“Gu Chengyan, you have repeatedly disregarded the safety and reputation of the Marquis’s mansion. Today, 50 lashes are too lenient. If you commit another offense, we will report to the Emperor and have you stripped of your title and let someone else who is more suitable inherit it.”

The old lady said sadly, "The Marquis's mansion is on the verge of collapse, and it almost dragged your third uncle down with it."

After making an example of them, everyone dispersed, leaving only Gu Shaoyu, Gu Boyu, and the old lady.

Gu Shaoyu said to Gu Boyu, "Brother, you saw what happened that day. A cousin was able to get the Crown Prince's chief attendant to represent her in court. There's a lot going on here. What kind of deal did they make?"

"It's terrifying to think about!"

"The fact that the heir apparent was willing to disregard the safety of the Marquis's mansion to take the blame for this cousin, and that the crown prince was willing to disregard His Majesty's suspicions to defend this cousin, shows that this woman is not simple. If I were you, I would investigate her thoroughly."

"I'll only handle the matter of the first and second wives this time. Don't come to me next time, or I'll just hand it over to the authorities."

Gu Shaoyu's gaze was cold, and even the old lady remained silent.

As he left the Marquis's residence, Nanxing followed him and said, "Your Excellency, I have investigated Nijiawan. Ni Keng is the head of the Ni family. He used to be the county magistrate and is very prestigious in the area. He was elected as the president of the Five Elders Association by everyone."

Nanxing told him that all the people in Nijiayan had received silver and had also built houses and ancestral halls.

There was no trace of scheming in any of it!

Gu Shaoyu felt that something was wrong.

"Oh dear, they're selling saltpeter up ahead. Someone brought a batch of saltpeter from Tibet."

"Let's hurry and grab it, or it'll be gone!"

Stealing saltpeter?