Chapter 194

<Gu Ying>'s face flushed red as she nodded, "Add one more medicinal herb that clears heat and detoxifies."

She had been reading medical books and previously researched an antidote formula that worked quite well in multiple tests.

<Prince Duan> is suffering from a strange poisoning, <Gu Ying> thought, in any case, her antidote wouldn't kill anyone, so she might as well try brewing it.

<Yin Lan> took the order and went to the small kitchen.

<Yanzhi> rubbed her little hands, looking at her mistress anxiously, "Mistress, are you and the Prince okay?"

<Gu Ying> smiled, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Usually at this time, <Yanzhi> would already be sleeping, it was usually <Yin Lan> who stayed up at night.

<Yanzhi> giggled and said, "Because <Yin Lan> was worried about you, mistress, so we both kept an eye on the Second Young Lady Hu at the banquet. But when we turned around for a second, you disappeared! It was <Prince Duan> who sent someone to find us saying that the Prince had already taken the mistress back to the Duke's estate, so we rushed back."

"Mistress, don't worry. The Second Young Lady Hu didn't dare make trouble. It was the Young Lady Ning who jumped into the water."

<Gu Ying> raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

<Yanzhi> continued, "This servant only heard the maids from other households say that <Prince Shu> wanted to propose to Young Lady Ning. But Young Lady Ning also inexplicably jumped out of the window of the pavilion into the water. Then everyone saw <Prince Duan> jump in after her and fished her out."

<Gu Ying> stared wide-eyed in shock, "They both jumped into the water?"

<Yanzhi> enthusiastically recounted, "Yes mistress! You wouldn't believe it. Young Lady Ning was drenched. <Prince Duan> carried her out and her body was almost exposed. Fortunately <Prince Duan> reacted quickly and took off his cloak to cover her, avoiding embarrassment."

<Gu Ying> didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She only suggested <Ning Si> get a firm hold on <Prince Duan> and find a way to tamper with his medicine. But she took such an extreme life-or-death measure without needing to coerce <Prince Duan> yet.

She didn't expect this girl to be so proactive. To actually dare to make a scene like this at the palace banquet right in front of the Empress and <Concubine Wan>. She decisively cut off <Prince Shu>'s path to propose marriage.

This was...undoubtedly what they called, desperate times call for desperate measures, with an unexpectedly positive outcome?

"Mistress, why are you laughing?"

"No reason." <Gu Ying> lifted her lips and picked up the hot tea on the table to take a sip, "Then what happened?"

<Yanzhi> said, "Then <Prince Duan> carried Young Lady Ning away callously. Everyone gossiped while <Prince Shu> and <Concubine Wan> were clearly furious. But the Empress had a somewhat complicated expression that I couldn't understand."

<Gu Ying>'s lips curved imperceptibly.

The Empress naturally wanted the Ning family's assistance for <Prince Duan>. But she also worried that her own son's health couldn't hold up for many more years, especially since this was the coldest year in East Li with the longest lasting heavy snowfall.

Countless people died during this harsh winter from snowstorms, earthquakes, plagues, one disaster after another.

As <Prince Shu>'s power grew greater, her son was in increasing danger.

So in her heart she still hoped most that her son could marry <Ning Si>. But with <Concubine Wan> and <Prince Shu> interfering, this marriage was not guaranteed to go smoothly.

This was also one of her worries.

Reborn into this life, <Gu Ying> understood many things she didn't comprehend in her previous life. Thus in this life, she strived to act in good conscience. If she could help, she would.

The Empress was not wrong, she just loved the wrong person. <Prince Duan> was not wrong, he was just framed by <Prince Shu>. And <Ning Si> was even more innocent.

She was just a victim in the power struggle. <Ning Si> was one of her few good friends. She was determined to let her live a happy life this time.

"It doesn't matter. These things are too complicated. Go think about what to eat tomorrow instead."

<Yanzhi> pouted, "Does the mistress feel I can only think about eating?"

"Of course not." <Gu Ying> lovingly stroked the little maid's face, "I like watching your adorable way of eating."

She couldn't let her little <Yanzhi> end up like last life again, nothing but skin and bones on her deathbed, beaten and breaking her ribs just for begging for a bowl of rice to eat.

That <Yanzhi> was too pitiful and pathetic. She should be happy and chubby. <Yanzhi> didn't understand the deeper meanings in her mistress's eyes. But she could tell that her mistress liked her and treasured her. Her mood instantly improved greatly as she trotted off happily to rest.

Soon, <Yin Lan> brought over the medicine bowl.

<Gu Ying> took the bowl herself and let her go sleep as well.

Unlike carefree <Yanzhi>, cautious <Yin Lan> tentatively asked, "Mistress, the Prince really has no issues right?"

<Gu Ying> smiled, "No major issues."

At worst, she would try her best to serve and satisfy the Prince. She could definitely get him to detoxify without incident.

<Yin Lan> felt relief and peacefully returned to her own room.

With the Prince here, the main wife's attendants did not need to serve in the master bedroom. <Gu Ying> took the medicine bowl and turned behind the screen to the inner room. There she saw the Prince walking out from the pure room.

He only wore a single layer, showcasing his broad shoulders, narrow waist and long legs, robust muscles bursting with vitality. It left her blushing.

She silently stared at him for a while, suppressing the restlessness in her heart. "Adu, drink this medicine and see if it works?"

<Zhao Changdu> glanced up at her. His large hand took the bowl and he drained it in one gulp.

<Gu Ying> clicked her tongue in wonder, "Aren't you worried this medicine might be poisonous?"

<Zhao Changdu>'s lips curved up. His arm circled her slender waist and pulled her to sit on his lap. "Even if the medicine you give me is poison, I would drink it."

The air was filled with fiery passion. <Gu Ying> sat facing him. Staring into those desire-filled phoenix eyes, her emotions were somewhat complicated...

No one had ever given her such unconditional trust before.

<Zhao Changdu> was the first.

Seeing her stare blankly at himself, <Zhao Changdu> also couldn't stand it much longer. He had already washed with cold water twice.

Returning to the bed, the effects still erupted.

Hearing that sweet soft voice now, the taut string in his heart snapped.

He happily placed her amidst the brocade blankets. His palm framed her exquisite face, "Ying'er, were you serious?"