When the people from the Prince's Mansion saw Gu Xin's token, they peeked outside and then quickly went inside to report. The steward came out to greet them.
"This humble servant greets Princess Xin Xin. May Your Highness be well!" The steward stepped forward and bowed to Gu Xin.
"No need for formalities! Has your household prepared any food? We've been traveling all night and are hungry," Gu Xin waved her hand and said very kindly.
"Second Master has already ordered his men to be ready at any time. It's just that he didn't know when His Highness would arrive, so he was unable to go and greet him. Please forgive him, Your Highness." The steward said with his head bowed, welcoming Gu Xin and the others into the room.
Gu Xin's group was small. Officer Gao had taken He Gang and He Qiang to the government office, leaving only Gu Xin, Zheng Qiu, Dong Xue, and Bai Er in white.
"Is the Second Master now in charge of your household? And what about the Princess Consort?" Gu Xin asked as she walked.
"Your Highness, after the Crown Prince passed away, the Princess Consort devoted herself to Buddhism and stopped concerning herself with worldly affairs. The Second Master and Second Madam are in charge of all matters inside and outside the mansion," the steward said.
"Oh." Gu Xin nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
The Crown Prince of Donglin has passed away, but the King of Donglin was still alive, and the Crown Princess of Donglin was also alive. How come the two families are making the decisions both inside and outside the palace? This is something worth pondering.
As we walked through the front courtyard, people from the Prince's residence came out to greet us.
Princess Donglin did not appear, but all the other descendants came out, including Bai Baozhu, who was determined to find out the truth, as well as her husband and children.
Gu Xin glanced at everyone and matched the people with the ones Zheng Qiu had introduced last night. Master Bai also took the initiative to introduce them to Gu Xin.
“Your Highness, I have already had my men guard the secret chamber where Father was discovered. I can guarantee that nothing inside has been touched since it was discovered. Only the Prefect of Taizhou led a group to investigate.” Bai Baozhu stepped forward and said after Bai Erye finished his introduction.
"Little sister, His Highness has been traveling all night, let him rest! He's already arrived, why bother?" Second Master Bai looked at Bai Baozhu disapprovingly.
Bai Baozhu wanted to refute, but she pursed her lips and said nothing.
Gu Xin smiled and said, "It's alright. Although we traveled all night, I rested in the carriage. I am indeed hungry, so let's eat and talk later. His Majesty entrusted this case to me, and I cannot slack off or let His Majesty down. I also cannot waste time and prevent His Highness from having peace of mind."
After a pause, Gu Xin continued, "How about this, Princess Baozhu, have dinner with us first, and then Second Master Bai will take me to the secret room, okay?"
Since Gu Xin has said so, how could the Bai family disagree?
Bai Baozhu's feelings for Gu Xin grew stronger because Gu Xin was the first person to ask her questions.
She was straightforward and always believed that first impressions were important. She was worried that what her brothers said would make Gu Xin assume that her father had died suddenly from an illness. Now, she could finally express her suspicions. As long as she spoke first, she wouldn't be afraid that Gu Xin would assume that her father had died suddenly from an illness.
In the dining room, a table full of delicacies had already been laid out. Gu Xin twitched her lips. The master of the mansion had passed away. It was still unknown whether he died of natural causes or was murdered. How could they be serving such a lavish meal? Was this really appropriate?
Gu Xin invited Zheng Qiubai and Bai Er to sit down together. Dong Xue insisted on not sitting at the same table as her master, so Gu Xin asked Bai Baozhu to send someone to take Dong Xue to settle in first, and then have dinner with Dong Xue.
“Princess Baozhu, I heard the Empress Dowager mention you in the capital. She said she would see you again on her 80th birthday this year. I never expected this to happen. Please accept my condolences, Princess.” Gu Xin picked up her chopsticks and said to Bai Baozhu first.
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