"This is outrageous! This is outrageous, cough cough cough..."
The Qin family patriarch's face was deathly pale, and he looked extremely angry.
"This Yu Emperor clearly doesn't take us seriously, and now he's even wantonly ruining our reputation." The Sun family head also spoke up angrily. "I think it would be better if our families joined forces to deal with Dayu. If Dayu is allowed to develop like this, I'm afraid the consequences will be unimaginable."
The Qin family patriarch clearly took the Sun family patriarch's words to heart.
He was respected and protected his whole life, but he actually suffered a major setback in Da Yu.
It even ruined the Qin family's reputation. How can he face people when he goes back?
"No."
The words of the Gong family head drew the attention of both of them. The Sun family head was clearly displeased. "Brother Gong, I, Sun, cannot bear such humiliation. If you can endure it, then your Gong family may do as you please."
A flash of displeasure crossed the head of the Gong family's eyes, but his expression remained unchanged.
"The Emperor of Yu is young and impetuous, and it's understandable that his actions are a bit excessive. But have you ever considered whether the Great Yu is really afraid of us sending troops?"
The head of the Gong family slowly spoke, "Da Yu needs development, and so does our aristocratic family. Furthermore, if we send troops, we will have no legitimate reason to do so."
"We've both been treated like this, and you still say you have no legitimate reason to act?"
"Then how do you explain our trip to the plum garden, and how do you explain our trip to the dark dungeon?" The Gong family head's patience was running out. "I'd appreciate it if you would think things through before you act, Brother Sun. Since Da Yu dares to do this, it means they have us under their control."
"you!"
"More importantly, Yun Zhi is still in their hands." The Gong family head stared intently at the Sun family head. "If Yun Zhi reveals those things, what should we do?"
"To actually fight with Dayu at this time would be the worst possible strategy!"
"So we're just going to let this go?" The head of the Sun family was so angry that his face turned red. It was clearly the first time he had suffered such a great loss.
"Alright, with a formidable enemy at hand, if we're going to start fighting amongst ourselves, we might as well just surrender to Dayu."
The Qin family head spoke up to mediate, and in his heart he also agreed with the Gong family head's words.
"It seems we underestimated the Yu Emperor."
At such a young age, he actually has the audacity to challenge them.
"Also, we've gotten used to things going smoothly, so when we encounter Yu Di, it makes us old folks seem like we haven't thought things through."
The Qin family patriarch chuckled self-deprecatingly. Since he took over the Qin family, no country had ever dared to oppose a powerful family. Only the Great Yu, and only the Yu Emperor before him!
"Not sending troops does not mean we need to make concessions."
The head of the Gong family spoke again, and this time, the air became quieter.
"Brother Gong, do you have any good ideas?"
Upon seeing this, the head of the Sun family disregarded the previous verbal dispute and quickly asked.
"I do have a plan."
......
Zhaoning Palace.
"Wanji, go and deliver these things to Lingyun Garden."
Jiang Yu carefully examined the list. "The autumn examinations are just around the corner. We need to be extra careful about the food, drink, and other necessities of the examinees. If the poisoning incident happens again, they will have to wait another three years."
Three years? As a woman, where do you find so many three-year periods to waste?
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will deliver it immediately. I will also personally oversee the food and drink at Lingyun Garden recently."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu nodded and placed the list on the table.
No sooner had Wanji left than Gu Lin hurriedly returned.
In the past few days, Gu Lin has been leaving early and returning late almost every day in order to investigate the Lingyun Garden matter, and Jiang Yu rarely sees Gu Lin during the day.
"How's it going? Any leads?"
Gu Lin's serious expression made Jiang Yu feel uneasy. "Ayu, I and the people from Lingxiao Pavilion have been investigating for two days, but we haven't found any clues."
"No leads whatsoever?"
When Gu Lin said those words, even Jiang Yu couldn't help but widen her eyes.
“Ayu, I’m increasingly convinced that this matter is not simple.”
Gu Lin helped Jiang Yu sit down, and then squatted down himself. "I initially thought it might be the ministers in the court who were behind it, trying to prevent those women from passing the imperial examinations, but after investigating, I found no trace of them."
"Moreover, Ayu, there are people in the Great Yu court who possess poisons that even Mei Chu cannot identify..."
Jiang Yu also realized the seriousness of the matter. "Since it's difficult to investigate, let's investigate slowly. A-Lin, I'll investigate with you."
Gu Lin nodded, but for some reason, he had a feeling of unease.
Something has begun to gradually break free from their carefully laid plan.
"Okay, you've had a long day, take a break."
Jiang Yu cupped Gu Lin's face in her hands, "We'll have dinner soon."
"Then I'll go to the inner room to change into some casual clothes."
Jiang Yu nodded upon hearing this, and the smile on her face only disappeared after Gu Lin's figure vanished from sight.
She slowly reached out and touched the mole on her face.
There seems to be something strange about these things, something inexplicable...
......
A few days later, the head of the Qin family, along with the heads of the Sun and Gong families, met with Gu Qingyan in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"You three look rather thinner than I've seen you in a few days."
Gu Qingyan slowly said, "When we get back, I will send someone to deliver some tonics to the three of you to help you recover, so that the noble families won't think I haven't treated you well."
Upon hearing this, the smiles that had finally appeared on the faces of the three people immediately faded.
"Our actions a few days ago were indeed inappropriate and caused a lot of trouble for Yu Di."
The head of the Gong family spoke with a smile. Gu Qingyan raised his eyebrows involuntarily upon hearing this. What was he up to now?
"After much deliberation these past few days, we feel we cannot simply leave like this," the head of the Gong family continued. "Emperor Yu, shouldn't the aristocratic families and the Great Yu Kingdom coexist peacefully and work together to protect the peace of the world?"
"That's natural."
Gu Qingyan responded insincerely.
"So the three of us thought about it and decided that, in order to show our family's sincerity in wanting to live in peace with Dayu, we would send our eligible daughters to Dayu to form a marriage alliance with Dayu."
"A marriage alliance?"
Gu Qingyan couldn't help but stand up from the dragon throne. "I am only sixteen years old, far from the age of marriage, so there is no need for you to trouble yourselves."
"I think Emperor Yu has misunderstood."
The head of the Qin family smiled and said, "Brother Yun means that we are willing to send our eligible women to serve the Emperor Emeritus."
“Yes, you should know that before this, women from noble families could only choose husbands within their own families. Wouldn’t this better demonstrate that the noble families and Dayu are as close as one family?” The head of the Sun family also spoke up, but Gu Qingyan’s expression grew increasingly grim.
"Are you really sure you want to send your women to Dayu to give to my father, the Emperor?"
Gu Qingyan's voice made the three of them somewhat uncertain, but they still insisted on the method of marriage alliance.
"Very well, I will relay everything you said to Father and Mother..."
Gu Qingyan drew out his words, and a cool breeze blew into the hall.
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