Gu Qianying dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief and held the Eldest Madam's hand, asking her to sit with her for a while.
The Eldest Madam, being soft-hearted, couldn't refuse Gu Qianying.
She sat by the bedside, waiting for Gu Qianying's explanation.
Gu Qianying remained silent for a moment before saying, "Grandfather is my grandfather, and also Gu Mingyue's grandfather. I do not wish for Grandfather to witness the sordid affairs within the inner courtyard."
The Eldest Madam sighed, "But why would you, my daughter..."
"They intended to harm me, so naturally, I could not let them off."
In her past life, the Second Concubine, with her honeyed words and treacherous heart, had played her for a fool. Only at the very end did she see the Second Concubine's true face.
And Gu Mingyue had always put on a show of caring for her.
She had always believed they genuinely cared for her, yet she never knew that Gu Mingyue and her mother were so wicked and cunning.
At this thought, a cold glint flashed in Gu Qianying's eyes.
Regarding the recent allergic reaction, she had turned the tables, retaliating step by step. It was just that the only thing she hadn't anticipated was the Second Concubine's pregnancy.
Thus, her biased father would naturally not punish the Second Concubine, and the authority to manage the inner courtyard could not be reclaimed for her mother.
However, Gu Qianying was not one to give up so easily. This time, she had to make Gu Mingyue and her mother bleed, otherwise, how could she be worthy of the elaborate act she had put on?
"Mother, I'm hungry. I want to eat the oil-fried cakes you made yourself."
The Eldest Madam lightly poked Gu Qianying's forehead, saying dotingly, "You're such a glutton. You just lie here, and I'll go make them for you."
The Eldest Madam, along with Nanny Wang, went to the small kitchen.
After this incident, the cooks in the small kitchen were replaced with the Eldest Madam's people. From now on, any food sent to Gu Qianying would need to be thoroughly inspected.
This was specifically instructed by the Eldest Madam, yet she was unaware that Gu Qianying nowadays could not be easily poisoned.
After sending the Eldest Madam away, Gu Qianying summoned Lu Zhu.
"Go to the main courtyard and invite Father over. Tell him that his daughter hasn't seen him for many days and misses him dearly, wanting to chat with him. If Father doesn't come, it's also fine. However, regarding the Second Concubine's pregnancy, I, your daughter, will act on Father's behalf to send word to Grandfather, to make Grandfather happy too."
Suddenly helping the Second Concubine, Lu Zhu was puzzled but did not ask further questions. She went to the main courtyard to deliver the message.
A moment later.
Gu Kun kicked open the door of the Garden Pavilion with a dark expression, his voice laced with anger, "Gu Qianying, you unfilial and rebellious daughter, come out here."
Her father valued the rules of hierarchy within the manor the most. For many years, he had been dissatisfied with his favoritism towards his concubines and neglect of his wife.
Now, using the concubine's unborn child to curry favor with his father would not only incur his father's disgust but might also provoke his father's wrath.
How could Gu Kun not be angry that Gu Qianying, this unfilial daughter, had used this matter to threaten him into coming?
When Gu Kun entered, Gu Qianying had already dismissed the maids serving inside.
She leaned against the bed, her face veiled, her gaze cold, and her tone indifferent, "If Father breaks the door of my Garden Pavilion, he will have to pay for it."
Gu Kun strode to Gu Qianying and glared at her, "Although this is your Second Concubine's fault, she was also someone who genuinely cared for you. Yet, you are so relentless, and you've forced Father to come see you. What? Will you not rest until your concubine is dead!"
"Heh!" Gu Qianying sneered, "Does Father misunderstand? It was the Second Concubine who wanted Qianying's life, not Qianying who wanted to do anything to the Second Concubine."
"Regardless, you are unharmed, and your Second Concubine is now pregnant. Can't you let this matter go?"
Gu Qianying was the most favored by her father. If Gu Qianying spoke, her father would not pursue the matter further.
"Yes, Father. Daughter also wishes to end this matter quickly so that I can quietly rest in bed. However..."
That day, Gu Kun stayed in the Garden Pavilion for a long time, leaving with a very displeased expression.
That night, in the main courtyard, precious jade ornaments shattered all over the floor.
The next day.
Gu Kun, under the pretext of the Second Concubine needing to rest for her pregnancy, confined her to the Yangchun Pavilion. He also banished the nanny who personally served the Second Concubine, citing neglect of duties.
From that day on, although the Second Concubine still retained the authority to manage the inner courtyard, she had no say in the affairs of the Garden Pavilion or the Eldest Madam's courtyard.
Furthermore, as she was merely a concubine, her status was naturally not as noble as the Eldest Madam, the principal wife.
Over time, those servants and nannies who had sought to curry favor with the Second Concubine began to shift their allegiance, hoping to gain favor in the Eldest Madam's courtyard, so that they could gradually advance alongside the maids in the Eldest Madam's courtyard.
As a result, the daily food and expenses in the Eldest Madam's courtyard also increased significantly.
Gu Qianying, citing her ill health, remained within the Garden Pavilion, not venturing out, and even skipped paying respects at the main courtyard.
When she had free time, she continued to tend to her carefully cultivated poisonous flowers and herbs.
Or she would dine with the Eldest Madam and occasionally study medical books.
Thus, the various courtyards coexisted peacefully for a few days.
A few days later.
A nursery rhyme was being sung loudly by several children in the streets and alleys.
"The Poison Doctor Divine Child descends from the heavens, healing people and ghosts, but not beasts.
Poison brings poison, life and death are by fate, the full moon marks the chosen time."
The next day.
Nine Prince's Estate.
Nangong Mo, clad in white, sat on a couch, his eyes slightly closed. His dark hair was secured at the back of his head with a jade hairpin, the rest cascading down to his waist. His demeanor was ethereal, unmatched in the world.
Beside him, two maids knelt on either side, attending to him.
One held a jade fan, fanning him gently back and forth.
The other held a cup of fine wine, offering it with a cupped hand.
Not far away, a white-haired man was playing the zither. The man wore a light blue robe and crown, with gentle features and a smile that often graced his lips, giving one the feeling of basking in a spring breeze.
The man's fingers moved across the strings like flowing water, producing beautiful music.
Bai Qi walked in and knelt on one knee, reporting, "Master, your subordinate has learned that recently, the Eldest Miss of the Gu Estate suffered an allergic reaction from accidentally consuming plum blossom fragrant cakes mixed with osmanthus powder, resulting in red spots all over her face and discomfort. She is currently recuperating at home."
Nangong Mo's eyes snapped open.
As his eyes opened, the music stopped.
The white-haired man looked over.
"Is she seriously injured?"
Nangong Mo's voice remained cool, but his tone revealed concern.
"After my subordinate learned of this, I sent secret guards to investigate. The secret guards reported that she is not seriously injured, but the Eldest Miss of the Gu Estate seems unwilling to leave her residence."
Nangong Mo remained silent.
The white-haired man, however, said, "A woman's appearance is damaged; naturally, she would not wish to go out and be ridiculed."
Nangong Mo frowned slightly and gestured with his hand. The two maids respectfully withdrew.
After a long pause, he said, "I heard that Ah Li has a very good relationship with Gu Estate's eldest son, Gu Yefeng. In the past few days, this Prince has acquired several fine horses. Have Ah Li come to the estate and pick out a few at his leisure."