I believe it!
Just then, a familiar female voice rang out from outside the crowd.
Gu Qinlan turned around and saw the long-lost Mama Luo standing not far away, holding the hand of a child who looked to be about ten years old. A small, exquisite hitching post was hanging next to the child's ear.
Mrs. Luo maintained her flamboyant yet slightly gaudy attire, immediately attracting everyone's attention upon her appearance.
Many people recognized her and whispered among themselves, their faces showing a hint of disdain.
Led by her child's little hand, Madam Luo calmly walked to the front of the crowd and spoke gently: "Fellow citizens of Jindu, although our Xiaoxiang Pavilion is a place of pleasure, we also cherish a passion for serving the people. If you do not mind, I am willing to donate 10,000 taels of silver to help you rebuild your homes."
Upon hearing this, some people awkwardly lowered their outstretched hands.
However, some other ambitious people retorted loudly: "Get out of here with your ill-gotten gains! I'd rather be homeless than accept your charity!"
Mrs. Luo didn't care at all and calmly replied, "Whether you are willing or not is up to you. I'm not asking you to accept it. My money is used to help those who are most in need and suffering. You are not even qualified to do so."
Unwilling to see a conflict between the people and Madam Luo, Gu Qinlan hurriedly advised everyone to go about their own business, while she also prepared to return to her residence.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, Gu Qinlan was preparing to leave with her entourage.
But Mrs. Luo stopped her: "Why the rush? Aren't you incredibly brave? Are you afraid that people will talk behind your back about you associating with someone like me, damaging your reputation?"
Gu Qinlan stopped and looked at her with a firm gaze: "I do have some concerns."
Mrs. Luo chuckled repeatedly: "I thought you were a woman of great character who didn't care about those empty titles, but I didn't expect I overestimated you."
Gu Qinlan had no intention of arguing with her. Instead, she looked at the child and asked, "You found him and took him out of that place. Will your master agree to that?"
Mrs. Luo's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes: "I always have a way to get him to nod."
“Lady Crown Prince, I have come here today specifically to discuss a collaboration with you.”
Gu Qinlan looked slightly surprised: "A collaboration? You and me? That's unexpected. Are we going to open another new brothel?"
Mother Luo simply covered her mouth and chuckled, "If you want to know the details of the cooperation, meet me at Taibai Tower in three days. I will tell you everything then, and I guarantee you will nod in agreement."
Gu Qinlan shrugged dismissively: "That's not necessarily true."
Mrs. Luo smiled and said, "We'll know the outcome in three days. Alright, I should go now. See you in three days."
Watching Luo's mother's retreating figure, Jiang Ye asked worriedly, "What do you think about this? Are you really planning to cooperate with her?"
Gu Qinlan laughed out loud: "I'm not crazy. Would I cooperate with her to hasten my own demise? The power behind her is not something a mere heir's wife like me can afford to offend."
Although she didn't know what kind of agreement Luo's mother and the Third Prince had reached, or even if Luo's mother had broken off relations with the Third Prince and switched allegiance to another prince, none of that mattered to her.
Her sole goal is to strengthen herself, protect herself, and live a good life; she has no intention of colluding with ferocious beasts for profit.
Jiang Ye said with a sigh of relief, "I'm relieved that you understand this. I was really worried about being tempted and misled."
Gu Qinlan smiled and said, "Am I really that unreliable in my cousin's eyes?"
Jiang Ye also smiled and said, "It's not that bad, I'm just worried about your impulsiveness."
Gu Qinlan replied, "Don't worry, these temptations have no appeal to me."
Having experienced everything in her previous life, no amount of wealth or glory could blind her anymore.
Jiang Ye was completely relieved.
Gu Qinlan was about to return, but she was stopped again after taking only a few steps.
This time, it was Ji Yinli.
Ji Yinli bowed to Gu Qinlan: "Elder sister, my mother has suddenly fainted. We would like to take her to the clinic. Could we borrow your carriage?"
Gu Qinlan replied without hesitation, "It's inconvenient."
Ji Yinli was stunned by her direct rejection, and even doubted whether he had misheard.
Jiang Ye immediately reached out and pushed Ji Yinli backward. Fu Yu and Hong Ye immediately stepped forward to help Gu Qinlan into the car.
Ji Yinli said urgently, "Elder sister, I just want to borrow your carriage. My mother's condition is really serious. Please help me."
Fuyu turned her head and said, "You are really an interesting person. Your mother is sick, does that mean everyone in your Ji family is sick? Instead of spending time borrowing a carriage here, you might as well have your brothers carry your mother directly to the clinic."
Ji Yinli said, "That won't do. My mother is a woman who values appearances..."
Fuyu laughed and said, "I don't know if your mother cares about appearances, but forcing others to lend you a carriage is not respectable at all."
Hongye said coldly, "Get out of the way right now, or don't blame me for being impolite."
Ji Yinli was frightened and was about to leave.
At this moment, Gu Qinlian walked over and said, "Big sister, how can you do this! It's just borrowing your carriage, why are you being so stingy? After all, we're relatives, isn't it our duty to help each other?"
Gu Qinlan smiled and said, "We are relatives, that's true, but I don't value our relationship. Do relatives have to help each other? Who made that rule?"
Gu Qinlian's face turned ashen from those words. "You're so cold-hearted. Aren't you worried about people gossiping about you behind your back? You spend huge sums of money to help those impoverished families. Isn't it all to gain a good reputation? Now so many eyes are watching. Your own relatives are asking you for help, but you ignore them. Aren't you worried that all your previous efforts will be in vain?"
She found it hard to believe that Gu Qinlan could truly be so indifferent to her reputation. If she didn't care, why would Gu Qinlan go to such lengths to cultivate those empty titles?
Gu Qinlan smiled helplessly: "So, you think that all my previous actions were for the purpose of seeking fame and reputation?"
Gu Qinlian snorted coldly: "Isn't that right? I absolutely do not believe that anyone in this world would do good deeds for no reason!"
Gu Qinlan smiled lightly and shook her head: "Think what you want, and let others talk behind your back. In short, I will not lend out this carriage. Please move aside, so that you don't get splashed with mud when the carriage passes by."
Without hesitation, Hongye reached out and shoved Gu Qinlian aside: "Get out of the way!"
Gu Qinlian stumbled and almost fell into the mud, but fortunately Ji Yinli reached out in time and steadied her.
After regaining her footing, she angrily pointed at Gu Qinlan: "Gu Qinlan, you've gone too far! Do you think you're superior just because you married into the Duan Prince's mansion? Do you know how glorious my husband's future achievements will be? Aren't you afraid of angering us and facing retaliation in the future?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
