Nangong Xuanning was the current princess. Although she had not changed her clothes yet, the carriage she was in bore the palace insignia, and idlers were to stay clear.
Moreover, there were five or six guards escorting the carriage.
Therefore, intercepting the carriage would be quite audacious for ordinary citizens.
However, Gu Mingyue was currently wearing a simple dress of a commoner woman, with no precious jewelry on her head. Furthermore, she had brought her maid out today to purchase gifts for Old General Gu's birthday banquet. She had deliberately worn a veil when leaving home.
Since her second aunt was imprisoned, although she was not implicated, her reputation was still subject to gossip and ridicule from outsiders.
Therefore, in the past few days, when she went out on the streets, she could only dress ordinarily and cover her face with a veil to avoid being recognized by others.
However, she had not expected that her disguise today would actually be of great help.
In a few days, it would be her grandfather's seventieth birthday. For the past few days, both Gu Qianying and she had been busy preparing gifts for their grandfather.
Today, as soon as Gu Qianying left, she also came out with her maid.
Therefore, she had clearly seen what happened earlier from within the crowd.
It was known that Princess Xuanning had been in love with Ninth Imperial Uncle Nangong Mo for many years.
Moreover, although Xuanning was somewhat arrogant and overbearing, she was also foolish and brainless. If she could be used to deal with Gu Qianying, Gu Qianying would surely die!
At this moment, after her second aunt was apprehended, Gu Mingyue not only became more cautious in her actions but also learned to "borrow strength to attack!"
"Who is making noise outside?"
Nangong Xuanning frowned upon hearing someone outside crying injustice and ordered her maid to get out of the carriage to investigate.
"Princess, this commoner has a great injustice. I beg Your Highness Princess to uphold justice for me."
Gu Mingyue knelt on the ground, continuing to cry out her grievance.
The maid beside Nangong Xuanning, following orders, asked, "Who are you, and what is your grievance?"
"Reporting to Your Highness Princess, this humble one is a young lady from an ordinary family. Because my elder brother refused to be humiliated and was beaten to death by Miss Gu, I have nowhere to cry out my grievance. I beg Your Highness Princess to show great mercy and uphold justice for me..."
Gu Mingyue fabricated a tragic story about her elder brother being targeted by Gu Qianying, who wished to do something excessive to him. However, her brother refused, and Gu Qianying consequently beat him to death.
Upon hearing that it concerned Gu Qianying, Nangong Xuanning immediately became interested. She not only asked Gu Mingyue to rise and speak but also invited Gu Mingyue into the carriage to sit with her, so she could hear the story completely.
As Gu Mingyue spoke, Nangong Xuanning wished to see her face clearly, but she was told that she had contracted a rash and was not fit to be seen, so the matter was dropped.
At the same time, Gu Mingyue did not have her maid follow her when she came to cry out her grievance.
Therefore, after the story concluded, Nangong Xuanning did not know Gu Mingyue's true identity. She only felt indignant that Gu Mingyue's brother had died tragically and that Gu Qianying had done such a shameless deed: "How can Gu Qianying be so shameless and worthy of Ninth Imperial Uncle's affection!"
Gu Mingyue feigned a pitiful appearance: "Few people know about my brother's affairs. Miss Gu, being powerful and influential, has bribed the village head."
Gu Mingyue's words, spoken subtly, were quickly understood by Nangong Xuanning.
So, Ninth Imperial Uncle was deceived by Gu Qianying's appearance and did not know Gu Qianying's actions.
"This Princess will definitely make Ninth Imperial Uncle see clearly what a shameless woman Gu Qianying is!"
Saying this, Nangong Xuanning looked at Gu Mingyue: "Rest assured, I will handle your matter. Come, I will take you to the Gu Residence to find Gu Qianying and make her give your brother an explanation."
Nangong Xuanning ordered the guards driving the carriage to turn back, but Gu Mingyue stopped her: "Princess, you upholding justice for this humble one is a great kindness. However, I have a paralyzed mother at home. If I were to go to the Gu Residence with the Princess like this, I fear that in the future, my mother and I would both die under Miss Gu's retaliation. If that were the case, this humble one would not dare to ask the Princess to uphold justice for me."
"I am the current Princess. Does this status not protect a commoner like you?"
"Naturally, it does, but..."
"Forget it, forget it. If you don't go, I will go myself!"
"Although this humble one lacks courage, the villagers know about this matter. Your Highness Princess only needs to inquire with the village head, or ask the village head to testify for my brother."
Gu Mingyue deliberately threw out a "fabricated" village head to make Nangong Xuanning follow her train of thought.
"Very well, your village head's words naturally carry more weight than yours. Having him accuse Gu Qianying is most appropriate. Hmph! This Princess will definitely make Ninth Imperial Uncle see clearly what a shameless woman Gu Qianying is!"
"Your Highness Princess, these past few days, this humble one has heard that Old General Gu of the Gu Residence's birthday is approaching. On Old General Gu's birthday, Ninth Prince and other imperial princes will surely be present. On that day, Your Highness Princess can reveal Gu Qianying's true face, so that Ninth Imperial Uncle will know what kind of woman the woman he fancies truly is!"
Nangong Xuanning, upon hearing this, greatly agreed with Gu Mingyue's proposed plan.
"Yes, that's how it will be. On that day, this Princess will definitely make Ninth Imperial Uncle see Gu Qian's true face."
Her objective achieved, Gu Mingyue did not linger any longer. She took her leave and got out of the carriage, citing the need to return home to care for her mother.
After she left, the maid beside Nangong Xuanning cautiously reminded her, "Princess, this servant feels there is something amiss with that woman just now. Could she be deceiving us?"
Nangong Xuanning poked her finger: "This Princess is the current Princess. Who dares to deceive me? Have they eaten the heart of a leopard?"
The maid was poked twice and lowered her head, not daring to say more.
Gu Mingyue's words were full of flaws, yet Nangong Xuanning believed them implicitly. While on the road, she was already planning how to have the village head testify at Old General Gu's birthday banquet to expose Gu Qianying's shameless deeds and make everyone believe it.
Especially Ninth Imperial Uncle, to make him not only believe it but also to develop a dislike for Gu Qianying.
In that way, Ninth Imperial Uncle would not marry Gu Qianying, and she would have a chance to marry Ninth Imperial Uncle.
Thinking of this, Nangong Xuanning wished that day would arrive sooner.
Meanwhile.
Gu Qianying strolled through the streets with Lu Zhu, buying some calligraphy and paintings to bring back as gifts for her mother.
In addition, she also selected some medicinal herbs that could be used to make longevity-enhancing medicine.
Her grandfather's birthday was fast approaching. On his birthday, she felt that no gift could be more practical than ensuring her grandfather's good health.
Naturally, she would still prepare a thoughtful birthday gift. Besides these, she intended to spend these few days developing some longevity-enhancing health pills for her grandfather to consume.
In her previous life, although she had learned poison-making and the use of poisons from her master, poison arts were also called medical arts. Medical arts were profound and vast, encompassing many aspects of health preservation. In this regard, although she had only learned a little, it was sufficient.
Gu Qianying's mood today was not affected by Nangong Xuanning's attempt to cause trouble.
After leaving the pharmacy with Lu Zhu, she went to the "Number One Teahouse Under Heaven."
She had heard that the tea here was exceptionally good, and she wanted to try it.
Upon entering the teahouse, she requested a private room facing the sun.
"Miss, why are we here?" Lu Zhu asked, putting the purchased items into her bundle and then taking out two small steamed buns, which she nibbled on as she spoke.
Gu Qianying looked at Lu Zhu's adorable appearance as she ate the buns and smiled lightly, "Naturally, to drink tea, and to wait for someone."
"Wait for whom?" Lu Zhu asked foolishly.
"Wait for the one who should come."
Gu Qianying peered out the window, looking down at the street. The figures on the street were clearly visible.
The three-day appointment had arrived, and the person who should come was about to make an appearance. If she didn't come, wouldn't it be considered a breach of promise?