Chapter 367

Qiao Jiaojiao spent her second Mid-Autumn Festival on the road.

The moon over the wilderness appeared unusually large. Jiaojiao couldn’t help but think of her mother back home. When her mother wrote letters, she often couldn’t hold back her tears, and Qiao Tianjing had to write ten “really miss you” before she stopped.

On the evening of August 20th, the procession celebrating the birthday of the Yong Dynasty finally reached the border between Baopiling and Nanli Country.

Qiao Zhongguo ordered a rest and planned to set off again the next day.

Qiao Tianjing took Qiao Jiaojiao for a stroll to ease her boredom. Suddenly, they heard hurried hoofbeats in the distance.

Qiao Tianjing became instantly alert, and Jiaojiao stretched her neck to see. It was Qiao Jiu, who had been acting as a scout on this journey.

“Young Master! Princess Nanning is coming to greet you. She’ll be here in about half an hour!”

Jiaojiao was momentarily stunned. When she realized that Princess Nanning was Meng Guxue, her eyes brightened.

Qiao Tianjing quickly turned to inform Qiao Zhongguo.

Half an hour later, the sound of orderly hoofbeats arrived on time. Leading the way was Meng Guxue, her long hair flying, exuding a heroic spirit.

From a distance, she spotted Qiao Zhongguo and joyfully waved her hand, “Master Qiao!”

Qiao Zhongguo’s face softened. He didn’t expect to see Meng Guxue again, galloping so freely on horseback.

He took a step forward, and Meng Guxue had already leaped down from her horse and hurried forward.

“Miss Meng, it’s been a long time!”

“Master Qiao, long time no see!”

At this moment, Meng Guxue’s eyes were slightly sour, feeling the joy and relief of finally meeting a loved one.

A’er followed closely behind and also bowed to Qiao Zhongguo.

Qiao Zhongguo immediately ordered everyone to dismount and rest. They were just preparing for dinner, so they might as well eat together.

Meng Guxue had been traveling all the way and was a bit tired. She wasn’t a picky person and sat down beside Qiao Zhongguo on the ground.

Qiao Jiaojiao took out the delicate pastries prepared specifically for her by Qiao Zhongguo on the road.

“Sister Meng, would you like to have some?”

Meng Guxue didn’t expect that Qiao Zhongguo would bring Qiao Jiaojiao along as well. She couldn’t hide her surprise.

Qiao Jiaojiao sat down beside Meng Guxue, curiously observing her.

Meng Guxue was indeed different from what she had imagined!

“Thank you, Miss Qiao.”

Meng Guxue was actually a bit hungry. She smiled and thanked her before taking the pastry from Qiao Jiaojiao.

At this moment, as Meng Guxue approached, Qiao Jiaojiao suddenly smelled a strange odor from her.

“Huh, does Meng Guxue smell something?”

Qiao Jiaojiao sniffed abruptly and suddenly felt dizzy.

“Oh my god, it smells a bit! Could Meng Guxue be poisoned?”

Qiao Zhongguo and Qiao Tianjing’s expressions changed simultaneously.

They knew that Jiaojiao could smell poison. Back at the Wanshou Palace, it was Jiaojiao who detected the cold poison given to Yaxian!

Could Meng Guxue also be poisoned?

Thankfully, when they came to Nanli Country this time, the Emperor was worried that Jiaojiao, being young, might not adapt well, so he specially brought the most skilled doctor, Zou Qi.

It seemed they needed to find a reason to have Zou Qi check on Meng Guxue!

Just as Qiao Tianjing was about to think of a suitable reason, Meng Guxue spoke up herself:

“Master Qiao, did you bring a royal doctor with you this time?”

“Well, you see, the Lady of the Country has been unconscious for so long, and Baili Chengyou is already at his wit’s end. I thought since the palace doctor of Nanli Country can’t cure her, perhaps we could try the royal doctor of our Yong Dynasty!”

Qiao Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up when she heard this.

“Oh my god, this is a perfect opportunity! I was just thinking about how to smoothly get Doctor Zou to see Meng Guxue!”

With this in mind, Qiao Jiaojiao quickly signaled to Qiao Tianjing. Understanding her intent, Qiao Tianjing stood up with Jiaojiao in his arms.

Qiao Jiaojiao seized the opportunity and said, “Big Brother, I think I smell something unusual on Meng Guxue. Quickly, get Doctor Zou to come and check her pulse!”

Qiao Tianjing pretended to be shocked and immediately nodded, “Alright, I’ll go with what you say, little sister.”

When Doctor Zou was summoned over, he had a resentful look on his face.

Doctor Zou: (*￣m￣)

He had just opened his mouth, not even had a chance to take a bite of his food, and he was already called!

Was he destined to be a servant for the Qiao family his whole life?

Qiao Zhongguo saw Doctor Zou and quickly approached, warmly putting his arm around his shoulder and said with a smile, “Miss Meng, what a coincidence! Our highest-ranking royal doctor from the Yong Dynasty is right here!”

Qiao Zhongguo was good at flattery, elevating Doctor Zou’s medical skills to the highest level. Doctor Zou instantly felt elated.

Doctor Zou: (｡・//ε//・｡)

“Well… Master Qiao, you’re exaggerating,” Doctor Zou replied modestly.

Meng Guxue’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. At this moment, Qiao Tianjing smoothly added, “Doctor Zou, Miss Meng has traveled a long way. Could you please check on her first?”

Meng Guxue looked puzzled, “Huh? There’s no need. I’m just a little tired, that’s all.”

“It’s good to check your pulse for peace of mind,” Qiao Tianjing smiled.

After thinking for a moment, Meng Guxue didn’t refuse and reached out to Doctor Zou, “Alright then!”

Time for a regular check-up!

Doctor Zou was perceptive; he immediately sensed something suspicious about Meng Guxue’s pulse. He became slightly serious and placed his hand on Meng Guxue’s wrist.

Meng Guxue was initially relaxed, but as she watched Doctor Zou’s gradually serious expression, she suddenly felt nervous.

“Doctor Zou… what’s wrong? Could it be that I’m seriously ill?”

When Doctor Zou withdrew his hand, he furrowed his brows and stroked his beard.

“Miss Meng’s pulse is somewhat unusual. Have you taken any stimulants recently?”

“Huh? Is there really a problem?”

Meng Guxue was terrified. She touched herself all over but felt nothing unusual.

“I haven’t taken any. I never take medicine without reason!”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Tianjing guessed that Meng Guxue might have unwittingly fallen into a trap.

“Miss Meng, Doctor Zou’s skills are impeccable. Think carefully, have there been any recent changes around you?”

With Qiao Tianjing’s prompting, Meng Guxue instantly remembered her meeting with Princess Xi before setting off.

If there was a recent possibility of being caught, it would be that day!

But she had been careful—very careful!

Meng Guxue’s face darkened as she recounted the events of that day.

Qiao Tianjing and Qiao Jiaojiao listened thoughtfully, exchanging a glance. Qiao Tianjing then nodded slowly.

He spoke up, “Miss Meng, is it possible that Princess Xi suspected your caution and acted accordingly?”

Meng Guxue’s mouth fell open slightly, and Qiao Tianjing continued meaningfully,

“That day, the only difference between you two was that she took a bite of a pastry.”

“I dare to guess that perhaps the antidote was precisely in that pastry. Your caution in not eating it might have ironically led to your exposure.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Guxue’s heart sank instantly!

“Oh no, does this mean I’m going to die?”

Doctor Zou immediately shook his head, “From the pulse, it doesn’t seem like a toxic substance harming your body. It should have some other purpose.”

Meng Guxue shivered upon hearing this.

“In Nanli Country, it’s either medicine or poison! Have I been poisoned? Oh no! Am I going to become a puppet too?”

“Arha! Arha! I remember you understand how to remove poisons, right? Hurry and come save me!”

“That damned Baili Miaoxue!!!”