Chapter 94

The Empress's position in the harem was awkward. If it weren't for the interests involved, the Empress wouldn't have taken care of Qin Jiyán and wholeheartedly helped him rise to power.

Though whoever became the emperor, the Empress would become the Empress Dowager, yet...

The power and honor of the Empress Dowager all depended on the emperor. The new emperor would have his own mother, and even if he respected the Empress as the Empress Dowager, it would be nothing more than a nominal title.

Prince Rong, Prince Zhou, and Prince Zhao. These three princes, who were already adults, had powerful maternal families and living mothers. If any of them ascended the throne, the Empress would only be a figurehead. But if Qin Jiyán ascended, it would be different.

Qin Jiyán was the eldest grandson, and his mother had passed away long ago. If Qin Jiyán ascended the throne, the Empress would be revered as the Grand Empress Dowager, and there wouldn't be an emperor's mother to look down on her.

Now, if the Empress helped Qin Jiyán, and as long as she didn't overstep her bounds, her future life would be filled with glory and wealth...

No matter how she chose, Qin Jiyán was the best option for the Empress, who had no son. Similarly, Qin Jiyán needed someone to keep an eye on the harem. The Empress extended an olive branch, and Qin Jiyán had no reason to refuse.

The Empress and Qin Jiyán each had their own needs. Though there was a bit of genuine feeling, it was all driven by interests. Qin Jiyán understood this very well.

When Qin Jiyán paid his respects to the Empress, the agents of the Jinyiwei also sprang into action, gathering evidence against the officials of the Ministry of Punishments in their own way...

Uncle Three of the Gu family was naturally among them. However, what was interesting was that Gu Qiancheng's name never appeared, even though she had a close relationship with Prince Qin. Not a single piece of information about her reached the emperor's ears.

Without any preparation, how could Qin Jiyán dare to use Gu Qiancheng, or bring her to the Chunyi Building so boldly...

Prince Zhao, Prince Rong, and Prince Zhou were indeed powerful, and even the youngest Fifth Prince was not simple. But so what?

Their strength was all out in the open. If the emperor was angry, he could easily clean them out with a single gesture. But what about him?

Even if the emperor wanted to move, he wouldn't know where to start...

Soon, the emperor arrived, a smile on his face, showing no sign that he had just ordered the cleansing of the Ministry of Punishments. Qin Jiyán wouldn't be foolish enough to show any signs either, and the three of them, grandfather and grandson, were in a harmonious mood...

Gu Qiancheng didn't idle either. Qin Jiyán said that someone would come to carry the dowry tonight, so she had to inform the old patriarch and also mention the trip out of the city in three days...

The old patriarch had already agreed to the dowry, and even though it pained him, he wouldn't say anything. He could only pray that this investment was worth it.

However, from the current situation, this investment wasn't a loss. Prince Zhao had given up several positions, and the Gu family finally had someone in a key department with real power.

And all of this was because of the information and help from Prince Qin.

But the trip out of the city in three days troubled the old patriarch: "When will you return?"

"It's hard to say. I can't return without Prince Qin's permission." This time, she was truly working for Prince Qin, so Gu Qiancheng spoke confidently.

"What about the illness of the Prince of Chu?" This was the old patriarch's greatest concern.

Gu Qiancheng smiled and teased, "Grandfather, we can't rush this. If we rush to deliver the medicine to Prince Zhao, we'll not only be at a disadvantage but also raise Prince Zhao's suspicions, thinking we planned all of this. That would truly be counterproductive."

"Grandfather understands this, but..." The old patriarch looked deeply at Gu Qiancheng, "I won't be at ease until this is settled."

If something happened, Gu Qiancheng still had Qin Jiyán to rely on. The Gu family only had the Noble Consort Gu, who could only whisper in the emperor's ear and had no influence in the front court.

"Grandfather, what are you worried about with Prince Qin's promise? If you're not at ease, I'll urge Prince Qin this time." Gu Qiancheng picked up the tea in front of her, blew away the floating tea bubbles, and took a gentle sip, looking relaxed and natural...

The old patriarch nodded lightly and didn't press further. Gu Qiancheng put down her teacup and returned the favor, "Grandfather, Chengyi has been at home for too long. He doesn't want to go to the academy, so let him come with me to Xuyu Nunnery. Chengyi is still young, and the abbess won't mind."

This was actually saying that Qin Jiyán wouldn't mind.

"Are you taking Chengyi?" The old patriarch's eyes lit up: Does Qiancheng have such influence with Prince Qin?

"Going out for a walk will be good for him." The old patriarch was slightly dissatisfied with the matter of the Prince of Chu, and Gu Qiancheng was trying to make amends, showing the old patriarch how much she cared for the Gu family.

The old patriarch was delighted, "I'll inform Uncle Three to pack Chengyi's things. It's good for you and your brother to stay at Xuyu Nunnery for a while."

The old patriarch was very satisfied, but when the news spread, the women in the Gu family's inner quarters all planned to go to Xuyu Nunnery with Gu Qiancheng to pray.

The cause was Lady Gu. When she heard the news, she thought Gu Qiancheng must be up to something, and even if she wasn't, Lady Gu had to sabotage her trip.

That night, Lady Gu mentioned it to the old lady, vaguely saying that Gu Qiancheng was going to Xuyu Nunnery to meet Prince Qin secretly outside the city.

Whether it was true or not didn't matter; what mattered was that the old lady and the second lady believed it.

The old lady thought that Chengyi shouldn't be the only one to gain Prince Qin's favor. The Gu family had three grandsons, and even if Chengzhi was not mentioned, Chenghuan was her beloved eldest grandson. She couldn't let him be wronged.

Anyone could go to Xuyu Nunnery, and if Gu Qiancheng could go, she could too. The old lady decided to take Chenghuan with her...

When the news reached the second lady's ears, she thought her daughter was as beautiful as a flower and no less than Gu Qiancheng. Her daughter was also infatuated with Prince Qin. If Prince Qin saw her, he would surely be moved, and her daughter's wish would be fulfilled. So...

All the women in the Gu family's inner quarters, except the third lady, decided to go to Xuyu Nunnery with Gu Qiancheng in three days. To ensure a smooth trip, they didn't tell the old patriarch and wouldn't let Gu Qiancheng know.

In fact, even if Gu Qiancheng knew, she wouldn't have the time to deal with them, because that night, Prince Qin sent people to collect the dowry.

When Gu Qiancheng checked the dowry list that day, she separated everything that could be sold from what couldn't. All the agents of Prince Qin had to do was come and carry it away.

Gu Qiancheng didn't pack the large furniture and fabrics. These items took up space and weren't very valuable, so selling them was a good option.

Gu Qiancheng packed the valuable treasures, antiques, and paintings into boxes, and didn't miss any gold or silver.

These items were valuable but didn't take up much space, so there wouldn't be too many boxes, and they could be moved that night.

As for the lock on the door?

Gu Qiancheng would be the one to notice it...

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