0p0 Chapter 222 Settlement
Chapter 222 Settlement
Jiang Lige nodded. "Yes, Your Highness, given your personality, even if Wang had treated you well back then, you would never have refused to acknowledge your mother. I've always found this matter strange, until today when I saw Wang and Chang meeting at the tavern. Thinking back to the last time the Wenchang Marquis's Mansion used a secret medicine puppet on Li'er, I came up with this bold guess."
People like Ning Yunxiao always understood things quickly. "You mean, back then, the Wang and Chang families designed a puppet for me by giving me a secret drug, and then manipulated me to do those incredible things?"
"That's right." Jiang Lige nodded and analyzed, "Now that I think about it, weren't these two the ones who benefited from that incident? Chang's husband was originally a concubine's son. If it weren't for this incident, how could they have become the heads of the Gu family now? As for Wang, she was already pregnant at the time. Once the Gu family broke with His Highness, His Highness would no longer have any ceremonial guards from outside the family. That's why Wang and her son have been able to control everything in Prince Zhao's palace for so many years."
Ning Yunxiao remained silent. After a moment of contemplation, he frowned and said, "Although this matter is suspicious, we can't do anything to them based on our one-sided statement alone."
"I don't think it's difficult." Jiang Lige smiled like a little fox. He leaned over to Ning Yunxiao's ear and whispered the plan. Then he said happily, "As long as there is any action, the truth will be revealed. I don't believe that when the evidence is placed before the Gu family, they will still choose to favor the Chang family."
Ning Yunxiao found Jiang Lige's indignation amusing. He reached out and touched her head, saying calmly, "Actually, after so many years, I don't care anymore."
Jiang Lige grabbed Ning Yunxiao's hand and said angrily, "Your Highness doesn't care, that's because you're generous. But I'm very petty. Whenever I think about the day when the Gu family refused to let Your Highness in for the birthday banquet, I feel uncomfortable!"
"Okay." Ning Yunxiao felt relieved after hearing Jiang Lige's words. "If you're not comfortable, then just go for it. Even if something goes wrong, I'm still here."
"really?"
Ning Yunxiao nodded, "Of course."
Jiang Lige smiled again after hearing this, "Then Your Highness will accompany me to the Gu family later."
Ning Yunxiao nodded again, "Okay."
……
Jiang Lige has always been an impetuous person. An hour later, Jiang Lige and Ning Yunxiao appeared in front of the Gu Mansion.
Unlike the low-key way he sent Jiang Boxuan off just now, at Jiang Lige's strong request, Ning Yunxiao came to Gu Mansion with the crown prince's ceremonial guard.
The luxurious cars, numerous attendants, and the ceremonial procession that stretched out like flowing water almost blocked half of the street in front of the Gu Mansion.
With the crown prince's ceremonial procession, Ning Yunxiao was no longer just Ning Yunxiao, but Crown Prince Sheng Ling.
Even if the Gu family disliked Ning Yunxiao, they could not refuse the current crown prince. Not to mention whether the Gu family was afraid of the criticism from the civil officials, if they were accused of disrespecting the emperor's grace, the Gu family would be in big trouble.
As Jiang Lige expected, upon learning that the prince was coming to visit, the Gu family almost immediately opened the door to welcome them in. However, Mr. Gu and other men still did not come to meet the guests. Instead, they let Old Lady Gu and several daughters-in-law come to receive the guests.
To be honest, the Gu family was still rude. To welcome the current crown prince, at least the head of the family had to come forward.
But after all, the two families had a long-standing grudge, so Jiang Lige didn't say much and just turned a blind eye to it.
Among all the elders of the Gu family, it seemed that only Old Madam Gu liked Ning Yunxiao the most. Although she did not show an overly eager look on her face, she could not hide the gentleness in her eyes.
Madam Gu ordered tea and cakes to be prepared. She placed a plate of chestnut cakes in front of Ning Yunxiao, but said nothing more. Instead, she smiled and said, "I wonder what brings His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Princess Zhaohua here?"
Ever since the last birthday party, Ning Yunxiao's admiration for the Gu family has completely disappeared. Now when he faces the Gu family, his words and deeds are filled with businesslike indifference.
"To be honest, old lady, I came here today to ask for a favor."
"What is it? Your Highness, just give your orders."
"I have now moved into the Eastern Palace and will soon marry Princess Zhaohua. Before that, I wanted to move the things my mother left me from Prince Zhao's Mansion. However, back then, my mother's dowry book, including all the necessary documents, was in the hands of the Wang family. That's why I came to ask Old Madam Gu for help today. I'd like to borrow the backup dowry book that the Gu family had made."
"I see." Madam Gu nodded upon hearing this, not shirking her responsibility. "Your Highness, please wait a moment. I will go get the booklet."
Ning Yunxiao nodded, "Thank you."
Seeing the slightly hunched figure of Old Madam Gu, Jiang Lige couldn't help but lower his eyes. Old Madam Gu must love her daughter very much, because she would carefully collect even a dowry book, so that she had to go in person to borrow one or two.
If it weren't for all those conspiracies and coincidences, Ning Yunxiao would have had a wonderful childhood under the care of Mrs. Gu.
"Cousin Crown Prince, try this plate of jade cake. Lian'er prepared it carefully for you."
Jiang Lige was just thinking when he heard a delicate voice ringing in his ears. When he looked up, he saw a woman in pink half leaning against Ning Yunxiao. If it weren't for the armrest, this person would have sat on his legs.
Ning Yunxiao frowned in disgust. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Lige's beautiful eyes widened and she sneered, "Where did this little maid come from to be so rude? Do you think you can just cling to the Crown Prince?"
Hearing Jiang Lige's words, Ning Yunxiao simply shut up. After all...
Although Jiang Lige was jealous, he was actually quite happy in his heart.
The Gu family is a famous family after all. The woman in pink has never suffered such injustice in her life. Her mouth pursed and tears fell.
As the eldest daughter-in-law of the Gu family and a member of the clan, Chang naturally had to explain on behalf of the Gu family: "Princess Zhaohua has misunderstood. This is Miss Gu Wanglian, the illegitimate daughter of the third branch of our family, not a maid."
"So it's your daughter." Jiang Lige turned her head and saw the playful curve of Ning Yunxiao's lips. She was even more annoyed and immediately retorted without mercy. "No wonder she dared to speak to His Highness like that in front of me. She's so bold after all. She's not afraid that I'll scratch her face in anger."
Gu Wanglian cried even harder when she heard that. Seeing that Ning Yunxiao didn't say anything, she felt a little hope in her heart and retorted with sobs.
"Princess Zhaohua, what you said is completely irrational. Lian'er simply saw our cousin the Crown Prince's joy for the first time, so she brought him some pastries to try. There's no other intention. But Princess Zhaohua, your cousin the Crown Prince is the heir apparent, and he'll have a harem of three thousand beauties in the future. With a narrow mind like yours, how can you tolerate others in the future?"