Chapter 469 Cure the Gu

Chapter 469: Removing the Gu

The coffin lid was intact, the sealing clay was intact, and not a single burial item was missing. Everything was neatly arranged, as if carefully placed and never touched again.

So there was only one possibility—these two coffins had always been empty.

Cheng Ge was a bit speechless.

He had knelt, kowtowed, and lit incense, only to find nothing inside.

So what exactly had they been worshipping? Worshipping nothing?

He opened his mouth to curse, but with Zhou Mingqi right there, he held it in.

Zhou Mingqi rolled the marriage certificate back up and tucked it deep into the coffin.

Then he straightened up and stood there in silence for a moment.

He walked over to Prince Zhenbei's coffin, bent down, and pulled a small box out from among the burial goods.

"Is this it?" His voice came out a little hoarse.

Cheng Ge froze for a second, then quickly took it.

The box wasn't big, but it was heavy in his hands. The wood was fine red sandalwood, carved with intricate patterns, and the seal was covered with a layer of wax.

His hands trembled as he picked at the wax with his nails a few times before peeling it off and opening the lid—

Inside lay a pill, amber-colored, with a faint gleam.

It was in perfect condition, as if it had just been placed there.

Tears suddenly welled up in Cheng Ge's eyes.

He clutched the jade box, his hands shaking badly, and took several deep breaths to steady himself.

Just as he was about to close the lid, his eyes caught a piece of silk beneath the pill, folded neatly and tucked at the bottom of the box.

Figuring it was another marriage certificate or something, he casually pulled it out, unfolded it, and took a look.

"Prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality..."

Cheng Ge: "?!?!"

Cheng Ge gripped the silk document, eyes wide, pupils shaking.

He even wanted to rush back and grab Zhou Ming by the collar and demand—just how many people have you f***ing corrupted?

Seeing him freeze, Zhou Mingqi instinctively glanced at the silk document, his brows knitting slightly.

"What does this mean?"

Hearing that, Cheng Ge's whole body jolted.

He tightened his grip on the silk, his mind racing, and stammered: "Uh... well... this..."

He scratched his cheek, desperately trying to find the right words.

"This must be something Prince Zhenbei left behind..." His voice trailed off, clearly lacking confidence.

"A... uh... governing philosophy? Maybe he wanted future generations... to follow this?"

Zhou Mingqi just looked at him, saying nothing.

Feeling guilty under Zhou Mingqi's gaze, Cheng Ge quickly folded the silk and stuffed it back into the box, moving like he was getting rid of evidence.

"Your Majesty, this... I'll study it more when we get back. For now, the priority is getting back to save him."

He tucked the box into his robes, his voice muffled, "The pill is what matters, the pill is what matters..."

Zhou Mingqi glanced at him but didn't push it, turning toward the tomb passage. "Let's go."

Cheng Ge quickly followed, his pace much faster than when they'd come in.

After a few steps, he couldn't help patting the box in his robes, then patting it again.

Cheng Ge jogged all the way out of the underground palace, moving so fast he nearly tripped on the stairs.

Zhou Mingqi called out "Slow down" from behind, but Cheng Ge pretended not to hear, clutching the box and charging for the tomb gate without looking back.

The carriage was already waiting. He dove inside, pulled the curtain aside, and urged the driver to hurry.

The wheels rolled over the lingering frost of early spring that hadn't yet melted, jolting all the way back.

He pressed the box against his chest, feeling the pill shift gently inside, his heart swaying with it.

By the time they got back to the manor, dusk had already fallen.

Cheng Ge jumped off the carriage, his legs nearly buckling and almost sending him to his knees. Ignoring the pain, he grabbed the box and rushed inside.

As he ran through the corridor, he knocked over a flowerpot, which shattered on the ground. He didn't even look at it.

Bai Yuxing was drinking tea in the room. When Cheng Ge burst in, the teacup in his hand wobbled, splashing a few drops.

Cheng Ge slammed the box on the table, panting, his eyes blazing: "The medicine! Found it!"

Bai Yuxing set down his teacup, opened the box, and took a look. His brow rose slightly, but he didn't ask questions—just nodded.

On the couch, Yun Xunyu was still in the same state, except the vivid color on his lips had grown even more striking.

Cheng Ge stood by the couch, watching Bai Yuxing take out the pill, bring it to his nose, and sniff it.

Then he took a row of silver needles out of his medicine chest and said, "Help him sit up."

Cheng Ge quickly climbed onto the couch and carefully propped Yun Xunyu up against his chest.

Yun Xunyu tilted his head back slightly, his white hair spilling down and brushing against the back of Cheng Ge's hand.

Bai Yuxing fed the pill to Yun Xunyu, then gave him a sip of water, holding his chin to make him swallow.

Then he picked up the silver needles and inserted them one by one, quick and steady.

Cheng Ge watched the needles pierce Yun Xunyu's skin, his palms slick with sweat.

Time passed, minute by minute.

Yun Xunyu's breathing went from weak to rapid, his chest rising and falling more urgently.

Bai Yuxing switched to a second set of needles, inserting them near the heart, fine sweat beading on his forehead.

Cheng Ge didn't dare make a peep—he even unconsciously held his breath.

As the last needle fell, Yun Xunyu's body suddenly gave a violent jerk.

Cheng Ge quickly held him down, feeling the body in his arms burning up.

It wasn't a low-grade fever kind of warm—it was scorching, as if something were burning inside him.

Bai Yuxing took his pulse, his brow knitting, then smoothing, then knitting again.

He shot Cheng Ge a complicated look.

"What's wrong?" Cheng Ge's heart jumped into his throat.

Bai Yuxing didn't answer immediately. He checked Yun Xunyu's tongue and eyelids again.

After a beat of silence, he finally said: "This gu of his—it's an aphrodisiac gu."

Cheng Ge was stunned: "What... an aphrodisiac gu?"

Bai Yuxing pulled out a silver needle, the tip tinged with a faint red.

"This gu is special. When forced out of the body, it triggers a surge of lust. If it can't be suppressed, at best his meridians get damaged; at worst—"

He trailed off. Cheng Ge's face went white: "Then what do we do?"

Bai Yuxing looked at him, choosing his words carefully: "Master Cheng better go find some women..."

Cheng Ge was totally dazed, staring blankly at Bai Yuxing.

His hand was still on Yun Xunyu, not knowing where to put it, not knowing what to say.

His mind felt clogged, like something was stuck in there, refusing to work.

Seeing him like this, Bai Yuxing frowned in a panic: "His gu is already acting up. If we wait any longer, something's gonna happen!"

The moment he finished speaking, Yun Xunyu's body arched violently, like something had exploded inside him.

"Ugh—!"

A muffled groan escaped his throat, his whole body shaking like he'd been thrown into ice water.

But his skin was burning—scary hot. Cheng Ge's hand on his chest could feel his heart racing like it was about to explode.

"Yun Xunyu—" Cheng Ge leaned down, pressing his forehead to Yun Xunyu's. "Yun Xunyu, can you hear me?"

Nothing.

Yun Xunyu's eyes remained closed, his brow knit tight, lips parted slightly, his scorching breath washing over Cheng Ge's face.

His fingers dug into the sheets, knuckles white, veins popping on the backs of his hands.

Cheng Ge pulled his collar down more. The red marks had spread to his chest.

It was like something was crawling under his skin—visible, touchable, but impossible to catch.

He pressed his palm to it, feeling the thing move, pulse under his hand, beat after beat.

"Does it hurt?" His voice shook. "Where does it hurt?!"

Yun Xunyu's lips moved slightly.

Cheng Ge quickly leaned in, catching only a few broken breaths, unable to make out the words.

He leaned in closer and heard—"...dear... hot..."

Cheng Ge froze, then reached out to touch his forehead. Scalding.

He touched his face—burning too. Neck, collarbone, chest—all of it burning.

It was like something was burning inside him, from the inside out, drying up every drop of moisture.

Cheng Ge fumbled frantically to get his clothes off.

Collar, sash, layer after layer—Yun Xunyu was bundled up tight, like they were afraid he'd get cold, or afraid he'd bolt.

He tore the clothes open, revealing big swaths of burning skin, revealing the layered wounds on his wrists.

His hand froze, staring at those scars old and new, at the blood-soaked gauze.

His tears fell, landing right on those wounds.

Yun Xunyu arched again, a muffled sound escaping his throat—pain or something else.

His fingers let go of the sheets and grabbed Cheng Ge's sleeve, gripping hard, knuckles white.

Cheng Ge took his hand, lowered his head, and pressed his lips to the wounds on his wrist.

Those scars pressed into his lips—rough, bumpy.

"I'm here." His voice was thick. "I'm right here."

Yun Xunyu's breathing grew more ragged, his hand still clutching Cheng Ge's sleeve, refusing to let go.

Cheng Ge pressed his hand to his own cheek, feeling that scorching palm against his skin, like it might leave a mark.

He didn't flinch. He just pulled Yun Xunyu into his arms and held on tight.

Yun Xunyu didn't respond. His eyes were still closed.

But his brow was knit tight, sweat pouring down his forehead, soaking the pillow.

Bai Yuxing urged from the side: "If you don't go find someone now, it'll be too late!"

Cheng Ge gritted his teeth, gently laid Yun Xunyu back on the couch, and turned to rush out.

He didn't even bother with shoes, running barefoot over the cold stone floor, shoving the door open and sprinting out.

Several people were waiting outside the courtyard.

Zhou Mingqi stood at the front, hands behind his back, the bright yellow hem of his robe swaying in the wind.

Cui Ji and Lin Nanshu sat on stone stools, with Zhou Yinyun and Cheng Xiao standing nearby.

Hearing the commotion, they all looked up at once. Seeing Cheng Ge in that state, their expressions shifted.

Cheng Ge ran barefoot to Cui Ji and grabbed his arm.

"Cheng Xiao—go quickly and find some women—" He gasped for breath.

Everyone froze for a moment.

Cui Ji glanced at him, didn't ask questions, just nodded, and turned to instruct the person beside him: "Go take care of it."

Those around had already guessed what was going on, and no one said a word.

"Yes." The man acknowledged and turned to leave.

Cheng Ge grabbed his arm, fingers digging in hard: "Don't force them—"

His voice was still trembling, but he spoke each word clearly, "You'll be well rewarded afterward."

The man paused, then quickly nodded: "Don't worry, sir, I get it." Then he hurried off.

Cheng Ge stood in the courtyard, as if all the strength had been sucked out of him.

The night wind blew in, cold and biting, making him shiver.

Cui Ji glanced down at him, didn't say a word, just shrugged off his own robe and draped it over Cheng Ge's shoulders.

Cheng Ge froze for a moment, looking up at him.

Cui Ji didn't look at him, just tugged the robe tighter around him, his voice low: "Don't freeze."

Soon, servants came hurrying in, escorting three young women.

They moved fast, the hems of their dresses wet with night dew—clearly called in on short notice.

All three were around the same age, early twenties, pretty in their own ways.

One had an oval face with soft features; another a round face that'd show dimples when she smiled; and the last a delicate, slender figure with a pointed chin.

The three stood in the yard, bowing, not daring to speak, eyes glued to their own feet.

A muffled groan came from inside—not loud, but it sliced through the night's silence like a knife.

It was hoarse and low, full of a pain you couldn't put into words, like it was being wrenched from his throat.

Cui Ji shot the servant a look.

The servant nodded quickly, gestured, and led the three women inside.

Cheng Ge suddenly stepped forward, making the three women jump and look up at him.

Cui Ji froze too, staring at him. Everyone in the yard turned to look.

Cheng Ge stood there, still wearing Cui Ji's outer robe.

He opened his mouth, his voice so rough it was barely a whisper: "He's hurt—"

His hand clenched the doorframe, voice shaky: "Be gentle with him. Don't hurt him."

He paused, then added, "His wrists are hurt. Don't touch them."

The three women glanced at each other, nodded, and hurried past him inside.

The door shut behind them, and Cheng Ge stood frozen on the doorstep.

The yard was dead silent. No one said a word. The night wind blew through, and he shivered again.

From inside came faint sounds—the rustle of clothes, and Yun Xunyu's muffled groans, broken and uneven.

Cheng Ge stood outside the door, listening, not moving an inch.

He looked down at his bare feet, toes red from the cold, frost dusting the stone bricks.

Lin Nanshu stepped up, his voice gentle: "Muyu, go get some rest."

Cheng Ge's mouth twitched, like he wanted to say something, but nothing came out. He nodded and turned to go.

And then—

"Ah—!!" A sharp scream burst from the room—piercing, shrill.

Then came the sound of things smashing—porcelain hitting the floor, the sharp crack echoing loud in the night.

Cheng Ge's face went white. He didn't think—just shoved the door open and rushed in.

The room was a wreck.

The table was flipped over, teapot and cups smashed on the floor, tea and broken porcelain scattered everywhere.

Chairs were knocked over every which way, and half the curtain had been ripped down, hanging off the overturned table leg, swaying.

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