Chapter 327

Everything was as expected; Gu Xixi lowered her eyelids slightly, smiling but saying nothing.

He Jinglan said with contempt, "How many mouths are there in the capital—can the Fan family possibly silence them all?"

"It's actually laughable—nowadays ordinary people sit together discussing the case, each thinking they can uncover the truth through their own efforts, and who knows how many theories have sprung from this."

"Anyway, there's nothing good to say about the Fan family."

Gu Xixi curled her lips, "This is just the beginning; what they're experiencing now isn't even one ten-thousandth of what the victims have suffered."

He Jinglan agreed wholeheartedly, sighing with feeling, "Fortunately, the upright officials have come forward one after another; even if the Fan family grows more arrogant, they dare not casually arrest a few commoners and condemn them."

"These days, not only are the Fan family members fit to be furious, even the Prefecture of the Capital is plagued with headaches."

"On one side is the endless chatter of the world; on the other is Fan Ge Lao, whose roots run deep in the court."

She smiled again, "My brother even praised Miss Lü, saying she did an excellent job. If this continues, it will sooner or later reach the ears of that person in the palace, and then the Regent Prince will have a just cause to openly investigate the Fan family."

Gu Xixi looked at He Jinglan, smiling enigmatically, "Whether it comes sooner or later, isn't it all under the control of Minister He and the Regent Prince?"

That day, after leaving the inn, Gu Xixi had An Qinghe spend a few coins to find some beggars, sedan-chair carriers, storytellers, and the like.

They were all lowly folk of the capital, yet when it came to spreading rumors, no social class could match their speed.

Grand Secretary Fan

Especially the fact that those scholar-officials of the pure stream could step forward so quickly suggests it isn't as simple as merely hearing street gossip.

Official He

The Regent Prince, Mu Nan Zhao, as a sharp blade for cutting away old abuses, also enjoys considerable prestige among the literati.

former Empress Dowager

He Jinglan also gazed at Gu Xixi with deep meaning, "Miss Lü's impassioned, blood‑tinged petition probably can't produce such an effect in such a short time. My brother only praised Miss Lü—I wonder if he's feigning ignorance or truly unaware that there are two other capable people helping her."

At this moment, both of their hearts were as clear as a mirror; they merely exchanged a smile, with no need to spell it out.

Regent Prince's mansion

He Jinghui walked slowly with his hands behind his back, "By now the palace should already know about this."

"But the emperor's heart is unfathomable; if he wishes to keep the Fan family as a counterweight to you, and is unwilling to use this as an excuse for you to thoroughly investigate Fan Ge Lao, then are we just going to drop this case?"

Mu Nan Zhao sat behind the desk, his composure relaxed, "No rush, let's wait a bit longer."

"The emperor bears a deep hatred and grudge against the faction of the late empress dowager, and has long regarded the Fan family, as the foremost of the old officials, as a thorn in his eye."

Compared to Fan, the Grand Secretary, I have always been loyal only to the late emperor, never formed factions; it's just whether His Majesty trusts me a bit more.

He Jinghui sighed worriedly, "At noon when I went home to eat, Jing Lan still asked me."

I can't possibly tell her that this case has become so widespread in the streets, thanks to you and me.

All I can do is praise Miss Lu a few times in front of her.

Mu Nan Zhao glanced at He Jinghui, gave an inexplicable light scoff, and said, "Don't forget who was the first to fan the flames after the victim."

He Jinghui frowned, "You mean Boss Gu?"

He thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Boss Gu and my sister are both full of schemes; put them together..."

Could it be that they... already know we've gotten involved too?

Mu Nan Zhao said, "No need for 'maybe'; be more confident."

Not only would our meddling in this be exposed, but Gu Xixi should also know what I intend to do.

He Jinghui suddenly ran to the desk, placed both hands on the surface, and stared at Mu Nan Zhao as if seeing a ghost.

What are you laughing at?

In similar situations before, you don't first consider whether the secret will be exposed, how to cover it up or just silence them?

How come you're still quite happy right now?

Mu Nan Zhao collected his smile, couldn't help uttering a vulgarity, "I'll smash your head!"

He Jinghui raised his hand and lightly tapped his own head, "Right, right, right, how could I forget? This is Boss Gu, not someone else."

The Prince not only isn't worried, he'd even be proud; no wonder he's the woman this king cherishes, so extraordinarily wise, able to think of what this king thinks, I can't help but want to laugh.

Seems like self-talk, but actually it's all meant for someone to hear.

While He Jinghui indulged his urge to talk, he didn't forget to protect himself, muttering as he made a swift exit.

The spring examinations ended.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan finally settled all the details of the flower-viewing banquet.

They set the date and finished writing all the invitations.

The tasting experience data from the sugar-water shop has also been fully collected.

With the help of the He family's cook and maids, Gu Xixi didn't have to exert much effort making the sugar water.

Even the distribution, collection, and collation of the tasting questionnaires were handled by someone else.

Gu Xixi looked at Zi Yan, Lü La, Lian Xing, Guang Zhu, the four personal maids.

Her admiration for He Jinglan grew a bit more: the ability to know people and use them well.

I originally thought that the role of maids in wealthy households was nothing more than attending to the master's daily life, dressing and grooming, and accompanying them when they go out.

At most, they might also do needlework, burn incense, and brew tea.

Who would have thought that the four attendants around He Jinglan are so different.

Zi Yan is gentle and pretty, the most meticulous, can read and do basic arithmetic; summarizing the tasting data is no problem for her.

Lü La is eloquent and good at socializing; she was the one who went to the Regent Prince's residence to run the questionnaire this time.

Lian Xing can cook, understands some basic health-preserving medicinal theory, and contributed to adjusting the sugar-water formula.

Guang Zhu is the youngest, looks innocent and inexperienced, yet has some martial arts skills. Besides being able to protect her young lady, she also has a keen sense of taste and smell, often offering useful suggestions when drinking the sugar water.

Gu Xixi thanked the four senior maids.

These past days have made you work so hard; thank you for your effort.

The four all laughed and said they didn't dare.

Guang Zhu said crisply, "We should thank Miss Gu Xixi; with you here, everyone has delicious food and drink every day, and even fresh novelties you can't find elsewhere."

Lu La also said, "Miss Gu Xixi, you might not know this, but everyone in our manor is fighting to work for you; sometimes there are too many people not on duty, so we draw lots to decide who comes."

He Jinglan laughed and said, "Just for the good food and drink? Look at your little ambition!"

Zi Yan said softly, "Miss Gu Xixi is one of us; what's there to be embarrassed about in front of her?"

Hearing this, both Gu Xixi and He Jinglan laughed.

After the maidservants withdrew to the outer room.

Gu Xixi said, "Each of your four treasures has its own strengths; I'm really envious."

The names of these four senior maids each correspond to a gemstone.

Zi Yan, that is amethyst.

Lu La, that is emerald.

Lian Xing, that is sapphire.

Guang Zhu, that is ruby.

These names were coined by He Jinglan in her youth, inspired on a whim by reading a geography text, adapting alternate names and allusions.

He Jinglan said, "I've long wanted to tell you that when I'm not by your side, you should also cultivate someone who is both useful and pleasing to you."

"Moreover, your land holdings keep growing; in the future you'll also be dealing with the tea plantation and doing official tea business with the Imperial Court. Even if An Qinghe is excellent, he has his own stall and can't always help you."