Behind the bushes, Gu Jiu’s expression remained calm.
It turned out that the incident where the original host fell into the water last autumn had been orchestrated by Gu Yue. It seemed that Xu Yuanniang was also involved.
The original host had always been frail. Falling into the cold pond in late autumn led to her being rescued but left her gravely ill.
After that, her condition deteriorated, lingering until this year when she ultimately passed away in Tao Hong’s hands.
The original host’s death paved the way for Gu Jiu’s transmigration into this body.
Hearing the truth, Gu Jiu’s eyes didn’t even flicker. However, the maids, especially Qing Mei, were livid.
Gu Jiu smiled faintly and said, “Shh, keep it down. We’ll deal with this later.”
After some idle chatter, Gu Yue and Xu Yuanniang left the secluded area and headed toward the bustling parts of the estate.
Emerging from behind the bushes, Gu Jiu watched their retreating figures with a subtle smirk.
“So it was san guniang who pushed you into the water. Guniang, this cannot go unpunished! We need to seek justice.”
Qing Mei was furious, feeling wronged on Gu Jiu’s behalf.
Gu Jiu chuckled softly. “Don’t worry. This will certainly not end here.”
After all, she now occupied the original host’s body. One way or another, she had to settle this score—with interest.
Today, she decided to collect a small part of that interest.
“Let’s go.”
With her maids in tow, Gu Jiu continued to wander leisurely through the garden.
By the pond, Gu Jiu suddenly crouched down and reached out to test the water’s temperature. The water wasn’t cold at all. If someone were to fall in, they wouldn’t catch a chill.
“Guniang, be careful,” Qing Mei said nervously.
After last year’s accident where Gu Jiu fell into the pond and became gravely ill, Qing Mei and Qing Zhu were particularly cautious, always vigilant when Gu Jiu was near water.
Gu Jiu smiled and reassured them, “It’s fine. Last year, the pond where I fell was about the same size. Do you think this pond is deep?”
“It probably isn’t very deep,” Qing Zhu replied uncertainly.
Qing Mei, however, looked anxious. “Guniang, are you feeling all right?”
Gu Jiu smiled again, stood up, and used her handkerchief to dry the water droplets from her fingers. “Let’s go find a place to rest.”
Not long after they walked away, Qing Zhu suddenly exclaimed, “Ah! Isn’t that Ping mama?”
She pointed toward a figure moving briskly through the flower bushes.
Everyone followed her gaze.
Qing Mei confirmed, “It really is Ping mama. I recognise the clothes she’s wearing; I saw it this morning.”
Gu Jiu grew curious. “What is Ping mama doing, rushing off like that instead of serving by taitai’s side?”
She then instructed Qing Zhu to follow Ping mama and see where she was heading. Meanwhile, Gu Jiu settled in a nearby pavilion to wait.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Qing Zhu returned, slightly out of breath.
“Guniang, nubi saw Ping mama enter the courtyard up ahead. She stayed there briefly before sneaking back out. She was very cautious; nubi almost got caught following her.”
Gu Jiu glanced toward the courtyard Qing Zhu mentioned. It was nestled within a grove of trees, far enough away that only its roof was visible.
She was very curious. What business did Ping mama have in that courtyard?
Qing Mei whispered, “Guniang, should we go check it out?”
Gu Jiu considered for a moment, then nodded. “Let’s take a look.”
With Qing Zhu leading the way, they approached the courtyard.
The surroundings were eerily quiet, with not a soul in sight.
Qing Zhu tentatively pushed the gate. To her surprise, it wasn’t locked, and the door opened easily.
Since the door was unlocked, should they enter?
Qing Zhu looked at Gu Jiu, waiting for her decision.
Gu Jiu was straightforward and stepped directly past the gate.
The courtyard was as silent as the exterior—completely deserted.
“There’s no one here. Guniang, perhaps we should leave?” Qing Zhu was growing nervous, a faint sense of fear creeping in.
Gu Jiu, however, furrowed her brows.
A faintly sweet and alluring fragrance wafted through the air, seemingly originating from the main building.
The scent was unfamiliar, but Gu Jiu detected a trace of wild grass within it.
Yi?
A suspicion formed in her mind. Without hesitation, she covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief, briskly striding to the building and pushing the door open.
The fragrance intensified, pouring out of the room and dispersing into the courtyard.
It was a drugged incense!
Gu Jiu waved her hand to dispel the scent. “Cover your noses. It’ll dissipate soon,” she instructed the maids before stepping inside.
Lying helpless on the bed was Pei Yun. She hadn’t expected that a momentary lapse would lead to her being drugged.
Anger and panic welled within her.
What now?
If someone entered the room, what would she do?
Who could be behind this?
Was it the prefect’s furen or her father’s political enemies?
Pei Yun gritted her teeth. If someone tried to defile her, she swore she would kill them and then take her own life.
At that moment, the door opened.
Pei Yun’s eyes widened in shock and fear.
Who had come?
To her surprise, she heard a young girl’s voice.
“Cover your noses. It’ll dissipate soon.”
Pei Yun was desperate to see who had arrived, but her body refused to move. Only her eyes darted about.
Gu Jiu entered, her nose and mouth covered. The drugged incense was still burning, filling the room with its cloying aroma. She quickly extinguished it.
Looking toward the adjoining bedroom, she saw Pei Yun lying on the bed.
“You…” Wasn’t this the young woman who had disguised herself as a man at Tianmen Temple?
After a moment of composure, Gu Jiu asked, “How did you end up here?”
Pei Yun tried to speak, but her tongue was stiff, and no sound emerged.
Gu Jiu immediately reassured her, “Don’t worry. It’s just a drugged incense. The antidote is simple—cold water.”
Pei Yun’s eyes shone with gratitude. Thank goodness, she was saved.
Gu Jiu wasted no time. “Xiao Cui, Yanzi, fetch a basin of water. Qing Zhu, keep watch at the gate. Notify me immediately if anyone approaches. Qing Mei, stay and assist me.”
Everyone swiftly carried out her orders.
Qing Mei, covering her nose and mouth, entered the room and gasped upon seeing Pei Yun.
“Guniang, this… this…”
Gu Jiu remained calm. “This guniang has been drugged. Say nothing of this matter to anyone. Do you understand?”
Qing Mei nodded fervently.
Thinking of Ping mama’s suspicious behaviour earlier, it seemed likely that Pei Yun had been targeted by her.
What a disaster.
Qing Mei’s panic subsided under Gu Jiu’s composed gaze. Guniang was right, she couldn’t speak of this. Ping mama belonged to the Gu family.
If word got out that a Gu family member had plotted against another noblewoman within the general’s estate, the Gu family’s reputation would suffer immensely.
Unmarried young ladies of the Gu family would bear the brunt of the scandal, including Gu Jiu.
“Guniang, the water is here,” Xiao Cui called from the doorway.
“Bring it to me,” Qing Mei instructed, taking the basin from her. “You two stand guard outside.”
“Yes, Qing Mei jiejie.”
Closing the door, Qing Mei brought the water to Gu Jiu.
“Guniang, the cold water is ready.”
Gu Jiu reassured Pei Yun with a warm smile. “Don’t worry. You’ll recover soon.”
Pei Yun’s gratitude grew deeper. She hadn’t expected to be so fortunate. Just as she had reached the brink of despair, this young woman had come to her rescue.
Gu Jiu used the cold water to wipe Pei Yun’s face and limbs, then made her drink a large glass.
Gradually, Pei Yun regained control over her fingers and tongue.
“Thank you!” Pei Yun said, her voice filled with emotion.
Gu Jiu smiled faintly. “No need to thank me.”
“What is your name? Which family do you belong to?” Pei Yun asked curiously.
“I am Gu Jiu,” she replied.
Pei Yun’s eyes lit up. “Are you the daughter of Gu daren, Jinzhou’s Provincial Governor?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “He is my father.”
Pei Yun grasped her hand tightly. “Thank you! My name is Pei Yun.”
As expected, she was the daughter of Lu hou Pei Ren.
Gu Jiu smiled. “There’s no need for thanks, Pei guniang. You’ll recover fully soon.”
Pei Yun nodded.
At that moment, Qing Zhu knocked lightly on the door.
Gu Jiu turned to her, sensing urgency.
Qing Zhu whispered anxiously, “Er guniang, something’s wrong. Nubi saw liu shaoye heading this way!”
“Are you sure?”
Gu Jiu didn’t dare believe it. It was actually Gu Cheng.
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