After being forced into a marriage with a wealthy family, the virtuous wife caused a huge uproar.

"You were assassinated very suddenly yesterday, and you killed everyone without leaving a single survivor."

Princess Jinyang, Prince Li, and you are all of noble status; all three of you could be assassinated.

After analyzing the situation with the Minister, we ranked the three of you in order: Prince Li is in first place, you are in second place, and Princess Jinyang is in third place.

Therefore, it has not yet been determined who hired the killer.

If it is Li Shizi, it is very likely that it is a power struggle between brothers in an enemy country or within the Liao royal family.

If it were Princess Jinyang, it's very likely she was trying to frame someone.

"If it were you, it would most likely be the Crown Prince's doing." Qi Qianhe had been thinking about it all day but hadn't come to a conclusion yet; for now, their analysis could only go this far.

"Haha, Lord Qi, you're overthinking it. Actually, it's very simple. Princess Xiangyi doesn't like me and wants to kill me." Rong Yingluo didn't keep them in suspense and went straight to the point.

"Why would Princess Xiangyi want to kill you?" Qi Qianhe was a little confused.

This is no small matter. If Princess Xiangyi was behind it, then this matter needs to be carefully considered.

"Does Lord Qi know that Consort De's family, the Liu family, is going to form a marriage alliance with Prince Xuan's mansion?" Rong Yingluo reminded him.

"I've heard about it, but what I can't understand is why Prince Xuan would take a fancy to that纨绔 (playboy) from the Liu family." Qi Qianhe had been busy getting familiar with his duties at the Ministry of Justice recently, so he only heard about it once and didn't think about it anymore.

"Because on the day of Madam Zhao's birthday, Princess Xiangyi had someone push me into the water and arranged for the Prince's guards to strangle me in the water. Fortunately, Gu Ce reacted quickly and saved me."

Gu Ce was the prime minister of the country, how could he swallow this insult? So my husband and I fought back and made Princess Xiangyi and that young master Liu fall in love and lose their virginity.

So yesterday's assassination attempt was most likely carried out by Princess Xiangyi or the Xuan Prince's mansion. Princess Jinyang and Prince Li were implicated because of me." Rong Yingluo didn't mind telling him the truth.

If Princess Xiangyi had done nothing, this matter might have been able to be covered up for a while longer. But since she had the idea of ​​hiring someone to kill, it was unlikely that this matter could continue to be kept secret.

If Princess Jinyang hadn't been there, the Emperor might not have been so angry.

This is a provocation against imperial power, and the Ministry of Justice must produce a result.

"I see." Qi Qianhe was shocked. "You two are incredibly audacious. That's the eldest daughter of Prince Xuan, and you dared to lay a hand on her."

Qi Qianhe was worried for Gu Ce and his wife.

"Lord Qi, only the weak are bullied. If someone makes a mistake, they should bear the consequences." Rong Yingluo likes to make good connections, but only with people she finds agreeable. If she tolerates and indulges those who are hostile to her, she is only committing evil herself.

"That's right. Thank you for your explanation today, Madam Gu. I'll go and discuss it with the Minister right away." Qi Qianhe couldn't wait a moment longer.

"Don't you need to wait until lunchtime before leaving?" Madam Qi reminded her.

"I'm not eating anymore." Lord Qi said and left.

"She's almost fifty years old, yet she walks with such a brisk gait." Zhao Ying rubbed her eyes, thinking she was seeing things.

When you were serving in the Ministry of Rites, you were never in such a hurry.

"This shows that Lord Qi is in good health." Rong Yingluo covered her mouth and chuckled.

This couple is hilarious; they're so funny.

Rong Yingluo had a lot of private conversations with Ke Miaoran at the Qi family home that day.

Before, when she was with her master, she could only confide in an old man. Now, she has a close friend with whom she can share her innermost thoughts, and Rong Yingluo feels a sweet warmth in her heart.

If my eldest sister were also in the capital, she would have one more person to confide in.

Gu Qingyin and Gu Qingling were successfully persuaded by Madam Lü to stay and have a meal with her.

She successfully pulled her eldest son out of the study and introduced him to the two girls from the Gu family.

Gu Qingyin wasn't stupid either; she had already guessed her sister-in-law's purpose in having them come to the fourth branch of the family, and she did everything she could to help Gu Qingling present her best side to Young Master Qi.

Qi Zimo was initially awkward, but his two younger sisters always managed to find topics to entice him to talk to Miss Gu.

After spending an afternoon with her, Lü Zimo discovered that Miss Qingling from the Gu family was well-read and could even compose lyrics.

She was gentle and compliant, shy and timid, and very beautiful, with a rosy complexion.

This was the first time he had ever looked directly at a woman.

Lady Lü saw all of this and kept it in mind.

Just as Rong Yingluo was about to take her leave, Madam Lü came over and gave her an invitation to the third wife of the Gu family to have tea at a teahouse.

"I will definitely pass this on to Fourth Madam. You can come to the Gu residence to talk to me when you have time." Rong Yingluo accepted it with sparkling eyes.

As she sat in the carriage, Gu Qingling's face was still rosy and tender, with a hint of rosiness.

"My two younger sisters, did you have a good time today?" Rong Yingluo asked deliberately.

"Thank you so much for taking us out to play, sister-in-law. We had a great time and even made two new friends." Gu Qingyin was very touched.

She was born to a maid and rarely attended banquets. The Duchess would only bring her illegitimate daughter out if she absolutely had to, but she would never let her steal the limelight from the legitimate daughter. She and her younger sister Qingyu were always just there to complement their elder sister.

They were already used to it.

Now that my sister-in-law has joined the family, bringing them out is all to pave the way for them. This kind of sister-in-law is just so lovable.

"Sister-in-law... thank you." Gu Qingling said shyly, still immersed in the memory of discussing poetry with Young Master Qi today.

"No need to thank me, we're all family." Rong Yingluo held Gu Qingling's hand.

Upon returning to the Gu residence, Rong Yingluo went directly to the third branch of the family and handed over the invitation given to her by Madam Lü.

Rong Yingluo briefly recounted her visit to the Qi residence that day, mainly mentioning that Lady Lü had taken her two younger sisters to play near the fourth branch of the family.

"Mother, the two young ladies from the Qi family are very friendly and get along very well with my second sister and me," Gu Qingling said softly.

"Qingling, I have something to say to Third Aunt in private. You should go back to your room first." Rong Yingluo sent her away.

Gu Qingling blushed even more and obediently left to see if her younger brother had returned from school.

Madam Xiang led Rong Yingluo to sit down and had a maid serve tea.

"Third Aunt, in a few days, Qingling will come of age. I know you are worried about her marriage."

The Qi family has four branches; you should know that.

The eldest son of the fourth wife, Qi Zimo, is eighteen years old this year, and Madam Qi is currently looking for a husband for him.

Qi Zimo is preparing to participate in next year's spring imperial examination. Students who can take the exam at this age are already considered outstanding.

Today, Madam Qi specially brought her two younger sisters to the fourth branch of the family to play, hoping that Qi Zimo would take a liking to our Qingling.

"Discuss this with your third uncle. If he thinks it's a good idea, then you can bring Qingling to the tea party. If he thinks it's inappropriate, just write a reply to decline." Rong Yingluo made her point clearly.

Marriage is not a game; it requires careful consideration.

"Liuli, thank you. I will definitely discuss this with your third uncle." Xiang Shi was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes.

Over the years, the only person in the Gu family who truly cared about their third branch was this newlywed niece-in-law, for whom she was very grateful.

Back at Silver Willow Courtyard, Gu Ce also returned, his face grave.

"What's wrong?" Rong Yingluo asked.