Gu Qinlan nodded with a sly smile: "That's right, it was me who did it. Are you curious why I did it?"
Mr. Gu let out an angry cry, trying his best to get up and hit the other person, but he was powerless and his face was distorted in a horrifying way.
Gu Qinlan reached out a hand and gently but firmly pressed him back onto the bed: "Grandfather, please don't get too agitated. You are getting on in years and need to control your emotions. Being too irritable and easily angered may not be good for your health. Aren't you worried that once you pass away, I will destroy the Gu family to the last drop of its armor?"
She leaned close to Mr. Gu's ear, her tone gentle yet full of malice: "You must live well and witness with your own eyes how I take back everything you have taken from the Jiang family by trickery and coercion, exactly as it was."
Mr. Gu's gaze was like a sharp sword, as if he wanted to cut Gu Qinlan into pieces on the spot.
Gu Qinlan met his gaze without fear, her eyes resolute as ice.
"Back then, the glory of the Gu family was a thing of the past. Just when the family was in a slump, the marriage with the Jiang family came into view again. My maternal grandfather remembered your help back then and generously betrothed my mother to you. He even did not hesitate to use most of the Jiang family's property as dowry to help the Gu family regain its former glory."
"However, once you returned to your peak, how did you treat the Jiang family? You coveted the Jiang family's business empire, colluded with others to suppress the Jiang family, and even deliberately caused a difficult childbirth, leading to my mother's untimely death."
"When your conspiracy succeeded, the Jiang family was exiled, and your greedy hands devoured all of the Jiang family's assets. Weren't those two caravans plundered from the Jiang family back then? Today I'm merely returning them to their rightful owner. What? You've stolen from them for so many years, and you actually considered them your own?"
Old Master Gu's face was filled with shock. He had never expected that Gu Qinlan would know so much about these secrets that had been hidden for so many years. After all, all of this had been buried in the dust of history for more than a decade, and even the Jiang family could no longer trace the traces of that time. How could Gu Qinlan, a woman, know so much about it?
Gu Qinlan chuckled lightly, a hint of sarcasm in her voice: "Surprised? Those secrets hidden for so many years have actually been revealed by me?"
“Grandfather, you are indeed getting old and becoming a bit naive. Can you guess who was responsible for the fires at those warehouses in Jindu back then?”
Grandpa Gu was both shocked and furious, and he roared at Gu Qinlan.
Gu Qinlan simply picked up a handkerchief and covered his mouth: "Grandfather, you are getting old and should learn to be calm. Why are you still so easily angered?"
Old Master Gu's mouth was completely gagged, and he could only let out muffled, unwilling sobs.
"Please don't get agitated. My father's death was not caused by me; it was just an accident. After all, he was the one who gave me life and raised me. Even if I hate him, I would not allow myself to bear the infamy of patricide. I originally just wanted to teach him a lesson by setting fire to the warehouse, but who knew he would be so careless."
"I will treat you the same way. I will only take back what belongs to the Jiang family and will not do anything disrespectful to you. As for whether your other precious granddaughter will bring disaster to the Gu family, that is beyond my prediction."
"Grandfather, in life, one should be down-to-earth. Taking too many shortcuts will eventually lead to one's own downfall."
Grandpa Gu was completely despondent.
Since Gu Qinlan left in a huff, Old Master Gu's condition has worsened, yet he stubbornly clings to a last breath. Deep down, he may be worried about the Gu family, fearing that once he passes away, Gu Qinlan will not hesitate to turn against them.
He had tried to warn the Gu family to be wary of Gu Qinlan, but unfortunately, after suffering a stroke, he lost the ability to speak and write. His anxiety and helplessness made him increasingly restless, to the point that even his two beloved grandsons gradually became unwilling to step into his room.
Meanwhile, Song was still running around like a headless fly, trying to save Gu Qinlian.
Although Gu Qinlan despised Gu Qinlian's character, she had to admit that she felt a pang of jealousy towards her older sister's circumstances. After all, Gu Qinlian had a mother who wholeheartedly cared for her.
While feeling envious, Gu Qinlan began to wholeheartedly direct her anger towards the Gu family.
Although the Gu family's business wasn't exactly a behemoth, upon closer examination, it possessed considerable depth and resources. Even before Old Master Gu entrusted her with managing the business, Gu Qinlan was already well-versed in the Gu family's affairs; however, due to the special circumstances of the refugee crisis at that time, she didn't have much room to maneuver.
Now, she finally had the opportunity and was determined to seek justice for her mother and the Jiang family. She intentionally groomed several of her maids, entrusting them with managing the Gu family's business, thus providing them with practice opportunities.
Although these maids had no experience in business, they were exceptionally courageous and quick-witted. With the confidence and support given to them by Gu Qinlan, they took a gamble without fear. The result was unexpected; in a short period of time, the Gu family's several shops in the capital fell under Gu Qinlan's control.
Gu Qinlan meticulously planned these shops before entrusting them to the management of these maids. They were extremely busy, yet full of fighting spirit and boundless energy, making the other maids in the mansion envious.
Meanwhile, the situation outside the capital was not so optimistic.
The consequences of last year's devastating floods are beginning to emerge. Vast amounts of farmland have been destroyed, and crops that were replanted after the floodwaters receded have been completely destroyed by refugees. Several prefectures near the capital are facing food shortages, many small grain stores have run out of grain to sell, and prices at large grain stores are skyrocketing.
Meanwhile, border wars broke out again, and Zheng Dinglian had been attending court these past few days, only returning home exhausted in the afternoon each time.
On this day, Princess Duan was excitedly discussing with Gu Qinlan how to celebrate her birthday.
"This year marks my fiftieth birthday, and our family has had several joyous occasions. I plan to celebrate in a grand manner, to make the good news even better. My son, what do you think?"
Gu Qinlan smiled and replied, "It's Mother's fiftieth birthday, so naturally we should have a grand celebration. Mother has dedicated half her life to the Zheng family, and now it's time for her to enjoy a happy life."
Princess Duan was even happier to hear this: "But this means you'll have to work hard."
Gu Qinlan chuckled and said, "Preparing for Mother's birthday banquet is worth it, no matter how tiring it is. Besides, Huiyi and Huaiyu are helping out, so how can I really feel tired? Mother, just relax and wait for the moment when you become the birthday star. I will have the shop send over some new spring fabrics later. Mother can choose some that she likes and have a few new clothes made to wear on the day of the banquet."
Princess Duan smiled broadly upon hearing this: "There's no need to spend too much; two sets will suffice."
As the two were talking, Zheng Dinglian pushed open the door and entered.
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