After the crown prince was poisoned, the mood in the entire Eastern Palace subtly changed. The most obvious was the crown prince's behaviour towards Young Master Rong Yi; he seemed to become increasingly indifferent towards him.
Of course, this sort of change wasn't felt by the other palace maids or eunuchs, but was Yanu's own feeling. This was because the crown prince never came to Liuli Palace anymore, even if Gu Bai took the initiative to seek a meeting.
This was completely different from their previous attitude of evading each other. When they bumped into each other once in a while, His Highness would also berate his master with a cold face, then storm off.
Yanu was a little confused and a little aggrieved. He wanted to speak up, but Gu Bai always stopped him.
Qi Moli had also discovered Xue Yunfeng's change of behaviour, but unlike Yanu, he had discovered much more.
On the surface, Xue Yunfeng's attitude towards Rong Yi was getting more indifferent, but only he knew that Xue Yunfeng hadn't truly let go of Rong Yi at all. Every night, amidst his dreams, he would always hear the crown prince call out the words "Rong Yi" while fast asleep…
This sort of understanding caused an intense threat to emerge in Qi Moli's heart. He couldn't deny that Xue Yunfeng currently liked him, but compared to him, Rong Yi apparently had much more of an impression in Xue Yunfeng's heart.
He was increasingly filled with dread and fear, especially since he knew that the change in Xue Yunfeng's attitude was because Rong Yi was "heartless". He was incredibly terrified, because Rong Yi wasn't heartless at all.
Hearing Xue Yunfeng call out for Rong Yi every night, it felt as if a knife was being twisted into his heart.
Most of all, when he saw Gu Bai coming to seek a meeting with Xue Yunfeng, his fear would abruptly explode, causing him to become incapable of controlling his mind from thinking of ways to stay in Xue Yunfeng's line of sight.
It was so much that Imperial Physician Wang of the imperial hospital had been cast out of the palace due to some inexplicable error…
Hearing about Imperial Physician Wang, Gu Bai, who had been biding his time, knew that the game had been continuously pushed forward by someone. That was because a human's heart was just this selfish. Everyone would always struggle for their own benefit. There was no such thing as a genuine noble saint in the world.
He had no interest in continuing to care for the complications in Xue Yunfeng's heart, and he slowly enjoyed the tranquillity before the storm, placing his attention on Xue Han.
Ever since that night, Xue Han continued to sneak into Liuli Palace every night.
He was very well-behaved for the first two days, but after Gu Bai's injury healed, he would bring a pitcher of strong wine every time and thought of countless methods to coax Gu Bai into drinking, then allowed nature to take its course, resulting in a "drunken mistake" again.
Even if Gu Bai had a cold face and told him to get lost every morning after the affair, he still enjoyed it and never tired of it. He no longer restrained himself and restored the dissolute temperament he had when they first met, thickening his skin and taking liberties with Gu Bai by staying for the night.
Like this, the two of them, one openly flirty, the other secretly tempting, played extremely joyfully. Time passed in an instant once more, and it had been two months. The emperor had a serious illness and could no longer rise from the imperial bed, and the struggle for the throne was pushed into the highest intensity.
And right at this time, Qi Moli, for some unknown reason, abruptly also fell seriously ill.
When Xue Yunfeng heard the news, he promptly threw aside his matters and hurried to the eastern palace. He became worried and concerned as he looked at the wan and sallow person in bed.
"What in the world happened? How did he suddenly become like this? Imperial physician, diagnose how…"
"Replying to Your Highness, Young Master Qi's illness truly is odd. It doesn't seem to be an illness…" The imperial physician's face was grave.
"Not an illness? What do you mean by this?!"
The imperial physician shook his head with furrowed eyebrows. "Your Highness, please forgive this small official for speaking forthrightly. Young Master Qi does not have an illness, but was given a gu poison…"
"Gu?" Xue Yunfeng's expression instantly shifted.
"Yes, Your Highness. When this small official had previously worked together with Imperial Physician Wang, I heard him speak of it. I know not much of this, and seeing Young Master Qi's current condition, he has most likely been poisoned by a gu…"
"If it truly is gu poison, then what should be done?"
"In every case of saving someone poisoned by a gu, there is only one solution, and that is to have the poisoner take out the antidote. However, with Young Master Qi's condition, this small servant fears that the other merely wished for Young Master Qi's death and poisoned him with an incurable death gu… In this situation, the only means is to…"
When the imperial physician spoke to this point, his expression became anxious and he faltered.
"What is it&#k2026;"
"Is to find the gu poisoner and use their heart to create a guiding drug, exchanging a life for a life! It's just that it won't be easy to find the gu poisoner, and Young Master Qi doesn't have long…"
The imperial physician cupped his hands and answered.
Xue Yunfeng didn't speak for a time, suddenly falling silent. When the imperial physician said "gu", the first figure that flashed in his mind was Rong Yi.
Not everyone knew of a thing like gu, as it was too unusual and strange. Until now, the only people who knew how to use gu were from the Beizhou country.
And as a prince of Beizhou, Rong Yi was certainly proficient in the arts of the gu bug…
After dismissing the imperial physician, Xue Yunfeng walked to the bedside with a heavy heart. Qi Moli looked at him weakly and caught his hand, opening his mouth to say, "Your Highness, will Moli die?"
"No, I won't allow you to die. Just rest well…"
Xue Yunfeng comforted him softly. He said this sentence, then in an aggressive manner, hurriedly departed for Liuli Palace.
The instant he turned, he hadn't seen Qi Moli's face revealing a satisfied smile. For Xue Yunfeng to forget about Rong Yi, the only way was to have him personally kill him.
…
As Xue Yunfeng rode towards Liuli Palace, Gu Bai had already finished preparing in the main hall and was awaiting him.
As such, when he saw Xue Yunfeng arrive, he wasn't surprised at all. He had foreseen this moment the instant he received the news of Qi Moli's "serious illness".
"Your Highness…"
As usual, Gu Bai welcomed him with a joyous expression, then was immediately grabbed by the neck by Xue Yunfeng as he ordered with a furious tone, "Take out the antidote!"
"Master!"
Don't say that Gu Bai couldn't react to such a quick attack from Xue Yunfeng. Even Yanu, at the side, was frightened. He cried out and ran over.
However, before he could get close, he was struck by a slap from Xue Yunfeng. Though he had enjoyed a luxurious life, Xue Yunfeng was inherently someone who had learnt martial arts. Yanu wasn't his opponent at all.
When the other palace maids and eunuchs in the hall saw this, they were all frightened witless and afraid to step forward. They all lowered their heads and hastily backed off in succession.
Currently, Xue Yunfeng could not care for anyone else. After slapping aside Yanu who had rushed over, he continued to grasp Gu Bai's neck, his eyes crackling with bloodlust as he spoke through gritted teeth and disappointment, "Rong Yi, I thought you were merely heartless, but never thought you would actually be so vicious and merciless as to lay your hands on Moli!"
"Your… Highness… What are you saying… Rong Yi… doesn't understand…"
Despite knowing martial arts, for Gu Bai to so suddenly be strangled by the neck like this, his complexion would also turn red from the asphyxiation. He reached out and skillfully held Xue Yunfeng's hand, then spoke disjointedly in disbelief.
Gu Bai's voice, which was almost about to run out of breath, pulled back some of Xue Yunfeng's rationality from his fury. He loosened his hand and threw Gu Bai to the ground before continuing to speak in a low voice, "The imperial physician had already diagnosed him. Moli isn't sick at all, but was poisoned by a gu. Within the entire imperial palace of Great Qi, only you, this former prince of Beizhao, would know how to use gu!"
His implication was that this was his doing.
Gu Bai did not speak, but a sluggish expression appeared on his face. Xue Yunfeng merely assumed that he didn't dare to speak as his true face had been revealed and that he was guilty and frightened. As he coldly laughed, killing intent appeared in his eyes.
"Rong Yi, you'd best bring out the antidote. Don't force me to kill you…"
Just when his words fell, Gu Bai raised his head and looked at him with dazed eyes. With a trembling voice, he said, "Your Highness… wishes to personally kill Rong Yi?"
"Personally killing Rong Yi will truly dirty my hands!"
Since they had already become hostile, there was no need to continue pretending. He took out the handkerchief he always kept by his side and wiped off the hand that had grabbed Gu Bai before, then threw it aside like it was trash. Xue Yunfeng sneered.
"As matters stand, I might as well tell you. I took you into the eastern palace merely to use you as a pretense, helping me establish an intemperate reputation; you're nothing more than a shield! Originally, I had planned to leave a way out for you, but I never imagined that you were so malicious, actually daring to hurt my most beloved… Now, I'll tell you, if you're tactful, I can give you a painless end. If not, then don't blame me for being heartless for slicing off your flesh and heart to act as a guiding drug!"
Accompanying his words, Gu Bai's complexion slowly paled. Yanu, in the corner, also raised his head and looked at him in disbelief.
When Xue Yunfeng saw his complexion, he suddenly had a sense of delight from getting revenge and continued to speak coldly.
"Do you truly think I'm a fool who's so easy to lie to? Don't think that I'm unaware that you didn't give your body to Imperial Uncle merely because he doesn't have long to live and that you fear no one would take you under their wing. Rong Yi, it has to be admitted that you're very smart. Unfortunately, a cold and ruthless person like you is only suitable to be a plaything!"
At present, Gu Bai's face was already filled with tears, but this was just something he choked out. Currently, how much sorrow was on his face was equal to the amount of delight in his heart.
Scold, scold, scold, scold me even more! Be even more vicious! How much firewood you add now is how much the fire will roar later!
At the side, Yanu had also begun to cry. Compared to Gu Bai, he was even more incapable of enduring Xue Yunfeng's words. In his heart, he had always thought that the prince loved his master very, very much. But now, Xue Yunfeng's cold-blooded words had simply shattered this firm belief.
But it was as if Xue Yunfeng had been possessed by a devil; the more he spoke, the more he vented out the hatred in his heart. As long as he thought of the "truth" he had seen in his last life after his death, the resentment in his heart constantly increased.
"Fine, since you won't provide the antidote, I'll just take your heart and flesh to act as a guiding drug! Come, someone bring me a knife!"
With this, Xue Yunfeng bellowed, clearly planning to personally do it. It overlapped with his cold-blooded appearance in the plot when he had personally drained the original host of his blood.
"No—! You cannot!"
The moment the imperial bodyguard appeared, Yanu suddenly threw himself over and stared rigidly at Xue Yunfeng.
"Your Majesty, you can't kill my master! My master hadn't done anything, so you can't do this to him!"
"Drag this eunuch away!"
Xue Yunfeng wasn't moved in the slightest and coldly commanded them.
The imperial bodyguards obeyed and stepped forward. Yanu panicked, and his originally cowardly nature somehow produced an enormous courage. As he struggled, he pulled out the sword by the imperial bodyguard's waist and denounced him with sobs, "Your Majesty, you can't be like this! My master had done so much for you. How could you want to kill my master! Master isn't the heartless person you claim him to be…"
"Back when Yanu was merely a common slave, Master already couldn't help saving this slave. Master is more benevolent than anyone in the world! Your Highness, you don't know, you don't know how much Master has done for you…"
"Yanu! Stop speaking…"
Gu Bai covered his ears, his lips calling to stop him while he internally shouted wildly, Keep talking, keep talking keep talking, keep talking! Yanu, you're great!!
"Master, you won't say it, so this slave will say it for you!"
Yanu was extremely righteous, and sure enough, his face revealed some sorrow as he kept his eyes on Xue Yunfeng and continued to denounce him.
"Your Majesty, you say Master is heartless, but you don't know anything. You know nothing at all… Everyone thinks Master is well-off, but you all don't understand the pain in Master's heart…"
"Master was once a country's prince, but became a male plaything. He's of equal status with those women shut in the rear court. He's criticised and despised by the people he meets, but Master has never complained. Master says that it's because he has you, Your Highness, and Your Highness is everything to Master…"
"To be able to help master receive Prince Yu of the First Rank's support, Master will rather suffer in silence and be bullied. Regardless of how many grievances he has received, he has never allowed this slave to tell you, because he doesn't want you to worry, saying that the throne for Your Highness is more important…"
"But Your Highness, you, you don't understand Master at all, never caring for Master… And when Your Highness was poisoned, you survived because Master had personally cut off his own flesh for the imperial physician to create a medicine for you!"
As Yanu spoke, he pulled over Gu Bai's arm and revealed the wound on his arm as evidence. Today, he had to say everything he kept in his heart.
"Your Highness, Master has always been sincere to you, but why are you this vicious to him…"
"No…"
Xue Yunfeng stared at the hideous scar on Gu Bai's arm with a dazed expression, as if he had been struck by lightning. He couldn't believe the truth at all and felt a pain in his heart as if it had been skinned open.
He didn't believe, didn't believe that the cold and heartless Rong Yu could do something like this for him…
Right at this time, Xue Han, who had received the news, finally rushed over. Seeing the chaos in the room, as well as Gu Bai who had been wretchedly thrown onto the ground and had a mournful and despairing appearance, he immediately rushed over with a fierce aura.
"Pa!"
"Xue Yunfeng, you shameful beast, who called you to touch this prince's person!?!"
Along with the resounding slap, Xue Han spoke angrily with a clenched jaw. Someone whom he would never hurt in a million years was unexpectedly humiliated by this bastard.
If he knew that this terrible brat was asking to die like this, he shouldn't have worried about the beauty and long resolved to get rid of this person. It would be better to just get it over with than prolong the agony!
"Don't…" On the floor, Gu Bai finally crawled back up and caught his hand with a sorrowful face, aggravating the situation.
"You still want to protect him?!" Xue Han's face turned ashen.
Gu Bai didn't speak, succeeding in raising his man's anger up a notch. He tilted his head and coldly stared at Xue Yunfeng, his voice filled with violence.
"Xue Yunfeng, why do you think you still lived to this day and could struggle against the praised Lao Er old two, the second prince, that brat? This was all this prince's plan! It's because of Rong Yi that this prince allowed you to live to this day… But I never thought you would actually be unable to understand my good intentions. Allow this prince to tell you not to speak of the imperial throne, as you have no right to desire for the country or beauties!"
With that, Xue Han carried Gu Bai bridal-style and left with great strides.
When Yanu saw this, he gave Xue Yunfeng an indignant look and departed as well, leaving him to stand there foolishly. Xue Yunfeng loved Rong Yi, but his love was filled with distrust and suspicion. This sort of love was doomed to be a tragedy.