A single sentence with a different meaning caused Gu Yumei's expression to change immediately. She wanted to continue cursing Gu Qianying but found herself unable to speak.
By status, she was naturally not as noble as Gu Qianying. If Gu Qianying were to discipline her and accuse her of disrespecting the legitimate daughter, she would not escape punishment even if she were in the right. Moreover, at that moment, she had indeed insulted Gu Qianying.
At this moment, Gu Yumei deeply resented her mother, who had passed away shortly after they had met only a few times.
If her mother's status had been comparable to the First Madam's, she would not have been a concubine's daughter living under someone else's roof.
"Qianying, Yumei spoke out of turn and did not mean to criticize you. As the elder sister, you shouldn't bother with this ill-mannered girl. However, what she said, though crude, has some truth. Qianying, your father is in a terrible state because he returned the betrothal gifts to the Ninth Imperial Uncle. He hasn't had a peaceful sleep these past two days. He was already a frail person with a leg injury, and now, with this commotion, his health seems to be worsening..."
"So, what is Third Concubine trying to say?"
Gu Qianying abruptly interrupted Han Shi's words. Han Shi was taken aback, unsure how to continue.
"I returned the betrothal gifts with Grandfather's consent. What Grandfather agreed to, perhaps Third Concubine shouldn't gossip about, right?" Gu Qianying looked at Third Concubine Han Shi, her tone indifferent. "Furthermore, regardless of the Ninth Imperial Uncle's current attitude, whether he is angry or ignoring us, it probably has nothing to do with Third Concubine, right?
Third Concubine came to my Garden Pavilion today with a concubine's daughter to question me. Are you relying on my father's usual favoritism towards you, or are you relying on the fact that my mother, the First Madam, doesn't bother with you concubines, allowing you to run wild in the mansion, which gave you the opportunity to be so presumptuous before me?"
As Gu Qianying spoke, Third Concubine Han Shi's expression changed like a palette.
What were initially words not considered "dirty" were more hurtful than direct insults.
She was compared to a clown performing for attention.
"Gu Qianying, you should watch your words. My mother is here today to kindly visit you, not to pick a fight."
Gu Ziran could not stand Gu Qianying speaking about her mother that way, so she spoke as soon as Gu Qianying finished.
Gu Qianying looked at her, her tone no longer as cold. "I have something to say to Third Sister. Is Third Sister interested in hearing it?"
Gu Ziran frowned. "What is it?"
Gu Qianying glanced at Han Shi and Gu Yumei, remaining silent.
Gu Ziran pondered for a moment, then looked at Han Shi. "Mother, you and Yumei should go first. I'll stay to keep Elder Sister company."
"Ziran, don't you have something else to do? Otherwise, we could..."
Third Concubine Han Shi did not want her daughter to interact too much with Gu Qianying. She always felt that Gu Qianying was becoming increasingly unfamiliar, difficult to handle, and her actions were always beyond her expectations.
Most importantly, Han Shi always felt that Gu Qianying could see through things, a realization that made her somewhat afraid.
"It's alright, Mother."
Gu Ziran knew what her mother was worried about.
"Alright then, be quick. Mother will wait for you outside."
Third Concubine Han Shi conceded.
As she left, Gu Yumei also wanted to stay. She was very curious about what Gu Qianying wanted to say to Gu Ziran.
"Come wait outside with me for a while."
Third Concubine Han Shi was not about to let Gu Yumei stay.
Gu Yumei was not even fit to carry her daughter's shoes, so how could she possibly know what her daughter wanted to know!
"Yes."
Gu Yumei glanced at Gu Ziran and Gu Qianying, feeling extremely jealous.
Why! Gu Qianying and Gu Ziran could have a private conversation, but she wasn't even allowed to stay!
She secretly vowed that one day, she would become someone superior and trample everyone in the Gu mansion under her feet!
After Third Concubine left with Gu Yumei.
Gu Qianying had all the maids serving in the room sent out and asked Lu Zhu to prepare some of Gu Ziran's favorite snacks.
Gu Ziran looked at Gu Qianying's actions and took two steps back warily. She always believed that excessive kindness without reason was a sign of trouble!
"What do you want to say to me?"
"Don't worry, the snacks and tea are not poisoned. If I wanted to harm you, I wouldn't be foolish enough to make a move on my own territory."
Hearing Gu Qianying's words, Gu Ziran finally picked up a small piece of pastry and tasted it with relief.
Mung bean cake had always been her favorite.
While tasting it, she found it strange. Why did Gu Qianying even know her preferences?
Gu Qianying watched Gu Ziran's manner of eating the snacks, a slight smile on her lips.
Having lived another life, she felt even more strongly that a person's character, schemes, and habits were closely related to their usual demeanor.
Like now, although Gu Ziran was eating in small bites, she was not being pretentious.
Since Gu Qianying said it was not poisoned, Gu Ziran ate it with such ease, taking small bites without doubting the truth of her words.
Someone like Gu Ziran, if it were Gu Yumei or Third Concubine Han Shi, would not have eaten so trustingly.
"Stay away from the disputes within noble households, roam the martial world, seek not a life of splendor, but only true affection, to wander the world together, accompanying each other for eternity as a lifetime. Such a beautiful life is quite fitting for you."
A sudden remark almost made Gu Ziran choke on her food.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Gu Ziran patted her chest, and Lu Zhu immediately handed her a cup of water.
After Gu Ziran finished drinking, she looked at Gu Qianying in shock. "What do you mean?"
"In the Gu mansion, the only people who can live peacefully are Grandfather, my mother, my brother, and you. Everyone else will face my revenge!
Of course, you can collude with them, or you can remain aloof and uninvolved. However, if you collude with them, you will also be Gu Qianying's enemy.
Conversely, if you do not conspire with them, I can help you live the life you desire, and the life you desire is to have one beloved for a lifetime, is that correct?"
Gu Ziran was stunned by Gu Qianying's words for a long time.
Lu Zhu also froze in place.
After a while, Gu Ziran said, "You are heartbroken and confused from illness! I have something else to do, I'm leaving now."
Gu Ziran turned to leave, but Gu Qianying called out to her from behind. "The death of Madam Meng, the exposure of the old steward's identity, and Father losing a leg. Don't you find these events too incredible?"
Gu Ziran stopped abruptly and turned to look at Gu Qianying. "What do you mean?"
Gu Qianying got up, got off the couch, and walked to Gu Ziran. "Everything that seems accidental is not accidental, but deliberate. And the person who deliberately did this is me!"
Hearing Gu Qianying's words, Gu Ziran was instantly stunned.
She stared at Gu Qianying in extreme shock. "It was you... How could it be you?"
After her shock, Gu Ziran suddenly thought of another matter. "Gu Mingyue went mad, ran out of the mansion, and was then encountered by the Crown Prince, becoming his person. Was this also your doing?"
"Gu Mingyue is a woman who cannot even lift a chicken. The people guarding her in the mansion are all skilled guards. If I hadn't lent him a hand, how could she have escaped?"
"But why would you do this?"
Gu Mingyue hated Gu Qianying, even detested her to the bone.
Gu Ziran absolutely did not believe that Gu Qianying would treat someone who hated her so well.
"Have you ever heard that to take revenge on someone, it's not enough to kill them to feel satisfied? Instead, you should let them experience the pain of soaring to the clouds and then falling into the abyss, leaving them unable to live or die. Only then will you feel satisfied."
As she said these words, Gu Qianying's eyes were filled with ferocity.
Such a Gu Qianying terrified Gu Ziran.
"You... you are too terrifying, you are simply too terrifying."
Gu Ziran instinctively walked towards the door.