"Lu Zhu, you cannot return with me at this moment. There is something that needs to be done, and it is very dangerous. Are you willing to proceed? If not, I will not force you. I will find another suitable opportunity for you to return with me. You have two paths, and you may choose yourself."
"Miss, Lu Zhu is willing to continue assisting Miss. No matter how dangerous this matter is, Lu Zhu will definitely accomplish it." Lu Zhu knelt before Gu Qianying to show her determination.
Having experienced various events, Lu Zhu was no longer as naive. She had grown and matured considerably.
"Get up quickly, Lu Zhu. Don't kneel at every turn. I know your loyalty."
Gu Qianying helped Lu Zhu up again and then whispered something into her ear.
Afterward, Gu Qianying summoned the disciples hidden in the dark in her unique way and commanded, "Ensure Lu Zhu is safely delivered. No matter when, her safety must be guaranteed. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Sect Master."
After Lu Zhu left with several disciples dressed in green, Gu Qianying bid farewell to Gu Yefeng and Old General Gu.
Gu Yefeng also had his own mission to complete. After Gu Qianying left, he also departed.
Gu Residence,
In the courtyard where Madam Han resided.
"Mother, what are you doing again?"
Gu Ziran approached and asked Madam Han, who was packing her belongings.
Madam Han turned and handed her packed belongings to Gu Ziran, pushing her outward. "Hurry and leave. Go far away and never return."
Gu Ziran did not expect that her mother was packing for her and was trying to drive her away. She was shocked. "Mother, what are you doing? Why are you driving your daughter away? I'm not leaving, I'm not leaving."
Gu Ziran cried out in distress.
Madam Han patiently persuaded, "Daughter, be obedient. Your father has placed me under house arrest. Given your father's character, he will surely hand me over to the Ninth Prince to deal with as he sees fit, all to appease the situation. Your brother Gu Yi is also about to take the imperial examinations, and your father will certainly not trouble him. But you are different. If you have no mother's protection, in the future, if your father marries you off to someone casually, your life will be ruined.
Daughter, be obedient. Mother has packed everything for you. As long as you use the excuse of praying for blessings today, take these belongings, and temporarily avoid the Gu Residence, and do not let your father find you. Among the belongings mother has prepared for you, there are some bank notes for you to bribe some nuns at Jing Si Nunnery. Recently, mother received news that the Empress will be bringing the Crown Prince to Jing Si Nunnery tomorrow to pray for the Emperor.
What you need to do is to have a chance encounter with the Crown Prince, and let the Crown Prince and you consummate your relationship. At that time, your good days will come."
Gu Ziran, who was originally moved by her mother's preparations to protect her safety, suddenly froze. She looked at Madam Han in disbelief, her voice a little hoarse. "Mother... you're going to ruin my daughter's purity. How... how can you do this to me?"
The grief in Gu Ziran's eyes was evident. Madam Han grabbed her hand at this moment. "Daughter, don't think like that. Listen to your mother. You are the daughter your mother carried for ten months. How can your mother harm you? However, you must know that there are countless women in this capital who wish to become the Crown Princess. How can you guarantee that you will stand out among these many noble ladies?
Daughter, just listen to your mother. Mother is doing this for your own good."
"But, daughter doesn't want to be the Crown Princess. Daughter just wants to stay by mother's side and serve mother."
"Slap!"
Madam Han raised her hand and slapped her.
"Unfilial daughter, what are you saying!"
Gu Ziran, covering half of her red and swollen face, looked at Madam Han in shock. She cried, "Mother, you actually hit your daughter!"
Perhaps feeling she had been too heavy-handed, Madam Han's voice immediately softened. She held Gu Ziran's face as if in pain and persuaded her kindly, "Daughter, even if you don't want to be the Crown Princess, only when you become the Crown Princess can you protect mother's life! Your mother has already offended the Ninth Prince. To survive, she can only rely on you, daughter!"
"Mother~"
Gu Ziran was somewhat hesitant, but she was also swayed by Madam Han's words.
She did not want her mother to lose her life.
Seeing this, Madam Han pondered, but continued to persuade, "Daughter, you cannot bear to see mother lose her life, so you must save mother even more. Moreover, only if you marry into the imperial family can mother continue to enjoy blessings with you."
"Mother, daughter promises you. Daughter will definitely not let mother be in danger!"
Gu Ziran was persuaded by Madam Han.
Madam Han was relieved and began preparing for the next plan.
But Gu Ziran suddenly said to her, "Mother, even if not the Crown Princess, the status of a side consort in the Ninth Prince's mansion will surely protect mother."
With that, Gu Ziran knelt before Madam Han and stated directly, "Mother, daughter has long admired the Ninth Prince. I hope mother will help daughter."
"What? Daughter you..." Madam Han was incredulous, her face full of shock.
"Please, mother, fulfill my wish."
Gu Ziran knew her mother's methods well. With her mother's help, she was sure to successfully win over Nangong Mo, the Ninth Prince.
Furthermore, her mother was forcing her to marry someone from the imperial family, and the imperial family was not limited to Crown Prince Nan Rongqi alone. The Ninth Prince Nangong Mo was immensely powerful and handsome. It would be her honor to marry him.
The scene flashed in her mind of that day when he punished everyone, leaving only her. To her, his forbearance and leniency that day was a tenderness exclusively for her.
Seeing her daughter display the shyness that only comes from longing for a beloved, Madam Han frowned, but then sighed.
Since her daughter was so insistent, she could only help her.
Moreover, if she could become a side consort in the Ninth Prince's mansion, her offense to the Ninth Prince would be resolved. Besides, Gu Qianying, that little vixen, was so lucky to marry into the Ninth Prince's mansion, so her daughter naturally could too.
In the long run, as long as her daughter could give birth to the Ninth Prince's heir early, she would have infinite glory in the future, and she, as her mother, would naturally benefit from it.
As for the Crown Prince, rumors had it that Crown Prince Nan Rongqi was dissolute and fickle. Even if her daughter became his person, with her daughter's gentle and uncompetitive nature, she would be disliked and abandoned by the Crown Prince within a few days. Conversely, it would be different in the Ninth Prince's mansion. As long as her daughter liked something, she would strive for it.
Thinking this way, it was most suitable for her daughter to marry into the Ninth Prince's mansion and become a side consort by the Ninth Prince's side.
"Daughter, get up quickly. Mother agrees to it." Madam Han helped Gu Ziran up and agreed to Gu Ziran's decision.
"Thank you, Mother."
Gu Ziran was overjoyed and very excited.
And for every step that followed, she would listen to her mother.
The original plan was changed. Madam Han took back the belongings and turned to hand Gu Ziran a packet of powder, instructing her, "Daughter, this is an aphrodisiac. Tonight is your only chance. Do you understand?"
Gu Ziran took the packet of powder from Madam Han's hand. Thinking of being with Nangong Mo... her cheeks turned red. "But, Mother, eldest sister is still being treated. The Ninth Prince cares about eldest sister, so why would he be with daughter..."
Madam Han held Gu Ziran's hand and dispelled her worries. "Daughter, just do what you want to do. Leave the rest to Mother."
"Thank you, Mother. Daughter understands."
Gu Ziran carefully hid what Madam Han gave her and left with her maid.
After Gu Ziran left.
Madam Han summoned her personal maid, A Qiu.
She took out another packet of powder from under the jade pillow and handed it to A Qiu. "Quietly sprinkle this in the room occupied by the eldest young lady. Remember, do not let anyone discover it."
"Yes, Madam Han."
A Qiu, who followed Madam Han, did not speak much, only obeying orders.
Watching A Qiu change into night-blooming clothes and climb out the window, Madam Han's lips curled into a cold smile.
Gu Qianying, you little vixen. I originally wanted to let you live a few more days, but you stole my daughter's beloved. Since that's the case, you don't need to live today. It saves you from disturbing my daughter's good deeds!