Fifty-Six Conspiracies

  Madam Ma felt that she couldn't see through Gu Yan anymore, and looking at Gu Yan who was leisurely drawing flowers by the window, she asked somewhat impatiently: "Miss, Second Master said he wants to take you to Prince Zhao's mansion, why aren't you going? This is such a great opportunity for you...”

  Her hands moved deftly, but her eyes betrayed a hint of impatience.

  After a while, she saw that Madam Ma was still chattering away and rubbed her eyes, saying: "Have you finished all your tasks, Auntie? How come you have so much free time?"

  The aunt was about to say something, but she couldn't get the words out and could only let out a muffled sigh: "I know you look down on me, I'm not capable of anything, and I can't help you." Her face showed some sadness, and she continued: "But I really am thinking of your well-being! You're getting more and more..."

  Everyone knows about Gu Yan's situation, otherwise she wouldn't have supported Ma Niang like this.

  But she was still extremely annoyed in her heart, Gu Man's attitude was so strange, and he had narrowly escaped danger every time.

  She's no fool and wouldn't believe it was just a coincidence every time.

  What's more, she heard that Qiulang was sold by Old Lady Gu, but as soon as she was let out, she disappeared without a trace.

  Everyone says Autumn Orchid has run away, but she knows it's not that simple.

  Her eyes were sore and painful, she closed her eyes and rolled them around for a while before feeling a bit more clear-headed.

  After a while, she suddenly opened her eyes and asked Auntie Ma: "Auntie, is brother going to stay in the capital to study this time?"

  Gu Chengyu had previously followed the second young master of the main house, Gu Chengxian, to Jiangsu and Zhejiang for further study, and only returned last year. As soon as Gu Chengyu was mentioned, a smile appeared on Madam Ma's face, and she hurriedly said: "That's right, Second Master has already said that he wants to help him find a teacher."

  Gu Yan furrowed her brow.

  What's the use of looking for Mr.?

  Entering the Imperial Academy is the real deal.

  But she just thought for a moment and said: "Since brother is back, it's good. He should also pay more attention to his studies."

  These two children are independent and don't need to worry about themselves, Gu Chengyu is the only son of the second master until now, so Madam Ma can't help but feel proud.

  But then she thought again, now Wang's wife and Liu's mother-in-law are both pregnant, and she couldn't laugh anymore.

  Wang's family is the main room. If this child really gave birth to a son, then it would be a legitimate son. Even if Gu Chengyu was excellent later on, it wouldn't matter.

  Gu Yan and she thought of one place, thinking of the pregnant Wang Shi, she was somewhat annoyed to throw all the needles in her hand onto the table.

  The child of Wang's family must not be born.

  She stared at her half-embroidered peony flower. Suddenly picked up the scissors next to her and cut it off with a "snip".

  Ma Yinniang was startled by her and didn't dare speak for a long time before asking: "What's going on?"

  Gu Yan felt an inexplicable annoyance in her heart. She looked up at the carved beams and painted rafters above her head. After a while, she suddenly spat out a sentence: "This child cannot stay!"

  Ma Yinniang looked around nervously like a startled rabbit, and after making sure no one was listening, her voice trembling with rage, she scolded: "What nonsense are you spouting?!"

  She was ambitious and had thought that if the mistress were gone, she could gain some benefits for herself. However, the facts of later events made it clearer and clearer to her that no matter what, it would never be her turn as a concubine.

  The Great Zhou Dynasty was extremely strict in managing the wives and concubines of officials. During Emperor Renwu's reign, a second-grade official who favored his concubine over his wife was impeached by the censorial officials, resulting in his immediate dismissal from office.

  Nowadays, although it's better than before, favoring the concubine and abandoning the wife is still a taboo. Gu Bo Qi wouldn't commit such a taboo for his own sake.

  Besides, Gu Chengyu is now the only son of Gu Boqi. Gu Boqi has been fond of him since he was a child, and she believes that even if I, Wangshi, give birth to a child in the future, it will be almost useless compared to Gu Chengyu, who is nearly ten years older.

  Gu Yan saw her look of panic and discontent, so she coldly laughed: "Does Auntie have any intention of putting on this posture in front of me? Or is it that Auntie really wants to be content with being a concubine for the rest of her life?"

  Ma Yinniang couldn't bear Gu Yan's gaze, she didn't know why. Although Gu Yan was born from her own belly, he had no feelings for her at all, which was fine. But what made her even more unbearable was that he was extremely self-willed and never put her in his eyes.

  She was somewhat afraid of Gu Yan.

  Madam Ma fell silent and didn't speak, so Gu Yan wiped the cold smile off her face and said: "Auntie, once is doing it, twice is also doing it, why don't you help me one more time?"

  Ma Yinniang felt a little apprehensive in her heart and hesitated for a moment before saying: "What do you want me to do?"

  "This time it can't be like the last one." Gu Yan gripped the scissors tightly in her hand, thinking for a long time before finally saying: "With Mother's noble status, if she hadn't been with someone else, how could Father have brought himself to divorce her?!"

  "What...what?!" Madam Ma was truly stunned this time, and it took her half a day to come back to herself. When she finally came to, she found that Gu Yan had already stood up and was standing in front of the window. She hastily rushed over to persuade her: "Miss, you must think thrice! This is no small matter, didn't you see what happened to Fourth Miss last time?!"

  "So this time I must win!" Gu Yan said resolutely, without a hint of hesitation. "If Auntie is willing to help, then she'll help; if not, I won't force her!"

  The two were at a stalemate when they heard Chu Qin say outside the house: "Miss, Liu Mama has arrived."

  Mom Liu!

  Ma Yinniang's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't calm down even after jumping around for half the day. She hadn't forgotten that Liu mom who had set the fire but was able to stay out of trouble in the end.

  Gu Xiang reacted first and asked Chu Qin to bring her in, while she herself turned around and sat on the kang to drink tea.

  Liu's mother was still the same as before, with a few white hairs on her temples and wrinkles all over her face. She came forward to greet Gu Yan as if she had completely forgotten what happened ten days ago.

  Gu Yan stared at her for a moment, then thoughtfully smiled: "Mom didn't go back to the village to visit relatives? How come you're back so early."

  "We got halfway, but the mountain was blocked by heavy snow and we had to turn back." Liu's mother didn't mince words and asked Gu Yan directly: "Eleventh Miss, last time things didn't work out. Our girl asked me to ask you, are you willing?"

  It's really timely, could it be that people's hearts are not sincere? Madam Ma muttered to herself.

  Gu Yan was slightly startled and exclaimed: "What is Mom talking about? I don't understand?"

  Liu's mother washed the white linen shirt, and as soon as she touched the warm air in the room, it made a rubbing sound. She still smiled and nodded: "The young lady means that you don't believe us?"

  Gu Yan stared at her.

  This Liu mother is not simple, she knew it early on. Last time when Gu Qingpai sent her to set fire, she turned around and ordered Mo Qi to do it, and also made Mo Qi dare not confess until the end. Her means can be seen at a glance.

  Moreover, she had previously seen a snake come out of her sleeve with her own eyes, which was not something an ordinary woman could do.

  She slightly raised an eyebrow. She picked up the tea beside her and took a sip, then smiled: "Since mom asked this, she must have had a foolproof plan?"

  Liu's mother smiled with a face full of wrinkles, and directly asked: "Our girl asks, if the lady's virtue is at fault, can she still sit stably in this position?"

  As expected, it wasn't anything good. Gu Yan slowly put the teacup in his hand on the table and said softly, "I wonder what mom wants me to do?"

  "The girl is a clever person." Liu's mother raised her head to look at her: "Our grandmother can't enter the gate of the mistress's courtyard, but you have many opportunities."

  In the big mansion, there are only a few tricks to harm people. Gu Yan quickly understood what Liu Niang and Liu Mama meant, and said: "Niang's appetite is really big, I'm just a small concubine daughter, I'm afraid I can't help her."

  Liu's mother heard this answer and didn't rush. She raised her head with a faint smile: "Miss, are you afraid of ending up like Fourth Miss?"

  She smiled and said, "If mom is willing to understand it that way, then it's okay." After a pause, she continued, "I'm just a silly girl, I'm afraid I won't be able to do such an important thing. However, if all I need to do is put away some things that should be put away, I think I can still manage that."

  She's indeed a cunning little girl.

  Liu's mother looked up at her and then lowered her head, saying: "I understand. Since that's the case, I'll go back and report to my young mistress first. I'll give you an answer tonight."

  Chu Qin saw Liu's mother out the door. Then, Ma Yinniang came out from behind the screen: "Miss, have you forgotten Fourth Miss's lesson? How dare you agree to her request?"

  "Agreed with her?" Gu Yan said in surprise: "What did I agree to? I didn't agree to anything, what they do is their business, what does it have to do with me?"

  Everyone has been sent away, Princess Zhao turned around and returned to the courtyard, asking as soon as she entered: "Where is Third Master? Where is Third Master?"

  Someone soon came back: "Third Master has just come out of the king's study and is on his way to see the queen."

  Princess Zhao coldly snorted, and had Bihe help her change into a formal dress to receive guests. She changed into a casual lotus-pink cross-collared top and tied on a sky-blue skirt that had been washed in the rain. Then she saw Xie Yuan come up with some trepidation to pay his respects.

  Seeing him like that, Princess Zhao's heart was already annoyed, and she couldn't help but scold: "You're so timid and fearful, what kind of appearance is this! Where is even half of the dignity of a noble family!"

  Xie Yuan was originally timid and usually feared his mother the most. At this moment, he couldn't help but retreat several steps back.

  Zhao Wangfei glared at her and coldly shouted down the person who wanted to plead, opening her mouth to ask: "I asked you, I said long ago that as long as you provoke Wei Zhenran's anger, you should leave. Why did you still stay there? If you had left earlier, how would it have led to Miss Gu falling into the river, and how would your older brother have stolen the show?"

  "It's too late to walk away... Miss Gu has already fallen into the river." Xie Yuan felt a bit wronged.

  "Was it really you who pushed Miss Guo into the river?"

  "It wasn't me!" Xie Yuan exclaimed excitedly: "Absolutely not me, I was standing far away at the time. Even if Big Brother fell down, it wasn't my hand that moved him. And what's more, there was that girl... I suddenly saw... saw Big Brother stretch out his hand and pull her once, and only then did she fall down."

  PS：

  So few subscriptions~~~

  Am I writing too slowly?

  Seeking sponsorship, seeking adoption, seeking packaging (ignore my nonsensical words)

  If I keep this up, my face will wrinkle like a chrysanthemum. What can be done about it?