Chapter 758 I'll ask my older brother for advice next time.

Granny Yan said respectfully, "I have mentioned it. Moreover, I know some of the people inside and have dealt with them occasionally before. Once I go there, they will know that we are from the Duke's Mansion. Out of respect for the Duke's Mansion and because we have given them a lot of money, they will not make things too difficult for Miss Lou."

Shen Wantang smiled gently: "That's good. It seems that the name of the Duke's Mansion still works."

Du Juan, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but speak up: "Young Madam, I thought you wouldn't use the name of the Duke's Mansion. What if the people in the manor find out?"

Shen Wantang said nonchalantly, "There's nothing wrong with it. The title of the Duke's Mansion should be used when necessary. Why should I be so pedantic and aloof? I'm not a fake second young mistress of the Gu family. As a person, one should naturally learn to be flexible and adaptable. Being too rigid will only cause one to suffer."

"Moreover, after today, everyone in the capital will know that I saved Chen Xiaowu, I protected Lou Yun'er, and Fang Xuning is now at my disposal."

"I've been busy all day for the sake of making a name for myself, haven't I? It's time for the world to see my abilities, otherwise everyone will think I'm a pushover!"

Du Juan listened with great excitement, her eyes filled with anticipation: "This servant hopes that the young mistress will become famous throughout the world! In the future, when this servant goes out, people will know that this servant is your maid, and they will all look at this servant with more respect!"

Shen Wantang smiled: "Yes, that day will come."

——

By the time they returned to the Duke's mansion, it was already dark.

After Shen Wantang entered the mansion with her maids and nannies, she saw Gu Qianhan and Meng Yunlan standing together under the hibiscus tree outside her courtyard, talking about something.

Mo Feng, the guard who was originally kneeling as punishment, was now standing with his hands at his sides behind Meng Yunlan, seemingly being protected by Meng Yunlan.

Standing beside Meng Yunlan was Qiao Zhiyu, who was now looking meek, gentle and obedient.

Gu Qianhan was talking to Meng Yunlan, and neither of them saw Shen Wantang return. However, Fuze, Gu Qianhan's servant, was a lively person who had been keeping an eye on the only way back to Qionghua Courtyard. He spotted Shen Wantang at a glance.

He quickly reported to Gu Qianhan, "Young Master, the Young Madam has returned!"

Gu Qianhan turned around abruptly, about to go over to greet her, but was stopped by Meng Yunlan.

They were still quite far apart, so Shen Wantang couldn't hear what they were saying. She didn't care what they were saying either, because she had already seen that Gu Qianling had returned from his shift and was walking this way.

She could see Gu Qianling from where she was standing, but Gu Qianhan and Meng Yunlan could not.

Shen Wantang smiled faintly, watching her husband and sister-in-law struggle, while quietly waiting for her older brother to come over.

Yesterday, Meng Yunlan went to the study to bring food to Gu Qianhan and they chatted alone for so long. It's such a pity that Gu Qianling didn't see it.

Today is the day we really should let Gu Qianling see this.

Gu Qianling was tall and had long legs, so he walked very fast and soon arrived behind Shen Wantang.

He looked over Shen Wantang's shoulder and immediately saw his wife and younger brother in the distance. Seeing his wife holding onto his brother's sleeve, he couldn't help but frown.

However, he merely frowned; he didn't step forward to pull them apart, nor did he even speak to them.

Because he has more important things to deal with now.

He called softly to Shen Wantang, who had her back to him, "Sister-in-law."

Shen Wantang turned around: "Big brother, you're back."

"Did Yunlan and my second brother have some kind of argument?"

"I'm not quite sure either, I just came back from outside."

Gu Qianling glanced over there, then looked away. He figured his wife and brother couldn't possibly have anything to argue about, so he prioritized dealing with what concerned him more.

He asked solemnly, "Were you involved in Chen Xiaowu's murder case?"

Shen Wantang thought to herself that he was quite well-informed, but a perfectly timed look of surprise appeared on her face: "Yes, how did you know, brother?"

"So, the complaint that lawyer Fang Xuning brought today, was really written by you?"

"I wrote it, but I thought no one should know about it. Who told you, brother?"

“I’ve been an official in the court for five years now. If I didn’t even know this kind of information, I would be too incompetent. But never mind who I heard it from, do you know who Chen Xiaowu killed?”

“I know, he is Tai Chong, the nephew of Tai Yuliang, the Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion.”

"Then do you know whose man this Lord Tai is?"

Shen Wantang knew, of course, but she shook her head: "I don't know. I only know that Chen Xiaowu was wronged and Tai Chong's death was an accident."

"Lord Tai is actually one of His Highness the Crown Prince's men. Getting involved in Chen Xiaowu's case will not benefit you, and you are no match for Lord Tai. This is very dangerous for you, do you know that?"

Gu Qianling seemed genuinely worried about Shen Wantang's situation; the usually composed and measured man spoke much faster this time.

Shen Wantang remained calm and composed as always: "Brother, Chen Xiaowu is my maid's younger brother. She came to me for help, so of course I'll help her if I can."

“If her brother were truly a heinous scoundrel, I wouldn’t care, but he isn’t, so I don’t want a young, righteous life to die in vain.”

"As for my elder brother saying that I am no match for Lord Tai, he underestimates me. Since I dared to get involved in this case, I have naturally made thorough preparations."

A look of surprise appeared on Gu Qianling's elegant face. He hadn't expected his sister-in-law to say such things and to have such strong confidence and assurance.

Why? Why did she think she could outmaneuver the Crown Prince's confidant? That man was a Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, a seasoned veteran of officialdom with years of experience, a cunning and shrewd old fox.

He sighed softly: "Sister-in-law, you are young and naive, and you have never stepped into the officialdom. You don't know how deep the water is. I know you are very intelligent, but many things cannot be solved by intelligence alone. This time, I will help you mediate. In the future, if there are similar matters, you should act cautiously. It is best to discuss it with Qianhan first before making a decision. Do you think what I said makes sense?"

Shen Wantang smiled and said, "Brother, you should know that Qianhan and I had a fight, so I have no one to talk to. How about this, next time I have something like this, I can ask you for advice, what do you think?"

Gu Qianling was taken aback: "This—"

"Brother, what are you all saying here?"

A detached voice interrupted Gu Qianling's words. Gu Qianling turned his head and saw that his younger brother and wife, who had been struggling in the distance, had somehow walked over.