For this reason, the young ladies from outside the manor who wished to make a good impression on the princes all craned their necks, eager to throw themselves at the princes. Gu Yefeng, the eldest son of the Gu family, was thus ignored by everyone.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Nan Rongqi seized the opportunity. Citing the Gu family's legitimate daughter's intent to abuse her second sister in full view of everyone, he thoroughly reprimanded Gu Qianying. He also heard that Gu Mingyue's discomfort was due to the presence of unclean things in Gu Qianying's residence, which had offended the child in Gu Mingyue's womb.
Considering the child in Gu Mingyue's womb, Nan Rongqi also recalled that days ago, Gu Qianying had poisoned him in prison and plotted against him. If not for his teacher's command not to act against Gu Qianying, he would surely have taught this unruly woman a lesson today.
After some deliberation, Nan Rongqi, with Gu Mingyue in his arms, lazily said to Gu Qianying, "Since Miss Gu is not suitable to reside in the manor any longer, then move out. I have many residences outside; I can bestow one or two upon you."
As Nan Rongqi spoke, everyone echoed his sentiment.
The two princes following him, the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince, were no different.
Nan Rongqi was the Crown Prince of the current dynasty. Who dared to defy him, the Crown Prince? Naturally, they would agree with his words.
Gu Mingyue, nestled in Nan Rongqi's arms, was even more delighted and triumphant. If Gu Qianying were driven out of the manor, she would then be the most influential young lady within the estate.
Her grandfather's affection would also be largely shared with her. Who could blame them, as she was the second daughter about to become the Crown Prince's concubine!
Thinking this, Gu Mingyue leaned quietly in Nan Rongqi's embrace. With the Crown Prince championing her cause, she naturally did not need to make any further statements.
Beside them, the Third Concubine, Madam Han, emboldened by Crown Prince Nan Rongqi's intervention on behalf of Gu Mingyue, spoke even more assertively, completely forgetting how Gu Qianying had disciplined her.
"Qianying, Concubine knows you are reluctant to leave Madam and the Old Master, but as Concubine said earlier, everything in the manor will be taken care of by Concubine. You can rest assured."
"Hmph! You ill-mannered thing, how dare you!"
As Gu Yefeng spoke, cursing and intending to discipline Madam Han, Gu Qianying stopped him. "Third Concubine speaks wisely. Since Third Concubine is here to support the household, it is excellent for my mother, Madam, to occasionally take a break."
As she spoke, Gu Qianying curtsied to Nan Rongqi and continued, "As Your Highness the Crown Prince has said, it is because my Garden of Serenity harbors unclean things that it has offended my second sister's unborn child, causing her discomfort. If this is the case, then simply seal off my Garden of Serenity. Why must Qianying be asked to move out? It is just that the Garden of Serenity was originally left to me by my father. If it is to be sealed, should we not inquire of Father's wishes?
As for the residences outside the manor that Your Highness mentioned, I presume your residences outside are gifts from those who are solicitous towards you. Since they are 'solicitous,' they must be residences with excellent feng shui. Such good residences, Qianying is too unblessed to accept. Qianying thanks Your Highness the Crown Prince for his kind intentions here."
With that, Gu Qianying, before anyone could speak, looked at Gu Yefeng and said playfully, "Brother, look how good the Crown Prince is to my second sister. He is so willing to give away some residences with excellent feng shui for her sake. In this way, we need not worry that my second sister will suffer any grievances today. Brother, my second sister is a young lady of our Gu family. For the Crown Prince to treat her this way, it seems he must have intentions..."
Gu Qianying's words were pregnant with meaning, leaving her unspoken thoughts hanging in the air.
Gu Yefeng's eyes flickered, and he immediately understood. He abruptly turned and cupped his hands in a bow to Nan Rongqi, kneeling, "Your subordinates will henceforth follow Your Highness the Crown Prince's lead!"
Nan Rongqi was stunned by Gu Yefeng's words.
The two princes following Nan Rongqi were no less shocked than he was.
They had never imagined that the outcome the Crown Prince had been longing for would be achieved so effortlessly!
While the Fourth and Fifth Princes were shocked, a hint of abnormality quickly flashed in their eyes.
After discreetly glancing at Nan Rongqi, they both retreated a few steps. The meaning behind this was likely understood only by themselves.
The young ladies from outside the manor present naturally did not comprehend the profound shock of Gu Yefeng's actions.
They only felt that at that moment, Gu Mingyue, the second young lady of the Gu family, was the happiest woman in the world.
Not only was she about to become a concubine by the Crown Prince's side, but it also appeared that the Gu family placed great importance on Gu Mingyue.
In this regard, the envy, jealousy, and hatred of the others towards Gu Mingyue far surpassed their dislike for Gu Qianying.
However, with the Crown Prince present, they naturally dared not gossip further.
At this moment, Nan Rongqi, while slightly surprised by Gu Yefeng's current behavior, was filled with doubt.
Gu Yefeng was the eldest son of the Gu family and a capable general from a prominent military family.
His status represented not only the entire Gu family but also the soldiers led by Gu Yefeng and the Old General Gu.
Therefore, Gu Yefeng's actions were of great significance. But why would Gu Yefeng pledge allegiance to him? Was it merely because he intended to take Gu Mingyue as a concubine, thus seeking to ally with him?
Or was this the intention of Old General Gu?
Could it be that Old General Gu wished to re-align his allegiance?
At this moment, Nan Rongqi suddenly recalled Gu Qianying returning the betrothal gifts from Ninth Prince Nangong Mo days ago.
If Gu Qianying had not been so foolish, then the return of the betrothal gifts would have been Old General Gu's intention.
In that case, Old General Gu, and even the entire Gu family, were willing to follow him!
Thinking this, Nan Rongqi was ecstatic.
With this, his ascension to the throne in the future would be a sure thing!
"General Gu, please rise quickly."
Nan Rongqi helped Gu Yefeng up. He naturally understood the meaning behind Gu Yefeng's actions and responded to him.
From now on, they were on the same side.
To demonstrate his sincerity, Gu Yefeng, with Gu Qianying's tacit understanding, presented the Yi Jun Tang token that Gu Qianying had given him days ago to Nan Rongqi, thereby expressing his sincerity.
The moment Nan Rongqi received the Yi Jun Tang token, his joy could no longer be concealed.
The world knew that the Yi Jun Tang token in the Gu family represented the official careers and financial power of half the members of the Gu family.
If he could win these people over to his side, then he would have no shortage of capable individuals in the future!
If his achievements were to overshadow the ruler, then at worst, once he ascended the throne and his reign was firmly established, he could find an excuse to eliminate the Gu family members one by one!
"Good, good, good. Since Yefeng is so sincere, I shall accept this token. From now on, Yefeng and I shall be sworn brothers. Another day, I will invite Yefeng and the ministers in court to visit the Eastern Palace. On that day, we shall drink until we are both intoxicated. What do you say?"
After exchanging pleasantries, Nan Rongqi waited for Gu Yefeng's response.
"How dare this subject call himself brothers with Your Highness the Crown Prince? Your Highness's words truly flatter this humble servant. However, my drinking capacity is passable. If I were to drink with Your Highness until we are both intoxicated, it would likely take two to three days and nights."
Gu Yefeng followed Nan Rongqi's lead.
Nan Rongqi laughed heartily three times, then, realizing he had not thought things through completely, not only retracted his earlier statement of expelling Gu Qianying from the manor but also exceptionally dispatched someone to quickly retrieve the deeds for the residences kept outside and present them to Gu Qianying.
He also promised Gu Qianying that in the future, if the eldest young lady of the Gu family needed anything for her living expenses, she could ask him. As long as he had it, he would personally send someone to deliver it to her manor.
As for the solution to Gu Mingyue's discomfort due to being offended by unclean things in the past few days, it was simply to have Gu Mingyue brought to the Eastern Palace in the next few days, where the governesses and maids of the Eastern Palace would care for her.
This would not only protect the child in Gu Mingyue's womb but also prevent Gu Mingyue from having her way and driving Gu Qianying out of the manor.
Since Gu Yefeng, representing the Gu family and others, had already declared their stance, why would he, the Crown Prince, make things difficult for Gu Qianying, the legitimate daughter of the Gu family, the eldest young lady of the Gu family?
Moreover, this young lady was the most cherished granddaughter of Old General Gu. Even if he wanted to humiliate Gu Qianying, he would have to consider Old General Gu's reputation, wouldn't he?
As for Gu Mingyue, that woman of low standing, her true intention was merely to find an excuse to drive Gu Qianying out of the manor. Did he, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, not see through the machinations of this story?
However, the aspirations of a mere concubine were insignificant. How could they compare to his grand ambitions!
If, before, Gu Qianying had politely declined Nan Rongqi's offerings with a few polite words, it was because Nan Rongqi had spoken in such a condescending and charitable tone while trying to protect Gu Mingyue, and she disliked it.
But now, Nan Rongqi was willingly bestowing some residences outside the manor upon her under the guise of winning people over, so she was naturally willing to accept them.
Who would refuse money?
The onlookers saw that the current Crown Prince Nan Rongqi, with just a few words from Gu Yefeng, had a change of heart towards Gu Qianying and even gifted her some private residences outside the manor.
The onlookers naturally dared not speak of driving Gu Qianying away anymore.
Instead, a few among the many young ladies were perceptive. Soon, they were calling Gu Qianying "sister" and "sister," fearing that Gu Qianying might be angry with them.
As for Gu Mingyue, although they dared not offend her, they visited her less often to engage in pleasantries.
After all, in their eyes, Crown Prince Nan Rongqi's attitude was the most important. If the Crown Prince intended to champion the second young lady of the Gu family, they would naturally feel that befriending the second young lady of the Gu family would be beneficial to their fathers' and brothers' futures.
But now, it was obvious to everyone that the Crown Prince was not continuing to champion the second young lady of the Gu family, and his intentions were clear.
Crown Prince Nan Rongqi not only stopped supporting her but also gifted Gu Qianying items that she considered extremely precious. This was the greatest slap in the face for Gu Mingyue.
At this moment, Gu Mingyue's expression was extremely unsightly. At some point, her delicate body, which had been leaning in Nan Rongqi's embrace for comfort, was unknowingly pushed away by Nan Rongqi. He even specially instructed the governess to take her back and prepare her to accompany the Crown Prince to the Eastern Palace.
A moment later, everyone dispersed.
They had made a good impression on the princes and Crown Prince Nan Rongqi, but they were still unmarried young ladies. Excessive contact with men outside the family was ultimately inappropriate.
After everyone left, Nan Rongqi lingered at the manor under the pretext of discussing chess with Gu Yefeng.
Yang Chun Pavilion.
Outside, the sun was bright, and birds sang amidst fragrant flowers.
Inside, bottles and jars were scattered all over the floor, and maids and servants knelt on the ground.
Among them, two or three maids knelt with their heads bowed. Their faces were cut by shattered jade fragments that had been flung about, and blood stained half their faces.
Even so, they dared not move an inch.
"Damn it! Such a good opportunity, and I didn't manage to drive that bitch Gu Qianying out of the manor!"