Chapter 174 Winning Hands So Much (Second Update)
In Gu Changqing's study, the candlelight flickered.
A bodyguard slipped in and bowed to him, saying, "Your Highness!"
Gu Changqing's face was hidden in the shadows, making him appear somewhat cold.
He looked at the bodyguard: "How's the investigation going?"
The guard clasped his hands and said, "Your Highness, we did not find it."
Gu Changqing frowned: "Not a single one? My mother had at least seven or eight maids and four or five nannies in her room back then, how come we can't find them all?"
This is really strange.
Like the servants who accompanied Yao when she gave birth, they too have all disappeared without a trace.
Yao had few servants with her during childbirth: two young maids and an old nanny. The old nanny passed away, and the young maids were married off to a distant place and could not be found.
Yao's family background was not high, and the source of her maids was not so strict, but Xiao Ling's servants were all strictly selected, and their lineage could be traced back three generations. It was impossible for them to just disappear without a trace.
The guard said, "Those were all servants that the late Madam brought from her maiden home. If we really want to investigate, we have to start with the Ling family."
However, the Ling family was Gu Changqing's maternal family, and he had always trusted them completely.
If we really want to investigate, he can't get past his own conscience first.
“Investigate,” he said.
The guard was taken aback: "Young Master?"
Gu Changqing said solemnly, "I need the truth."
The guard gave the prince a deep look, then bowed and replied, "...Yes!"
After the guards left, Gu Changqing took out the evidence from back then—a letter written by Yao to Lord Gu.
The letter said that Xiao Ling's illness wouldn't last much longer, and asked when Lord Gu would come to marry her. It also said that she was of humble birth, and if this marriage wasn't arranged soon, things might change in the future.
The implication was that the two had already been having an affair, taking advantage of Xiao Ling's critical illness and Yao's visit to take care of her.
If someone actually did that, how cunning and vicious must she be?
But what if she isn't? Then what kind of terrifying being is the person who forged this letter?
Moreover, it wasn't just a letter; someone also personally witnessed Yao entering Lord Gu's study.
Was the witness mistaken, or was he acting under someone's instructions?
Who can command the servants around Madam Ling?
Gu Changqing's mind was in turmoil. He got up, put the letters back in the box, opened the study door, and went out.
Light snow began to fall outside.
He mounted his horse and rode out of the Marquis's residence, galloping through the wind and snow.
He didn't deliberately think about where to go, but the horse stopped in front of the house in Bishui Hutong.
The main gate of the mansion was open, and lanterns were lit in the hallway and courtyard.
From his perspective, he could see several children sitting in the snow, seemingly unfazed by the cold, playing cards.
Gu Yan's face was covered with turtles and tortoises, and there were also many strips stuck on it.
Xiao Jingkong's face was very clean, there was nothing on it.
There was also a boy who was thirteen or fourteen years old.
Although Gu Changqing had been here and had taken care of Gu Yan for one night, Gu Xiaoshun had also developed smallpox and was recuperating in his room at that time, so the two had not met.
But this did not prevent Gu Changqing from guessing his identity.
Gu Xiaoshun lost many times playing card games, and his face was covered with turtle and tortoise drawings.
The old lady, carrying a jar of candied fruit, walked over while eating. She patted the heads of the three people one by one to make sure they weren't cold, and then went back to eating her candied fruit.
Gu Changqing watched this scene, but he was actually a little confused.
Gu Xiaoshun is the child of Gu Jiao's adoptive parents, while Xiao Jingkong is a little monk adopted from the mountain. Neither of them has any blood relation to Gu Jiao.
However, their status at home was the same as Gu Jiao and Gu Yan.
Is it possible to get along so well with children who aren't one's own?
"Oh dear, Brother Yan, you've tricked me again!"
Gu Yan secretly hid a card, but Xiao Jingkong caught him red-handed.
"I didn't!" Gu Yan denied it earnestly.
"Then what is this?" Xiao Jingkong decisively found the leaf cards that Gu Yan had stuffed into the snow.
Gu Yan retorted, "How would I know? I didn't hide it."
"It's you! It's you! I saw you!" The little guy was so angry that he climbed onto the stool, put his hands on his hips, stomped his feet, and even jumped up!
The two argued fiercely.
Their pets also started arguing, causing chaos in the yard.
Suddenly, Gu Xiaoshun glanced at the doorway: "Is someone there?"
The two paused in their arguing and both looked toward the door.
Gu Changqing had been watching quietly from the side, but somehow he became so engrossed in his observation that he brazenly stood at the doorway.
It was too late to get away.
Both of them saw him.
"Wow! Big brother!" Little Jingkong instantly forgot his earlier unpleasantness, jumped off the stool, and ran towards Gu Changqing.
Gu Yan also wanted to go over, but suddenly remembered something, threw away the leaf cards in her hand, and hurriedly tore off the paper strip from her face.
After tearing it off, he remembered that he had drawn turtles and tortoises on his face.
He desperately stuck the note on again!
"Big brother! May you get rich!" Little Jingkong cupped his hands and politely wished everyone a Happy New Year.
When the neighbors came to visit, they all said that, and he learned it from them.
Gu Changqing's eyes softened: "What are you doing?"
Xiao Jingkong said, "Let's play leaf cards!"
My great-aunt taught me!
The old lady spoke up: "Little Jingkong, who is that?"
Little Jingkong turned around and said, "It's big brother!"
The old lady recognized who it was and grunted, "Come in and have dinner with us."
Her voice wasn't loud, and her tone wasn't heavy, yet she possessed an irresistible aura.
Gu Changqing hesitated for a moment.
He hadn't planned to visit in person, so he didn't bring a gift, which seemed inappropriate during the Lunar New Year.
"What are you standing there for? Come in!" the old lady said.
"Yes!" Gu Changqing went inside.
He first greeted the old lady.
Strangely, he performed the rituals befitting a ruler and his subject.
He was startled by his own subconscious action.
Fortunately, neither the old lady nor the others paid any attention.
Gu Yan lowered her head so that he wouldn't see the turtle-like face on her cheek.
Looking at Gu Yan's timid little face, Gu Changqing couldn't help but chuckle.
Gu Yan was furious when she heard his laughter. She turned her back to him in the snow and gave him a big shove on the back of the head!
The old chief priest took Xiao Liulang to visit his critically ill old friend. Gu Jiao cooked dinner.
Unlike the lavish feasts at the Marquis's mansion, this food tasted just like the food I had as a child.
The atmosphere at the dinner table wasn't so serious, and the family enjoyed their meal.
Gu Changqing even regretted not staying the first two times.
After the meal, Xiao Jingkong asked him, "Big brother, do you want to play cards?"
"I... I don't know how." Gu Changqing grew up under the strict pressure of the old Marquis Gu, and his path of growth was very rigorous. Playing was basically none of his business.
In his mind, he shouldn't play, nor could he play, otherwise he wouldn't be a qualified heir.
Little Jingkong tilted his head and said, "It's okay, you can ask your great-aunt to teach you! Your great-aunt is very capable!"
All three of them were taught by their great-aunt!
Xiao Jingkong is the smartest one. He learns everything his aunt teaches him in no time and often leaves Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun with nothing!
Gu Changqing hesitated.
Gu Jiao smiled and said, "We can play during the New Year."
Gu Yan nodded in agreement.
Even the doting Madam Gu hadn't told him that it was okay, he could play.
Gu Changqing seemed to finally break free from a shackle that had been weighing on him for so long. He took a deep breath and said, "Then, alright then."
Gu Jiao said, "Let's go to Aunt's room to make it; it's warm there. I'll go get some food."
The old lady's eyes darted around. Gu Changqing was dressed and had an extraordinary air about him, and he looked upright. At first glance, he seemed like a simpleton with a lot of money but no brains.
The old lady said, "Oh dear, it's too embarrassing to draw turtles in front of guests. How about ten coins, the smallest one?"
The little tycoon Jingkong just collected rent, he has a lot of money, and he's under no pressure at all!
Gu Xiaoshun also had some New Year's money given to him by Gu Jiao.
Gu Yan was the worst off; his New Year's money wasn't even enough to pay off Xiao Jingkong's debts.
He worked at Xiao Jingkong's place, earning hard-earned money, a dozen or so copper coins a day, shoveling chicken droppings until his hands were sore!
But rather than drawing turtles and tortoises in front of Gu Changqing, he would rather lose all his money.
At worst... I'll just owe Xiao Jingkong another debt and have to shovel chicken droppings for him for a few more days.
Xiao Jingkong: Friendly reminder, your chicken poop schedule is already booked until next year!
"I'm really not very good at it..." Gu Changqing said embarrassedly. The old Marquis never allowed him to indulge in frivolous pursuits. He didn't even recognize the cards and it took him a while to figure out which one was which. "Please don't mind if I don't play well."
As soon as I got my hands on it, I blew the small air purifier away!
Xiao Jingkong: "...!!"
After playing a few more rounds, Gu Changqing was still somewhat ambiguous about the rules, often wondering whether it was better to play this or that. "This one, please?"
Then, with one card played, it bombarded the entire table.
He himself was baffled by his victory.
The old lady was the gambling queen of Bishui Hutong; none of the neighbors could win money from her.
The old lady didn't believe in superstitions and went up to try her luck, only to be utterly defeated by Gu Changqing.
The old lady's face turned as black as charcoal.
Gu Changqing said awkwardly, "No... I really didn't mean to. I won't play this one anymore, I'll play another one."
He changed to the smallest card, but unexpectedly he made a straight, which was the largest card!
The remaining card is a royal flush, so you have to pay double.
old lady:"……"
Do you still have any quick-acting heart medicine?
The whole family who knew how to play cards were defeated by Gu Changqing, a complete novice who hadn't even figured out the rules.
The small air purifier was covered in dust and dirt.
He stood there lifelessly, being moved around by the old lady in a frenzy!
Could I ask everyone for a guaranteed monthly vote?
I bow in gratitude.
(End of this chapter)
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