Chapter 31

With the old master’s instructions, Mrs. Gu naturally did not dare to neglect Gu Qiancheng. Gu Qiancheng rarely enjoyed the treatment of a young lady.

Of course, this time would not be long. When the time came, if Gu Qiancheng could not produce the other half of the *Yi Guo Zhi* and could not give the old master a reasonable explanation, the Gu family would certainly have no place for Gu Qiancheng.

The next day, Gu Qiancheng leaned against the head of the bed, waiting for Mother Sun to go out and gather information. When she learned from Mother Sun that Prince Zhao and Princess Zhao had arrived, a cunning smile flashed in Gu Qiancheng’s eyes.

"Have someone bring a sedan chair, I want to go and pay my respects to the old master." Gu Qiancheng lifted the quilt, signaling Mother Sun to help her change clothes.

Mother Sun was taken aback and said in surprise, "M-Miss, Prince Zhao has come, and the old master is accompanying Prince Zhao. H-How could he have time to see you?"

"Do as I say." Gu Qiancheng smiled and did not say more.

Mother Sun knew that Gu Qiancheng had a plan. Seeing Gu Qiancheng’s determined face, she knew Gu Qiancheng had her own intentions. She immediately changed Gu Qiancheng’s clothes for going out and called for a sedan chair to be brought.

After helping Gu Qiancheng into the sedan chair, Mother Sun repeatedly instructed the women carrying the chair to be careful and not to let Gu Qiancheng get hurt.

"Miss, your foot is still injured, be careful not to hurt yourself." Mother Sun supported Gu Qiancheng all the way forward, fearing that her foot would be injured again.

Gu Qiancheng knew that these women would not dare to use any tricks today, but she could not bear to refuse Mother Sun’s good intentions, so she let Mother Sun follow her. The two of them walked toward the old master’s courtyard.

The old master’s courtyard was in the northernmost part of the Gu family estate, in the best location. For Gu Qiancheng to get there, she almost had to cross the entire estate. Naturally, she saw many people along the way.

As expected, Gu Qiancheng did not see the old master. She pretended to be disappointed, looking as if she wanted to say something but held back. In the end, she returned with a face full of helplessness and unease.

The servant guarding the old master’s courtyard was definitely a smart person. He knew at a glance that Gu Qiancheng had something to say. As soon as Gu Qiancheng left, he privately discussed with the others, "The young lady didn’t come just to pay respects to the old master, did she? She looks so troubled."

"Probably something happened. Yesterday, I helped Mother Sun deliver a box to the old master. It’s probably related to that." Gu Qiancheng rarely interacted with the old master except during the New Year. Yesterday, she delivered something, and today she came with an injury. If someone said there was nothing going on, no one would believe it.

This was exactly what Gu Qiancheng wanted. She wanted everyone in the Gu family to know that she came to see the old master today but did not get to see him.

On her way back, Gu Qiancheng chatted with Mrs. Gu for a few moments. Princess Zhao, who had lost interest, proposed to see Gu Qiancheng.

Mrs. Gu was naturally unwilling and politely declined with a smile, "Your Highness, I’m really sorry. Qiancheng is not feeling well..." The underlying meaning was that it was inconvenient to see guests.

Princess Zhao, however, pretended not to understand and said with a look of surprise, "Not feeling well? How could a healthy child suddenly be unwell? This is truly a hardship. It’s all because of my Yunchu, making Qiancheng suffer. Sigh, if Yunniang were still alive, seeing Qiancheng like this, she would be heartbroken. Quick, quick, take me to see her..."

Princess Zhao stood up, wiping away the nonexistent tears from the corner of her eyes. Mrs. Gu wanted to refuse, but Princess Zhao directly supported the nurse and walked out.

Mrs. Gu was furious but had to force a smile and lead Princess Zhao to see Gu Qiancheng. Along the way, she kept trying to engage Princess Zhao in conversation, steering the topic to Qianxue.

"Speaking of these two sisters, their bond is so strong. Qiancheng is unwell, and Qianxue is also unwell, which has us, as parents, very worried." Mrs. Gu kept hinting that if Princess Zhao wanted to see someone, it should be Qianxue, who had miscarried for Qin Yunchu.

A hint of disdain flashed in Princess Zhao’s eyes, but she did not show it on her face. She followed Mrs. Gu’s words, "The bond between these two sisters is truly enviable. The prince has always wanted a daughter, but unfortunately, I am not up to the task. I gave birth to a bunch of rabbits, each one causing trouble and associating with all sorts of women, truly making the prince and me very worried."

"Your Highness, what you say... Where in this world could you find a better young man than Lord Chu?" Mrs. Gu was embarrassed, and even with her thick skin, she could not help but blush.

Princess Zhao’s words were too harsh.

"Mrs. Gu, what you say is true. Yunchu may play around, but he would not mess with serious matters. However, as a child, the prince and I are afraid he might be led astray. Although the Zhao family has more than one legitimate son, his father had him ennobled as the heir early on, making him different from the others." If the previous words were hints, Princess Zhao’s words were now clear. Mrs. Gu could no longer smile.

Fortunately, they arrived at Gu Qiancheng’s courtyard. Mrs. Gu immediately stopped the previous topic and awkwardly turned to Gu Qiancheng’s injuries. However, just as she opened her mouth, Princess Zhao interrupted her, "I will see for myself when I see Qiancheng. Mrs. Gu, you go about your business. I will talk to Qiancheng alone. There are some things I need to clarify with her. No matter what, the fault lies with the Zhao family on the day of the wedding."

"I dare not, I dare not." Mrs. Gu looked terrified and repeatedly apologized, "This is all due to my poor upbringing of my daughter, tarnishing the reputation of the young lord."

Poor upbringing? What did she teach Qiancheng...

Princess Zhao laughed lightly and walked past Mrs. Gu, leaving her standing outside, unsure whether to enter or not. Seeing the servants from the prince’s mansion guarding the door, Mrs. Gu could only grit her teeth and leave.

Inside the room, Princess Zhao looked at Gu Qiancheng with a sympathetic expression, stopping her from getting up to bow. She held Gu Qiancheng’s hand and sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Qiancheng, poor child..." Tears welled up in Princess Zhao’s eyes, and she genuinely felt for Gu Qiancheng.

Mother Sun was not in the room. When Gu Qiancheng first met Princess Zhao, she had no memory of her. It was only when Princess Zhao spoke that Gu Qiancheng recognized who she was.

"Your Highness, Qiancheng is fine." Gu Qiancheng tried to mimic the original owner’s shyness and unease.

Even if she changed, it could not happen overnight. Some things had to be done for show. At this moment, appearing weak and wronged would more easily earn the sympathy of the main character’s mother than being strong and indifferent.

"I’ve told you many times, don’t call me Your Highness. I don’t like it. Call me Aunt Tong." Princess Zhao patted Gu Qiancheng’s hand to comfort her, and Gu Qiancheng naturally called her, "Aunt Tong."

From the original owner’s memories, Gu Qiancheng knew that Princess Zhao and her mother were like sisters. If not for this, her mother would not have entrusted her to Princess Zhao before her death, nor would the original owner have been allowed to marry the prince’s heir.

The original owner’s mother had originally wanted to find a good match for her daughter so that the Gu family would not mistreat her after her death. However, this good match ended up costing her daughter’s life.

If the original owner’s mother knew how things turned out, she would probably rather die with her daughter than let her live in the world and suffer in vain.

Thinking of this, tears streamed down Gu Qiancheng’s face...

Wicked father, cruel stepmother, do you have any humanity?

Note to readers: Although I don’t want to write about the child’s misfortune, this child truly cannot be saved.