My Omega Rival in Love [Interstellar] - Chapter 19

While He Yu was in a state of total confusion due to her unexpected pregnancy, Gu Jin remained in the Imperial Palace. She was currently working with Gu Ting to plan a thorough investigation of the Xiao family.

“The Xiao family is deeply rooted, and they are starting to show signs of becoming a second He family,” Gu Ting noted. “This recent mecha incident was likely a desperate gamble by the Xiaos to replace the Hes in one fell swoop. However, our only current evidence is that Xiao Qing’s relationship with the family is unusual. That is not enough to legally move against them.”

Gu Ting felt a growing headache. They had not even finished dealing with the He family before the Xiao family emerged as a threat. With Gu Jin causing chaos in the background, he sighed at the difficulties of his position.

With a serious expression, Gu Jin’s fingertips brushed over the intelligence reports regarding the Xiaos. “We should use entrapment. We will set bait for them. If the Xiao family truly harbors those ambitions, they will surely bite. When they do, we will turn their house upside down. I refuse to believe we will not find the truth then.”

“Ahem!” Startled into a coughing fit by Gu Jin’s bluntness, Gu Ting initially wanted to scold her. However, on second thought, he realized it was a viable idea. “Do not put it so crudely. We shall call it ‘Grandmaster Jiang’s fishing, where the willing take the bait.’ Still, I need to think carefully about what that bait should be.”

The plan could not be as crude as Gu Jin suggested. As the Emperor of Weize, Gu Ting had a reputation to maintain. He had to be subtle by making the Xiao family voluntarily expose their intentions. He nodded and said, “Fine, I will think on it further. Do not cause any trouble for the next few days. Stay put until we finalize the plan and notify you.”

Knowing she could be of no further help for the moment, Gu Jin did not hesitate. She gripped her chair and prepared to stand and leave.

But before she could straighten up, her legs suddenly gave out. She collapsed onto one knee, using one hand to brace against the floor while the other clutched her chest. Cold sweat poured down her face instantly, and her complexion turned as white as paper.

The sudden change startled Gu Ting. Since he had already smashed the table earlier in a fit of pique, he stepped directly to her side. “Gu Jin, I hope this is not another one of your pranks.”

Gu Jin gritted her teeth as her vision blurred. Hearing his words, she almost found the strength to kick him. Unfortunately, she could barely maintain consciousness and was unable to speak.

Realizing something was truly wrong, Gu Ting did not delay. He manipulated the room’s modular structure to raise a hover-bed beneath Gu Jin and helped her lie down. He summoned the doctors immediately and paced beside her with mounting anxiety.

Within seconds, the Royal Physician arrived. Seeing the near-comatose Gu Jin, the doctor’s hands trembled as he began running various diagnostic checks.

“Get me every physician and pharmacist who was assigned to Gu Jin previously! Tell me what is happening!” On the verge of an explosion, Gu Ting stared at the dense holographic data floating around Gu Jin. He remembered the last time she had been unconscious.

As the attendants rushed to fulfill the order, the Emperor’s gaze toward the physician was murderous. Seeing the doctor pause, Gu Ting snapped, “What is the result?”

“Your Majesty, my skills are lacking. I truly do not know what is wrong!” The doctor trembled as he looked at the results. It appeared to be a sign of impending death, but he did not dare say it. Sweat poured down his face, matching Gu Jin’s pallor.

Gu Ting gripped the doctor’s collar for a moment before his reason took over. He let go and commanded, “Move aside and let someone else re-examine her!”

Just then, Gu Jin’s private physician and pharmacist arrived. Seeing the furious Emperor, they worked quickly. Meanwhile, the first doctor caught a glimpse of Gu Ting’s rage, looked at Gu Jin, and then, with a flicker in his eyes, hurriedly grabbed his medical kit and fled in a panic.

In the chaos, no one noticed this minor detail. All eyes were fixed on Gu Jin.

“What is the status?” Gu Ting stepped forward the moment the two experts finished their work.

“Your Majesty, this is a normal phenomenon for General Gu. Her body was too severely damaged previously. While massive amounts of medicinal nourishment allowed her to recover this far, it is essentially like growing a new body from the inside out. In such a short time, only the surface has stabilized.”

The physician explained, “The General’s body has reached the second stage of recovery, moving from the exterior to the interior. Today’s episode is a form of self-protection. It is normal, though she will have to suffer through the process. After a few more sessions, she will fully recover.”

Gu Ting finally exhaled. As long as she was improving, a little suffering did not seem like a bad thing for her. “How many times will this happen?”

“Estimates suggest about ten times, but since we have never treated a Super S-class constitution like the General’s, we are not entirely sure. Typically, the higher the rank, the more sessions are required. For General Gu, we expect at least twenty. Based on her status, this appears to be the second occurrence.”

Gu Ting was not angry. He actually felt a twinge of regret that the number of occurrences was not higher, though he kept his face neutral. “Keep this confidential. Not a word of this is to be leaked to anyone.”

Once the room cleared, Gu Ting looked at Gu Jin. “This is what they call karma. That is what you get for not respecting your elders.”

Gu Jin, who was actually conscious, said nothing. She opened her eyes and rolled them at Gu Ting. She had felt a milder version of this at the gym once before but had not taken it seriously. This time, she was prepared. The episodes were intense but brief.

“I was only joking. I was truly worried about you,” Gu Ting said with a sheepish laugh.

“Sure, I believe you,” Gu Jin replied dismissively. She was still weak but forced herself up. “I have an idea. Do you think the Xiao family will seek revenge since I ruined their plan?”

“They would not dare! If they touch a member of my family, I will beat them senseless!” Gu Ting declared.

“Calm down. I was thinking that we should use this situation to our advantage. You should spread the word that my old injuries have resurfaced and that I am in critical condition.” She leaned in and whispered the rest of the plan to him.

Gu Ting’s grin widened. He slapped her shoulder and said, “Brilliant! You are as devious as expected of my sister.”

“Of course, I had a great role model,” she joked.

Suddenly, an encrypted message appeared on Gu Ting’s terminal. He looked at it, and his anger vanished completely. He showed the screen to Gu Jin. They shared a meaningful smile. “Just as we were getting sleepy, someone brought us a pillow. Heaven is on our side!”

Within an hour, the Star Net exploded with news. Every citizen of the Weize Empire learned that their guardian, the newly appointed Grand General Gu Jin, had collapsed at her own homecoming banquet. Her condition was reported as critical, and her life was in the balance.

The public was in a frenzy. Conspiracy theories regarding the “hidden hand” behind the Lota Star defense battle began to resurface. Back at home, He Yu stared at the news, and her mind went blank. She wondered how Gu Jin could be in critical condition when she had been fine two hours ago.

“Sister, are you okay? Is it the baby?” Her brother, He Yi, was frantic with worry.

He Yu sat down and ignored his shouting. For the first time, she urgently tried to call Gu Jin’s terminal. Ten minutes passed, but there was no response. The terminal was powered off.

She wondered if the news was true. Her hands shook as she tried to control her emotions. She tried to tell herself that someone like Gu Jin would live for ten thousand years, but the fear would not subside.

Just then, her parents, Dean He and his wife, returned from the palace. He Yu rushed to them. “Father, Mother, I saw the news about Gu Jin. Is it true?”

Dean He sighed. “Your mother and I were there. The palace was in chaos. The Royal Guard even deployed mechas within the grounds. We heard the Emperor almost killed the first physician who treated her. It looks very grim.”

“Yes,” her mother added. “That doctor came running out of the room so terrified that he lost his way and stumbled into the banquet hall. He said she might not make it. The Emperor was absolutely livid.”

He Yu stopped listening. She walked upstairs in a daze, her hand resting unconsciously on her stomach. She realized she no longer had to worry about Gu Jin discovering the child because Gu Jin might never have the chance.

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