After becoming pregnant, the cold-hearted nobles all went mad.

Gu Qinghong stood up straight, his voice filled with righteousness: "That drawing was also done by your humble servant."

"But it was later bought by a woman from a prestigious family," he added to himself, lowering his gaze.

Even today, Gu Qinghong still finds it unbelievable when he recalls that day. He was about to give up because his parents no longer had the money to support his studies, but things suddenly took a turn for the better.

Shen Lingyi appeared, staring at the bright sun.

Gu Qinghong's eyes dimmed again in an instant. It was a pity... he had never seen her again after he entered the court as an official.

Gu Qinghong thought to herself, "Perhaps it was my ungratefulness last time that disappointed this second young lady of the general's mansion." She also despised herself.

These words caused an uproar.

The veteran officials' eyes widened at these words.

When that water conservancy map appeared out of nowhere, they tried almost every means to find out who presented the map to His Majesty, but all they could find out was the word "Goddess".

At that time, many people privately cursed, asking what this goddess was.

Even if you can't find the answer, don't try to fob them off with such absurd statements!

Gu Qinghong replied, "I have some connection with that goddess. To repay her kindness, I presented this painting to her. I never expected that she would present it to Your Majesty. This has relieved me of a long-cherished wish."

"However, this painting was made casually by your humble servant and is not perfect. It is only today that it is completely perfect."

The Minister of Works' lips twitched. What does "made on a whim" mean?

This makes it seem like the Ministry of Works under his leadership is incompetent.

Fortunately, Pei Heng did not blame him; otherwise, as the Minister, he would have had to take off his official hat and apologize.

"Minister Gu is exceptionally talented and truly a pillar of our Great Wei," Pei Heng said. "Then I will entrust this matter to you and Minister Li. If you do well, you will be richly rewarded."

"Yes."

A group of people dressed in vermilion official robes emerged from the Golden Palace. Gu Qinghong, dressed in blue, stood tall and straight like a bamboo.

Some ministers wanted to curry favor with this young official who was about to become the emperor's favorite, but Gu Qinghong said, "There's no need to give gifts. His Majesty has ordered that officials are not allowed to accept bribes in private."

He paused, then said, "However, if you really have that century-old ginseng, you can give it to General Shen. As far as I know, General Shen has been unwell recently."

Shen Su, who was suddenly called out, was taken aback.

"I?"

The official was also stunned, his mind racing to figure out what connection Gu Qinghong had with the General's Mansion. Then he remembered a rumor that Gu Qinghong had been staying at a private residence under the General's Mansion before participating in this year's imperial examination.

After realizing what he meant, he immediately smiled and replied, "Of course, General Shen is the great Wei Dongliang."

"I will send the century-old ginseng to the general's mansion as soon as I get back."

Shen Su was completely bewildered.

I don't know how, but as we were talking, I ended up giving myself the gift.

Just as he was completely bewildered, he saw Gu Qinghong bow to him from afar. He paused for a moment, then immediately returned the bow.

After leaving the palace, he hurriedly boarded his carriage and went to Shen Lingyi's residence to ask, "Did you keep someone at your private residence on Zhuque Street?"

Shen Lingyi was puzzled: "Father, why are you only asking now? Didn't the steward tell you about it half a month ago? You didn't pay attention at the time."

That's because your father doesn't know who that person is!

Shen Su rubbed his forehead, not too bothered, as he was already used to it: "You and Gu Qinghong are very close?"

Then he brought up the matter of the money in the Golden Palace.

"Not very good."

After listening, Shen Lingyi thought about it. It wasn't that she cared about Gu Qinghong's attitude, but she was hesitant about whether to suggest that her father get to know more people, even if they didn't form cliques, so that he wouldn't fight alone.

Otherwise, when something happens at the General's Mansion and he has to go to the battlefield, there won't be anyone to help or dissuade him.

Shen Su shook his head, having already decided not to pursue the matter further: "Fine, as long as you know what's going on."

Shen Lingyi had no choice but to swallow her words.

Forget it, she can deal with this after she cures Pei Heng of the Gu poison.

Besides Shen Lingyi being the most crucial person, a lot of preparations need to be made to cure Pei Heng's poison. Qing Le has been preparing for this since the hunt.

It has been almost a month since we finally gathered all the medicinal herbs we needed.

Many of them were bought from the ghost market.

It was late at night, and a full moon hung outside the window, making the room bright and airy.

Shen Lingyi sat by the window for a long time: "Call a carriage and go to the palace."

Peony was startled: "Miss, according to Qingle, tonight's attack will be more severe than usual..."

"Does your young lady have any fear?" Shen Lingyi smiled. "I'm tired of drinking the tonics for the past few days. I can't drink them anymore. It's better to solve the problem sooner rather than later."

The poison administered by Consort Wan has the effect of causing him to have no offspring. With this poison, Pei Heng will never have any children in his life.

Her goal was thus unattainable.

Thinking of someone who had promised to help her, Shen Lingyi asked Shaoyao with some curiosity, "Where's Xu Yanqing?"

To everyone's surprise, this question angered Peony: "You don't need to ask him anymore. The carriage is ready. Miss, go and come back quickly."

The palace was even more solemn and dignified than usual under the cover of night. The leading palace maid carried a palace lantern, and the candlelight illuminated the area in front of her.

As the palace maid approached the Zichen Palace, she dared not go any further. "Miss, please, His Majesty is inside right now."

Looking at the door, which was closed but ajar, Shen Lingyi thought to herself, "Like a lamb entering a tiger's den."

"Miss...this servant will wait for you."

After finishing her sentence, Peony followed the palace maid and left.

Now, Shen Lingyi is truly all alone.

There was no one in the Zichen Palace. Pei Heng, suffering from the backlash of the Gu poison, would likely harm someone. Tonight, no one was destined to approach.

With a creak, the door opened.

Shen Lingyi took off her shoes and walked barefoot. Some torn silk was scattered on the ground. It wasn't very cold. She searched everywhere for the dark figure in her memory, but she couldn't find Pei Heng.

Shen Lingyi was stunned when she saw the man bound by chains on the bed.

"Well……"

Pei Heng let out a low, angry roar, his eyes bloodshot, filled with nothing but desire and devoid of reason. He stared intently at Shen Lingyi, his gaze as if he wanted to tear her clothes to shreds.

Even though Shen Lingyi had seen Pei Heng go berserk so many times, she was never as frightened as she was now.

Previously, he appeared to be ill, but in reality, he remained rational.

The person in front of her now was a complete beast, and Shen Lingyi understood how different that was.

But she still tried calling out, slowly leaning closer: "Your Majesty?"

"Don't you recognize me?"

With a whoosh, the chains instantly tightened to their maximum tension.

Pei Heng pounced on Shen Lingyi like a wild beast pouncing on its prey, but because the chain was made of gold and was heavier than iron, no matter how strong the man was, he was still pulled back.

But he refused to give up, pulling and tugging until the veins on his hands bulged and he was covered in wounds.

Shen Lingyi, inexplicably enraged, shouted, "Don't move!"