"You see it, don't you! Your friend is poisoned. It looks like the poison has reached his heart. If he doesn't get treatment soon, he might just die!"
Song Gang glanced at Ouyang Qinglin. Indeed, the man's face was purplish-blue, and his rapid breathing indicated he had been poisoned.
"I have the antidote. If you're willing to stay, I will naturally help them. After all, your friend is also my friend. Otherwise, it's impossible," Song Gang said in a sarcastic tone, the fat on his face looking particularly grotesque.
Gu Qianying felt a sense of helplessness. She turned to look at Ouyang Qinglin. The poison was indeed potent, and it seemed like a major accident was about to happen.
"I know you are a healer, and a very skilled one. But I want to tell you, to heal a patient, a physician needs herbs, right? Without herbs, what use is your medical skill! Beautiful lady, as long as you agree to my terms, this City Lord will definitely release your two friends. This City Lord also believes that Baili Su would not stand by and watch your two friends die," Song Gang said smugly.
"Beautiful lady, I am not forcing you. Everything is up to your own will." Who would believe such words?
The butler behind him glanced at the helpless Gu Qianying, then at Song Gang, who was smugly determined to have Gu Qianying. He shook his head helplessly, utterly speechless.
"I... I agree."
Gu Qianying had no choice but to agree to Song Gang's demands. She casually threw down her sword. A trace of reluctance appeared on her usually cool and handsome face.
Duan Xifeng, who was captured,'s eyes turned red.
"No, absolutely not."
Ouyang Qinglin, who was usually a man of few words, was extremely weak at this moment. To utter such words was not easy.
"No, absolutely not..." Duan Xifeng's eyes reddened as he shouted.
"We'll fight him."
"Qianying, don't agree to him..."
Ouyang Qinglin absolutely could not bear to see Gu Qianying walk into a fiery abyss. He always remembered that he had promised someone to protect Gu Qianying well.
At this moment, Gu Qianying gave Ouyang Qinglin and Duan Xifeng a look.
...
Meanwhile, at the Baili Residence.
It was already dinnertime, and the sky outside had long since darkened.
Baili Su was sitting in his room, reading a book, feeling inexplicably uneasy. Dr. Gu, who was supposed to see him as usual, had not come.
"Qinglin."
After much thought, he couldn't help but worry and called Qinglin in.
"Young Master!"
Qinglin had been waiting outside for a long time. Hearing Baili Su call him in, he finally walked in.
"Where is Dr. Gu? Why didn't she come today?"
Baili Su felt a constant unease, thinking something had happened to Gu Qianying. But then again, she was staying at the Baili Residence, so what could happen to her? Qinglin always wandered around the residence and might know something.
"Reporting to Young Master, after Dr. Gu returned yesterday, today she collected some herbs and went out at noon to buy a gift for the Master. As for now... she doesn't seem to be back yet!"
Qinglin glanced at the sky, also feeling that something was amiss. After all, the third young lady and the young master had come over to play earlier, and the young master had complained that his mother had not returned yet. It was unusual for this time. Soon, the merchants would be closing their shops, so why hadn't she returned?
"Second Young Master, are you in?"
Just as the two were thinking, they saw young Yi Hao suddenly arrive.
"Why are you here? Where is your mother?"
Baili Su frowned. It seemed that Gu Qianying had indeed not returned yet, and something was not right.
"My mother said this morning that she was going out to buy a gift, but she still hasn't returned."
Young Yi Hao naturally couldn't help but worry. However, he didn't know what to do. He always felt that Song Wuji was untrustworthy, so he had no choice but to come to Baili Su. His mother always told him not to bother Baili Su, but this was his last resort.
"It's alright, I will help you. Qinglin, go and fetch my eldest brother."
Only Baili Jingxuan was in the residence at the moment. Baili Jingxuan was a martial arts expert. If Gu Qianying had indeed met with an accident, finding him would increase their chances.
Qinglin bowed and went out. This matter was of great importance and could not be delayed any further.
Young Yi Hao, who disliked crying, couldn't help but burst into tears at Baili Su's place. Baili Su had no choice but to comfort him gently.
"Second Brother, you were looking for me?" Baili Jingxuan entered the room.
Baili Su nodded. "Yes, Dr. Gu is missing. Take the people and soldiers from the residence and go look for her. Focus on the Song Residence." He said the last three words through gritted teeth. He had just received news that Song Yu'er had also gone out after Gu Qianying left today. If something unexpected had happened, Song Yu'er and the City Lord's Mansion would be responsible.
Baili Su's expression was very cold now, unlike someone who had just recovered from a serious illness.
"You go find Baili Mengran first. I will help you find your mother." Baili Su glanced at young Yi Hao and advised him to have Qinglin escort young Yi Hao to Baili Mengran's place, as it would be safer.
Baili Jingxuan listened to the entire story and naturally agreed to go look for her. However, if the person was really in the City Lord's Mansion, how could they have a legitimate reason to search for her? This was a bit tricky.
Upon hearing that Gu Qianying was missing, the Baili couple also rushed over. Seeing their youngest son's unwell complexion, they couldn't help but worry as well. The incident was truly bizarre, especially when Master Baili learned that Gu Qianying had gone missing while choosing a gift for him, he felt even more guilty. Looking closely at Baili Su's expression, he felt that something was not quite right.
Baili Jingxuan quickly found people and prepared to leave. The Baili couple naturally fully supported this decision, stating that the person had gone missing from their own home. What the two elders didn't expect was that Baili Su actually got out of bed, his face filled with anxiety.
"Where are you going?" Madam Baili quickly asked, only to realize that her son seemed to have changed.
"I'm going to find Gu Qianying too. I have to bring her back." Baili Su had always been aloof and self-possessed in front of everyone, never showing such emotional distress before.
"No, my son. Your poison has just been suppressed. Rest is most important right now. If you go now, everything Dr. Gu did will be in vain," Madam Baili earnestly persuaded him.
"I must go!" Baili Su was resolute.
Baili Jingxuan glanced at him and then turned to suggest to Madam Baili, "Mother, let second brother go along. Second brother is also worried about Dr. Gu, which is why he is like this. I will prepare a few more carriages, and that will be enough."
"Alright then."
Baili Su was determined to save the person himself. The Baili couple could do nothing but follow Baili Jingxuan's advice and indulge his wishes. However, Madam Baili was inwardly very worried.