He had intended to marry Gu Nanyin into the Prince’s household, but all of this was based on the premise that Gu Nanyin had no feelings whatsoever for the Regent. Otherwise, how could he make his daughter willingly provide him with information without her even realizing it? However, judging from the current situation, his daughter clearly had developed a fondness for the Regent. Although he didn’t understand why Gu Nanyin’s temperament had changed so drastically since falling into the water—even showing affection toward the Regent, whom she had always disliked the most—he absolutely would not allow anyone to threaten his path to success.
Gu Nanyin glanced indifferently at her father. “Would Father dare to say these words in front of the Regent?” Did he dare? Of course, he didn’t. He wasn’t tired of living, to speak ill of the Regent to his face.
“Nanyin, Father is doing this for your own good. The Regent is inherently cruel and violent. No woman who gets close to him ends up well.” This statement was indeed true. Yuan Jue was handsome, wealthy, and powerful, and many women had used all sorts of methods to approach him. By now, the grass on their graves was probably two meters tall.
Seeing that Gu Nanyin remained completely unmoved, he couldn’t help but put on a stern face. “Getting close to the Regent will only upset your mother. Don’t you know how much your mother cares about you? How could you bear to make her live in constant fear and anxiety?”
Gu Nanyin lazily adjusted her sitting posture. Seeing that his emotional appeal wasn’t working, he had now brought her mother into it. She raised an eyebrow. “If we’re talking about people who upset my mother, it must be Gu Qinglian and Concubine Yun, mother and daughter. If Father were to drive the two of them out of the mansion, my mother would surely be happy every day.”
Gu Yuanyao’s face was now extremely unpleasant, but Gu Nanyin pretended not to notice and continued, “And Father, if it weren’t for your ungrateful face constantly appearing in front of my mother, she would surely live a long life.”
She didn’t understand what gave Gu Yuanyao the confidence to think he could still manipulate her. Hadn’t she humiliated him enough after their last confrontation? Yet here he was, delivering himself to her doorstep and offering his face for her to step on. It would be impolite not to take advantage.
“You… you…” Gu Yuanyao was furious, his hand trembling as he pointed at Gu Nanyin.
“Father, the night is deep and the dew is heavy. Rest early. I won’t keep you chatting any longer.” Gu Nanyin gracefully stood up and walked toward the door.
“Stop right there, you unfilial daughter…” Gu Yuanyao’s voice rang out behind her, but Gu Nanyin paid no heed and pushed the door open, walking straight out.
“Young Miss.” Qin Xue was waiting for her outside the door.
“Let’s go.” Gu Nanyin looked at her gently. Her own father only had intentions of using her, not even comparable to Qin Xue, whom she had only recently met.
Gu Nanyin touched her hand, which had turned icy cold from waiting outside for too long.
“Go back and drink a bowl of cold-dispelling soup. Next time, there’s no need to wait for me outside. Father wouldn’t dare to do anything to me.” Whether out of fear of the Regent or her maternal grandfather, Gu Yuanyao wouldn’t dare lay a hand on her.
“How could I do that? Even if there’s only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, I can’t let you face danger alone, Young Miss.” Qin Xue’s small face was flushed red from the cold, but her eyes were filled with a smile. Even if it weren’t for the Prince, she genuinely liked the Young Miss and absolutely couldn’t let anything happen to her.
“Silly girl.” Gu Nanyin reached out and tapped Qin Xue’s cold-reddened nose.”Crash.” Another teacup shattered in the Silent Grass Pavilion, with several maids kneeling on the floor, trembling. Ever since Second Miss Gu Qinglian was beaten by the eldest miss, such scenes had occurred almost daily.
“Are you blind? How dare you bring such scalding tea for me to drink?” Gu Qinglian said viciously. That fool Gu Nanyin had gone mad, actually daring to hit her. While still unconscious, she had been banished to this dilapidated courtyard—was this even fit for human habitation? Since childhood, her father had doted on her in private. When had she ever suffered such hardship?
“All of you may leave. No one is to speak of today’s events,” Concubine Yun said calmly, seated in her chair, her face seemingly expressionless.
“Yes,” the maids quickly replied, hastily retreating, afraid of further punishment. The second miss had changed completely lately, with none of her former gentleness remaining. It seemed all her previous demeanor had been an act.
“Mother, that bitch Gu Nanyin is truly cut from the same cloth as her mother. She claimed to treat me like a sister, but now her true colors are showing,” Gu Qinglian said venomously and resentfully once they were alone. Her injuries had taken nearly a month to heal, and even now, sitting in the chair caused a dull ache. For this past month, she had been like an invalid, unable even to leave her bed.
“Lian’er, be patient. We’ve endured for so long already; what’s a little more suffering?” Concubine Yun comforted. How could she not hate? She and Gu Yuanyao had grown up together, sharing deep affection. Madam Gu had appeared out of nowhere yet ended up as the rightful mistress of the household—a position that should have been hers.
At this moment, Concubine Yun completely forgot how she and Gu Yuanyao had schemed step by step to approach Madam Gu, winning her heart. Without that, Gu Yuanyao would likely still be a minor seventh-rank official with no prospects.
“Mother, I want Gu Nanyin dead. She humiliated me in front of so many maids and servants. I’ve lost all face in this household—how can I command respect in the future?” As long as Gu Nanyin disappeared forever, she would be the only young miss in the mansion, and who would dare bring up these old matters?
“I have an idea. I heard your father mention privately that he has pledged allegiance to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is the future emperor. If you can win his favor, you could become the Empress one day, the most honored woman in the Inky Moon Kingdom. Then, who in this world would dare bully us? Whether Gu Nanyin lives or dies would be up to us,” Concubine Yun whispered. By then, she would be the Emperor’s mother-in-law, and who would remember the current Madam Gu?
“But… the Regent…” Gu Qinglian was tempted, but everyone in the capital knew the Emperor’s power was merely a facade. Real authority lay in the Regent’s hands. Even if she became Empress, she would only be a puppet.
“Once the Regent dies, power will naturally return to the Emperor,” Concubine Yun said gently, as if ending the Regent’s life were no difficult matter.”This matter must still be approached through Gu Nanyin. Who in the mansion doesn’t know of the Regent’s feelings for her? But we must not act too hastily, lest it backfire. You must not reveal any flaws in front of her. Recently, she seems to have improved quite a bit.” Concubine Yun picked up the teacup beside her, took a delicate sip, and then carefully advised.
“Mother, rest assured. As long as I can trample Gu Nanyin underfoot, I naturally won’t mind temporary gains or losses.” A malicious smile appeared on Gu Qinglian’s face. Having pretended to be a loving sister to Gu Nanyin for over a decade, she certainly had enough patience.