Chapter 85

Gu Qiancheng was quick to react and took the opportunity to ask Qin Jiyi to help her deal with her dowry early on. However, no matter how quick her reaction was, it couldn't match the speed of Lady Gu's actions...

Qin Jiyi had his own matters to attend to. With new leads in the secret room murder case, he had to find the murderer before the evidence was erased and use the opportunity to stir up conflict between Prince Zhou and Prince Zhao. He could only temporarily put Gu Qiancheng's matter on hold and deal with it when he had free time...

However, Qin Jiyi's delay gave Lady Gu the chance she needed.

Although Lady Gu lacked foresight, she was skilled in the struggles of the inner household. Seeing that the old lady had suffered a loss at the hands of Gu Qiancheng, she understood that as long as the old master was in the mansion, she couldn't touch Gu Qiancheng's dowry.

Lady Gu had her plans and secretly wrote to her father, asking him to help remove the old master from the mansion so she could have a chance to act. She promised that there would be benefits for him.

Although Lady Gu came from an official family, she had no substantial background, and her family was poor. Her father's position offered little profit. Helping his daughter with a small favor and receiving her filial piety in return, Lady Gu's father naturally wouldn't refuse.

On a sunny and pleasant day, a few retired old masters decided to go fishing at a countryside villa and stay there for a few days.

The old master of the Gu family was one of them, and he also took Gu Chenghuan along, ostensibly to help run errands, but in reality, to introduce him to people.

The old master of the Gu family eventually persuaded the second master of the Gu family and obtained Gu Chenghuan's consent to join the military for training.

Among those going fishing at the villa today was an old master from a military family. The old master of the Gu family took Chenghuan there with the intention of setting up a connection for him, so he would have someone to rely on in the military.

Noble young men going to the military for training naturally wouldn't be like poor families' sons, who would be sent to the front lines in times of war and suffer heavy casualties...

Although Gu Chenghuan would face danger by joining the military, it would be much better than for ordinary families' children.

Lady Gu had long coveted Gu Qiancheng's dowry and couldn't wait a moment longer. As soon as the old master left, she brought people to Gu Qiancheng's courtyard.

"Qiancheng, the old master said your courtyard is too old and remote. Mother has ordered the eastern Zian Garden to be cleaned up. It has a good environment, a large space, and is close to the old master's courtyard. I reported this to the old master a few days ago, and he agreed. Today, I will bring people to help you move."

Without waiting for Gu Qiancheng's response, Lady Gu waved her hand to have the people start moving.

"Who dares to move anything?" Gu Qiancheng flipped through the book in her hand without even lifting her eyes.

The old master agreed? If the old master agreed, wouldn't he have told her? Does Lady Gu really think she doesn't understand her intentions?

"Qiancheng, what do you mean? Are you dissatisfied with Zian Garden? That is the best courtyard in the Gu family, aside from the one the old master lives in. Even the old lady wanted to live there, but the old master didn't agree," Lady Gu hinted that Gu Qiancheng was ungrateful.

Of course, by assigning this courtyard to Gu Qiancheng, Lady Gu was also trying to stir up hatred against Gu Qiancheng, making the old lady hate her even more.

Gu Qiancheng sneered. After finishing the last page, she handed the book to a nearby maid and stood up: "Whether I move or not is none of your concern, Lady. If you have the time, you should pay more attention to Qianxue. I heard... Prince Chu isn't doing well recently?"

The news of Qin Yunchu's illness was kept secret by the Zhao王府, even the owner of the brothel, Prince Zhou, might not know.

"You're talking nonsense. How could Prince Chu not be well?" Lady Gu's eyes twitched, feeling uneasy.

Could it be that something really happened?

She had been confined in the small Buddhist hall for a long time and, after being released, had been busy pleasing the Duke of Gu. She hadn't inquired about Qianxue's situation for a long time.

"Did you not know, Lady?" Gu Qiancheng looked at Lady Gu with sympathy. "If I were you, I wouldn't worry about such a small matter now. Instead, I would quickly send someone to the Zhao王府 to gather information."

Lady Gu didn't believe Gu Qiancheng's words, but Gu Qiancheng's next sentence made her uneasy...

Gu Qiancheng said, "If you go early, you might save Qianxue's life. As sisters, I can't bear to see Qianxue in trouble. I'm kindly reminding you, Lady. If you have the time, send someone to bring Qianxue back."

It turned out that the old master was also heartless. Knowing what illness Qin Yunchu had, he didn't even warn Qianxue for the sake of his interests.

Gu Qiancheng's expression didn't seem exaggerated, and Lady Gu was unsure. The old lady behind her was more composed: "Lady, sending someone to the Zhao王府 and helping the young miss move are two different things that don't conflict."

"You, go to the Zhao王府 yourself and see Qianxue no matter what," Lady Gu finally calmed down.

The old lady immediately agreed and left with two people.

"Now what do you have to say?" Lady Gu challenged Gu Qiancheng, but Gu Qiancheng didn't care: "Lady, you're overthinking it. Qiancheng is just kindly reminding you to repay your help in moving. Since you're helping me pack, please proceed..."

Gu Qiancheng was calm, leaving two maids to help with the inventory, and then she left...

"What is this girl up to?" Lady Gu felt uneasy, suspecting that Gu Qiancheng was up to something, but she couldn't figure it out, so she had the people start moving.

Gu Qiancheng didn't have many things, and Lady Gu brought many people, so they finished moving in two trips. However, when Lady Gu tried to move Gu Qiancheng's dowry, she found the door locked, and an old master's servant was guarding it.

"Open the door, we need to move the young miss's things. If you obstruct us, you'll be in trouble," Lady Gu said rudely, using Gu Qiancheng's name.

The servant remained calm and respectfully replied, "Lady, I am following the young miss's orders to guard this house. No one is allowed to enter or leave. I don't have the key, which is with the young miss."

"How dare you! The young miss is moving, and you're blocking the way?" Lady Gu was furious.

So, all her efforts this morning were in vain?

"I dare not, but I really can't open the door. If you want to open it, please ask the young miss for the key," the servant kept saying nice things but didn't move.

Lady Gu was embarrassed, but since the servant was the old master's man, she didn't dare to force her way in like she did with Gu Qiancheng. She had to find a way to save face: "Where is the young miss? Go find her for me."

A maid immediately offered a way out: "The young miss might be at Zian Garden. Lady, please rest in the flower hall, and I will go fetch the young miss."

With the help of the maid, Lady Gu's face was saved, and she led a group of servants to find the Duke of Gu.

She couldn't do anything to the servant, but if the master intervened, he could make the servant step aside. As for the key?

The old master wouldn't be back for two days. She didn't believe that Gu Qiancheng could hide in the old master's courtyard forever.

Lady Gu was confident, but unexpectedly, before she found the Duke of Gu, the servant she sent to the Zhao王府 returned with very bad news...