The account book has been checked.
In recent years, the properties under Mr. Gu's name have indeed increased a lot.
However, these additional industries were added gradually and spread out over different time periods.
There are no large amounts of unexplained assets or huge sums of money in the account books.
Of course, there is another situation where the huge amount of embezzled money is not recorded.
Gu Jiu stared at Gu Quan, "Are you sure all the properties under the master's name are registered in the account book?"
"Small sure."
Gu Jiu didn't give up, "Does the master have a mistress outside?"
Butler Gu Quan shook his head repeatedly, shaking it like a rattle, "Master definitely doesn't have a mistress outside, I can guarantee it."
Gu Jiu continued to ask, "Master, have you ever taken back a large amount of gold and silver at once?"
The housekeeper Gu Quan asked, "I wonder what the large sum that Second Aunt is talking about is. How much is considered a large sum?"
Gu Jiu snorted, "More than ten thousand taels."
Gu Quan thought for a moment, "There have been two or three times. Each time it was over ten thousand taels."
"When did it happen?"
Gu Quan mentioned three times.
Gu Jiu frowned, the timing matched the disaster relief.
Could it be that Lord Gu really embezzled the disaster relief grain?
Steward Gu Quan had obviously thought of this as well. He hurriedly defended Master Gu, "If the master had truly embezzled the disaster relief grain, he wouldn't have taken home only 10,000 or 20,000 taels of silver. With so much grain, if he sold it, he'd be worth more than 10,000 or 20,000 taels of silver. Perhaps 100,000 or 200,000 taels of silver."
Gu Jiu asked, "Where did the master hide his silver? How much silver did he hide privately?"
“This, this, this…”
"What the hell, what are you still hesitating about at this time? Don't you want to know whether the master has embezzled the disaster relief grain?"
After being glared at by Gu Jiu, Gu Quan felt guilty and short of breath, and took out the key to open the cabinet.
Lord Gu didn't have much cash hidden, only about two or three thousand taels.
There were quite a lot of banknotes, and the total amount of banknotes in several boxes was as much as 40,000 to 50,000 taels.
But the banknotes were both old and new, and it didn't look like they were all taken back at once. It seemed more like they had been accumulated over many years.
Butler Gu Quan can also testify to this.
"Second Aunt, you must believe that the master is innocent. The master would never have touched the disaster relief grain. This matter must have been orchestrated by Master Ma. Now that something has happened and Master Ma has disappeared, he must have taken refuge with someone and fabricated evidence to frame the master."
Gu Jiu nodded and said, "Then send someone to investigate Master Ma. Even if a living person disappears, it is impossible for him to leave no trace at all."
"How should we investigate? Should we report to the police?" Gu Quan asked in a low voice.
Gu Jiu glanced at him and said, "You can report it to the authorities to prove your innocence. I will also send someone to investigate Master Ma privately. I hope he is still alive."
"ah?"
Butler Gu Quan was frightened.
Gu Ji smiled coldly, "For such a big case, the death of a few people is nothing. You better control the servants in the mansion and don't cause any more trouble."
"As you command."
Gu Jiu left the study and planned to visit Old Master Gu.
Old Master Gu was still drinking, but he didn't let his concubine join him.
He was not surprised at all to see Gu Jiu.
"I heard you were back early this morning. It was about your father's matter, wasn't it? Your father is a fool. He has long been telling him to be careful and cautious on his duty, but he just won't listen. He ignored my words. What a fool you are."
Gu Jiu sat down at the table and said, "Old man, you're already drinking this morning. Don't you want to be healthy anymore?"
Old Master Gu laughed heartily. "I've lived for decades, and that's more than enough. Life is all about eating and drinking. If you can't eat and drink to your heart's content, how can you live? Don't worry, I won't die anytime soon. I've been taking the medicine you prescribed on time."
Gu Jiu was angry, "Old man, you are ruining your body."
"Don't worry about my health, let's talk about your father."
Gu Jiu's eyebrows moved slightly, "Grandpa knew from the beginning that something would happen to my father?"
"Hmph!" Old Master Gu said with a look of displeasure, "When your father was promoted to the Minister of Revenue, I warned him, but he didn't listen. Do you really think the position of Minister of Revenue is easier than that of the prefect of the capital? How foolish."
Gu Jiu tried to ask, "In your opinion, what is the whole story behind father's case this time?"
Old Master Gu shook his head. "It's hard to say. This is a very critical period."
Gu Jiu frowned slightly. "In my father's case, is the real intention really to take place in Prince Ning's Mansion?"
"Maybe, maybe not." Mr. Gu said vaguely.
Gu Jiu was worried, "So it seems I have implicated my father."
Old Master Gu shook his head repeatedly, "You can't think like that. Your father is destined to have this disaster. With his methods, he will fall sooner or later, if not this year, then next year.
It's okay to stumble now. Your father's case doesn't determine the crown prince. If His Majesty really chooses Prince Ning, he won't change his mind because of your father's case. Similarly, if His Majesty doesn't choose Prince Ning, he won't choose Prince Ning because your father abides by the law.
Gu Jiu nodded, that was the truth.
"I'm not sure who's behind all this. It feels like anyone could be behind it. Knowing that my father's case won't hinder Prince Ning and Prince Zhao, they still resort to this tactic. It's very strange. Could they be targeting my project outside Nanchemen?"
Mr. Gu warned, "Since you think this matter is suspicious, you must be careful. Be cautious in everything you do."
"I'll listen to the old man. He should take care of himself too."
Old Master Gu waved his hand, not caring at all, "Don't worry, it's not time for me to die yet."
Gu Jiu said, "Everyone in the mansion is in a panic. The Madam is completely incompetent. It's all up to Sister-in-law Hu to run things. If necessary, the old man should step forward to calm people's hearts."
Old Master Gu laughed, "It's not as serious as you think. The eldest wife's family is fine. As long as nothing happens to the eldest wife, there will be no chaos at home. Don't worry about it."
Gu Jiu nodded and said, "I will arrange for someone to investigate Master Ma's disappearance. When I have news, I will send someone to let you know."
"Go, go. You are all busy people, don't waste your time here with me."
Gu Jiu once again reminded Mr. Gu to take care of himself before getting up and leaving.
Gu Shan and Hu saw her out together.
Mrs. Hu said, "Your sixth brother has gone to the Dali Temple to visit the master, and it seems that it is time for him to return. Second aunt, why don't you stay for lunch and wait for your sixth brother to return before leaving."
Gu Jiu shook his head, "No! I have to hurry back to the palace to arrange the next things. Sister-in-law and fourth sister, don't worry. Father's matter may seem dangerous, but it will be resolved sooner or later. Father will be able to return home safely soon."
"Really?" Gu Shan cried with joy, "Thank you, second sister, that's great."
No wonder Gu Shan was so excited.
She is engaged to the second son of the Duke of Zhuguo's family, and the wedding will be held next spring.
If Lord Gu is imprisoned and convicted, her marriage will probably be called off.
Since yesterday, she has had to comfort the devastated Mrs. Xie, worry about Lord Gu, and worry about her own marriage.
After one night, blisters appeared in my mouth and it was burning and painful.
No matter how many words others said to comfort her, saying that Lord Gu would definitely return safely, none of them could compare to Gu Jiu's one word of comfort.
Gu Jiu took out a handkerchief and wiped Gu Shan's tears. "Don't cry, fourth sister. Everything will be fine. I'll leave the mansion to my sister-in-law."
"It's all my duty. I feel really bad for making Second Aunt take such a long trip and not even having a meal."
"Sister-in-law, you don't have to be polite to me. When I'm done with this busy period, I'll come to enjoy your banquet."
"Then it's settled."
Gu Jiu got on the carriage at the second gate and set off back to the palace.
Gu Jiu got up early in the morning and has been busy until now, feeling a little drowsy.
Coupled with the shaking of the carriage, Gu Jiu felt a little drowsy.
The carriage passed through the bustling market. Listening to the noise outside the carriage, Gu Jiu no longer knew what day it was.
"Frightened horse! Get out of the way!"
Suddenly, a roar exploded in my ears, deafening.
Immediately afterwards, the carriage accelerated and swayed from side to side.
Gu Jiu woke up from his drowsiness instantly.
"Hold on tight, ma'am. The horses are frightened."
Xu Yousi's voice came from outside, as well as the driver's panting.
Gu Jiu held on to the frame tightly, and her body hit the wall again and again, which hurt her so much.
Qingmei screamed twice, hit her head on the car board, and fainted.
Outside the carriage, people were crying, shouting, screaming, and panicking...
The entire market was thrown into chaos by the sudden appearance of the frightened horse.
The ground shook.
Like an earthquake.
Dozens of frightened horses ran wildly in the market, creating a chaos like hell on earth.
Gu Jiu was terrified.
How could there be so many frightened horses in the capital's market? And it happened to be on her way back to the palace.
Although she didn't want to make this guess, it was obvious that this was directed at her.
All these frightened horses were coming towards her.
The people's screams have faded away.
The carriage had left the market and was galloping out of the city.
The carriage was going too fast and hit an obstacle, causing the carriage to crash and everyone on board to die.
The carriage overturned and the horses fell to the ground and wailed.
Gu Jiu's eyes were blurred, her vision was blocked.
Something warm and sticky.
I wiped my face and found out that it was bleeding.
Many people rushed towards the carriage.
Who is it?
Who is coming?
Gu Jiu tried to open his eyes wide, trying to remember this scene.
However, her memory finally stopped at a pair of leather boots. When she tried to look up along the boots, her body could no longer support her and she completely fainted.
…
The capital was under martial law, and after dusk, there were no pedestrians on the streets.
Only the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Five Cities Military Command patrolled different areas to ensure public security in the capital.
In an alley somewhere in the south of the city, there is a small house at the very end, which looks very inconspicuous.
Only when you walk in and go through the back door can you discover this unique world.
Gu Jiu was drowsy and seemed to be awake, but he couldn't open his eyes and was completely confused.
It was as if someone was talking in my ear.
"Make sure you heal her! If anything goes wrong, you all know the consequences."
"Don't worry, sir. Madam only has minor injuries."
"…Wake her up as soon as possible."
"Why hasn't she woken up yet?"
Who is it, who is talking in her ear?
Is it Liu Zhao?
Why didn’t I hear Yu Ge’er crying?
Yu Ge'er loves to cry so much, so her crying must be heard.
One morning, sunlight penetrated the window and fell into the bedroom.
Countless dust particles flew in the light.
Gu Jiu finally woke up.
She didn't move or open her eyes. She pretended to be still unconscious, even keeping her breathing constant.
For others, pretending to be unconscious might be difficult.
For Gu Jiu, who had made the hospital her home in her previous life, feigning coma was a natural skill. She was second to none, and no one dared to claim first place.
She held her breath, sensing the movements around her, and only opened her eyes after making sure there was no one else in the room.
This is not the palace!
At first glance, she could tell that this was not any place she was familiar with.
However, the decoration of this bedroom is even more luxurious than her bedroom in the palace.
The floor is covered with authentic Persian carpets worth a fortune.
On the wall are paintings left by people thousands of years ago.
The incense burner is an antique from the previous dynasty, and may even be a gift from the emperor.
Even the bed she lay on was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, its carvings so exquisite that they were truly rare.
Not to mention the gauze curtains and fur quilts, all of which are rare items worth thousands of gold.
Has she gone into some nouveau riche's den of thieves?
If she hadn't been sure that the body was still her own, she would have thought she had traveled through time again.
Crunch!
The door opens from the outside.
Gu Jiu lay there motionless, closed his eyes and continued to pretend to be unconscious.
The door opened, and more sunlight came in, bringing a hint of warmth.
Who came in?
His footsteps on the carpet were light but decisive.
The person stood in front of the bed, staring at her.
She suddenly felt as if she was being stared at by a poisonous snake.
This is a man.
The strong masculine scent cannot be ignored.
"Since Madam is awake, why don't you open your eyes? Madam has been in a coma for so many days, aren't you hungry?"
Discovered.
Gu Jiu opened his eyes and looked at the person who came. "It's you!"
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