Chapter 83

As the old master entered the courtyard, he headed straight for the study. Seeing Gu Qiancheng sitting there comfortably, he huffed in annoyance:

"Speak up, what’s happened this time?" Every time he leaves, Gu Qiancheng causes trouble? This is too coincidental.

"Grandfather, you’re back? How did Chengyi’s case go?" Gu Qiancheng put down his hand, immediately stood up, and greeted him.

As for the old master’s question? Gu Qiancheng didn’t think it necessary to answer.

"Don’t you already know? Why ask?" The old master sat down, unconsciously following Gu Qiancheng’s lead...

"The situation in court can change in an instant, and I have limited knowledge." Gu Qiancheng didn’t act superior, took the tea offered by a servant, and personally presented it to the old master.

The old master was very pleased, a smile unconsciously appearing on his face as he sipped the tea: "Everything went as you predicted. The case was solved, and Feng Sijin and Jingyan both spoke up for Chengyi, so it won’t affect his career."

"It’s good that it won’t have an impact. Otherwise, Chengyi would have suffered unjustly." Speaking of this, it really started because of Feng Sijin and Jingyan. If not for these two, how would a child like Chengyi have been drunk?

"Grandfather, who is the murderer?" Gu Qiancheng wasn’t particularly curious about the murderer, but since it was a case he handled, he needed to understand it clearly.

She had some knowledge of criminal psychology.

"The murderer is a poor student named Zhao Gao from the Donglin Academy. He is usually rather gloomy, his academic performance is not top-notch, but he is very proud. He usually looks down on high-born students like Chengyi, thinking they are just lucky to be born into good families, lacking ability but occupying positions. He has always been at odds with Zhang Yuan.

That day, he and the other students wrote articles for Feng Sijin and Jingyan to comment on. However, Feng Sijin and Jingyan didn’t give him high marks, thinking his articles were too biased and gloomy.

Afterward, Chengyi and the other students went out to celebrate, but Zhang Yuan didn’t feel well and didn’t go. Zhao Gao, who usually didn’t socialize with Chengyi and the others, naturally didn’t go either.

On the way, Zhang Yuan said some harsh words, mocking Zhao Gao. In the evening, Zhang Yuan was hungry, but the academy kitchen staff had already left, and the academy didn’t allow servants. Zhang Yuan wanted to give Zhao Gao money to buy some food for him.

In the past, Zhang Yuan and his friends often did this. Although Zhao Gao was resentful, his family was poor, so he felt humiliated but also helped these rich young masters copy books and run errands for money...

However, that day, Zhang Yuan and Zhao Gao had a conflict, and Zhao Gao was already resentful. With Zhang Yuan’s arrogant and bad attitude, they started fighting without a word. Zhang Yuan picked up a candlestick and killed Zhao Gao.

After that, it went as you deduced. After Zhao Gao killed Zhang Yuan, although he was afraid, he didn’t regret it. He was jealous that Chengyi received praise, so he framed Chengyi for the murder."

After the old master finished, he sighed...

Speaking of this, the academy was also at fault, but they did take remedial measures.

"The academy decided to replace all the candlesticks used by the students after hearing that the murder weapon was a candlestick. As for whether students can bring servants, the academy is still considering it."

The academy doesn’t allow servants for two reasons: lack of housing and to prevent students from getting special treatment. After all, the academy has many poor students, and they don’t want a murder case to happen just because of the lack of servants.

Gu Qiancheng also sighed: "The contradictions caused by social status differences can’t be easily eliminated. The academy should focus on the moral education of students and their psychological issues."

Gu Qiancheng has handled several cases where poor students, unable to bear the wealth gap and bullying by classmates, committed suicide or murdered classmates after entering university...

She felt sorry for those students, but it’s hard to say who is right or wrong. After all, it depends on the person. Speaking of wealth gaps, who has a bigger gap than her and her junior sister?

She is a standard third-generation red, her brother is a big shot in the capital; while Qingchen came from an orphanage, a penniless orphan.

She isn’t arrogant, and Qingchen isn’t inferior. Despite the huge difference in their backgrounds, they can still be good friends. If Qingchen were willing, she might even become her sister-in-law, but it’s a pity...

Gu Qiancheng fell into a reverie, thinking of her modern family, her eyes involuntarily reddening.

The old master thought Gu Qiancheng was worried about Chengyi, which made him even more satisfied with Gu Qiancheng.

This child isn’t cold-hearted. She remembers who is good to her and treats others well in return...

Thinking of this, the old master forgot to ask why Gu Qiancheng offended the old lady. When he remembered, Gu Qiancheng had already brought up another matter.

"Grandfather, Prince Qin mentioned to me yesterday that my dowry is just sitting there, unused. He suggested he help me dispose of it. I said on my wedding day that I would use the money to light a perpetual lamp for my mother. Now, if I dispose of the dowry, it won’t cause any gossip." Gu Qiancheng’s voice was soft, and she sounded a bit reluctant...

"Why would Prince Qin mention your dowry?" The old master stroked his beard, a glint of insight in his eyes.

Qiancheng’s dowry is worth millions, and the entire Gu family’s treasury might not be as valuable as Qiancheng’s dowry.

At the time, the old master tacitly allowed Qianxue to bring the dowry into the Zhao Wang’s palace, intending to use the money to support the Zhao Wang. Now...

Regardless of whether the Zhao Wang can ascend to power, Prince Chu is out of the picture, so the dowry can’t be given to the Zhao Wang.

"I don’t know. Perhaps Prince Qin, being new to his palace, has many connections and wants to help me." Gu Qiancheng’s words were vague, but the old master understood the implications...

Prince Qin just left the palace to establish his own household, with no mother or maternal clan to support him. Relying solely on the silver and salary allocated by the state, he must be short on funds. If the Gu family supports Prince Qin with silver, it’s not impossible, but...

"What do you think of Prince Qin?" Prince Qin is too young, and the Zhao Wang and others have achievements in the court and military, but Prince Qin has nothing except the emperor’s favor. Now that Gu Qiancheng and Prince Qin are getting closer, the old master has to seriously consider Prince Qin.

Betting on the wrong horse is the worst thing. The Gu family has already aligned with the Zhao Wang, and now switching to Prince Qin could lead to disaster if not done carefully.

Gu Qiancheng naturally knew what the old master was thinking, but what did it have to do with her?

Gu Qiancheng lowered her eyes and said neither too lightly nor too heavily: "Grandfather, Prince Qin is just a personal friend. As for my dowry, just remember that it’s always in my hands."

The last few words, Gu Qiancheng emphasized particularly!

This is the truth, but the old master certainly wouldn’t believe it, only thinking that Gu Qiancheng is finding a way out for the Gu family...

Talking to smart people is interesting, isn’t it?

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