "keep away" look.
Xie Jing: "..."
For some reason, he felt a tightness in his chest and turned away without looking back.
Once outside Prince Li's residence, Xie Jing realized how presumptuous he had been, failing to bid farewell to the Princess Consort or even the Heir Apparent.
Why.
Xie Jing sighed and said to Xiao Yunzi who was following him, "Let's go back to the palace first."
This matter was not handled well again.
He seems to be incapable of handling anything properly.
"I won't go back to the palace yet. Go and call Wei Jiu to come see me."
Wei Jiu was his confidant. As a prince who had not yet established his own residence, he didn't have many people at his disposal, and Wei Jiu was the most loyal among them. He summoned Wei Jiu and gave him some instructions, and within two days, Xie Jing received six pages of paper.
After reading them one by one, he leaned back in his chair, exhausted, and remained motionless for a long time.
"Your Highness," Xiao Yunzi noticed his bad mood and said cautiously, "Miss Ji invited you to see a play today, do you remember?"
Xie Jing lifted his eyelids slightly, as if there was such a thing: "Where?"
"Changyin Tower is still standing."
Xie Jing stuffed all the papers into his pocket: "Then let's go."
Changyinlou was another major theater in the capital, standing alongside Xiangxilou. Because Ji Nanke preferred the plays at Changyinlou, Xie Jing used to accompany her there often. Xie Jing also knew that people in the capital were teasing him, saying that he was always following behind a woman's skirt and obeying only one woman's orders.
In the past, Xie Jing was devoted to Ji Nanke, but Ji Nanke didn't care. Now, Xie Jing realizes that his efforts may not have been worthwhile.
If Ji Nanke cared about him, she should have considered that once the witchcraft was exposed, he, who had taken the emperor to the manor, would also be guilty.
She did it anyway.
Disturbed, Xie Jing left the palace and rode straight to Changyin Tower, where he reined in his horse.
Ji Nanke waved to him from their usual private booth on the second floor, her smile as bright as a flower.
Xie Jing didn't react at all, tossed the reins to the waiter, and went inside.
Ji Nanke frowned, and didn't give Xie Jing a friendly look until Xie Jing entered the private room.
Xie Jing sat across from her at the octagonal table, and the two remained silent.
Xie Jing didn't take the initiative to talk to her, which made Ji Nanke feel a little uneasy.
Ever since their time at Lotus Manor, Xie Jing's attitude towards her had been lukewarm. Ji Nanke had intended to take the initiative to ask him out, hoping to reconcile. Unexpectedly, he still gave her the cold shoulder. Ji Nanke had always enjoyed Xie Jing's adoration, and faced with his coldness, the proud and arrogant Ji Nanke couldn't utter a single kind word.
The two sat facing each other, neither of them speaking first.
With the sound of gongs, the opera began on the stage downstairs. The actors twirled their flowing sleeves, singing in a high-pitched, melodious voice.
Ji Nanke simply focused intently on watching the play, not on anything else.
She was engrossed in watching when Xie Jing suddenly spoke up, saying his first words since arriving: "Xiao Yunzi, have someone close the partition door. You stay outside and keep watch."
What do you mean? How can we watch the show with the partition closed? Ji Nanke looked at him coldly, her gentle voice tinged with anger: "Are you deliberately trying to start a fight?"
"Don't close it."
"Close it!"
Xiao Yunzi looked at the two of them from the left and right. Of course, he had to listen to Xie Jing and hurriedly went out to call the waiter.
Ji Nanke pursed her lips tightly, stood up abruptly, and slammed the bowls and chopsticks on the octagonal table with a loud bang.
She made a move to leave, but Xie Jing grabbed her arm and pulled her down to the ground.
Ji Nanke stared at him in astonishment: "Let go of me! Xie Jing, are you crazy?"
Soon, all the lattice doors closed, and Xie Jing released her arm. He used a bit too much force, leaving a clearly visible red mark on her fair wrist.
Ji Nanke clutched her wrist in pain, and Xie Jing's face showed a hint of heartache, which he quickly suppressed.
He whispered, "Did you use witchcraft on Father Emperor?"
This wasn't the place to talk. Xie Jing had originally planned to wait until after the show to take Ji Nanke outside before discussing it, but he couldn't hold back any longer and just wanted to know the truth immediately.
"Yes or no!?"
"No." Ji Nanke rubbed her wrist, angrily saying, "Do you believe me when I say this? You want to send me to your father to curry favor? Then go ahead."
Xie Jing looked at her with a hurt expression.
If it weren't to protect her, why would he have gone to all this trouble? Ji Nanke is always like this, always trying to put him down.
She herself never makes a mistake.
"What did Gu Zhizhuo say to you again?" Ji Nanke sneered. "She can't stand to see me doing well, she just wants to sow discord. You believe everything she says, but you won't believe anything I say."
Xie Jing took a deep breath, took out the stack of papers he had hidden in his bosom, and threw them in front of Ji Nanke.
He used so much force that the thin sheet of paper almost flew off.
"See for yourself."
Ji Nanke didn't speak and turned her head away.
Xie Jing shouted even louder, "Look!"
Ji Nanke's shoulders trembled slightly as she slowly picked up the paper.
Xie Jing scratched his hair, looking irritated, and leaned back in the armchair.
Ji Nanke glanced at him cautiously, then quickly looked at the contents written on the paper. Each sheet of paper was written very simply, without using a lot of space.
The first page is about Liu Ling.
He wrote about his deep affection for a blind fortune teller named Chen, and his determination to marry no one but him.
The second page is about Zhou Jinnuo, who initially intended to elope with a scholar, but the scholar was later killed by a teahouse.
The third page is about Zhao Wu, who was hastily married, and shortly after her husband fell into the river and drowned.
Page 4, Page 5...
Ji Nanke finished reading it quickly, and the more she read, the more alarmed she became.
There are six pages in total, and each page contains a name.
Xie Jing downed a glass of wine and looked at her with a cold smile: "You think witchcraft is some kind of good thing that can make your dreams come true?"
Ji Nanke gripped the silk paper, her fingers squeezing so hard that the edges of the paper wrinkled.
She first learned about the marriage charm because of Princess Qinrou. Princess Qinrou had fallen in love with her elder sister's fiancé and wanted to arrange a marriage exchange with her sister. However, this fiancé and her elder sister were childhood sweethearts and mutually in love. So, she secretly inquired about the old blind man. Later, the marriage exchange was successful.
Xie Jing wouldn't just take out these papers casually.
Were these people also using marriage talismans? Why did they die? One person's death could be considered an accident, but so many people dying mysteriously cannot be explained by the word "accident."
Ji Nanke's heart was pounding wildly, as if it was about to jump out of her throat.
"What exactly do you want to do?" Xie Jing slammed his hands on the octagonal table, staring intently at her, and uttered through gritted teeth, "Witchcraft has always been a taboo, why do you insist on getting involved with it?"
Ji Nanke: "..."
Xie Jing grew angrier as he spoke, pointing to the few pages in her hand and saying, "Do you think I'm the only one who could find out about these things?"
"If even a prince like me, who hasn't established his own residence, can find out this, then it can't be hidden from anyone."
He stood up, paced around irritably for a couple of minutes, then walked up to Ji Nanke, suddenly bent down and placed his hands on the armrests of her chair, facing her directly.
"The students sat at the Meridian Gate for three days, and the number of people grew. They were all indignant and wrote articles demanding that the Emperor punish himself. The impeachment memorials from the court officials filled the Emperor's study."
"Father's temperament has changed drastically, as if he were possessed. Do you think no one will notice? Ke'er, don't treat everyone else as fools. You're not the only smart person in this world."
Just like Miss Gu, she had already seen through it all.
“They were caught off guard by Father Emperor,” Xie Jing said, taking a deep breath and lowering his voice, “but the court is full of shrewd people. They will definitely be able to connect Father Emperor’s strange behavior with…” He pointed to the silk paper in Ji Nanke’s hand, “these things!”
You can't hide it from me.
"Witchcraft is a capital offense. Do you understand?"
"Even I am."
Even if he was a prince, if he was involved in witchcraft, he would either die or be imprisoned.
Xie Jing's words made Ji Nanke's ears ring.
A note from the author:
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