“Young Master, this is an invitation from Ning Royal Mansion. They will be hosting a banquet tomorrow night for the prominent families of Chang'an, inviting both Master and Young Master to attend.”
Bang!
Gu Yuan slammed his palm onto the wooden table.
His face was twisted with rage. His graceful demeanor outside was merely a facade he maintained. Only at home would he reveal his true self.
His finger joints cracked audibly.
He abruptly lifted the servant with one hand.
Grabbing him by the neck.
The servant trembled with fear, trying to break free.
“You… Young… Young Master?!”
“Get out!”
The servant scrambled away.
Gu Yuan looked at the invitation, incredibly irritated.
He had never suffered such a huge loss!
This time, he was even implicated and demoted!
“Gu Lang!”
“Hmm?”
Gu Yuan frowned and turned around.
Lin Xianhong, holding up her skirt, ran over with tears in her eyes, a clear slap mark still on her face. Upon reaching him, she immediately threw herself into Gu Yuan's embrace.
A fragrant breeze enveloped him.
Gu Yuan's heart involuntarily stirred.
He raised his hand and embraced Lin Xianhong.
Feeling the beautiful woman's slender body, he was also overcome with desire. Just as he was about to explore further, Lin Xianhong, blushing, interrupted him. She then quickly pulled away, lowering her head and murmuring, “Gu Lang, not yet…”
“Haha, it's just that you're too alluring.”
Gu Yuan forcefully suppressed the desire in his lower abdomen.
Looking at Lin Xianhong, he sneered inwardly.
Are you still pretending in front of me, you abandoned woman?
Weren't you already played out by others?
Gu Yuan forced out a smile.
Anyway, there's plenty of time, no need to rush.
“What's wrong with you?”
“Who hit you?”
“My grandfather!”
“What?”
Gu Yuan was instantly stunned.
“Your grandfather… wasn't he the one who doted on you the most?”
“Why would he suddenly hit you?”
“It's all because of Ning Que!”
Lin Xianhong spoke through gritted teeth, full of indignation.
She was full of grievances at the moment.
“Ning Que targeted my Lin Family.”
“Grandfather truly had no other choice, so he brought Father, Older Brother, and Younger Sister to kneel before the Prince's Manor, hoping Ning Que would show mercy. Unexpectedly, he used this to make things difficult, letting my grandfather kowtow until his head bled, yet he remained indifferent. I went forward to stop him, and then I was… by grandfather…”
“So that's how it is!”
Gu Yuan took Lin Xianhong's small hand and said softly, “You've suffered. However, you must also understand your grandfather. Your Lin Family was all dismissed from their posts this time, and your older brother Lin Chao was even demoted to Minister of Justice. During the court deliberation, I couldn't do anything. After all, I had already been demoted, and if I spoke up for him again, I might not even be able to protect myself.”
“I understand.”
“Don't worry, I've already sent someone to the Northern Frontier. When your older brother goes to the Northern Frontier, someone will specially look after him.”
“Gu Lang, you're so good to me!”
Lin Xianhong's eyes reddened.
In this world, the only one who truly treated her well was probably him.
“This is only right.”
Gu Yuan smiled faintly.
Look after him?
Just talk!
Lin Chao did have some capabilities.
However, that guy knew too much.
It wasn't conducive to him maintaining his image as a gentleman.
The main thing was that Lin Chao was too impulsive.
He might cause trouble again in the future.
When he goes to the Northern Frontier, it would be best if he died there.
“Don't worry.”
“Ning Que won't be jumping around for much longer.”
“Just came into power and already offended so many people.”
“And he's grandly hosting a banquet, not even afraid of arousing suspicion from Emperor Feng, not understanding at all how to keep a low profile.”
“Mm!”
Lin Xianhong nodded vigorously.
However, she still had some doubts.
Hadn't Ning Que been keeping a low profile for the past three years?
After all, Old Prince Ning's death was too suspicious.
Many people at the time suspected it was related to Emperor Feng.
Therefore, Ning Que chose to marry her.
In reality, it was all just a cover-up.
After she had the abortion, it completely enraged Ning Que.
Without hesitation, he cruelly divorced her!
Without showing any mercy!
The more Lin Xianhong thought about it, the more she shuddered.
Could it be that this was the truth?
Ning Que had never liked her?
He only used her as a tool?
Gu Yuan handed over the invitation and said softly, “Ning Que is hosting a banquet tomorrow night to invite the dignitaries, and the invitations have already been sent.”
“Too much!” Lin Xianhong said with red eyes, “He stepped on our Lin Family to rise. Now our Lin Family has all been stripped of our official positions and owe a large sum of money.”
“Oh, about the money!”
Gu Yuan also suddenly realized, then sighed, “Xianhong, you must already know. Our Gu Family has also suffered Ning Que's retaliation this time and needs some money to smooth things over. I can only manage fifteen thousand taels at most right now, and this is already the Gu Family's entire fortune.”
“I understand.”
“The Gu Family has already gone through a lot.”
“This is all Ning Que's fault!”
Lin Xianhong nodded gently.
In fact, she herself hadn't noticed.
She was completely obedient and understanding towards Gu Yuan.
But towards Ning Que, she was always incredibly aloof.
Whatever Gu Yuan said was right.
And whatever Ning Que said was false.
From beginning to end, she never felt that she was wrong.
Gu Yuan narrowed his eyes, smiling, “Xianhong, there's no need to worry, I will continue to find a way for the money. As for Ning Que, I will not let his banquet proceed smoothly.”
“What is Gu Lang going to do?”
“Hehe, just make him look foolish.” Gu Yuan sneered, “He humiliated you so much, I really can't stand it. He's so full of himself now, yet he doesn't care about the Lin Family's fate, he's simply bullying others with his power. You should have some poison, right?”
“You want to kill him?”
“Gu Lang, you can't be impulsive!”
“He's not worth it.”
“Don't worry.”
Gu Yuan looked helpless.
What was this foolish woman talking about?
He just wanted to mess with Ning Que.
To make him look foolish in front of everyone at the banquet.
As for killing Ning Que?
Had his brain been squeezed by a door?
Ning Que was now the Prince Ning of Great Feng!
Poisoning a prince was a capital crime punishable by extermination of nine generations!
The entire Gu Family would be uprooted.
Even earthworms would be split in half!
“I didn't intend to poison him to death.”
“This poison should ideally take effect publicly.”
“Something with little harm, but extreme humiliation.”
“I understand.” Lin Xianhong nodded thoughtfully, then thought for a moment and said, “If other medicines take effect, it's easy for people to discover it's poisoning. To achieve what you're saying, and also allow you to escape, the best would be a laxative.”
“Good, then we'll use a laxative!”
Gu Yuan immediately nodded.
He was already somewhat impatient at this moment.
He wanted to make Ning Que look foolish at the banquet!
Previously, when he held a banquet, Ning Que came to cause trouble. Now that Ning Que was hosting a banquet, what reason did he have not to come and stir up trouble? As the saying goes, courtesy demands reciprocity!
“I'll go back first.”
“I'll send the medicine to you tonight.”
“Xianhong, I appreciate your trouble.”
Lin Xianhong merely smiled faintly.
She had even forgotten now.
How she had reprimanded Ning Que back then.
She said she hated people who poisoned others in secret the most.
So when she was drugged and Ning Que took her purity, it made her incredibly angry.
But now, what was she doing?
Gu Yuan watched her leave, then suddenly sniffed the lingering fragrance on his hand.
One day, he would trick Lin Xianhong into his grasp.
And then kick her away fiercely!