After cleaning up inside and out, the courtyard was revitalized.
There was no more unpleasant smell in the bedroom.
Mr. Luo was also cleaned from head to toe and looked much fresher.
It's because people are too thin and lack nutrition.
Gu Jiu held the medicine bowl and personally served Master Luo the medicine.
Master Luo coughed twice and said, "You are a noble man now, how can you do these things?"
"Master, you don't have to be polite with me. I don't have many opportunities to serve you. Can you please satisfy me once?"
Mrs. Luo coughed repeatedly, and Gu Jiu quickly put down the medicine bowl and gave her a back massage.
"As the weather gets better, Master's illness will soon heal."
Mr. Luo shook his head and said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to recover from this illness."
"Master, don't worry, I'm here. My fourth and fifth sisters are all hoping that you will recover soon and return to teach them."
Luo Fuzi laughed. Teaching should be the happiest thing in her life.
Gu Jiu helped Master Luo drink the medicine.
The two maids who had neglected Master Luo ate and drank their fill and ran back.
They were stopped at the gate. Two eunuchs refused to let them enter the courtyard. This was Gu Jiu's order.
Qingmei reported, "Madam, those two maids are back. What should we do with them?"
Gu Jiu said in a cold tone, "Kick them out. Tell them to be more conscious and never step into the courtyard again. If they don't behave themselves, I don't mind spending some time to teach them what the rules are."
The Marquis's Mansion paid extra wages and asked two maids to take care of Master Luo's daily life and meals. However, they ended up eating with their mouths full of oil and left Master Luo on the bed without any care, leaving him to fend for himself.
One of the bedrooms is not even as big as a pigsty. I don’t know how long it has been since it was cleaned.
If Mr. Luo had not been so ill that he could not get out of bed, how could he have suffered such humiliation?
Gu Jiu even suspected that they had embezzled even Mr. Luo's medical expenses.
If the two maids had not been sent by the Marquis' Mansion, Gu Jiu would have captured them and beaten them to death long ago.
Qingmei conveyed Gu Jiu's meaning.
The two maids, upon learning that Madam Zhao was coming in person, trembled with fear. They exchanged glances, bowed their heads, and then ran away in a flash. It was as if they were running for their lives.
Gu Jiu spoke to Master Luo: "Master, take good care of yourself and don't worry about other things. I will take care of them for you."
"You offended the Marquis' Mansion for me, is it worth it?"
Gu Jiu laughed, "Master, you underestimate the Marquis' Mansion. If the Marquis' Mansion knew that the two maids neglected you, they would definitely teach them a lesson. I was being polite by not ordering the two maids to be beaten or killed."
Mr. Luo sighed, "My brain is getting dumber and dumber. It seems I'm not suitable to continue teaching."
"Master, please don't think like that. You're just sick. Once you recover, everything will be fine."
"I hope so."
Mr. Luo's eyes were full of melancholy.
Gu Jiu didn't know how to comfort her, as she was not born to be good at comforting people.
She thought of Princess Fuya and the gossip she had heard from Princess Huyang, but she didn't ask a single question. That was Master Luo's past, and if Master Luo didn't mention it, why should she bring up the sad past?
After Master Luo fell asleep, Er Zhuang arranged for a suitable maid to come and serve him, and then Gu Jiu got up and left.
She never forgets to tell Erzhuang to come over every few days when he has time. All of Luo Fuzi's expenses are paid from the account, and the medicinal materials are all good.
Erzhuang wrote down everything and told Gu Jiu not to worry, saying he would take good care of Master Luo. He also asked Doctor Tian to come over every three days to check Master Luo's pulse.
Gu Jiu left with peace of mind.
At the same time, Gu Yue used the excuse of being drunk to go back to his room to rest.
She lay on the couch and asked her maid Grape to guard the door and not let anyone in.
A moment later, birdsong sounded from the rear window.
Gu Yue gritted her teeth and hesitated for a few seconds before getting up and opening the rear window.
A figure came in, it was Xie Shi.
"cousin!"
"cousin!"
Xie Shi hugged Gu Yue tightly. Gu Yue felt the pain but did not cry out.
Xie Shi was excited and said nothing. He lowered his head and kissed Gu Yue's lips.
This cloud and rain did not end until half an hour later.
Gu Yue finished washing up and sat in front of the dressing table.
Xie Shi picked up the comb and combed her hair.
"My cousin is more beautiful than last time."
Gu Yue pursed her lips and smiled, looking at Xie Shi through the glass mirror.
"My cousin shouldn't have come here. It would be terrible if someone found out."
"Don't worry, I used the excuse of being drunk to rest in the wing. No one saw me when I came out."
"There are so many people here today. When my cousin goes out later, please be careful and don't let anyone see you."
"Are you scared?"
Xie Shi stared at Gu Yue in the mirror. Gu Yue's expression appeared clearly in the mirror, with nothing to hide.
Gu Yue lowered her head slightly and said in a wronged tone: "Of course I'm afraid. I'm a widow, and if a widow cheats on someone, I'll be criticized."
"Then marry me." Xie Shi said firmly.
"If I marry you, wouldn't that be harmful to you?"
Gu Yue held Xie Shi's hand, stared into his eyes in the mirror, and said sincerely: "You will marry a lady from a noble family in the future, so you can't always think about me. I am an unlucky person, and I can't hurt you. Let's try not to meet each other in the future."
"Do you want to get rid of me?"
Xie Shi used force in his hands to pinch Gu Yue's shoulders tightly.
Gu Yue frowned slightly. "If I wanted to deny my concern, I wouldn't have asked you to meet here today, let alone have sex with you. I treat my cousin sincerely, but he is so suspicious of me. It's really disheartening."
Xie Shi's face turned pale. "We are unmarried, why did you push me away? I said, if someone finds out, I will just marry you."
Gu Yue turned around suddenly and asked, "Will you marry me? Will my father agree? Will my mother agree? And will my aunt agree to you marrying me? Will my grandfather watch you ruin your future? Don't be ridiculous, there is no way you can marry me."
"Who said that? I will tell my aunt right now and ask her to marry you to me."
After saying that, Xie Shi was about to go out through the main gate.
Gu Yue panicked, "Don't go."
She stood up in a panic, grabbed Xie Shi's sleeve, and begged pitifully, "Please, don't go!"
Xie Shi stared at Gu Yue intently, "You really don't want to marry me?"
Gu Yue threw herself into Xie Shi's arms, hugged him tightly, and choked up, "Of course I am willing to marry you, but how can I hurt you? You deserve better. I am just a fallen woman. I don't deserve you to treat me like this. Cousin, no matter who I marry in the future, my heart will always be with you."
"You'd marry anyone but me, wouldn't you?"
"No, it's not what you think. I've said so much, but you won't listen. Then go find my parents and tell them you want to marry me. See if they'll break your legs. If that really happens, I won't be able to live anymore. I might as well die."
After saying that, Gu Yue turned her head and cried silently.
Xie Shi sighed, and his firm determination was broken under the onslaught of Gu Yue's tears.
He embraced Gu Yue and held her in his arms, "Okay, I won't marry you, are you satisfied? Then tell me, who do you want to marry?"
Gu Yue shook her head repeatedly, "I don't want to marry anyone. All men are bad."
"How can you not get married? You can't live in your parents' home forever. You have to have a child."
Gu Yue bit her lip and said after a long while: "If I really want to get married, I will marry someone who can help you. I want to help you reach the top."
Xie Shi was stunned at first, and then he was deeply moved.
"I can't let you suffer."
"I can endure any kind of grievance for my cousin." Gu Yue said emotionally.
Xie Shi hugged her tightly, really wanting to carry her with him, hold her in his arms, and keep her by his side all the time.
However, this was just a dream.
After a long silence, he took out a purse from his pocket and said, "This is yours."
Gu Yue's heart trembled. She was so sincere and worked so hard today, but all for the money in her pocket.
But she didn't show it at all.
She stared at the purse and asked, "Did you take it from the Haixibo Mansion?"
"Exactly."
"I didn't find you."
"Don't worry, all the physical evidence is gone. Even if the Haixi Marquis's Mansion has all the power, they won't be able to trace it back to you or me."
Gu Yue gritted her teeth and said unexpectedly, "I can't have it. You can take all of this. You are a man, you need to socialize outside, and you have many places to spend money. All the money taken out from the Haixibo Mansion is for you. I stay in the inner house, and I don't have much to spend money on. These are just for me to keep in the bottom of the box."
"It's just for you." Xie Shi took Gu Yue's hand and placed the purse in her palm.
"It's ten thousand taels in total, all converted into silver notes. Keep it to yourself and don't let anyone know. Don't worry about me, I have money to spend."
Gu Yue stared at her purse, her heart pounding with excitement as she screamed. Ten thousand taels, all hers, haha.
On the surface, she bit her lip and looked sad.
"My cousin has helped me a lot, but I can't repay him."
Xie Shi placed his hand on Gu Yue's waist and slowly slid it down.
He bit her ear and whispered, "Your body, your whole being, is the best reward for me."
Gu Yue's cheeks flushed. "I'm just a fallen woman, I'm grateful that my cousin doesn't despise me."
"You are just too modest. Only I know how good you really are. That short-lived Zhao Erlang was not worthy of you. You refused to accept such a good woman and chose to be a homosexual. In the end, I got everything."
Xie Shi's tone was full of pride.
Gu Yue bit him and said, "Don't mention Zhao Erlang, I hate him."
"Okay, I promise you, I won't mention Zhao Erlang from now on."
Gu Yue was gentle and careful, and quietly inquired about the news about the King of Chu.
After the little prince was born, the King of Chu's favor was taken away. It had been a long time since she entered the palace to show her filial piety to the emperor.
Gu Yue asked quietly, "Is there no hope for the King of Chu?"
"I feel there's no hope. But a lifetime of wealth and honor is inevitable."
"Then do you have a future by the King of Chu's side?"
"The prince promised me that he would recommend me to the six ministries for training this year. If I perform well, I will be sent to a local official in the future."
"Really? That's great. Your loyalty to the King of Chu is well worth it."
Gu Yue's heart was burning with excitement, but in fact she was more concerned about the King of Chu's harem.
Simply asking about the Queen's residence would seem too contrived, so it would be better to proceed step by step and take your time.
Gu Yue sent Xie Shi away using the excuse that it was already late.
Xie Shi went out the back window and climbed out.
Gu Yue slumped on the couch, sweat all over her body. Dealing with Xie Shi had almost cost her her life.
She opened her purse and found that it contained ten thousand taels of silver.
Gu Yue smiled so hard that her teeth were showing. She was finally rich.
Mrs. Haixi sent people to search her dowry and took away her dowry money. Now, she wants it back double.
She had said long ago that revenge should be taken, and grievances should be repaid.
Don't blame her for taking action if Madam Haixi bullies and humiliates her.
Only the accounting office was burned down, and one accountant died. They did not set fire to the entire Haixi Earl's Mansion, which was considered polite.
Gu Yue smiled triumphantly. Anyone who underestimated her would pay the price.
Xie Shi left the backyard smoothly without being discovered along the way.
As they were about to reach the guest rooms, Xie Shi breathed a sigh of relief.
Unexpectedly, Gu Ting suddenly appeared.
Gu Ting stared at him suspiciously, "Mr. Xie, didn't you say you were sobering up in the wing room? If you're not in the wing room, where did you go? Are you plotting against our Gu family behind our backs?"
Xie Shi said with a straight face, "Move aside, I want to go back to my room to rest."
"Xie Shi, let me tell you, if you dare to stir up trouble in our Gu family, I won't be polite if you blame me."
Xie Shi laughed sarcastically, "How are you going to be rude to me? Want to fight?"
Gu Ting, who has a bad temper, has already rolled up his sleeves.
The servant Li Chuan was afraid that Gu Ting and Xie Shi would really start a fight, so he hurriedly advised: "Third Young Master, the master is waiting for you, there is no time to delay."
Gu Ting snorted. He was also afraid of Lord Gu’s violent temper.
He pointed at Xie Shi and said, "You'd better not do anything sneaky. If I find out, I won't let you go."
Xie Shi smiled contemptuously.
He finally breathed a sigh of relief after Gu Ting left. A gust of wind blew, and he realized he was even sweating.
He was very glad that Gu Ting didn't discover the truth, otherwise the affair between him and Gu Yue would no longer be hidden.
While it was still light, Gu Jiu said goodbye to Lord Gu, got on the carriage, and set off back to the palace.
The way was blocked by someone on the way, and it was completely blocked.
Gu Jiu lifted the curtain of the carriage window and asked, "Whose carriage is stuck on the road? Why don't you move it?"
The eunuch jumped off the carriage and went to the front to check the situation.
A moment later, the eunuch came to Gu Jiu and reported, "Madam, it's the Li family's carriage that's blocking the road."
"Which Li family?"
"Li Zhaoyi's family."
It turned out to be the newly rich Li family.
The eunuch continued, "It seems the Li family is looking at the house. Their carriages have blocked the entire road. Madam, should we change our route?"
Gu Jiu nodded and said, "Let's change the route."
For the time being, she didn't want to conflict with the Li family.
The driver turned around and took another route to leave.
Mr. Li stood at the door of the house and asked, "Whose carriage just passed by?"
"Your Excellency, judging by the emblem, this is a carriage from Prince Ning's Mansion. I heard that the Gu family is not far from here. Since the Gu family is getting married today, I'm sure the person sitting in the carriage should be Madam Zhao."
"oh!"
Mr. Li narrowed his eyes meaningfully.
He murmured to his eldest son, "Consort Xiao Shufei in the palace has been causing trouble for Empress Zhaoyi, and Prince Ning is constantly making small moves. It's really hateful."
Li Dalang said, "Don't worry, father. Now that we have a little prince, they won't be able to stay around for long."
Master Li stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly, "We can teach them a lesson first. Don't think that Empress Zhaoyi is young and easy to bully."
Li Dalang came up with a plan, "I heard that Zhenbaozhai is the property of this lady Zhao, and it makes a fortune every day. Why don't we poach all the craftsmen from Zhenbaozhai?"
"Not bad, not bad."
Gu Jiu had no idea that the Li family father and son were planning to take over her property.
It was ten days later when she learned the news.
The eunuch led Erzhuang to the upper room of the east courtyard.
This was Er Zhuang's first time entering the inner quarters of the palace. Everything he saw was curious, but he didn't dare to look too much for fear of embarrassing Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu met Er Zhuang in the small study.
"Why are you rushing over to see me, Madam? Is there something wrong?"
Er Zhuang sat cautiously on the stool, "Madam, someone is trying to steal the business from Zhenbaozhai."
"Steal business? How do you do that?"
"At first, someone offered a high price to poach the craftsmen from Zhenbaozhai. Later, knowing that the craftsmen's indentures were in Madam's possession, they followed Zhenbaozhai's lead and also hired a few jewelry craftsmen from the Director of Works. They plan to open a jewelry shop just like Zhenbaozhai across from it. I went to see it, and it's already been taken over and is currently being renovated. It's slated to open early next month. Madam, once their shop opens, Zhenbaozhai's business will undoubtedly be impacted."
Gu Jiu raised his eyebrows, "Who is so bold as to not only poach people but also do business opposite to mine? It's obvious that they are trying to steal my business?"
"It's none other than Li Zhaoyi's family, the newly wealthy Li family in the capital."
It was the Li family again. Why did the Li family suddenly target her?
Gu Jiu frowned, "What else did you find out?"
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