Chapter 252: Gu Huaizhi and Prince Changxing Share a Strange Fate

The alley was deep and dim, with pale sunlight casting shadows on the man’s sharp and angular face. If it weren’t for his clothing, Lady Qian would have almost thought this man was Gu Qingsong.

Too similar. Far too similar!

When she had first met Lady Liu, she learned that she was the daughter of a merchant and a widow no less. Now that she had become a princess consort, Lady Qian couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of envy.

In Xiliang, although women held the dominant social status, men could still pursue careers outside the home, much like in other nations. The standing of an individual within the family was judged based on their abilities.

As time went on, during their interactions, Lady Qian observed that Gu Qingsong rarely returned to the residence. Even when he came back to the capital, he mostly stayed at the military camp.

Only when Lady Liu sent people to the camp with news that Gu Yunzhen was gravely ill would Gu Qingsong return home.

At that time, Lady Qian had thought, What good is status and position if you don’t have a man who cares for you? She even felt a little sorry for Lady Liu.

But everything changed when Lady Liu schemed against her, seducing her man and using that to control Qin Yang. From then on, Lady Qian felt nothing but hatred for Lady Liu. Yet, the disparity in their status forced her to bury this resentment deep in her heart.

Seeing the scene before her now, a sudden excitement bubbled up inside her. As long as she kept a close eye on Lady Liu, the next time she came here, she could have someone inform Gu Qingsong. Without needing to act herself, she could get rid of Lady Liu entirely.

No, no, no… this wouldn’t work.

If she pulled out the radish, the mud would come with it-what would happen to Qin Yang then?

Lady Qian’s eyes darted around as an idea suddenly came to her.

The next time Lady Liu came here to meet a man, she would hire someone to kill this wretched woman.

If she could catch her in the act of adultery, she could have her killed on the spot.

Lady Qian left.

Xu Chou glanced around but didn’t see anyone suspicious. His gaze then fell on the wine jars and peanuts on the ground, his thick, dark eyebrows furrowing deeply. He didn’t believe for a second that they were something Lady Liu had bought for him.

Carrying the items into the house, Xu Chou threw them all away without hesitation.

The scent in the room had yet to dissipate, and the bed was in complete disarray.

Xu Chou recalled how, at the height of Lady Liu’s ecstasy, she clung to him and called him “Gu Qingsong,” leaving him deeply displeased.

However, when he remembered that Lady Liu had arranged to meet him in two days and promised to let him see the child, he decided to let it go for now.

—

When Su Wan returned to Yaoguang Hall, she saw Ji Xuan and Qi Min sitting together. They were merely sitting quietly, without even conversing or meeting each other’s gaze.

One was reading a book, the other reviewing memorials, yet the atmosphere between them had shifted, exuding a serene sense of tranquility as if time had momentarily stilled.

“Father,” Su Wan called softly, then turned to Qi Min. She found Qi Min’s gaze fixed on her, her eyes brimming with intense emotions that seemed impossible to dissolve. Among them, the strongest were pain and guilt, which struck Su Wan’s heart like a pang.

Then she heard Qi Min say, “Zhao’er, I’ve remembered everything.”

Su Wan froze in place.

Qi Min walked over, opened her arms, and embraced Su Wan. “I’m sorry. It was my arrogance that caused you to suffer so much. Thankfully… thankfully, you’re intelligent and capable, and you’ve grown up safe and sound. Now, our family has a chance to be reunited.”

Su Wan felt a stabbing pain in her heart, so intense that her eyes reddened with tears. She wanted to say that the soul within this body had long since perished, and in its entire lifetime, it never got to experience a true reunion.

“Mother, can you make me a few beautiful little paper dresses and some accessories? And then prepare three dishes as well?” Su Wan hugged Qi Min tightly and said in a muffled voice, “I was in danger once before, and a little orphan girl saved me, but she died herself. Neither of us had parents, and even in death, she longed for them. Now that I have parents, I want to share half of them with her, to pay my respects.”

“Alright,” Qi Min agreed to all her requests without hesitation.

Su Wan sniffled and let go of Qi Min.

Qi Min asked, “Are you going to Prince Changxing’s residence to treat the young heir’s illness?”

“Yes.” Su Wan suddenly remembered something and found it a bit strange. “Mother, where in the Great Zhou is Prince Changxing originally from? He suddenly asked me about it today.”

At that time, Prince Changxing seemed very eager to know about the Great Zhou, but after Lady Liu arrived, he appeared hesitant and refrained from asking further questions.

“Prince Changxing is from Guangling Prefecture,” Qi Min said in surprise. “Huaizhi is also from Guangling Prefecture. What a coincidence, and they even share the same surname, Gu.”

Ji Xuan’s brows twitched slightly. “Gu?”

“Gu Qingsong. The man matches his name,” Qi Min remarked with evident admiration in her tone.

Gu Qingsong?

Ji Xuan felt a vague sense of familiarity with the name, as though he had heard it somewhere before. However, his thoughts stalled, and he couldn’t immediately recall who it was.