Gu Mingyue, after the incident where the "second concubine poisoned the matriarch and was imprisoned," acted exceptionally well-behaved in front of General Gu and Gu Kun.
Besides bringing personally cooked meals to General Gu and Gu Kun daily, she also mended relations with others in the manor.
For a time, everyone in the manor, from the elder General Gu down to the household servants, praised Gu Mingyue to the skies.
As time passed, their views on the second concubine's actions no longer bore down on Gu Mingyue.
In Gu Qianying's words, Gu Mingyue had finally become smarter.
Conversely, Gu Yumei became increasingly unable to contain herself in front of outsiders.
Previously, she was the punching bag for Gu Mingyue and her mother; now, the tables had turned, and Gu Mingyue was the one being bullied by Gu Yumei all day.
It was important to remember that the third concubine, Han Peijun, was about to return, and the person she doted on most, besides Gu Ziran, was Gu Yumei.
Gu Yumei had grown up in the second branch's residence but was deeply favored by the third branch and was also quite cunning.
"Second Sister, are you saying this without any regard for the Gu family's reputation? Eldest Sister is the legitimate daughter of the Gu family, and her every move outside represents our Gu family. In full view of everyone, openly selling male servants and having them come to repay a debt of gratitude, such actions are simply tarnishing our Gu family's name. How can the maids and servants of our Gu family be casually entered by just any cat or dog?"
As she finished speaking, Gu Yumei glanced at Gu Ziran, signaling her to speak.
At this moment, Gu Ziran was watching the chess game between Gu Qianying and Gu Yefeng with great interest and paid no attention to Gu Yumei.
"Crack!"
A black piece fell from Gu Qianying's hand, blocking all of Gu Yefeng's white pieces.
She said lightly, "Brother, there are too many flies in this main hall, buzzing and making it extremely annoying for your little sister. Could you help me drive them out?"
Gu Yefeng replied, "Alright!"
With a raise of his hand, he shattered the chairs in front of Gu Mingyue and Gu Yumei.
"Did you hear? My little sister asked you to leave!"
Gu Kun, Gu Mingyue, and Gu Yumei's expressions changed slightly.
Gu Kun was enraged. He stood up angrily, but was kicked back by the elder General Gu, who reprimanded, "Concentrate on the chess game!"
Upon being rebuked by the elder General Gu, Gu Kun immediately fell silent.
Gu Yumei and Gu Mingyue were also thoroughly angered by Gu Qianying's calling them "flies."
They were also thoroughly intimidated by Gu Yefeng's formidable demeanor.
However, since Gu Kun did not reprimand Gu Qianying, how could they, as daughters, dare to speak?
Little did they know, the elder General Gu even tacitly approved of Gu Qianfeng's actions.
Thus, Gu Mingyue and Gu Yumei could only suppress their anger and leave the main hall dejectedly.
As Gu Mingyue left, she glared fiercely at Gu Qianying.
"Bitch, just you wait. Your good days won't last long! Hmph!"
Watching the retreating figures of Gu Mingyue and Gu Yumei, Gu Qianying's lips curved slightly.
When it came to understanding her grandfather, no one could surpass her.
Although her grandfather enjoyed liveliness and having his juniors surround him, showing filial piety, he disliked those who sowed discord.
As for buying male outsiders into the manor, it was out of kindness, and for a soldier, not being particular about details was also a soldier's way.
She remembered that in her previous life, her grandfather had often sent people to temples and relief houses, all of whom were refugees who were starving and had no one to care for them.
With the lessons from her previous life, she thought that her grandfather wouldn't say anything about what she had done on the streets this time.
Indeed, as she had expected.
The elder General Gu did not scold her; instead, he praised her handsomely and then had Hu Biao, who was waiting outside the door, brought in.
After Hu Biao entered, he was questioned by the elder General Gu. Upon understanding Hu Biao's family background, he asked Hu Biao to spar with Gu Qianfeng.
During their spar, although neither gained the upper hand, their moves were entirely different.
From afar, the elder General Gu, who witnessed this scene, narrowed his eyes and called his personal bodyguard, who had never appeared in front of outsiders, into his study.
He commanded, "Investigate the man outside thoroughly. Do not let this person harm the eldest young lady."
Judging by his martial arts style, this man did not seem to be from the capital. He was uneasy having this person by his granddaughter's side and needed to be cautious.
"Yes, subordinate obeys!"
Hu Biao eventually lost to Gu Yefeng and was simultaneously assigned to the Gardening Pavilion as Gu Qianying's personal guard.
The elder General Gu originally intended to keep this man by his side to probe his background personally, but he could not resist Gu Qianying's personal request for the man.
Ninth Prince's Manor.
Nangong Mo was dressed in red robes, with a black jade pendant adorning his waist.
He, who usually favored white robes, had changed his attire these past few days. This was because, based on Nangong Li's experience, women liked men who wore vibrant clothing.
For example, Gu Yefeng, who always wore purple, and the dark guards stationed around the Gu manor always reported that Gu Qianying had praised her brother's attire and coordination multiple times, calling it superb.
Thus, Nangong Mo had decided to change his style these past few days.
However, as he was about to leave the manor, he heard a dark guard report that Gu Qianying had bought a man who was "selling himself to bury his father" and had even brought this man into the Gu manor to become her personal guard.
Moreover, this man was the suspicious Hu Biao.
In the main hall, a row of dark guards knelt, with Bai Qi at the forefront. Bai Qi and the dark guards all kept their heads down, not daring to speak.
Seated in a wheelchair on the throne of the main hall, Nangong Mo exuded an icy aura.
After a long while, he spoke indifferently, "Has Hu Biao's identity been confirmed?"
Bai Qi replied, "The brothers sent to investigate were ambushed halfway, and the clues were broken."
Nangong Mo frowned, "Where did they die?"
Bai Qi: "The border of Northern Song."
Du Chun sat beside him, his white hair blending with his white robe. He said, "So, this person is likely from Northern Song?"
Bai Qi nodded and continued to report to Nangong Mo, "In addition, subordinate also discovered that Hu Biao's wife had appeared in the imperial palace."
"The imperial palace?" Nangong Mo's brow furrowed even tighter.
Du Chun added, "Could this person be related to the one in the imperial palace?"
Nangong Mo remained silent for a moment, then commanded, "Activate the dark scouts in Northern Song and continue the investigation. Ensure Hu Biao's true identity is thoroughly ascertained!
Also, it is imperative to clarify why Hu Biao's wife appeared in the imperial palace!"
Bai Qi acknowledged, "Yes!"
Bai Qi led the dark guards away to make arrangements.
Du Chun looked at Nangong Mo, "The Northern Song dark scouts have not been used for many years precisely to keep the one in the imperial palace from being vigilant towards us. They should not be mobilized unless absolutely necessary. Yet, you are acting so impulsively, A'Mo. You have changed."
Nangong Mo picked up his teacup but did not drink, saying lightly, "This king has never changed. My feelings for her have never changed."
"A'Mo!"
As soon as Nangong Li entered the Ninth Prince's Manor, he learned from Bai Qi that Nangong Mo was angry because Gu Qianying had brought Hu Biao, who had sold himself, back to the manor as a guard.
Although Nangong Li did not know that the poison doctor and divine child was Gu Qianying in disguise, he felt that Hu Biao, with his unknown identity, had a hidden motive for interacting with Gu Qianying.
Could it be that he was attracted to Gu Qianying's beauty?
With this thought, Nangong Li entered the hall, fanning himself with his fan, and directly exclaimed, "Ninth Imperial Uncle, in two days it will be the elder General Gu's birthday. Why don't we make it a double celebration that day and directly present the betrothal gifts to marry your Gu Qianying into your household? It would prevent future troubles and keep others from coveting her. What do you say?"