The weather was unpredictable a few days ago, with sudden strong winds and heavy rain one moment and sunny skies the next.
The weather has improved today, and the Second Prince, together with Gu Qianxue, went back to visit her parents' home.
"Xue'er, look, this is a gift I prepared for my father-in-law. I wonder if he likes it?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianxue immediately stepped forward to examine the gifts prepared by the Second Prince.
"Is this a piece of calligraphy by Master Liu? How did Your Highness come to have this?"
"It was a gift from a close friend."
"Your Highness is so kind to me, giving me such precious things. What is this? As long as Xue'er likes something, I will do my best to give it to you."
Besides the calligraphy, there are two other gifts here: one for Old Madam Gu and the other for my mother-in-law.
Gu Qianxue's eyebrows twitched slightly as she carefully examined the treasure before her, clicking her tongue in admiration.
"Snow lotus from the Tianshan Mountains and top-quality bird's nest are both excellent for rejuvenating one's appearance. Your Highness is very kind!"
"If Xue'er is happy, that's good."
Gu Mansion
Gu Cixiu was still managing his business in the Jianghuai area half a month ago. As soon as he received Gu Qianxue's letter, he rushed back.
After learning about Gu Qianluo's situation, the old lady couldn't sleep well for several nights. Taking advantage of Gu Qianxue's return today...
She'll definitely want to know the details.
"Sir, you should rest for a while! Don't overwork yourself."
Luo'er is really ignorant. Even though she has entered the Marquis's mansion as the eldest daughter-in-law, she still dares to have an affair with the secret guards.
Wouldn't this ruin our Gu family's future?
"Shut up! Luo'er isn't that kind of person!" Gu Cixiu shouted angrily, his face ashen.
“Master, even if Luo’er didn’t do anything disgraceful, now that the whole city knows about it, her reputation is ruined.”
Sir, you'd better think about the consequences!
The lives of our entire family, dozens of people, are all in your hands!
Gu Cixiu frowned, a surge of heat rising in his throat, and with a "pfft," blood gushed from his mouth.
Suddenly, Gu Cixiu's vision went black, and he collapsed onto the mahogany chair.
Upon seeing this, Madam Lu rushed forward to help him up, anxiously saying, "Master! Master! Now that such a thing has happened, you absolutely mustn't be hurt!"
"Quick! Go and fetch a doctor!"
When the Second Prince and Gu Qianxue returned to the Gu family, the entire Gu residence was filled with a gloomy and somber atmosphere.
Like the calm before a storm, it makes people feel restless and anxious.
Both Old Master Gu and Old Madam Gu have fallen ill, and Butler Fang is assisting Madam Lu with a whole host of tasks.
As the sun reached its zenith, the guards spotted a magnificent mahogany carriage approaching the Gu residence from afar and immediately rushed to inform the Gu family steward to arrange for its arrival.
"Steward Fang, I spotted a royal carriage heading towards the Gu residence. It looks similar to the carriage from the Second Prince's residence a few days ago."
"Are you sure you saw it clearly?" If the Second Prince was coming, why wasn't he notified in advance? Butler Fang couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.
"I've seen it clearly, Butler Fang, quickly arrange for someone to come out and greet us!"
"Alright! You take a few head guards to greet them first. I'll go and tell Madam."
"Yes, sir!"
A moment later, the Second Prince's carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Gu residence.
The carriage was adorned with intricately carved patterns, the eaves were decorated with python patterns, and the curtains were embellished with various colorful gemstones, making it dazzling and eye-catching.
The second prince alighted from the carriage in a magnificent robe, followed by Gu Qianxue's graceful figure.
"Greetings, Second Prince; greetings, Consort Gu." Servants, each carrying a basin of clean hands, a washcloth, and mouthwash, lined up in two rows to greet them.
No need for formalities! Is your father-in-law home?
Upon hearing this, the servant leading the way lowered his head, his eyes darkening, and remained silent.
The second prince frowned and silently glanced at Gu Qianxue beside him.
Gu Qianxue's eyes darkened, anger rising within her. She rebuked sharply, "The Second Prince is asking you questions! Are you all mute? Is Father even here?"
Upon hearing this, the servants looked embarrassed and lowered their heads.
Seeing this, Gu Qianxue raised her hand to slap him, but suddenly, Butler Fang stepped forward to greet her politely.
"Madam has been waiting in the main hall for a long time. Second Prince, Consort Gu, this way please."
"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Fang!" the Second Prince replied coldly.
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianxue's furrowed brows gradually relaxed. She glared at Butler Fang, who was leading the way, and said sneer.
"Steward Fang, those few outside just now were so ill-mannered. I don't want to see them again. You know what to do, right?"
Butler Fang was startled, a look of worry crossing his face, and he took the initiative to apologize.
"Consort Gu's reprimand is correct; I will certainly teach them a good lesson."
As soon as the Second Prince and Gu Qianxue stepped into the front hall, they saw Madam Lu sitting in the main seat, sobbing softly, tears slowly dripping down her fair cheeks.
"Waaaaah! Waaaaah! What sins has our Gu family committed! That damned Gu Qianluo, why wasn't it her who fell ill? Waaaaah! How am I, a mere woman, supposed to live like this!"
Seeing this, the two exchanged a glance, and the Second Prince took Gu Qianluo's hand and strode into the hall.
Gu Qianxue narrowed her eyes slightly, tiptoed forward to support Lu Shi, who was crying her eyes out, and said in surprise,
"Mother, Mother, what's wrong? Mother, why are you crying so sadly? It hurts my heart so much to see you like this."
As soon as Gu Qianxue finished speaking, she pulled the person into her arms and suddenly began to sob along with Madam Lu.
Seeing the mother and daughter weeping in each other's arms, the second prince's eyes darkened, and he asked indifferently,
"Mother-in-law, has something happened to the Gu family? Why are you crying so bitterly?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Lu looked up at the speaker, her expression suddenly brightening, and said in a hoarse voice,
"Ugh! It's all such a mess for the Gu family. Second Prince, you'd better not get involved. Waaah!"
"Mother, what happened? Where is Father? Why can't I find him?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Lu cried even harder, sobbing, "Your father fell ill after learning about Gu Qianluo's sordid affair. He's been bedridden ever since. Waaah!"
"I don't know how your father and the old lady found out, but they've been bedridden for several days now."
"That damned Gu Qianluo! She got into all this trouble and then just disappeared without a trace."
Now, who knows how the Marquis's mansion will view our Gu family!
"If my daughter sees her, I'll make her drown in the pond to atone for the sins of the Gu family!"
"Xue'er, what's the use of saying all this now? I heard that the Marquis's mansion has already started to find ways to deal with our Gu family."
"Mother, the old lady is bedridden and Father is ill. Now, you are the only one who can make decisions for the Gu family!"
"Mother-in-law, you must cheer up and not fall ill too. The Gu family still needs you to manage things!"
The second prince comforted her from the side.
“You are right, the Lu family must not fall.”
"Mother, please think of a way to deal with Gu Qianluo!"
Upon hearing this, Lu's eyes blazed with fury, and she crumpled the handkerchief in her hand into tiny pieces.
"At this point, this is the only plan we can use!"
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