Gu Changwei’s mind kept replaying a sentence—
"I never did those things. Towards you, towards Gu Siya, I have a clear conscience."
These were Qin Tingxue's words, spoken word for word before she left.
Gu Changwei knew what she was referring to. For instance, Gu Siya falling into the water; or when he ate something bad and suffered from severe stomach pain, with the physician diagnosing it as consumption of unclean food; or the unpleasant remarks some servants made about A'wan. There were countless such incidents.
What had been his reaction back then? Ah yes, anger, followed by indiscriminate accusations.
Gu Changwei remembered that in the beginning, Qin Tingxue would always defend herself with teary eyes. Later, she became very indifferent.
So, who was lying?
Siya?
Gu Changwei shook his head. Siya was so young then, what could she possibly know?
Gu Changwei summoned his trusted aide and gave him a few instructions.
Some of the people who had served A'wan back then were still working in the mansion, while others were living in retirement on the Duke's estate.
To clarify certain matters was easy.
At that time, Gu Changwei had no intention of clarifying them. But now, thinking of the relief Qin Tingxue had shown upon leaving, a thought screamed in his mind—she must be making excuses; she must have done those things.
Only if she had done them would Gu Changwei feel that he had not wronged her or Gu Sinian over the years.
How could he be wrong? Although he didn't like her, he had still given her the position of Duchess, a noble title that countless women yearned for.
Gu Changwei was also furious. Had he not treated her well? She actually sought a divorce!
—
Gu Sinian and Qi Zhenzhen finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Once we leave here, Mother will also have a more comfortable life," Qi Zhenzhen said with some ease. "When we move out, we'll bring Mother to live with us."
"Alright, I'll listen to you," Gu Sinian replied.
However, he had a premonition that his mother would most likely not live with them. Nor would she live with her maternal family.
"The position of Crown Prince..." Qi Zhenzhen started, then stopped.
"An imperial decree will be issued from the palace soon," Gu Sinian said.
Although Emperor Chongwen was staying at the Duke's mansion, he could not be completely cut off from the palace.
"Do you think they will pull back from the brink?" Qi Zhenzhen asked, then immediately muttered to herself, "They definitely will, they absolutely will!"
Gu Sinian smiled and playfully tapped Qi Zhenzhen's nose. "Didn't you tell me earlier that the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment?"
"I don't want you to be sad," Qi Zhenzhen said after a long pause.
Even though her heart had grown cold, he was, after all, her biological father.
Gu Sinian hugged Qi Zhenzhen. "Don't worry."
—
In the palace, Lu Linlang lounged lazily on a couch. "Has the Emperor been arranged for?"
"He has been arranged. Today, he is visiting Consort Xian's palace," the palace maid replied. "Consort Xian had made preparations in advance."
As for what those preparations were, they were naturally meant to make him vigorous and lively.
Hmph, accompanying that bitch to visit her family and arranging a fake person to accompany her. This was like trampling her dignity, her reputation, and the Lu family's reputation underfoot. Originally, she had felt some guilt and reluctance, but now, she had none at all.
Since he was willing to stay outside, he should not return from now on.
She would make proper arrangements, arrangements for this fake emperor to dote on his other women.
"Old man Jixiang, continue to interrogate him," Lu Linlang said, rubbing the thumb ring on her finger. "Be careful, don't kill him."
Emperor Chongwen had not taken the imperial seal with him, and only Jixiang knew where it was. That old man was very tight-lipped. Despite severe torture, he had not revealed a single word.