Gu Youyou’s heart was in turmoil. Wasn’t the Qingluan Jade Pendant supposed to be a symbol of the Empress’s position? The Emperor had clearly reclaimed it, so what did it mean that he had given it back to her?
Of course, from Gu Youyou’s perspective, it was only right for her to have it since she was a merchant. The pendant wasn’t stolen or robbed; she had legitimately bought it with ten pieces of silver, so it belonged to her.
After Eunuch Wan left, Gu Youyou bid her farewell to Madam Lin.
Madam Lin’s face was stern as she called out to her.
"Is there anything else you need, Aunt?" Gu Youyou asked in a low voice.
"What was given to you?" Madam Lin eyed the box in Gu Youyou’s hands.
With a slight tug at the corner of her mouth, Gu Youyou replied, "I can’t say that. It’s a secret from the Emperor!"
Now that such an important item as the Qingluan Jade Pendant was back in her hands, she hadn’t forgotten that this aunt was part of the Empress’s faction. She had to be cautious around her.
Madam Lin’s face turned pale as she said, "Since you call me ’Aunt’, I am your elder. What could there be that I can’t see?"
Gu Youyou, using the Emperor as her shield, answered, "I really can’t show or tell anyone about the contents of this box. Aunt, please don’t make it difficult for me. If you don’t believe me, go ask Eunuch Wan; he might not have gone far yet."
"Go on, go on, who cares to see it anyway?" Madam Lin stomped her foot in anger.
This girl was becoming more and more complex to figure out— that evening, she had sent someone to summon Lin Xingyi, but he had disappeared until nearly dawn.
It was the first time in many years that Lin Xingyi had not returned home at night since marrying into the Lin Residence.
Moreover, upon his return, he didn’t come to his own courtyard but was taken away by Lusun, Old Madam’s aide. He wasn’t seen until almost noon.
She had shared with him both the information she managed to extract and her own suspicions, yet he revealed nothing useful in return, merely commenting that she had done very well, as the Empress was indeed selfish and untrustworthy, advising more caution towards her.
Is that a compliment, or does he dislike how naive I was before?
Now she was indeed trapped in a dilemma, hoping poor Qianqing wouldn’t get dragged into this mess.
If only she had known earlier... But even then, resignation was the only option since the Emperor had started favoring Lin Xingyi when Qianqing was still young, her future had been destined. She had sensed something back then, which is why she intentionally let Qianqing interact with Jin Wei.
Jin Wei was her eldest brother’s eldest son, and the Ducal Residence was brimming with talented individuals. Although not comparable to Prince Jin, with her own parents, elder brother, and sister-in-law watching over her, life there should be more comfortable than at Prince Jin Residence.
But plans couldn’t keep up with changes; how could the Emperor allow a high official’s descendant to remain uninvolved?
That night, Jin Zijin came.
Actually, since the incident with the Jade Pendant, he had stopped climbing over the wall to avoid suspicion.
Gu Youyou had been confined, so they hadn’t seen each other for many days and had no contact.
She had been worrying about him, not knowing his circumstances, and now that he had come, it was timely.
"I heard that the court hall was buzzing with discussions about your identity. How come you have the leisure to climb over the walls of the Lin Residence?"
Jin Zijin scooped her up in one motion, and Gu Youyou’s face immediately reddened.
Because one of his hands was supporting her buttocks.
"Let me see if it’s healed," his warm breath caressed her ear.
Gu Youyou pulled his hand away, saying, "It’s healed, of course. If you want to take advantage, just say it. I’ll let you take your fill; no need to use such a poor excuse."