Chapter 353

Qiao Jiaojiao immediately informed Qiao Zhongguo and the others about the existence of the “Good Pregnancy” pill.

Qiao Tianjing, now about to become a father himself, had a deeper understanding of the preciousness of life and recognized that this “Good Pregnancy” pill should not be misused.

However, as a citizen of Yong, he needed to make rational and calm judgments and analyses in the face of a rival nation.

“Father, the Northern Kingdom’s royal court is currently in turmoil. If Shen Yuanbai goes to the Northern Kingdom, he will inevitably become the target of everyone.”

“At that time, King Jinyu will definitely support Shen Yuanbai, and we can let them fight each other to the death!”

“If King Jinyu and Shen Yuanbai emerge victorious, but then King Jinyu discovers he has an heir, the situation would be far more complicated than just conflicts between uncle and nephew.”

Qiao Zhongguo nodded in agreement, “There will inevitably be a war between Yong and the Northern Kingdom. I will report to the Crown Prince as soon as possible and secretly make preparations.”

Starting a war is not easy. Troops, provisions, timing, and public support are all necessary.

And they must not overlook the Nanli Kingdom to the south!

If they were to fight, the goal would be to capture the Northern Kingdom’s capital and fully incorporate it into Yong’s territory, allowing no room for failure.

The father and son carefully discussed various details, and when it came to the topic of war, Qiao Diyi finally found his place in the conversation!

After finishing their serious discussions, the atmosphere in the study relaxed. Qiao Diyi curiously asked about the events that transpired in the palace that day.

Qiao Zhongguo briefly recounted the key points, and when he mentioned that the Yong Emperor had been infected with a mysterious gu, Qiao Diyi suddenly stood up.

“A gu? The Emperor has been infected with a gu? What kind of gu?” Qiao Diyi asked in rapid succession.

Qiao Zhongguo, puzzled by Qiao Diyi’s sudden excitement, shook his head, “We haven’t identified it yet.”

Qiao Diyi clapped his hands together, “I know!”

Qiao Zhongguo: What?

Qiao Tianjing: Really?

Qiao Jiaojiao: Is that true?

Qiao Diyi exclaimed with excitement, “Miss Meng told me! I think it’s the same gu that the Emperor is infected with!”

Qiao Diyi then recounted what Meng Guxue had told him.

**[Soul-Binding Gu? Just hearing the name sounds like it!]**

**[So, Yuliu… really has been playing a very deep game!]**

Qiao Tianjing quickly asked, “Second Brother, how is this gu planted in the body? Why can it control the mind of the infected person? And how did the control shift from Yuliu to the Second Prince?”

Qiao Diyi was stumped by the questions and, after a long pause, admitted, “I didn’t ask.”

Qiao Tianjing: “…”

Qiao Zhongguo was frustrated.

“Couldn’t you have been a bit more curious at the time? Never mind, I’ll write to Miss Meng and ask her.”

Qiao Tianjing was a bit disappointed but quickly formulated a new plan.

“Father, I was planning to gather more clues before interrogating Aunt Rou again. Now it seems the time is right.”

He had already secretly transferred Aunt Rou from the Huguo Temple.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Jiaojiao immediately raised her hand, “Big Brother, I want to listen too!”

Qiao Tianjing naturally agreed.

That night, Qiao Tianjing, carrying Qiao Jiaojiao, was escorted by Qiao Bo to a secluded courtyard.

It was Qiao Jiaojiao’s first time there, but she recognized the people inside.

“Uncle Shiyi! Uncle Thirteen! Oh! So this is where you all stay usually!”

Uncle Shiyi smiled and greeted Qiao Jiaojiao before leading them to the innermost courtyard and opening a room.

Aunt Rou was sitting limply on the edge of the bed, her head hanging down. She didn’t move even when she heard the door open.

Qiao Tianjing, holding a pill that compelled truth-telling, got straight to the point, “Chu Rou, let me tell you about some recent major events in the capital. The Second Prince has been confirmed as a traitor from the Northern Kingdom.”

Chu Rou raised her head slightly upon hearing this, casting a contemptuous glance at Qiao Tianjing before freezing in place.

The last time Qiao Tianjing interrogated her, he had used a disguise pill, so she didn’t know who had captured her.

But at this moment, Qiao Tianjing appeared before her in his true form, and her eyes widened slightly as she realized she had fallen into the hands of the Qiao family!

“Qiao Tianjing! You are Qiao Zhongguo’s eldest son, Qiao Tianjing!”

Qiao Tianjing slightly raised his lips, “Indeed, I am.”

Chu Rou suddenly became emotional, cursing loudly, “The Qiao family deserves to die! The Qiao family deserves to die the most!”

Qiao Tianjing ignored her venting words, “I haven’t finished speaking.”

“Shen Yuanbai attempted to control the Emperor with a gu, but his plan was exposed. Zhou Bo is dead, and Jin Zhu has been captured.”

When Chu Rou heard the word “gu,” she suddenly lifted her head, her face full of horror.

She had thought Qiao Tianjing was trying to trick her again, but since he mentioned the “gu,” which was the trump card left by the princess for the prince…

Could it be… could the prince really have failed?

Qiao Tianjing continued, “He fled to the Nanli Kingdom, but my second brother cut his tendons. Yin Zhu tried to save him, but fate was against him. Shen Yuanbai was shot through the back by the third prince of the Nanli Kingdom and died on the spot.”

Died on the spot…

These words echoed in Chu Rou’s ears, and her expression froze instantly, filled with terror and disbelief.

She didn’t want to believe it, but Yin Zhu… Qiao Tianjing even mentioned Yin Zhu!

Back then, the princess had arranged her affairs, sending the beautiful and clever Yin Zhu to the Nanli Kingdom.

The princess had previously placed a spy beside the crown prince of the Nanli Kingdom, so there was already a path.

And Yin Zhu was the princess’s last retreat for the prince!

If things in Yong turned unfavorable, the prince could temporarily take refuge in the Nanli Kingdom, where Yin Zhu would provide all necessary support.

Qiao Tianjing had revealed the princess’s trump card…

No! She couldn’t be easily shaken!

Chu Rou’s eyes turned bloodshot as she glared viciously at Qiao Tianjing, her voice trembling with rage:

“Qiao thief, don’t think you can deceive me with just a few words! The prince is noble and wise, with the princess’s trump cards, he will never be defeated!”

“That’s right… that’s right…”

As she spoke, Chu Rou seemed to find comfort in her own words.

“And that dog emperor would never let the prince get hurt. He would protect the prince with his life; that’s the dog emperor’s fate!”

Qiao Tianjing chuckled softly, “You are so certain because the emperor was infected with the Soul-Binding Gu by Yuliu, correct?”

“Unfortunately, the emperor has expelled the gu. Although greatly weakened, he is no longer under Shen Yuanbai’s control.”

When Chu Rou heard the term “Soul-Binding Gu,” it was as if she had been struck by lightning. The next moment, she began to tremble uncontrollably.

Her heartbeat pounded like a drum in her ears, cold sweat pouring down, and she was instantly consumed by an overwhelming fear.

Qiao Tianjing knew everything… all the trump cards were known to him…

The prince… was the prince really dead?

So the princess’s elaborate plan had failed?

Oh God! Why wouldn’t the heavens stand on their side?

Chu Rou felt herself being torn in half by resentment and despair. She couldn’t understand how, after so many sacrifices, it all ended in vain!

“Why! Why!”

Chu Rou opened her mouth and screamed, her pale face contorted with immense pain, blood trickling from the corners of her mouth. Her chest heaved violently as if she might suffocate at any moment.

At this moment, Qiao Tianjing quickly repeated his previous tactic, swiftly stuffing the “Truth Pill” into Chu Rou’s mouth!

The same question:

“Is Yuliu dead or alive?”

Chu Rou’s mentality had completely collapsed. Her eyes bulged, and she almost shouted:

“Dead! The princess is dead!”

“Because the Soul-Binding Gu feeds on blood and flesh, the princess used her own body to nurture those three gu!”