Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times

Chapter 216: Chapter 126: Zhou Mu’s Cunning Plan Chapter 216: Chapter 126: Zhou Mu’s Cunning Plan “People of Liuzhou, what kind of person is our Prince Mu? He is the grandson most cherished by His Majesty, the only legitimate son of the Former Crown Prince, with illustrious military exploits and a renowned reputation that spreads far and wide, just like a Divine Residence above the Nine Heavens, to which we can only bow and worship. Yet it’s she! An Abandoned Wife, who had the audacity to shamelessly seduce the Commandery Prince!”

“With someone as revered as Prince Mu, how many noble ladies and daughters of prominent families await his favor? Gu Changsheng, did you ever see where you come from, your status? How do you qualify? By what right?” Hu Bingzhi, his face full of righteous indignation, said words that caused a great uproar among the crowd.

Prince Mu and Gu Changsheng?

If Gu Changsheng’s Husband worked at Prince Mu’s Mansion, they could accept it, but if her Husband was Prince Mu himself, that they simply could not accept!

“Hu Bingzhi, say one more word, and see if I don’t have someone shoot you right here!” Yuan Bao broke free from Gu Changsheng’s restraint, his face flushed with anger.

It’s over, Hu Bingzhi, this fool, said what should have been said and what shouldn’t have been. If his master finds out, he’d definitely skin him!

“Shoot me? I am an official at the Imperial Medical Bureau, a close minister to the Emperor, who would dare to shoot me?” Hu Bingzhi stood fearless against Yuan Bao, and again disdainfully pointed at Gu Changsheng, “Even if you threaten me with death, I’ll still finish saying what I need to say. Gu Changsheng, just by what right do you dare to fantasize about clinging to the mighty? Know your place and roll out of Liuzhou, go off somewhere to live and die on your own!”

“What part of you is worthy of His Highness Prince Mu, the lofty? Aren’t you afraid of what Everyone in the world would say? With the force of the ant, daring to seduce the Imperial Family, you are really overestimating yourself and bringing disgrace upon yourself!” Hu Bingzhi spat in disdain at Gu Changsheng, his face full of disgust.

“So it seems, Lady Changsheng, she…”

“She really & with Prince Mu…”

“This…”

“…”

Murmurs spread from all around, and only then did Gu Changsheng release the struggling Yuan Bao.

“What he meant to say and what he didn’t, he’s already said it all. What do you plan to do now?” Surrounded from all sides, Hu Bingzhi managed to arrive at her doorstep to quarrel—Yuan Bao, this fool, really thought she, Gu Changsheng, was as foolish as him?

“Lady Changsheng, please hear my explanation…” Yuan Bao ripped out a gag from his mouth, desperation beading in sweat on his forehead.

Everything is ruined, now it’s truly ruined!

“An explanation? What’s there to explain? Explain how Zhou Mu used Hu Bingzhi’s mouth to make our relationship public for all the world? Or explain the unpleasant things he said?” Gu Changsheng’s face remained composed, but her heart was already surging tumultuously.

She understood Zhou Mu’s urgent desire to protect her, and appreciated his goodwill, but being manipulated like this wasn’t good at all.

Zhou Mu, even though he was thousands of miles away, still managed to influence his life so significantly.

Should she say he was like a Godfather, or otherwise?

Hu Bingzhi! Just a complete pawn used by Zhou Mu!

“Lady Changsheng, it isn’t like that, the master thinks that at this moment, trying to conceal your existence anymore would be like trying to steal a bell whilst covering one’s ears, it’s better to make it so well-known that no one would dare make a move, especially since the master is out on a campaign, and there are certain things, if they really happened, would be beyond our reach, unless, unless your status could boldly influence the Liuzhou Region!” Yuan Bao wiped the sweat from his forehead while reciting the script he had memorized without missing a beat, knowing he couldn’t afford to miss a word, otherwise, he would really have to perform ritual suicide!

Their conversation, as if no one else was present, undoubtedly affirmed Hu Bingzhi’s words to the onlooking crowd.

Prince Mu and Gu Changsheng indeed had connections!

This realization exploded in the minds of the people…

The Prince Mu, seen as akin to a Divine Residence, had ties with Lady Changsheng!

Although Lady Changsheng is also great and remarkable, that is, after all, Prince Mu!

“Lady Changsheng, is what he said true? Did you truly captivate His Highness Prince Mu?”

“Lady Changsheng, say something in your defense!”

“…”

Amidst the rising and falling calls, Gu Changsheng curved her lips into a smile at the smug Hu Bingzhi, her voice clear and cold, “Do you feel as if you’ve achieved your goal? To incite public anger against me, to make me unwelcome in this world? Hu Bingzhi, after a life of ceaseless effort, how can you be so naive?”

“You’ve underestimated me, Gu Changsheng!”

Upon hearing this, Hu Bingzhi was briefly stunned, but his eyes quickly regained their fearless complacency, “Gu Changsheng, an ant’s strength futilely trying to shake a tree, I’m eager to see how you manage on your own in the Liuzhou Region!”

“Very well, then I’ll let you see how I manage on my own in the Liuzhou Region!” Gu Changsheng murmured, then turned to face the crowd and declared loudly, “Yuan Bao, carry out my order—open the granaries of the County Prince’s Mansion, from today onwards, restore the original price of grain in Liuzhou Region!”

Uncle Song was already on his way back, and the grain compensated by Prince Liang had reached Liuzhou. What she sought was already in her pocket, now she wanted to see, with Zhou Mu, this master of digging pits as her supporter, in the Liuzhou Region, who would dare counter her voice!

“At your command, Lady Changsheng!” Yuan Bao bowed and promptly commanded the guards to properly arrange this matter.

“Effective today, the price of medicine in Liuzhou Region returns to the original price from ten years ago.” Not giving the crowd a chance to regain their composure from the joy of the falling grain prices, Gu Changsheng dropped another bombshell.

The onlooking crowd immediately became restless.

“Rice prices have dropped? Dropped? Really?”

“Lady Changsheng said so, how could it be false?”

“Can we afford to buy rice now? Can we afford the medicine?”

“…”

When personal interests were involved, who still bothered looking at Gu Changsheng with strange eyes?

The doubts, disdain, and contempt from earlier all vanished at that moment, replaced by joy, relief, and tearful gratitude…

“Hu Bingzhi, do you still think I would be scared?” Gu Changsheng casually adjusted his crimson robe, his face expressionless, “Never underestimate your opponent, especially when you don’t know their true strength. Hu Bingzhi, you have lost your bet.”

She would secure her position in the Liuzhou Region with the demeanor of a ruler!

“Gu Changsheng, you!” Hu Bingzhi never expected she could issue orders in place of Prince Mu, and that the people from the County Prince’s Mansion would actually obey her without question!

How much did Prince Mu value this Abandoned Wife? At this moment, Hu Bingzhi suddenly felt uncertain; after those words he spoke, he even wondered whether he could leave the Liuzhou Region alive.

Confronted with life and death, Hu Bingzhi was scared!

“How should Yuan Bao be dealt with? Did Zhou Mu give any instructions?” Gu Changsheng turned her head to look at the cautious Yuan Bao, asking him.

“Er… Originally, my lord had meant to send him back to the Capital City to be dealt with by His Majesty, but he said too much that he shouldn’t have. If this reaches my lord’s ears, he might not even need to return to the Capital City…” Yuan Bao wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, feeling extremely anxious, Godfather, Hu Bingzhi actually said those words to Lady Changsheng, what if she takes them seriously, what then, what then?

His lord had already had such a tough time pursuing his wife, and now one or two individuals were still adding trouble to his lord’s efforts. Isn’t this seeking death?

“Murder is wrong, it would dirty one’s hands!” Gu Changsheng gave Yuan Bao a stern look, then slowly turned to Hu Bingzhi.

At these words, Hu Bingzhi immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

This woman’s words seemed very effective; he felt the relief of having escaped death.

“Hu Bingzhi, using a cleaver to kill a chicken, just increases the blood on one’s hands and is not pleasing. Today, I won’t bother arguing with you.” Gu Changsheng whispered sinisterly, leaning close to his ear, “I hope that when you see His Majesty, you’ll report truthfully about what you’ve seen and heard in Liuzhou. You should know, the crime of deceiving the emperor is punishable by death.”

The previous moment’s relief turned to ice in an instant for Hu Bingzhi, a bone-chilling cold enveloping him.

His Majesty had intended to eliminate Gu Changsheng swiftly, but he had pushed Gu Changsheng into the limelight instead, now under the overt protection of Prince Mu. Even if His Majesty still wanted to make a move, he would have reservations.

Moreover, she had even taken control over the Liuzhou Region!

Drained of strength, Hu Bingzhi collapsed onto the ground, whether he returned to the Capital City or not, he was doomed!

“Imperial Doctor Hu, mourn for yourself. If you handle yourself well in front of His Majesty, perhaps you can still protect your family. I’ll pray for you here…” Gu Changsheng kindly reminded him once more, but to Hu Bingzhi, these words seemed like shackles.

He had to return to the Capital City! He had to present himself to the emperor! He had to report everything he had seen and heard in Liuzhou…

Surrounded by a cold dread, the fear of death left Hu Bingzhi without the strength even to speak.

“Are the Four Great Secret Guards present?” Yuan Bao called out loudly as soon as Gu Changsheng turned.

Four shadows instantly appeared around Gu Changsheng, kneeling on one knee.

“Travel along the Grand Canal to the Capital City, and ensure you deliver Hu Bingzhi personally to His Majesty in the shortest time possible. My lord has a message for you to relay to His Majesty: ‘As long as Lady Changsheng is safe, Liuzhou is safe, and the million soldiers marching to Southern Fujian are safe. If Lady Changsheng is harmed, then His Majesty may consider he has no such unworthy descendant!’” Yuan Bao’s words rang out, echoing under the watchful eyes of all.

The Four Great Secret Guards received the order, quickly grabbed Hu Bingzhi, and disappeared from the spot.

Even Gu Changsheng was momentarily stunned upon hearing Yuan Bao’s words.

If the defeat was a hidden compulsion, then Zhou Mu’s words were undoubtedly an overt threat to the current emperor.

This was a capital offense!

Gu Changsheng silently sighed, looked up at the sky, her eyes slightly moist.

Zhou Mu, why go to such lengths? For her, was it worth it?

At that moment, Gu Changsheng admitted she was moved. Her heart, silent for two lifetimes, stirred slightly, growing until it enveloped her whole being!

Deep love is hard to bear, entrusted with life!

Zhou Mu, upon knowing that Hu Bingzhi had come bearing a life-threatening mission, had already made the most meticulous arrangements for her. Such a man, thousands of miles away, still strategizing behind the scenes, still ceaselessly worrying about her safety!

Such a man, even if her heart was as still as water, she couldn’t help but be moved!