Chapter 516 Self-Directed and Self-Acted
Gu Shuyan voiced her doubts to the old lady, and the old lady, reminded of this, immediately realized that Gu Zongjie's previous behavior was somewhat strange.
"You mean your third brother was used?"
The old lady had seen her share of ups and downs in her youth, and she had witnessed many methods of using others to do one's dirty work. If Gu Zongjie was truly being manipulated, then this matter was indeed quite intriguing.
"My third brother has been spoiled since he was a child, but with his intelligence, he shouldn't be able to think that far ahead. Besides, have Grandmother and my eldest sister noticed that old woman next to him?"
Gu Yuxin suddenly spoke up, which surprised Gu Shuyan somewhat, as she noticed the old woman.
"Have you thought of something?" Gu Shuyan asked.
Gu Yuxin pondered for a moment and replied, "That old woman wasn't originally by my third brother's side. If I remember correctly, she was initially a maidservant by my mother's side. But why did she suddenly end up by my third brother's side and even seem to have become the head maidservant? There must be something we don't know about this."
It's rare that Gu Yuxin even remembers the old woman who serves He Yin. But since she's someone from He Yin's side, this matter is probably really related to this old woman.
"In that case, I'll have someone investigate that old woman's background to see if she's really involved. If she is, then the Marquis's mansion will likely not be able to keep her here."
Although the old lady was reluctant to get involved in this matter, firstly, the second branch of the family had an inextricable relationship with Gu Yuxin, and secondly, since she knew that the old woman had a problem, keeping her in the Marquis's mansion without investigating the matter would also be a disaster.
"Thank you, Grandmother."
Gu Yuxin thanked the old lady gratefully, knowing that the old lady, at her age, was the least inclined to concern herself with worldly affairs. If it weren't for the fact that this matter concerned her, her grandmother certainly wouldn't have agreed to investigate that old woman.
"Madam, the meal is ready. Shall we eat?"
After the grandmother and grandson finished speaking, Zhao's mother asked the old lady.
"Alright, I'm a little hungry after all this commotion." The old lady said, as she was helped by her two granddaughters and slowly walked towards the dining room.
When Gu Shuyan returned to the North Courtyard after finishing her meal, it was already completely dark.
“Pearl, go find your fiancé and have him investigate that old woman’s background and the people she has been in contact with recently, down to the smallest detail.”
Although the old lady had already sent people to investigate, Gu Shuyan had a vague feeling that this matter was probably not as simple as it seemed on the surface.
"Yes, this servant will go right away."
Pearl's fiancé was originally a servant in the Marquis's household. Since Gu Shuyan returned, he has been secretly helping Gu Shuyan with things that they couldn't do themselves.
Such clandestine investigations naturally fell to the other party.
"Miss, do you think it might have been orchestrated by the Second Madam herself?" Yufei asked, lighting a lamp for Gu Shuyan as she made her guess.
"It does seem possible now, but the chances are too small." Gu Shuyan shook her head in disagreement.
On the surface, it seems that the old woman is He Yin's person. She deliberately placed her next to Gu Zongjie in order to make Gu Erye (Gu Zongjie's second master) lose heart towards Gu Zongjie by using her miscarriage.
However, as it turned out, even though she lost her child, Master Gu only gave Gu Zongjie a minor punishment and did not cause any real harm.
This method of harming the enemy by eight hundred while injuring yourself by over a thousand is incredibly stupid and could not possibly be the work of He Yin.
"Sigh, the second wife's situation is really complicated. Sure enough, where there are many women, there is much trouble." Yufei felt that she was really confused and couldn't figure out who could have done it.
After all, when the women in the backyard start scheming against each other, they are all incredibly ruthless.
Seeing Yu Fei shaking her head, Gu Shuyan couldn't help but chuckle.
"Where there are many women, there is much gossip. I wonder what kind of person Yufei wants to marry in the future? Someone she'll be devoted to for life?"
"Miss, you're making fun of people again."
Gu Shuyan's teasing made Yufei blush. She had no intention of getting married at all, and her mistress always liked to joke about them like this.
"Alright, alright, I won't make fun of you. But if anyone wants to marry our Yufei in the future, I definitely won't agree unless they are truly devoted to her."
Gu Shuyan spoke as if it were a serious matter, and Yu Fei's face flushed even more. Although she didn't have someone she liked yet, it was still embarrassing for a girl to have marriage brought up.
"If you continue to tease me, Miss, I will ignore you."
Yu Fei pretended to be angry, and Gu Shuyan stopped teasing her and followed her forward.
Meanwhile, He Yin smashed things as soon as she entered the house.
"Madam, you mustn't get angry. If you hurt yourself, wouldn't that be playing into someone else's hands?"
Seeing the teacup smashed on the ground, the maidservant beside her stepped forward to comfort her.
"Yes, I can't be angry, but I can't swallow this. My son is gone, but that little bastard is perfectly fine, and that old geezer. He just watches me like this without saying a word. He's so useless."
He Yin was furious just thinking about it. She thought the Gu family was a good place to settle down, but after marrying into the family, she found out that they were actually like this.
Seeing He Yin's anger, the maidservant couldn't help but comfort her, "The old lady is the second master's legal mother. Since the second master has already intervened, she naturally won't interfere in our affairs. On the contrary, the second master is usually so good to the young lady, but in the end, he still sides with the third young master."
"It's all because that little bastard is a son. Otherwise, why doesn't he care about those two living in Yunxiang Courtyard as much? He wasn't even that sad when his daughter died. Tell me, why did I ever choose to marry him?"
He Yin grew angrier the more she thought about it. She thought she had found a good match, but it turned out to be a hopeless case.
The maid dared not answer He Yin's question, so she changed the subject and asked, "Madam, what should we do next?"
"What should we do? Since that little bastard has harmed my child, he won't get away with it."
A calculating glint flashed across He Yin's face, but she quickly regained her composure and returned to her usual expression. Glancing at the shards of porcelain on the ground, He Yin instructed, "Have someone clean everything up, so the master doesn't see it. Also, since I suffered a miscarriage, prepare everything that needs to be prepared, otherwise people will think I faked a pregnancy!"
As He Yin spoke, she stood up. Her weak appearance was completely different from how she had smashed things earlier.
"Yes, this servant will go right away."
The young maidservant replied fluently and then turned around to give instructions in the courtyard.
As for Gu Zongjie, because of the orders given by Second Master Gu, after being dragged back to the courtyard, he was first given five lashes before being carried back to his room by two servants.
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