From Manager Qian's description, Jiang Yue learned roughly about the Gu family's situation.
Ten years ago, when the head of the Gu family was alive, the Gu family was considered one of the four major merchant families in Yunshui County with a good family background.
Later, representatives from the four major families in Jinling came and negotiated with the four major merchants of Yunshui County, bringing them under their wing.
However, the original head of the Gu family did not accept the offer from the Shangguan family.
Not long after, the head of the Gu family encountered bandits while delivering a batch of medicinal herbs and was killed without a complete corpse.
The medicinal herbs were stolen, and the Gu family lost a large sum of money, emptying their coffers.
Unable to bear the blow, Madam Gu committed suicide, following her late husband in death.
He left behind his only son, Gu Liulang, who was only five or six years old.
And, the two elderly people.
Even though the Gu family is now a shadow of its former self, it's still a force to be reckoned with. Anyone with eyes to see knows that the Shangguan family hired assassins to kill and eliminate dissidents.
Therefore, in order to curry favor with the powerful, they suppressed the Gu family members who were widowed, orphaned, or young in every way!
The Gu family's vast estate was quickly seized, leaving only an empty Gu residence for Rong Nai and her family to live in.
Gu Liulang was exceptionally intelligent from a young age and was a natural scholar.
But some people with ulterior motives, fearing that he would seek revenge later if he succeeded in the imperial examinations, poisoned his eyes to blind him!
As it turns out, seeing is believing.
The characters on the visiting card are vigorous and powerful; without ten years of hard practice, how could one achieve such style and skill?
Jiang Yue noticed it, and Manager Qian noticed it even more clearly.
That's why the money manager frowned, fearing that this was a trap set by someone with ulterior motives, trying to harm his princess!
"It's alright. If a guest comes to visit around 7 PM, then let him in. I'd like to see what this person is up to."
"This old servant obeys!"
Manager Qian accepted the order and retreated slowly to attend to other matters.
"Mother, could this be a trap?"
Qingyao emerged from behind the screen, cradling the sleeping cat in her arms, looking somewhat worried.
"We'll only know what Gu Liulang's intentions when we see him."
Mother isn't worried about what the boy might be up to, but she is wary of the Lin family, and even more so, she loathes them.
Jiang Yue gestured for her daughter to sit down, and then she explained the pros and cons to her daughter step by step.
The Shangguan family is one of the four great families of Jinling, and Shangguan Xian'er is his biological father.
Shangguan Xian'er is currently the Crown Prince's concubine. Even if she doesn't become Empress in the future, she will be more than qualified to be a Noble Consort.
Ten years ago, Shangguan Xian'er probably wasn't that old.
If this was the woman's idea behind it, then she is a cunning and scheming person, not a kind one.
Using all sorts of underhanded methods to seize power, killing anyone who disobeys, causing families to be destroyed and lives lost—this kind of person…
Jiang Yue didn't dare tell anyone that she sometimes wondered if the Crown Prince was a wise ruler.
If a ruler is wise, but the women around him are venomous and cruel, the stability of the country is inevitably threatened...
If she were just a countrywoman from the mountains, with her children having no connection to the imperial court, she wouldn't have wanted to confront the main figures in power head-on.
However, by a stroke of luck, her status was elevated again and again, and with the emperor's favor, her rank was deepened.
Qingyun and Changjun both entered the Hanlin Academy.
The Xu family became in-laws, and the Ge family also formed a marriage alliance.
She had no idea that the female lead hadn't noticed anything amiss!
Is it to remain silent, to be friendly, or...?
Being caught in the vortex, one must be on guard!
"The Shangguan family?"
This was the first time Qingyao had heard of the Shangguan family from her mother, and she couldn't help but be very curious.
"Yes, the Shangguan family."
Jiang Yue's smile was faint; she remembered perfectly clearly the original owner's wish to give her her body...
Gu Residence —
The once bustling mansion is now reduced to a few scattered servants still holding their posts.
The dinner consisted of light soup and water, and the three generations of the family enjoyed themselves immensely.
"Grandpa, Grandma, your grandson is going out tonight to pay his respects to Lady Jiang..."
"Sixth Brother, have you thought this through? There's no turning back now. If this lady doesn't want to get involved, then the Gu family..."
"Don't worry, Grandpa. I've inquired about her. This lady had a very good reputation in Peach Blossom County. She's also very upright and kind. She'll definitely uphold justice for our Gu family!"
"How about this, Grandpa and Grandma are worried about you going alone, so let's go together."
"Okay, we're a family, we'll stand together through thick and thin."
......
Xu hour (7-9 PM)
The three generations of the family, braving the cold wind and supporting each other, arrived at the gate of the county lord's residence.
"Knock knock knock~"
Looking at the lantern-lit mansion of the County Lord, Gu Liulang nodded to his grandparents, then knocked on the vermilion gate...
"Is this Young Master Gu?"
"It's me."
"Please come in, the Lady has been waiting for you for a long time."
"These are my grandparents. They heard that the Lady had returned to Yunshui County and were worried about me coming alone to pay them a visit..."
Even so, please come in.
Manager Qian smiled and spoke softly, looking at the three members of the Gu family with great respect and courtesy.
Having grasped the other party's attitude, the three members of the Gu family relaxed and entered the Prince's residence...
"I've met Manager Qian before."
"Yes, no need for formalities."
In his old age, Manager Qian finally got to experience being in charge.
Manager Ge's methods are far superior to his.
In just a few days, the well-trained maid has not only been assigned to a suitable position, but she also bows and greets him and the guests.
They don't look like the servants he brought with him at all. They just nod when they see him.
Although he had many thoughts on his mind, he did not stop leading the way.
The further you go in, the more you can feel how completely the mansion has been renovated.
He led the Gu family, grandfather and grandson, to the reception room, gestured for the three to stop, and announced loudly—
"Your Highness, a distinguished guest requests an audience."
"Go in!"
"This old servant obeys!"
The hall door opened from the inside, and the maidservant gave a slight curtsy, gesturing for the servants to enter.
The manager did not go in, but instead gestured for the Gu family to enter.
"Thank you so much, sir! I'm extremely grateful!"
Gu Liulang clasped his hands in thanks, then helped his grandparents into the reception room...
"Squeak~"
The hall door was closed, leaving only Steward Ge inside to serve.
"This humble commoner, Gu Liulang, pays his respects to the Lady of the County."
As soon as Gu Liulang entered the room, he felt the warmth.
That was a warmth that couldn't be felt at home; it required the best charcoal to provide it.
His heart raced. He wondered if this lady could help them and clear their name.
Instinctively, I knelt down to pay my respects.
But strangely, the scene was completely silent.
His grandparents seemed to be stunned or frozen in place, standing motionless, staring at the princess.
"Grandpa and Grandma?"
Jiang Yue stared wide-eyed in shock at the two familiar faces before her!
Aren't these her maternal grandparents?!
"Moon?"
"Are you our little girl?"
Grandpa Gu and his wife exchanged a glance, then simultaneously wiped their eyes, staring incredulously at their elegant and graceful granddaughter!
Oh my god, it really is her!
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