Jin Yan looked up hesitantly, glanced at Gu Ci quickly, and then quickly lowered his head again.

This matter had nothing to do with them, and he really didn't understand why his master suddenly ordered him to kill people to silence them.

Gu Ci saw through his thoughts at a glance and said slowly: "Why do you think the Xu family reacted so quickly this time?"

Before the Hua family announced the death, the Xu family came to file a complaint, and the situation had been making a fuss since early morning.

Jin Yan hesitated for a moment before saying, "Because of the death of Miss Xu... the Xu family was grief-stricken, so they reacted quickly."

Gu Ci laughed, as if he felt Jin Yan's idea was too naive.

"If the Xu family really loved Xu Wanqing, they wouldn't force her to get married." Gu Ci slowly raised two fingers.

"There are only two possible outcomes for this matter now," said Gu Ci.

"If Xu Wanqing died of suicide, it means that the Xu family was dissatisfied with the Hua family and sacrificed their daughter to target Lord Hua."

Gu Ci put away one finger and continued, "If Xu Wanqing was killed by the Hua family, it means that the Hua family was dissatisfied with the Xu family and deliberately tried to intimidate the Xu family."

Jinyan looked up at Gu Ci, wanting to say something but stopping himself several times.

"I know what you want to say." Gu Ci smiled leisurely: "If this matter is kept secret, the Xu and Hua families might have a private talk and reconcile after finding the real culprit."

But who can blame the Hua family for having a fool? He made this matter a hot topic and made it known to everyone.

Now, no matter what the truth is, the two families have become a laughing stock.

No matter what they think privately, they have to show their attitude on the surface.

"The concubine and the second young lady of the Hua family thought that what they did was just a small matter, but considering the identity of the young lady of the Xu family, this matter is not small at all."

"Things have come to this point. Neither family can nor dare to show weakness and bow their heads at this time." Gu Ci said calmly and poured himself another cup of tea.

He raised his hand and handed the teacup to Jinyan, saying slowly, "The old master of the Xu family is the president of the Hanlin Academy. Although he is about to retire, he is still a legitimate second-rank official, and his influence among the literati cannot be underestimated."

"And Lord Hua is at least the Prime Minister, not to mention his influence." Gu Ci said: "If these two families fight..."

Gu Ci smiled gloatingly: "It seems that my good brother and third nephew are going to have a headache~"

In the Third Prince’s Palace.

Gu Changsu listened to Hua Yuanshan's story with a sour face, his face was almost as dark as Prime Minister Hua's.

"...Your Highness, my elder sister is using the incense ashes to frame me. She is trying to push me and my concubine out to take the blame... She wants to put me to death!" Hua Yuanshan snuggled in Gu Changsu's arms, crying so pitifully.

Gu Changsu had no mood to appreciate the beauty, he just felt a splitting headache.

He repeated, "Are you saying that the Xu and Hua families have already brought the bodies to the Dali Temple?"

"Yes, I beg Your Highness to do me justice..." Hua Yuanshan sobbed while wiping her tears.

"Hua Yuanshan." Gu Changsu's face was full of indifference, and he rarely called her by her full name.

"Could it be you who killed Xu Wanqing?" Gu Changsu suddenly asked.

Xu Wanqing was startled, and hurriedly stepped back and denied it: "How could Your Highness think so! Am I such a cruel person in Your Highness's eyes?"

But Gu Changsu just stared at Hua Yuanshan without saying anything, his eyes as sharp as an eagle, which made Hua Yuanshan short of breath.

"Your Highness..." Hua Yuanshan wanted to say something else.

"Your Highness!" Song Zuo hurried over, bowed to Gu Changsu, and lowered his head without watching the scene.

"People from the Hua family and the Xu family have arrived and are in the hall." Song Zuo spoke briefly and quickly.

Gu Changsu was about to leave, but stopped abruptly. After careful consideration, he gave the order: "Take the body away and send someone to guard it. No one is allowed to approach!"

"yes!"

"Put Hua Yuanzhao... in jail!"