Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 21

21: Trouble

Once again, Jiang Ci was carried back to the bedroom.

With the Marquis of Dingyuan unconscious, Xi Lingxue was now in charge of the household.

Now, the servants all listened to her. Ever since the Marquis became infatuated with the princess, there had been noticeable changes in her behavior. Most importantly, her temper had improved significantly, she hadn’t beaten anyone in the past two days!

Xi Lingxue dismissed the servants, leaving only Zhang Chengji, Jin Yu, and Huang Fu.

After a round of diagnosis, Zhang Chengji’s expression turned grave.

“Her symptoms are truly unusual, this is the first time I’ve encountered such a case. I need to go back and reconsider the medication.”

Having clarified the reason for Gao Yi’s changes, Xi Lingxue finally felt somewhat reassured. At least it indicated that Gao Yi wasn’t playing some trick. However, she still felt a faint sense of disappointment.

So, it really was hysteria, not some soul transmigration.

If that’s the case, then what about before…

[The facts are right in front of me, Gao Yi and I are completely different people.]

[The way you scolded Yao Qin just now was so cool!]

[I admire you for your resilience, bravery, intelligence, and most importantly, your good looks…]

[If they bully you, I won’t let it go either.]

Xi Lingxue suddenly realized that she remembered every word Gao Yi had said since her transformation.

…So, does that mean none of it was genuine?

Just the ramblings of a madwoman?

Xi Lingxue suddenly felt a tightness in her chest. That fleeting fantasy had ultimately been dashed.

Was she crazy too? Soul transmigration was so unrealistic.

Yet, Xi Lingxue still had some doubts. “Doctor Zhang, why did she suddenly develop hysteria, and why such a drastic change?”

What she didn’t say was, why was she so kind to her specifically?

“That’s hard to say, the causes of hysteria are complex.” Zhang Chengji replied. “From what I know, many veterans suffer from hysteria, and they change significantly. Gao Yi, after all, has been on the battlefield killing enemies since she was fourteen. War is always cruel, and people can develop hysteria from shock or trauma. Perhaps she hasn’t been normal for a long time, but no one noticed at first.”

Jin Yu thought to herself, that makes sense, this person has always been eccentric and hot-tempered.

“Doctor Zhang,” Jin Yu stammered, “Actually, I think she’s better off with hysteria than before…”

Although this person often talks nonsense and deliberately provokes her, Jin Yu prefers the current Gao Yi.

She no longer harms the princess; instead, she protects her, stands up for her, and even offends the Yao family for her sake.

If things could continue like this, it might actually be for the best…

Hysteria or not, maybe it’s better not to treat it.

Zhang Chengji said, “I understand, which is why I find it so unusual.”

You say she has hysteria, yet she’s quite clever, much better than before.

Yesterday, Zhang Chengji was also at the general store and witnessed how Gao Yi handled Wang Shichang.

The old Gao Yi wouldn’t have bothered with such trivial matters, and since Wang Shichang was on her side, even if she intervened, she should have sided with him. But she chose to speak up for Huang Fu instead.

Zhang Chengji had met Gao Yi a few times before and had a very poor impression of her—crude, arrogant, and domineering, solving problems with brute force, resorting to violence at the slightest disagreement.

Unlike yesterday, Gao Yi seemed like a completely different person.

Zhang Chengji was puzzled and curious about what Gao Yi had experienced to undergo such a drastic transformation in such a short time.

Little did he expect that today, she would start talking nonsense and even have convulsions…!

Such behavior was far from normal!

Having traveled far and wide as a doctor for many years, Zhang Chengji had never seen such symptoms before.

However, at the moment, this wasn’t the most pressing issue.

Zhang Chengji frowned, “Let’s put the hysteria aside for now. What I want to talk about is her gland. This injury—”

Xi Lingxue admitted frankly, “It was me. That day, she tried to forcibly mark me, and in the struggle, I slashed her with a dagger…”

“It was you, Your Highness?!” After the initial shock, Zhang Chengji’s brow furrowed deeply. “This is a serious problem.”

Xi Lingxue felt a vague sense of foreboding. “I didn’t cut very deep, it should heal in a few months…”

In truth, if Gao Yi hadn’t been the only descendant of the Gao family, she might have considered cutting out Gao Yi’s gland entirely.

“…Should?” Zhang Chengji shook his head and sighed, “Your Highness, that cut was too precise. Gao Yi’s gland is ruined, and even I can’t do anything about it.”

Xi Lingxue was stunned. Ruined?!

Only now did she realize that she hadn’t smelled Gao Yi’s pheromones in all these days…

How could this be?

She hated Gao Yi, but the Gao family had contributed to the nation’s defense. If Gao Yi was truly ruined, wouldn’t that mean the Gao family would have no heirs?!

“Your Highness,” Zhang Chengji said gravely, “you must never tell Gao Yi about this, and don’t let any other doctor examine her besides me! If this news gets out, your life will be in danger!”

Jin Yu was terrified and exclaimed, “But someone has already examined her before…”

That day, when the princess was drugged, Gao Yi had called a doctor, and Nanny Zhang had let that person examine her gland and prescribed some medicine.

Xi Lingxue also remembered this and had asked Nanny Zhang about it.

“That doctor said she would recover with regular medication…”

“Would she dare tell the truth? Admit that the Marquis of Dingyuan is ruined, that the Gao family would have no heirs?!” Zhang Chengji said sternly, “Your Highness, we must find that doctor as soon as possible and send her out of the capital!”

…

Yao Qin had been confined to the west courtyard for the past few days as punishment. Yesterday, she made a scene all day, refusing to eat and even threatening to hang herself, all to get Gao Yi’s attention. But Gao Yi didn’t come to see her all day!

Yao Qin couldn’t understand what kind of spell Xi Lingxue had cast on Gao Yi.

Yao Qin was extremely agitated. While drinking tea, she accidentally burned her mouth and angrily threw the cup to the ground.

“Lady, lady!” a maid hurriedly reported, “I just heard that the Marquis fainted in the study!”

“What?” Yao Qin forgot her anger upon hearing this and quickly asked, “Tell me what happened!”

Today, several more guards had been stationed in their courtyard, and Yao Qin had a vague feeling that something was amiss. Later, she heard that Zhang Chengji had come to the Marquis’s residence.

Who could have invited him? It must have been Xi Lingxue!

Yao Qin suspected that Xi Lingxue was up to no good again, and Gao Yi’s sudden fainting must be related to her!

The maid said, “Today, the princess, Doctor Zhang, and the owner of Huang’s General Store all came. The Marquis discussed matters with them in the study… Later, the princess had the Marquis carried to the bedroom…”

Yao Qin: “That’s it?”

The maid: “Yes…”

Yao Qin glared at her. What exactly happened was still unclear!

“Useless! All of you are useless! After giving out so much silver, you can’t even get a proper piece of information?!”

The maid hurriedly said, “Please calm down, lady! The Marquis had given strict orders that no one was to approach the study… But, lady, think about it. Zhang Chengji is a doctor, and the princess specifically brought him here, keeping it all so secretive. Could it be—”

There must be something fishy going on!

Yao Qin pondered for a moment and suddenly had an epiphany, “…She must have given her a love potion!”

The maid: “???”

“…That vile woman!” Yao Qin gritted her teeth. “No wonder Gao Yi suddenly changed her heart. She must have given her some drug to cloud her mind! Who is Zhang Chengji? He can bring the dead back to life. He must know how to concoct such a drug!”

Her analysis seemed quite plausible to the maid. How else could one explain the Marquis’s sudden change?

In the past, the Marquis had always been obedient to their lady, never imposing any confinement.

The maid: “What should we do, lady? The Marquis has now become their puppet!”

Yao Qin: “Don’t panic! Once the ban is lifted, I’ll bring the Yao family’s physician to counteract the drug!”

Yao Qin believed that once the drug’s effects were neutralized, Gao Yi would come to her senses.

Xi Lingxue was just a commoner princess. Apart from her looks, what did she have? The novelty would wear off soon, and Gao Yi would eventually realize that aligning with the Yao family was the right choice!

The alliance between the Gao and Yao families would be a powerful combination. Once Prince Duan ascended the throne, Gao Yi would surely be heavily relied upon, wielding great influence. As for Xi Lingxue… what could she possibly offer Gao Yi? How long could beauty alone sustain favor?

Thinking of Xi Lingxue’s aloof demeanor, Yao Qin gnashed her teeth in hatred. “Fighting with me? Hmph, I will make you pay double for the humiliation I suffered that day!”