Chapter 1369: When the Host Lives, the Gu Remains; When the Host Dies, the Gu Emerges
Chapter 1369: Chapter 1369: When the Host Lives, the Gu Remains; When the Host Dies, the Gu Emerges
Caught off guard by Princess Consort Ji’s blunt question, Shang Meinang’s face flushed crimson; she felt rather awkward and ill at ease.
She shook her head slightly and replied, "This maidservant and my lord keep strictly within the bounds of propriety; there has been no improper conduct."
Princess Consort Ji was somewhat surprised, yet there was a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. Following her son for so many years and still remaining a spotless girl—her character could be seen from that.
If Song Ci knew, she would probably only have two thoughts: first, that Chu Ze was useless, unable to be moved by a beauty; second, that Chu Ze simply had no designs on Shang Meinang, so the girl was destined to remain pure.
"You can be considered faithful," Princess Consort Ji said approvingly, then fell silent before adding, "If possible, should you bear Ze’er’s child, this palace will credit you with great merit."
This was getting more and more out of line.
Shang Meinang’s face turned red to the tips of her ears; she felt her cheeks burning so hot they were about to catch fire.
The Princess Consort of Min County gave a light cough.
Princess Consort Ji cast her a sidelong glance, gave a soft snort, and changed the subject, asking, "Since you were once the spy of that criminal Xia, this palace and Ze’er’s Poisonous Insect Poison—do you know how to remove it?"
Whenever she thought about that little bug lurking inside her, ready to flare up at any moment, she broke out in goosebumps all over. She did not know how many times she had sent in her visiting card to the palace, begging the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to show mercy, to post an Imperial List to invite Divine Doctors from all under heaven to come remove the Poisonous Insect, yet they simply ignored her.
That pair of mother and son were vicious to the core.
At the mention of serious matters, Shang Meinang’s expression dimmed, and she said, "This is a mother-and-child Accompanying Poison, originating from the Southern Border. The Gu Master who raised this Poisonous Insect back then has already passed away. This maidservant and my lord have secretly sent people to inquire for many years, yet still have not found a Gu Master truly capable of acting as the lead for this Poisonous Insect. Even the prescription that suppresses the Poisonous Insect Poison was scraped bit by bit from the monthly antidote, then brought to renowned physicians to improve and try, but the results were all minimal."
"This Poisonous Insect was planted by that damned criminal Xia; doesn’t he have a complete prescription?" Princess Consort Ji blurted out in anxiety.
Shang Meinang gave a bitter smile. "The truly complete prescription is with Cabinet Minister Ning and his former subordinates."
Princess Consort Ji’s face went pale. That Cabinet Minister Ning was already utterly dead, his body reduced to ashes—were they supposed to go underground and ask him?
"This won’t do, that won’t do—are we just waiting to die?"
Shang Meinang fell silent.
"How many doses of medicine do you still have?"
"Only one left." Shang Meinang’s face was also clouded with worry. Once the medicine ran out, they could only grit their teeth and endure. If they survived it, they would be fine, but if this had to happen every month, with Chu Ze’s body, how many months could he endure?
It wasn’t that Chu Ze had never endured it before, but after forcing his way through that one time, he had to recuperate for nearly a month.
Princess Consort Ji was almost in tears. "This Poisonous Insect has been in us for so many years; if it were going to kill us, it should’ve killed us already. After all these years, it can still survive? What kind of Poisonous Insect is this powerful—it’s not as if it’s transformed from some Immortal or demon."
It was downright terrifying!
"I’ve heard that some Gu people are born together with Poisonous Insects as their companions—where the person is, the insect is; when the person dies, the insect emerges."
When the person dies, the insect emerges.
Princess Consort Ji’s face turned deathly white. She trembled as she asked, "You mean to say that this thing in my body will likely be the same?"
"This maidservant does not dare to say so, nor can she make a firm judgment—this is merely to illustrate how overbearing some Poisonous Insects are."
Princess Consort Ji swallowed hard and asked, "Then tell me, if this palace were to... were to ascend as an Immortal, would this Poisonous Insect come out, and drag Ze’er’s out along with it?"
The Princess Consort of Min County couldn’t help looking at Princess Consort Ji.
Shang Meinang shook her head. "This maidservant truly does not know, and does not dare to speak carelessly."
She really didn’t know. Back then she’d heard that this Poisonous Insect was that Gu Master’s proudest creation; as to how exactly it was to be triggered, she did not know. Many people had been sent to the Southern Border—either they never returned, or those who did came back with nothing but bad news.