The Eldest Prince was busy with government affairs and had many matters to attend to at court. In addition, the borders had been rather unstable lately, which had caused the Tianqi Emperor to fall ill with worry.
After falling ill, the suspicious Tianqi Emperor would summon the Eldest Prince frequently, sometimes keeping him in the palace until late into the night.
Gu Ying was staying at home to nurture the pregnancy, and was quite free and at leisure. Thus, she persuaded the Eldest Prince to let her investigate the past events instead.
The Eldest Prince was originally reluctant, as he did not want her to worry. But Gu Ying was even more unwilling to let him be distracted and overexert himself alone.
The Eldest Prince had no choice but to agree to her request, and let Yin Lan wholeheartedly assist her.
Gu Ying was no ignorant housewife, nor was she the submissive type. Cheng had harmed the Eldest Prince's mother, causing the Eldest Prince to have trouble sleeping recently. How could Gu Ying allow Cheng to remain comfortably in the position of the Duke's wife?
She would block attacks and cover up schemes. Since Cheng was pretending to be ill, Gu Ying was determined to make sure Cheng was ill at ease.
Early in the morning, Yin Lan helped dress and groom her. After having breakfast, Gu Ying went to Baomo Hall.
Naturally, Baomo Hall's servants tried to stop her from going in to visit, but she was the daughter-in-law. With the mother-in-law ill, it was only right that she should attend to her. Even if Cheng wanted to continue ignoring her, there was no way around it, especially since Gu Ying was also pregnant. If she kept standing outside and it harmed the fetus, the Duke and Eldest Prince would question Cheng later.
Before noon, Cheng had someone invite Gu Ying inside.
Gu Ying silently sneered. Lifting her skirt, she walked towards the inner room. The windows were shut inside, and it reeked of medicine.
Cheng wore a headband embroidered with an auspicious cloud pattern and the blessing character “fu.” Lying crookedly on the gold threaded imperial-style pillow, when she saw Gu Ying enter, a fleeting trace of resentment flashed through her eyes. Then the corners of her mouth twisted up into a sickly smile. “Ying, you've come. You see, mother is muddled from illness. I just woke up and heard from the servants that you were still waiting outside... So I hurriedly had you come in.”
As she spoke, she prepared to sit up, and Gu Ying went over to support her as if concerned. “What illness does mother have? Has a doctor been invited to take a look? Don't delay taking care of your health.”
Cheng didn't know what medicine Gu Ying was selling in her gourd today. She stiffened and said, “It's not a major illness, just caught a chill from the rainy weather and cold.”
Gu Ying sat down by the bed and saw the medicinal bowl, now cold, placed on the nearby table. She picked it up filially and fed Cheng the medicine.
She smiled innocently. “Is it okay for your daughter-in-law to attend to mother taking medicine?”
The corners of Cheng's mouth twitched. The two of them never got along. For this girl to suddenly be so attentive, she must be plotting something bad. However, with the spoon holding the medicine already brought to her lips, Cheng could not refuse to drink it. She could only open her mouth and swallow two mouthfuls of the icy medicine.
The medicine was truly so bitter she almost vomited. But with Gu Ying present, she could only endure the discomfort.
Gu Ying missed none of Cheng's subtle expressions. She did not care, placidly feeding Cheng the rest of the medicine before placing the porcelain bowl down. She said solemnly, “Mother cannot keep being ill like this. The Xingqing Festival is almost here. Before the festival, Imperial Concubine Wan at the palace will also be celebrating her birthday. Every year for Concubine Wan’s birthday celebration, she invites all the madams and young ladies. If mother cannot attend the palace banquet then, it would not look good. Therefore, your daughter-in-law should invite an imperial doctor to take a look at mother.”
After speaking, without waiting for Cheng to refuse, she ordered Yin Lan to go summon someone.
Yin Lan only listened to Gu Ying’s orders, so hearing this, she simply bowed and walked out.
Cheng wanted to call her back but it was too late. Facing Gu Ying's smiling little face, Cheng hated her so much her teeth itched.
“There's no need for Ying to make such a big fuss. Mother is fine, just a minor cold.”
Gu Ying said, “Mother must not take a cold lightly. A few days ago, Sun Mammy also caught a cold. Your daughter-in-law had someone invite an imperial doctor for her too. Otherwise, I fear Sun Mammy might have perished from illness by now.”
Hearing the three words “Sun Mammy,” Cheng's expression changed slightly.
“Sun Mammy is ill?”
Gu Ying smiled slightly. “Yes, severely ill. Fortunately, the imperial doctor your daughter-in-law invited was skilled enough to save her life. Now Sun Mammy is grateful to your daughter-in-law and says she wants to serve me like a loyal dog.”
Cheng pursed her lips, anxiously glancing at Gu Ying. Her heart was increasingly uneasy. “Ying, after all, Sun Mammy is my servant. You should still advise your husband to let her come back. That way, I can also have someone look after her.”
Facing Cheng’s hypocrisy, Gu Ying sighed lightly. “Mother is aware of the Eldest Prince’s temperament. It’s not that your daughter-in-law didn’t advise against it, but advising is useless. Don’t worry, mother. I will take good care of Sun Mammy for you. As for what Sun Mammy said, that she has important news to tell me and the Eldest Prince, I haven't had a chance to ask her yet...”
The corners of her mouth curved up as she smiled at the stunned Cheng. “Mother, do you think I should listen to what Sun Mammy has to say?”
Cheng sat stiffly on the bed, clutching the bedding tightly until her knuckles turned white.
Gu Ying kept smiling at her. “Why is mother looking at me like that?”
“Hmph.” Cheng forced out a dry laugh. “She is just a lowly servant. Why would Ying lower herself to listen to what a servant says?”
Gu Ying tilted her head. “What if it's something interesting?”
Cheng gritted her teeth. “You--”
She couldn't continue. Just that one angry shout nearly made her lose composure. The twitching muscles at the corners of her mouth continued trembling for a long time after.
Gu Ying smiled without speaking. Cheng sat on the bed clutching the bedding, her knuckles white from force.
“I want to rest. You leave first.”
“Does mother really not need your daughter-in-law?”
“I don't need you!” Cheng angrily pointed outside. She gnashed her teeth. “Leave!”
It was clear, seeing an impatient woman like this, who wore her guilty conscience on her face, how could someone like her have schemed to harm the previous Duke’s wife to death?
Gu Ying had her doubts. Leisurely watching her for a while longer, she calmly brushed off her sleeves under Cheng’s exasperated gaze before slowly getting up from the bed and walking out.
Cheng’s façade as a kindly mother had thoroughly collapsed. Half lying on the bed, she pounded the mattress forcefully. Her eyes flashed red for an instant. “She knows! She must know!”
Thinking this, she could no longer sit still. But looking around the enormous Baomo Hall, she could not find a single useful person!
Cheng was increasingly angry and afraid. Her complexion grew more and more panicked.
“Come! Come quickly!”
A servant girl ran in anxiously and knelt on the ground with a thud.
Cheng glared at her fiercely. “Go, go to the Huo family residence!”
The flustered servant girl ran out again.
Gu Ying had not left yet. She stood in a pavilion outside Baomo Hall, watching expressionlessly as the maid ran out. She turned lightly and told Yanzhi, “Yanzhi, follow her and see who she is summoning.”
The Eldest Prince was busy with government affairs and had many matters to attend to at court. In addition, the borders had been rather unstable lately, which had caused the Tianqi Emperor to fall ill with worry.
After falling ill, the suspicious Tianqi Emperor would summon the Eldest Prince frequently, sometimes keeping him in the palace until late into the night.
Gu Ying was staying at home to nurture the pregnancy, and was quite free and at leisure. Thus, she persuaded the Eldest Prince to let her investigate the past events instead.
The Eldest Prince was originally reluctant, as he did not want her to worry. But Gu Ying was even more unwilling to let him be distracted and overexert himself alone.
The Eldest Prince had no choice but to agree to her request, and let Yin Lan wholeheartedly assist her.
Gu Ying was no ignorant housewife, nor was she the submissive type. Cheng had harmed the Eldest Prince's mother, causing the Eldest Prince to have trouble sleeping recently. How could Gu Ying allow Cheng to remain comfortably in the position of the Duke's wife?
She would block attacks and cover up schemes. Since Cheng was pretending to be ill, Gu Ying was determined to make sure Cheng was ill at ease.
Early in the morning, Yin Lan helped dress and groom her. After having breakfast, Gu Ying went to Baomo Hall.
Naturally, Baomo Hall's servants tried to stop her from going in to visit, but she was the daughter-in-law. With the mother-in-law ill, it was only right that she should attend to her. Even if Cheng wanted to continue ignoring her, there was no way around it, especially since Gu Ying was also pregnant. If she kept standing outside and it harmed the fetus, the Duke and Eldest Prince would question Cheng later.
Before noon, Cheng had someone invite Gu Ying inside.
Gu Ying silently sneered. Lifting her skirt, she walked towards the inner room. The windows were shut inside, and it reeked of medicine.
Cheng wore a headband embroidered with an auspicious cloud pattern and the blessing character “fu.” Lying crookedly on the gold threaded imperial-style pillow, when she saw Gu Ying enter, a fleeting trace of resentment flashed through her eyes. Then the corners of her mouth twisted up into a sickly smile. “Ying, you've come. You see, mother is muddled from illness. I just woke up and heard from the servants that you were still waiting outside... So I hurriedly had you come in.”
As she spoke, she prepared to sit up, and Gu Ying went over to support her as if concerned. “What illness does mother have? Has a doctor been invited to take a look? Don't delay taking care of your health.”
Cheng didn't know what medicine Gu Ying was selling in her gourd today. She stiffened and said, “It's not a major illness, just caught a chill from the rainy weather and cold.”
Gu Ying sat down by the bed and saw the medicinal bowl, now cold, placed on the nearby table. She picked it up filially and fed Cheng the medicine.
She smiled innocently. “Is it okay for your daughter-in-law to attend to mother taking medicine?”
The corners of Cheng's mouth twitched. The two of them never got along. For this girl to suddenly be so attentive, she must be plotting something bad. However, with the spoon holding the medicine already brought to her lips, Cheng could not refuse to drink it. She could only open her mouth and swallow two mouthfuls of the icy medicine.
The medicine was truly so bitter she almost vomited. But with Gu Ying present, she could only endure the discomfort.
Gu Ying missed none of Cheng's subtle expressions. She did not care, placidly feeding Cheng the rest of the medicine before placing the porcelain bowl down. She said solemnly, “Mother cannot keep being ill like this. The Xingqing Festival is almost here. Before the festival, Imperial Concubine Wan at the palace will also be celebrating her birthday. Every year for Concubine Wan’s birthday celebration, she invites all the madams and young ladies. If mother cannot attend the palace banquet then, it would not look good. Therefore, your daughter-in-law should invite an imperial doctor to take a look at mother.”
After speaking, without waiting for Cheng to refuse, she ordered Yin Lan to go summon someone.
Yin Lan only listened to Gu Ying’s orders, so hearing this, she simply bowed and walked out.
Cheng wanted to call her back but it was too late. Facing Gu Ying's smiling little face, Cheng hated her so much her teeth itched.
“There's no need for Ying to make such a big fuss. Mother is fine, just a minor cold.”
Gu Ying said, “Mother must not take a cold lightly. A few days ago, Sun Mammy also caught a cold. Your daughter-in-law had someone invite an imperial doctor for her too. Otherwise, I fear Sun Mammy might have perished from illness by now.”
Hearing the three words “Sun Mammy,” Cheng's expression changed slightly.
“Sun Mammy is ill?”
Gu Ying smiled slightly. “Yes, severely ill. Fortunately, the imperial doctor your daughter-in-law invited was skilled enough to save her life. Now Sun Mammy is grateful to your daughter-in-law and says she wants to serve me like a loyal dog.”
Cheng pursed her lips, anxiously glancing at Gu Ying. Her heart was increasingly uneasy. “Ying, after all, Sun Mammy is my servant. You should still advise your husband to let her come back. That way, I can also have someone look after her.”
Facing Cheng’s hypocrisy, Gu Ying sighed lightly. “Mother is aware of the Eldest Prince’s temperament. It’s not that your daughter-in-law didn’t advise against it, but advising is useless. Don’t worry, mother. I will take good care of Sun Mammy for you. As for what Sun Mammy said, that she has important news to tell me and the Eldest Prince, I haven't had a chance to ask her yet...”
The corners of her mouth curved up as she smiled at the stunned Cheng. “Mother, do you think I should listen to what Sun Mammy has to say?”
Cheng sat stiffly on the bed, clutching the bedding tightly until her knuckles turned white.
Gu Ying kept smiling at her. “Why is mother looking at me like that?”
“Hmph.” Cheng forced out a dry laugh. “She is just a lowly servant. Why would Ying lower herself to listen to what a servant says?”
Gu Ying tilted her head. “What if it's something interesting?”
Cheng gritted her teeth. “You--”
She couldn't continue. Just that one angry shout nearly made her lose composure. The twitching muscles at the corners of her mouth continued trembling for a long time after.
Gu Ying smiled without speaking. Cheng sat on the bed clutching the bedding, her knuckles white from force.
“I want to rest. You leave first.”
“Does mother really not need your daughter-in-law?”
“I don't need you!” Cheng angrily pointed outside. She gnashed her teeth. “Leave!”
It was clear, seeing an impatient woman like this, who wore her guilty conscience on her face, how could someone like her have schemed to harm the previous Duke’s wife to death?
Gu Ying had her doubts. Leisurely watching her for a while longer, she calmly brushed off her sleeves under Cheng’s exasperated gaze before slowly getting up from the bed and walking out.
Cheng’s façade as a kindly mother had thoroughly collapsed. Half lying on the bed, she pounded the mattress forcefully. Her eyes flashed red for an instant. “She knows! She must know!”
Thinking this, she could no longer sit still. But looking around the enormous Baomo Hall, she could not find a single useful person!
Cheng was increasingly angry and afraid. Her complexion grew more and more panicked.
“Come! Come quickly!”
A servant girl ran in anxiously and knelt on the ground with a thud.
Cheng glared at her fiercely. “Go, go to the Huo family residence!”
The flustered servant girl ran out again.
Gu Ying had not left yet. She stood in a pavilion outside Baomo Hall, watching expressionlessly as the maid ran out. She turned lightly and told Yanzhi, “Yanzhi, follow her and see who she is summoning.”
