Gu Qianying whispered something into his ear, and Duan Xifeng's eyes widened. He rubbed his hands together, "Alright, let's do it this way. I'll handle this matter, and I guarantee it will satisfy little Ying."
"Mm, and also, do a quick check on what kind of forces are behind her?"
Duan Xifeng nodded, "This, martial uncle understands."
As he finished speaking and prepared to leave, Gu Qianying called out to him, "Regarding your sister's matter, besides Nangong Mo, there's one other person who might know something."
Duan Xifeng turned back abruptly, his expression agitated, "Who?"
Du Chun, who used to live in the Ninth Prince's mansion.
Duan Xifeng thought for a moment and immediately replied, "Good, don't you worry about this. I'll go find him."
With that, Duan Xifeng climbed out the window and returned moments later. He happened to encounter Gu Qianying about to close the window. Duan Xifeng stood outside the window, not entering, and directly handed the storybook in his arms to Gu Qianying, "Little Ying, this storybook will be very useful to you. You can learn from it when you have time."
After saying that, he turned and vanished.
Gu Qianying stood in place, looking at the storybook in her hands. The storybook, swayed by the wind, flipped open on its own, page by page. Two sentences caught her eye.
Giving roses signifies a confession!
To pursue a girl, one needs to be shameless and persistent, and constantly speak sweet words. Girls love to hear sweet words.
She calmly closed the storybook, glanced at the author's famous three characters: Master Duan, and the title of the storybook, "The True Records of Master Hua Cai." Her lips twitched, "..." What rubbish! She casually tossed it away, turned around, and deliberately threw the rose she held earlier out the door!
The next day,
News spread throughout the capital that the eldest daughter of the Gu family, Gu Qianying, had overnight transformed from a fugitive of the court into a noble Imperial Consort. The news exploded through the capital like yeast, and now, everywhere, people were discussing how the capable eldest daughter of the Gu family, Gu Qianying, had reversed her fate.
But soon, more news spread, saying that this eldest daughter of the Gu family had become an Imperial Consort by selling her body. It was also heard that the Emperor had intended to kill her that day, but she had directly undressed in front of him.
Thus, the legendary figure Gu Qianying was soon vilified again, and harshly so, with insults like "whore" and "shameless vixen." However, some among the common people believed that being able to sleep her way to becoming an Imperial Consort was also a sign of capability.
However, before these insults had even faded.
Throughout the capital, streets and alleys were filled with pre-written proclamations. These were documents detailing grievances and ironclad evidence of being framed by others. In black and white, the names listed were those of the old General Gu and the eldest son of the Gu family, Gu Yefeng, and their injustices.
Each paper was filled with genuine emotion, and the ironclad evidence was thoroughly verifiable.
And these proclamations suddenly fell upon every citizen like scattered flowers from a celestial maiden, landing on everyone's heads.
Immediately following was a second set of proclamations, concerning the case of the eldest daughter of the Gu family, Gu Qianying, massacring the entire Gu mansion. After the case was overturned, there were testimonies from Young Master Yan Kuan and several officials working in the Dali Temple, which were sufficient to prove Gu Qianying's innocence.
In a single day, the common people spontaneously petitioned and united, kneeling outside the local yamen, unanimously requesting the county magistrate to re-examine the case of the old General Gu, Gu Yefeng, and Gu Qianying being framed. The purpose of this re-examination was for the people of the world to clear the names of the three members of the Gu family.
The county magistrate, frightened, quickly reported the matter to his superiors.
Not only outside the yamen, but even officials who had been close to the old General Gu and Gu Yefeng, and who served in the court, knelt outside the Qianqing Palace, requesting the Emperor to clear the names of the three members of the Gu family.
And that very night, Emperor Nangong Qi's sleeping quarters also received proclamations scattered as they had been on the streets and alleys.
Nangong Qi was furious and overturned the table that night.
Du Chun, with his white hair, watched from the side, saying nothing.
"Minister Du, what do you think of this matter?"
Nangong Qi looked at Du Chun, his words clearly probing.
Du Chun replied indifferently, "If Your Majesty dislikes her, then I will quietly resolve the Imperial Consort. Besides, Your Majesty has already obtained what he wanted, so there is no need to keep that woman."
As he spoke, Nangong Qi clearly saw a murderous glint in Du Chun's eyes. He was very satisfied with Du Chun's answer.
"There's no need for that. Since Gu Qianying has fallen into my hands, I will 'cherish' her well. Heh heh."
He deliberately emphasized the words "cherish her," and the greedy lust in his eyes was equally obvious as he spoke.
Du Chun remained expressionless, but his hands hidden in his sleeves were already clenched tightly.
"Yes, indeed." He replied casually. As he raised his sleeve, he took out a small white bottle. He stepped forward and handed the small white bottle to Nangong Qi, "This is a potent tonic pill I specially developed according to Your Majesty's needs, to ensure lasting vigor. Your Majesty should like it very much..."
Before Du Chun could finish speaking, Nangong Qi snatched the small white bottle from his hand and laughed, "Good, good, excellent! Minister Du, you are truly my good helper."
After showering Du Chun with praise, Nangong Qi rewarded him with some valuable trinkets and then sent him away.
Moments later, he summoned the eunuch by his side. The eunuch held a wooden tray with gold-threaded edges, on which were the green-head cards of the imperial harem concubines. Nangong Qi ordered the eunuch, "Place the Imperial Consort Gu Qianying's card on it, and pass down the word that today I will go to Jiuhua Palace. Have the Consort prepare herself."
"Yes!" Ptooey!
A walking stud horse, a beast!
The little eunuch cautiously glanced at Nangong Qi, his thoughts unspoken.
But in his heart, he still felt that the eldest daughter of the Gu family had suffered a great loss.
This little eunuch, named Xiao Zhuzi, had come to serve Nangong Qi from a very young age, and thus understood this ruthless, ill-mannered Nangong Qi quite well.
He recalled that when Nangong Qi was still the Crown Prince, the palace maid he cherished had been defiled by him. That palace maid had then jumped into a well and died that very night!
He had been heartbroken for many years, but he dared not lay a hand on their dissolute Crown Prince.
All his pain and unwillingness could only be endured!
Later, his master grew old and was no longer suitable to stay in the palace to retire, so he returned with her to the Gu mansion, her hometown!
Over time, his unhappiness gradually dissipated, and he became more cheerful.
And at this moment,
After Du Chun left the palace, before he could even get into his carriage, he was suddenly struck with a slap by a figure who appeared out of nowhere.
"..."