Chapter 316: It's not your fault; he's just black-hearted

Gu Xixi rubbed her forehead, thinking, "What sin! Does a single coin cause him such deep psychological trauma?"

And after all this time, you still can't forget him?!

But listening to He Jinglan continue, "Not only that, when it's bright and the person is sold, the proceeds of that single coin will be immediately returned to the Fan family, after all, it's what they deserve for selling their daughter."

Gu Xixi couldn't stand it anymore, "He really does whatever is nasty!"

He Jinglan laughed, "That's right. From the time I knew him, he's been like this. He's well versed in the way of infuriating people without paying with his life."

However, my brother and I both think that since he returned from the northwest, his skill has improved even further.

Gu Xixi silently looked at He Jinglan, her eyes complex and resentful.

He Jinglan understood, speaking solemnly, "This certainly has nothing to do with you; he may have been born black-hearted, and now he's just evolved to be even more abnormal."

"In the past, he didn't utter vulgar words; just his plain elegance could make people cough up blood."

"Nowadays, besides making people cough up blood, he also beats gongs and drums to trample others' families' faces on the ground, openly trampling them. My brother says, this ruffian's approach, which he has removed the dross, kept the essence, and fully integrated, is something he's mastered."

Gu Xixi fell silent for a moment, then spoke with difficulty, "Although you say that..."

But I haven't received much comfort.

On the contrary, I can't help but reflect, wondering if it's some action of mine that made Mu Nan Zhao like this.

Gu Xixi sighed heavily, "But he probably didn't really intend to sell those girls."

She paused, "If he just wanted to vent anger, there are many ways to humiliate the Fan family, but he insists on making a scene in Pingkang Ward when there are the most people, to blow things up as much as possible."

"He also has the guards wait outside the brothel's door all night, then deal with it at dawn, as if issuing a final ultimatum."

He Jinglan smiled, looking at Gu Xixi with deep meaning, "I never expected, I never expected that you understand him quite well."

"Back then, someone said he was black-hearted; if he didn't want to accept them, he could just refuse—what did those girls do wrong?"

"Especially the Fan family's two concubine-born daughters, even if they aren't favored by the family head, they are still pure women of official descent; how could they be sold to such a place?"

"For this matter, the very next morning at court, a censure official harshly impeached the Regent Prince."

Gu Xixi asked, "Have those women been taken back by the Fan family?"

"Of course they have." He Jinglan picked up the apricot-colored crabapple frozen stone teapot from the table and poured two small cups of tea.

The scent of jasmine mixed with the tea fragrance, drifting in wisps through the carriage.

She handed a half-translucent frozen stone small cup to Gu Xixi, then said, "After all, they both bear the Fan surname; the Fan family couldn't just watch their concubine daughter become a prostitute."

"Not to mention that many colleagues were watching in Pingkang Ward that night; if the Fan family didn't go to fetch them, they would not only become a laughingstock of the whole capital, but also earn the infamy of disregarding familial bonds."

"Furthermore, if those two Fan family daughters truly stepped into the brothel's door, never mind their own fate—even the reputation of their other sisters would be ruined."

"The Fan family still hopes to marry off their daughters into high families by leaning on or pulling connections, but that's probably impossible now."

Gu Xixi sipped the tea, her mouth full of the clear bitterness of floral tea, which greatly eased her mood.

"But after this incident, the Fan family still has lost face; perhaps they now hate someone bitterly."

"Attempting to curry favor with the Regent Prince failed, instead giving rise to a farce that made the Fan family a laughingstock of the entire capital."

"Yet the Fan family still had to lower their heads; under everyone's gaze, they dejectedly took back their daughter and the performance troupe."

"Such resentment—wouldn't ordinary people find it unbearable?"

"What's more, the Fan Grand Secretary?"

He Jinglan sighed, "All the civil and military officials clearly see that the Regent Prince's actions amount to a formal declaration of war on the Fan family; from that day on, everyone naturally has their own calculations."

"As for the person truly pulling the strings behind the scenes, I won't say—but you've probably already guessed."

Gu Xixi understood.

"The emperor wanted to remove the lingering harm left by his predecessor, but because the Fan family had merit, he feared the world would say he maltreats meritorious officials—like killing the dog after the rabbit is dead."

"So he needs someone in the court to check the Fan Grand Secretary."

"But this person absolutely cannot be on harmonious terms with the Fan family."

"Thus the Regent Prince openly broke with the Fan Grand Secretary, which is naturally pleasing to the emperor."

"Otherwise, given the emperor's suspicion, he fears that even the Regent Prince himself will sooner or later be listed as a suspect."

He Jinglan set down her tea cup, turned to Gu Xixi, and said solemnly, "They were originally destined to be political rivals; my brother naturally stands on Mu Nan Zhao's side."

"So what I want to tell you is, you can put your mind at ease regarding Lv Jing's matter."

"Whether you have met Lv Jing or not, or whether you mentioned her to me today, it won't change anything; you also don't need to worry that this will cause trouble for the He family or the Regent Prince's mansion."

Gu Xixi naturally understood He Jinglan's good-intentioned consolation, and replied with a smile, "I understand."

"I suppose your brother has been sending people to watch the Fan family; otherwise, how could you have found me so quickly?"

He Jinglan said, "Exactly so; even if you don't come to the capital, they will eventually have to deal with Old Man Fan."

She then laughed, "Perhaps this Lv Jing lady could be an opportunity to push the Fan family further down the road to ruin."

Gu Xixi asked, "You just said not going to the prince's mansion—do you want to first tell these things to your brother?"

He Jinglan shook her head, "No rush; my brother only returns home in the evening, so we still have half a day to attend to our own affairs."

Having spoken to this point, what else is there between us two close friends that isn't clear?

Gu Xixi collapsed from mental exhaustion, "He Jinglan! All you've given me so far is a sip of tea, yet you drag me to look at a shop—even a donkey turning a mill gets some fodder!"

He Jinglan hurriedly opened the hidden compartment under the tea table, took out pastries and candied fruits, and apologetically smiled, "Sorry, I forgot you were still hungry."

"This isn't just after we finished discussing matters, is it? Have something to tide you over first; once we get off the carriage, you can eat whatever you want."

"Earlier, to facilitate our conversation, the carriage had been deliberately taking a roundabout route."

"The coachman only turned the carriage back toward Dongshi after receiving He Jinglan's order."

Gu Xixi got off the carriage and looked around, somewhat incredulous, "You want to open a sugar-water shop here?!"

"This shop right ahead is located within Dongshi, on the main street."

"Although it's not the prime central location, the land price here is already quite high."

He Jinglan stood with hands behind her back, smiling proudly, "Isn't that quite nice?"

Gu Xixi nodded, "It's really great."

This shop used to be a silk business, but it has stopped, and the store is completely empty.

He Jinglan took out the key herself and opened the door.

She deliberately didn't bring a maid when she went out today, just as she had done in the northwest before, wanting only to accompany Gu Xixi.

The shop is divided into upper and lower floors.

The first floor is spacious, with no partitions, the windows are large, the light is bright, indeed suitable for a sweet drink shop.

The two looked around upstairs and downstairs, and He Jinglan asked Gu Xixi for her opinion.

Gu Xixi said, "I can't find any fault."

"But it's really great; if we can't make it work, wouldn't that be causing you a big loss?"