Chapter 5: The Gu Curse  

Returning to the Marquis’s residence, the two women hid in a room, carefully plotting how to mix the Gu parasite into Bai Linglong’s food.

“Mother, the maids and servants around Bai Linglong are all extremely loyal to her. It will be difficult for us to find an opportunity to act,” Bai Xinyao said, furrowing her brows and looking troubled. She paced back and forth in the room, trying to come up with a foolproof plan.

Concubine Li pondered for a moment, a sly glint flashing in her eyes. “Let’s start with the kitchen. I’ve heard that tomorrow is Bai Linglong’s birthday, and the kitchen will be preparing her favorite pastries. We can take advantage of this opportunity and tamper with the pastries while they’re being made, mixing in the Gu parasite.”

A triumphant smile appeared on Concubine Li’s face as she felt her plan was flawless.

The next day, the Marquis’s kitchen was bustling with activity as the cooks and maids were all busy preparing for the celebration.

The next day, the Marquis’s kitchen was bustling with activity, the chefs and maids working frantically.

Steam rose from the steaming baskets, and the sweet aroma of pastries filled the air.

Concubine Li and Bai Xinyao walked into the kitchen, acting as if nothing was out of the ordinary, tightly holding the box containing the “Soul-corroding Gu.”

Concubine Li glanced around warily, ensuring no one was paying attention to them. After confirming they were unnoticed, she gave a subtle signal to a young maid who had a good relationship with her.

The maid understood the signal and deliberately knocked over a basin of water nearby, causing chaos in the kitchen as everyone scrambled to clean up.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Bai Xinyao quickly took the box from Concubine Li, opened the lid, and carefully poured the Gu parasite into the ingredients for the pastries that were to be served to Bai Linglong.

However, their every move was being secretly observed by Bai Linglong.

With a cold laugh, Bai Linglong turned to her maid, Cui’er, and instructed, “Proceed with the plan.”

Soon, it was mealtime. The maids brought the beautifully made pastries to the table.

Bai Linglong watched as the plate of pastries with the Gu parasite was brought forward, a faint, almost imperceptible cold light flashing in her eyes.

Quietly, she used her spatial powers, and while everyone was distracted, she secretly moved the Gu parasite from the pastries into Bai Xinyao’s food, unnoticed by anyone.

At first, Bai Xinyao didn’t notice anything unusual and continued eating her meal as usual.

But before long, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her stomach, and her face turned ashen in an instant.

“Ah, my stomach…” she gasped, clutching her belly in agony, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Concubine Li immediately panicked, rushing over to hold Bai Xinyao. “Yao’er, what’s wrong? What’s happening?”

Concubine Li’s voice trembled, her hands frantically patting Bai Xinyao’s back in an attempt to ease her pain.

“Quick, call the physician!” Concubine Li shouted at the little maid, who was frozen in shock nearby.

The maid snapped back to her senses and stumbled out of the room in a hurry.

“Mother… it hurts so much…” Bai Xinyao’s voice was barely a whisper, beads of sweat the size of beans rolling down her forehead, soaking her pillow.

“Don’t be afraid, Yao’er, the physician will be here soon, just hold on a little longer,” Concubine Li said desperately, constantly trying to comfort her daughter, though her own hands shook uncontrollably.

Before long, the physician arrived in a hurry.

He was a regular at the Marquis’s residence and had treated many illnesses for the household members. However, upon seeing Bai Xinyao’s symptoms, he furrowed his brows.

The physician sat by the bed and carefully took Bai Xinyao’s pulse. After a long while, his expression grew more and more serious.

“Miss’s pulse… is very strange. It seems there is some kind of evil force inside her causing this. I’ve never seen such symptoms before.”

The physician shook his head repeatedly, then picked up his brush and prescribed several types of medicine, though there was a trace of doubt in his eyes.

“Physician, what exactly is wrong with my daughter?”

“Will this medicine really cure her?”

Concubine Li asked anxiously, her voice filled with worry.

The physician hesitated for a moment before replying, “Madam, the young lady’s condition is very strange. I can only try the medicine for now, whether it will work depends on the young lady’s fate.”

After the physician left, Concubine Li stayed by her daughter’s side, watching her in pain, feeling frantic with worry.

She thought to herself that this matter was far too strange, and perhaps only the Marquis could help.

So, Concubine Li instructed the maid to take good care of Bai Xinyao and hurriedly went to the Marquis’s study.

At that moment, the Marquis was in his study dealing with official business. When he saw Concubine Li rush in in such a flustered state, he couldn’t help but furrow his brows.

“What’s the matter with you, so flustered?”

The Marquis put down the pen in his hand, his face displeased.

Concubine Li fell to her knees with a “thud” and cried out, “Marquis, please save Yao’er! She suddenly started having unbearable stomach pains, and the physician in the household is helpless. Please call the Imperial Physician to have a look!”

Upon hearing this, the Marquis’s face changed slightly. “This is truly happening?”

He paused to think for a moment, then said, “Get up first, I’ll send someone to call the Imperial Physician right away.”

During the wait for the Imperial Physician, the Marquis’s residence was in complete chaos.

Maidservants and female attendants were coming in and out of the corridors, whispering to each other, discussing the matter in hushed tones.

“Do you think the Second Miss is alright? Out of nowhere, she suddenly fell ill like this.”

One small maid whispered softly.

“Who knows? I heard it’s some sort of evil curse. The symptoms look terribly frightening.”

Another maid responded with a face full of fear.

“Sigh, who knows if it can be cured? Concubine Li only has this one precious daughter.”

An older female servant sighed deeply.