Shuangjiang's face paled, and her lips trembled: "Madam, how could I dare to lie?"
Gu Qinlan chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in her eyes: "The way you're so nervous makes it seem like you're the one who likes Red Coral."
Shuangjiang's face grew even paler. He gritted his teeth and argued, "Madam, you've misunderstood. I was just doing my duty."
Gu Qinlan stopped smiling, snorted coldly, but did not pursue the lie about Shuangjiang any further.
Gu Qinlan turned around, beckoned to Hongye, pointed to the large and exquisite red coral, and instructed, "Hongye, I plan to move this red coral into my room. What do you think?"
Hongye was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. She then lowered her head and said softly, "This servant obeys."
Just then, Shuangjiang walked over and said with a serious expression, "Madam, this red coral is the young master's favorite ornament. If you take it away, I'm afraid the young master will be unhappy."
Gu Qinlan smiled gently, a hint of indifference in her eyes: "Shuangjiang, you've misunderstood. The young master already told me that the things in the storeroom can be disposed of as I see fit. Did you think I wouldn't know my place?"
Upon hearing this, Shuangjiang blushed slightly, awkwardly stepped aside, and remained silent.
Seeing this, Hongye was secretly delighted and quickly ordered her servants to move the red coral away. Shuangjiang watched helplessly, anxious but unable to say anything more.
Gu Qinlan picked up the vermilion brush with her right hand and held the account book in her left, her gaze determined as she scanned the pages. She gently bit her lower lip and carefully recorded the expenditure of three hundred taels of silver. She planned to use this money to prepare gifts for her return visit to her parents' home.
Standing to the side, the maid Fuyu frowned slightly as she watched Gu Qinlan's actions. She asked, puzzled, "Madam, why is this return gift being prepared separately? Aren't there already items in the storeroom?"
Gu Qinlan put down the account book, raised her head, and looked at Fuyu with eyes as clear as water. In her eyes, there was a hint of firmness and determination: "Fuyu, you don't know, although those things are precious, they are not suitable as a return gift."
Fuyu looked at Gu Qinlan with a puzzled expression. She didn't understand why these precious items were unsuitable as a return gift. She lowered her head slightly, thought for a moment, and then said, "Madam, the items in the storeroom are all treasures from the Duan Prince's mansion. Aren't they respectable enough?"
Gu Qinlan chuckled softly, a hint of coldness in her smile: "Fuyu, you're wrong. It's precisely because these things are so precious that they are not suitable for the Gu family. The Gu family doesn't deserve these treasures!"
Fu Yu stared at Gu Qinlan in astonishment, not understanding why Gu Qinlan would say such a thing. She hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, "Madam, do you mean...?"
Gu Qinlan waved her hand, interrupting Fuyu. She stood up, walked to the window, and gazed intently out the window. Her voice carried a hint of weariness: "Fuyu, you may not understand what I'm saying. But I must tell you that the Gu family is not worthy of the treasures of the Prince Duan's mansion. They will only squander these treasures."
Fu Yu listened to Gu Qinlan's words, her heart filled with doubt. She looked at Gu Qinlan's back, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes.
Gu Qinlan turned her head and looked at Fuyu. There was a hint of expectation in her eyes: "Fuyu, I hope you can understand me. I did this for the sake of the Duan Prince's Mansion, and for our own sake."
Fuyu looked at Gu Qinlan, her heart filled with doubt, but she still nodded. The lady must have her reasons for doing this.
...
That afternoon, Gu Qinlan brought the return gifts and, together with Fuyu, rode in a carriage to the Gu family home.
The carriage slowly drove towards the Gu family's gate. Gu Qinlan looked at the plaque in front of the gate, her eyes revealing complex emotions.
"Miss, we've arrived," Fuyu said softly.
Gu Qinlan withdrew her gaze, nodded slightly, but her face showed little joy. She slowly got out of the car, and looked at the only person greeting her at the door, Butler Fu, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes.
"Uncle Fu, thank you for your trouble." Gu Qinlan bowed slightly and said politely.
Uncle Fu hurriedly returned the greeting: "Your Highness, you flatter me. This old servant was merely doing my duty."
Gu Qinlan nodded slightly, without saying anything more. She led Fuyu through the gates of the Gu family mansion. There was no lively atmosphere inside; only a few servants were busy at work.
“Miss, don’t you feel wronged by how coldly the Gu family treats us?” Fu Yu couldn’t help but ask, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes.
Gu Qinlan shook her head gently and smiled calmly: "Feeling wronged? I'm already used to it. Before there's any benefit to be gained, the Gu family won't give me much attention or respect. That's only human nature, there's no need to take it too seriously."
Hearing this, Fuyu, though still resentful, said nothing more. She followed closely behind Gu Qinlan, walking together towards the inner courtyard.
When the steward, Uncle Fu, saw Gu Qinlan get off the carriage, he immediately greeted her with a beaming smile, saying, "Princess Consort, you've finally returned. This old servant has been worried about your situation at the Prince Duan's residence, and I'm truly delighted to see you today."
Gu Qinlan smiled slightly, her gaze calm: "Uncle Fu, I'm sorry to have troubled you. I'm fine, and everyone in the Duan Prince's Mansion has treated me well."
Uncle Fu nodded, his eyes full of concern: "That's good, that's good. By the way, Madam Song is waiting for you in the flower hall. She said she has something to say to you."
Gu Qinlan raised her eyebrows slightly and said calmly, "Is that so? Then I'll trouble Uncle Fu to lead the way."
Uncle Fu readily agreed and led Gu Qinlan toward the flower hall.
Along the way, Uncle Fu couldn't help but ask, "Princess Consort, have you encountered any inconveniences at the Prince Duan's residence? If this old servant can help, please don't hesitate to ask."
Gu Qinlan sighed softly and said, "Uncle Fu, you know that my days in the Duan Prince's mansion have not been easy. But now that I have married the heir, I can overcome these difficulties. Don't worry, I will not easily bow to fate."
A hint of admiration flashed in Uncle Fu's eyes, and he quickly said, "The Princess Consort is truly strong, which puts my mind at ease. However, if you have any worries, you might as well tell me, and perhaps I can offer some advice."
The two walked and talked, and soon arrived at the flower hall. However, Gu Qinlan found that Madam Song was not there. She couldn't help but smile slightly, already understanding what was going on.
Seeing this, Uncle Fu hurriedly asked, "Princess Consort, what's wrong?"
Gu Qinlan said calmly, "It's alright, Uncle Fu. Madam may have other matters to attend to. I will wait for her in this flower hall."
Uncle Fu hesitated for a moment, then said, "Princess Consort, please don't mind. This old servant thinks that Madam might be deliberately keeping you at arm's length."
Gu Qinlan smiled gently and said, "Uncle Fu, I know. But what does it matter? I am enjoying tea and the scenery here."
Fu Bo, not wanting to say anything more, left the flower hall, leaving Gu Qinlan alone.
Gu Qinlan sat on a chair by the window, slowly sipping her tea, calm and composed.
At this moment, the door to the flower hall was gently pushed open, and a maid walked in, saying, "Princess Consort, Madam and Third Miss have arrived."
Gu Qinlan put down her teacup, smiled slightly, and said, "Thank you for informing me."
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