Chapter 148 The Rescue

Gu Qiang raised her eyes, looking at Shen Zhongbai curiously, not knowing what this man was thinking. Was he upset because she didn’t love him, or because things were not going on as he wished?

Had everything rolled out as what he hoped for, he wouldn’t have been acting so weirdly now.

Perhaps it was because he started to act like an emperor, there was an oppressive evil spirit exuding from him. How could he simply use it upon a vulnerable woman?

But in the imperial palace, Gu Qiang was alone with no one to turn to. What she could do was to stare at him, letting him know that she would not give in.

“What exactly do you want?” said Gu Qiang coldly.

Shen Zhongbai drew closer; a smile curled on his face as he gritted his teeth, “I want you to marry me. The imperial edict on your marriage with Shen Qianshan is no longer valid.”

Gu Qiang glared at him as though wishing to kill him with her eyes. Indeed, that was her real thought.

“That’s impossible. You don’t know how much we have suffered to get to where we are right now! You don’t know how difficult it is!” The reason why she could sit here whole and healthy was that she had got support from her brother, Gu Huaian, who was now imprisoned in the palace. And now with her heart torn with anxiety, she felt on pin and needles, wishing to come to his rescue immediately.

Gu Qiang’s reaction seemed to have pleased Shen Zhongbai. He now had her whole attention, even though it was only about hatred, at least he had left a mark in her heart.

Far away from them, a woman was walking towards them, lissome and graceful. Even though the imperial palace was cloaked in a grave and solemn mood, her smile was as beautiful as ever.

Nobody would know she was once the most popular courtesan in a brothel simply by judging from her face, as she was always graceful and elegant.

Noticing her coming, Shen Zhongbai suddenly turned to Gu Qiang who was sitting on a chair, “If you marry me, we will share this country, and I will make you the Empress if you want.”

“What if I don’t?” said Gu Qiang, raising her eyebrows at Shen Zhongbai.

“Then your brother will be forever imprisoned in the palace. I could order his death at any moment. You know I will get you at any cost,” said Shen Zhongbai. Then he walked to Shen Qiangwei and held her in his arms, like showing off his power or demonstrating his love for her.

He still got her Achilles’ heel. Family and love were all her soft spots.

Lowering her head, she clutched her fists; her fingernails were too long that they stuck into her flesh, with blood dripping down onto the cold autumn ground. But she acted as though she felt nothing.

Who cared about being the Empress, or ruling the country? What she wanted was nothing more than the happiness of her brother, who happened to think the same for her. How could they end up this way? God really liked to make fools of people.

At this moment, Changning cloaked in white walked out of the tracery wall in the yard, taking her seat next to Gu Qiang.

She made Gu Qiang a cup of tea and then helped herself with one. “I’ve seen your brother. If you are ready, we can get him out of the palace tonight,” she said, sipping her tea.

Gu Qiang turned to look at Changning, fully surprised. As the eldest princess in this country, she had witnessed the death of two emperors, and nobody could ignore her presence.

Gu Qiang could never be on an equal footing with her as her title of Infanta was only obtained from Empress Dowager by luck.

“Are you sure, Your Highness? You know brother…” said Gu Qiang in a low voice.

The late Emperor was Shen Zhongbai’s biological brother, while Princess Changning was only born by a consort. As a matter of fact, the late Emperor and Shen Zhongbai were not on very good terms, but it didn’t stop Empress Su from telling the entire world that it was Gu Huaian who caused the late Emperor’s death.

Gu Qiang didn’t know whether Shen Zhongbai had been part of this or not, but she knew it would create trouble for Changning if she helped Gu Huaian’s rescue.

“I know what I am doing, and I know why the Empress wants to take Mr. Gu in custody. But he is innocent, therefore I choose to help you. Now that the palace is totally in a mess with so many things going on, it’s the best time you’ve got to rescue your brother out. Once Shen Zhongbai officially ascended the throne, he would deal with Mr. Gu first,” Changning whispered back.

But Gu Qiang felt she was in a cold sweat after a thought.

Why would Changing help her? They had never been close friends, only on causal talks terms. Had Changning been found out helping Gu Huaian’s rescue, she would also be punished no matter who she was.

She knew the consequences, yet she arranged everything. Why? Gu Qiang couldn’t understand.

Before Gu Qiang could utter out a word, she saw Shen Qianshan walking over to them; he took a seat and nodded at Changning.

They seemed to have made a deal, which made Gu Qiang even more nervous.

It was her job to rescue Gu Huaian, and it had nothing to do with anybody else.

Changning took out a key from the maid standing behind her, and handed it to Shen Qianshan, “Once you meet up with Mr. Gu, take him to the mansion located in the suburbs of the capital. I got it from the late Emperor, and nobody could get in. Besides, Shen Zhongbai must have got more hands guarding Mr. Gu now. Use your best men as you are now openly against him. Even if he finds out, there is nothing he can do. After all, he is not officially crowned yet.”

Gu Qiang understood what she meant. Even though it was known to all that Shen Zhongbai would be the next Emperor, he had to wait until the funeral of his predecessor was fully completed. This had bought them a very precious time so they must hurry up.

This was why Changning and Shen Qianshan wanted to act right now.

After finishing her words, Changning stood up to get prepared. When she was about to leave, Gu Qiang suddenly straightened up; she made a very respectful courtesy to her and said gratefully. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Looking back at her, Changning smiled, which was bright, sincere, and different from anyone she made before. Her head was still covered in white cloth, and all the gold jewelry was changed into silver. “I didn’t do it for you,” she said, her tone as cold as ever.

Gu Qiang smiled back, knowing what she meant.

Shen Qianshan dragged her back into the seat, and said, “I heard what Shen Zhongbai said to you. What he is up to is only too obvious. Qiang, don’t take everything on your own. If you don’t know what to do, just tell me. I will be forever by your side.”

Gu Qiang sniffed her nose. Although she was touched by his words, she felt unease somewhere. “I am really glad to have you here. But what if I only bring you troubles? I would feel very ashamed for it,” said Gu Qiang as she looked up to Shen Qianshan, smiling.

What a silly girl! As long as she was by his side, there would be nothing he was afraid of, even if it meant everlasting perdition. She was the best he had.

But she didn’t know this.

Leaning on his shoulder, Gu Qiang felt very calm with the smell of pear flowers from him lingering around her nose.

When the night falls, the imperial palace was still covered in white, a rare scene, where everyone in here would feel being imprisoned. All people were hurrying on their tasks, but their hearts were hollow.

Now dressing as a maid, Gu Qiang stood next to Gusu Liang. Ting Feng wanted to come as well, but she was not good with martial arts and had to leave the capital first, because they could spare no effort to help her out once Gu Huaian was rescued.

Gu Qiang was more assured and confident with Gusu Liang by her side. But still, their nervousness grew with every step nearer to their destination.

Outside of the imperial palace, people would only be amazed by its grandeur and solemnity; in the imperial garden, people would be stunned by its beauty and peace; but in the endless yards and houses, there was something else hidden, not to anyone’s knowledge.

Lights were flickering in these yards, like fireflies. Inside these rooms lived some women, who either were waiting for something or had given up hopes. Totally forgotten by the outside world, they were deserted in the shadows, to enjoy the peace and to endure the loneliness.

Gusu Liang was holding Gu Qiang’s hand, which was as cold as ice. After all these days serving mourning duties in the palace, her body was already on the brink of collapse. But she kept her chin up.

Sniffing her nose, Gusu Liang smelled something that only people in Xiaoyao Mountain could sense; it was a secret technique only known to them.

Following the trace of smell, she led Gu Qiang to the back of a gigantic palace and saw two men waiting for them.

Also dressing in white, they looked very conspicuous in the dark night. Fortunately, white was the color for everyone who was in the palace tonight, so their existence had aroused no suspicion.

They were Jin Ye and Su Ge, standing there quite enjoying themselves, as though they didn’t mind spilling tea with snacks if they could.

Apparently, for them, such a task was no big deal.

Walking over to them, Jin Ye said, “Master and Princess Changning’s maid have got in, and will be back in half an hour. We have used ten serving’s sleeping drops, which would be enough to knock out tigers, so no need to worry.”

But Gusu Liang shook her head, “Don’t underestimate Shen Zhongbai. He must know we want to rescue Mr. Gu and might have prepared something.”

On agreeing with her words, a bunch of lights suddenly went on around them.