Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 678 - 514 Uncovered

Upon hearing this, Kong Shuhuan and Ying Yue broke out in a cold sweat, realizing that it was indeed a trap.

Looking again, another man was being carried by Gu Chengyu, apparently unconscious.

"Miss Kong, there’s no need to say more. It’s not safe to stay here for long. You’ve only inhaled a small amount of the toxin; as long as you leave now, you’ll be safe."

Gu Chengyu was impatient with explaining too much to Kong Shuhuan, and besides, even though this place was remote, it didn’t mean no one would come by.

Even though the door-keeping woman had yet to wake, indicating she had been drugged, this only increased the danger.

The person who drugged the door-keeper must have a motive, and their destination might also be here.

Kong Shuhuan, trying to calm her trembling hands, wanted to thank Gu Chengyu.

But Gu Chengyu noticed her cheeks were much more flushed than before, and her eyes started to glisten; this was a sign of having inhaled too much of the aphrodisiac.

This incense might act slowly, but once inhaled too much, one becomes dazed and only thinks of physical indulgence.

Gu Chengyu, helpless, took a porcelain bottle from his sleeve and tossed it to Ying Yue, who was also starting to blush.

Inside was the Clear Heart Pill, which worked wonders against such enchantments, though its effects were slightly delayed. As long as Kong Shuhuan didn’t continue to inhale the aphrodisiac and took this pill, she should be fine.

"This is the antidote, one pill each, hurry and leave!"

Gu Chengyu was already impatient; these two were really dawdling. He already said there was poison, yet they still didn’t leave.

Kong Shuhuan was feeling somewhat hot inside. Though she was an unmarried girl, her mother had hired a nanny a month ago to gradually inform her about these matters.

Knowing she would embarrass herself if she stayed longer, Kong Shuhuan couldn’t bother to thank Gu Chengyu again, pulling Ying Yue and heading out the door.

Seeing Kong Shuhuan exit, Gu Chengyu felt relieved.

Fortunately, he came over just now; otherwise, Kong Shuhuan would have been in trouble. If he hadn’t come, perhaps Ji Mingxuan would have entered himself, with unimaginable consequences.

Gu Chengyu glanced at Ji Mingxuan, whom he was carrying, unsure how to deal with him.

He turned to see the incense burner on the table and snorted coldly.

What was in the incense burner must have been placed by Ji Mingxuan, not necessarily premeditated. Previously, Zhu Pang mentioned that this young man liked frequenting brothels, so this might have been something he kept for personal use.

Since it was Ji Mingxuan’s own item, it might as well be left for him.

Gu Chengyu threw Ji Mingxuan to the ground, intending to leave him be. By the time Ji Mingxuan woke, the effect of the drug would be kicking in.

Without a beauty to quench his desire, he would surely embarrass himself. When someone arrived, Ji Mingxuan’s name would resound throughout the Capital.

This was a taste of his own medicine. Since Ji Mingxuan intended to scheme against others, he should be prepared to be schemed against.

There was an Imperial Concubine’s Couch nearby, but Gu Chengyu didn’t want to make it easy for him, leaving Ji Mingxuan on the floor instead.

Ji Yuying, having waited for a long time without seeing anyone come out or go in, was puzzled.

She looked at the small grove the man had sneaked into earlier, wondering why he hadn’t appeared.

Just when Ji Yuying was getting impatient, the door suddenly opened, and her spirits lifted.

Kong Shuhuan, covering her face, hurriedly ran out with Ying Yue, both heading quickly towards the inner courtyard.

Ji Yuying was puzzled, wondering why Kong Shuhuan left in such a hurry. She hadn’t seen anyone go in; had they not found the person they were waiting for?

Staring at the half-open door, Ji Yuying hesitated but eventually decided to go in and take a look.

After all, no one had gone in earlier; was there already someone inside? Who was it, and why hadn’t they appeared?

Gu Chengyu, having left Ji Mingxuan, jumped onto the window and left without looking back. The banquet was about to begin, and he couldn’t delay anymore.

Ji Yuying looked around, seeing no one coming, yet feeling unwilling to give up. Having finally reached the front courtyard, she needed an opportunity, didn’t she?

Though she had such intentions, her heart was inevitably anxious.

Suppressing the pounding in her heart, Ji Yuying planned to investigate. Approaching the pavilion, she saw the door ajar.

Pushing it open, she suddenly found someone lying inside. Taking a closer look, wasn’t this the man who had snuck in once before?

She never saw how he entered; how was he here, and asleep on the ground?

Ji Yuying slowly approached Ji Mingxuan, "Young master?"

...

"Your Highness, the banquet is prepared. Shall we begin?" Nanny Chang whispered to the Eldest Princess.

The Eldest Princess nodded. Since it was already time to start, and a poem had been chosen, there was no need to delay.

Princess Rong Jia was utterly disappointed. Her original intent was to invite Gu Chengyu to compose a poem. But Gu Chengyu never had such plans, making her efforts fruitless for someone else.

Moreover, Gu Chengyu had already left the table and hadn’t returned since; who knew what had happened?

Feeling anxious, Princess Rong Jia stood up, planning to search for him. Although she couldn’t enter the front courtyard, she could still call for the steward there.

Zhu Pang, feeling uneasy since Gu Chengyu left, regretted not reaching his goal today; if only he hadn’t come.

With Gu Chengyu still absent, he became even more impatient about the upcoming banquet.

Over half an hour had passed, and Gu Chengyu’s absence caught a few people’s attention.

Even the poem had been selected, unsurprisingly by Min Feng.

For one, Min Feng had strong backing, and with Gu Chengyu not suppressing him, he had the strength to overshadow everyone, to which no one objected.

As the host, Qin Min naturally couldn’t ignore this; with so many women guests present, something might go wrong.

Just as Qin Min intended to send a servant to find them, Gu Chengyu leisurely walked towards them.

Qin Min glanced around, finding that, apart from Gu Chengyu, another seat was vacant. He thought for a moment, realizing it should be Ji Mingxuan’s.

However, Ji Mingxuan had been gone for quite a while, where was he? Had he fallen into a latrine?

But as it was already time for the banquet, they couldn’t delay for one person. He immediately announced the start of the banquet and had servants wait here for Ji Mingxuan.

"The mansion has prepared a banquet; please proceed to the Flower Hall."

Today, none of the other young ladies showcased their talents. Princess Rong Jia danced for nearly half an hour. Aside from Yao Mengxian playing a piece, no one else got the chance.

Furthermore, Gu Chengyu took quite a while to paint, and composing a poem didn’t involve them either. Despite feeling disappointed, the other young ladies had no choice but to leave, preparing for the banquet.

"Oh? Aunt! Second Sister and Third Sister haven’t returned yet." Yao Mengdie, feeling a bit anxious, gently said to Mrs. Ke.