The Evil Emperor's Favorite: The Sickly and Poisonous Concubine Goes Crazy

The carriage drove all the way into the Wutong Garden. The garden covers a very large area and is planted with sycamore trees all over the garden. It is quiet and secluded. It is said that these trees were planted for Princess Xuanhe by her husband.

Princess Xuanhe and her husband grew up together. They were childhood sweethearts and had a very good relationship. Unfortunately, her husband died in the year when the current emperor ascended the throne, dying while saving his emperor.

His Majesty has always doted on his sister, and her husband died because of him, so now Princess Xuanhe's status in the royal family is second only to His Majesty the Emperor and the current Empress Dowager.

However, the eldest princess' husband died early and she had no children, so she lived in Wutong Villa in the suburbs of Beijing for many years and rarely appeared in public.

The carriage slowly stopped, and Su Jingning got off with Gu Yan'an. They saw a middle-aged woman in a blue palace dress and with a calm temperament standing on the steps waiting for them.

The woman bowed her head and bowed slightly to Gu Yan'an, then glanced at Su Jingning without any expression. A hint of amazement and surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Madame Qiu," Gu Yan'an nodded to the madam with a respectful look.

"Your Highness, the eldest princess is waiting for you in Chaohui Palace." Nanny Qiu smiled and nodded, speaking to him gently.

Gu Yanan glanced at Su Jingning behind him and said to Aunt Qiu

"Got it. I'll be there right away. Aunt Qiu, can you take her to change her clothes first?"

Nanny Qiu glanced at Su Jingning, whose clothes were stained with blood.

"Don't worry, my lord. Qiu Zhi will take this girl to change her clothes right away."

Gu Yan'an turned around and looked at Su Jingning, who was full of doubts, and said in a deep voice:

"Go with Aunt Qiu to change your clothes first, and I'll take you home later."

Su Jingning hesitated for a moment and nodded.

"Miss, please follow me." Nanny Qiu said softly to Su Jingning.

Su Jingning followed Nanny Qiu to the side hall.

Gu Yan'an watched Su Jingning walk away before heading towards Princess Xuanhe's Chaohui Palace.

In the Chaohui Palace, Princess Xuanhe, dressed in a simple silk brocade skirt and a cloak embroidered with gold thread and dark peony patterns, had a gentle temperament yet retained the royal nobility.

"Go and check! Why hasn't Yan'an arrived yet?" Princess Xuanhe frowned and walked back and forth anxiously in the hall, looking outside the door from time to time.

"Princess! Prince Gu is here."

When Princess Xuanhe heard the voice, she looked outside the house quickly and saw Gu Yan'an, dressed in a black and blue robe and looking cold and aloof, walking towards her.

"Yan'an greets Aunt Wan." Gu Yan'an knelt down and bowed to Princess Xuanhe.

"Is he injured anywhere? I was so worried when I heard the news." Princess Xuanhe hurriedly pulled Gu Yan'an up and checked him up and down before she felt relieved.

"No one is hurt, don't worry, Aunt Wan."

"Why did someone attack you as soon as you returned to the imperial capital? I haven't appeared in front of those people for a long time. They must be tired of living." Princess Xuanhe said in a cruel tone.

"Those people can't hurt me." Gu Yan'an followed Xuanhe and the princess into the inner hall.

"How long will you stay in the capital this time? I will send someone to protect you." Princess Xuanhe looked at the handsome young man in front of her and said in a gentle voice.

"No need. I will leave after seeing His Majesty. I don't like people following me." After hearing what the princess said, Gu Yan'an paused and refused.

Princess Xuanhe expected that he would refuse, and felt helpless, but she did not force him.

"The end of the year is approaching, why don't you wait until the New Year before leaving?" she said cautiously, tentatively.

Gu Yan'an didn't say anything, but just lowered his head and looked at the tea leaves floating in the teacup in front of him.

"Forget it, I won't force you to stay in the capital. Just let me know before you leave, so you don't sneak away again." Princess Xuanhe said no more, but looked at Gu Yan'an with a complicated expression and said softly.

"Yes," he agreed in a deep voice with his head down.

Princess Xuanhe hesitated for a moment and asked:

"I heard from the servants that an injured girl came to the villa with you today? You brought her here. Is that girl... trustworthy?"

"Yes. She was injured because of me." Gu Yan'an knew that he would not be able to hide the fact that he brought Su Jingning here from Princess Xuanhe.

"It's good that you believe her. Is the injury serious? I'll ask the imperial physician to take a look." It was the first time that Princess Xuanhe saw a woman suddenly appear next to Gu Yan'an, and she trusted her very much. She couldn't help but feel curious about what kind of woman she was.

"Princess, Prince, Miss Su is here." Nanny Qiu's voice came from outside the house.

Su Jingning changed out of the blood-stained clothes and wore a moon-white skirt with silver butterfly embroidery, a snow-white fox fur cape, and her black hair was scattered behind her, flickering faintly in the moonlight as she walked. Her facial features were delicate and bright, and her temperament was cool and cold, which made people unable to take their eyes away.

"Please invite Miss Su in." The princess ordered softly.

"Miss Su, please." Nanny Qiu stepped aside and invited Su Jingning in.

Su Jingning bowed slightly to Aunt Qiu and entered the inner hall. The decoration inside the hall was luxurious and elegant. Su Jingning walked to Princess Xuanhe with a calm face, bowed, straightened his back, and had an elegant demeanor, neither humble nor overbearing.

"My daughter Su Jingning greets the eldest princess. May the eldest princess live a thousand years!"

Princess Xuanhe looked at the girl in the palace with a deep expression. After a long while, she slowly said:

"Good boy, no need to be polite, come forward and let me take a look."

"Thank you, Princess!" Su Jingning then stood up and walked in front of Princess Xuanhe.

"Please sit down." She pointed to the seat next to Gu Yan'an and asked Su Jingning to sit next to Gu Yan'an.

Gu Yan'an glanced at Su Jingning's injured forearm and quietly moved the teacup in front of her to her right hand side.

The sharp-eyed Princess Xuanhe naturally did not miss this detail. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, and she watched Su Jingning nod frequently. This girl was bright and generous, and it was really pleasing to see that she was neither humble nor arrogant, but cold and steady, sitting with Yan An.

"I heard from Yan'an that you were injured because of him. How is your injury?" Princess Xuanhe asked in a warm and concerned voice.

In her previous life, she had met Princess Xuanhe before Mu Ling ascended the throne. At that time, the princess was elegant and majestic, and even Mu Ling was afraid of her. She was completely different from the princess in front of her with gentle eyes and soft voice. What was the relationship between this princess and Gu Yan'an?

"Thank you for your concern, Princess. It's nothing serious, just some minor skin injuries." Su Jingning replied quickly.

"You also have to pay attention to skin injuries. Girls cannot be left with scars. Zhiqiu, bring that box of skin gel cream to Miss Su." Princess Xuanhe patted Su Jingning's hand and instructed Nanny Qiu who was serving beside her.

"That skin-gelling cream is very effective in removing scars and nourishing the skin. Remember to use it after your wound has healed." He then said to Su Jingning.

"Jingning thanks Princess for the reward." Su Jingning smiled and bowed slightly to Princess Xuanhe to express his gratitude.

Princess Xuanhe looked at Su Jingning with a softer look. She grabbed Su Jingning and asked, "Are you from the Imperial Capital? Where do you live? Are you married?"

"Jingning is the legitimate daughter of Duke Zhenguo Su Bo, and she is not married yet." Su Jingning felt puzzled as to why the eldest princess asked her about marriage, but she answered truthfully.

When the princess heard that Su Jingning was still unmarried, she smiled even more. "So you are Su Bo's daughter. No wonder you look familiar to me. Your father and I are old acquaintances. You stay here tonight and take good care of your injuries. I will send someone to take you back tomorrow."

Su Jingning was a little confused by the eldest princess' sudden enthusiasm and looked at Gu Yan'an for help.

Gu Yan'an looked at the girl who was looking at him at a loss, his heart softened, and he spoke up to help her out.

The eldest princess wanted to pull Su Jingning aside and praise him for a long time, but was interrupted by Gu Yan'an.

"Aunt Wan, Prince Chen was assassinated in Qingfo Mountain today, and she was separated from her family. The Su family must be worried now."

"I was not thoughtful enough. I forgot that Prince Chen was also assassinated in Qingfo Mountain today. Jingning was injured again. If you go back through the city gate like this, I'm afraid people will become suspicious and question you."

"Then you can ride in my carriage back to the city. They won't dare to ask any questions."

Princess Xuanhe pondered for a while and said to them.

"Zhi Qiu, you personally send Jingning back to the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion and tell him that I happened to be at the Qingfo Temple today to worship Master Huihai and encountered an assassin. Fortunately, Second Miss Su was there and saved me, but she was injured. I will take her back to the villa to heal her wounds first." He turned around and told Zhi Qiu to send Su Jingning back to the mansion.

"Don't let anyone know that you came to my house. Just do as I say. They won't dare to trace it back to me." Princess Xuanhe said to Gu Yan'an.

"Let Zhiqiu send you back, and no one will dare to criticize you." He then took Su Jingning's hand and comforted her.

"Thank you, Princess Jingning." Su Jingning bowed and thanked Princess Xuanhe, without asking why the relationship between Gu Yan'an and Princess Xuanhe could not be known to outsiders.

"No need to thank me. I just like you. If you run into any trouble in the future, you can come to Wutong Villa to find me." Princess Xuanhe helped Su Jingning up and said to her softly.

"Jingning understands." Su Jingning smiled sincerely at Princess Xuanhe. She could feel that Princess Xuanhe had no ill will towards her, and even liked her because of Gu Yan'an.

"Okay, hurry up and leave. The city gates will be closed later."