Although Old General Gu asked this, what he truly meant was for Gu Qianying to consider whether or not to accept the gifts brought by Nangong Mo.
If she accepted these gifts, she would never be able to disentangle herself from Nangong Mo in the future.
If she refused the gifts, with his standing in court, he would absolutely not allow outsiders to slander his granddaughter. In the future, he would also find a healthy husband for her.
Although Nangong Mo held a high position and great power, he was ultimately a person confined to a wheelchair, not the most suitable husband.
How could Gu Qianying not understand the meaning behind Old General Gu's words?
"Grandfather, I really like these gifts brought by Ninth Prince."
Previously, Gu Qianying had been thinking of using the influence of the Third Prince Nangong Li to oppose Crown Prince Nangong Qi.
Now, since someone had come to her door willingly, why should she not take advantage of it?
Furthermore, by colluding with Nangong Mo, she would not have to worry about the matter of "losing her virginity."
The Third Prince Nangong Li was known as a dissolute young master. If she were to collude with him, she might suffer losses.
Upon thinking this, Gu Qianying became even more determined. Today, Nangong Mo had come to her door to deliver gifts, and she absolutely had to accept them!
"Since my granddaughter likes them, then keep them all!"
After Old General Gu ordered the old steward to accept the gifts for Gu Qianying, he said, "Take the Ninth Prince and the Third Prince to the front hall to rest. After I finish handling matters here, I will follow..."
Before he could finish speaking, he heard Nangong Mo say calmly, "No rush, this Prince and the Third Prince are fine sitting here."
Old General Gu: "..."
Everyone: "..."
With Nangong Mo and Nangong Li present, the Gu family members naturally could not speak or act as freely.
Old General Gu would not lightly punish Meng Shi for being pregnant in front of outsiders: "Send her to the authorities!"
Meng Shi's face turned ashen, and she collapsed to the ground, clutching Gu Kun's sleeve and crying, "Master..."
Gu Kun pulled Meng Shi up and shielded her behind him: "Father! Meng Shi is pregnant, how can she be sent to the authorities? If Father thinks my punishment for Meng Shi is too light, I can send Meng Shi back to our hometown of Youyang to live in seclusion and recite Buddhist scriptures as atonement."
This tone was not a plea for mercy, but an interrogation.
Nangong Li fanned himself and laughed out loud: "Old Gu, who is in charge in your house?"
Old General Gu's face darkened, and he glared at Gu Kun.
Gu Kun was immediately frightened and knelt down: "Father, son did not mean that, son meant that..."
"Enough, this matter is settled, no need to say more!"
In front of outsiders, Old General Gu did not want to waste more effort on dealing with Meng Shi. After all, family shame should not be spread, and furthermore, his style of doing things should not change in front of outsiders.
Meng Shi's poisoning of the First Madam and her subsequent being sent to the authorities was a settled matter, and no one could change the outcome.
Meng Shi finally cried herself unconscious. Old General Gu asked the old steward to call a physician to treat Meng Shi and issued an order that after Meng Shi recovered, she would be sent to the authorities for investigation on the charge of poisoning the matriarch.
In Meng Shi's room.
Gu Mingyue's eyes were red from crying.
Meng Shi wiped her handkerchief and said comfortingly, "Daughter, it is mother's fault for being useless and causing you suffering. Mother is sorry to you, but daughter, you can rest assured, mother did this all alone, it has nothing to do with you. I believe your father will still dote on you as before."
Gu Mingyue grabbed a teacup and smashed it fiercely on the ground.
"Heh, you're dreaming! I, Gu Mingyue, have a mother who is about to go to jail. How can my father still dote on me as before? You are useless, and you even harmed your daughter. Why didn't you just die!"
Gu Mingyue cried and ran out.
Meng Shi watched Gu Mingyue run out with tears streaming down her face, feeling immense grief.
After the news of Meng Shi being sent to the authorities spread throughout the manor, the maids and old women in Meng Shi's room quietly left, finding other paths by claiming to be unwell and unable to work.
In the room, only Meng Shi remained.
Suddenly,
A figure appeared before her eyes.
"Sister, I've come to see you."
The First Madam entered with Granny Wang.
"What are you doing here, come to laugh at me?"
At this point, Meng Shi no longer pretended in front of the First Madam.
The First Madam remained silent.
Granny Wang brought her a stool. After sitting down, she looked at Meng Shi and said, "Sister, actually, I never thought of competing with you before. I even thought of giving you the position of First Madam. You might not believe me, but what I care about in this life has never been power or status."
"Haha, so, you want to tell me that things you disdain are things I can't have even if I want them?" Meng Shi glared fiercely at the First Madam: "Don't act so noble in front of me. I lost this time, but don't forget, in this manor, I am not the only one who wants you dead. The Third Concubine, Han Peijun, is returning soon.
That day, she followed her good-for-nothing son and was banished to the countryside by the master because she failed to harm you and was instead harmed by them.
Now, her period of confinement is over, and her son is taking the imperial examinations this year. They will be back soon. Bai Wanting, don't think that because you defeated me, you can rest easy. I look forward to you being tormented by Han Peijun to the point of wishing you were dead. Perhaps, my today will be your tomorrow! I'll wait and see, hahaha."
Meng Shi laughed maniacally.
The First Madam watched her quietly and finally asked, "Did you ever truly love him?"
Meng Shi's laughter abruptly stopped. She sneered and remained silent.
"I loved him once, but I don't love him anymore."
The First Madam's faint voice reached Meng Shi's ears.
Meng Shi found it ridiculous. What use was love!
For her, power and wealth were the most useful things.
Seeing that Meng Shi did not speak, the First Madam did not say much more to her. Instead, she walked towards Meng Shi.
Granny Wang wanted to stop her, but she gently pushed her away. She shook her head at Granny Wang and came to the bedside. She took out a small bottle of pills from her sleeve and handed it to Meng Shi, saying, "These are pregnancy-preserving pills. My daughter asked me to give them to you. She said that the prison is cold and damp, and taking one pill daily will ensure a safe delivery."
Meng Shi looked at the First Madam and sneered, "Don't pretend to be kind! Do you think I'll fall for your trick and take the poison you gave me?"
What pregnancy-preserving pills? In Meng Shi's eyes, what the First Madam held was poison!
After handing the pills to Meng Shi, the First Madam said nothing more and turned to leave with Granny Wang. As she was about to step out, her steps paused. Without turning around, she said, "A year ago, during the time when the master was ill, his kidney deficiency caused damage to his vital energy!"
Meng Shi's body stiffened. The two hands she kept under the quilt clenched tightly, her heart in utter chaos.
The First Madam did not leave. Instead, she suddenly turned her face back and looked at the feigning calm Meng Shi, saying in a level tone, "Out of respect for the master, this madam has kept this secret for many days. The master himself is unaware of this illness. Rest assured, I will not tell the master the truth. From now on, you must fend for yourself!"
After speaking.
The First Madam turned to leave.
Meng Shi called out to stop her: "Why are you helping me?"
The First Madam's steps did not stop, she only said, "My daughter said that although you are hateful, the child in your womb is innocent."
Meng Shi watched the First Madam's retreating figure, tears welling up in her eyes.
Nangong Mo's grand gesture of bringing gifts to Miss Gu Manor quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys.
The world said that the future princess of the Ninth Prince must be Gu Qianying.
From then on, whenever Gu Qianying went out of the manor or strolled through the streets, besides the hidden guards following her, there were also young ladies from various households who, out of jealousy, wanted to find trouble with Gu Qianying.
Naturally, with Nangong Mo's hidden guards around Gu Qianying, those troublesome young ladies were politely escorted out by the hidden guards before they could even get close.
However, at this moment, there was one person who gave the hidden guards a headache, and they dared not stop her even if they wanted to.
"You are Gu Qianying? I... I think you don't look that great. Hmph, how can you be worthy of Ninth Imperial Uncle's affection? Hmph, you overestimate yourself!"