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In the end, Gu Jiao and Gu Chengfeng managed to carry two full sacks of gold bars out of Ning Wang Residence, and there was one bar that couldn't fit, so Little Nine carried it back.
Together, they successfully emptied Ning Wang's secret treasury.
Ning Wang learned about the incident the next afternoon.
He had just come out of the imperial palace when one of his trusted guards hurriedly approached him, looking flustered. "Not good, Master, there has been a theft in the treasury!"
Ning Wang asked, "Which treasury?" There were several treasuries in Ning Wang Residence, including his own and Ning Wangfei's.
The guard nervously replied, "....Your small treasury."
Ning Wang's brows furrowed!
He clenched his fists and asked, "How much was stolen?"
The guard hesitated before saying, "All of it, everything."
Ning Wang's gaze sank, "The prince’s residence has tight security, how could so much gold be taken out? Moreover, there are mechanisms in place! Were the people all dead, or are the mechanisms malfunctioning?"
The guard lowered his voice and said, "Neither... None of that happened."
The guard felt wronged as well. The guards were patrolling the residence as usual, and the mechanisms were functioning normally.
Who knew how Ning Wang's small treasury had been emptied!
Ning Wang felt that this matter was not simple. Instead of focusing on who had the capability to empty his treasury, he should be more concerned about who had the audacity to do it.
As the eldest prince, he had the Emperor's love and the Empress Dowager's favor, along with support from the Zhuang Family. Even Empress Xiao and the Crown Prince wouldn't dare to move against him easily.
But somehow, a slender figure flashed through Ning Wang's mind.
Could it be her?
His rationality told him it was highly unlikely. After all, even though she had some favor from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, she was still an outsider and a woman.
The guard asked, "Master, should we report this to the authorities?"
Ning Wang's eyes turned cold, "Do you want to get this prince killed?"
The guard lowered his head, "This subordinate dares not."
If they reported this to the authorities, with so much gold involved, they would be the ones under suspicion.
Ning Wang narrowed his eyes.
Very good, this unspoken loss, he ate it really well!
Nevertheless, Ning Wang decided to make a visit to the medical hall.
One of the assistants at the pharmacy counter took a leave of absence today, leaving Little Jiang Li and another assistant busy with work. Gu Jiao also came to help.
After preparing medicine for a patient, she saw Ning Wang's majestic figure entering the lobby.
Ning Wang's appearance and demeanor were exceptional among the imperial princes. He exuded an imperial aura and possessed unmatched good looks. Every move he made was elegant and noble.
The entire lobby fell silent for a moment.
All thanks to his appearance.
With the exception of Gu Jiao, everyone was unaware of his identity. However, the innate nobility emanating from him made everyone hold their breath.
"This one is three qian*..." Gu Jiao finished instructing Little Jiang Li and leisurely walked over. [T/N: One qian = one tenth of a tael]
Ning Wang was standing in front of the counter, with Shopkeeper Wang behind it.
Shopkeeper Wang had long been stunned by Ning Wang's bearing and appearance, unable to utter a word for a while.
It was Ning Wang who spoke first, of course not to Shopkeeper Wang, but to Gu Jiao, "Physician Gu."
"What's the matter?" Gu Jiao inquired.
Ning Wang smiled and said, "It's nothing significant. I happened to pass by here and wanted to inquire about Suxin's condition. I heard that Physician Gu had already reexamined her."
Gu Jiao replied candidly, "Oh, yes. There are no major issues for the time being. Just let her continue taking the medicine."
Even though Gu Jiao's acting was overly conspicuous, there was one thing about her—— she never felt guilty.
Ning Wang looked deeply at her and asked, "I wonder where Physician Gu was last night?"
Gu Jiao raised an eyebrow, "In Renshou Palace. I wonder why Your Highness Ning Wang is asking about this?"
Thud!
Shopkeeper Wang behind the counter suddenly knelt down.
Ning Wang's expression remained undisturbed, still wearing a warm smile, but the look in his eyes was a bit sharp.
He leaned closer to Gu Jiao, slightly lowering his noble head, an action that seemed rather intimate to onlookers.
Gu Jiao, however, stared back at him without flinching.
Ning Wang faintly chuckled and said, "Physician Gu, it’s unnecessary for you and this prince to escalate things like this. Empress Dowager cares a lot about you. We are on the same boat."
Gu Jiao: Oh, so being on the same boat means we can kill and set things on fire.
Ning Wang moved even closer, whispering in her ear, "You're still young and ignorant of the dangers in the world. In consideration of Empress Dowager, this prince shall give you some advice—— be self-aware, don't overestimate yourself, and don't be too greedy. The waters in the capital are deep; just paddle lightly, don't get addicted to swimming, otherwise you might find yourself unable to swim."
Gu Jiao replied in a low voice, "Rest assured, Ning Wang, I'm a good swimmer."
Ning Wang's eyes narrowed slightly at her arrogant words. He stood up straight and said with deep meaning, "Physician Gu, take care."
Gu Jiao crossed her arms and said casually, "Take care, I won’t see you off."
After Ning Wang left, Shopkeeper Wang wiped his cold sweat and stood up behind the counter. "Tha, tha, that… person just now was His Highness Ning Wang?"
"Yes." Gu Jiao nodded and fished out two gold bars from her pouch, placing them on the counter.
Shopkeeper Wang was puzzled, "What's this for?"
Gu Jiao looked at Ning Wang's seemingly angry figure in the distance and said calmly, "Compensation, from the arsonist."
Shopkeeper Wang: "..."
After leaving the medical hall, Ning Wang immediately headed for the imperial palace.
Whether Gu Jiao had really stayed in Renshou Palace last night, he naturally had to verify it. However, not long after he entered the palace, he discovered the Crown Princess’s figure looking dazed near the imperial audience hall.
There was only her court lady, Chunying, accompanying the Crown Princess.
Chunying saw Ning Wang approaching and tactfully stepped aside.
The Crown Princess was still immersed in immense shock and didn't even realize that it was already a different person by her side.
"How could it be... Is it really... How come..."
She looked in the direction of the imperial audience hall, grasping the hand of "Chunying" while muttering incoherently.
When the touch of a man passed through her fingertips and palm, she shuddered and turned her head. Then she quickly pulled her hand back.
At this moment, there was no one else around, and she was standing behind a large tree, well-concealed from sight.
Ning Wang approached her without any reservations, his broad chest almost touching her slightly trembling back, "What did you see that made you so uncomposed?"
The Crown Princess turned her head away, avoiding his presence. Seemingly with a hint of retaliation and defiance, she said, "Ah Heng has returned."
Ning Wang's eyebrows furrowed, "What did you say?"
The Crown Princess turned around, looking at him with a mocking and sneering expression. "Ah Heng has returned... Xiao Heng, whom you killed, has come back!"
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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