Free Web NovelChapter 428: The Gu Family’s Mess
"I will give the orders at once." The Shadow Guard departed, and the Inner Strength in the room quietly dissipated.
Xiliu Yuan felt that if it really was the General’s manor, perhaps he didn’t need to worry too much.
The little girl was extremely clever. If she saw someone make a move at the banquet, she would likely have guessed by now that Xi Yan was behind it.
The fact that she didn’t hand the person over was enough to show that his aunt and she had reached some sort of agreement.
—
Another two days passed. More than half of the Capital City had been searched, but there was still no news. The city gates had been closed for two days.
Many commoners who lived outside the city hadn’t managed to leave in time that day, so they had spent the last two days waiting by the city gates. The weather these past two days had also been terrible.
It rained drearily and without end, and the sky had yet to clear.
Dark clouds drifted across the horizon. Another heavy downpour was coming tonight.
The commoners at the city gates looked at the horizon, their faces etched with worry. The wealthy could afford to stay in an inn, while the poor could only huddle under the eaves of nearby buildings for shelter. After two days, many had already fallen ill, and their lives would be in danger without prompt medical treatment.
It was the same inside the city gates as it was outside.
Soon, the people’s complaints grew loud, and many swarmed the yamen office.
The officials, whose doors had been blocked for two days, had no choice but to write a petition to the Emperor, pleading for him to open the city gates soon and restore the Capital City to its former state.
「The General’s Manor」
For the past two days, the manor had been very peaceful.
Because Xiang Minghou was away, Prince Helian had sent people to pay their respects. Prince Changyang, his Princess Consort, and Prince Wang had also sent people to check in and offer assistance.
The Qian family sent people, but Zhan Yi turned them away.
The Gu family also sent people to inquire. Old Man Gu, however, had yet to appear. Logically, he was the one who cared most about the little girl, especially after such a major incident.
But for Gu Shuo to send someone was a bit strange.
Ye Qianning sat in the pavilion. Rainy spring days were still quite cold. She raised a hand to pull her snow-white cloak tighter, then used her other hand to dump all the fish bait into the lotus pond.
The koi in the pond instantly churned, splashing water into the air.
A small honeyeater landed on a corner of the pavilion, chirping melodiously.
"Is it serious?" Ye Qianning’s expression tightened.
The honeyeater hopped a few times, chirped, and then landed on the stone table inside the pavilion.
’He’s been asleep for several days and doesn’t look well. Doctors are constantly coming and going.’ The honeyeater bobbed its head, pecking here and there on the table.
Ye Qianning was a little worried. The Gu family was a large clan with many members, but it was also the most chaotic. Gu Shuo had been ostracized from the clan, and getting his name back on the family register would not be easy.
Among all his grandsons, Old Man Gu favored Gu Shuo the most. Now, with the issue of her and Gu Shuo’s bloodline, and her being the only girl in three generations, Old Man Gu was dead set on adding Gu Shuo back to the family register.
In the Gu family, not only did the main lineage disagree, but even Old Man Zhang, an elder from Old Man Gu’s generation, did not approve.
The old master hadn’t even divided the family assets yet, and things were already stalled over Gu Shuo’s place in the family register. With everyone arguing back and forth, they had actually argued Old Man Gu into fainting.
"Luo Wen."
"Young Miss."
"Take this bottle of medicine to Old Man Gu. Tell him he must take care of his health." Ye Qianning took out a porcelain vial and handed it to him.
"Yes, Young Miss. I will go at once and return quickly." Luo Wen took the medicine and left.
Zhan Chi walked into the pavilion, glanced in the direction Luo Wen had gone, and sat down on a stool. "The Gu family’s affairs are much murkier than the General’s manor’s ever were. A flourishing line of descendants can also be the root of disaster."
Insatiable greed leads to wicked deeds.
Ye Qianning didn’t say anything. She just lifted her gaze to look at him. ’He looks pretty good,’ she thought. ’Youthful energy really is something else. It’s only been two days since his shoulder was pierced, but he’s acting like nothing happened.’
Zhan Chi noticed Ye Qianning’s gaze fall on his shoulder and was instantly delighted. "You don’t have to worry. It’s already healed."
