Chapter 81

Gu Qiancheng was no less intelligent than anyone else. If the second lady could think of it, why couldn't she?

The old lady had always disliked her. Now that the old master was not at home, this was such a good opportunity; she would be a fool to let it pass. However...

Gu Qiancheng was not one to be bullied. If she dared to step forward, she naturally had a way out. She had been pleasing the old master for so long, and now was the time to reap the benefits.

After coming out of the kitchen, Gu Qiancheng called all the maids back and instructed them to watch the courtyard, making sure no one touched anything inside. After all, her dowry was still displayed in the courtyard. As for herself?

Gu Qiancheng turned and walked straight to the old master's courtyard, and even entered the study, which the old master did not allow others to enter.

Gu Qiancheng had now gained the old master's complete favor. Not only could she freely enter and leave his courtyard, but she could also read books in the study when the old master was not around.

The old master believed that if Gu Qiancheng could become so wise by reading only the books from her maternal family, wouldn't she become even more accomplished if she read more?

This was what the old master thought, and he acted on it. He often forced Gu Qiancheng to read books, not only allowing her to enter the study but also setting up a small table for her there so she could write more conveniently.

Gu Qiancheng usually knew her limits. When the old master was not around, she would never step into the study. Even when she came to the study to get books, she would have one of the old master's confidants accompany her, and she would leave immediately after getting what she needed...

Such behavior made the old master even more appreciative of Gu Qiancheng and more trusting of her.

Although Gu Qiancheng was forced to seek refuge in the study this time, she did so very openly. She not only opened the doors and windows of the study but also had the old master's confidant serve nearby. She took a book and sat by the window, reading. The servants could see her silhouette whenever they looked up...

As the second lady had expected, the old lady, upon learning the "whole story" from Lady Gu, immediately sent servants to look for Gu Qiancheng. The servants searched for a long time before finally discovering that Gu Qiancheng was in the old master's courtyard.

"The old master's courtyard is usually off-limits to outsiders... What should we do?" The head maid looked at the old lady with a troubled expression, secretly cursing her bad luck.

Who in the household didn't know that the young miss was not to be provoked? The old master would not even give the old lady face for the young miss. If they went there, wouldn't they be courting death?

Lady Gu stood to one side, secretly hating: "That girl is really quick to hide."

"The old master's courtyard? Go, send a message that I want to see her." The old lady didn't believe she couldn't deal with a little girl.

What did it matter if she had the support of the Prince of Qin? In the Gu family's backyard, even the emperor's support wouldn't make her listen.

The head maid dared not disobey and immediately left...

Lady Gu, seeing this, wiped her tears and stepped forward: "Mother, it's not that I'm being outrageous, but Qiancheng is becoming more and more unbearable. She doesn't respect me as her mother at all. I really can't handle it."

"The head of the household, I know you are wronged. You don't have to go to the small temple; go back and rest, and tidy up a bit." The old lady patted Lady Gu's hand with a gentle expression.

It wasn't that she truly cared for Lady Gu, but by letting her out, she had someone to suppress Gu Qiancheng. She couldn't handle everything herself.

"Mother, you are so kind to me." Lady Gu leaned on the old lady's shoulder, coquettishly. The second lady, standing to one side, was seething with anger.

She had thought that both the main house and Lady Gu would fall this time, but she never expected the old lady to release Lady Gu. Now, the management rights she had just obtained would be lost...

"It's all that troublemaker Qiancheng's fault. She just causes trouble and deserves to be disliked." The second lady was so angry that she crumpled her handkerchief, but no matter how angry she was, she couldn't change anything.

Although Lady Gu had lost face, she had gained a significant advantage, which made her feel a bit better, but she was still not willing to let Gu Qiancheng off the hook.

As soon as Lady Gu returned to her courtyard, she had the servants prepare water for her to bathe and change clothes, while also sending someone to gather information on Gu Qiancheng...

When she learned that the old lady's people hadn't even entered the old master's courtyard, Lady Gu was so angry that she snapped a wooden hairpin: "Useless old thing, can't even deal with a little wretch."

"Madam, be careful what you say." The old lady's attendant looked around nervously.

"What's there to fear? This is my courtyard. Although those few maids are gone, no outsiders have been added." Lady Gu, back in her courtyard, was determined to dispel her previous gloom and would not show weakness unless in front of the Duke of Gu.

"Madam, you're right, but we can't be sure there are no eavesdroppers. We should be cautious." The old lady, seeing that Lady Gu was listening, continued to advise: "Madam, our priority now is to win back the master's heart. Everything else can wait."

"You're right..." Lady Gu thought of the two new concubines added to the back courtyard and felt a surge of hatred.

Old hag, taking advantage of my absence to add people to my room, hmpf...

"Tonight, light an incense stick. The master will definitely come." Once he comes, he won't be able to leave.

Lady Gu, looking in the mirror, lightly drew her eyebrows, giving them a seductive curve: "Just right, I should also put away that wretch's dowry. It's a waste to let those good things just sit in the room and get damaged."

"Madam is right..." The old lady, seeing that Lady Gu was focused on the task, happily helped her get dressed.

Compared to suppressing Gu Qiancheng, winning back the Duke of Gu's heart and keeping Gu Qiancheng's dowry were the most important things...

Gu Qiancheng, in the study, had no idea that Lady Gu had just been released and was already eyeing her dowry. If she knew, she would laugh to death, because...

What Qin Jiyi promised would definitely not go wrong. Lady Gu was destined to be left empty-handed!

The old lady had intended to use today's incident to properly punish Gu Qiancheng, to make her understand that in the Gu family, as long as she, the old lady, was unhappy, Gu Qiancheng would not have a good life. But Gu Qiancheng had cleverly hidden herself, which infuriated the old lady.

The old lady was not Qianxue; she couldn't lead the servants to attack or have them destroy Gu Qiancheng's courtyard. All she could do was fume and have the servants wait at the main gate.

"Wait for me. As soon as the old master arrives, bring him to me. I don't believe that girl can defy the heavens."

The old lady's attendant wanted to advise her, but seeing her so angry, no one dared to speak. They could only meekly agree and send a servant to wait in the outer courtyard, ready to report any news of the old master.

If this were a normal day, the old master, though impatient, would not have embarrassed the old lady. But what day was it today?

Today was the day the case of Chengyi's murder was overturned. The old master was happy that his grandson was safe and proud of Gu Qiancheng's abilities. If the old lady tried to stop the old master and complain about Gu Qiancheng at this time, wouldn't it be a real downer?

Not just the old master, even the Duke of Gu was a bit pleased...

Mother, have you lost your mind?