vrcanaries Chapter 393 Obtaining the New Drug
Chapter 393 Obtaining the New Drug
He Jinghui continued to probe for clues, "You said you pushed her away, so what did she do to you then?"
"What specific actions did they take? What did they say? What were the characteristics of their voice?"
Mu Nanzhao remained expressionless. "I don't know."
"You don't know?!" He Jinghui exclaimed incredulously.
"With your memory and observation skills, even if you don't remember what happened after you returned to the Prince's Mansion."
"You can't possibly forget what happened in the South Pavilion."
Upon hearing "what happened after returning to the Prince's Mansion," Mu Nanzhao's temple throbbed violently.
He said irritably, "Do I need to pay attention to her?"
He Jinghui paused for a moment, then said, "That's true."
"Apart from Boss Gu, I don't think I've seen you give any other girl a second glance."
"Besides, if it appeared at that moment, it was either a trap or a beautiful but treacherous woman. You were right not to look."
Mu Nanzhao picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, wrote down a few names, and handed them to He Jinghui.
"Check this."
He Jinghui had already checked the guest list for that day, and after reviewing it, he nodded and said:
"The prime suspects can only be a few of them."
"It depends on this person's purpose, whether he just wants to force his daughter into a marriage alliance with you."
"Or is there some other, more complex plan..."
He Jinghui folded the paper, stood up, and laughed, "This matter isn't difficult to investigate."
"I and the Regent's staff are enough."
"You should rest well at home for the next two days. Gu Xixi said you have too much internal heat and should eat more foods that nourish yin and replenish qi."
"I've already spoken to the kitchen and told them to be extra careful."
Before Mu Nanzhao could glare at him, He Jinghui had already anticipated this and leaped over the threshold.
Two more days passed.
At Yuzhu Courtyard, everyone helped Gu Xixi pack her belongings.
Gu Xixi brought two bundles with her, but now she has six.
Inside were clothes that Gu Xixi had bought in the capital, as well as gifts and local specialties for relatives and friends.
The two full bundles were added by He Jinglan.
Gu Xixi looked at the row of unpacked bundles and sighed, "This is too much."
"We don't need this or these."
He Jinglan insisted, "No."
"New clothes and shoes for Aunt Zhang, Old Jiang, and Stone; Aunt Zhang's usual needles and thread, all in the latest colors from the capital. Several packets of medicine for Old Jiang. Stone's writing set, calligraphy practice books, and toys. Do you think anyone's things would be missing from this list?"
"There are also these kinds of candied fruits, two jars of pastries, and ten packs of assorted candies. These are all flavors that can only be found in a few old shops in Beijing. Since you've come all the way to Beijing, you should at least bring out some things for the villagers to try when they ask about them."
Gu Xixi was speechless and could only watch as He Jinglan directed the packing.
As Lü Jing folded the clothes, she smiled and said, "Although there's a lot of stuff, there's no need to worry."
"We have a carriage, and it was empty when we came. It's perfect to go back and load up more cargo."
Gu Xixi saw Ziyan put a rectangular brocade box into her bundle.
"Wait, this hairpin isn't mine, don't get it wrong."
Ziyan smiled and glanced at He Jinglan.
He Jinglan said, "That's right, it's yours."
The box contained the gold cloisonné flat square hairpin and glass hair ornament that Gu Xixi wore during the flower appreciation banquet.
This item is extremely valuable, and Gu Xixi assumed that it was borrowed from He Jinglan's collection.
Gu Xixi said seriously, "Don't be silly, this hairpin can buy two shops in the East Market."
Even if you're willing to give it away, I have no way of accepting it.
As he spoke, he was about to take out the brocade box.
He Jinglan blocked her hand while chuckling softly, "Look at her, she's getting impatient."
"If she really becomes the lady of the house in the future, I wonder how she'll manage such a large family fortune."
Gu Xixi was puzzled, and then she noticed that not only He Jinglan was smiling strangely, but Ziyan, Lüla, and others were also looking at her with pursed lips and smiles.
Lu Jing looked around in confusion and asked with a smile, "What are you all laughing at?"
Tell us about anything interesting.
Everyone laughed even harder.
He Jinglan said, "Xixi understands me, and I understand Xixi."
"Do you think I would give you something so flashy and impractical if I knew you wouldn't accept it?"
Gu Xixi frowned slightly, and after thinking about it again, she understood.
She looked at He Jinglan questioningly.
He Jinglan smiled and nodded.
Gu Xixi stared at the brocade box in silence for a moment, then didn't mention taking it out again.
Lü Jing blinked, as if she understood something.
She didn't ask any more questions and continued packing her luggage.
"They're all boxes, let's put this in the middle."
According to the folk customs of the Daye Dynasty, it was of special significance for a man to give a hairpin to a woman he admired for the first time, which could be interpreted as expressing his feelings.
The apricot blossom hairpin worn by the top scholar was another form of hairpin.
The room was bustling with activity when a maid from the outer room came to deliver a message.
He Jinglan put down her things and went out for a while.
Upon returning, he laughed and said, "My brother said that Boss Gu is returning to his hometown the day after tomorrow, which coincides with his inspection of the dikes in the south. He regrets that he cannot see him off at the pavilion, so he wants to hold a banquet at Juxianlou a day earlier tomorrow."
"Let's have a lively get-together before we part."
The crowd cheered, and Gu Xixi smiled too.
The bags were packed, and everyone went to prepare for tomorrow's trip, leaving He Jinglan and Gu Xixi alone to talk.
"The matter of him being drugged has been resolved."
"It's nothing more than power struggles and backstabbing."
"My brother said a few words, but I didn't ask for details."
"But what you wanted, I do have."
He Jinglan took out a small bottle from her sleeve pocket. In addition to the cork, the bottle mouth was also sealed with wax.
"The evidence my brother found is said to be a secret medicine from the southwest."
"It takes effect upon skin contact, so the bottle contains a wax pill with the medicine sealed inside, which serves as a double insurance."
Gu Xixi was not a doctor and had not been able to diagnose what medicine Mu Nanzhao had been given.
So she was curious about what kind of formula it was that made the medicine so potent.
Gu Xixi put the medicine bottle into her crossbody bag. "I'll ask my master to take a look when I get back. Maybe he can make a suitable antidote."
He Jinglan smiled and said, "For someone?"
Gu Xixi did not deny it.
Although this medicine is rare, it can attract bees and butterflies like Mu Nanzhao, and who knows, it might come again someday.
The following day, a banquet was held at Juxianlou Restaurant, and only the closest friends were invited.
Jiang Mingyuan, An Qinghe, and Lü Jing were among those invited.
The atmosphere at the dinner was very lively.
An Qinghe and Gu Xixi discussed the many things they would do upon returning to the Northwest.
Jiang Mingyuan said he had been ordered to return to the Northwest to serve as an official, and that when he returned home, he would be accompanied by Lü Jing, making it a four-person trip.
He Jinglan participated with great interest, detailing how prosperous Ganyuju's business had been recently and what its future plans were.
With eyes full of anticipation, Lü Jing inquired about the conditions in the Northwest.
Only the Regent sat there radiating cold air.
He Jinghui nudged Mu Nanzhao, "At least smile a little, don't just drink alone in silence."
"You haven't spoken a single word to Boss Gu since that night, have you?"
"She's leaving first thing tomorrow morning, don't you want to say anything to her?"
Mu Nanzhao looked coldly at the person opposite him.
An Qinghe said something that made Gu Xixi laugh so hard she almost fell over, while Jiang Mingyuan, standing next to her, watched her with a smile.
"Does it matter whether I say it or not?"