Gu Qinlan's figure had just disappeared beyond the threshold when Zheng Huaiyu followed closely behind and entered Zheng Fengyun's study. She saw servants busily cleaning up the scattered debris, so she meandered into the inner room.
She had expected to see Zheng Fengyun lose control of his emotions inside the house, but to her surprise, he acted as if nothing had happened, gracefully wielding a short sword inside the house.
If it weren't for the slight redness in his eyes, it would be impossible to tell that he had recently burst into tears.
Zheng Huaiyu asked in surprise, "You've regained your composure?"
Zheng Fengyun snorted and replied, "It's a trivial matter, why would I take it to heart?"
Zheng Huaiyu felt uneasy. She knew her younger brother's temperament very well; he was most intolerant of any unfair treatment. Today's events clearly showed that Zheng Fengyun had suffered a great injustice. Given his personality, he should already be extremely angry, perhaps even to the point of tearing the roof off.
But why is he so calm at this moment?
Zheng Huaiyu suddenly had a thought and asked, "What did that merchant's daughter say to you?"
Zheng Fengyun frowned slightly: "Sister, she is, after all, Father's lawfully wedded wife. Even if you don't want to call her Mother, you shouldn't be so disrespectful."
Zheng Huaiyu narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him closely: "Something's not right with you! Tell me, what kind of spell did she cast on you? How did she make you defend her? Don't forget, where you stand!"
Zheng Fengyun seemed a little anxious and explained, "Sister, I don't think she's a malicious person. You don't need to be so suspicious all the time."
Zheng Huaiyu sneered, "A person without malice? What basis do you have for believing she is kind-hearted? If she were truly kind, how could the Duan Prince's Mansion have fallen under her control? Let me tell you, our biological father has passed away, and we have now been adopted by our uncle. Although you are nominally the grandson of the Zheng family, you are not our third uncle's biological son. Once they have their own biological son, what will you, an adopted son, be? Have you forgotten how our mother warned us before she died? Don't be so confused!"
Zheng Fengyun seemed a little impatient: "I just think she's not a bad person, what's wrong with that? Should the truth be censored?"
Zheng Huaiyu pressed anxiously, "Her methods are truly brilliant. First, she drove a wedge between Grandmother and Aunt, and now she's targeting my brother and me. Zheng Fengyun, wake up! Aren't you worried that you'll end up with nothing? The Duan Prince's Mansion is something our father risked his life for!"
Zheng Fengyun paused for a moment, but still insisted, "But I just feel that she is not as evil as you imagine..."
If she truly harbored ill intentions, why would she help him so easily?
Zheng Huaiyu's face was almost ashen, her anger like a summer storm, ready to erupt at any moment: "How can you still be so stubborn? You're like a stubborn rock, beyond any possibility of being taught!"
Zheng Fengyun impatiently pushed her away, his tone cold and hard: "This is none of your business. You should go back and practice your manners! I have my own standards."
Zheng Huaiyu was stunned and kicked out of the room, whereupon silence fell. Zheng Fengyun glanced at the ceramic vase on the bed, and the small sword he had originally intended to play with lost its appeal. He stood quietly by the window, lost in thought.
The next day, the Lou family sent a cartload of lavish gifts, ostensibly to express their apologies to the Zheng family and Zheng Fengyun.
The gifts were delivered personally by the head steward of the Lou family, but the mistress of the Lou family, Madam Zou, did not appear.
Unable to make up his mind, Zheng Fengyun consulted Gu Qinlan about whether he should accept the gifts or not.
Gu Qinlan smiled calmly and said, "Since the gift has been delivered to my door, why not accept it?"
Zheng Fengyun frowned: "But if we accept these gifts, wouldn't that mean we've forgiven that unfilial son?"
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, a shrewd glint in her eyes: "Why not? Your forgiveness this time doesn't mean you can't punish him next time. If he dares to talk nonsense again, make him suffer. Remember, don't provoke a conflict, but if the other party provokes you first, don't hold back."
A fierce glint flashed in Zheng Fengyun's eyes as he praised Gu Qinlan, "As expected of you, your schemes are truly admirable."
Several days later, Gu Qinlan's long-awaited cousin, Jiang Ye, finally arrived.
"This humble subject, Jiang Ye, pays his respects to the Crown Princess."
Jiang Ye was tall and handsome. Due to years of exile in Lingnan and the hardships he had endured, his skin was slightly dark, making him look more mature than his actual age.
Upon seeing Gu Qinlan, he respectfully bowed. Gu Qinlan quickly stepped forward to support him, anxiously saying, "Cousin, aren't you making me feel too embarrassed?"
In her past life, she and Jiang Ye were as close as siblings, cousins, and also her most trusted business partners.
However, in this life, Jiang Ye only met her twice. The first time they met, she was still an infant in swaddling clothes.
Therefore, Jiang Ye felt completely unfamiliar with this cousin. He still seemed somewhat uneasy when Gu Qinlan helped him up.
Gu Qinlan felt somewhat helpless; after being reborn, she even had to rebuild her interpersonal relationships. However, this was a necessary but unavoidable situation.
To avoid making Jiang Ye feel uneasy, Gu Qinlan had to be polite: "Cousin, there's no need for such formality. We are related by blood and are very close. I am not a noble lady, so there's no need for you to bow to me."
Jiang Ye smiled awkwardly and replied, "Etiquette cannot be disregarded."
When he was demoted to Lingnan, he was still very young, only a teenager. Over the past ten years, he has endured many hardships and has become extremely cautious in his actions.
Before fully understanding Gu Qinlan's personality, he dared not be too reckless. Although his father had given him a detailed account of his cousin's situation before he set off, he still decided to proceed with caution.
After all, it's never wrong to be polite.
Gu Qinlan was well aware of his caution and didn't want to criticize him too much. She simply said gently, "Cousin, Father should have already told you about my situation. I really need help here, so I'm asking you to come and help me with some household chores."
Jiang Ye nodded solemnly: "Father has indeed given instructions, and I am ready to take office at any time."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly at him: "Actually, there's no need to rush. By the way, when do you expect your uncle and aunt to arrive?"
Jiang Ye replied, "They will arrive in about half a month. Since it is a whole family relocation, the procedures are quite complicated."
Jiang Ye, undeterred by the hardships, hurriedly arrived here in seven or eight days. In comparison, the family's relocation would take at least much longer.
Gu Qinlan suggested, "Then I'll send someone to meet them, so they'll have someone to look after them on the way."
Jiang Ye was also quite worried about the safety of her family, so she gratefully said, "Thank you, cousin."
Gu Qinlan smiled and said, "They are my family, so of course I have to care for and take care of them. Cousin, you don't need to be so polite."
Hearing her sincere words, Jiang Ye felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
"Cousin, you must be tired from your journey. Let someone take you down to rest first. I will host a banquet tonight to welcome you back."
Jiang Ye had no objection to her arrangement and left with the maid.
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