"So I was granted the title because I am the right person, and because our Pingyang Marquis clan is obedient, and we deserve it." Princess Baiyu raised her chin slightly and said with full arrogance.
"Yes." Gu Shiba Niang sighed softly, "Your life is not easy either." She then raised her head again, "But it's not easy for me either, and it's not easy for everyone..."
"You have nothing, so you don't deserve anything. You lose this time, and you may lose your life..." She came closer, almost face to face with Gu Shiba Niang, using only the two of them. A cold voice that could be heard clearly said, "So, you shouldn't have fought me in the first place!"
"I don't have much more than you..." Gu Shiba Niang also whispered, with the same sneer appearing on her lips, "But I have one more thing than you, that is...luck..."
Princess Baiyu's eyes flickered, and a mocking smile appeared on her face.
"Luck?" she whispered, looking deep into the palace, "I forgot to tell you that the Queen Mother has just sent someone to tell His Highness the Crown Prince about your decision... His Highness the Crown Prince said..."
A smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, and she whispered in Gu Shiba Niang's ear, "It's all up to the Queen to decide."
Gu Shiba Niang smiled and shook her head.
"That's not the luck I'm talking about..." she said, raising her foot and passing by Princess Baiyu, "You can understand this later..." After saying that, she paused and smiled at her, "Princess Lord, I know that this time I will pay the price of hardship, one year, two years, or..."
As she spoke, she raised her fingers to count, and muttered something strange about how many years it was.
Princess Baiyu frowned.
"Or five years..." Gu Shiba Niang continued, looking sideways at her, "However, you are very likely to pay the price of a lifetime of hardship. I will exchange this moment for your life. Who do you think is worthy and who is not worthy? "
"You are so stubborn even when you are about to die!" Princess Baiyu sneered.
Gu Shiba Niang smiled, glanced at her again, and strode out on her own without using the eunuch to lead the way.
Attendant Huang took the hot tea from the hands of the palace ladies, waved his hand, and the palace ladies bowed their heads in understanding and quietly retreated out.
This slightly smaller palace was specially used by the emperor for his daily rest because he sympathized with the prince's hard work in observing politics. The halls here all face south, and the living room, study, and kitchen are all equipped.
At this time, Prince Wenjun was sitting in front of the desk, leaning back slightly on the chair, half-squinting his eyes to relax.
Huang Chamberlain did not dare to disturb him. He knew that sitting in this court hall for half a day was not an easy task. Those civil servants and military generals were all knowledgeable, strategic and capable. Talking to these people or listening to them, even if you are the emperor , you have the unshakable power in the world, but if you are not careful, you will be led by the nose, allowing your power to be used by them.
Huang Chamberlain stood aside carefully. Thinking of the sudden sight of the woman just now, he couldn't help but feel angry. His Highness was tired enough, but this woman still caused trouble! So ignorant! Sure enough, I know people but don’t know their hearts, but it’s better to forget about it. Otherwise, if I really enter the palace in the future, I don’t know how much trouble I will cause, but I will just blind the prince’s thoughts...
He was thinking randomly in his mind. He didn't know how long it had passed before he saw the prince moving and reaching for the tea.
"Your Highness, it's cold. I'll go get a drink..." Waiter Huang said hurriedly.
"No need..." Prince Wenjun had already picked up the tea cup and took a sip. "In the blink of an eye, the weather has become warmer. It hasn't been that long since the last time..."
Huang Huang subconsciously turned to look out the window. Although it was spring, the weather was still a bit cold. Last time? What last time
Prince Wen also looked out the window, slightly lost in thought.
"Go and say hello to the Criminal Department..." Prince Wenjun said suddenly.
Waiter Huang came to his senses but did not react for a moment.
"Find a separate courtyard where you can monitor and listen..." Prince Wen continued, "But firstly, no torture is allowed, secondly no humiliation is allowed, and thirdly no..."
When he said this, he seemed to feel that what he said was a bit verbose, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly, and a slight smile appeared.
The smile flashed across his face.
Chamberlain Huang blinked. Although he knew what he was talking about, he still couldn't help but asked, "Your Highness, are you talking about Madam Gu?"
Prince Wen looked at him.
"Just tell them that it was Gu who gave the order." He said briefly.
Waiter Huang felt that it was both expected and unexpected, and the expression on his face changed for a moment.
"Your Highness...isn't you angry?" He couldn't help but ask again.
Ever since I saw that woman last time, I haven't had a good look, and now something like this happened again...wait...last time...
An idea flashed in Huang's mind. It was the first month of the year, and it was still cold and snowy...
Hey! Waiter Huang couldn't help but raise his hand and slap his face lightly.
"Why are you angry? What are you angry about?" Prince Wen looked at him and asked with a frown.
Waiter Huang chuckled and reached out again to lightly slap himself on the face.
"Old slave, you talk too much!" He smiled, "Old slave, go now... everything has been arranged..."
He spoke slowly and retreated.
Prince Wen watched his figure disappear, and was stunned for a moment. He put down the tea cup in his hand and picked up the book beside him to read.
The next day, after a vicious police officer from the Ministry of Justice visited, those who were poking around for information found that the door of the Gu family was sealed. This meant that the Gu family, like other families in the capital who were suspected of being implicated, had been sealed up by the Ministry of Justice. This news Dispersed quickly.
"Oops, oops..." The third young master of Baoding Hou walked into the door with an anxious look. He didn't bother to take off his cloak and waved away the maid who came forward.
Gu Luoer heard the sound and walked out of the house.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Brother Hai is still in prison..." the third young master of Baoding Hou said in a low voice.
Gu Luoer's eyes suddenly shone with energy.
"What about the Eighteenth Mother?" She asked in a trembling voice, "Is she also in jail?"
The Third Young Master of Baoding Hou shook his head and thoughtfully stretched out his hand to help her sit down, "Don't be anxious..."
"Say it quickly!" Gu Luoer stood up suddenly and grabbed his arm. If the clothes weren't thick, her fingers would have dug into his flesh.
"Because she is a female family member, she is not in jail..." The third young master of Baoding Hou frowned and felt the pain, but did not speak. After all, this kind of thing is a big deal for the Gu family. Maybe they have to cooperate. Gu Luoer's reaction was normal as the clan was implicated.
He reached out and held Gu Luoer's hand, gently patting it to soothe her mood.
"What's wrong with the women? Women should..." Gu Luo'er shook off her husband's hand and said angrily, her eyes full of disappointment.
Needless to say, someone must have taken special care of this damn woman! At this time, you can still be treated like this!
Gu Luoer clasped his hands together vigorously.
"Actually, nothing may happen..." The third son of Baoding Hou comforted his wife again and whispered.
Gu Luoer suddenly raised his head and looked at him with a ferocious expression.
The third young master of Baoding Hou couldn't help but was stunned for a moment, and he stumbled a bit when he spoke.
"... awaiting trial... We know who Brother Hai is, and everyone knows... He is a gentleman, and a gentleman has no selfish interests but only righteousness. What he asks for is judgment from the law, not someone who can do justice on behalf of heaven... ." The third son of the Marquis of Baoding whispered, "So, being sent to jail now is just forced by the situation... Just ask clearly when the time comes... Don't worry..."
I'm not worried! I'm not worried! Gu Luoer shouted this sentence repeatedly in her heart.
"As for the Eighteenth Sister..."
When her husband's words reached her ears, Gu Luoer's eyes turned cold and she moved her lips without making a sound.
"... After all, she is involved with the bandit's sister... The court's intention is to use her to lure the bandit's sister to appear, and then make a decision..." The third son of Baoding Hou said in a low voice, "So he was detained alone... "
"How long?" Gu Luo'er asked with some urgency.
"This..." The third young master of Baoding Hou's expression darkened and he sighed softly.
One year, two years, or a lifetime... who can say for sure.
"We will definitely be summoned for questioning in the next few days. Don't be afraid when the time comes. Just say whatever it is..." the third master of Baoding Hou said in a low voice.
"Yes, I know." Gu Luoer pursed her lips, her eyes sparkling with unconcealable excitement.
I will definitely say it carefully, and I will never hide anything I say!
Cases like this are no longer uncommon in the capital, and those who handle the various procedural steps are already very familiar with it, but for every family involved in the case, it is undoubtedly a shocking thunder. The Jiankang Gu family, which had just breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly became gloomy and gloomy again.
Seeing Gu Luoer lift the curtain and come in, the women in the room who were talking in low voices with panic on their faces stopped.
"Cousin..." everyone greeted in unison.
We haven't seen each other for a few years, and the sisters who used to play together have all changed into women's attire. Marrying to be another woman's wife is not as simple as throwing water away. The interests of their natal family are directly related to their fate in their husband's family.
"...We all came into contact with that bandit that day..." Gu Luoer looked around at them and said.
As soon as these words came out, it seemed that time went back, and a bit of sadness appeared on the faces of the women. That day they had a close encounter with Gu Shiba Niang for the first time, and the shock it brought has not disappeared until now, and will last a lifetime.
It may be more difficult and more enjoyable to express anger freely than to express joy freely.
"..Yes, who would have thought that he would have such a day..." Gu Xi'er said, "If I had known, I should have killed him then!"
When she married that old businessman, her expression was a bit tacky, and she was no longer as bright and beautiful as when she was a girl.
Gu Luo'er looked at her with a bit of disgust, but did not answer her words.
"...Don't talk about the past..." Gu Luo'er continued, looking at the sisters and turning the jade ring on his hand, "The government is about to come to inquire. When the time comes, everyone must tell the truth... ..”
"What do you mean, what do we know?"
"That's right, I just met him once, and I didn't even see what he looked like..."
The sisters whispered.
"What did you say? At that time, it was obvious that the relationship between the thief and the Eighteenth Niang was unusual..." Gu Luoer said slowly, "Everyone can see that it is Lang Youqing and concubine who are interested..."
As soon as these words came out, all the women in the room looked over in shock.
"Cousin...what did you say?" someone asked after hesitation.
Gu Luoer looked at the person who spoke sharply, "Am I wrong? Didn't you see how that boy protected Shiba Niang? We just said something to her, and that boy wanted to beat us... In the past, we were young girls who had not left the government, so we couldn’t speculate on these things, but now, don’t you understand?”
There was silence in the room.
"Our Gu family has been in constant trouble in the past two years..." Gu Luo'er's tone slowed down and she said slowly, "We can't stand any more trouble... So it's time for the strong man to cut off his wrist and the gecko's tail... Their family has done such a heinous act. It’s up to them to take responsibility for what happened... We must not drag our Gu family into the abyss!”
The room became even quieter. The women either looked at each other or lowered their heads, obviously weighing in their minds.
"Cousin, it's wrong for you to say that..." Gu Xi'er suddenly said.
Gu Luoer's eyes flickered, and finally turned her gaze away, "Oh, what's wrong with me?"
"I think, regardless of whether there is such a thing as you said, even if it is true, we must not say that at this time." Gu Xi'er said, while tugging on the slightly wrinkled cuffs.
"What do you know?" Gu Luo'er looked unhappy and glared at her with a frown.
"I don't know much, but I know that relatives should hide themselves from each other. I won't tell you whether to hide or not, but I won't add fuel to the fire or make matters worse!" Gu Xi'er said, looking at Gu Luo'er, "Cousin , Shiba Niang’s family is unlucky, what good does it do to us?”
"You also know that she is unlucky and is not good for us..." Gu Luoer raised an eyebrow and said, "Do you know what crime they committed? Attacking and killing a first-class official! Hiding a bandit! Treating him as an accomplice! That is a capital crime ! Is it because our whole family has to be buried with them because of their improper friendship?”
Gu Xi'er shuddered when she drank, Nuonuo said a few times and lowered her head.
"Whether we testify or not, her family's guilt is unavoidable! You don't understand the affairs of the imperial court. I'm just telling you that this matter will definitely get bigger and bigger, and the more the investigation involves, the more involved..." Gu Luo Er said coldly, looking at these women one by one, and sat down with a roll of sleeves, "You... think about it!"
The room fell into silence again.
"Cousin..." Someone spoke, she pursed her lips, her voice trembled, but she did not hesitate, "I don't understand this...but...I still feel...cannot and should not do this..."
Gu Luoer's face stiffened and he looked at her with raised eyebrows. Before he could speak, someone spoke again.
"Yes...cousin, I don't think we should do this either..."
"Yes, that person is Shiba Niang's recruiter...not a slave..."
"Yes, I even used the money from Shiba Niang's drug store to gamble..."
One after another, the women spoke, and Gu Luoer's face became increasingly ugly.
"You!" She stood up angrily, biting her lip and looking at these women.
"Cousin," the women all looked at her with twinkling eyes, "This is the fact. Don't remember it wrong. It will not do you any good if you harm everyone..."
Gu Luoer was furious, and the hands in front of him were shaking slightly.
"Okay..." She glanced at everyone with a somewhat sarcastic sneer, "I, Gu Luo'er, am different from before, so what I say doesn't count anymore..."
These are the people who used to say something good but no one dared to say something else. These are the people who used to try their best to curry favor with them. With the resignation of their fathers, the wind has changed. …..
"It's up to you! I hope you won't cry and beg me again in the future!" Gu Luoer sneered and walked away.
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Wow, it’s been a long time since I wrote 4,000 words.