Gu Lingling looked down and saw a pair of big, round eyes gazing up at her.
"Da Bao, are you scared? Why are your little hands so cold?"
Gu Lingling squatted down, hugging Da Bao tightly in her arms, feeling sorry for him.
At first, Da Bao shook his head, then nodded immediately, with a hint of grievance in his expression, making Gu Lingling feel guilty.
Seeing Gu Lingling return safely, the parties involved quickly crawled out from under the table, straightened their clothes, cleared their throats, and asked, "Master, has the nuisance been resolved?"
"After this, you can rest assured."
Upon hearing Gu Lingling's affirmative response, the couple couldn't hide their joy. The host even clasped her hands together and thanked the ancestors. Just as she finished speaking, she felt it was inappropriate, so she walked to Gu Lingling, bent slightly, and thanked her for rescuing them from the ordeal, mentioning that the house was all their belongings and they wouldn't know what to do if the ghosts didn't leave.
The hostess, overwhelmed with joy, felt like Gu Lingling had saved their family. Otherwise, the newly bought house would have become a haunted house, and they wouldn't be able to live in it or sell it.
"You're welcome. Since you've paid, we have to do our job. It's only right. I have to thank you for taking care of my child as well."
Gu Lingling was the kind of person who reciprocated kindness. She hadn't thought of putting on airs as a master.
Perhaps after witnessing the power of the ghost earlier and experiencing the fear of being possessed by a ghost, the host had lost some of his previous arrogance. However, being accustomed to being arrogant, it was now difficult for him to be approachable. His smile seemed forced, and he tried to express his gratitude but couldn't form a complete sentence: "Thank you, Master. This child is so well-behaved and didn't cry at all..."
The host kept rambling about praising Da Bao, intending to mention that the child wasn't afraid even after Gu Lingling had been gone for a long time, but before he could say it, he was frightened by the seemingly indifferent look in Da Bao's eyes, even though there was no warning or intimidation in them. This made him feel chilly all over, worse than being possessed by a ghost, as if all his fears were stirred up by this terrifying feeling.
The host kept retreating and finally sat down on the ground.
How could a person who was just fine a moment ago suddenly look as if they had seen a ghost? Gu Lingling wanted to check if there were any remaining issues, but before she could take a step, she felt Da Bao's hand holding hers tightly, preventing her from leaving.
"What's wrong, Da Bao?"
Gu Lingling lowered herself, matching her gaze with Da Bao's, her delicate face exuding a gentle aura, her voice carrying an intoxicating sweetness.
Da Bao's eyes wavered for a moment, then he quickly steadied himself and dared not look at Gu Lingling's eyes, which were as soft as spring water. He shook his head and pointed outside with his chubby little finger, saying, "Let's go."
Gu Lingling smiled brightly and said, "So Da Bao has been bored here, and mother will take you out. Shall we go to a fun place?"
While speaking, she led Da Bao outside, and he obediently listened, occasionally nodding. He inadvertently glanced at the hostess, who had already been helped up by the host and was back in a sitting position.
The prince's mansion had an imposing and spacious gate, with two bright lanterns hanging below the signboard bearing the three characters "Prince's Mansion." From a distance, Gu Lingling saw a figure standing under the lanterns, but it didn't seem like Rong Rong.
Perplexed, Gu Lingling entered to find that the person at the gate was indeed not Rong Rong.
The young prince was standing on the steps, looking up at the bright moon, his gentle contours emanating an ethereal beauty under the moonlight, and his light brown eyes seemed to be captivated by some magical force, gazing blankly at the moon.
Hearing Gu Lingling's footsteps, the prince came to his senses, and a warm smile appeared on his face. His light brown eyes sparkled.
"Rong Xian's been injured, and the royal physician is treating her, so she's unable to come and meet you, so I took it upon myself to wait here to guide you."
Standing on the steps, the young prince was a scene straight out of a painting with the bright moon, lanterns, crimson gate, and the night wind blowing through his dark hair, creating a picturesque scene.
"Thank you, Prince, but there was no need to specially wait. You could have sent a servant or maid to guide me."
Gu Lingling picked up Da Bao and ascended the steps.
"Without genuine regard, the sentiment is lost." The prince glanced at Da Bao in Gu Lingling's arms, with a pensive expression, asking, "Is this child... Master Gu's son?"
The prince's smile seemed affable, but there was a hint of nervousness, and Da Bao was eagerly listening, as if expecting something.
"He is and he isn't. Although we have no blood relation, meeting him was fate, a lifelong mother-son bond."
The prince was somewhat surprised, but he relaxed, and even his smile became warmer, saying, "Master Gu is truly kind-hearted."
With that, he even reached out and pinched Da Bao's cheek.
Da Bao's face froze, and because he was lost in thought about the "mother-son bond," he didn't notice the prince grabbing him. The prince's finger was cold and stiff, causing Da Bao to furrow his brows involuntarily.
Inside the prince's mansion, there were both magnificent pavilions and meandering corridors.
After an extensive tour led by the prince, they arrived at a quiet courtyard.
"This is called Tang Court, the most secluded and tranquil courtyard in the mansion. Please forgive any deficiencies, Master Gu."
Look at that, the mansion was filled with exotic plants and exquisite buildings, yet it was considered "deficient." Gu Lingling noticed that the prince didn't display any sense of pride or flaunt his wealth and power. Rich and powerful people were different, she thought, feeling envious.
"It is indeed grand. We came down the mountain this time to vanquish evil and uphold justice, not for leisure. This courtyard... is more than enough."
This courtyard was more than enough.
Gu Lingling wanted to check on Rong Rong, but unexpectedly, the prince showed no intention to leave. Instead, he followed her to Rong Rong's room.
Although Tang Court was a separate courtyard, it was well-equipped—there was a reception room, a bedroom, and further back, a bedroom.
The royal physician had left, and Rong Rong was engaged in a standoff with Liao Feixing, with medicine bottles, gauze, and a basin of steaming water on the table.
Upon seeing Gu Lingling carrying Da Bao in, Liao Feixing's expression immediately softened, while Rong Rong's icy face clearly lit up with joy.
This turn of events left Gu Lingling puzzled, but she quickly understood the reason behind Liao Feixing's softer expression.
"Lingling, you're finally here."
Rong Rong was still in her previous clothes, with a tear in the shoulder due to the injury, exposing a bloody wound underneath. Her clean fairy gown was also soiled with blood, and her entire arm was a bloody mess.
Gu Lingling put Da Bao down and hurried over, saying, "Is it that serious? You haven't received any treatment yet? Let me help you get dressed."
The sky had darkened earlier, and there was moonlight, but the fine details weren't visible. Combined with the urgent situation, Gu Lingling hadn't realized how severe Rong Rong's injuries were.
Hearing Gu Lingling volunteering, Rong Rong immediately snatched something from Liao Feixing and handed it to Gu Lingling. Only then did Gu Lingling realize that the thing Liao Feixing had been holding in a standoff with Rong Rong was a wet towel.
Gu Lingling barely suppressed a smile. It turned out that Liao Feixing wanted to give Rongrong some medicine, but due to the difference between men and women, Rongrong simply refused.
Seeing Liao Feixing's frustration, Gu Lingling couldn't help but give him a look of pity and said, "Leave."
Liao Feixing walked away with a stern face, while the prince couldn't help but smile and wanted to pick up Da Bao, but Da Bao deliberately avoided him. As the prince looked at Da Bao's retreating figure, his smile gradually disappeared.
...
Rongrong had changed her clothes, but looking at the swelling on her shoulder, it was clear that the bandages were wrapped very thickly. Liao Feixing's gaze was like a knife, piercing Gu Lingling.
"Esteemed masters, I will provide extra compensation for yesterday's mishap. Please help me find the root cause at the prince's mansion and restore peace to the residence."
The prince's words were sincere and polite, without an ounce of arrogance from his status.
Extra compensation for the mishap? This was the most generous thing Gu Lingling had ever encountered.
"The prince can rest assured. The Forget-worry Pavilion has always been thorough and will not just perfunctorily handle things."
Rongrong sat on the bed, her hand resting on her injured leg with some authoritative aura, but Gu Lingling felt a bit apprehensive. The former pavilion master had been negligent in his actions, and now such confident words could backfire.
"I naturally trust the ability of the Forget-worry Pavilion." The prince smiled and then asked, "When will Master Luo return? I will have someone fetch him."
"No need. Master has just instructed through a message that he's currently dealing with urgent matters. Just prepare a room for him."
The prince then left, as it was already late in the night, and others dispersed to rest.
Gu Lingling had initially planned to return to the pavilion after handling the case, but encountered unexpected incidents, and most importantly, saw Luo Yunzhen. If it were anyone else, it would be fine, but seeing Luo Yunzhen, Gu Lingling couldn't simply leave. However, seeing Luo Yunzhen's demeanor, there was no indication of wanting her to leave.
She could only wait here to see if Luo Yunzhen had any other instructions. The treatment at the prince's mansion was indeed different, even though it was just a normal courtyard. The bed and the quilt were not something ordinary people could find. Gu Lingling slept very comfortably, and the bed was also very spacious, unlike when she had to squeeze with Da Bao in the Forget-worry Pavilion.
But in the middle of the night, Gu Lingling still felt something pressing against her.
As the sky brightened, Gu Lingling had a lazy sleep and emerged from the room to find that Rongrong and Liao Feixing had already awoken and were sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, discussing something.