"Gu Qianying, what are you doing!"
"Framing the eldest legitimate daughter of the manor for poisoning others is a grave offense. Do you think you can get away with it by simply leaving like this?"
Gu Qianying blocked Gu Mingyue's path, looking at her coldly.
Although Gu Mingyue regretted not being able to bring down Gu Qianying this time, she was not afraid of being involved in the poisoning incident.
"Gu Qianying, you need to understand, I am now the most likely person in our manor to bring glory to our Gu clan. No, I definitely will bring endless honor to our Gu clan. It's just that two insignificant people have died. Yet, you want to ruthlessly eliminate me, your second sister, who is about to give birth to a prince for His Highness the Crown Prince. You are so disregardful of the interests of all the members of the Gu clan. Do you not wish for our Gu clan to prosper?"
"Heh! Gu Mingyue, you think too highly of yourself. As a concubine's daughter who has not yet been received into the palace by the Crown Prince, what does it matter even if you give birth to a prince? Bringing glory to the manor? Profiting the manor, heh! Guards, quickly fetch a mirror for our shameless second young lady so she can see what's so special about her face!"
"Gu Qianying... you!" Gu Mingyue was choked with anger.
Gu Qianying ignored Gu Mingyue's arrogant demeanor, not knowing what "shameless" meant, and turned to bow to Old General Gu. "Grandfather, my mother is still lying in bed from fright. If Guard Bai hadn't arrived in time, my mother would have been harmed by these wicked people. As for this incident of using蛊虫 (gu worms) to poison others and frame your granddaughter.
If this matter had succeeded, your granddaughter would have ended up imprisoned for life. Our Gu manor would also have been implicated. If this matter had not succeeded, as it is now, with people dying in our Gu manor, it has only added trouble to the manor. Moreover, these were two innocent people who couldn't even lift a chicken. Gu Mingyue and the others are so wicked, are you still going to protect them, Grandfather?"
"Guards, why are you still standing there like fools? Hurry up and tie up Gu Mingyue for me!"
Old General Gu would naturally not protect a poisonous girl who would poison the innocent to frame her elder sister in such a matter of right and wrong.
Two young servants seized Gu Mingyue.
"No, Grandfather, you can't," Gu Mingyue struggled. "Grandfather, I am the Crown Prince's woman, how dare you, you..."
"Wait!"
From outside the door, a maid pushed Gu Kun, who was in a wheelchair, forward.
Old General Gu and the others in the hall looked at Gu Kun.
"Why are you here when you should be resting in your room?" Old General Gu frowned.
Since the incident involving Second Master Gu, Old General Gu's attitude towards Gu Kun had changed.
Gu Kun was his son. In the end, he couldn't bring himself to avenge his other son, so he only crippled Gu Kun's leg.
After his leg was broken, Gu Kun rarely appeared in front of people. He spent most of his time hiding in his room, playing with obedient birds and fowls.
However, sometimes, he would also treat the maids around him as playthings, making them do things that would bring him pleasure.
After these things were done, he would have these maids quietly disposed of.
For this reason, his perverted behavior had not spread throughout the manor.
Those in his courtyard who knew about it were either disposed of or had their tongues cut out, so they couldn't gossip.
At this moment, upon hearing that Old General Gu was about to have Gu Mingyue arrested, he rushed over with the company of a maid.
"Father, save me, Father..." Gu Mingyue put on a pitiful expression upon seeing Gu Kun arrive.
Seeing that her grandfather was determined to arrest and hand her over to the authorities, she naturally needed to think of another way to escape.
"Father, I have something to say."
Although Gu Kun harbored resentment towards Old General Gu, he did not show it on his face.
As soon as he entered, he ordered the servants who had grabbed Gu Mingyue to release her.
The two servants did not obey Gu Kun's order.
They worked in Old General Gu's courtyard and naturally obeyed Old General Gu.
"Are you deaf! I told you to release Second Young Lady!" Gu Kun shouted coldly.
The two servants looked at each other, then quietly glanced back at Old General Gu. Seeing that Old General Gu did not speak, they dared not release Gu Mingyue.
Seeing this, Gu Kun felt indignant but suppressed his anger. After taking a breath, he said, "Father, Mingyue is about to give birth, and she is carrying the Crown Prince's child. Aren't you afraid of angering the Crown Prince by acting like this?"
Old General Gu, who was about to retort, "Why should I fear him!" swallowed his words upon remembering the plan his granddaughter had told him. He then said, "This rebellious daughter has committed many evils and should be handed over to the authorities as a warning to the two young ladies she poisoned."
"Yes, Father, Mingyue has committed so many evil deeds and deserves the punishment she deserves. However, Father, if you truly do this, you will not only offend the Crown Prince but also potentially ruin our Gu manor's century-old foundation. The consequences of angering the Crown Prince would be to become his pawn in the struggle for power."
"Oh, then what do you think should be done to avoid such a disaster?"
Hearing Gu Kun's words, a cold glint flashed in Old General Gu's eyes.
Gu Kun's words at this moment did not match his usual speaking style.
Old General Gu couldn't help but feel suspicious and paid more attention to the change in Gu Kun's speech this time.
He wanted to see what absurd things his son would say!
"Replying to Father, your son believes that all the charges of poisoning outsiders should be placed on Qianqian (Gu Qianying). Let her bear some symbolic responsibility for this disaster. Qianqian is the future Imperial Consort of the Ninth Prince. It doesn't matter even if Qianqian acted rashly and returned the betrothal gifts sent by the Ninth Prince.
After all, a few days ago, the Ninth Prince stayed at our manor for several days, spending time with Qianqian daily. If it's said that the Ninth Prince has no other intentions towards Qianqian, it would be a lie. Therefore, he will definitely not stand by and watch Qianqian go to prison. He will definitely handle this poisoning incident cleanly and thoroughly.
As for Fourth Sister (Gu Yu Mei) and Mingyue, they can live in peace. Furthermore, after some time, the 'concubine' status will be removed from Mingyue, making her the esteemed legitimate second young lady of the Gu manor. With such a status, it is not impossible for her to seek the position of Crown Princess from the Crown Prince.
If Mingyue gives birth to a male infant in the future, it will be good. If she gives birth to a female infant, it doesn't matter. In the end, they will all be the Crown Prince's legitimate sons. Thus, when the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, Mingyue will surely be the most honored Empress of the current dynasty.
At that time, your son will be the maternal uncle of the Emperor, and your power in the court will be even greater. The good days for our Gu manor will be just around the corner. In this way, Father, do you still think arresting Mingyue and handing her over to the authorities is a feasible plan?"