The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 954 - 954 437 sets of sacks (before dawn)_2

Chapter 954: 437 sets of sacks (before dawn)_2 Chapter 954: 437 sets of sacks (before dawn)_2 Prince Ning harbored resentment in his heart, but it wasn’t this matter he resented—it was later when she sought out Prince Ning’s consort.

Even so, all he did was burn down one of her workshops.

After that, she emptied his treasury.

Honestly, Gu Jiao did not believe Prince Ning would go after Xiao Liulang just for a treasury.

Gu Jiao thought of the Crown Princess’s guilty demeanor.

She was related to this matter.

Could it be—

Had she already guessed Xiao Liulang’s real identity? And also told Prince Ning?

Just because Prince Ning wouldn’t touch Xiao Liulang, did not mean he wouldn’t lay a hand on Xiao Hen.

The Crown Princess was once Xiao Hen’s fiancée, the two of them grew up together like childhood sweethearts. If Prince Ning misunderstood that the Crown Princess still harbored feelings for Xiao Hen, given his twisted nature, he would likely kill Xiao Hen nine times out of ten.

Wait a second.

Kill Xiao Hen?

A flash crossed Gu Jiao’s mind, yet it was too fleeting to catch.

“Doctor Gu, what are you thinking about?” Yuan Tang interrupted Gu Jiao’s thoughts.

“I’m thinking.”

“Oh no! It’s burning, it’s burning!” A cry of alarm came from within the Grand Hall from a little medicine boy.

Gu Jiao stood up, and since Yuan Tang was closer to the door, he immediately pulled open the door of the Consulting Room and walked out.

A medicine boy had accidentally dropped a fire starter into the medicinal wine, and the entire jar caught fire.

Seeing this, Yuan Tang hurriedly went over, picked up the burning jar, and took it to an open space in the Backyard.

Seeing this scene, a lightbulb went off in Gu Jiao’s head, and she finally grasped the thought that had eluded her.

Yes, fire.

The great fire from four years ago!

Could it be that the fire was not set by Princess Xinyang, but by Prince Ning instead?

And was it mistakenly attributed to Xiao Liulang for some reason?

If it truly was his doing, then this grudge was significant.

This time his abduction of Xiao Liulang was not just to intimidate her, but he genuinely wanted Xiao Liulang dead.

She had planned to slowly harvest this pot of ‘gold chives,’ but he dared to touch her husband!

Gu Jiao had no evidence for what had happened four years ago, but that did not matter anymore. Even leaving aside the old debt from four years ago, just for this one time, his sins were unforgivable.

In the afternoon, Gu Jiao made a trip to the Imperial Palace.

Prince Ning was a prince greatly favored by the Emperor. He was currently working in the Ministry of Personnel, and he would occasionally be summoned by the Emperor to the Imperial Study Room or to Huaqing Palace. Recently, due to the search for Xiao Liulang, the Emperor almost summoned him and the Crown Prince daily, inquiring about the progress of the matter.

Although Gu Jiao was not in the palace, she was in close contact with Renshou Palace and had heard some details from the mouth of Eunuch Qin.

Gu Jiao arrived at the palace and asked the guard on duty, “Has Prince Ning entered the palace yet?”

The guard recognized her, knew that she was favored by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and was happy to do her a favor, especially since it wasn’t a secret, “He has entered.”

Gu Jiao then asked, “Did he go to the Imperial Study Room or to Huaqing Palace?”

The guard replied, “He went in the direction of Huaqing Palace.”

“Thank you,” Gu Jiao thanked him, then turned and headed toward Huaqing Palace.

Gu Jiao had not yet managed to gain the same kind of immediate access to Huaqing Palace as she had in Renshou Palace; she still needed to be announced. However, Eunuch Wei soon came to greet her with quick steps, inviting Gu Jiao inside.

Eunuch Wei said, “What brings Miss Gu here today? Are you here to inquire about Lord Xiao’s whereabouts?”

Gu Jiao had only informed her Aunt of the news that Xiao Liulang had been found, but not the Emperor, so Eunuch Wei was unaware.

Gu Jiao responded with a nod, “That’s right, I’m here to ask for news.”

Eunuch Wei said, “Perfect timing, Prince Ning is also here, you could ask him if he has found any clues.”

There could not possibly be any clues, for the man was already at home.

Gu Jiao symbolically met with the Emperor and Prince Ning to inquire about the progress of the case.

As expected, there was no progress at all.

The Emperor was very anxious, “It’s been so long without news, could he be… ”

Gu Jiao watched Prince Ning’s expression; his face showed concern without a hint of schadenfreude.

Indeed.

If he wasn’t well-hidden, he wouldn’t have been able to carry on with the Crown Princess for so long without being discovered.

The Emperor closed his eyes in grief, “Send more people, no matter what, we need to find him alive or bring back his body!”

Prince Ning bowed and complied, “Yes! Your son obeys!”

The Emperor sighed, “I will also assign a few more people to assist you. You will have to work hard these next few days… I hope to find Xiao Liulang as soon as possible.”

“Your son will go search immediately!” said Prince Ning, bowing and leaving the Imperial Study Room.

Gu Jiao thought for a moment, then said, “Your Highness Prince Ning, do you mind if I leave the palace with you?”

Prince Ning, taken aback, nodded after a moment, “Of course not, Doctor Gu, please.”

“Your Majesty, I will take my leave,” Gu Jiao bid farewell to the Emperor.

The Emperor was currently worried about Xiao Liulang’s safety and did not keep Gu Jiao for a meal in Huaqing Palace.

Gu Jiao exited the Imperial Palace with Prince Ning.

Along the way, the two chatted idly, showing no signs of past conflict.

Just before getting into the carriage, Prince Ning smiled and said, “Doctor Gu, if you and I could always get along this well, I could pretend as if nothing had ever happened.”

Gu Jiao did not respond to his remark but instead asked, “I didn’t come by carriage today, could you give me a lift?”

“Of course,” Prince Ning gestured generously, indicating for Gu Jiao to get into the carriage.

Gu Jiao climbed into the carriage, and Prince Ning also sat down.

There was a polite and formal distance maintained between him and Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao spoke seriously, “I have some words I want to share privately with Prince Ning.”

Prince Ning gave her a deep look, smiled knowingly, and commanded, “You all stop here, do not follow us.”

The royal guards halted.

The carriage rode on for a bit.

Prince Ning asked, “Can you speak now?”

Damn you!

Gu Jiao, with a swoosh, stood up and shoved Prince Ning into a sack!