"Have you heard? The Wu family went to the Chen family early this morning to apologize to Mrs. Chen Sanshao."

"Is this true? The censor is going to apologize in person?!"

"Now that the Chen family is at its peak, and Gu Qing is close to the princess, if the princess speaks up for her in public, even the prime minister would have to think twice!"

Qu Lingling and Du Qing had just come out of Furong Tower. They passed by the tea shop and heard these people gossiping, which made them feel very unhappy.

"Wu Xian'er really went to the Chen family!" Du Qing was unbelievable. Given Wu Xian'er's personality, how could she be willing to bow to Gu Qing!

Qu Lingling frowned and was silent for a long time, her thoughts flying off to who knows where.

Du Qing was talking to herself at the side, and seeing her lost in thought, he asked, "Sister Qu, what's wrong with you?"

"It's okay. Let's put aside what you said yesterday for now." Qu Lingling was nervous, as if she was trying to scare someone else.

She didn't want to end up like Wu Xian'er, and she was filled with resentment. She gritted her teeth and said, "Let her be proud for once. It's just a piece of clothing. Just treat it as something I don't want."

Seeing her trying to smooth things over for him, Du Qing secretly criticized her for being too concerned about her reputation, but she agreed with him, "That woman Gu Qing is really annoying! When her Chen family falls into decline, I will definitely teach her a lesson!"

"Just you?" Qu Lingling sneered, "Even Wu Xian'er and I can't deal with someone like that. What do you think you can do?"

"Even though you and she are both daughters of Zhongshu Sheren, she still has her husband and the princess to protect her."

Qu Lingling tried to save some face in front of her.

But Du Qing had a hot temper and immediately became unhappy. He suppressed his emotions and said, "What does Sister Qu mean by this? Neither you nor I like Gu Qing, so why should we start a quarrel among ourselves?"

"I'm teaching you not to ask for trouble. There's still a long time to go, and there will be a time when Gu Qing will be frustrated." After saying that, Qu Lingling left with her head held high.

Du Qing stood there looking at her back and secretly took a deep breath.

The maid beside her was also unhappy and said: "Miss, why do you have to be so close to Miss Qu? She is really too arrogant."

"Gu Qing and I originally came from the same background. Why does she have the upper hand over me? Isn't Qu Lingling also clinging to the Fifth Prince? I'm just borrowing her influence temporarily. Once I find a good husband, I'll trample all of them under my feet!"

Du Qing was extremely jealous and looked at everyone with disdain. He turned around with a cold face and returned to his home.

On the other side, Chen Mansion.

After counting Jiao Lan's accounts, Gu Qingqing thought of Situ Sheng who was injured earlier. She put down the account book and stood up to ask Cuiping to help her change her clothes.

Situ Sheng is protecting Jiao Lan this time, and she is afraid that it will be difficult to explain to Liu. She wants to see what method he has.

"Go and call Cui Ru." Thinking of this, Gu Qing ordered.

"Yes, Madam." Cuiping agreed and immediately turned to leave the room. Not long after, Cuiru came in bowing and said, "Madam, do you have anything to tell me?"

Gu Qingxu raised his hand, motioning her to come closer. "I asked you to stay in Jiaolan for the next few days and secretly monitor Situ Sheng. Is he making any moves?"

Cui Ru thought about it carefully and shook her head, saying, "There's nothing unusual."

"His lower body hasn't recovered yet, so he can only lie in bed. When he has nothing to do, he reads the books you gave him. Sometimes you even ask me to teach him how to read."

Gu Qing raised his eyebrows slightly: "He asked you to teach him how to read?"

Cui Ru was also quite puzzled. She scratched her head, her innocent eyes revealing a hint of doubt: "Yes, he usually doesn't talk to other people in the store."

"He said I was with the lady, so he told me that."

After hearing this, Gu Qing pondered for a long time.

What on earth is this kid thinking?

"But I just feel that he listens to you very much, Madam. You just casually mentioned last time that he should read more books, and now he always holds a book and reads it when he has nothing to do."

Cui Ru was quite shocked when she said, "Situ Sheng's memory is really good. Some sentences are difficult for me to understand after reading them once, but he can remember them all after just one reading."

I have never seen such a smart boy in my life.

Gu Qing’s eyes darkened.

She had always felt that Situ Sheng was a promising talent, and now it seemed that his talent was even higher than she had imagined.

If such a smart person is used for one's own benefit...

"Keep watching. Qiu Rong is busy with the shop and can't spare her time. You need to be more attentive. If anyone meets or interacts with Situ Sheng alone, inform me immediately."

She couldn't wait to confirm whether Situ Sheng was Liu's man. If so, she wouldn't have to worry so much and could eliminate future troubles as soon as possible.

"Yes, madam, Cuiru understands." Just as she left, the servant from the outer courtyard rushed in hurriedly, his face more anxious than ever.

Gu Qing didn't know why, but he suddenly stood up and looked at the person who came and asked, "What's the matter?"

"Madam, someone from the Gu family has come and said that the mistress of the Gu family is seriously ill and they want you to go back and see her immediately!"

"What!"

Gu Qing's eyes suddenly widened, and he forced himself to calm down. He said in a deep voice, "Who is coming?"

Maybe this was just a trick played by Gu Yunzhao and Liu. She had to think calmly to avoid falling into their trap.

There are undercurrents everywhere in the capital now, so she needs to be more careful.

"Madam, it's a maid named Qiu Huan."

Hearing this, Gu Qing felt uneasy. Qiu Huan was the maid who served her mother. Since she came, it must be that something big had happened to her mother!

"Prepare the car! Go back home immediately!" Gu Qing shouted angrily, his eyes suddenly turning red.

Cuiping did not dare to delay and immediately asked the groom to prepare the horses and gallop back home.

On the way, Gu Qing sat in the carriage, holding a handkerchief tightly in both hands.

Cui Ping comforted her, "Young Madam, Madam Gu is a blessed person. Good times will surely come after bad times."

Gu Qing thought that her mother was alone in the Gu family, Gu Yunzhao didn't care about her at all, and Liu would definitely make things difficult for her, so she felt very sad.

The good mistress of the Gu family was always well cared for, so how could she suddenly fall ill?!

The hatred in Gu Qing's eyes grew deeper and deeper. She had no doubt that all this was the work of Liu's mother and daughter!

Gu family, Cuihuayuan.

"The young lady is back! The young lady is back!" Qiu Huan shouted as she entered the house. The maids and servants in the yard were overjoyed, as if they had seen a savior. "Young lady!"

Gu Qing didn't have time to talk to others. He walked straight into the house, lifted the beaded curtain and went straight into the inner room: "Mother!"

Xu was a woman with kind eyes and gentle features. She was usually quite lenient towards her servants. But now she was lying on the bed with a pale face. Everyone around her had red eyes and was truly sad.

"Mother?" Gu Qing carefully sat in front of her, tears could not help falling, dripping on the back of Xu's hand, waking her up a little.