This person was none other than the Flower Plucking Bandit, Fan Liang.
Not long ago, Gu Yunrui had sent a substitute to the Capital Magistrate Office.
Fan Liang laughed, “My master said he’d help you scare Su Shi into miscarrying, since your position as Shizi hasn’t been confirmed for so long. But I didn’t expect the guards in your manor to be so highly skilled in martial arts.”
Gu Yunrui’s expression turned unpleasant. “Go back and tell His Highness that I will handle this matter myself.”
Fan Liang said, “That would be best. After all, His Highness is still waiting for you to gain military power to accomplish more for him.”
Gu Yunrui nodded. “Since you’ve completed the task His Highness assigned you, lie low for now.”
Fan Liang regretfully stroked his chin. “What a pity there are only a few households on the list. If there were more, it would be even better. The look of despair in those young ladies’ eyes is especially beautiful. That Miss Su is also famous throughout the capital. It’s a shame I didn’t even get to touch her face earlier.”
A flash of anger crossed Gu Yunrui’s eyes. “I warn you, don’t even think about targeting anyone from Hou Manor, or don’t blame me for reporting you to His Highness!”
“Alright, alright, I was just saying,” Fan Liang muttered with a hint of disdain in his eyes. “You’re the one who clearly abandoned her yourself, so why do you still care so much? Fine, I understand. I’ll leave the city tonight and won’t be back for a while. By the way, that Su girl actually knows Murong Jin. You should seize this opportunity to see if you can connect with the Divine Doctor. This could be very useful for our master.”
Gu Yunrui replied, “I know.”
After Fan Liang left, Gu Yunrui breathed a slight sigh of relief, then felt a pang of disappointment.
If only today’s incident had scared Qing Wan into miscarrying—how perfect would that have been?
**
Not long after, the Jingzhao Yin directly closed the case, sentencing the Flower Plucking Bandit to strangulation. The entire capital cheered in approval.
Su Qingwan, knowing that Gu Yunrui was acquainted with the bandit, suspected the bandit wouldn’t die so easily. However, she had no influence over matters at the Capital Magistrate Office.
Suddenly remembering something, she said to Qiyi, “Go and find out which families were victimized by the Flower Plucking Bandit.”
“Yes.”
Shortly after, Qinxin returned from the kitchen with breakfast and mysteriously reported, “Miss, Granny Zhang said today that she received a notice stating that from now on, the meals at Haitang Courtyard will be the same as those at Linglong Yuan. Apparently, the second young mistress paid for it out of her own pocket.”
Su Qingwan smiled. “Where would she get the money? It must have been given to her by Gu Yunrui.”
But Gu Yunrui’s monthly salary was fixed and had to be submitted on time, so it was unclear where he obtained the extra funds.
The more illicit the source, the better.
When Qiyi returned with the list, Su Qingwan examined it carefully.
Gu Yunrui knew the Flower Plucking Bandit, and the bandit had harmed girls from those families… Could they be helping their master eliminate dissidents?
But Su Qingwan soon realized that the affected families were all loyal ministers who hadn’t sided with any particular prince or royal.
What was the purpose of targeting these loyal ministers?
Whatever their goal, they had ruined the lives of several young women. Just thinking about it filled Su Qingwan with deep hatred for the mastermind behind it all.
Now, Gu Yunrui’s association with such people was even more despicable.
She gently stroked her abdomen. “I will never let you have the Shizi position. And don’t even think about dragging the Su family onto your thieves’ ship!”
The immediate priority was to uncover who was backing Gu Yunrui. Additionally, Su Qingwan had previously asked her mother to visit the Guifei aunt in the palace to sound her out, but there was still no news about how that had gone.
As she pondered these matters, she saw Qinxin approaching from outside, the little maid looking somewhat gleeful.
“Miss, the Second Young Master rushed to Linglong Yuan right after his duties ended and bought some things for you. As you instructed earlier, we tried to stop him, but he attempted to force his way in. Then Chong Jiu ended up hitting him.”
Su Qingwan’s lips curved slightly. “Then I’ll go out a bit later.”
At the main gate of Linglong Yuan, Gu Yunrui glared darkly at the man before him. “Who do you think you are, daring to hit me?”
Chong Jiu looked at him calmly. “My mistress said no outsiders are allowed in Linglong Yuan.”
Gu Yunrui: “Su Qingwan is your mistress? Then don’t you know I’m her brother-in-law, the Second Young Master of Hou Manor? I’m not an outsider!”
Chong Jiu: “Shouldn’t you be even more careful to avoid suspicion then?”
Gu Yunrui felt utterly stifled.
He had to remember that he was once the master of Linglong Yuan. How had it come to this in just a few months that he couldn’t even enter the gate now?
This Chong Jiu stood like an iron tower blocking the entrance, refusing to yield an inch. Gu Yunrui already knew this man was highly skilled in martial arts and impossible to defeat. Most importantly, he had been sent by Murong Jin…
When had Su Qingwan gotten involved with that Murong Jin anyway?
Thinking of this, flames of anger burned in Gu Yunrui’s eyes, as if his own wife had been unfaithful.
And yet, for His Highness’s sake, he still had to befriend this Murong Jin – how utterly frustrating!
It was at this moment that Su Qingwan arrived, supported by Qinxin, moving gracefully. Her tone was distant and indifferent. “What business does A-Ci have?”
Gu Yunrui pointed at Chong Jiu. “Sister-in-law, you actually hired an outside man as your personal guard? This goes against propriety! Aren’t you worried about damaging your reputation?”
Su Qingwan: “Reputation is but floating clouds. What I care about most now is the child in my womb. After all, accidents keep happening – I’ve become like a startled bird.”
As the instigator of many such “accidents,” Gu Yunrui choked on his words again.
Suppressing his fury, and remembering his purpose for coming today, he swallowed his anger and said, “Sister-in-law, I heard you’re on good terms with Doctor Murong. When could you invite him to the manor for a gathering? I’d like to fulfill my duties as host.”
Su Qingwan understood now – Gu Yunrui had come because he knew she was acquainted with Murong Jin and wanted to connect with the Divine Doctor. That’s why he had rushed to see her after his duties.
Probably for his master behind the scenes too?
Did this man have no heart? No shame? Last night he sent people to frighten her, trying to make her miscarry, and today he came running to ask her to help him connect with Murong Jin?
His face was thicker than city walls – a bottomless, unprincipled scoundrel!
Su Qingwan: “Doctor Murong has indeed helped me greatly, and he deserves thanks, but there’s no need to trouble Second Brother. If there’s nothing else, please return.”
After speaking, she turned and left.
As Gu Yunrui tried to take two steps forward, Chong Jiu blocked his path, repeating, “My mistress doesn’t allow you in Linglong Yuan.”
Gu Yunrui: “…”
The news of Gu Yunrui rushing to Linglong Yuan right after his duty soon reached Su Xiyue’s ears.
Su Xiyue was so furious her stomach ached. With reddened eyes, she smashed the teacup. “That bitch Su Qingwan is truly cunning! Clearly pregnant with another man’s child, yet she still seduces my husband!”
Gui Xiang hurriedly comforted her, “Miss, don’t be angry, take care of your health. The eldest young lady may be proud now, but she might not necessarily give birth to a son. Even if she does, it’s not easy for a child to grow up safe and sound.”
Su Xiyue sat on the round chair and nodded. “You’re right. It’s still uncertain who will become the mistress of Hou Manor in the future. I must take good care of myself and bear my husband a son!”
She knew she had been somewhat impatient recently. After taking a few deep breaths, she said to Gui Xiang, “Our previous homecoming was ruined by Su Qingwan. Tomorrow, send someone back to the Su family with a message, asking Mother to visit me.”
She was no worse than Su Qingwan now and wanted her mother to see this and feel proud.
Gui Xiang promptly agreed.
Upon receiving her daughter’s message, Xu Shi arrived the next day with great fanfare. Though over thirty, she remained strikingly beautiful and was dressed flamboyantly.
Previously, because her husband had achieved neither literary nor military success, she had been suppressed by the main branch of the family for many years, which left her deeply frustrated. Now that her daughter had married into Hou Manor and her son-in-law was steadily rising in rank, Xu Shi walked with an air of triumph.
Today, Xu Shi didn’t come alone; she brought her niece from her maternal family, the delicate fifteen-year-old Xu Tanxin.
With a bright smile, Xu Shi glanced at Su Qingwan’s abdomen. “Qingwan, judging by the shape of your belly, I hope you’re not carrying two girls.”
Su Qingwan replied, “Whether it’s a boy or a girl, it’s fine as long as the child is healthy and lively. Since you’re here, Second Aunt, perhaps you could advise Xiyue not to lose her temper so often during pregnancy. Breaking things is a minor issue, but if she harms her health and the child is born unhealthy, that would be truly unfortunate.”
Xu Shi was left speechless.
She had almost forgotten that their eldest young lady was sharp-tongued, exceptionally clever, and never at a disadvantage in arguments—no one could outtalk her.
Even Grand Tutor Su had once said that among all the children, the eldest girl resembled him the most. It was a pity she was a girl; otherwise, she could have pursued an official career and earned scholarly honors!
Xu Shi forced a dry laugh. “Qingwan, Xiyue is your own cousin. How could you curse her like that?”
Su Qingwan said, “What are you saying, Second Aunt? It’s precisely because she’s my sister that I’m speaking to you so frankly. Previously, her fetal position was unstable, and she even had spotting—it was truly frightening.”
At that moment, Su Xiyue arrived belatedly and, upon entering, overheard this last part of Su Qingwan’s words. Instantly, her anger flared up again.
“Sister-in-law, do you just wish me ill? Why do you keep telling everyone about the spotting incident?”
Su Qingwan replied, “Second Aunt isn’t an outsider. Never mind, since you don’t appreciate honest advice, I’ll say no more. Second Aunt, please go and have a good chat with Xiyue. I have other matters to attend to.”
Xu Shi stood up. “Go ahead with your work.”
When Su Qingwan stepped out, she heard the resentful voice of Su Xiyue behind her, “Mother, why are you still being so polite to her? Now that I have gained a slight advantage over her in the manor, once she gives birth to a daughter, I will be the one in charge of everything in Hou Manor!”
Xu Shi: “What if she gives birth to a son?”
The voices of the mother and daughter gradually faded, and Su Qingwan could no longer hear them.
Although she couldn’t hear, it wasn’t hard to guess—they were surely scheming against her, plotting about her pregnancy.
A faint smile curled at Su Qingwan’s lips. “Xu Tanxin has been staying at the Su residence for a long time, hoping to use the Su family as a stepping stone to marry into a noble family. Today, she eagerly followed Xu Shi here, surely with ulterior motives. Since she and Su Xiyue are such close cousins, if she hears that her cousin’s husband is taking a concubine, might she be tempted?”