Lord Liu immediately reassured her, "Madam, you are overthinking it. Although you are young, you are decisive and resourceful. Everyone in Jindu praises you. Just recently, during the heavy rain, you personally took the lead in helping the people through the crisis and setting up soup kitchens. The noble families followed suit. Therefore, the important task of leading everyone to raise food is none other than you."
“Madam, the Duan Prince’s family is known for its loyalty and illustrious reputation. You come from a merchant family and are exceptionally talented. You and the Prince are a perfect match. However, there is a difference in your social status, and many outsiders believe that you are marrying above your station.”
"If you can make this happen, after the refugees have dispersed, I will record your achievements in detail in my memorial to the throne. At that time, the court will surely reward you. You will be able to win unparalleled glory on your own merits without the Crown Prince having to personally request a title for you. From then on, who will dare to say that you are worthy of the Duan Prince's mansion? Your status in the hearts of the people of Jindu will be unmatched."
Lord Liu spoke earnestly, as if every word came from the bottom of his heart.
However, Gu Qinlan sneered inwardly. This Lord Liu was extremely cunning. In these difficult times, who would be willing to contribute grain? He didn't want to offend anyone, so he tried to shift the blame onto her.
If she were truly young and ignorant, feeling inferior and of a vastly different status from Zheng Dinglian, she would surely have been overcome with passion and acted impulsively upon hearing these words.
Unfortunately, he misjudged his opponent.
She never felt that she was marrying above her station with Zheng Dinglian.
Because deep down, she never had the idea of spending her life with him.
However, faced with the other party's candid and open-hearted honesty, she felt it necessary to show a certain degree of sincerity.
Then, her eyes reddened, and a soft sob escaped her throat: "Your words, sir, touched my heartstrings. However, you do not know that before you left, the heir repeatedly warned me that I was strictly forbidden from taking any action outside in the name of the Prince Duan's mansion, otherwise he would have no choice but to dissolve the marriage with me."
Lord Liu and his wife were both taken aback upon hearing this. Could such a thing really exist?
Gu Qinlan adopted a pitiful posture: "Lord Liu, Madam Liu, you may find it amusing, but although I hold the title of Princess Consort, I actually walk on thin ice and live in constant fear in this mansion. I come from a humble background, and the Prince went to the battlefield at a young age. You are also aware of my family's situation, not to mention the unfortunate passing of my father. Now, my only support is the Prince Duan's mansion. Unless the Prince personally instructs me, I would never dare to act on my own."
She cleverly shifted the blame to Zheng Dinglian.
Lord Liu pressed on, unwilling to give up: "But I remember that when the heir left, he said that all affairs of the mansion, big and small, would be handled by you, Madam, and even the old lady would have to follow your arrangements... Moreover, weren't the stewards of the Duan Prince's mansion also imprisoned by your order, Madam?"
Those were matters he personally handled.
Therefore, he had doubts about Gu Qinlan's statement.
Gu Qinlan gave a desolate smile: "My lord, do you really believe that those were just empty words? I am a commoner woman of low status, who has never seen the world. How could the prince entrust me with the real power of the Duan Prince's Mansion? He only said that to maintain the dignity of the Duan Prince's Mansion and to prevent me from being looked down upon in front of others."
"In fact, the Crown Prince had already arranged for his confidants to manage the Duan Prince's residence, but he claimed to the outside world that I was in charge. Anyone with eyes can see that those matters are far beyond my ability to handle."
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Qinlan turned to Hongye and instructed, "Go and invite Stewards Polang and Taxue over so that the master can see for himself and know that what I said was true."
Hongye accepted the order and hurried away.
A moment later, Hongye returned with Polang and Taxue.
At this time, Jindu was under lockdown, and all shops were closed. Ta Xue naturally had nothing to do and was wandering around the mansion.
The two appeared together, and the extraordinary aura they exuded immediately convinced Lord Liu of Gu Qinlan's words.
Although both were young, one was as cold as ice, and the other had a sharp glint in his eyes; they were clearly not ordinary people.
Gu Qinlan politely addressed the two men: "Manager Polang, Manager Taxue, this is Lord Liu. He hopes I can help procure food for the city's residents. I..."
Before she could finish speaking, Po Lang interrupted her coldly: "Has Madam forgotten the young master's warning!"
Gu Qinlan gave an awkward smile: "How could I forget? I was just thinking..."
Ta Xue immediately chimed in, "It's good that Madam remembers. Please remember your place and do not meddle in matters that are not your concern. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, no one will be able to bear the consequences for Madam."
Po Lang glanced at Lord Liu, his tone icy: "Lord Liu, our young master is away on a distant expedition, leaving only the women in the household. Women are not involved in external affairs, nor are they capable of interfering. We hope you will understand."
"Very well, since Madam Zheng is unwell, then I will not disturb her any longer. I shall take my leave now."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Lord Liu forcefully pulled the terrified and bewildered Madam Liu away like refugees fleeing a fire, even forgetting the tea package he was carrying.
As soon as they stepped out of the vermilion gates of the Prince Duan's mansion, a burst of cheerful laughter immediately filled the reception room.
Ta Xue laughed so hard she bent over: "I never expected that Lord Liu would be so easily fooled. He backed down with just a few words."
On their way to the reception room, Hongye had already revealed the purpose of Lord Liu and his wife's visit, as well as Gu Qinlan's cold attitude. The two, being exceptionally clever, naturally understood Gu Qinlan's intentions. Therefore, upon entering the reception room, they adopted a contemptuous attitude towards Gu Qinlan, as if declaring to the world that Gu Qinlan held no real power in the Prince Duan's residence.
They then used the imposing presence of the Golden Saber Sect's elite disciples to easily intimidate those insignificant seventh-rank officials, as if they were playing a casual game.
After sending Lord Liu and his wife away, Gu Qinlan immediately dispatched Hongye to keep an eye on the latest developments in the city.
At this time, many families had run out of food, and some people who could no longer survive flocked to the government offices seeking assistance.
At first, there weren't many people seeking help, but now the area in front of the government office is packed with people.
Many of those seeking help brought their families, who had gone without food for days. Everyone was starving and their eyes were glazed over, and the young children were crying incessantly from hunger.
Hongye disguised herself and blended into the crowd. Just as she was about to leave after observing the crowd, she noticed a little girl tightly tugging at her clothes.
It was a little girl of three or four years old, her cheeks sunken from hunger, her lips tightly closed, her two big eyes staring helplessly at Hongye, and a faint cry for help coming from her throat.
That was the child's hopeless plea for help.
The child's parents saw her grab a stranger, who, although simply dressed, was clearly well-off and likely came from a wealthy family.
Fearing they might offend someone they shouldn't have, they quickly scolded the child, "Let go right now!"
But the little girl seemed not to hear, clinging tightly to the hem of Hongye's clothes.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
