She was still haunted by the memory of the refugee siege and feared that chaos would strike again.
Jin Tianming pondered for a moment, then cautiously asked, "Princess, you previously asked Master Jiang and Steward Jiang to purchase grain. They should have bought quite a bit by now, right? Are you planning to open a grain shop?"
Gu Qinlan smiled and asked in return, "Uncle Jin doesn't seem to agree with this."
Jin Tianming nodded and said frankly, "If the county lord intends to do this, I will definitely dissuade her. We are currently in a turbulent time, with food shortages in various places, and neighboring countries are also eyeing us covetously, attempting to take advantage of our misfortune. If you open a shop to sell grain at this critical juncture, you may offend the emperor. If the county lord wants to make money, there are plenty of opportunities; there is really no need to take such a risk at this time."
As soon as he finished speaking, he looked nervously at Gu Qinlan, worried that his words might have gone too far.
However, Gu Qinlan nodded in agreement: "Uncle Jin's idea is the same as mine. I asked my uncle and cousin to buy grain, but it was never for the purpose of opening a grain shop. A gentleman loves money, but he acquires it in a proper way. Although I am just a woman, I would never seek to make a profit during a time of national crisis. The grain I bought has its own important purpose."
Upon hearing this, Jin Tianming's eyes were filled with admiration: "The county magistrate is indeed a person of great righteousness. My previous view of the county magistrate was too narrow-minded. I hope the county magistrate will forgive me."
Gu Qinlan responded with a light laugh: "Uncle Jin's concern is understandable. Otherwise, why would he be so worried that I might go astray?"
Upon hearing this, Jin Tianming felt a surge of indescribable relief, as if his good intentions had finally been recognized and affirmed.
He then deliberately lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "Princess, as far as I know, the merchants who run grain shops in Jindu City are actually controlled by the Fourth Prince. Moreover..."
He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons, and then said, “I have made a startling discovery: it turns out that your two younger brothers are also deeply involved.”
Gu Qinlan raised her eyebrows slightly, seemingly unsurprised by the news.
The Fourth Prince's influence extended into the grain shops, and her two good-for-nothing brothers were involved, which was entirely within her expectations. After all, Gu Qinlian was still alive and under the Fourth Prince's protection.
Last year, Gu Qinlian even dragged Song Shi into spending all their money just to buy grain.
Gu Qinlan smiled calmly and said, "There's no need to worry too much. My connection with the Gu family has gradually faded, and even if there is any investigation in the future, it will have a limited impact on me."
She had already severed ties with the Fourth Prince, and although her relationship with the Gu family was not completely broken, her stance was clearly defined.
Besides, she already had other plans in mind. Even if Gu Qinlian brought about her own destruction and was implicated, she could remain uninvolved.
At this moment, she simply observed the situation, watching Gu Qinlian walk step by step toward destruction.
Inside a guest room in the Fourth Prince's residence.
Gu Qinlian lay on the bed, and a maid was carefully applying medicine to her.
Despite the maid's gentle touch, Gu Qinlian deliberately feigned pain and slapped the maid hard across the face: "You're so clumsy, you can't even handle such a small matter. Are you trying to make me suffer terribly?"
The maid, after being reprimanded, immediately knelt down and admitted her mistake: "Miss Gu, please calm down."
"Get out of here now!"
Gu Qinlian impatiently chased the maid out the door.
Only after the maid left did Gu Qinlian dare to reveal her inner resentment.
Looking at the bruises on her body, and thinking about the food she had sent out, she was filled with anger and hatred.
"Damn Fourth Prince! Damn Fourth Prince's Consort!"
She was filled with remorse; she should never have thrown herself into their arms in the first place!
Wouldn't it be better for her to quietly amass wealth on her own? With that batch of grain, she could have earned hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, enough for a life of extravagant luxury. Then she only needed to patiently wait for Ji Yinli to ascend the throne, at which point she could enjoy unparalleled glory…
How exactly did she manage to squander such a great opportunity?
Now, she is covered in wounds, her wealth has vanished, and she has lost her freedom. What has she gained?
She no longer dared to harbor any illusions. The only reason the Fourth Prince, such an ambitious man, spared her life was because she could still bring him benefits.
Once she can no longer provide any value, the Fourth Prince will definitely turn his back on her without mercy.
In her previous life, she was just a woman living in seclusion in the inner courtyard, knowing very little about the affairs of the capital city. She only knew that the fourth prince ultimately won, but she was not clear about the specific process of the struggle for the throne.
The reason she managed to get the Fourth Prince to spare her life, besides the food, was her claim that she could foresee the future.
Once the Fourth Prince discovers that she has no ability to predict the future, her death may not be far off.
Her heart was filled with despair and resentment.
Why did she end up like this?
"Miss Gu, the Fourth Prince requests your presence."
Just as Gu Qinlian's face was contorted with rage, a maidservant brought news from the doorway.
Gu Qinlian quickly suppressed the ferocity on her face: "Okay, I'll be right there."
She summoned her maid to help her fix her makeup, and then, enduring the excruciating pain, hurriedly made her way to the Fourth Prince's study.
It has been half a month since she was released from the dungeon. Her body is covered with wounds. Although many places have scabbed over and healed, several serious injuries have not fully recovered. Every time she moves, she suffers excruciating pain.
She had never experienced such torment, and her heart was filled with grievances and resentment.
However, she dared not complain and could only grit her teeth and endure it silently.
Upon arriving at the door of the Fourth Prince's study, Gu Qinlian was instructed to wait there. The sky was overcast, and a fierce wind was blowing. The slight warmth of early spring had long been swallowed up by the biting cold wind, as if it were no match for the harsh winter.
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