Chapter 22 The Shi Family Father and Son Visit
It wasn't until nightfall that Gu Nanxiao finally calmed the princess down and returned to his own courtyard, looking slightly tired.
As soon as he returned, he instructed the servants to put everything back, saying that he would not be moving to the new mansion for the time being.
Yunxi had heard some stories about the past between the mother and son from the servants. It was nothing more than a story of a mother with a strong desire for control and a son with a rebellious nature, a love-hate relationship.
Looking at Gu Nanxiao, who looked somewhat dejected, Yunxi felt an inappropriate pang of heartache.
She had been cold to Gu Nanxiao for quite some time, but Gu Nanxiao had always been very enthusiastic towards her. This kind of relationship was generally peaceful.
But ever since those sensitive topics were discussed yesterday, Gu Nanxiao immediately added four secret guards to her side, and four more guards were added on the surface. In addition to Qian Yu, Yunxi now has nine people around her, watching her movements day and night in shifts.
Although Yunxi will not leave at this moment, this is not a good sign. It is unknown whether Gu Nanxiao's paranoia will intensify.
Therefore, she must dispel Gu Nanxiao's doubts as soon as possible and hide her intention to leave, so as to lull Gu Nanxiao into a false sense of security.
Gu Nanxiao was in a bad mood today, the time when he needed the most care. Yunxi decided to take this opportunity to take the initiative and make love to him, which should be twice as effective.
Gu Nanxiao found that Yunxi was very enthusiastic tonight. She not only responded to him, but also let him have whatever he wanted. The unpleasantness he felt during the day from being pressured by his mother was completely dispelled at this moment.
He felt that although Yunxi did not agree to the matter of becoming a concubine last night, she was still happy in her heart. Otherwise, why would she suddenly become so enthusiastic today?
Perhaps this girl's statement that she didn't want to be the legal wife wasn't entirely sincere; after all, women are often hypocritical.
The next morning, after the court session ended, Gu Nanxiao returned home and had lunch with Yunxi. He was about to take a short rest when he received a visiting card from the Shi family.
Moreover, the Grand Secretary and his son Shi Qingchen were already waiting in front of the Prince Yong's residence.
After receiving the visiting card, Prince Yong sent someone to summon Gu Nanxiao to the main hall to prepare for receiving the guest.
But as soon as the father and son met, Prince Yong snorted coldly at Gu Nanxiao. If anyone in the capital was unhappy lately, the Grand Secretary was number one, and Prince Yong was number two.
The reason for King Yong's displeasure was none other than his eldest son, Gu Nanxiao, who was now famous throughout the capital.
His son had the same temper as his mother—stubborn and unruly, never knowing what gentleness was, and not nearly as pleasing as his two illegitimate sons.
When he was a child, there were ways to make him submit, but as he grew older, only the titles of Princess and Crown Prince could make him yield a little. Ever since he became the Commander of the Imperial Guard, none of those tricks worked.
As for his father, Gu Nanxiao always had an ambiguous attitude no matter what he said, although the father and son rarely argued anymore.
But his attitude was one of resolute refusal to listen or believe. Now, the emperor has elevated him to a very high position, even bestowing upon him a hereditary marquisate.
This made him, this mediocre prince, a laughing stock in the capital. Everyone said that Gu Nanxiao didn't care about the position of heir apparent that he was unwilling to give.
Gu Nanxiao is now the envy of everyone in the capital, a young talent who has been granted a marquisate at just over twenty years old. In the future, with his own abilities, he will also be able to ascend to the position of prince.
Naturally, there was no longer any need to be mindful of his mood, nor to wait for him to pass on the title.
Gu Nanxiao fully understood what his father was angry about, although he also knew that the emperor's bestowal of such a title upon him was actually exacerbating the conflict between the father and son.
Despite this, Gu Nanxiao felt that he had finally been able to catch his breath after suppressing his feelings for twenty years.
No matter which path he chooses in the future, he doesn't want to be compared to his half-brother by his father anymore, nor does he want to be constantly criticized and judged by his father with a critical eye.
Today, his long-term repressed life has completely transformed him into someone who can ignore external judgments.
After a brief, silent standoff between father and son, the Shi family servants led them into the main hall. After a brief exchange of greetings, they took their seats.
The Grand Secretary first ordered his servant to present the gifts, and then exchanged pleasantries with Prince Yong for a long time. Finally, Gu Nanxiao, unable to bear it any longer, took the initiative to ask:
"I wonder what brings the Grand Secretary and the young master of the Shi family to our door today?"
In fact, both sides knew perfectly well that Gu Nanxiao had exposed the Shi family's secrets this time. But the Shi family was of noble birth. If it were any other opponent, the Shi family would have directly accused them of stealing the secret formula.
However, Prince Yong was the Empress Dowager's most favored youngest son, while Gu Nanxiao was a court official whom the Emperor relied on highly. Therefore, the Shi family father and son studied the matter for several days before deciding to pay a visit.
Although they didn't have a plan in mind, they were determined to come, at least to sound out the situation. If they could get the conditions for resolving the matter, that would be a gain.
Since Gu Nanxiao had asked, even if the Prime Minister Shi was embarrassed, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "I have brought my son to ask Lord Gu about the origin of those prescriptions."
Gu Nanxiao already disliked the Shi family father and son, and Yunxi's constant telling him about his sworn sister being wronged only intensified his prejudice against them.
Instead of answering the question directly, he deliberately kept them hanging. Gu Nanxiao asked instead, "May I ask the origin of your family's recipe?"
A fleeting hint of embarrassment crossed Shi Qingchen's face before he replied vaguely, "These formulas were developed by me and a very close old friend."
Gu Nanxiao, upon hearing this, seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. With a mocking snort, she leaned back in her chair, raised her chin, and looked at Shi Qingchen with disdain.
Only after staring at the man until his face showed displeasure did he drawl out his voice and ask, "Could it be that the Prime Minister and his son came here ostensibly to pay a visit, but in reality to frame our Prince Yong's Mansion for stealing the formula?"
The Prime Minister was utterly humiliated today, being ridiculed and humiliated by this young man who had just turned twenty. Yet, he had no choice but to suppress his anger and seek a solution.
He quickly declined repeatedly, and decided to get straight to the point: "After all, we are officials in the same court and pillars of the Great Yan Kingdom."
This stalemate is causing both families to lose face. My son and I have come today with the utmost sincerity to resolve this matter. We simply wish to ask Lord Gu, how you intend to resolve this issue?”
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