"Have you heard? They say there was a fire in the imperial prison, and the old General Gu and the eldest son of the Gu family both perished. The Dali Temple has reported this matter to the imperial court. And now, the Gu family is holding a funeral for the old General Gu and the eldest son of the Gu family.
Oh, and I also heard that the current Ninth Princess Consort, upon hearing this news, remained indifferent and showed no signs of grief. Not only that, look! Today, with the Gu family in such a state, she is so ostentatious, bringing the Ninth Prince back for a visit. So high-profile and so boastful. I truly don't understand how this eldest daughter of the Gu family can be so cold and heartless!"
"Who says not? Back then, it was rumored everywhere how much the old General Gu doted on this granddaughter, and how much the eldest son of the Gu family doted on his younger sister. But now it seems all their affection has gone to waste, doting on an ungrateful wretch."
"Yes, yes. The actions of the eldest daughter of the Gu family truly fit the saying, 'To live well, one must be selfish and self-serving, only caring about one's own needs and ignoring others, especially when those others are one's own family.'"
Amidst the murmurs, Nangong Mo lifted the curtain, an aura of coldness surrounding him. "Bai Qi! Clear the road!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Two rows of guards simultaneously drew their swords, their expressions stern. The people chattering around them immediately quieted down.
At this moment, Gu Qianying seemed oblivious to the outside world, lost in her own thoughts.
"Caixia, do you think Father and Mother will like the return gifts I brought today? Ah, and did you bring the tonics I asked you to bring back?" Gu Qianying asked carefully.
"Princess Consort, please rest assured, they are all here," Caixia replied, her voice choked with emotion. How had her Princess Consort become like this? Heaven was truly unfair!
Nangong Mo, observing this scene, was consumed by the words of Ji Wuyi. 'Do not let the Princess Consort be stimulated again, or her delusional disorder will worsen.' The thought caused a sharp pain in Nangong Mo's heart, like a thousand claws scratching him.
He lifted the curtain and gave Bai Qi a look. Bai Qi understood, mounted his horse, and rode away, taking several guards with him.
Meanwhile, at the Gu residence, in the main hall of the mourning hall, stood two large coffins, carved from jade and encased in cypress wood. Mourners wailed in unison, yellow paper filled the air, and the cries were mournful. All members of the Gu mansion were dressed in white mourning clothes, led by the Gu family patriarch, Gu Kun, who sat while everyone else knelt. The other two sons of the Gu family, Gu Wen and Gu Yi, and the third daughter, Gu Ziran, were among them, keeping vigil for the old General Gu.
At this moment, a young servant from the gate rushed in, wiping sweat from his brow with his sleeve, and hurriedly said, "Master, Master, bad news!"
The Gu family members all looked at the servant. Gu Kun shouted at him, "What are you babbling about? Get out!" The servant, with important news to deliver, dared not leave. But before he could report, Bai Qi, accompanied by several guards, each with a hand on their swords, barged in.
"Guard Bai, why are you here?" Facing Bai Qi, Gu Kun still greeted him with a smile. Although he had pledged allegiance to the Crown Prince, he knew how to feign compliance when dealing with the powerful.
"Lord Gu, my Prince and Princess Consort will be returning for a visit. Please make suitable preparations."
"What?" The crowd was shocked.
"Furthermore, my Princess Consort is unaware that the old General Gu and the eldest son of the Gu family have passed away. Please ensure that everyone in the mansion keeps their mouths shut and does not reveal this to my Princess Consort!"
What? The crowd was even more astonished. Having delivered the message, Bai Qi turned to leave with his guards. Suddenly, Bai Qi turned back and added a reminder: "Lord Gu, if you are going to act, then act thoroughly. My Prince has a bad temper. Anyone who offends my Princess Consort should be wary of having their heads chopped off by my Prince!"
The Gu family members trembled. Gu Kun hurriedly said, "Guard Bai, please rest assured, I know what to do." A moment later, Bai Qi and his guards departed. Gu Kun watched Bai Qi's retreating figure and gritted his teeth.
"Master, Qianying is truly insensible. Even if she doesn't know herself, she shouldn't act so arrogantly in front of us elders. You are her biological father, and the Gu mansion is her maternal home. If people see such a grand display for her return visit, they'll think she believes herself to be the Empress!" Madam Sun said, dabbing her face with a handkerchief as she approached Gu Kun. As she spoke, she exchanged a knowing glance with Madam Han, who stood behind Gu Kun. Madam Han was very pleased with her actions, and Madam Sun felt delighted. In the Gu mansion, Madam Han was now the Madam of the Gu family, and all the concubines fawned over her. And now, it was Madam Sun's chance to shine.
"Concubine Sun, do not speak nonsense. It is the fortune of our Gu mansion that our eldest young lady has achieved such status. However... today, we are holding a funeral, and Qianying is making such a grand and lively return visit. This behavior is somewhat inappropriate?" Madam Han also approached, echoing Madam Sun's words. The two exchanged a quick glance when Gu Kun was not looking, their intentions clear in their eyes.
"Not just somewhat inappropriate, it's downright disrespectful. It truly makes a mockery of how much the old General Gu doted on her when he was alive," Madam Sun continued, adding fuel to the fire. Although Madam Han was speaking in defense of Gu Qianying on the surface, she was subtly provoking Gu Kun. Although Gu Kun's relationship with his eldest daughter, Gu Qianying, was not close, given Gu Qianying's current status as the Ninth Princess Consort, he had begun to treat her much better for the sake of the Gu mansion's long-term prosperity and his own future. After all, a useful daughter was very important to him. Madam Han, seeing that Gu Kun was considering re-valuing Gu Qianying, became anxious for her own daughter.
"Slap!" Gu Kun raised his hand and slapped Madam Sun across the face. "Do not speak nonsense, hurry back and change your clothes." He then addressed the others, "Quickly change your robes." Turning to another direction, he called out, "Guards, quickly move these two coffins to the backyard, and redecorate the places in the mansion that are hung with white cloth. Make sure the Ninth Princess Consort does not notice anything amiss."
"Yes, Master." The servants began to act. Madam Sun, clutching half her face, felt deeply wronged.
Outside the mansion, the carriage stopped. Guards began to orderly carry items. Gu Kun, the patriarch of the Gu family, sat in a wheelchair, with Madam Han, Concubine Bai, and the rest of the entourage kneeling outside the mansion to welcome them. The curtain was lifted. A line of guards surrounded them as Nangong Mo was helped off the carriage by Bai Qi and then transferred to a wheelchair. Gu Qianying, supported by Caixia, also alighted from the carriage. Gu Kun, pushed forward by a household servant, approached. Madam Han and Concubine Bai followed closely, kneeling on the ground. Gu Kun spoke first, "This minister respectfully welcomes the Ninth Prince, respectfully welcomes the Ninth Princess Consort." Madam Han and the others echoed, "This concubine/servant pays respects to the Ninth Prince, pays respects to the Ninth Princess Consort." Nangong Mo's cold gaze swept over the assembled crowd, not allowing them to rise. He then turned his attention to Gu Qianying."