Chapter 24: A Gamble with Life

Gu Jiaojiao was already stunning, but compared to Gu Yunlan, she was like heaven and earth.

Gu Yunlan, also without makeup, had a small face like a pure lotus, white and tender. She had a pure appearance, but her eyes were slightly upturned, adding a touch of charm. But her expression was cold, suppressing that charm, making her look more like a beautiful goddess who didn’t belong to the mortal world.

She wore a moon-white dress, and a simple jade hairpin held her long hair up. Gu Jiaojiao, in her pink dress and gold hairpin, seemed too forceful and flamboyant.

“So beautiful.” Someone whispered softly, as if breaking the silence.

“I didn’t expect the eldest miss of the Gu family to be so beautiful!”

“Everyone in the capital says that the second miss of the Gu family is the most beautiful woman in the capital. Now it seems that’s an exaggeration! The eldest miss is truly worthy of that title!”

“But she’s an illegitimate daughter, and she doesn’t know how to play music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. She’s also already married. Besides her looks, she’s not as good as the second miss in any way.”

“Mother! Didn’t you say this little b*tch wouldn’t come?” Gu Jiaojiao was about to get angry, but Wu Huanmei pressed down on her wine cup: “Calm down. Even if she can come now, she won’t last long in the competition.”

“Okay.” Gu Jiaojiao pouted and agreed.

She had seen Murong Jinyu’s infatuated look at Gu Yunlan just now.

Once she became the Divine Physician’s disciple, the first thing she would do was to ruin Gu Yunlan’s face, which attracted so many bees and butterflies! What a flirtatious b*tch!

Since Gu Yunlan had arrived, Gu Xiude didn’t say much. After all, he had to maintain appearances.

He coughed lightly and raised his hand: “Since everyone is here, let’s begin. Divine Physician, what do you think?”

Dugu Yue nodded: “Let’s get it over with quickly. I’m busy.”

He clapped his hands, and two people presented a row of small jars.

Gu Xiude curiously leaned forward to take a look: “Divine Physician, what’s in here?”

Dugu Yue chuckled: “Poisonous insects.”

Gu Xiude quickly took a few steps back in fright.

Dugu Yue explained: “Since ancient times, poison doctors have been inseparable. A good doctor is also a good poison master. Poison is inseparable from flowers, plants, and insects. Today, I’ve brought insects.”

“You two will grab the poisonous insects in these jars with your hands and put them into the empty jars. You can take antidote pills or use silver needles to detoxify yourselves during this time. When all the poisonous insects are caught, and those who haven’t been poisoned to death are my disciples!”

The crowd was in an uproar.

Everyone thought this was a playful disciple-taking ceremony, and Gu Yunlan was just a foil for Gu Jiaojiao.

But they didn’t expect that this competition was a gamble with life!

Wu Huanmei looked worried: “Jiaojiao, why don’t we not compete? The title of the Divine Physician’s disciple is good, but if you don’t have a life to enjoy it, then…”

“Mother, don’t worry.” Gu Jiaojiao was confident.

She had eaten the antidote pill she had snatched from Gu Yunlan. These poisonous insects were nothing. At most, she would be bitten a few times. She wouldn’t die. What was there to be afraid of?

At the same time, she felt a little dissatisfied.

This old man, Dugu Yue, clearly favored that b*tch, Gu Yunlan. He said it was a test of courage, but he secretly gave Gu Yunlan the antidote.

She would make this old man eat his words today. She would force him to acknowledge her as his disciple!

Gu Yunlan pursed her lips and asked nervously: “Divine Physician, if, if I’m bitten by a poisonous insect…”

“If you’re bitten, you’re bitten. If you die, you die. That’s fate.” Dugu Yue’s expression was indifferent: “If you want to be my disciple, Dugu Yue, you have to be tough. I won’t save anyone.”

“But…” Gu Yunlan wanted to say something else, but Gu Jiaojiao interrupted her: “Alright, if you’re afraid to compete, just admit defeat. Don’t talk so much.”

Gu Yunlan pursed her lips, her eyes fixed on Gu Jiaojiao.

Gu Jiaojiao was smug.

Little b*tch, what’s the use of being beautiful? When you’re poisoned to death by the poisonous insects, I’ll become the Divine Physician’s disciple, and my future will be bright.

And you will turn into a handful of dust, rotting in the mud!

“Jiaojiao…” Wu Huanmei wanted to persuade her again, but Gu Jiaojiao impatiently stopped her.

She whispered: “Mother, don’t worry. The Divine Physician wanted to secretly give Gu Yunlan the antidote, but I snatched it and took it first. I’ll be fine.”

Hearing Gu Jiaojiao say this, Wu Huanmei felt relieved and became arrogant again: “Gu Yunlan, I advise you to withdraw now. Otherwise, if you’re poisoned to death later, don’t blame us for not giving you a way out.”

“Madam Wu, those are the words I want to say to you.” Gu Yunlan smiled lightly: “But I’m kind-hearted. If Gu Jiaojiao is about to be poisoned to death later, if you kneel down and beg me, I’ll consider giving you a way out.”

“This little girl is so arrogant. She’s not afraid of the wind blowing her tongue away.” Wu Huanmei was so angry that her face turned purple.

Gu Yunlan used to be a quiet person who wouldn’t say a word even if you beat her with a stick. Why was she so arrogant after getting married?

Gu Yunlan smiled: “I’m waiting for you to kneel down and beg me.”

Murong Xiaoxiao, who was drinking tea nearby, smiled with amusement.

This Gu Yunlan was interesting. Why hadn’t she noticed before that the Gu family had such a playful little girl?

“Jiaojiao is so confident. She must have a foolproof plan.” Li Wei became smug again: “Jiaojiao, I’m waiting to drink your victory wine!”

Gu Jiaojiao returned a confident smile to Li Wei.

“It’s not certain who will win or lose. You’re already getting cocky. Be careful you don’t get poisoned so badly that you don’t even recognize your own mother.” Qiao Mingyue muttered softly.

“Why hasn’t it started yet?” Murong Xiaoxiao was getting impatient.

Her condition had worsened in recent days. She had started to cough up blood. The imperial physicians in the palace were helpless, so she came to try her luck and see if Dugu Yue would be willing to treat her. If it weren’t for seeing Dugu Yue, she wouldn’t have come here.

Although she found this interesting Gu Yunlan quite amusing, if she was just arrogant and had no real skills, she wouldn’t bother to interact with her.

“Alright, let’s begin.” Dugu Yue called out: “The first jar contains blister beetles. It’s the lowest-level poisonous insect I have. Touching it will cause the skin to swell, itch, and ulcerate.”

Gu Jiaojiao didn’t hesitate to reach into the jar and took out the blister beetle.

But although her movements were fast, the poison of the blister beetle was also fast. Her hand immediately swelled up.

Gu Jiaojiao calmly took out a balm from her bosom and applied it to her hand.

This balm was made by her previous master.

Although she was going to change her allegiance and become someone else’s disciple, Dugu Yue was the existence that all practitioners of medicine looked up to, including her master. He was not unhappy, but instead, he hoped that she would successfully become a disciple so that he could learn something too.

The swelling on Gu Jiaojiao’s hand quickly subsided. She raised an eyebrow at Gu Yunlan triumphantly: “Your turn.”

Gu Yunlan turned around and whispered something to the servant behind her, then waited in place.

Seeing her like this, Gu Jiaojiao couldn’t help but laugh: “What? You’re already afraid of the first round? Give up now!”

The servant brought something over. Gu Yunlan raised an eyebrow: “Wait, I’ll let you, this idiot, see something.”