Gu Zhixing's mind went blank for a moment, his heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly, and his breathing became rapid.
He practically scrambled to his feet, covered in dust, and stumbled toward the gate of the Grand Tutor's mansion.
When the gatekeeper saw his disheveled appearance, he was about to step forward to stop him, but he was pushed aside.
"Where is Shen Jintang? Where is Shen Jintang?"
He rushed into the mansion, his voice trembling slightly, his eyes filled with anxiety and fear.
The Grand Tutor's mansion was deathly silent, save for the sound of the wind rustling through the white silk, as if telling some ominous story.
Gu Zhixing's gaze swept around the mansion, and he finally saw the Shen family's steward standing not far away. He rushed over in a few steps, grabbed the man's collar, and asked with bloodshot eyes, "What exactly happened to Shen Jintang?"
The butler was startled and instinctively took a step back, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
"Young Miss? Is something wrong with Young Miss...?"
Gu Zhixing's ears were ringing. He could only see the butler's mouth opening and closing, but he couldn't hear what he was saying at all.
Gu Zhixing's mind was in complete chaos, filled with worry and fear for Shen Jintang.
He stumbled and pushed through the crowd, running towards the place inside the mansion where white silk ribbons were hung.
He wanted to go and see for himself what was wrong with Shen Jintang.
Along the way, the servants of the Grand Tutor's mansion looked at him in panic. Some tried to grab him, but he pushed them away.
Only one thought occupied his mind: Shen Jintang cannot die, he cannot die...
Finally, he saw the coffin.
It rested quietly in the center of the main hall, with white silk hanging down from above, shrouding the entire coffin in a somber white hue.
Gu Zhixing's heart was pounding. He rushed to the coffin and, with trembling hands, tried to lift the lid.
"Your Highness, please calm down!" Several servants tried to stop him, but he pushed them away.
He completely lost his mind. He didn't know what was wrong with him. He only knew that his heart felt heavy and he couldn't breathe.
How could Shen Jintang die?
Shen Jintang cannot die!
He was talking to Shen Jintang just last night. He was still a living person. How could he just die like this? How is that possible?
He doesn't believe it!
However, it's impossible for the Grand Tutor's Mansion to have been decorated in white for no reason, and it's even more impossible that it was only on the day Shen Jintang returned that white was displayed!
The matter of hanging white banners at the Grand Tutor's Mansion is definitely related to Shen Jintang.
How could someone as frail as Shen Jintang possibly fare well in this den of wolves and tigers?
If Shen Jintang is really dead...
He forcefully ripped open the coffin lid, revealing the person inside.
Gu Zhixing's gaze froze instantly, and his breath stopped.
Lying in the coffin was not Shen Jintang, but a middle-aged woman with a withered face and a peaceful expression—Aunt Qiu.
Gu Zhixing's mind went blank for a moment. He stood there dumbfounded, his eyes filled with astonishment and embarrassment.
Shouldn't it be Shen Jintang here?
It wasn't Shen Jintang after all?
It really isn't Shen Jintang!
Gu Zhixing knew it was immoral for him to laugh out loud, but he was genuinely happy inside.
Fortunately, it wasn't Shen Jintang.
The butler caught up at that moment.
He rushed up, his voice filled with urgency and reassurance: "Your Highness, please listen to me, Miss Biao is really alright!"
"Miss Cousin is simply returning home for a visit; after all, the Grand Tutor's mansion is also her home."
The butler helped Gu Zhixing to the side and then directed people to put the coffin back on.
Although he knew that Shen Jintang had killed Aunt Qiu, and although many people in the mansion had witnessed it, the Grand Tutor had ordered that Aunt Qiu had died suddenly and that it had nothing to do with anyone else.
Therefore, Aunt Qiu could only have died suddenly!
"Where is Shen Jintang?" Gu Zhixing asked.
The butler's eyes darted around, but he quickly came up with a reason and said, "Miss is heartbroken because of Aunt Qiu's death and is not seeing anyone. After all, Aunt Qiu has been in the Shen family for so many years. Although she had some conflicts with Miss, she was still an elder. Miss is still very saddened by Aunt Qiu's passing."
Gu Zhixing frowned deeply; he felt that something was amiss.
Shen Jintang was sold to the slave market by Aunt Qiu. If it weren't for Aunt Qiu, things wouldn't have gotten so out of hand, and Shen Jintang wouldn't have suffered so much!
How could she possibly be saddened by Aunt Qiu's death?
There's definitely something fishy going on here!
"I wish to see Shen Jintang." Gu Zhixing's voice was firm, and he looked directly at the steward.
The steward's expression changed slightly, and he stammered, "This... Your Highness, Miss Biao is currently in a very unstable emotional state. The Grand Tutor has also given instructions that she will not see anyone. You should go back first, and come to visit her again in a few days when she is in a better mood."
Gu Zhixing sneered. How could he possibly believe the butler's words so easily?
Even if nothing is wrong with Shen Jintang now, he must be under house arrest by the Shen family, and he may even be in some danger.
However, forcibly barging into the Shen family now, under the pretext of wanting to see Shen Jintang, is not good for her reputation.
Moreover, the Shen family originally belonged to Shen Jintang. Even if she was nominally her maid, it was normal for her to stay at home for a day or two. It would be unreasonable for her to force her way in.
If not handled properly, it might backfire and cause unnecessary trouble.
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