Additionally, this is your Zhan Country’s territory! How many heads do I have to chop off if I go to assassinate your crown prince?
Seeing his complaint, Gu Jiao spread her hands, "Haven’t you even assassinated an emperor before?"
Yuan Tang clenched his fists. "That was for show! How would I dare to actually kill your emperor! Do I have a death wish?"
Gu Jiao glanced at him, "Is colluding with the enemy state’s imperial consort any different from seeking death?"
Yuan Tang choked.
Thinking of something, Yuan Tang chuckled mischievously, "Eh? Why don’t you tell your empress dowager? Empress Dowager Zhuang trusts you a lot, doesn’t she? She wouldn’t disbelieve what you say, would she?"
Gu Jiao remained silent.
After a long pause, she finally spoke indifferently, "Is the fact that she trusts me the reason I should plunge a knife into her heart?"
Yuan Tang choked again.
He had forgotten, the blood running through Prince Ning’s veins was the same as Empress Dowager Zhuang’s.
Prince Ning might have let down many people, but he had never failed Empress Dowager Zhuang.
His filial piety towards Empress Dowager Zhuang was sincere.
Yuan Tang looked intently at Gu Jiao, "So... what exactly are you planning? I need to know whether we will be enemies or friends in the future."
It was no surprise that Yuan Tang would ask such a question, as even he could see that Prince Ning would not harm Gu Jiao.
Prince Ning surely couldn’t have failed to guess that Gu Jiao had already discerned the truth by now. He had never intended to take Gu Jiao’s life from the very beginning, and Yuan Tang could think of several reasons for this.
Firstly, Gu Jiao was the apple of Empress Dowager Zhuang’s eye. To harm Gu Jiao would not end well with Empress Dowager Zhuang.
Secondly, Prince Ning also needed Gu Jiao to treat his consort’s illness, of course, assuming Prince Ning had feelings for his consort.
Thirdly, and most importantly, Gu Jiao was an outsider. She couldn’t care less about the princes’ struggle for the throne. Even if Prince Ning turned the crown prince’s situation into a grassland, what did it have to do with Gu Jiao?
Since Prince Ning would not kill her, then there was no need for her to be his enemy, was there?
Gu Jiao spoke calmly, "I will only do what I think is necessary."
Yuan Tang didn’t understand, "What do you mean by that? Are you going to oppose Prince Ning or not?" freёwebnovel.com
Gu Jiao looked at him, "Actually, that’s the question I should be asking you."
"To Prince Ning’s residence," Gu Jiao said.
"Alright!"
Xiao Sanzi drove the carriage to Prince Ning’s residence.
The consort of Prince Ning met Gu Jiao in her Courtyard; she had tea served, "Are you here to follow up on my treatment, Doctor Gu? I remember the follow-up appointment was three days from now."
Implicitly, she noticed that Gu Jiao wouldn’t visit without good reason.
Gu Jiao was forthright, not beating around the bush, "Your Highness, can I trust you?"
The consort of Prince Ning’s hand, holding the teacup, paused.
...
Prince Ning and the crown prince were busy in the cabinet until very late, and it was deep into the night by the time he returned to the residence.
The consort of Prince Ning was drinking tea in the Pavilion.
Prince Ning, rubbing his temples, walked towards her, and the servants drew the curtains for him. Only then did he notice Duke Rui’s consort was also there.
He was slightly taken aback but quickly regained his composure, smiling warmly, "Suxin, I have returned, and the third sister-in-law is also here."
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