Since the night she administered acupuncture to Xiao Xingcang, Gu Qinglu had been immersed in the alchemy room from dawn to dusk.
During that time, several guards brought over baskets—when she opened them, her eyes lit up with delight.
She had originally intended to soak the gu-repelling bracelets herself before telling Xiao Xingcang she needed to leave the residence, but unexpectedly, he had sent the materials ahead of time.
This only reinforced her impression: her “God of Wealth” was truly generous.
The snakes, scorpions, centipedes, and other poisons she received were all expensive in their own right.
Once she had them, Gu Qinglu threw herself entirely into cultivating the gu toxins.
During the day, when she had a moment, she would take a small hoe and plant the poisonous stocks she had collected from the mountains, filling the entire courtyard where she now resided.
One day, the nanny saw her busy under the courtyard wall.
Every day she noticed Gu Qinglu feeding the herbs to the cages covered with black cloth. But the moment she lifted the cloth, her eyes widened in horror—and she fainted on the spot.
Luckily, a maid was nearby and prevented her from falling.
From that day onward, a sign appeared along the hallway of the alchemy room: “No Unauthorized Entry”—written by Gu Qinglu herself.
Even when Xiao Xingcang came for acupuncture, he paused in the corridor, curious.
Until that moment, he hadn’t realized… but when he did, he was taken aback.
Gu Qinglu wore the golden-ringed snakes like jewelry around her neck. Venomous toads perched on her head, making his hair stand on end.
By the next day, she had received an entire crate of ornaments.
After a secluded ten-day period, on the twelfth day of the winter month, Gu Qinglu finally stepped out through the rear courtyard gate. She was about to go fulfill her nominal role as Xiao Xingcang’s consort.
In the front hall, Xiao Xingcang flipped through reports.
His right ear twitched; he passed the reports along and rose to walk toward the door.
Gu Qinglu appeared in the corridor, clad in a black and gold embroidered robe, skirt adorned with golden flowers, and a grey-brown full fur cloak.
Her raven hair was piled high, adorned with twelve flower hairpins and pearls.
Despite the remaining childlike roundness of her face, her eyes had grown sharp and piercing.
Entering the hall, she took out the woven gu-repelling bracelets, her gaze softening.“Extend your hand—let me put it on.”
Xiao Xingcang held his hand out casually, his eyes observing her expression.
Her smile remained gentle, eyes curving, dimples shallow but clear.
Looking down as she fitted the bracelet around his wrist, he raised an eyebrow.“New Year hasn’t come yet, and the Princess Consort is already eager to give a gift? I have nothing to trade yet.”
Gu Qinglu smiled and finished securing the bracelet, pulling his sleeve down to cover it.“This is a gu-repelling bracelet. It’s included in your treatment fee. With it, no poison in the world can harm you.”
Hearing this, Xiao Xingcang’s eyes flicked to her wrist.
She wore one as well.
Originally, he had thought to ask if she would make some for the generals who had fought alongside him.
But somehow, his words changed.“This Princess Consort—how many of these do you have? I’ll buy them for my men.”
Her eyes lit up instantly, a sly, flattering smile tugging at her lips.“Yes, yes, yes! When I return from the palace banquet, I’ll soak more and sell them to you.”
Xiao Xingcang lowered his hands behind his back and twirled the bracelet between his fingers, now certain of her love for wealth.
But then he thought: once the poison in his body is cleared, she will leave the residence.
With money in hand, she won’t have to sleep in the cold or wander the streets.
He frowned slightly. Perhaps it was miserly of him—but even if she left, he could provide her a lifetime of sustenance, provided she was alone.
He lowered his gaze to her, a subtle softness glimmering in his dark eyes.“Very well. Name your price. Princess Consort, you may ask freely.”
To the servants, this was a clear sign of the newlywed couple’s growing intimacy. Soon, the prince would surely let his consort move into the main residence.
The little mistress wasn’t far behind.
The nanny and the steward were so absorbed in thought that they didn’t notice the couple stepping out of the hall.
“Your Highness, the Prince and Princess are ready to depart,” a maid whispered, tugging gently at the nanny’s sleeve.
The nanny straightened, adjusted her cloak, and followed.
The couple walked side by side, their gazes radiating an unspoken authority, harmonizing perfectly.
They may not have noticed themselves, but to Qi Heng and Hu Wei waiting by the carriage, they looked remarkably matched.
“Your Highness, Princess Consort,” the two men bowed.
The couple nodded slightly and approached the carriage.
Gu Qinglu adjusted her cumbersome skirts and looked up, finding a hand extended.
Xiao Xingcang wore a refined military-civil robe—practical yet flowing, scholarly yet martial—befitting his status as Prince Qin.
Gu Qinglu hesitated slightly, scanning the western courtyard.
These were all his subordinates and servants; if she refused, he might lose face.
Her hand lightly rested on his arm armor as she stepped onto the carriage.
Xiao Xingcang helped her into the carriage, then mounted, sitting firm in the front. He glanced at the nanny and waved.
She nodded slightly and climbed aboard.
Settled inside, Gu Qinglu recalled the key events the nanny had mentioned about entering the palace: she was to assist the emperor in selecting the central palace consort.
When she asked about proper etiquette, the nanny only said kneeling was unnecessary.
As for the empress dowager, she only needed to nod occasionally.
In that moment, Gu Qinglu fully grasped the extent of Xiao Xingcang’s authority in the Great Yong empire.
The carriage rocked along for nearly half an hour before slowing.
Outside, the sounds had changed—far off, the clash of armor and metal could be heard.
Gu Qinglu’s eyes moved slightly. They had arrived at the center of power: the Imperial Palace.
The carriage stopped. Immediately, the greeting came:“Your servant pays respects to Prince Qin. May the Prince be well.”
Gu Qinglu parted the carriage curtain slightly. She saw the man in front leap down from his horse, raising his hand toward the officials in crimson robes.
He then turned and walked toward her.
Next, he reached out:“Step out.”
Gu Qinglu looked at his expression, rested her hand on his wrist, and lifted her skirts to exit.
Several officials glanced repeatedly at the carriage. They had heard that the Princess Consort’s intelligence was no better than a three-year-old.
Suddenly, a cheerful voice rang from the palace gates:“I heard His Highness Prince Qin has fully recovered. Indeed, it seems so! The farewell wine I prepared is wasted—what a pity.”
Speak of the devil. The man who had doubted her intelligence had arrived.
Gu Qinglu turned her head, spotting a lean man in crimson robes, a hat atop his head, cloak draped, his features refined and upright.
He appeared around twenty-five or twenty-six, lean, eyes straight ahead, staring.
Xiao Xingcang glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips, and strode forward.“Much official business, yet Lord Liu worries for me. As for the farewell wine, you should keep it—perhaps you’ll need it another day.”
Amid their words, barbed undertones lingered. The nanny whispered to Gu Qinglu:“That is the Prince’s political adversary, Minister Liu of the Ministry of Revenue. Whenever the Prince proposes something in court, Minister Liu opposes it.”
Gu Qinglu nodded, understanding.
No wonder they clashed immediately upon meeting.
The minister now, after a haughty display of flattery, swept his sleeve and left.
Seeing his expression, Gu Qinglu could tell he had gained nothing with the Prince.
At that moment, a sharp, piercing voice rang out:“Your servant pays respects to the Prince. May the Prince and Princess be well.”
Xiao Xingcang said nothing, only nodding slightly.
The chief eunuch raised his hand in invitation, bowing:“His Majesty, having heard of the Prince’s recovery and that he brings the Princess Consort to assist the Empress Dowager in selecting the central palace consort, was so pleased that he stayed up late into the night.”
Xiao Xingcang remained silent, his expression grave.
Gu Qinglu glanced at him, thinking silently: Even the Emperor cares about you, yet you show no sign of acknowledgement. So cold.