"Wanji, go to the Zhong residence yourself."
Jiang Yu spoke irritably, saying that keeping Zhong Qi'er locked up in the Zhong residence was meant to protect her, but now she's gone and tried to get herself killed by running away. Now that the Sun family knows about Sun Shu's situation, how can they not send people to keep an eye on her?
"This servant will go immediately."
Watching Wanji's departing figure, Granny Ling brought over a bowl of ginseng soup. "Your Majesty, your health is paramount. Please drink some ginseng soup to calm your nerves."
"If something really happens to Zhong Qi'er, then we'll be in trouble."
With Ling Mama's help, Jiang Yu sat down in a chair, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes. Chen Ping's matter hadn't been resolved yet, and now Zhong Qi'er was causing trouble again.
"In this old servant's opinion, Miss Zhong is far too willful. Her Majesty directly issued an imperial decree to confine her to the palace, so sneaking out of the residence is blatant defiance of the decree. Isn't this dragging the entire Zhong family into a quagmire?"
Ling Mama's words made Jiang Yu pause abruptly as she held the soup.
"Granny, what did you just say?"
"This old servant..." Seeing Jiang Yu's serious expression, Ling Mama was unsure which question Jiang Yu was asking.
"Last time at Zhaoning Palace, when I mentioned the Zhong family, Zhong Qi'er clearly looked worried. How could she have sneaked out of the manor for no reason?"
Jiang Yu placed the soup bowl on the table, and the clear clinking sound made Ling Mama's heart tremble.
There must be something wrong inside.
Wanji went to the Zhong residence and brought back news of Zhong Qi'er's current condition: she was seriously injured and unconscious, and even Mei Chu was not entirely confident that he could save her.
Upon learning this news, Jiang Yu became even more silent.
"Mother."
Gu Qingyan arrived at Zhaoning Palace. "This must have been the work of the Sun family."
"It's understandable that the Sun family can't swallow this insult, but there's a lot to say about what methods they used to make Zhong Qi'er leave the Zhong family."
Jiang Yu gripped the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand tightly. "Ayan, go and investigate this thoroughly."
"What the Empress Dowager means is..."
Gu Qingyan quickly understood Jiang Yu's meaning, "Mother, has Father not returned yet?"
"Your father is investigating Chen Ping's affairs, and he has been leaving early and returning late lately."
Seeing Gu Qingyan's tense expression, Jiang Yu relaxed her own.
"Now that things are getting turbulent, we can at least find a starting point, which is better than being completely clueless before."
Gu Qingyan pursed his lips upon hearing this. "Mother, my uncle hasn't sent any word back yet, and I'm a little worried."
"Yes, it's been six or seven days already, and there's still no letter."
Mentioning Jiang He, Jiang Yu's relaxed expression immediately tightened again.
Thinking about the affairs of the aristocratic families, a fierce glint gradually appeared in his eyes.
......
In the most bustling restaurant in the capital, Chen Ping was being escorted down from the second floor by several court officials.
"Lord Chen, thanks to your guidance today, I have truly gained a new understanding."
A courtier with a red nose smiled ingratiatingly, "The Hu women dancing in Ningming Tower are the most outstanding. Why don't you stay a little longer, Lord Chen? The Hu women will come out to dance in half an hour."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ping smiled and waved his hand, "No, if I don't go home soon, I'm afraid my wife will be getting impatient."
"Lord Chen and his wife are truly a loving couple, which I greatly admire."
"I heard that Madam Chen visits Miss Sun every day. What is the reason for this?" A conspicuous voice rang out, and Chen Ping's expression stiffened. He slowly looked at the person who had come.
"Chang Qing, shouldn't you be in the military camp?"
Upon seeing that it was Chang Qing, this reckless scoundrel, the courtiers around Chen Ping felt bitter, realizing they had actually encountered this devil!
"What's it to you where I am?"
Chang Qing slammed his hand on the table. "Chen Ping, as the Minister of Works, what kind of logic is it to shamelessly visit a young lady from a prominent family? Could it be that you, Chen Ping, have long been colluding with the Sun family?"
General Chang, be careful with your words!
Chen Ping spoke with righteous indignation, “Madam went to visit Miss Sun only because of the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet that day, and she did not want to lose the dignity of our Great Yu in front of the aristocratic families.”
"Ridiculous! How can you, Chen Ping, represent the spirit of our Great Chongqing?"
Chang Qing's words were all aimed at stabbing Chen Ping in the heart, and before long, Chang Qing and Chen Ping's group started arguing.
The restaurant manager, seeing that it was two adults arguing, was too frightened to step forward and try to mediate. He could only watch from a corner with his legs trembling.
"Chang Qing, don't think that just because you're a confidant of Marquis Dingyuan, you can act with impunity!" Having his entire family insulted, even Chen Ping, with all his composure, couldn't help but speak up. "You've slandered me without any evidence; you're guilty of a crime."
"Convicted? This general disdains to speak with someone like you who clings to a powerful family."
"Chang Qing, you've gone too far."
Soon, the two sides started fighting.
In the chaos, Chang Qing quietly and skillfully threw the teacup straight into a corner. The screen in the corner fell to the ground with a thud, and the person behind the screen appeared in everyone's sight.
"The Retired Emperor!"
Gu Lin's signature white hair sent shivers down everyone's spines, and the entire restaurant fell silent instantly; you could hear a pin drop.
"It's quite lively here today. Minister Chen, why don't you hurry back to your residence? If you're late, Madam will be getting impatient."
Gu Lin's words made Chen Ping swallow hard, and he quickly recalled the words he had exchanged with Chang Qing.
Then, Chen Ping's face turned deathly pale.
"Your Majesty, I have not failed in my mission!"
Back at the palace, Chang Qing followed Gu Lin eagerly.
"We've gotten so much information out of Chen Ping today, I'm sure the people behind him are thinking of getting rid of him." Gu Lin glanced at Chang Qing. "We must seize this opportunity to get Chen Ping to talk."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, leave it to me."
Gu Lin nodded upon hearing this and strode towards Zhaoning Palace.
......
After returning to Zhaoning Palace, Gu Lin first changed out of his outer robe before entering the inner room to embrace Jiang Yu.
"Ayu, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Jiang Yu vaguely heard Gu Lin's voice, and automatically turned around and snuggled into Gu Lin's arms, "You're back?"
"Yes, I took care of some things, so I got back a little late. Are you feeling alright today?"
Looking at Jiang Yu's face, which had become noticeably thinner, Gu Lin felt a pang of heartache.
"I've been so busy lately that I haven't been able to let you rest properly during your pregnancy. I hope the baby in your belly will be well-behaved and not cause you any trouble."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu raised the corners of her mouth and said, "Gu Lin, I've heard that there's a saying among the people that pregnant women shouldn't kill any living beings."
Gu Lin chuckled and placed his hand on Jiang Yu's stomach. "I don't believe that kind of claim."
“Ayu should do whatever she wants. If I am bound by the child in my womb, I would rather give up the child.”
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Jiang Yu patted Gu Lin's hand, "Of course we should have both the child and Da Yu."
Some of these people deserve to be killed.
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