Chapter 414 She's far more useful dead than alive

The study of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.

Gu Qianhan had changed into dry clothes. He sat at his desk, holding a clean white medicine bottle in his palm, and was gently stroking it.

The medicine bottle had become smooth and lustrous, like mutton fat jade, because he had touched it so many times.

A black figure walked in from outside.

Gu Qianhan didn't even look up, and asked indifferently, "Hei Yao, have you found Lin Rouxin yet?"

"Reporting to young master, we have found it."

"Is he dead or alive?"

"Still alive."

"Alive? Then why didn't Xiao Qingyuan and Huo Yunzhou find her?"

"She seemed to not want Young Master Xiao and Young Master Huo to find her. After she went ashore, she changed her appearance overnight and went into hiding."

"They really are two good-for-nothings."

Gu Qianhan gave a dismissive sneer, then paused for a moment before adding, "At least Lin Rouxin has some brains. She's much more useful 'dead' than alive."

"What does the young master mean?"

"She wants to use her fake death to deal with Xiao Qingxi. Since that's the case, let's help her make the fire burn even brighter. Send people to spread the word that Princess Shuyang is arrogant and domineering, bullying others by taking advantage of her power. She capsized the boat of the Crown Princess and A Ning, trying to kill them. She also personally pushed the orphaned girl of the Lin family into the river and drowned her."

"yes!"

"Go and gather more evidence and rumors of Xiao Qingyuan and Xiao Qingxi's past arrogance and bullying. Whether they are true or false, spread them widely. In restaurants, teahouses, and markets, I want everyone to start talking about how domineering and oppressive the Xiao royal family is!"

"yes!"

"Does the Lin family still have any elders who can take charge?"

"The direct line is gone, but there are still collateral branches."

“Find someone more assertive and have her lead a group to mourn at the grave. The Lin family’s orphaned daughter was killed, and their clansmen didn’t react at all. That’s not right, is it? Only by making a scene can they get benefits. If they don’t make a scene, the Lin family’s property may not be able to be saved and will be seized by the Xiao family.”

"Yes, sir! I'll take care of it right away!"

"Okay, go ahead!"

Gu Qianhan waved her hand, signaling Hei Yao to leave.

Then he summoned Jixiang in: "How is A'ning? What did the imperial physician say?"

"Young master, the imperial physician said that the young lady is in good health. Although she fell into the water, she is not seriously injured. She has already drunk her medicine and is preparing to go to sleep."

"quack!"

Ji Xiang was stunned: "Ah? Young master, why...why do you say that?"

“A-Ning is weak and has been soaking in the river for so long, how could she not get sick? Go, tell A-Ning to make a big commotion, preferably so that she is so sick that she can’t get out of bed for ten days or half a month.”

Jixiang couldn't help but scratch his head: "I'm afraid the young lady won't listen to you. She probably won't be able to stand it for ten days or half a month. After returning tonight, the young lady has been scolding Princess Shuyang and said that she will go to the palace to complain tomorrow."

"Foolish. What good is complaining if she's seriously ill? She just needs to lie at home every day, pretending to be half-dead, and Xiao Qingxi will suffer a lot. If she goes to the palace to complain, Xiao Qingxi won't be punished at all."

Ji Xiang's eyes lit up. The young master's mind was indeed the fastest. He nodded quickly: "Yes, I will go and tell the young lady what you said right away!"

"Okay, see if Fuze has returned yet. If he has, come to me immediately and let me know."

"yes!"

Jixiang responded and turned to leave.

Gu Qianhan didn't have to wait long. About fifteen minutes later, Fuze crouched down and jogged into the study.

"Second Young Master, our people at the Ning Prince's residence said that the Princess Consort is doing well. She wasn't cold or frightened. After she went back, she even practiced your calligraphy again!"

Gu Qianhan was slightly taken aback. She did have a strong heart; even after falling into the water, she still had the mood to practice calligraphy.

However, thinking of how diligently she practiced his calligraphy every single day, his heart warmed slightly, and the pain he felt today because Xiao Qingyuan had hugged her lessened a bit.

He gripped the porcelain bottle tightly, a slight smile finally appearing on his cold face: "She had a conflict with Xiao Qingxi today and also lied to Xiao Qingyuan. Did those two siblings make things difficult for her? Did Prince Ning and Princess Ning make things difficult for her?"

"Don't worry, Second Young Master, nothing's wrong. The Ning Prince's Mansion is in chaos right now. Princess Shuyang has had another miscarriage, and this time it seems to be more serious than before. When Physician Zhou went there, he looked very pale and didn't say a word. He's been kept at the Ning Prince's Mansion tonight and can't go home."

Gu Qianhan nodded. Doctor Zhou was actually a bit talkative. He had a well-known habit when treating patients: if the situation was not serious, he would talk a lot, scolding this person and that person, and giving a lot of instructions. But if the situation was very serious and critical, he would not speak, scold, or give any instructions, because it was no longer necessary.

This time, even Physician Zhou remained silent, clearly indicating that Xiao Qingxi's condition was extremely critical.

"Second Young Master, Prince Ning went to the palace overnight, probably to plead for Princess Shuyang with the Emperor and Empress Dowager. Many people on the bank saw Princess Shuyang push Miss Lin into the river tonight. If Prince Ning doesn't plead for Princess Shuyang, she will likely be punished."

Gu Qianhan said indifferently, "Of course he will plead for Xiao Qingxi. What I want is for him to go to the palace to plead for her! Ideally, Xiao Qingxi can escape unscathed from this murder case!"

Fuze was a little confused. He turned to look at Jixiang, who had just returned from Gu Qianning's courtyard, wanting to ask him what the second young master meant by this.

Ke Jixiang was even more confused than Fuze: "Young Master, didn't you just say you wanted to make Princess Shuyang suffer a lot? Why are you saying now that you hope she can get away unscathed?"

Gu Qianhan stood up, her voice indifferent: "This is not contradictory."

"Huh? This doesn't seem to conflict? I don't understand."

"The bigger the trouble Xiao Qingxi caused, the greater her guilt. When everyone thought she was going to suffer a terrible fate, she escaped unscathed. What will the civil and military officials think? What will the common people think? Just because she has the surname Xiao, does she have special privileges? Just because she is a member of the royal family, does she get away with killing a loyal and virtuous woman without any punishment? In the future, who will still be loyal to the Xiao family?"

Jixiang and Fuze looked at each other in bewilderment.

It turns out that what the young master wanted was not for Xiao Qingxi to be punished at all; that would be too superficial for him!

What the young master desires is the support of the people!

"If Prince Ning really had any brains, he shouldn't have gone to the palace to plead for Xiao Qingxi. However, he probably couldn't bear to watch his daughter be punished and imprisoned."

Gu Qianhan suddenly laughed: "Xiao Qingxi really deserved to die this Lantern Festival! She killed a few more people with great skill! I wish she had killed a few more!"

Jixiang and Fuze exchanged a glance, and both saw two words in each other's eyes—madman.

Everyone says the Second Young Master is cold-hearted, but only those who serve him closely know that he is actually quite crazy. Any one of his unconventional ideas could terrify a person!