Chapter 265

"He... who are they?"

By this time, Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran felt there was no need to conceal their identities anymore.

Especially He Zhiran. She knew very clearly that by using this method to wake up the Fourth Princess, not only could she not extend the Fourth Princess's time, but it would accelerate her death instead.

As for the two maidservants, they were loyal to the Fourth Princess. And judging by the Fourth Princess’s current condition, she and the Prince of Southern Border were not of one mind. Even if the Fourth Princess died, presumably those two maidservants would not turn to the Prince of Southern Border.

They could not go back to Great Shun either, so there was no need to worry that today’s events would be divulged.

Thinking of this, Mo Jiuye stepped forward and said, "Princess, I am Mo Jiuye."

Hearing this voice, the Fourth Princess struggled to open her eyes wide to look at him, trying to find a trace of familiarity in his face.

Mo Jiuye had altered his appearance by now and looked nothing like his original self. He knew it was normal that the Fourth Princess could not recognize him.

To prove his identity, Mo Jiuye spoke again, "Princess, do you still remember? When I escorted you to the border between Great Shun and Southern Border, you asked me to secretly take you to worship my late father and brothers. You even said that if you were not allowed to burn incense at the Mo family men’s graves, you would die in front of me and absolutely refuse to go to Southern Border for the marriage alliance."

"Cough cough...Are you really Mo Jiuye?" Only Mo Jiuye alone knew about this matter at the time. And it was Mo Jiuye who accompanied her up the mountain to worship. There could be no mistake. And this voice was indeed the same as Mo Jiuye's.

"I only changed my appearance to make things easier when acting in Southern Border. I am the genuine Mo Jiuye."

Now the Fourth Princess could confirm Mo Jiuye’s identity.

She exerted her arms, attempting to prop herself up to sit.

He Zhiran came over and said, "It's better if you lie down to conserve your strength."

Judging by the Fourth Princess’s current condition, exerting even a little effort would drain the last of her life.

The Fourth Princess should also be clear about her own condition. Although she still did not know He Zhiran’s identity, since she was with Mo Jiuye, she must be his person. Thus, she was very obedient and did not move again. He Zhiran asked, "Princess, were you cursed by someone?"

"You...How do you know?" The Fourth Princess was clearly somewhat surprised.

The curse in her body was wilfully cast by someone. Even the witch doctor did not detect it.

It seemed this frail-looking man should not be underestimated.

He Zhiran crossed her arms over her chest, "Don't ask how I figured it out. Just tell me if it's true or false."

The Fourth Princess’s eyes dodged around, clearly unwilling to answer.

"You don’t need to know about this."

Although the Fourth Princess spoke thus, He Zhiran had already confirmed her own judgment.

It was just, why would the Fourth Princess be cursed?

Did the Gu worms in her body have anything to do with Teacher Si Meng whom they were looking for?

This thought made He Zhiran feel an urge to inquire further.

She first looked at Lan Er and the other maidservant. Both maidservants kept their heads lowered, not daring to meet her gaze directly. This showed that these two maidservants also knew the inside story.

If she really could not get anything out from the Fourth Princess, she would target these two maidservants to find the answer.

Just as He Zhiran was pondering this, Lan Er suddenly knelt in front of the Fourth Princess's bed.

"Princess, now that it has come to this, what more is there left to conceal? Moreover, the Mo family people are right in front of you. You've done so much for the Mo family. How could you still not speak at this time?"

"Cough cough cough... Cough cough..."

Seeing her maidservant kneel down and say these things, the Fourth Princess instinctively wanted to stop her. But as soon as she opened her mouth, it triggered a violent coughing fit, rendering her unable to speak.

Mo Jiuye did not understand why Lan Er would say that.

"What does she mean when she says you've done a lot for my Mo family?"

He Zhiran also stared closely at the mistress and servant, wanting to know the answer. Like Mo Jiuye, she could not think of any reason why the princess who was born to the Empress would do anything good for the Mo family, let alone do a lot.

The Fourth Princess was still coughing heavily. Although so, her eyes were fixed on Lan Er, carrying an obvious warning.

Lan Er no longer cared about much at this moment. As she helped her mistress breathe, she still said, "Princess, it has come to this point. If even your life is going to be lost, what more can't be said?"

Although the Fourth Princess knew her remaining time was numbered, she did not realize it was so dire.

She stared at He Zhiran and asked, "How much longer can I live?"

Telling the grim truth would be very cruel to the Fourth Princess, but He Zhiran still chose to be blunt.

"If nothing unexpected happens, only about another hour."

"What? Only an hour left?" Lan Er widened her eyes in disbelief. In her impression, the princess had never been so spirited before. How could there only be an hour left?

Apparently the Fourth Princess was also very surprised. But after thinking about her ruined body, and realizing that if not for a persisting willpower supporting her, she would have long passed away, she accepted the outcome quite quickly.

"Since I have come to my dying moments, I will not continue concealing things." She looked at Mo Jiuye and went on, "But you must promise me that even after knowing this news, do not try to save him."

Mo Jiuye was left mystified by her words. He did not know who she meant by "him".

"What is the Princess trying to say?"

The Fourth Princess looked very solemn. "Promise me first."

Mo Jiuye was also stubborn by nature. Without knowing what matter it concerned, even when facing a dying person, he would not compromise.

Especially after Lan Er mentioned that the Fourth Princess had done a lot for the Mo family.

Just who was this "him" she spoke of?

"My Mo family people have always prioritized the greater cause. If it benefits the Mo family, I will naturally listen to the Princess's words. As for other matters, I'm afraid I cannot promise."

Seeing Mo Jiuye's firm stance, the Fourth Princess hesitated for a moment.

Unable to bear it, Lan Er urged, "Princess, it has come to this point. Even your life is going to be lost. What else is there left to consider?"

The other maidservant also knelt on the ground, sobbing, "Yes Princess, you should just say it!"

As He Zhiran and Mo Jiuye grew more confused, they even had a faint guess—could this "him" the Fourth Princess mentioned be the missing Mo family son?