I have suffered enough in my previous life, my cousin will never marry me

Chapter 59 Big Gift
Ye Wanshu said that just now, of course not because she really wanted to keep Mu Qingqing in Lin'an, but simply to dispel Gu Tingchen's guard.

Since Xiao Zhang decided to leave Lin'an, she must have seen the situation clearly. As long as the mother and daughter made the decision, it would not be difficult for me to take them away.

Now thinking back on the events of her past life, Ye Wanshu was already very certain that the charge of treason was planted by Gu Tingchen in the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.

Without showing any strange expression, Ye Wanshu took Mu Qingqing's arm and led the three little ones back to the backyard.

Gu Tingchen watched silently, and waited until they were far away before whispering to the servant beside him, "Go, have someone go to the Dingyuan Marquis's residence to keep an eye on things, and then send someone to investigate thoroughly to see if the cousin had any private meetings with Prince Yongning during his visit to the capital."

"Yes," the servant replied and left, then mysteriously disappeared in the Duke's Mansion.

Today is his wife's birthday, and Gu An has no time to stop his little tricks. As long as his son does not intend to harm the lives of the mother and woman, there is nothing wrong with letting them stay in Lin'an.

Both father and son tacitly prepared to welcome the guests.

But thinking about his son and niece's marriage, he couldn't help but ask, "I heard you were with Wanwan, Aji, and the others yesterday. How was it? Has Wanwan's attitude towards you changed a bit?"

"Don't worry, father. Wanwan and I are fine," Gu Tingchen vowed.

Although there were some minor frictions yesterday, that was just her showing that she cared about herself.

Moreover, she did not stop me from trying to keep the Mu family, which shows that she has a clear conscience.

But Gu An was still a little nervous, always feeling that Wanwan going to Yuezhou was not a good sign.

He had hardly slept the entire night since he and his son decided to weaken the Mu family army and the Yuezhou army.

Once the news of Xie Zhan's feigned defeat in the northern border reaches Lin'an, it will inevitably cause great turmoil. It will be difficult to predict what the situation in the northern border will be like at that time.

Sighing silently, Gu An placed one hand heavily on Gu Tingchen, his eyes filled with earnestness.

"Tingchen, you are more far-sighted than your elder brother. Your father is very pleased about this, but you must be more cautious about your marriage with Wanwan. Don't make any mistakes again."

Gu An solemnly warned, "Although we have firmly grasped the military power of the court over the years, the entire civil service group has turned to Ji Yuan and His Majesty. If we want to ensure the long-term prosperity of the Gu family, an alliance with Ji Yuan is imperative."

Gu Tingchen naturally understood this principle better than his elder brother: "Don't worry, father. I can see that Ji Yuan still cares about Wanwan. As long as he doesn't block my marriage to Wanwan, I will respect him."

After hearing this, Gu An felt much more at ease.

Ye Wanshu brought Mu Qingqing to the inner courtyard and secretly winked at Chunhong and Xingtao. The two maids immediately led the little ones to play aside.

Seeing this, Caiju and Qiuli also went over to greet them.

The two of them were strolling leisurely. Ye Wanshu looked ahead with a calm expression on her face, but suddenly an inappropriate remark came out of her mouth.

"Qingqing, I will take you away from Lin'an tonight."

Mu Qingqing was slightly startled, and only glanced around secretly: "Sister Wan, could it be that you didn't really want me to stay just now?"

Ye Wanshu smiled and said, "Who can dissuade my aunt from making her decision?"

"But my mother is still in the mansion."

Before Mu Qingqing could finish her words, Ye Wanshu reminded her, "If Auntie hadn't already made plans, she should be at the Duke's Mansion right now."

Mu Qingqing looked at her, bewildered. Ye Wanshu pursed her lips. "Think about it, you haven't even reached the age of marriage yet. For such an important occasion as my aunt's birthday banquet, if she had no other plans, she would have come in person. Why would she only have a maid accompany you to the Duke's Mansion?"

Mu Qingqing suddenly realized, "Two days ago, one of my father's old subordinates came to our house and informed my mother that there was a disturbance in the north. They wanted my mother to come to the palace and ask His Majesty for permission for the Mu family army to march north to fight the enemy."

"Although I have a heart to serve my country, I am a woman after all. If I rashly get involved in this matter, it will inevitably arouse suspicion," said Ye Wanshu.

Mu Qingqing looked surprised. "Sister Wan, you really see things clearly. That's what my mother thinks. The mobilization of the imperial army is particularly eye-catching right now. Our Dingyuan Marquisate is backed by the Gusu Zhang family and the Yongning Prince's Palace. If my mother goes to the palace to advocate for this matter, it will not only not help the Mu family army, but will harm them instead."

Glancing at Ye Wanshu awkwardly, she smiled and said, "No wonder Mother asked me to come to the Duke's Mansion today, saying there would be a surprise. I guess that surprise is you, Sister Wan?"

"Auntie is really an interesting person." Ye Wanshu was a little amused.

It turned out that the Marquis's wife had already seen through her identity.

"In that case, you must listen to me today. I will definitely take you out of Lin'an safely."

Ye Wanshu was just wondering why Xiao Zhang didn't come today. She thought she deliberately sent Qingqing to the Duke's Mansion and asked herself to take her away.

Mu Qingqing could probably see that the Gu family father and son had no good intentions in keeping her and her mother in Lin'an. Between Sister Wan and the father and son, she was naturally willing to believe Sister Wan and agreed immediately.

"Aunt has many guests in the courtyard today, and I'm afraid she won't be able to take care of us young people. Please come with me back to Cuiweitang and take a rest for a while."

Ye Wanshu took her arm and continued walking forward: "It won't be too late to come out and greet her after the birthday banquet starts."

"Okay." Mu Qingqing responded meekly and followed her to Cuiweitang.

Gu Qingmian watched from a distance, looking jealous: "Humph, my cousin has a new love and has forgotten me, her younger sister."

"But Sister Mu seems to be more popular than you." Gu Tingji stabbed her in the heart.

Gu Qingmian was very angry after hearing this and chased after Gu Tingji. Qin Chulin looked at the intimate play between the brother and sister and couldn't help but think of his cousin. A hint of sadness suddenly appeared on his young face.

Gu Tingji seemed to have noticed something, so he turned back and pulled him forward.

"Brother Chu Lin, don't be sad. You still have me and my two sisters. We will go to Yuezhou to see you and your cousin when we have time."

Gu Tingji comforted him all the way and finally coaxed him back to Cuiweitang. Seeing how considerate the Fourth Young Master was and not having any arrogance of a young master from the Duke's Mansion, the maids all admired him from the bottom of their hearts and followed him closely with smiles on their faces.

Jiang Yueling came out of the courtyard to relieve her boredom. She happened to hear Gu Tingji's voice and looked at the maid Qingyu beside her curiously: "Cousin, are you going to Yuezhou?"

Qingyu nodded absentmindedly and replied, "To answer your question, young lady, I heard that my cousin is leaving tomorrow to visit an old friend and will be back in a few months."

"Come back?" A cunning look flashed across Jiang Yueling's eyes.

If she never came back, the young master and the eldest master would definitely hold her in their hands as before.

"I heard that the two princesses from Prince Qi's mansion will also come to celebrate the Duke's wife's birthday today." Looking at Qingyu, Jiang Yueling whispered, "Go to the front yard and guard it. If you see the two princesses, ask them to come to my yard."

Qingyu looked puzzled. Jiang Yueling urged her impatiently, "Go quickly and tell them I have a big gift for them."

Seeing this, Qingyu had no choice but to leave.

(End of this chapter)