"Yes!" Gu Youyou rolled her eyes at him and said, "You must think I would run away from home with her, don’t you? Don’t worry, I’m not that naive."
In those times, the risks were immense for two young ladies who ran away from home. Setting aside the danger of being caught and brought back, just the risks of fleeing, such as being watchful of Xuanzong’s men, bandits, and the uncertainties of being without shelter, lack of medical care, and so forth, were substantial. Unless one was truly at their wit’s end, running away from home would be the most idiotic thing to do.
"It’s good that you don’t think so," Jin Zijin said. "Give me a few days to think it over properly."
"Hmm, I am going to Jinxiu City tomorrow. Do you want to come with me? Or maybe I should take Yue Rujing."
"To do what?" Jin Zijin’s expression darkened.
What did she mean by taking Yue Rujing to Jinxiu City?
Gu Youyou said, "To discuss business, of course. There’s a big profitable deal coming up. I am sure Yue Rujing will be happy to invest."
"You mean with that clothing business of yours?" Jin Zijin had already figured out her intent.
Gu Youyou smiled and said, "Yes, that very clothing line. I wore one of those outfits to the Imperial Palace today. The Empress Dowager complimented me on how beautiful it was, later I ran into Consort Sheng, and she thought it looked good too, and also Lady Xu... Ah, right, do you know anything about Consort Sheng?"
"Consort Sheng, Sheng Qiaoyue..." Jin Zijin murmured softly, then chuckled after a moment and asked Gu Youyou, "Why are you suddenly asking about her? Just because you happened to meet her today? But she wasn’t the only one you met by chance today, so what’s the point? Youyou, what do you want to ask?"
Gu Youyou gave him a look that said how boring it was and said, "Today was the first time I met Consort Sheng. I had heard from my cousin before that she is extremely favored, so much so that the Emperor dotes on her without even considering the Empress. That day of the Empress’s birthday, she claimed to be sick and didn’t attend; even when it comes to paying respects to the Empress Dowager, she comes and goes as she pleases. The Emperor never reprimands her, nor does the Empress Dowager. I thought she would be arrogant because of her favor, but when I met her today, the Princess mentioned she was an easy person to talk to, and I also felt that she may not be that kind of person."
Jin Zijin’s eyes darkened, and he pressed his lips together without speaking.
After giving him a brief look, Gu Youyou cautiously said, "I heard that Consort Sheng used to be the Crown Princess Consort, and your mother Xiao Qinqin’s personal maid. By that account, she could also be considered to have come from the Xiao Family."
Seeing that Jin Zijin still showed no reaction, Gu Youyou continued her careful inquiry, "I’ve also heard that at court there’s a division between the factions supporting the first Prince and the second Prince. And the main force behind the second Prince’s faction is the Xiao Family. Zijin, since Consort Sheng was your mother’s maid and is openly supported by the Xiao family, is it that they’re keeping her in the dark, or does she actually know everything and has always been working for the Xiao Family?"
This was a very important point for Gu Youyou as she would frequently visit the Imperial Palace and have many chances to encounter Consort Sheng.
Jin Zijin looked carefully at her face, gently smoothed out her slightly furrowed brows, and said in a low voice, "People’s hearts can change, that matter happened more than twenty years ago. Maybe she was trustworthy back then, but now that she has her own son, it’s hard to say if she is still reliable.
Sheng Qiaoyue is an anomaly; even my uncle isn’t sure whose side she’s on. She still maintains her position despite the suppression from the Empress’s faction, which has very little to do with my uncle’s family. Either she’s a deeply cunning person, or she has powerful people backing her up. When you encounter her... it’s best to stay away."