In the chambers of the Third Concubine, Madam Han.
Gu Ziran was dining with Madam Han.
A maidservant entered and announced, "Third Concubine, the Second Miss is here."
Gu Ziran slammed her chopsticks onto the table, her tone displeased, "What does she want? Go, send her away. My mother is not free to see her."
The maidservant stood frozen, not daring to move. She glanced at Madam Han before quickly lowering her head again, not daring to retreat.
Madam Han leisurely put down her bowl and chopsticks, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and said, "Why are you still standing there? Did you not hear the Third Miss's command? Be gone."
With a murder case in the manor, it was best not to have too much contact with others at the moment.
She had a feeling that the murder case in the manor was not unrelated to Gu Mingyue.
Unexpectedly, after the maidservant retreated, she entered again, holding a box. She announced, "Third Concubine, the Second Miss has not left and has sent a brocade box. She also said that if the Third Concubine sees the contents of this brocade box, she will definitely meet her."
"What trick is she playing now? I won't see her, I won't see her! Mother, the Second Branch has no good people. We don't need to pay attention to her!"
Gu Ziran vividly remembered the scene where Gu Mingyue almost forced the First Madam to death.
It was better to have less contact with people like Gu Mingyue.
"Daughter, there's no rush. Let's see what's inside this brocade box first?"
Madam Han took the brocade box from the maidservant and opened it.
Inside the brocade box was a jade pendant engraved with the characters "Meng Yun."
Madam Han's body trembled.
Gu Ziran asked, "Mother, this jade pendant is... whose?"
*Pa.*
Madam Han hurriedly closed the brocade box in her hand and quickly said, "A friend from the past."
Madam Han casually took off her handkerchief and handed it to Gu Ziran, "Daughter, a few days ago, didn't you say you wanted to learn to embroider the mandarin ducks on Mother's handkerchief? Take this handkerchief and start embroidering some yourself. If you encounter anything you don't understand, ask Mother. Go."
Madam Han intended to send Gu Ziran away.
Gu Ziran did not want to leave, "But... Mother..."
Madam Han was a little displeased, "Go quickly."
Sensing Madam Han's displeasure, Gu Ziran reluctantly took her personal maidservant and left.
As Gu Ziran left, she encountered Gu Mingyue waiting outside the courtyard.
Gu Ziran originally wanted to ask something, but thinking of her mother's slightly annoyed expression, she only opened her mouth and did not pay attention to Gu Mingyue.
Gu Mingyue was only concerned with her own matters and did not bother to acknowledge Gu Ziran.
A moment later, Gu Mingyue was invited into the room by Madam Han's personal maidservant.
Madam Han dismissed all the maidservants in the room, leaving only her personal maidservant, Xiao Tao.
When Gu Mingyue entered, Madam Han got straight to the point, "What do you want with me?"
If it were any other day, Gu Mingyue would have been very curious about the relationship between the item her mother left her and Madam Han.
But now, she could barely protect herself, let alone inquire about other matters.
"I request the Third Concubine to help Mingyue through this difficult time?"
Madam Han was a smart woman and quickly understood Gu Mingyue's words.
"You killed this person?"
Gu Mingyue remained silent, implying consent.
Madam Han suddenly smiled, "Second Miss indeed has courage. I suppose the woman who pleaded for her brother's innocence, as mentioned by the Princess that day, was also you?"
Gu Mingyue still remained silent.
Madam Han's smile widened, "Second Miss is so intelligent, yet you cannot escape unscathed?"
As she spoke, Madam Han stood up, took a pair of scissors from the dressing table, and began trimming the potted flowers in the room.
Gu Mingyue, seeing Madam Han's unhurried demeanor, became anxious, "Third Concubine, besides that person's jade pendant, there was also a letter from my mother in the box. The letter was full of the little stories between that person and you. My mother also said that if Mingyue ever needs help from the Third Concubine in the future and the Third Concubine stands by and does nothing, my mother would not mind a fight to the death with you."
Madam Han's hand, which was holding the scissors, suddenly paused, and a hint of malice flashed in her eyes.
"Heh, a fight to the death!"
Seeing Madam Han's anger, Gu Mingyue approached her and said with a smile,
"In the end, although my mother is imprisoned, with the child in her belly, her return is only a matter of time. Currently, the First Madam's position in the back courtyard is becoming more stable. Why doesn't the Third Concubine cooperate with my mother and seize the real power from the First Madam?
And today, this matter can be considered a meeting gift for our conspiracy."
Hearing Gu Mingyue's words, Madam Han smiled. She turned to look at Gu Mingyue and slowly said, "Second Miss has truly devised a good plan. I suppose these words were also taught to you by your mother, Second Miss."
Gu Mingyue did not deny it and only asked, "Does the Third Concubine agree to Mingyue's request today?"
Madam Han put down the scissors, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and was then helped by her maidservant Xiao Tao to sit at the table.
Xiao Tao poured Madam Han a cup of refreshing tea. Madam Han took a sip, put it down, and then said, "Speak, how do you want me to help you?"
"Find a scapegoat so I can escape unscathed."
"Who does the Second Miss want to find?"
"Gu Qianying."
Madam Han smiled again upon hearing this, "Second Miss's request is not small. Gu Qianying is the legitimate daughter of the manor, and also Second Miss's own elder sister. Does Second Miss not care about familial affection by doing this?"
"Gu Qianying is not my sister, she is Mingyue's enemy. Only when she dies can I be at ease."
Gu Mingyue's eyes were filled with ferocity as she said this.
Madam Han looked at her, her lips curling slightly, "In that case, the Third Concubine will kindly help the Second Miss. However, to deal with the legitimate daughter of the manor, Gu Qianying, is not easy, unless..."
Madam Han whispered something into Gu Mingyue's ear.
Gu Mingyue's expression changed immediately upon hearing this, "What? You dare to plot against my mother, you..."
Before Gu Mingyue could finish speaking, Madam Han interrupted her, "Second Miss, the current situation is very unfavorable to you. If Second Miss does not act ruthlessly, how can you escape unscathed? Second Miss, do not forget, your grandfather, Old General Gu, is an upright man who punishes evil and promotes good. If he learns that you are the murderer of the village head, do you think you will live to see the sun next year?"
Hearing Madam Han's words, the hesitant Gu Mingyue gradually calmed down. After a long while, she bowed to Madam Han and said, "Mingyue thanks the Third Concubine for her guidance and assistance."
Madam Han helped her up and said, "Second Miss is wise and intelligent. This matter will surely be resolved."
The next day.
Some trivial matters occurred in the Gu Manor, such as maidservants who talked back to their masters being sold out of the manor. All of these maidservants were from the Third Concubine Madam Han's courtyard.
That day, Gu Mingyue knelt in Old General Gu's courtyard, insisting that she had a dream last night that her mother was in prison and, due to weakness, had contracted a cold and was not receiving timely treatment, and was on the verge of death. She was worried and requested her grandfather to allow her to visit her mother in prison.
As Gu Mingyue pleaded, she cried heartbrokenly, appearing to be in great distress.
Old General Gu was moved by her filial piety and agreed to her request.
That day, Gu Mingyue only took her personal maidservant to the yamen.
When they arrived, the maidservant was carrying a food box. Gu Mingyue claimed that the food box contained small pastries she had personally made for her mother.
Gu Mingyue and her maidservant spent a long time in the prison.
The mistress and servant went to the prison at Weishi and left at Shenshi.
No one knew what Gu Mingyue and her mother had discussed.
All that was known was that after Gu Mingyue returned from visiting Madam Meng, she first paid her respects to Old General Gu, and then returned to Yangchun Pavilion, not stepping out of her door.
Her personal maidservant told others that her young lady could not bear to see her mother suffering in prison, so she had secluded herself to copy Buddhist scriptures, praying for her mother's swift return.
Another day passed.
Gardening Pavilion.
"Miss, the Eldest Young Master specifically instructed this servant before going to court to keep a close eye on Miss and not let you move around freely. He will investigate the death of the village head and give an explanation to the Old Master."
After finishing a basket of small steamed buns, Lu Zhu brought another basket of small steamed buns for Gu Qianying.
"Mm, okay, I understand."
At this moment, Gu Qianying was organizing all the knowledge she had learned about medicine and poison in her previous life.
In one month, she would participate in the triennial selection competition for the Poisonous Doctor Saint Pavilion.
By then, her master, the Poisonous Doctor Divine Son, would be returning from his travels.
With the true Poisonous Doctor Divine Son appearing, one would need to put in some effort to become his disciple.
Furthermore, in five days, she needed to make arrangements to treat the Fifth Prince Nangong Li's relatives in the capacity of the Poisonous Doctor Divine Son.
For this reason, she was very busy, so busy that she could barely manage.
Besides, with her brother handling the manor's murder case, she probably wouldn't be needed for a while.
On this day, Gu Qianying suddenly received a letter.
She opened it, and after reading the contents, she frowned slightly, "She wants to see me?"