Chapter 14
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Chapter 14: Title
Gu Hengbo never imagined that being locked in the woodshed would happen to her. Of course, like the rare occasion of traveling through time, she only realized it after dying once.
Now that she was brought back to life, she cherished her life extremely. After all, dying once was enough. Moreover, she was still young and didn’t want to die yet.
Gu Hengbo knelt on the damp ground of the woodshed for the entire night. Despite her discomfort, she had to endure it. Madam Dou was locked in with her because of her; she didn’t mind herself but didn’t want to owe anyone anything.
“Do you realize your mistake?” Madam Dou spoke wearily. After a night without sleep, her face showed signs of exhaustion.
Gu Hengbo lifted her head slightly, her voice hoarse, “We did nothing wrong. Why should we admit to a mistake? Do you think that if we bow our heads, they will let us go?”
“Meisheng, I would rather you be the same as before.”
“Doesn’t Mother feel the slightest resentment in her heart?”
Madam Dou smiled bitterly and said, “Hatred? From the moment I became pregnant with you, I decided not to worry about those things. I just want you to grow up safely and marry a good person.”
Gu Hengbo sniffled and shifted her stiff knees, “Isn’t it just admitting fault? I will listen to my mother.” She was naturally a humble person; if she could endure it, maybe it would all pass.
Madam Dou’s eyes turned slightly red as she bent down to help her up from the ground, “In this house, you must understand that you are never the master here. What others say is just that—it’s better to keep things simple and quiet.”
Gu Hengbo swallowed all the curses that rose in her throat. Simple? How many people strive for it but never get it? It wasn’t that she looked down on these ancient people; she understood the dirtiness of society and the helplessness of reality better than anyone. The peaceful life people chased after was something money could never buy. Conspiracies and schemes existed everywhere. The more you wished for simplicity, the more others wanted to disturb your peace. Often, it was not about choice; it forced you to resist.
Gu Cheng paced back and forth outside the door. No matter how he tried to persuade, Gu Yuanqing was still reluctant to release them. He had also heard about what happened in the grand hall that day and was secretly relieved that Gu Meisheng was not implicated. He heard that the emperor was sending people to investigate the matter of the assassins, and those who attempted to assassinate that day had all died from poison, showing just how strong the control of those behind the assassins was. Without skill, how could a large group pledge eternal loyalty? He did not hold an official position, but almost everyone around him was connected to the powerful. The guards at the Prime Minister’s residence were also heavily strengthened, fearing any unnecessary troubles.
The thing that troubled him most was that Gu Meisheng and Madam Dou had been locked up in the woodshed. Although he had a plan in mind, he did not know how to put it into action.
Inside Yipin Tower in the royal city, Lian Chen smiled while waving his fan, looking at the gloomy Gu Cheng, “Look at you, wearing such a sad face. Did your second daughter abandon you?”
Gu Cheng glanced at him gloomily, “Don’t talk nonsense. I’m serious; Second Mother and Second Sister are locked up by my father without food or drink. Something will surely happen soon.”
Lian Chen snapped his fan shut, “When did this happen?”
“Just yesterday. You and your royal uncle left, and my father locked them in the woodshed right after.” Gu Cheng knitted his brows tightly.
Lian Chen thought for a moment, “Is it because of what Second Sister was wearing?”
Gu Cheng looked uncomfortable and nodded slightly. He knew Gu Yuanqing felt humiliated by Gu Meisheng’s appearance.
“To rescue Second Mother and Second Sister, there are ways,” Lian Chen suddenly said.
“What ways?” Gu Cheng asked.
Lian Chen stood up, took a couple of steps in the room, and opened his fan with a snap. “Gu Cheng, do you know who your father fears the most in the court?” Gu Yuanqing was an old minister, even the emperor had to show him some respect. He was truly in a position of power, where there were not many people he would fear.
Gu Cheng fell silent for a moment, “With my father’s temperament, there aren’t many who can convince him.” Unless the emperor intervened personally, but that was impossible. Besides, if he got angry, he might not even give the emperor face.
Lian Chen shook his head, “Gu Cheng forgot someone. Do you still remember yesterday?”
Gu Cheng was stunned for a moment as if he thought of something. He suddenly looked up at Lian Chen, “You mean your royal uncle?”
Lian Chen smiled slightly and nodded, “Yesterday, your father’s attitude already explained everything. I guarantee if my royal uncle steps in, it will be more effective than the emperor’s decree.”
Gu Cheng thought for a moment, “What you said makes sense, but everyone knows that inviting your royal uncle is harder than asking for your father’s help.”
“Hey~~ What are you talking about? Yesterday, didn’t she graciously visit your Prime Minister’s residence? Actually, my royal uncle is quite easy to talk to. Just leave this matter to me, and you can wait patiently for good news at the Prime Minister’s residence.” Lian Chen said confidently, but he himself felt uncertain. He didn’t see Lian Rong often and when they did meet, it was just polite conversations. Mainly, he couldn’t figure her out. Setting aside her status, with her skills and abilities, she could certainly turn things around in the court. The emperor was a cautious person, likely because he knew each other well, so he never had to worry about nurturing a tiger to cause trouble.
“Master, the osmanthus wine has been delivered urgently by Nanyin.”
The red-clad figure on the couch stirred, and after a while, the figure lazily turned over with a languid voice coming from the room, “What time is it now?”
“Replying to the master, it is already the hour of the monkey.”
“Hmm, what do you have in your hand?” The person on the couch kept their eyes closed, appearing as if they were going to sleep again.
“It’s the osmanthus wine delivered urgently by Nanyin.”
The person on the couch slowly opened their eyes, “Osmanthus wine? The back courtyard is full of it.”
“Master, this osmanthus wine is personally brewed by the Southern Emperor. He sent it to let the master taste it.”
“What about the matter you were supposed to investigate?”
“All those people took ‘Yipin Red’ before entering the palace.”
“Yipin Red?” The person on the couch seemed to be intrigued, slowly sitting up. Long black hair casually draped over their shoulders, and the red robe loosened slightly with their movements, revealing an alluring collarbone and a glimpse of spring.
“Yes.”
"Wuyang, tell me, besides our Jiulong Villa, who else would have this thing?"
The woman called Wuyang paused, "Wuyang does not know."
The red-clad figure chuckled softly, adjusting the collar of her robe as she stepped outside, her feet bare against the ground.
The coolness beneath her soles felt refreshing; she closed her eyes and took a gentle breath, the slight curve at the corners of her lips making anyone gaze in wonder. Even Wuyang, who had been with her for many years, was no exception.
Wei Yang hesitated, "My lady, Wuyang has something to say, but I’m not sure if it should be said."
"Since you don’t know whether to say it or not, then don’t say anything," the red figure said lightly, clearly displeased with her hesitation.
Wuyang wisely closed her mouth.
"That woman with the surname Qin sent you to deliver a message, didn’t she? Speak."
"The Southern Emperor said he won’t be able to keep the appointment next month. He will visit in person when he has free time."
The red figure smiled, casually playing with the belt of her robe, which hung loosely, as if it would untie at any moment. "Can’t keep the appointment? That woman probably found another excuse to trouble some innocent girl."
"This osmanthus wine is a gift for you, but strong liquor suits this king better."
