After waiting a short while, all the gu insects had finally gathered.
Gu Qinglu glanced at the two thin men supporting Xiao Xingcang and frowned.
With his tall, powerful frame, these two would surely be unable to restrain him for long.
“Bring two strong men—preferably those who can really hold him down,” Gu Qinglu said to the matron.
Xiao Xingcang’s tone was steady: “I can cooperate with you.”
Hearing his arrogant claim, Gu Qinglu wasted no words.
Raising her purple bamboo flute to her lips, she played a single piercing note.
“Ugh.” Xiao Xingcang emitted a muffled groan from the pain.
The exorcism had begun. There could be no stopping midway, and Gu Qinglu didn’t care if it hurt—she continued to blow the note.
The matron hurried to call more people.
Seeing the scene before the bed, she felt both heartache and alarm.
Who could be so cruel as to torment the prince like this?
As Gu Qinglu’s erratic flute grew faster, Xiao Xingcang cried out in pain and began to struggle.
One of the men seemed to catch the rhythm of the notes, and from then on, the pace would only accelerate.
Xiao Xingcang gradually lost control.
Seeing he might break free, he shouted, “Help me!”
Just as he predicted, Gu Qinglu’s notes didn’t slow; instead, they became shrill and grating.
The two burly men supporting him, terrified at the squirming mass under his skin, quickly stepped forward to restrain him.
After a moment, Gu Qinglu looked at the man holding a dagger.
He moved instantly, crouching before the bed, and carefully drew the sharp blade across Xiao Xingcang’s chest.
Xiao Xingcang tensed his entire body.
The matron, tears in her eyes, pressed her hand to his chest to help him breathe.
The flute’s notes became more continuous, still piercing, making everyone present frown.
Xiao Xingcang’s expression twisted with pain. From muffled groans, he began snarling and howling.
The worms beneath the slit in his chest squirmed closer.
With another shrill burst from the flute, the black gu began to emerge.
Then the notes shifted, becoming lilting and melodious.
The insects dropping from Xiao Xingcang’s chest fell into a basin of ashes on the floor.
More and more emerged, mixing with the black blood and viscous fluid—a revolting sight.
The men present went pale, unable to look further, wrinkling their brows in disgust.
The stench from the basin was nauseating.
Gradually, as the flute’s tone softened, Xiao Xingcang’s body relaxed.
The chest wound bled slowly but lightly.
The gu had survived on his blood for two years. Initially, his blood flow was enough, but later, it sought the brain for sustenance.
Gu Qinglu’s needles ensured that the remaining blood stayed within his body.
The exorcism lasted from mid-afternoon until evening.
When the flute fell silent, Xiao Xingcang had fainted from the pain.
Gu Qinglu surveyed the confused crowd and smiled faintly: “Move him back to the room. No tonics for now—take it slow.”
It had been a simple gu removal, yet enough to terrify everyone present.
Some regained composure and carried Xiao Xingcang carefully past the revolting basin. None dared look again, nor let him linger.
The side hall emptied, leaving only Gu Qinglu.
She rubbed her temples and sank into a chair to rest.
Exorcising the gu had exhausted her, and this body was frail. Sweat dotted her forehead.
The matron, having arranged Xiao Xingcang in the room, returned and saw her pale, exhausted face. Gently, she said: “Consort, have some tea.”
Gu Qinglu didn’t open her eyes, waving a lazy hand: “Dig a pit facing west—I’ll need it soon.”
The matron obediently glanced at the basin and stepped aside.
After a brief rest, as the last light faded, Gu Qinglu rose and carried the basin outside.
The matron had no idea what she intended, only accompanying her.
Gu Qinglu placed the entire basin into the pit and covered it with earth.
Stepping back, she lifted her flute, drew a deep breath, and played the eradication note.
The shrill tone echoed through the main courtyard. The matron instinctively recoiled.
From the earth came sudden thumps.
After nearly a quarter-hour, the notes ceased. Exhausted, Gu Qinglu collapsed backward.
The matron rushed to catch her: “Consort! You scared me to death!”
Gu Qinglu, visibly fatigued, murmured, “It’s fine, matron. I’ll sleep a while,” and rested her head in her arms.
She was tall, and the matron, elderly, couldn’t manage alone—so she called for help: “Come, help the Consort back to her room.”
The maids, having seen her rise from a coffin before, were terrified; now seeing her faint, their fear was even greater.
They had no choice but to help her back to the courtyard.
..
Time passed swiftly.
Half a month went by.
Since awakening, all the materials Xiao Xingcang had promised were delivered, and Gu Qinglu had been refining medicine in her courtyard.
By agreement, only the matron and a few maids could enter the back courtyard.
Xiao Xingcang, having recovered, could already walk and practice martial arts.
Gu Qinglu’s position in the mansion was solid—everyone knew she had saved him.
All bowed respectfully upon seeing her.
Various herbs arrived, some highly toxic. Xiao Xingcang never questioned her or asked their purpose.
One day, after half a month of lab work and sleep, Gu Qinglu prepared to leave the pharmacy.
The matron, tending flowers, washed her hands and asked: “Consort, I’ve prepared mutton soup. Would you like a bowl first?”
“Thank you, matron. Later,” Gu Qinglu said, smiling warmly as she carried her tray.
She liked this old woman.
Every day she styled her hair beautifully, each day a new look. Her dresses and makeup varied as well.
“Consort, are you going to give the prince acupuncture?” The matron, having observed her for half a month, had roughly figured out her habits and schedule.
Gu Qinglu nodded slightly. “I’m going to extract the poison.”
The matron was surprised. “Extract? Yourself? Isn’t it dangerous?”
Gu Qinglu chuckled, pointing to a marked dish on the tray: “Using abdominal insects, not me personally.”
The matron tilted her head, took the tray, and said: “You don’t need to do it yourself then.”
Gu Qinglu raised an eyebrow but said nothing, stepping out.
The matron followed, taking in her beauty and tall figure—it matched well with the prince.
The future little master will surely be handsome, she thought.