Gu Sinian's heart softened completely, and he felt a little more at ease.
The two of them played with An An for a while.
Seeing that the worry on their faces had lessened, the little girl felt relieved. Sleepiness overcame her, and her eyelids fluttered open and shut as she struggled for a moment before falling into a deep slumber.
A certain powerful being sighed. It was she who had reminded An An that her parents were anxious and upset.
The reason was that the little girl had appeased them and then stayed to chat with her for a while.
However, this little imp had not played by the rules.
After appeasing her parents, she had abandoned her.
So boring, so lonely.
When would this little girl grow up?
Gu Sinian carried An An back to her room, informed Qi Zhenzhen, and then went to his study.
There were some matters he needed to sort out.
Xie Chen was personally keeping an eye on Li An. On the surface, he appeared calm, but in his heart, he wished he could tear Li An to shreds. At the same time, he also blamed Emperor Chongwen. Ultimately, if it weren't for his romantic entanglements in his youth, would this situation have arisen?
He and Ting Xue had missed each other for decades. Now that such a turning point had finally arrived, if anything were to happen to her, he would resent Emperor Chongwen for life.
At that time, he would definitely kill Li An.
Just a bastard.
"My lord." Xie Chen's man appeared silently.
"Speak." Xie Chen's expression was stern.
"We've found the person. They're at a manor outside the city." The dark guard stated a location.
Xie Chen frowned.
That manor belonged to the Du family.
His Majesty had dealt with the Lu family decisively, and now all the noble families were behaving themselves.
Gu Siya's wife was a daughter of the Du family, so this should be her dowry manor.
It remained to be seen whether the Du family was aware of this.
"Pass the news to Gu Sinian." Xie Chen said.
He would keep watch. As for the Du family, Gu Sinian would surely know what to do.
Upon receiving Xie Chen's message, Gu Sinian did not delay. He avoided others and went straight to the Du residence.
Grand Scholar Du was somewhat perplexed by Gu Sinian's visit.
After all, his daughter had married Gu Siya, and he was well aware of the affairs of the Duke's mansion.
The two brothers had a strained relationship from the start.
Later, their animosity became apparent.
"Lord Gu's sudden visit, may I ask the reason?" Grand Scholar Du asked politely.
"How does Grand Scholar Du view the matter of Empress Lu's maternal family?" Gu Sinian inquired.
Grand Scholar Du's hairs stood on end. Many thoughts raced through his mind, and he spoke cautiously, "Did His Majesty send Lord Gu here?"
Gu Sinian merely smiled without answering.
Grand Scholar Du hurriedly pledged his loyalty, "Heaven and earth bear witness, your humble servant's loyalty to His Majesty is unwavering. I have never done anything to betray His Majesty. The Lu family is the Lu family, and the Du family is the Du family. The Du family has always known its place."
"Know its place?" Gu Sinian said meaningfully.
Grand Scholar Du's mind worked rapidly. He was certain that the Du family had done nothing wrong.
Or was it that His Majesty had grown tired of the Du family and intended to use this opportunity to do something?
If His Majesty was tired of the Du family, then whether they had done anything or not, the outcome would be the same.
"Your humble servant is loyal and devoted!" Grand Scholar Du stated with gravity.
"His Majesty naturally trusts the Grand Scholar," Gu Sinian said, then changed the subject. "The Du family has a manor about thirty li outside the capital, correct?"
Although Grand Scholar Du did not know why Gu Sinian was asking, he still nodded. "It has now been given to my youngest daughter as her dowry."
"According to our dynasty's laws, a woman's dowry is her private property. Therefore, I now have reason to suspect that my elder sister-in-law has colluded with villains to endanger my mother's safety." Gu Sinian said, word by word.
The words stunned Grand Scholar Du, who hastily defended himself, "My daughter has always been well-behaved, how could she collude with villains? Lord Gu, is there some misunderstanding?"