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"Familiar?" The Crown Prince pondered for a moment, then nodded, saying, "It seems so. It's somewhat similar to Linlang's voice, but still quite far off."
Gu Jiao: ...How can he tell?
Or was it that this man's trust in the Crown Princess had become so unwaveringly blind to the point of no return?
"Besides, Linlang will never betray this prince." The Crown Prince added.
Sure enough, it was the latter.
Ah, Crown Prince, ah. You truly are blind, it’s true you’ve been cheated on.
Originally, the plan was for the Crown Prince to hear Wen Linlang's voice, suspect her of having some ambiguous relationship with a man outside the palace, and then have Gu Jiao discreetly drop a few pieces of false evidence pointing towards Ning Wang.
Once his crime of having an affair with the Crown Princess was established, Ning Wang would be doomed.
Who could have expected that this Crown Prince, this pig teammate, would be so uncooperative?
Gu Jiao didn't want to deal with him anymore.
The Crown Prince declared coldly, "This prince must go and see who dares to defile the imperial palace like this!"
Sure, go ahead. As if you'll find anyone there!
As expected, the Crown Prince failed to actually see anyone. After Gu Chengfeng finished his act, he used his qinggong techniques to leave the scene.
The Crown Prince clenched his fists, "Damn it, this prince will thoroughly investigate this matter!"
Gu Jiao rolled her eyes.
First plan fell through.
Not long after, news of this incident reached Ning Wang's ears.
Ever since Gu Jiao had beaten him up, Ning Wang had secretly been keeping an eye on her activities.
Ning Wang was currently taking medicine. Hearing the report, he squinted his eyes, "...She really lured the Crown Prince to catch someone committing adultery?"
Qi Fei reported, "It seems to be so. She somehow found a person skilled in voice mimicry to imitate the Crown Princess's voice. The person was wearing a mask, and we don’t know who he is."
Ning Wang sneered, "With such meager skill, they dare to challenge this prince. Keep watching her!"
"Yes!"
Over the past few days of monitoring Gu Jiao, Ning Wang had gained substantial information.
Unknowingly, the end of the month arrived. With Ning Wang's injuries healed, he entered the imperial palace to pay his respects to the Emperor.
Both Gu Jiao and the Crown Prince were present.
Gu Jiao was there to diagnose the Emperor's condition, while the Crown Prince was there to report the progress in investigating Xiao Liulang's whereabouts over the past few days.
After such a long time, there had been no news of Xiao Liulang. Both the Crown Prince and the Emperor were beginning to speculate if something unfortunate had happened to him.
With Gu Jiao visiting Huaqing Palace frequently, the Emperor understood that she was anxious to know what had happened to Xiao Liulang.
The Emperor dared not share his suspicions with Gu Jiao, fearing she would be upset and couldn’t bear it.
Because of Xiao Liulang's situation, the Emperor's heart weighed heavily. Seeing the now-recovered Ning Wang didn't bring much joy to the Emperor's face either.
"This son has recovered and will soon rejoin my second brother to search for Senior Compiler Xiao."
The Emperor let out a sigh. He had just recovered from a serious injury. According to reason, he should still be recuperating in bed. However, he didn't reject Ning Wang's proposal. He was desperate to find Xiao Liulang as soon as possible, even if it was just his lifeless body.
"By the way, has the assassin who attacked you last time been captured?"
Ning Wang casually glanced at Gu Jiao, who remained entirely composed. He felt the corner of his lips twitch slightly before saying to the Emperor, "Responding to imperial father, this son has yet to capture the assassin for the time being."
The Emperor's voice turned cold, "Continue the investigation. They even dared to target an imperial prince at the foot of the Emperor, truly going against the heavens!"
Ning Wang responded, "This matter has been handed over to the Jingzhao Office. This son believes we'll receive news soon."
Gu Jiao's expression remained unchanged from the beginning. She withdrew her hand after checking the Emperor's pulse and said, "Your Majesty, your liver fire has been excessive recently. Your diet should be light."
Eunuch Wei chimed in, "Your Majesty can barely eat anything these days! Young Miss Gu, please help persuade His Majesty. This old servant's words have no effect!"
Eunuch Wei truly was the perfect supporting character, impeccably in sync even without rehearsed lines!
Gu Jiao sighed and said, "How about this? I'll stay and dine with Your Majesty later. We can also celebrate the recovery of His Highness Ning Wang at the same time."
Ning Wang shot Gu Jiao a deep look.
The Emperor didn't perceive the undercurrents between the two as he nodded in agreement, "Very well, you two brothers should also stay and dine. Oh, and call Little Seven here as well."
Eunuch Wei chuckled, "His Seventh Highness has classes today at the Imperial Academy."
The Emperor chuckled as well, patting his forehead, "Zhen almost forgot about that."
Gu Jiao suggested, "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager enjoys the flower cakes I make. I can prepare some for you to taste as well."
The Emperor smiled and agreed, "Sure."
Not long after the lunch, Gu Jiao's flower cakes were ready. She personally carried the warm and fragrant flower cakes to the study. Each cake was meticulously placed on delicate plates, accompanied by dried and fresh flowers, presenting an exquisite appearance.
"Your Majesty." Gu Jiao handed a piece of flower cake to the Emperor and then another to the Crown Prince.
Aware of Gu Jiao's culinary skills, the Emperor wasted no time and began to eat.
The Crown Prince, on the other hand, showed some reluctance. Could something made by a country girl be that delicious?
He glanced at his imperial father, then braced himself and took a bite.
After just one bite, his entire demeanor changed.
How could this girl's culinary skills be this remarkable?
Ning Wang sat a bit further away. Gu Jiao handed him a piece last.
Ning Wang received it but didn't eat right away.
Gu Jiao asked, "Your Highness Ning Wang, why aren't you eating? Do you dislike my cooking?"
Ning Wang smiled, "Why would I?"
As he spoke, he picked up the flower cake and leisurely took a bite.
"Is it delicious?" Gu Jiao inquired.
"The flavor is excellent." Ning Wang replied warmly.
He said that, but as soon as Gu Jiao turned away for a moment, he discreetly spat out what he had bitten, using a handkerchief to hide the act.
Humph, a petty trick!
After lunch, Ning Wang bowed slightly and cupped his hands to the Emperor, "Imperial father, it's getting late. This son shall go and start searching again for Senior Compiler Xiao now."
The Emperor nodded, "Go ahead."
Though the Emperor was concerned about his son's health, there was no immediate danger to his life. At the moment, finding Xiao Liulang's whereabouts was of utmost importance.
Since Ning Wang went to search for people, the Crown Prince naturally couldn't lag behind. He stood up as well and cupped his hands to the Emperor, "Imperial father, this son will also go."
The Emperor responded, "Mmh. Be careful on your way."
"Your Majesty, I'll take my leave as well." Gu Jiao said.
The Emperor nodded, "Alright, you may go."
Carrying her back basket, Gu Jiao left Huaqing Palace. She first bid farewell to her Grandaunt in Renshou Palace and received some snacks from the imperial kitchen. Carrying those snacks, Gu Jiao left the imperial palace. Surprisingly, Ning Wang was waiting for her at the palace gates.
"Physician Gu, His Highness Ning Wang requests your presence." Ning Wang's coachman approached Gu Jiao and spoke courteously.
Gu Jiao glanced sideways at Ning Wang's carriage. He parted the curtain and revealed a gentle smile, "Physician Gu, aren't you taking my carriage? Could it be that you're afraid I might harm you?"
Gu Jiao didn't say anything, instead, she stepped into the carriage with confident strides. Unlike ordinary women, she carried an air of youthful vitality in her every move.
Ning Wang smiled lightly, "Physician Gu's courage is truly admirable."
Sitting down beside Ning Wang, Gu Jiao nonchalantly replied, "That should be something I say to Your Highness."
"Oh?" Ning Wang looked at her with an amused expression, "Based on you sneakily ambushing me once? That was merely because I didn't have my guard up. If we were to truly fight, you wouldn't be a match for me."
Gu Jiao remained silent.
Ning Wang took her silence as acknowledgment.
As the carriage continued its journey, Gu Jiao suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness, don’t you feel uncomfortable in any way?"
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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