A night passed. As dawn tinged the sky with pale blue, the quiet forest began to stir.
It was Xiao Xingcang’s covert guards arriving.
Clad in black battle attire, a diagonal scar across his face, one came close and reported, “Your Highness, the commander of the Patrol Battalion has fallen suddenly ill—his lower body was ravaged overnight. The imperial physicians are at a loss. Also, the items the Princess Consort requested have been delivered back to the residence.”
Hu Wei and Qi Heng exchanged glances, blinking, before turning toward a nearby tent.
Xiao Xingcang nodded, lowering his eyes in thought.
Zhou Tan had secured his post in the Patrol Battalion through connections, not skill. He had offended many. With the battalion in crisis, Xiao Xingcang saw an opportunity to enter the palace and challenge his great-nephew in a game of strategy.
Xiao Xingcang’s eyes flicked open, a dark gleam passing through them. “From the men under your command, who is competent? Draft a memorial recommending them.”
Qi Heng and Hu Wei recalled Gu Qinglu mentioning yesterday that she would speak up for them. Now, hearing the report from the covert guard, they weren’t sure whether she was responsible.
If so, the Princess Consort was truly formidable.
In just one night, a lower body ravaged, and the imperial physicians helpless—though her methods weren’t exactly aboveboard, the results were satisfying.
If not her doing, then Zhou Tan must have been indiscreet and contracted a disease.
So engrossed in their thoughts, neither heard Xiao Xingcang speak.
Receiving no response, he turned, only to see the two staring at the tent, whispering behind their hands, expressions unconcealed in delight.
Xiao Xingcang’s gaze shifted toward the tent. “What are you two saying?”
Startled, Qi Heng and Hu Wei pulled back, tugging at their short jackets.
“We’re just saying the rice porridge is ready… don’t know if the Princess Consort has woken yet,” Qi Heng replied, glancing at the sky.
Xiao Xingcang gave them a measured look, understanding that they had endured grievances over the past six months and were quietly pleased at Zhou Tan’s misfortune.
With his gaze returning forward, he said, “Remember to submit the memorial when you go back.”
Then he picked up a bowl of porridge served by a guard and headed to the tent.
Qi Heng and Hu Wei were dumbfounded, yet didn’t dare ask. They nodded stiffly.
Gu Qinglu awoke, equally confused, quickly checking her garments.
She remembered drifting into a half-sleep late last night, sensing the scent of medicine on him.
She had slept in the tent because he had carried her in.
Somehow, she had let her guard down.
When Xiao Xingcang arrived with the porridge, he saw this and thought, I haven’t stooped to that level of shamelessness.
Although they were now husband and wife, to him she was, beyond saving his life, nothing else.
He crouched and placed the bowl in front of her tent. “Can we return today?”
Just waking, Gu Qinglu didn’t wish to speak. Recalling the herbs the guards had moved from the tree branches last night, she murmured, “Just find a few more herbs I didn’t note, then we can return.”
If the poisonous creatures weren’t found, they could be bought at the pharmacy in town.
Seeing her still dazed, Xiao Xingcang’s phoenix-like eyes flickered. He gestured at the bowl. “Eat.”
Gu Qinglu lifted her eyes sharply, examining him.
Seeing the faint smile in his gaze, she recalled yesterday’s events and instantly understood. This man is petty, she thought.
Yesterday, she had called him a turtle. Today, he returned the jest.
Pointing at the bowl like this—he was treating her like a dog.
She lifted the blanket draped over her, raising a brow. “Your Grace, may I ask your age?”
Seeing her alert, lively eyes, Xiao Xingcang knew she had caught on. He handed over the bowl. “Seven years older than the Princess Consort.”
Gu Qinglu only glanced at him, said nothing, and took the bowl, eating the porridge in measured bites.
Actually, by her past-life age, he was only slightly older. She had died at seventeen, and now two years later, was nineteen—merely three years older than him.
When the bowl was empty, she passed it back with an even expression, a hint of mischief in her eyes: “So… Your Grace, this morning’s little act—was it a warning, or revenge?”
Xiao Xingcang’s lips twitched as he took the bowl.
Faced with her question, he chose not to answer, perfectly playing into her delight. Seeing her grit her teeth in frustration, she felt a thrill.
Either way—warning or revenge—he was indeed a petty man.
Thinking for a moment, he added before leaving, “I care for my Princess Consort, nothing more. There are no hidden schemes in my heart.”
Gu Qinglu was momentarily speechless. Any further words would make her seem ungrateful, not him petty.
Seeing her speechless, Xiao Xingcang pressed his lips thin and walked away with the empty bowl.
..
After breakfast, Gu Qinglu was full of energy and resumed searching for poisonous plants.
Though she could have left the mountains by noon, the forest was too abundant; she couldn’t resist gathering more herbs.
By the time she returned to yesterday’s path, the sun had tilted westward.
Xiao Xingcang signaled the archers behind, sending about ten men to escort her safely.
The small courtyard lay twenty li ahead. He did not intend to stop for the night—he needed to return to the city.
In southern Jiang, it was time to investigate matters concerning the poison insects.
On the path, his gaze darkened. He surveyed the western terrain.
“Hai Dongqing is approaching,” he said, noticing birds drawing near.
Qi Heng, seeing him watch the western sky, immediately raised the alert, dashing to the hidden horse point. “Everyone, protect the Prince and Princess Consort—evacuate!”
Hai Dongqing normally would not approach so closely unless there was danger.
With Qi Heng moving, the western patrol swiftly adjusted, forming a protective ring around the Prince and Princess Consort.
Gu Qinglu, also alert, brushed aside the guards with her sword, riding a short distance ahead, sniffing the air.
Xiao Xingcang frowned. Has she become obsessed with transforming into a dog? he thought, watching her mount.
Recalling her ability to communicate with animals, he frowned again. Dead and reborn? Sniffing around?
Could she be a dog reincarnated from one of those strange tales I read?
He instantly dismissed it. No dog would master medicine.
Studying her figure, he concluded: she simply intended to act like a dog.
Gu Qinglu sniffed for traces of poison insects, unaware of his gaze.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle pierced the air.
Birds took flight from the opposite forest.
A gust blew through. Gu Qinglu inhaled deeply. No strange odor—she relaxed.
Likely, the bats had alerted them before, so nothing approached.
“Be on guard,” Hu Wei rode along the outer edge, a squad of elite guards at his back.
“Capture them alive,” Xiao Xingcang commanded. The reins shifted, and he rode swiftly beside Gu Qinglu. “Stay close to me.”
With that, he immediately turned down a side path.
All surrounding riders followed in close formation.
Hearing his words, Gu Qinglu relaxed, placing her sword at her horse’s side.
She cast a quick glance toward the dense forest ahead, inhaled, confirmed no strange scent, and followed.