Chapter 97 It's all because of bad luck
Li Xiang's grandmother was fine; it was his grandfather who lied to him, not wanting him to have any more contact with Liu Min.
Li Zheng was notorious for his cunning. Back then, Liu Min was the only son of the Minister, and Li Zheng had someone arrange for his grandson to be with Liu Min. Now that Liu Min's days were numbered, Li Zheng forced his grandson to sever all ties with Liu Min.
As soon as Li Xiang entered his own house, he was tied up with ropes by a group of people. Before he could even react, he was carried into his yard and met his grandfather, who was already waiting for him.
Grandparents and grandchildren, how could they not understand at this moment? He was only stunned for a moment, and then he started cursing.
But since he was his own grandfather, who had given him life and raised him, he didn't dare to go too far. He scolded him very politely, using up all the knowledge he had.
But Grand Secretary Li didn't appreciate it. How could he scold me for the sake of an outsider?
"Even his own father doesn't care about him anymore, and you're expected to play the hero? You want to go down with him too?"
Li Xiang was indignant. "What kind of biological father is he? He's even worse than a stepfather! He's despicable! I'll be the hero! If you've got the guts, then plant a murder on me and send me to the Black Cloud Guard too! I don't believe there's no justice in this world!"
In his grandfather's eyes, he looked like a complete idiot.
"Justice? His Majesty's words are justice, are the principles of Heaven. How could His Majesty not know he was wronged? That's why he only sentenced him to two years! Even if everyone knew he was wronged, so what? Could he compare his sentence with the Grand Secretary's? He was just easily dismissed!"
Li Xiang didn't know what else to say. It seemed that nothing he said would make a difference. Faced with Tongtian's power, even justice had no foundation. So he just cried. Two lines of tears flowed down his face involuntarily, filled with utter grievances and pitifulness.
Even the man who had slipped out the door couldn't bear to cry anymore. He sighed and muttered to himself, "It's all bad luck, it's all his bad luck..."
Such a good child, it's a pity he was born into the wrong body.
Following Li Xiang, Gu Fang, the third master of the Duke of Jingguo's mansion, also rushed into Xingdu City that day.
Coincidentally, this third master also rushed back from outside for a reason similar to Li Xiang's: his mother, the old lady of the Duke of Jingguo's mansion, was also not well.
Li Xiang was tricked back by his grandfather. His grandmother was fine, but Gu Fang was different. His mother, Madam Rong, was really in bad shape.
Because of her third granddaughter's words, Madam Rong cried bitterly, and her heartbreak caused her health to deteriorate.
All the children in the family came from her womb! They all have her blood... but the one she loves the most is Crane Fairy.
Crane Fairy originally had a good life.
At that time, Crown Prince Zhaowen was still alive, and none of the princes had any ambition to seize the throne. No one caused trouble; everyone was just finding their own way to enjoy their lives. Therefore, Princess Qi was not a particularly sought-after figure, and her marriage to her sister was not for the purpose of currying favor, but because her son genuinely liked her.
The third master of the Duke of Jingguo's mansion and the second young lady of the Marquis of Yongding's mansion were both the most favored in their respective families. Their relatives never considered using their marriage as a bargaining chip. The reason the two families were betrothed was because the young master admired the young lady, and the young lady also loved the young master. They were mutually in love and a perfect match. Their love had never encountered any setbacks, and everyone hoped that they could live happily ever after.
He Xian was the child born to these two people.
Her grandparents loved her father, so they doted on her. Her maternal grandparents never had the chance to see her, but she had an aunt and an uncle. Her mother was the apple of their eye, so she was also a precious gem.
Everyone treats her well.
She inherited her mother's looks and gentle temperament, a true lady with a refined demeanor. Her father's talent added to her wonderful and colorful life. Everyone thought she would definitely become a famous and illustrious woman in history.
However……
With Crown Prince Zhaowen gone mad, everyone's thoughts began to stir.
I wonder if the former Princess Consort of Qi, now the Empress, harbors any regrets?
If He Xian hadn't gone to Da Chong En Temple to pray for the late emperor that day, she would probably be writing at her desk right now, with her grandfather and great-grandfather standing beside her, or perhaps her mother and younger brother...
Crane Fairy had a younger brother; she had one before, but unfortunately, he was not born and never enjoyed a day of happiness, nor did he suffer any hardship.
But they shouldn't have had to suffer! They were born lucky! This shouldn't be their fate!
The two children and their mother all died for this large family—the Qi Prince's Mansion, the Yongding Marquis's Mansion, the Jingguo Duke's Mansion…the wealth and glory of this entire family.
What did the wet nurse say? "Madam told me to hurry back and report, Old Madam, quickly find someone to rescue Madam and Miss..."
How could a pampered lady six months pregnant, a five-year-old child who was chronically ill, and an old woman possibly escape alive?
Even if they didn't find Crane Fairy's body, she should be gone. For all these years, she had been telling herself that.
But her son refused to believe it.
She always hoped that her youngest son would live a long and worry-free life, but he ended up with the destruction of his family and the death of his children. When one person attains enlightenment, even his chickens and dogs rise to heaven, and everything is flourishing. But he, on the other hand, lost his wife and children.
He went mad and tried to strangle her. She didn't feel the pain, but she felt pain for him! He still had half a lifetime to live!
He risked everything, even his life, and went to the palace to beg for mercy, pleading with the Empress to allow him to remarry.
She asked for grace, but he refused, tormenting himself and his mother.
Let him go. As long as he's alive, she can't just watch him die in front of her!
So after the incident at Dachongen Temple, she first lost her daughter-in-law and grandson, then her husband, and finally even her son.
Her son is away all year round, searching for his daughter all over the country, but she can't see him.
But he's still alive, and that's enough. Let's wait and see; maybe one day he'll come to his senses.
But it seems she won't live to see that day.
After recovering from her illness, she kept having dreams at night, all about the past. She thought that her old friends were calling her back.
She had enjoyed a life of happiness and wasn't afraid of this day. Her only worry was for her youngest child, one of the three brothers who had the worst fate...
"Song'er, write a letter to your third uncle for me, tell him I'm dying, and ask him to come back for one last visit..."
In his youth, Gu Fang was a dashing figure, handsome and debonair. He was also very particular about his appearance, always keeping his hair impeccably combed; if it was messy, it was intentionally so. His clothes were never creased. He was an artist himself, with a keen eye for color, and wherever he went, he made a striking impression. He won his wife's heart because of his good looks. But that was in his youth.
He is now in his thirties, with fine lines around his eyes and a weathered look in them. He dresses simply and plainly, and his hair is disheveled. He even looks somewhat desolate and sickly, with a bitter appearance.
A complete transformation.
When Madam Rong saw this, she couldn't help but cry.
Gu Fang had a bad temper and could not stand seeing people cry. Only his wife's tears could evoke his tenderness, and his mother was no exception.
But his mother is so old now, he has tormented her long enough.
He stared at the wrinkles on his mother's face, lost in thought for a long time.
His mother grabbed his hand and pleaded, "Stay a few more days this time, let me see you more often, I don't know how many more times I'll be able to see you..."
His mother's unstoppable tears didn't do anything to him, but her words really upset him.
I really don't want to face it.
The mother said these things because she couldn't find her daughter.
He stood up and said, "I'll go change my clothes first."
"Okay, okay, go quickly, you must be having a hard time on the way..."
He grunted in response, turned around, and strode away as if something was chasing him.
Gu Chunling happened to be visiting his grandmother. As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he saw his third uncle and quickly stepped aside to greet him.
Gu Fang has always ignored these juniors. A few years ago, he even disliked them. Although he is much better now, he still doesn't give them a good look when he sees them. He considers a nod as a favor.
Gu Chunling dared not argue with him about this. It was good enough if she didn't offend him and get scolded. So she just kept her head down and waited for him to pass before continuing on her own path.
It was always like this, but this time, for some reason, her third uncle's foot stopped right next to her. Immediately, her hair stood on end, and she kept turning her eyes, trying to figure out what she had done to offend this tyrant.
The overlord spoke up: "...Chunling, your clothes are quite nice."
So that's what it was all about. Gu Chunling breathed a sigh of relief, cold sweat trickling down his back, and he felt completely refreshed.
How could it not be good? It took me more than half a year to make, and today was only the second time I wore it. I didn't want to take it off, and I was even more reluctant to wash it. It took a lot of determination to soak it in water. At that moment, my heart was breaking.
"It is its good fortune to receive praise from its third uncle."
This is the truth. Who is her third uncle? When has she ever heard a kind word from him?
"Not bad."
There's a second sentence!
Her hands, which were holding the handkerchief, clenched tightly.
"The picture looks familiar. Is it a copy of my grandfather's painting? Or mine?"
"How could I dare!" It felt like ice had slipped down my back, forcing me to straighten up. I hurriedly explained, "It was a new design I specially commissioned. She even taught me how to cover it with a veil, saying it would create a sense of mist..."
"Indeed, that's right, that's right."
Two "good"s in a row, it must be really good.
He left after saying that.
As soon as he left, Gu Chunling's limbs went limp. Leaning against the maid, she clutched her chest and kept saying, "I was so scared, so scared..."
She was terrified, but Gu Fang didn't care at all. He went back to Liujinzhuiyu and immediately took a bath, forgetting all about this little thing.
He had just finished dressing when the maid said that a letter had arrived saying that the Duke of Liguo had come and was waiting for the master in the flower hall.
Duke Liguo has been a friend of Gu Fang for many years. They were also close friends when they were young. Gu Fang had many such friends back then, but they haven't been in touch much in recent years. Only Duke Liguo is the only one left. He always thinks of Gu Fang and visits him every time he comes back to talk to him and comfort him.
He thought it would be the same this time, but before they even met and exchanged a word, a painting was held up to his face.
"Who did you give this painting to? You should cut ties with them as soon as possible! You're really desperate for money! You even dare to sell your painting. Do you know who it ended up in? A pretentious, mercenary businessman! You've never seen him before, you don't know, he's practically a pig transformed! Just mentioning him makes my mouth dirty! This kind of person, holding an appreciation meeting with your painting! I feel sorry for you! Now you know what it means to have met the wrong person! I used some tricks to get the painting back for you. Be careful in the future, and remember to keep your eyes open when judging people."
The Duke of Liguo was filled with righteous indignation, but his friend remained unmoved, simply looking at the painting with a deep frown.
The Duke of Liguo, puzzled, asked, "What? Haven't you remembered who you gave it to?"
"This painting is not mine; I never painted it."
"What?" Duke Li was shocked. He snatched the painting and examined it carefully. "How could it not be yours? Do you think I wouldn't recognize your painting? If I wasn't certain it was yours, I wouldn't have gone to all that trouble. Who would bother with someone like that?"
"It's definitely not mine, but..."
"But what?"
"But it seems to be mine again..."
The Duke of Liguo didn't understand. "What does this mean?"
It's strange. He definitely didn't paint this picture, but it definitely looks like one he did. Why is that? Did he forget?
Duke Li looked at the painting, completely baffled. The brushstrokes, the inscription, the seal... it all made no sense!
Just as he was wondering what was going on, his friend suddenly shot off like an arrow, startling him.
Where are you going?
There was no response.
He chased after him, only to find that his friend had entered the inner quarters. He could no longer follow, so he stopped and ordered his servants to find out what was going on.
In the Shou'an Hall of the Jingguo Duke's Mansion, Gu Chunling was chatting and laughing with her grandmother when she suddenly heard a commotion. Just as she was wondering what was going on, she was suddenly grabbed by her clothes and lifted up.
The one who committed such an outrageous act was none other than her third uncle.
"Third Uncle, what... what is this doing?"
"Who drew the pattern for this dress for you? Tell me!"
A sharp shout turned Gu Chunling's face white and brought tears to her eyes, but it didn't elicit a reply from her.
"Speak quickly!"
He urged him on, increasing the pressure on his hands, his face contorted like a demon.
Madam Rong, of course, sided with her son. "Don't be hasty! Let go first, you're scaring her! Oh dear! You're driving me crazy, just tell me! Who did you ask to draw this for you?"
"She was a maid in the household of Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works..."
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