"You're more important."
She gritted her teeth so hard it seemed they would shatter as she uttered these words. She could even feel Sheng Yunqi's disappointed and fiery gaze burning into her back. Du Gu Luanyue didn't even dare to turn around.
Huo Wei swallowed hard. His thin lips curled up slightly in a slow, confident manner. Without a hint of haste, he opened the Ruyi Lock and popped the Nine - Lives Golden Pill into his mouth.
His smile was devilishly arrogant as he calmly said, "Sorry, Young Master Sheng. I'm afraid I've offended you."
Du Gu Luanyue spun around and left Huo Wei's courtyard. As she flung her sleeves, the wind seemed to pick up in intensity. Choking back the anger in her chest, her eyes turned red with rage.
She truly hated this Huo Wei at times.
The curses of Shen Guilan and Murong Jue echoed through the courtyard one after another. Huo Wei just lay weakly on the threshold, grinning stupidly all the while.
Here, he had won, a double victory.
Shen Guilan picked up his robe from the ground and hurled it at Huo Wei forcefully:
"You madman! I really don't know how you managed to wipe out an entire country of Western Liao. With a head like yours, the Empress Du Gu will surely play with you like a dog in the future!"
Murong Jue howled angrily, baring his teeth:
"Brother, if Father hears what you said just now, both your head and the Empress's will be on the chopping block!
Look at what you've said! It's so unforgivable!"
Huo Wei lay on the threshold, his breath weak. His pale, thin lips still curled up slightly. He wanted to curse back to defend himself, but he simply didn't have the strength.
At this moment, his heart was completely satisfied. After catching his breath and regaining a bit of strength, he gritted his teeth and said:
"I'm a scoundrel, but even a scoundrel has someone who likes him. What about you two!"
Shen Guilan: "..."
Murong Jue: "..."
After a while, Shen Guilan shook his head. Looking at Huo Wei anxiously, he sighed:
"I really didn't expect the Empress Du Gu to have something that only the Emperor of Southern Chu should possess. Even if I knew she had it, I never thought she'd be willing to give it to you.
The Nine - Lives Golden Pill is like a legend in the four kingdoms. I've scoured countless medical books, but I've never found its formula. I only know it's a truly precious thing and have a rough idea of its effects."
Murong Jue asked curiously, "What exactly is this thing? Even our Murong family doesn't have it."
Shen Guilan raised his eyes and said with a touch of emotion:
"The Nine - Lives Golden Pill is not an antidote. It's a pill that can quickly restore all the body's functions.
Detoxification is just a piece of cake for this pill.
The Nine - Lives Golden Pill can work even when a person is on their last breath or has almost bled out.
Even when a person is at the end of their lifespan, this pill can extend their life by more than a decade, or even longer.
At the same time, the pill will gradually restore all the body's functions, similar to reversing the aging process."
Murong Jue's mouth dropped open in shock:
"Good heavens! The Empress has really given my brother a great gift this time!"
He instantly felt less averse to Du Gu Luanyue and began to regret scolding her so harshly just now.
Shen Guilan shook his head. "That's not all." His eyes softened as he quietly looked at Huo Wei:
"The effects of this pill will keep working in your body. From now on, even if you drink the deadliest poison every day, you'll be immune to all poisons.
Any old wounds and scars on your body will also gradually heal. When you're better, go and thank the Empress Du Gu."
Huo Wei blinked. His black eyes were filled with the after - shock of a raging storm: "In the future, I'll do far more than just say thank you to her."
Seeing Sheng Yunqi's increasingly slow steps, Aunt Meijiang comforted him:
"Don't take it to heart, Young Master Sheng. The Empress was just talking nonsense. It was just a temporary measure.
If you work a bit harder, the Empress won't even spare a second glance at that crazy Prince of Yuzhang.
I was really furious today. That Prince of Yuzhang gave away such a precious thing and even forced our Empress to coax him into taking it. It really infuriated me!
Don't worry. The Empress must be extremely angry with the Prince of Yuzhang today and won't talk to him for a while."
Although she had praised the Prince of Yuzhang a few times before, she thought that with his personality, he would surely anger her mistress one day. In contrast, Sheng Yunqi, with his gentle temperament, seemed more suitable.
Du Gu Luanyue would have a busy future, fully devoted to state affairs.
If she ended up with a scoundrel like the Prince of Yuzhang, she'd have to deal with the court officials during the day and then come back to the harem to coax her man at night. Wouldn't that just exhaust and infuriate her mistress!
Sheng Yunqi felt as if his heart was about to stop. All his strength seemed to be drained under the sun. He said weakly, "How did the Crown Princess fall in love with such a scoundrel?"
Du Gu Luanyue walked straight ahead to the main hall of the prefectural yamen and began to summon the officials in Danyang City for a meeting.
She put her personal feelings aside for the time being. For now, it was crucial to block the south city gate.
"Esteemed officials, I'd like to hear your opinions on blocking the south city gate."
Her long, jade - white fingers tapped on the armrest of the chair one by one. Her imposing manner was so solemn that the officials felt an inexplicable pressure. But wasn't she just a woman, the Emperor's step - queen?
An official suggested:
"Your Majesty, in our opinion, keeping the common people locked in the city for a long time may lead to repeated infections of the plague. Why not submit a memorial to the court and transfer the people to other towns?"
Du Gu Luanyue smiled without any real emotion:
"It takes time for the memorial to be approved. From Danyang City to the imperial capital and then all the way up to the Zichen Palace, by the time His Majesty sees it, half a month may have passed.
If His Majesty doesn't agree to this plan, then those half - month will have been wasted.
In this urgent situation, we need a quick and decisive solution. We can't wait any longer."
The general in charge of the defense of Danyang City said:
"I still think it's because the common people are uncooperative. They don't want to stay in the city. They feel like they're just lambs waiting to be slaughtered, so they cause trouble from time to time."
Du Gu Luanyue nodded:
"You're right. Our arrangements and the medicine for treating the plague are all correct. It's just that the common people don't want to stay in the city. They're scared and keep trying to escape.
The riot at the south city gate has been suppressed by the Prince of Yuzhang once. This kind of suppression can work for a few days, but it's not a long - term solution."
An official finally couldn't hold back. Frowning tightly, he asked:
"Your Majesty, I heard that the Prince of Yuzhang has contracted the plague and infected two soldiers. The soldiers have already died. Is something really wrong with the Prince?
If something happens to the Prince, a pillar like him, Danyang City will surely be in chaos."
Du Gu Luanyue looked at him calmly: "The Prince of Yuzhang is brave. How could he fall? Those soldiers already had underlying diseases. It was just a coincidence.
In any case, don't believe the rumors. The Prince of Yuzhang is fine. He just has a few minor injuries."
At this moment, she needed to stabilize the morale of the troops. If Huo Wei really fell or died, it would be a disaster for Southern Chu. Even Aunt Meijiang didn't understand this point.