Just then, Old Madam Ji arrived upon hearing the commotion and immediately stopped her, saying, "Enough! You've brought chaos to the house as soon as you returned! What exactly do you want? If you can't stand living here, then take the divorce papers and go back to your Gu family!"

Upon hearing the mention of a letter of divorce, Gu Qinlian was instantly speechless.

“Mother-in-law, I… I’m worried that my husband will be delayed…”

Old Madam Ji rolled her eyes and said irritably, "I just asked Fuling to send some food over, what could that possibly cause? On the contrary, since you came back, not only has my son Ji Yinli been unable to concentrate on his studies because of you, but the entire Ji family has also been disturbed because of you! Gu Qinlian, if you continue to be so arrogant and domineering, then go back to your Gu family!"

Gu Qinlian was filled with resentment, but she dared not say anything more. She could only lower her head and obediently say, "Mother-in-law, your daughter-in-law knows she was wrong and begs for your forgiveness."

Madam Ji snorted coldly and said, "These days, Yinli has suffered a lot at the Gu family, and he has lost a lot of weight. Give me some silver, and I will go buy a chicken to make some soup for Yinli to help him recover."

Gu Qinlian clenched her fists tightly, her heart filled with anger.

This stubborn old man only saw that Ji Yinli had acted as a good son-in-law in the Gu family for a few days, but he couldn't see that she had just had a miscarriage and her body had not yet recovered. She had worked so hard at her parents' home that she was almost skin and bones!

If she can't have a good time, then let no one else have a good time either!

Gu Qinlan slept soundly until nightfall before slowly opening her eyes.

Just as she awoke from her dream, Hongye hurriedly handed her a shocking secret: "Young Miss, a shocking secret! The Second Young Miss actually poisoned Old Madam Ji."

Gu Qinlan's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief: "Are you sure you're not mistaken?"

Hongye said firmly, "There is absolutely no mistake. It was that old nanny who witnessed it by chance. Lanying, the second young lady's personal maid, secretly hid the packet of poison in the bedding while airing it out for Old Madam Ji."

"After Lan Ying left, Granny Liao made a special trip to examine it. Since she didn't recognize poisons, she secretly brought me a small portion. I had Miss Luo Feng examine it carefully, and it was undoubtedly a deadly poison. This poison itself emits a faint fragrance, which Old Madam Ji might mistake for perfume on the bedding. This poison won't take effect immediately, but if you're exposed to it for three to five months, the toxicity will penetrate into your internal organs, at which point even a divine physician will be powerless to save you."

Logically speaking, Gu Qinlian's maid would have no way of having access to Madam Ji's belongings.

However, Madam Ji was always greedy for small gains. Ever since she threatened Gu Qinlian with the letter of divorce, she became even more unscrupulous, ordering Gu Qinlian's maid around day and night. Lan Ying had to stay by Madam Ji's side almost all day long.

If Gu Qinlian disobeyed in the slightest, Old Madam Ji would accuse her of being unfilial, or threaten her with a letter of divorce. Although Gu Qinlian harbored resentment, she was helpless.

It was this situation that gave Gu Qinlian the opportunity to poison him.

Gu Qinlan's evaluation of Gu Qinlian became complicated.

She embodies ignorance, evil, and ruthlessness.

If this matter is exposed, Gu Qinlian will not only be in danger herself, but the other women in the Gu family will also be implicated.

After all, how good could a woman's sisters be if she dared to poison her mother-in-law?

Hongye asked, "Young Miss, should we stop all of this?"

Gu Qinlan smiled gently: "Why should I stop it? This is a family matter of the Ji family. As the daughter-in-law of the Zheng family, how can I overstep my bounds?"

Gu Qinlian and Madam Ji are not kind people. It is already more than kind of her not to personally deal with them. What else is there to say?

Hongye was very worried: "But if the Second Miss's misdeeds are exposed, you, Eldest Miss, will probably also be implicated."

Gu Qinlan said nonchalantly, "If we are really dragged down, it may not necessarily be a disaster."

Perhaps in the eyes of others, being rejected by the Zheng family was nothing more than a trial by fire, a chance to establish her own household and fend for herself. But for her, it was undoubtedly the liberation she had longed for.

That was a freedom I had longed for!

When Hongye heard about her plan, she stopped trying to persuade her, but she still couldn't hide the worry in her eyes.

Gu Qinlan, seeing through her worries, smiled and comforted her, "You always like to worry for no reason. Do you think I can't stand on my own two feet without the Zheng family?"

Hongye gently shook her head; that was naturally impossible. Her master was exceptionally intelligent, and the Zheng family's order would likely descend into chaos if she lost her maintenance of it.

Gu Qinlan continued, "I have money in my hands, own shops, and have a clear mind. If I can start my own business, I won't have to bear the constraints of my elders, nor worry about the trivial matters of the younger generation. With you all by my side, I will definitely live a very comfortable life."

"Although life at the Prince Duan's residence is quite comfortable at the moment, for me, the degree of freedom is still not enough."

"If I really decide to leave the Prince Duan's mansion, I will find a quiet place, buy an elegant house, and run a few businesses to ensure that each of you lives a more luxurious life than those noble ladies."

Upon hearing this, Hongye suddenly understood: "If I could live such a life, it would be comparable to life in the immortal realm."

Gu Qinlan replied with a smile, "What's so difficult about that? As long as we break free from the constraints of the Prince Duan's mansion, all of this will become a reality within two years."

Why did you leave the Prince Duan's residence?

Suddenly, Zheng Fenghui's questioning voice came from the doorway.

Gu Qinlan turned her head and saw Zheng Fenghui standing outside the door with a livid face, holding an exquisite food box in his hand.

These are pastries that he specially ordered someone to carefully select.

He thought that Gu Qinlan had just experienced the pain of her father's death and had been busy with the funeral for more than ten days, so she must be exhausted. Therefore, he decided to use this gift to comfort her.

These pastries have always been highly sought after, but now, with refugees flooding outside the city and supplies scarce inside, it is evident how difficult it is to purchase them.

However, when the pastries he had painstakingly bought were delivered to her courtyard, he overheard her discussing with her maid about leaving the Prince Duan's mansion and starting her own household!

Zheng Fenghui was both angry and worried.

What angered me was that she actually had the idea of ​​leaving and wanted to leave the Prince Duan's residence.

The worry is, what will happen to their whole family if she really leaves?

Although he felt that life was alright in the past, he would never want to go back to the days six months ago.

Today, the Duan Prince's Mansion is becoming increasingly prosperous, and the mansion is in perfect order. Whenever he steps into the mansion, he can feel an indescribable warmth and peace.

All this glory originated from Gu Qinlan.

If she hadn't been there, given his aunt's meager ability to manage the household, the Prince Duan's residence would probably have already descended into chaos.

Gu Qinlan herself hadn't expected that Zheng Fenghui would overhear her private conversation with Hongye. She hurriedly stood up, her face showing surprise: "Why are you here?"

Zheng Fenghui's expression was grave, and he questioned in a serious tone, "Why do you intend to leave the Duan Prince's residence?"

Gu Qinlan smiled and replied, "I have no intention of leaving the Prince Duan's residence."