Madam Xu and Gu Shuyu were both shocked and confused. They instinctively wanted to follow Gu Yunrong, but a constable stepped forward to stop them.
“You two should wait over there.” He pointed toward the covered corridor on one side. “Remember to remain quiet. No shouting or making a disturbance.”
Madam Xu hurriedly asked, “May I ask why the official inside wishes to see my daughter?”
The constable frowned. “Why are you asking so many questions? Just follow me.”
Gu Shuyu glanced back at the heavily guarded office. She could not understand what was happening and secretly worried about her younger sister.
Her sister had always been clever. Hopefully, she would know how to handle the situation.
Before Gu Yunrong was allowed inside, an elderly matron thoroughly searched her. The woman had a solemn expression and followed every rule with strict precision.
Seeing how seriously they were treating the matter, Gu Yunrong became increasingly certain about the identity of the person she was about to meet.
Therefore, when the matron told her that the distinguished person waiting inside was His Highness Prince Heng, she was not surprised.
What she could not figure out was why Huan Che had summoned her.
As she stepped through the partition doors, she used the moment of turning around to quickly survey the room.
There were only three people inside. Huan Che was seated at the head of the room, while Wuwu and Nayun stood on either side of him.
Huan Che was only sixteen years old. His features still carried a trace of youthful innocence, but that did nothing to diminish the naturally imposing aura he possessed. Nor did it lessen his breathtaking appearance, which was enough to catch anyone’s attention.
At such a young age, he already possessed the bearing of a man destined to be remembered for generations.
In her previous life, Gu Yunrong had rarely performed the formal kneeling salute in front of Huan Che. She usually greeted him with the customary gesture of clasping her hands and bowing slightly.
Out of habit, she bent her knees and was about to perform that familiar greeting. However, at the last moment, she suddenly remembered that she was now an ordinary commoner. When facing a prince, she was supposed to kneel and perform the formal salute.
Although Gu Yunrong reacted very quickly, Huan Che still noticed that she had changed her greeting at the last moment.
The bowing salute was commonly used by women. Considering that the girl appeared quite young, it would not have been surprising if she had been nervous and made a mistake.
However, she had adjusted her movements remarkably quickly. Her posture was proper, her expression remained calm, and she showed no signs of panic.
Her mannerisms seemed quite different from what one would expect of someone with her background and age.
This caught his attention.
He looked at her for a moment longer.
Gu Yunrong remained kneeling with her forehead lowered toward the floor, not daring to move.
Huan Che had not given her permission to rise.
She could feel him examining her, even though his gaze had only lingered briefly.
Because of her experiences in her previous life, etiquette and courtly manners had practically become second nature to her. She could perform even the most formal kneeling rituals perfectly.
However, she could not behave as she had in the palace before. If Huan Che saw her using those familiar palace manners now, he might begin to wonder about her.
So she had simply tried to make her movements as proper and natural as possible.
Despite having knelt for only a short while, Gu Yunrong found the experience extremely uncomfortable because of her nervousness.
Therefore, when Huan Che finally said, “Rise,” her appearance had changed considerably from when she first entered.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes glistened as though they were filled with water. Tiny beads of sweat had formed on her smooth, pale skin.
There was an unexpectedly alluring quality to her appearance.
She had not yet reached the age of adulthood, so a trace of youthful innocence remained in her features. Nevertheless, her natural beauty and delicate charm were already striking.
Nayun, standing nearby, could not help drawing in a sharp breath.
Could His Highness have done that on purpose?
Huan Che continued reading the official documents and case files in his hands. His expression remained indifferent as he said, “Nayun, question her.”
His voice was cool and clear, yet pleasant to the ear. It had the refreshing quality of a clear sky after the rain, making anyone who heard it feel as though they were looking at a bright moon and a gentle breeze.
Hearing that familiar voice again, Gu Yunrong could not help feeling dazed. Deep in her heart, she let out a quiet sigh.
Nayun straightened his expression and turned toward her.
“Miss, tell us why you were hiding in the cherry blossom grove by the river with several servants on the day His Highness arrived in Zhejiang. Why were you secretly watching from there?”
Gu Yunrong was taken aback.
So this was what he wanted to ask?
But why had he waited an entire month before summoning her?
She could not tell him the truth, so she answered, “I had heard earlier that the imperial court would send an investigator to Zhejiang to look into the case. I wanted to find an opportunity to appeal to him and seek justice when he arrived.”
Nayun continued, “According to what you’re saying, your father was framed?”
“Yes!” Gu Yunrong hurriedly replied. “I beg Your Highness to investigate the matter thoroughly and restore my father’s good name!”
As she spoke, she sincerely bowed toward Huan Che.
Her cheeks grew even redder, and her eyes seemed to shimmer with moisture.
Huan Che suddenly asked, “Do you have any evidence?”
Gu Yunrong stiffened for a moment before answering, “If someone is determined to frame another person, they can always find an excuse. The accusation of collaborating with the Japanese pirates was imposed on my father by Wan Liang, the magistrate of Qiantang County. He did it only to escape responsibility for his own mistakes! He may have already fabricated all sorts of evidence to make my father appear guilty. Everything happened so suddenly that I truly have no way of producing proof of my father’s innocence.”
“I only began reviewing the case files today,” Huan Che said. “I don’t know much about the details of Gu Tongfu’s case yet. You may start by explaining what happened, from beginning to end. But remember, not a single word you say must be false.”
Gu Yunrong felt the veins in her forehead beginning to throb.
He had… only just started reviewing the case files?
Then what had he been doing for the entire previous month? Had he really just been sightseeing?
Her father’s case was connected to Yu Sixian’s case, and Yu Sixian’s situation involved the military campaign against the Japanese pirates. Those pirates could return at any time. The investigation should have been treated as an urgent matter.
Sometimes, Gu Yunrong really wanted to crack open Huan Che’s head and see what on earth was inside.
She took a moment to calm herself before carefully recounting everything she knew about the battles against the Japanese pirates in Jiaxing and Pingwang, including what had happened before and after the fighting.
After listening to her explanation, Huan Che pondered for a moment before asking, “Did your father also take part in those battles against the Japanese pirates?”
Gu Yunrong nodded. “Yes. My father was Wan Liang’s personal clerk and accompanied him there at the time.”
“Has your entire family lived in Hangzhou Prefecture for generations?”
“Yes.”
“You also have an elder brother who is currently studying, correct?”
Gu Yunrong was startled.
Her elder brother, Gu Jiayan, was studying at the prefectural school. After their father was arrested, their mother had initially wanted him to remain there rather than return home. After all, his presence would not help solve the problem, and there was no need for him to be distracted from his studies.
However, her elder sister had insisted that he should be informed. Otherwise, there would not even be a grown man in the family to handle matters.
So her brother-in-law had gone to fetch him a few days ago. They would probably return tomorrow.
Seeing Gu Yunrong nod, Huan Che opened another official document.
“Once your elder brother returns home, have him come to the Governor’s Office.”
Gu Yunrong was confused. “May I ask why?”
Huan Che glanced at Wuwu, then continued reading the documents without saying anything.
Wuwu immediately bowed and replied respectfully, “His Highness intends to travel incognito around Qiantang to observe the local people’s lives and customs. He wishes for your elder brother to accompany him and introduce the local traditions and customs.”
He glanced at Nayun, who was desperately trying to signal something to him with his eyes. Only then did Wuwu suddenly realize that he had forgotten one more thing.
He quickly added, “And you as well, Miss.”
Gu Yunrong was completely dumbfounded.
Instead of staying in the government office and properly investigating the case, why did Huan Che want to go wandering around?
And why did he have to bring her and her brother along?
Wasn’t this ridiculous?
Wuwu waited for a moment. Seeing that Gu Yunrong still had not responded, he prompted her, “Why haven’t you thanked His Highness for his favor?”
Gu Yunrong drew in a sharp breath. After hesitating briefly, she bowed and accepted the order.
Although she found the arrangement rather strange, she could not openly refuse a prince’s command.
Her father’s life was still in his hands. She could not afford to worry about anything else right now. All she could do was take things one step at a time.
After completing her salute, Gu Yunrong nervously pinched the edge of her clothes. Gathering her courage, she asked Huan Che about her father’s current condition.
The local Wu dialect was different from the standard language spoken by officials. Before allowing Gu Yunrong into the room, the matron had even asked whether she could speak the standard language. If she could not, the matron would have to accompany her inside and act as an interpreter.
Gu Yunrong had nodded and said that she could, so the matron had allowed her to enter.
Her voice was naturally soft and sweet. Even when speaking the standard language, her words came out gentle and smooth. Now that she was filled with anxiety, her voice became even softer and slower, like a feather lightly brushing against someone’s ear, leaving a faint tingling sensation.
Huan Che did not look up. He continued flipping through the case files, his movements growing faster and faster.
“Gu Tongfu is currently being held in the Governor’s Office prison together with Yu Sixian. No one is mistreating him.”
Hearing this, Gu Yunrong finally let out a long breath of relief.
Nayun reminded her not to reveal anything she had heard that day. Then he indicated that she had no further business there and could leave.
Gu Yunrong bowed and prepared to withdraw.
As she straightened up, the corner of her eye caught sight of a nearby window that was half open.
A thought suddenly flashed through her mind. She remembered the question Shen Biwu had asked her shortly before her death in her previous life.
If the Crown Prince discovered Huan Che’s hidden weakness, Huan Che would find himself in a very difficult position.
However, judging from Shen Biwu’s words, the Crown Prince had probably only discovered some unusual details about Huan Che. He had not yet guessed the real secret behind them.
Besides, even without her warning, Huan Che would probably be able to handle the situation himself.
A man with such an extraordinary and perceptive mind would surely be a formidable opponent, even in the complicated and treacherous world of the imperial court.
Gu Yunrong lowered her eyes.
In her previous life, she had once considered telling Huan Che the truth and trying to treat him. Unfortunately, her sudden death had prevented her from doing so.
But now…
Perhaps it was best to simply hope that he could recover on his own.
Ever since their prince had suddenly announced that Gu Yunrong and her brother would accompany him on his excursion, Wuwu had been unable to understand the decision.
After Gu Yunrong left, he stepped forward again and bowed slightly.
“Your Highness, why not simply find a proper local guide? Wouldn’t it be somewhat inappropriate to have those two siblings accompany you?”
Nayun shot him a sharp look.
“His Highness naturally has his reasons.”
Huan Che put down his brush and glanced at the half-open window.
His voice was calm and indifferent as he said, “Remember to make the necessary preparations for the trip.”
The following morning, Gu Jiayan hurried home, his clothes still carrying the morning dew.
After Gu Yunrong quietly told him about Huan Che’s instructions, he immediately hurried off to the Governor’s Office.
He had barely left when their aunt, Madam Fang, arrived.
Gu Yunrong disliked Madam Fang. She had originally intended to show her face briefly before returning to her room. However, when she entered the main hall, she noticed that her mother’s expression was extremely unpleasant.
Before she could figure out what was happening, she heard her mother say in a cold voice, “We will not sell the ownership of the land. The usage rights will remain as they are. There’s no need for you to waste your breath.”
Madam Fang took a sip of tea and smiled.
“Sister-in-law, please don’t be upset. I’m only thinking of what’s best for you and Elder Brother. The price we’re offering isn’t low at all. If you decide to sell later, you may not find anyone else willing to pay this much. As the saying goes, it’s better to let the benefits stay within the family…”
Gu Yunrong immediately understood what was going on.
Her second uncle’s family was trying to take advantage of their situation to seize their farmland.
In this region, land ownership was divided into two separate rights. The ownership of the land itself was called tiandi, while the right to use and cultivate it was called tianmian.
Although the Gu family was not particularly wealthy, their lives had been fairly comfortable. When the family property was divided, her father had received several dozen mu of farmland.
They usually rented the fields to farmers, who cultivated the land and paid rent to the family. In other words, they only transferred the right to use the land, not its actual ownership.
There were only two branches of the Gu family. Her father was the eldest son, and below him was his younger brother, Gu Tongyuan.
According to the customary rules, the eldest son and grandson were expected to shoulder more responsibilities when it came to ancestral sacrifices and family rituals. Therefore, when family property was divided, the eldest son usually received a slightly larger share.
To avoid disputes, their grandfather had drawn up a formal document dividing the family property while he was still alive.
The additional share her father received was actually not much. It was more of a symbolic gesture than anything else.
However, her second uncle had been resentful about it for many years.
Now, his family was clearly hoping to take advantage of her father’s imprisonment and buy the ownership of his farmland at a low price.
Seeing that Madam Xu was already trying to send her away, Madam Fang’s smile did not fade in the slightest.
“If you’re unwilling to sell, you could simply mortgage the land to us first. The term could be two or three years, or whatever arrangement suits you. We would have liked to bring enough money to help you directly, but as you know, times are difficult. Several of my children are either studying or preparing for marriage, and the Japanese pirates keep causing trouble along the coast. We can only offer this arrangement for now. Please think it over carefully, Sister-in-law. Your family is in desperate need of money at the moment. Elder Brother is still being held in prison, and you’ll certainly need money to arrange things for him. After all, this is the Governor’s Office we’re talking about, not some ordinary place…”
She and her husband had already heard that Gu Tongfu had been transferred to the Governor’s Office prison.
Ordinary people like them were already terrified whenever they encountered the county magistrate. As for a high-ranking official like the Governor, they had only ever heard about such powerful figures in theatrical performances.
If Madam Xu wanted to get her husband released, she might have to spend the entire family’s fortune and still fail to accomplish anything.
But that was not their concern.
All they knew was that the eldest branch of the family must be desperately short of money now. That gave them the perfect opportunity to get their hands on the family’s farmland.
Madam Fang claimed that she was willing to accept the land as collateral, but if the eldest branch mortgaged their fields to her, would they ever have enough money to redeem them?
Gu Yunrong sneered inwardly.
Her second aunt truly had a thick skin. She was clearly scheming to take away someone else’s property, yet she spoke as though she were generously tightening her own belt to help the family through difficult times.
Madam Fang continued discussing the matter of mortgaging the farmland with Madam Xu.
Gu Yunrong turned around, intending to call someone to escort the guests out. However, her cousin, Gu Yanyu, who had been sitting nearby drinking tea, suddenly stood up and blocked her way.
“I heard the Xie family came to break off your engagement the other day.” Gu Yanyu sighed, but the mocking look in her eyes was impossible to hide. “Doudou, I hope you aren’t too upset.”
Gu Yanyu liked Xie Jing, but he had been betrothed to Gu Yunrong long ago.
Now that Gu Yanyu was also old enough to be considered for marriage, Madam Fang had begun looking for a suitable husband for her. Unfortunately, none of the candidates pleased her very much.
She could not marry Xie Jing, but at the very least, she wanted to marry someone whose qualities were comparable to his.
The family her mother had found for her was reasonably respectable. However, after meeting the young man, she had discovered that his appearance was rather ordinary and nowhere near as handsome as Xie Jing.
She had already been feeling frustrated about the matter when she heard that Gu Tongfu had been imprisoned and that Gu Yunrong’s engagement had been broken off.
Suddenly, she felt much better.
Gu Yunrong, however, remained expressionless.
She knew that given the Gu family’s current circumstances, finding another suitable marriage after the Xie family had broken off the engagement would probably be difficult.
Even so, she felt absolutely nothing about it.
Gu Yanyu had never gotten along with Gu Yunrong. She had deliberately come today to provoke her and enjoy watching her lose her temper.
However, after waiting for a while, she saw Gu Yunrong calmly walk around her without saying a word.
Gu Yunrong went straight outside, called two maids inside, and loudly ordered them to escort the guests out.
She acted as though Gu Yanyu was not even worth acknowledging.
Gu Yanyu felt as if a ball of anger had become stuck in her chest. She clenched her teeth and thought bitterly:
Gu Yunrong was only pretending to be strong!
Just wait. Once Gu Tongfu was convicted, the entire eldest branch of the family would be finished.
Then there would finally be a good show to watch!