Chapter 94 Storms Rising

"But what can we do for Second Brother Gu?" Rulan was worried.

"A wild goose flies by, a swan flies by, and everything that is done will leave traces. If Second Brother Gu was really framed, then the person who framed him must have left clues." Molan analyzed.

"We still have to meet Second Brother Gu first. He knows better than us who might frame him. Otherwise, it will take too much time to investigate blindly."

"Sixth sister is right. Even if they framed Second Uncle, they can't just make up stories. We still have to ask what Second Uncle did before, so as to infer who would use these things to frame Second Uncle. So, our top priority is to meet him!" Qi Heng agreed with Minglan's statement and thought it would be better to meet the person first before making the next plan.

"Then I will go to the mansion today to pay a visit. The reason is ready. I will bring Mr. Zhuang's homework to Zhong Huai. Even if the Marquis is angry, he will not be indifferent to Zhong Huai's studies."

In the evening, after Mr. Zhuang's class was over, Changbai sorted out the homework for the past two days, knocked on the door of Ningyuan Marquis's mansion, and explained his purpose to the doorman. After the doorman informed, he came back and took away the homework for Gu Tingye, but did not let Changbai see Gu Tingye, and did not even invite Changbai in. Changbai wanted to ask about Gu Tingye's situation, but the doorman just said that he had nothing to tell him.

"Ningyuan Marquis's mansion is too rude, and they don't even have the most basic way of hospitality!" Rulan spoke up for Changbai and spit on the style of Ningyuan Marquis's mansion.

"People from wealthy and powerful families are naturally treated with kindness; people from humble families are not even considered. The prejudice against family background is deeply rooted. The Ningyuan Marquisate is looking down on Brother Changbai." Qi Heng was ashamed of the behavior of the Ningyuan Marquisate. He remembered what Gu Tingye said, that his mother, Princess Pingning, also did the same thing, trying to curry favor with the rich and powerful and taking pride in family background.

The Sheng brothers and sisters were silent at the same time. Qi Heng tried hard to adjust his mood. After hesitating for a while, he said, "I'll go and find Lord Gu directly. He is the head of the Gu family. Even if other people are willing to let us see Second Uncle Gu, it will be useless if Lord Gu disagrees. I will explain to Lord Gu with emotion and reason, and I don't think he will embarrass me too much."

The Sheng brothers and sisters didn't have a better way, so they thought it would be a good idea to let Qi Heng give it a try and test Lord Gu's attitude first.

On the second day, Qi Heng asked Mr. Zhuang for half a day off and waited outside Xuande Gate early, waiting for Lord Gu to come down from court. They were worried that Lord Gu would find an excuse to refuse if they went to visit directly, so they came up with the idea of ​​blocking him outside the palace gate.

Qi Heng waited outside Xuande Gate with his head down, and only raised his head when he heard footsteps. Seeing the ministers filing out, Qi Heng quickly locked onto the steady steps of Lord Ningyuan.

"Lord Ningyuan! How are you!" Qi Heng first called Lord Ningyuan, then immediately stepped forward and bowed.

Marquis Ningyuan looked at the talented young man who bowed to him, wondering why he suddenly stopped him, "Young Prince Qi, what do you want from me?"

Behind the two of them, Duke Qi was quite helpless. He had seen his son a long time ago and thought that his son was looking for him. He was secretly happy. However, his son did not even look at him and went straight to Marquis Ningyuan.

"My Lord, I got a new book on military strategy today, and I am very confused about several parts in it. I would like to ask you to explain it to me." Qi Heng finished speaking, and seeing that Marquis Gu was looking at him with a puzzled look on his face, he explained, "Marquis Ningyuan's Mansion was founded on military merit, and has inherited the blood and glory of military generals from generation to generation. As the head of the Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion, you have experienced many battles and made great contributions to our Song Dynasty. Your military talent and bravery have a high reputation in the army. So I came here specially to ask you for guidance."

Qi Heng's words made Duke Qi behind him feel sad, but Marquis Gu Grandpa's brows relaxed, "When it comes to studying, I'm naturally not as good as your father, but I came from the battlefield and have combat experience, so I think I can still give you some guidance. Take out the military book and let me see it!"

Grandpa Gu pretended to be reserved, but in fact he couldn't wait. However, Qi Heng's purpose was to go to Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion, "Marquis, there are too many people here. It's not a good place to discuss military tactics. Why don't I excuse myself and bravely request to go to your mansion and listen to your detailed explanation?"

Qi Heng's request made Grandpa Gu frown slightly. He always felt that this young man had other purposes, and subconsciously wanted to refuse politely.

"Yuan Ruo, you actually brought the military book to ask Marquis Gu for advice. Didn't your father say that he would study it carefully and explain it to you in detail when he had a clue? You came to Marquis Gu without hesitation. Where is your father's face?" Duke Qi was watching Qi Heng's actions from behind. He had already understood his son's intention. Seeing that Marquis Gu wanted to refuse, he decided to come to help.

Qi Heng looked at his father who suddenly appeared from behind, feeling a little guilty, but after hearing what his father said, he knew that his father wanted to help him. After all, the military book was just an excuse, not to mention the things he had discussed with his father.

After hearing what Duke Qi said, Lord Gu swallowed the refusal that was about to come out of his mouth. He thought that Qi Yuan was just making an excuse to ask for his advice and that he actually had other purposes. But with Duke Qi's testimony, it seemed to be true. "Oh? Young prince has already asked the Duke of Qi for advice?"

"Marquis Gu is the elder, you can just call him Yuan Ruo. He came to ask me, but I only talked about military affairs on paper and couldn't explain the whole thing. I wanted to study harder before teaching this brat, but I didn't expect that he couldn't wait to come to Marquis Gu. Marquis Gu is well-known and has rich combat experience. Let alone teaching my son, he is more than qualified to guide me! Marquis Gu, don't refuse. My father and I have come to ask you for advice together. You won't refuse, right? If you refuse me, I will lose face!"

"Please give us your advice, Marquis Gu!" After the Duke of Qi finished speaking, Qi Heng bowed again.

Marquis Gu looked at the father and son singing the same tune, and he could not say no, so the three of them returned to the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion together.

As soon as the three of them stepped into the mansion, they shocked everyone in the mansion.

"Duke Qi and Young Duke Qi came to our mansion? They came back with the marquis?" Xiao Qinshi paused while drinking tea, unable to figure out what the father and son of the Qi family who suddenly came to visit were doing.

"Send someone to keep an eye on them!" Xiao Qinshi put down the teacup and thought for a moment, "I'd better go and take a look! Ask someone to brew a pot of good tea, and I'll send it over!" Xiang Mama responded and withdrew.

…

"Ahem... you said that Young Master Qi is here? I remember that he and Gu Tingye studied together at the Sheng family. Could he be here to plead for Gu Tingye?" Gu Tingyu heard his wife say that Qi Heng had come to visit, and guessed his purpose.

"He must be here to plead for my second brother. Not only Young Master is here, but Duke Qi is here too. They went to the study with my father-in-law." Shao told Gu Tingyu what the servant had reported.

"How is Gu Tingye?" Gu Tingyu was relieved a little, and asked about Gu Tingye again.

"My father-in-law beat my second brother severely this time. My second brother refused to admit his fault no matter what I said. The two of them were so stubborn that my second brother was left in the ancestral hall. I think my second brother's injuries are very serious. If he is not treated, he will probably have a root cause of illness." When Gu Tingyu heard the word "root cause of illness", his eyes flashed with coldness. He became like this because of the root cause of illness he had in his mother's womb. If it weren't for that Bai, how could he be like this? If Gu Tingye really had a root cause of illness, it would be to pay off his mother's debts.