Liu Xiaolan, who overheard their conversation outside the door, had tears welling up in her eyes and whispered her agreement.
"Your Highness and Sister Xue rarely get to see each other, so I won't disturb you two any longer."
After saying that, Liu Xiaolan left angrily.
After a rare moment of tender affection, Gu Qianxue leaned softly against the Second Prince, and said shyly,
"Your Highness is even more formidable than before. I'm finding it hard to keep up!"
Upon hearing this, the second prince's eyes lit up, and he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "..."
"This prince has been away from the 'battlefield' for quite some time. Is my beloved consort still happy?"
"How annoying! Your Highness is teasing me again! I just spent a wonderful night with Xiaolan the day before yesterday, how can you say it was a long time?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Qianxue stretched out her fair arm and pinched the Second Prince's ear.
Seeing the blush creeping onto her cheeks, the Second Prince's gaze deepened, and he pulled her hand into his embrace.
"My beloved concubine has misunderstood me. In truth, that day, I did not truly favor her, but rather mistook her for you."
"If that's the case, why did Your Highness keep her in the palace? It's truly a pity for Xiaolan's devoted heart."
The second prince's eyes flickered as he looked at the person in his arms, who appeared both aggrieved and feigning tolerance. A pang of pity rose in his heart, and he explained softly,
"My beloved consort has a terrible memory. Didn't you tell me to make the best of a bad situation?"
That day, I thought it made sense, so I went along with your wishes.
Liu Xiaolan was originally sent by the Empress Dowager to spy on me. The Empress Dowager only wanted her to gain favor and cause you, my beloved concubine, to fall out of favor.
Thus, everything about this prince can be controlled by the Empress Dowager.
As a seven-foot-tall man, how could I possibly grant my mother's wish?
Since Your Majesty forbids my beloved concubine from serving me medicine and meals, I will comply with Your Majesty's wishes.
This will help alleviate the Empress Dowager's hostility towards the beloved concubine.
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianxue's eyes lit up with joy, and she raised her head to gently touch the Second Prince's cheek.
"I never expected Your Highness to be so considerate of me?"
"You are the apple of my eye, and I will naturally think of you."
"Luckily, I married you as my concubine. If I had married Gu Qianluo, Mother Empress would probably be so angry she'd fall ill!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianxue frowned, her eyes darting around. Pretending to be unaware of the Marquis's affairs, she asked with suspicion,
"I wonder why Your Highness speaks of my elder sister in this way? Has my sister done something that has prompted Your Highness to express such a sentiment?"
"I didn't want to tell you this because I was afraid you would worry, but now that the matter is known throughout the city, you will find out sooner or later."
"Hearing what Your Highness has said, I am even more curious! What exactly has my sister done wrong?"
"I've heard that Gu Qianluo had an affair with a guard from the Marquis's mansion and eloped out of the capital a few days ago, and her whereabouts are still unknown."
Your sister always appeared dignified and virtuous, but unexpectedly, she turned out to be a fickle and promiscuous woman.
"Alas, this prince can't help but feel sorry for my cousin!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Qianxue raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting unpredictably, and feigned concern, saying...
"Adultery is a serious crime! I wonder if it could implicate the Gu family!"
My older sister has always been my grandmother's darling and my father's precious treasure.
Oh dear, my grandmother's health has always been poor. I wonder what she would do if she knew about this.
Your Highness, I am very worried!
"Since you're worried, why don't you go back to the Gu family mansion to visit the old lady and your father-in-law? How about that?"
"Yes, Your Highness, please make the decision."
Three days later, after a long journey, Gu Qianluo and her group finally returned to the capital.
She hadn't bathed for several days because of the bad travel conditions.
Before she got married, no one would care if she didn't bathe for three days.
But her status is different now. In order to uphold the dignity of the mistress of the house, she decided to follow Gu Zijun back to the Lotus Garden to change into a dignified dress before returning to the Marquis's mansion.
After ten days of treatment, Zhu Ying's health has gradually improved. Upon hearing that Gu Qianluo is returning to the capital today, he specially dressed in a dignified and elegant outfit to greet her.
"Welcome back, young master! I greet you, young lady! I have prepared bath water for you and the kitchen has also prepared a meal."
Upon hearing this, Gu Zijun turned to look at Gu Qianluo and asked softly,
"Luo'er is tired too, how about we have a meal first?"
Gu Qianlu's gaze was deep, her expression weary. She gently shook her head and said...
"Brother, please eat first. I'm a little tired and need to take a bath and then sleep for a while. Don't worry about me."
"Okay! If you're tired, then get some rest."
Gu Zijun watched Gu Qianluo's graceful departure, a hint of worry appearing in his eyes.
Seeing Gu Qianluo leave, Liu Yue quickly stepped forward to report.
"Master, Manager Lin has something to report and is waiting in the study!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Zijun's eyes showed a hint of surprise, and he said coldly,
Do you know what it is?
"I don't know the specifics, but when I asked him, he only said it was related to Miss Gu, and that it was a very important matter and he insisted on explaining it to you personally."
Gu Zijun's heart sank, his eyes suddenly darkened, and a bad premonition flashed through his mind. He turned and walked towards the palace.
"Liu Yue, order the kitchen to send the meals to my bedroom. No one is allowed to approach without my permission."
"yes!"
Gu Zijun rushed to the palace in a great hurry, while Zhu Ying was in her room, feeling restless and agitated.
Since he was injured, Gu Zijun has had people guarding him, forbidding him from leaving and prohibiting anyone from entering.
If he had been too weak to get out of bed a few days ago, that would have been one thing, but now that he has gradually recovered, he certainly wouldn't be able to stand being confined.
So he decided to sneak out of the room during the midday shift of the guards.
Manager Lin, who was in charge of the pawnshop at the Gu residence, was already waiting in Gu Zijun's study.
Gu Zijun slowly walked in from outside the door. As soon as Manager Lin saw him, he rushed over and said anxiously,
"Young Master! You're finally back! Something terrible has happened! Miss Gu is in trouble!"
Seeing that Manager Lin looked nervous and his forehead was covered in sweat, Gu Zijun led him back to his seat and comforted him.
"Manager Lin, please have a seat. Don't rush, let's talk things out."
"Young Master Gu! We can't afford to be in such a hurry! Do you know what I found at the pawnshop today?"
"What? Could it be some rare and precious treasure?"
"Oh my, it's Miss Gu's dowry! It even has the Gu family name engraved on it! Not only our main pawnshop, but also the branch pawnshops in the south and west of the city all have Miss Gu's dowry."
"Oh? Do you know who did this?"
"Young Master Gu left the capital a few days ago on business. Rumors are circulating in the Marquis's mansion that Miss Gu is having an affair with the Marquis's secret guards. Now they want to deal with Miss Gu's belongings."
I heard that a few days ago, the First Madam of the Marquis's Mansion ordered her servants to take a whole box of exquisite hairpins and jewelry to the pawnshop and pawn it.
Even the servants and maids who served Miss Gu were sold off because of her mistakes.
Upon hearing this, Gu Zijun's eyes flashed with anger. He slammed his hand heavily on the table and shouted furiously.
"This is outrageous! The Marquis's mansion is going too far!"
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