"You may rest assured, Father will confine Madam Meng and have her reflect on her mistakes," Gu Kun said with a light tone, as if his words alone could resolve the matter.
With irrefutable evidence and witnesses, Madam Meng, not foolish enough to continue protesting her innocence, touched her belly and followed Gu Kun's lead. "It is all my fault, Concubine Nu knows she was wrong and will reflect deeply."
Gu Mingyue wanted to plead for her mother, but Madam Meng stopped her with a look.
Immediately, Gu Mingyue knelt before Old General Gu, weeping, "Grandfather, your granddaughter is willing to stay confined with Auntie and reflect on her mistakes, so I can take good care of her. Auntie is also pregnant and has no one to attend to her. Your granddaughter is worried."
Although Gu Mingyue appeared to be showing filial piety, her intention, like Gu Kun's, was to use Madam Meng's pregnancy to prevent Old General Gu from sending her to the authorities.
If her mother were truly sent to prison, and outsiders learned she had a mother who committed crimes and was imprisoned, who would dare marry her?
Looking at Madam Meng's slightly bulging belly, Old General Gu hesitated.
He had never hesitated when fighting enemies on the battlefield, nor when overseeing the execution of corrupt officials.
But now, although Madam Meng had committed a grave offense, she was pregnant. If she were sent to the authorities, how could the child in her womb be protected?
Yet, if this matter were not dealt with, how could he uphold the four words "just and incorruptible"!
Old General Gu was troubled.
From the side, Gu Qianying, who had observed everyone's expressions, sneered inwardly.
She knew this would be the outcome.
She would not blame her grandfather; if she were in his position, she might also hesitate.
However, she did not agree with her father's suggestion of confinement. Could a simple "confinement" truly let Madam Meng's poisoning of her mother go unpunished?
Hmph! Never!
Gu Qianying glanced through the palace window at the sky and frowned slightly.
According to her plan, Nangong Mo should have arrived by now. Why hadn't he come yet?
Was he delayed on the road? Or was he not interested in watching the show?
That shouldn't be the case.
The hidden guard was Nangong Mo's man.
Regardless of Nangong Mo's reasons for having the hidden guard monitor her daily,
She figured Nangong Mo would be interested if there was a major event here.
Furthermore, she had heard that the Third Prince Nangong Li had been frequently visiting the Ninth Prince these past few days.
Given the Third Prince's penchant for stirring up trouble, he would surely be interested in the "grand show" at the Gu mansion.
If he was interested, Nangong Mo would undoubtedly follow.
Who could withstand Nangong Li's incessant chatter?
To prevent her plan from going awry, as the sky began to darken, Gu Qianying subtly retrieved the silver needles from her pouch and held them in her palm, concealing them with her sleeve.
She would not act against Madam Meng unless it was absolutely necessary.
The best course of action was to bring Madam Meng down by legal means. If that failed, she would have to resort to taking action against Madam Meng.
Although she could spare the child in Madam Meng's womb, she would ensure Madam Meng would never be able to stand or move again!
She could spare the innocent child, but she would never spare Madam Meng!
At this moment.
Outside the hall, the old steward, who had been serving Old General Gu, bowed and hurried in, whispering a few words into Old General Gu's ear.
Old General Gu frowned. "Why are they here? Go, drive them away. I am not receiving guests!"
Old General Gu was different from Gu Kun.
If Old General Gu did not wish to see someone, regardless of whether they were the King of Heaven or a royal relative, if he was too lazy to see them, he would not.
As Old General Gu spoke, Gu Qianying, who had overheard the steward's whispered conversation with Old General Gu, curved her lips slightly.
The people who were supposed to come had arrived!
Just as the old steward finished his report, a young servant rushed in.
The servant said, "Old Master, the Ninth Prince… and… the Third Prince…"
Before he could finish speaking.
More than a dozen plainclothes guards entered in single file, carrying brocade boxes.
The Third Prince Nangong Li pushed Nangong Mo into the hall.
Bai Qi, carrying a golden box, followed closely.
Such a grand procession indeed startled everyone.
Among them, Gu Kun immediately stepped forward obsequiously. "The Ninth Prince and the Third Prince! What rare guests, what rare guests. Your humble servant greets the Ninth Prince and the Third Prince."
Gu Kun performed a kowtow to Nangong Mo and Nangong Li.
The other members of the Gu family followed Gu Kun and knelt before Nangong Mo and Nangong Li.
Old General Gu, seated on the high seat, did not kneel.
Old General Gu had an imperial decree from the Emperor, and he was not required to kneel before anyone except the Emperor.
The First Madam wanted Nangong Mo and Nangong Li to bow in greeting, but Gu Qianying stopped her.
"Mother is frail and cannot kneel."
The First Madam trembled slightly and cautiously glanced at Nangong Li and Nangong Mo.
This reason… sounded a bit… far-fetched.
Old General Gu was slightly angered. "Didn't I say I'm not receiving guests? Why did you barge in?"
Nangong Mo and Nangong Li seemed accustomed to Old General Gu's temper.
Nangong Mo remained silent.
Nangong Li fanned himself with his fan and said, "Old General Gu, please do not be offended. Today, this prince and Ninth Imperial Uncle have come uninvited, solely to visit Miss Gu. Naturally, it is Ninth Imperial Uncle who wishes to visit Miss Gu, not this prince. This prince is merely accompanying him today."
As he spoke, he turned the other end of his fan and pointed it at Bai Qi, continuing, "A few days ago, when this prince accompanied Ninth Imperial Uncle, I did not bring any gifts. Therefore, today, these rare items were personally selected by Ninth Imperial Uncle for Miss Gu. I hope Miss Gu will like them."
As he finished speaking.
Bai Qi and ten guards simultaneously opened the brocade boxes in their hands.
A dazzling light shone forth.
Unique, exquisite, and rare items caught everyone's eyes.
The priceless night-blooming pearls, the high-quality jade bracelets, the rare exquisite pearls, the one-of-a-kind "Hibiscus Brocade Painting," and also the silk embroidery that all ladies desired at the moment, and a blue-sleeved lamp that could not be exchanged even for ten thousand taels of gold, among other valuable items.
These precious items, which even the noble ladies in the imperial palace might not possess, were brought by Nangong Mo to give away.
And this person was the eldest daughter of the Gu mansion, which made Gu Mingyue and others extremely envious.
However, at this moment, Gu Mingyue and her mother were like clay figurines crossing a river, unable to save themselves, and dared not speak out at this time.
After Nangong Li finished introducing the items he brought, Nangong Mo suddenly looked at Gu Qianying and said lightly, "Accept them. If you are ever unhappy, feel free to take these things out on them. This king will not begrudge you."
His words were so domineering!
Giving her precious items just so she could vent her anger when unhappy?
So, Nangong Mo meant that the valuable items he gave her could be disposed of as she pleased?
Yes, Gu Qianying understood it that way.
Thus, these precious items quickly circulated in the capital, with countless high-quality imitations and copies appearing everywhere, interspersed with the genuine priceless items.
As a result, Gu Qianying accumulated a considerable fortune, preparing for her future plans.
Naturally, this was a story for another time.
At present, after glancing at the valuable items brought by Nangong Mo, Old General Gu then looked at Gu Qianying. "Granddaughter, do you like these things?"