Something seemed to surge in his eyes, and then returned to calm.

Then she immediately added: "Don't worry, aunt, I will tell you the recipe the day before I leave."

Of course, the prescription cannot be given now. It must wait until the day before departure. She has to make sure that there will be no changes in her trip to Nanhao before she can give the prescription.

Shen Wan stared at Chu Qianhuang, and her voice with a hint of coldness sounded again: "You'd better not play any tricks!"

"Then let's high-five to swear an oath." Chu Qianhuang smiled slightly and raised his right hand.

Shen Wan stared at her for a while before slowly raising her hand.

“Bang!”

The two men slapped their palms together and high-fived each other as an oath.

The agreement was reached, but the atmosphere in the room remained cold, with a vague sense of tension between the two.

Shen Wan's face was as gloomy as water, while Chu Qianhuang was chatting and laughing calmly.

"Then I'll wait for good news from my uncle and aunt." Chu Qianhuang readily gave the three pieces of talisman paper to Shen Wan, "You have to use the talisman paper sparingly."

Her last words contained a warning and reminder.

Shen Wan said "hmm" lightly with a cold expression.

Now that she had gotten the things, she didn't plan to stay any longer and left immediately.

Yueluyuan, which was once deserted, has become deserted again after the departure of the distinguished guest Shen Wan. It is predictable that no one will visit here for a long time.

Chu Qianhuang's heart was burning with excitement, and she regained her confidence in going to Hao Kingdom. However, she didn't know that after Shen Wan returned to the Duke's Mansion, she handed over the three "hard-earned" talismans to Chu Qianchen.

Other than that, Shen Wan didn't say anything more.

The atmosphere in the room was warm and harmonious.

Lady Mu said to Shen Wan happily, "Ah Wan, Qi Niang hasn't had a fever this afternoon!"

Lady Mu's face was filled with smiles. She glanced in the direction of the green gauze cabinet and said, "Qiniang is still sleeping in there. Don't go over there yet, or you might wake her up."

As Gu Zhiyan's health gradually improved, Duke Mu and his wife felt relieved.

For Shen Wan, as long as her daughter is fine, anything is fine.

Shen Wan responded with a smile, her expression relaxed a little, and she looked at Chu Qianchen beside her with a smile, sighing: "Thanks to Sister Chen."

There was a smile on Shen Wan's lips again, and her smile this time was obviously much more sincere than when she was at the Chu family just now.

Chu Qianchen lowered his little face and began to study the three talisman papers he had just obtained, concentrating fully.

Everyone else has gotten used to it, knowing that Chu Qianchen is always like this when it comes to matters that interest her.

Shen Wan took a sip of hot tea and changed the subject: "Mom, before I came back, I went to the house on Daqing Street."

The house on Daxing Street was Shen Wan's dowry, and Lady Mu knew about it. After recalling it, she said, "That house only has three entrances, right?"

In the eyes of Lady Mu, this three-story house was a little too small, but after thinking about it again, she felt that it was big enough for Shen Wan's family of three to live in, so she added, "That's fine."

Shen Wan nodded and said, "Although this house is not big, it has been cleaned over the years. It has a clean and elegant layout and a good location. It is quiet in the bustling end of Daqing Street. I want to move there in the future, so that Qi Niang can recuperate there."

"Besides, the house is close to the Duke's Mansion... and Prince Chen's Mansion."

The more Shen Wan thought about it, the more she felt that this house was nice, and their family of three could live here for a few more years.

Seeing her daughter's happy look, Lady Mu's eyes were gentle and loving, but in a moment, they became complicated.

She hesitated for a moment, cleared her throat, and asked again: "Awan, has the title been confirmed?"

Lady Mu was worried that Gu Jin might have resigned his title on impulse because his daughter had proposed a divorce. Gu Jin was young and energetic, but she wondered if he would regret resigning his title as time went on.

After all, the title of Prince is of great importance. It concerns not only Gu Jin's future, but also Gu Jin's descendants.

If Gu Jin regrets his decision in the future, will he vent his anger on Shen Wan? This will inevitably affect their relationship as a couple.

"Sure." Shen Wan nodded affirmatively.

She had long since given up on being the princess of a county.

When she was a boudoir dweller, her family had never wronged her in any way. No matter what happened, her parents were there for her. The Duke's Mansion was her support and reliance. It was nothing like now, when she has to worry about everything and lives a very tiring life.

Shen Wan sneered sarcastically and said coldly: "The concubine is already urging us to move. If we don't move, we will be disliked!"

Lady Mu: "..."

Lady Mu, the Duke of Mu, was silent. She also thought about the messy rumors that had been circulating in the capital recently and felt it was hard to put them into words.

With such a stepmother around, as long as Gu Jin holds the title, the young couple will never be able to live a peaceful life.

Speak of Cao Cao and he will appear.

At this moment, the head maid came in through the curtains and reported in a complicated tone, "Madam, Princess of the County, the Princess Dowager of the County Prince Jing wants to see you. The carriage has just arrived outside the mansion."

Under normal circumstances, as Concubine Yang was the relative of the Duke's Mansion, the doorman of the Mansion would let her in directly. However, now the matter of the title had caused a lot of uproar, and the doorman did not dare to make a decision casually, so he sent someone to ask the wife of Duke Mu.

Lady of Duke Mu: “???”

Shen Wan smiled, looking relaxed, with a brighter smile, "Look, she is much more anxious than us!"

Over the years, Concubine Yang has done so many things, both overtly and covertly, just to get the title of prince for her own son, Gu Ming, the third son of the Gu family. Now the title is right in front of her, like a piece of fat meat at her fingertips. How can Concubine Yang be willing to give it up!

Lady Mu's eyes turned cold and she said, "Let her in."

The head maid took the order and left. At the same time, Chu Qianchen also put away the three pieces of talisman paper and stood up, saying goodbye: "Grandmother, aunt, there are guests in the mansion, I will not keep you. Qi Niang should take the medicine as she did yesterday. If you have anything, just send someone to find me at Prince Chen's mansion."

Lady Mu, the Duke's wife, did not keep her but asked Nanny Han to see her off.

Chu Qianchen followed Nanny Han out of the main courtyard and walked towards the ceremonial gate. Along the way, Nanny Han chatted with Chu Qianchen with a smile.

The Mansion of Duke Mu is a century-old noble house with profound cultural heritage. The pavilions, towers, rockery and ponds in the mansion are all unique, elegant and refined.

When Chu Qianchen walked through a winding corridor, he saw a beautiful woman in her forties walking towards him with a little maid.

The woman was wearing a royal blue four-season brocade jacket and a black cloak inlaid with a circle of rabbit fur. Her black hair was not a single silver thread and was combed into a neat bun. As she was a widow, she was very plain-looking, wearing only a jade hairpin, a pair of jade earrings and a jade pendant. There was no bright color on her body.

Chu Qianchen continued to walk forward without looking away, but the other party called out to her, "Princess Chen, please stay."

Concubine Yang stopped and stood in front of Chu Qianchen, with a bit of arrogance on her plump face.

Concubine Yang had only met Chu Qianchen once or twice in the palace, and the two had never had a serious conversation before.

Chu Qianchen, who was blocked from walking, could only stop and nodded indifferently, calling out, "Tiffany."

Concubine Yang frowned slightly and asked unhappily: "Why are you here?!"

Concubine Yang considered Chu Qianchen to be her niece-in-law and a junior, so she spoke with an air of an elder, looking Chu Qianchen up and down with a critical gaze, looking down on him.

As a close confidant of the wife of Duke Mu, Nanny Han naturally disliked Concubine Yang, but she could not show it on her face, after all, Concubine Yang was Shen Wan's mother-in-law.

Nanny Han hurriedly said, "Princess Chen is our Madam's honored guest."

However, Concubine Yang frowned even more, thinking that Chu Qianchen was trying to win over Duke Mu's Mansion, so she scolded: "Niece-in-law, even if this is your stepmother's maternal home, it is not something you, a concubine's daughter, can walk around casually. Don't flatter your face and claim relatives randomly."

"I heard that you spoke wildly and rudely to the Queen. Since you are married into the royal family, you should abide by the royal family's rules, be careful in what you say and do, and learn how to respect the elders and the younger ones, and the difference between the noble and the humble."

"Now that you are a wife, you should know that it is your duty to bear children and support your husband and educate them. As a princess, you don't even think about how to expand the palace."

Concubine Yang scolded Chu Qianchen on her own. The reason why she said this was that on the one hand, she didn't want the Prince's Mansion to have any relationship with Prince Chen, so as not to be implicated. The Duke Mu's Mansion was considered a relative of the Prince's Mansion anyway, and it couldn't be separated. On the other hand, it was because she really looked down on Chu Qianchen.

The Yang family is a family of scholars, and their ancestors had produced prime ministers and ministers. If her grandfather had not been punished by Emperor Yingzong for his failure to provide disaster relief in Yuzhou, and had not been stripped of his official position, causing the family to fall into poverty, she would not have ended up marrying a man more than ten years older than her as a second wife.

Seeing that Concubine Yang never stopped talking, Amber, who was standing behind Chu Qianchen, had a flash of disgust in her eyes. She felt that Concubine Yang was simply incomprehensible. Who did she think she was? She actually overstepped the line and meddled in the affairs of their palace!

Amber was angry, but Chu Qianchen showed no joy or anger, and had a cold expression. She felt that this man was completely meaningless and was too lazy to even say a word to her.

Chu Qianchen took a half step to the left, intending to bypass the other party, but before she took a step, she heard Concubine Yang suddenly pointed her finger at Gu Jue: "The Prince of Chen is rude, you should give him some advice..."

Chu Qianchen retracted his left foot which had already stepped forward.

To her, people like Concubine Yang were nothing more than buzzing flies. Flies were naturally annoying, but Chu Qianchen didn't feel that she had to swat every fly to death.

I didn't expect that Concubine Yang would dare to gossip about the prince! Chu Qianchen looked over, his eyebrows raised, and a murderous look flashed on his face. His beautifully shaped phoenix eyes were as cold as the ten thousand year old ice and snow on the top of the snowy mountain.

Her eyes suddenly became sharp, and Concubine Yang felt a little uncomfortable when she looked at her like that.

Chu Qianchen said calmly: "I see that the concubine is old and confused, and she doesn't know the difference between the noble and the humble."

"My prince is a real prince, how can a princess like you have the right to interfere?"

Chu Qianchen smiled, but the curve of his lips was a little cold.

"How dare you be rude to me!!" Concubine Yang's eyes widened instantly, she was so angry that her whole body was shaking, and her chest heaving violently.

Her voice became sharp, and the words spread with the cold wind around them. Even the two little maids at the other end of the corridor heard it and looked over here.

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold, like the whistling cold wind in the courtyard.

Chu Qianchen looked at Concubine Yang coldly, and then said: "I originally thought that since the Concubine is the mother-in-law of Princess Jing, I greeted you as a sign of respect to Princess Jing."

"But you told me not to 'randomly claim kinship'. Who do you think you are? What qualifications do you have to boss me around?"

"Prince Jing's Mansion and my prince have long been five generations apart."

"Empress Dowager Yang, we are all royal family members. I advise you not to randomly recognize relatives outside."

Chu Qianchen will not give face to shameless people.

Concubine Yang's face changed several times, and it turned slightly purple. She couldn't say a word, and faintly heard a burst of ridicule coming from the front.

Amber deliberately advised: "Princess, calm down. Everyone has distant relatives who like to build relationships with others."

Chu Qianchen was too lazy to pay attention to Concubine Yang. After saying these few words, he just walked past her and left.

"..." Concubine Yang was so angry that her head was burning with anger, and her slender white fingers tightly clenched the handkerchief.

She was the eldest daughter of the Yang family. After marrying into the Prince's Mansion, she served as the Prince's Consort for more than ten years. Until the old Prince passed away, she was naturally promoted to the Prince's Dowager Consort.

The biggest setbacks in most of his life were, first, the decline of his mother's family, and second, the failure of his own son to inherit the title of prince. Apart from that, his life was smooth sailing.

The old maid brought by Concubine Yang hurriedly calmed her master down and comforted her, "Don't be angry, Concubine. It's not worth it to get hurt because of this little girl!"

"There is a long time to come, just wait and see..." What will happen to her in the future! This is the Duke Mu's residence, and the old nanny couldn't say the second half of the sentence, but Concubine Yang had already understood it, and she sneered repeatedly, her face still looking extremely ugly.

On the other side, Chu Qianchen had already walked out of the corridor. Amber turned around to glance at Concubine Yang's back and whispered, "This Concubine Yang is so irritating." Amber knew how depressed Shen Wan's life was in the Prince's Mansion. The word "filial piety" was enough to crush a person.

Nanny Han, who was walking in front leading the way, also nodded.

She had served the wife of Duke Mu for so many years, and knew a lot about the terrible things that the old hag, Concubine Yang, had done.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

Chu Qianchen smiled coldly, "Given the temper of this concubine, it may not be easy for my aunt to divide the family properly."

"Jiang Yuan, go tell your aunt that if you want to divide the family, you might as well discuss it with the Dowager Consort before you resign your title."

Chu Qianchen raised his head slightly and looked towards the main courtyard.

Jiang Yuan, who had been silent all the time, took a step forward. Nanny Han was stunned for a moment, as if she had just realized her existence at this moment. She looked at Jiang Yuan in amazement as he quickly crossed the flowers and pond in the courtyard and ran to the other end.

Her pace was obviously much faster than that of Concubine Yang who was walking in circles along the corridor.

Jiang Yuan rushed back to the main courtyard before Concubine Yang and conveyed Chu Qianchen's words word for word.

Shen Wan: “…”

Lady Mu: "..."

Shen Wan laughed out loud, her smile was like a spring breeze, and she suddenly became radiant. She clapped her hands and said, "Sister Chen, this is a good idea!"

"Mom, don't you think so?"

She turned to look at the wife of Duke Mu with a charming smile.

Before, she only wanted her husband to resign his title as soon as possible, and then quickly divide the family. The first thing is not difficult, but the second thing may be a bit troublesome. She was somewhat worried that Concubine Yang would not easily agree to divide the family.

Shen Wan, who has always been stubborn, never thought that there could be another way to deal with this matter.

This method should be used to deal with shameless villains like Concubine Yang and her son.

"It should work!" Lady Mu, the Duke's wife, also smiled.

In the past few days, Lady Mu was troubled by this series of events. She was worried about Gu Zhiyan's illness and afraid that Gu Jin would regret resigning his title in the future. She had not expected this.

Yes, now the bargaining chips are still on the side of their daughter and son-in-law. They can use this as a condition to negotiate with Concubine Yang about dividing the family. Concubine Yang will most likely agree, as she has been thinking about this title for so many years.

"Tell your princess that I know." Shen Wan said to Jiang Yuan with a smile.

Shen Wan has wanted to split the family for a long time.

The evil spirits in this mansion did things that were simply not fit for human behavior. She felt sick if she stayed there for one more day. She just wanted to cut off her relationship with Concubine Yang, Gu Ming and the others, and go her separate ways from now on.

Shen Wan's pupils sparkled like gems. At this moment, she was full of longing and expectation for the future, just like a person who had been enslaved for a long time and finally could not bear the oppression and rose up in rebellion.

Jiang Yuan left after delivering his message. After walking out of the warm room, he passed by Concubine Yang who had just arrived in the main hall.

Jiang Yuan had an ordinary appearance. Once she concealed her aura, no one would even look at her twice. Concubine Yang also thought that she was just a little maid in the Duke's Mansion.

"This way please, Toffee."

The head maid led the way and took Concubine Yang into the warm room.

When the door curtain fell, it blocked the prying eyes from outside.

The door curtain embroidered with red plum blossoms swayed gently, making a slight sound.

Outside, the wind was howling and the clouds were dark. It seemed that another heavy snow was about to come.

All eyes in the court were fixed on Prince Jing's Mansion. After all, in the hundred years of Great Qi, it had never happened before in the royal family that someone resigned from his title.

Prince Li was irritated by Concubine Yang that day, and originally didn't want to get involved in the matter, but many people came to him to inquire about it these days. After hearing so many rumors outside, Prince Li felt more sympathetic towards Gu Jin. Thinking of the affection of his ancestors, he persuaded Gu Jin several times, but Gu Jin was determined and didn't waver at all.

On the twenty-ninth day of the winter month, when Prince Jing Gu Jin once again proposed to resign his title in public at the morning court, the emperor responded with a gloomy face.

Gu Jin, who had lost his title and job, was certainly not suitable to stay in the morning court. After solemnly paying his respects to the emperor, he left the Golden Palace.

Stepping over the high threshold, Gu Jin stopped under the eaves.

He tilted his head back, wiped his face vigorously with his palm, and then took a deep breath.

The cold air outside penetrated into his nostrils and lungs, and Gu Jin felt refreshed, thinking that the air was incredibly good.

He couldn't wait to go back and tell his wife the good news.

His daughter's illness was getting better day by day, and he successfully resigned his title. Now the only thing left was to divide the family property.

Things will get better little by little.

Gu Jin walked forward with big strides, feeling refreshed and walking with a brisk pace.

He did not leave the palace immediately, but waited at Taihe Gate, and waited for a full hour.

During this hour, many palace servants came and went around, all of them looked at Gu Jin, who was like a stone sculpture, with strange eyes, some sizing him up, some sighing, some curious, some sympathetic...

Gu Jin was immersed in his own world and was unaware of it. He just stared intently in the direction of the Golden Palace.

An hour later, the morning court ended and all the ministers came out of the Golden Palace in twos and threes, including Prince Li. Gu Jin couldn't wait to greet him with a smile on his face.

"uncle."

Gu Jin bowed to Prince Li, but he only completed half of the bow and then froze there awkwardly. Prince Li felt unhappy when he saw Gu Jin, and he glared at him and walked past him.

"Uncle, please wait." Gu Jin called out with a playful smile, and chased after him. His face was as bright as a flower. "Uncle, I have a favor to ask of you."

"My family is planning to split up, and the Concubine has agreed. If you are free today, I will come to your house with you."

The meaning of his words was very clear. He wanted Prince Li to help with some matters.

Prince Li couldn't understand what Gu Jin meant. He rolled his eyes at him, said nothing, and continued walking towards the palace gate.

Gu Jin was still smiling, shamelessly following Prince Li, only half a step behind, and said, "Uncle, I am counting on you."

"I know that you have always loved me. When I was a child, I was naughty and almost beaten to death by my father. It was you who interceded for me and saved my life."

"Uncle, you are my nephew's second parent."

“…”

Even if Prince Li didn't respond, Gu Jin could still chatter on by himself without feeling awkward at all.

On this day, heavy snow fell in the capital city again.

The news of Gu Jin's resignation spread throughout the capital like a heavy snowfall. It not only caused a small stir among the royal family and nobles, but also spread to the general public, from ordinary people to scholars.

There will be a spring examination next year. Starting from autumn, many students have come to the capital city one after another. Teahouses have become places frequented by these students, and it is inevitable that they will discuss current affairs.

"How can someone give up his position as a county prince and resign his title? I think there must be some hidden reason behind this."

"This may not be a bad thing. In my opinion, these nobles are all blessed by their ancestors. Most of them have made no achievements. It is right for them to abdicate! Only when capable people take over can it be beneficial to the country!"

"It is true that the capable are given the throne, but human nature is selfish. I'm afraid the government is going to reform the royal family and nobles next year."

“…”

The students in the teahouse were talking non-stop, expressing their own opinions. Most of them felt that the emperor was almost certain to reform the royal family and nobles.

Everyone was talking excitedly and no one paid attention to a girl in a crabapple red dress who walked into the lobby of the teahouse at the waiter's invitation and went up the stairs to the second floor.

As Chu Qianhuang walked, she raised her hand to press down the veil on her face and looked towards a private room on the second floor.

She knew that the private room reserved by the envoy of Hao Kingdom, Prince Andaman, was the first room at the left staircase.

Chu Qianhuang walked gracefully up the stairs to the second floor. Her steps were slow and firm, exuding an aura of determination to win.

The reason why she could go out openly today was because Shen Wan came to the Marquis' Mansion to pick her up early in the morning and told Shen that she wanted to take her out to play, so Shen agreed.

Chu Qianhuang originally thought that Shen Wan had arranged everything, but Shen Wan changed her words today and said that Gu Jin was familiar with the Nanhao envoys such as the Prince of Andaman, and they could give her a chance to meet the Hao people. As for whether she could convince the Hao people, it depended on herself.

At that moment, Chu Qianhuang was so angry that her face changed. She felt that Shen Wan was simply shameless. When Shen Wan went to the Marquis' Mansion to ask her for the talisman paper a few days ago, she only said that she could ask Gu Jin to help her go to Hao Country. At that time, Shen Wan did not say that she had to persuade Andaman herself.

Shen Wan is clearly trying to get something for nothing!

But now there are only a few days left before Nan Haoren and the third princess set off, and time is very tight. Her best choice is to persuade the Prince of Andaman to help her.

There were only a few days left, and it was impossible for her to ask others for help.

While thinking, Chu Qianhuang stepped onto the last step and his eyes fell on the first private room on the left side of the stairs.

Nanhao’s Prince of Andaman should be inside.

Chu Qianhuang's gaze was unusually firm.

She calmed herself down, raised her hand and knocked on the door.

I came back too late today, and I'm too lazy to divide the chapters...

(End of this chapter)