Chapter 484: Poisoning

Because they encountered an attack in the small grove, some of Xiao Yin's people were also injured and unable to move.

Moreover, this time Imperial Envoy Gu Kang is injured even more seriously; they can't just rush over and have the Imperial Envoy collapse—how would they handle this assignment?

Although they understood that delaying a day on the road would increase the danger, there was no choice; Xiao Yin ordered them to stop at this small town by the river.

The inn had been completely bought out by Xiao Yin, with tight security all around.

To prevent a repeat of what happened in the village last time, Xiao Yin sent out another batch of his people, divided into four groups to guard the four directions of the town.

They also stationed people covertly at the two entrances and exits of the town, so that any sign of trouble wouldn't completely throw them into disarray.

Gu Jiu Ling walked out of Gu Kang's room, just returned to her own room, but discovered Xiao Yin sitting in her guest room, drinking tea at the table.

Gu Jiu Ling's steps hesitated for a moment, but she still walked over.

She picked up the teapot on the table, which Xiao Yin had prepared for her in advance—neither cold nor hot, just right.

Gu Jiu Ling tipped her head back and drank half the pot, then let out a sigh and lay back on the bed.

Xiao Yin watched her weary expression, his eyes slightly sinking as he rose and walked to the bedside.

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He also lay down beside Gu Jiu Ling, who had no choice but to shift inward.

Xiao Yin rested his arms behind his head, not looking at Gu Jiu Ling but gazing at the canopy above, speaking slowly: "Speak up—what else are you and Gu Kang hiding from me?"

Gu Jiu Ling's heart gave a slight jump as she sighed: "Emperor Longqing placed a gu poison in his body, exactly the same as the gu poison in yours—only it has just been administered to him, so its effects haven't manifested yet."

"I've already destroyed it, but gu poison is unpredictable—it might erupt at any moment, and even the gu poison in your body hasn't been completely eradicated."

Xiao Yin immediately sat up, turned his body, and looked toward Gu Jiu Ling.

Gu Jiu Ling gave a bitter smile: "Emperor Longqing intends to use gu poison to control Gu Kang, making him find a way to keep you forever in Jiangnan."

Xiao Yin's face changed drastically; he muttered a curse under his breath, got out of bed, and headed for the door.

"He has already explained everything to me; he's just using my mouth to tell you, so you don't need to make things difficult for him."

"Since he has spoken up, it's impossible for him to harm you again—at the very least, he won't harm you on this trip to Jiangnan."

Xiao Yin's tall figure stood at the doorway, his steps halted there, then he turned around and sat again beside Gu Jiu Ling.

"What's the matter with your younger brother? Now that I need people around him, he keeps making excuses and obstructing things—once this happens, a second time is sure to follow."

"If he fails to complete this mission, when he returns to Shang Jing, will Emperor Longqing let him off? It would be better to come directly under my command—I will protect him..."

Before Xiao Yin could finish speaking, Gu Jiu Ling gave a bitter smile: "You still haven't realized it, have you? He has other masters behind him."

Xiao Yin frowned: "It definitely isn't the Sixth Prince; otherwise he couldn't have come to Jiangnan for this. Could he be someone from the Crown Prince's side?"

Gu Jiu Ling was also uncertain: since Gu Kang didn't take refuge with Xiao Yin but instead kept expanding his influence in the court, who exactly is his backer? Could it really be Xiao Ting?

In that light, it's not impossible that the Crown Prince is his backer.

Xiao Yin gave a cold smile: "No matter who it is, don't let your brother fall into my hands again."

"This time, I will join forces with him to deal with the Jiangnan salt merchants—let's cooperate just this once."

"If we truly face off head‑on next time, I will absolutely not go easy on him."

Having said his harsh words, Xiao Yin then looked at Gu Jiu Ling and said: "However, out of respect for you, I can spare his life—just this once."

Gu Jiu Ling secretly gave a bitter smile; this truly was out of consideration for her.

Otherwise, before Gu Kang's wings were fully grown, Xiao Yin would have already done him in—Xiao Yin is certainly no great benevolent soul.

She is a transmigrator, not the original owner; she has already done her utmost in benevolence and righteousness toward Gu Kang, and thereafter she truly cannot control how his path proceeds.

Xiao Yin felt vexed; after bidding farewell to Gu Jiu Ling, he returned to his own room.

After yesterday's chaos, Gu Jiu Ling guarded Gu Kang all night long, then in the inn she collapsed into a deep sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

They had originally planned to rest here for a day or two before departing straight for Yangzhou.

Unexpectedly, Gu Jiu Ling's sleep lasted until noon the next day; when she tried to get up, she felt only a heavy dizziness.

She raised a hand to her forehead and found it burning hot, while her throat throbbed with pain.

Gu Jiu Ling frowned, intending to sit up and pour a glass of water, but as soon as she sat up, a wave of dizziness and vertigo struck, causing her to collapse back onto the bed.

She hastily called out Yun Duo's name, hoping Yun Duo would come in to help her pour water, but the sound that came out was hoarse and harsh.

Moreover, her whole body felt as if she had fallen into an icy lake, shaking with chills.

Yun Duo heard Gu Jiu Ling's hoarse shout and hurriedly entered.

"Yun Duo, water!"

Gu Jiu Ling's throat felt as if it were being sliced by a knife; she clung to the bedpost and pointed to the teapot opposite.

Yun Duo understood Gu Jiu Ling's intent; she picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and, trembling, brought it to Gu Jiu Ling's hand.

Gu Jiu Ling took the tea, tipped her head back and drank it, after which she felt somewhat better.

Suddenly she noticed that Yun Duo's body was also trembling slightly, and Gu Jiu Ling furrowed her brow.

"Yun Duo, what's wrong with you?"

Yun Duo hastily bowed and replied: "My lord, I feel a sore throat, somewhat uncomfortable—perhaps I caught a chill last night. Let me pour you another cup of water, my lord."

As Yun Duo spoke, her body shook even more violently, swaying left and right as if she might topple over at any moment.

Gu Jiu Ling's heart gave a start—how could Yun Duo's symptoms be so similar to hers?

Before her doubtful question could leave her lips, a sudden urgent knocking came from the door.

"Princess Consort, the Prince woke up from his sleep with a fever, his whole body shaking—do you have any good medicine, Princess Consort?"

"What?" Gu Jiu Ling exclaimed, scrambling up from the bed.

Just as she was about to step out, she thumped forward and fell; Yun Duo rushed to help, but both master and servant ended up collapsing together on the ground.

Ling Feng, who had been knocking at the door outside, also forgot about anything else; upon opening the door he saw the Princess Consort and Yun Duo lying there, and he quickly ordered two servant women to come in and help them up.

Unexpectedly, the two servant women in the inn also had slightly flushed cheeks.

Although they were strong‑built, their arms holding Gu Jiu Ling were also trembling.

Gu Jiu Ling's heart sank instantly; she staggered, supported by the old woman, to Xiao Yin's room next door.

Yet she discovered Xiao Yin lying on the bed, his cheeks flushed red, his forehead burning hotter than hers, already sunk into a half-conscious state.

Gu Jiu Ling gasped in shock, turned to look at Ling Feng—Ling Feng was no better off, also showing some fever symptoms.

"Ling Feng! Pass the order down!"

"Everyone, from now on do not casually drink or eat; take samples of everything each person has consumed since we entered the town last night up to now—what they ate, what they drank—and send them to my room, quickly!"

Ling Feng watched Gu Jiu Ling's anxious expression, his own heart sinking as well: "Princess Consort, what on earth is happening?"

Gu Jiu Ling furrowed her brows tightly: "Someone has poisoned us—no! It might be even more serious than poisoning."