The Eldest Daughter Returns: Imperial Uncle, I'm Pregnant!

Gu Qingwan worked hard all morning, and the results were as good as she had imagined. Chunbo was once again impressed by Gu Qingwan's medical skills. If the Tianshan Snow Lotus were in his hands, it might only be able to exert 80% of its effect, but in the hands of the princess, it could exert 100% of its effect.

"Your Highness need not worry too much. His Highness will surely be blessed with good fortune."

Gu Qingwan nodded, "Yes, Your Highness will definitely get better. Your Highness should not go to the palace recently. We have already put that Gu worm into a frozen dormant period. As long as no one forcibly wakes it up, Your Highness will be fine. We just need to wait for the Gu King to wake up."

"Not going to the palace? But what if they summon us there..."

"Sigh, there's nothing we can do but face whatever comes our way." Gu Qingwan looked into the distance, unsure of what she would face, only hoping that the prince would recover.

In the distance, Shi Shu hurried over and whispered to the princess, "Your Highness, Master Huang sent a letter saying that a Master Yi Ming has come from the south. However, that master doesn't tell fortunes or anything like that. He's just very good at making elixirs and treating people's illnesses. He has a lot of good reputation among the people because he doesn't charge a penny for treating the poor."

"Master Yiming?" Gu Qingwan had never heard of this person before. "Have you found out his background?"

Shi Shu shook her head. "No, our people only know this person's name for now. We haven't found out where he came from yet. But Daoist Yiming is just as he said. He was sent by Laozi to deliver medicine to the suffering masses, especially the Xiaoyao Pill. It is said that one Xiaoyao Pill can eliminate all disasters, and if you use nine pills in a row, you can break through the lifespan limit and live as long as an immortal."

Chunbo scoffed at this, "What Xiaoyao Pill? If it were really that effective, what would be the point of doctors and physicians? I think it's just a bunch of quacks."

Shi Shu nodded, clearly agreeing with what Chunbo said. However, there was one thing she needed to report: "Your Highness, there is another piece of news, I don't know if it's true, but it is said that this Xiaoyao Pill has really been made and has even entered the palace."

"If it flowed into the palace, then it was obviously deliberate. Xiao Yi, try to investigate the palace. Remember to keep a low profile and don't let anyone discover anything. If you find something, then investigate; if you don't, then give up."

"Yes!"

At this moment, Butler Hua hurried in and saw the princess and her entourage standing in the courtyard, seemingly talking. He glanced at the closed door behind him and knew that the prince must be asleep again. He quickly walked up to the princess and bowed.

"Uncle Hua, there's no need for such formalities. What can I do for you?"

"Your Highness, a veiled girl came up from behind and said she wanted to visit the Prince and Princess. I asked her for a long time, but she wouldn't say who she was. However, this is a token she brought, saying that the masters would know who she is when they see it."

Gu Qingwan's heart skipped a beat when she saw it. This was a unique token from Boss Yin of the brothel, and it was also the only proof that she could contact the Prince of Chu alone. Apart from the Prince, only Xiao Yi and she had seen this thing.

"Uncle Hua, I recognize this person. Quietly invite him to the side courtyard. If anyone sees him, just say that he is from the Treasure Pavilion and is delivering something to me. Don't ask any other questions."

Seeing the princess's serious expression, Uncle Hua knew that this person was no ordinary person, so he didn't ask any more questions and went to pick her up himself.

Yin Ping was wearing a man's cloak that concealed her figure, and her head was completely covered by the cloak's hood. Just in case, she also wore a mask over her face. In short, if she hadn't spoken, even Uncle Hua wouldn't have been able to confirm that she was a woman. Seeing this, Uncle Hua became even more cautious as he led her inside, without uttering a single extra word throughout the entire process.

When Yin Ping saw Gu Qingwan, she took off her cloak and, without even having time to greet her, went up to Gu Qingwan and told her the purpose of her visit.

"Your Highness, please forgive me for coming to the Prince's residence without being summoned. However, I have been unable to contact the Prince recently, no matter how hard I try. This matter is too urgent, and I must come to see the Prince. By the way, where is the Prince?"

“Your Highness…” Gu Qingwan didn’t know how to explain. Xiao Jingchen had just taken medicine and definitely couldn’t be woken up.

"His Highness has encountered some problems and is currently unable to receive you."

Yin Ping was taken aback for a moment, but she quickly recovered and said respectfully, "Reporting to the Princess is the same. The Prince also said that if he is not present, the Princess's words represent him."

"Your Highness, this matter is of utmost importance; you must take precautions in advance."

"what happened?"

Yin Ping took out something wrapped in a handkerchief from her sleeve. Inside was a black pill that looked as shiny as satin and was quite beautiful.

"Your Highness, look, these are pills brought by customers from the brothel. They call them 'carefree pills,' but they are actually opium."

Gu Qingwan had never heard of opium before, and she was taken aback when Yin Ping mentioned it.

"opium?"

"Your Highness, you may not know this, but this stuff is made from poppies. It gives people a feeling of euphoria, just like they say, that you will become an immortal. It also has a certain pain-relieving effect. Once you take it, even if someone stabs you, you won't feel any pain."

"Such a fine item exists?"

Yin Ping sneered, "Your Highness, this good stuff is addictive. Once you get hooked, it's hard to quit. If you don't take it, you'll go crazy like a mad dog, hurting yourself and others. Your personality will change drastically, and it will make you gradually lose weight until you become emaciated and die."

Gu Qingwan was shocked. If this thing was really like that, and if the people in the barracks got infected, wouldn't the whole army be wiped out without anyone even having to go to the palace? And what about the Xiaoyao Pill? Gu Qingwan suddenly remembered that the prince had taken a pill from the palace that the emperor had given him, which was also called Xiaoyao Pill. Could it be such a coincidence?

"Where did this come from? Have you been able to find out?"

Yin Ping never dreamed that something like opium would still exist in this era, and that it would even be purified. Although its effects were not as good as before, it was still far superior to something that appeared out of nowhere.

This thing almost led a nation to extinction back then, and I never imagined that it would still try to destroy a nation. After thinking about it, perhaps it is not a particular object that can destroy a nation, but rather the human heart. A wicked human heart can destroy a nation.

She couldn't think of anyone else who could possess such abilities, except perhaps someone who had traveled through time.

"Your Highness, I haven't been able to find the source, but I have one person in mind: Consort Gu of the Third Prince's residence." Yin Ping really couldn't think of anyone else besides this person. Thinking of Gu Hanjiao showing off her modern items here before, Yin Ping became even more convinced that the person was Gu Hanjiao.

"Gu Hanjiao!"

Gu Qingwan thought about Gu Hanjiao's actions in her previous life. There was no such thing as a "carefree pill." However, the fact that Yin Ping was willing to risk exposure to go to the Chu Prince's mansion to report the news meant that this matter was of great importance.

"This matter is of great importance. If it really is her... well, at least we now have a direction for the investigation. I will send someone to investigate."

However, Yin Ping clearly did not think that way. "Your Highness, the people around here are a mixed bag. Let me go and investigate. You and the Prince still need people here."

Gu Qingwan shook her head and said, "I know what you mean, but that's not the purpose of your brothel. You can send people to keep an eye on things secretly, but you must not investigate Gu Hanjiao because of this matter. If someone catches a clue and follows it, you will no longer be a trump card in the Prince's hands. This is too risky for the Chu Prince's Mansion and not worth the loss. I think the Prince does not want you to take this risk."

Yin Ping knew this principle, of course, but the thought of someone dealing in opium made her furious.

“But Your Highness, someone has already set their sights on our brothels. If the girls get interested, even more people will flock here. If something happens, the brothels will be infamous and ruined.”

Yin Ping's concerns were not unfounded. The reputation of the brothel was currently good only because some literati, high-ranking officials, and celebrities were supporting it. If opium were truly allowed to flow out of the brothel, then...

“What you said makes sense. Well then, you can’t handle this secretly; you have to handle it publicly.” Gu Qingwan thought about it and still felt that if this matter wasn’t handled well, it would still implicate the brothel.

"Handle it in a high-profile manner? Shouldn't such things be done in private?"

“We need to do the opposite. I will have people from the Chu Prince’s Mansion investigate in private, because these pills may have already entered the palace. But you should make a big show of it. After all, someone wants to make money off your territory and take advantage of the fact that there are many high-ranking officials in the brothel to enrich her. As the owner, how can you tolerate this?”

Upon hearing this, Yin Ping's eyes immediately lit up. The princess was right. How could she tolerate someone wanting to take a share of her territory without even greeting her?

It just so happens that there are still some restless people in the brothel. With more money, people's hearts change. It's good to take this opportunity to check if there are any defectors.

Having made up her mind, she looked at the Princess Consort of Chu with even greater respect. The person her master had chosen must be capable, and the Princess Consort was someone who could uphold the prestige of the Chu Prince's Mansion and was worthy of her master.

"Understood, then I shall take my leave."

Gu Qingwan knew that Yin Ping already understood what she should do, so she took a jade pendant from her waist and handed it to Yin Ping.

"When you go back, take this to the Treasure Pavilion. It's my token. They will lead you out through a secret door in the Treasure Pavilion. Be careful on your way back, and don't let anyone follow you."

Yin Ping accepted the jade pendant with both hands; the warmth of the princess's fingertips still lingered on it. "I understand. I was reckless this time. It won't happen again."

"Don't feel guilty. This is no small matter. Even if the prince finds out, he won't blame you."

Yin Ping wanted to find out how the prince was doing, but she moved her lips and didn't say anything. She just nodded, put on her cloak, and Uncle Hua waited at the door. After Yin Ping came out, he led her out the way they came.

When they arrived at the door, they encountered people returning from shopping. Others couldn't help but be curious about Yin Ping's attire. Uncle Hua cleared his throat, put his hands behind his back, and stood on the steps, looking down at Yin Ping.

"Once the items are ready, Treasure Pavilion can simply send someone over to let us know, or have someone deliver the samples to the Prince's Mansion. It will be through the same gate. If our Princess Consort likes them, the Prince's Mansion will buy all the good items from this batch from Treasure Pavilion."

Yin Ping nodded and boarded the carriage prepared by the Princess of Chu without saying a word.

After everyone left, Granny Lai, who had just returned from shopping, stepped forward and asked, "Steward, who was that person? Why was he dressed like that?"

Uncle Hua glanced at Granny Lai, dusted off non-existent dust from his clothes, and said, "The craftsmen in the Treasure Pavilion were very skilled, but I also heard that they were burned in a fire, their whole family died, and he was burned beyond recognition, and his voice was also ruined by the smoke."

"Oh dear, how dare we let someone like that into our palace? What if he offends the princess?"