Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 265 She's covering for someone else; she's not the murderer.

"Young master, young lady, Commander Gu has determined that the people who kidnapped people at the foot of Ci'en Temple that day were the men of Zhen Jinyue, the deputy envoy of the Nanzhao delegation, but Commander Gu has not captured any survivors."

Upon entering, Steward Qiu first reported to the group about rescuing the Cui family mother and daughter that day. Upon hearing this, the group's expressions became solemn.

"Third Brother, should we tell Minister Cui about this? And the Seventh Prince as well?" Gu Yuanen turned to ask Gu Yuanming.

"Go and tell someone to go to the Cui residence and tell them," Gu Yuanming took a deep breath, utterly disgusted by Nanzhao's shameless actions.

They've only been in the capital for a few days, and those people are already getting restless?

They actually dared to try to threaten the Great Chu with Minister Cui's family and influence this negotiation; it's utterly shameless!

"Yes, and also, after investigating last night and this morning, we found a kitchen maid named Liu. She opened the food box twice when Cuiyu went to get food for the madam, with ill intentions, and even had a serious argument with Cuiyu because of it."

Later, that old woman even called her son to try to ruin Cuiyu's reputation, so Cuiyu remembers this incident quite clearly; it happened exactly half a year ago.

Butler Qiu paused for a moment, then continued, "That old woman and her son were kicked out at the time. This morning, we sent people to look for them. The old woman went home half a year ago and for some reason threw herself into a well. She is no longer alive."

"Where is Cuiyu?" Gu Qingyue felt something was amiss. Cuiyu was Qin Shi's most capable maid, so how could she have made such a mistake?

"This old servant will go find it right away," said Steward Qiu, before heading out the door.

Gu Qingyue looked at Cui Shuming, who immediately stepped forward and said, "Master, Cuiyu is lying. She is covering for someone else. She is not the murderer."

Gu Qingyue waved her hand, signaling Cui Shuming to wait and hear what Cuiyu had to say.

A moment later, a woman wearing a blue vest and a dark purple long skirt was brought in.

Although she was thin, she had a delicate face and fair skin. It seemed that she was treated well as a first-class maid in Qin's room and was pampered like a young lady from a wealthy family.

"Tell me what happened between you and Granny Liu six months ago?"

Gu Yuanen spoke first.

Even if someone isn't the real culprit in poisoning their seriously ill mother, being an accomplice is just as despicable.

Thinking of this, his eyes seemed to be filled with a storm, gathering energy that could devour everything.

When Cuiyu looked up from behind her, she was met with the Fourth Young Master's eyes, which were as cold as ice. Startled, she immediately knelt down.

She recounted her quarrel with Granny Liu six months ago in a trembling voice, and from this point of view, there should be no flaws in her story.

Gu Qingyue didn't ask or say anything from beginning to end. She just quietly watched Cuiyu's expression without making a sound.

"Did you see anything unusual while taking care of your mother?"

Gu Yuanen's tone was gloomy.

"For example, did you see someone add something special to your mother's bowl?"

Upon hearing this, Cuiyu seemed to realize something. Her eyes flickered, and she couldn't help but shiver. She immediately straightened her knees and remained silent.

After a moment, she said, "This servant—I haven't seen it. This servant has always served Madam diligently and conscientiously. This servant has absolutely not been lazy, nor has she done anything detrimental to Madam. Please, Fourth Young Master, investigate thoroughly." As she spoke, she kowtowed three times firmly.

The thumping sound was so loud it made my teeth ache.

Loyalty cannot be determined by how many times one kowtows.

Gu Qingyue rolled her eyes sarcastically, then lowered her head closer to Cuiyu, "You really can't remember?"

She stared into Cuiyu's eyes, watching the woman's eyes flicker, and a strange smile appeared on her lips.

"Cui Shuming, please help Miss Cuiyu think this through. I need to know everything."

After saying that, she gestured for Cui Shuming to take her out.

"Yes!"

Startled by Gu Qingyue's words, Cuiyu sat down on the ground with a thud, trembling all over.

This morning, the group of maids were whispering about the newly returned Third Miss.

She is beautiful, kind, easy to talk to, doesn't lose her temper easily, and doesn't have the rustic air or uncouth manners of someone who grew up in the countryside.

I never expected that the Third Sister would have such a terrifying personality. You really can't judge a book by its cover!

"It's not fun!" Gu Qingyue sighed as she watched Cui Shuming carry the jade out.

She didn't care whether the initial impression she left on everyone was good or bad. She straightened up and leaned back in her chair, saying, "It's not satisfying to get it so easily."

"Hehe, my little sister is the smartest," Gu Yuanming couldn't help but reach out and ruffle Gu Qingyue's hair, his pride overflowing.

Butler Qiu also looked at Gu Qingyue with a smile, as if he were pleased that his daughter had grown up.

Gu Yuanen grinned so wide his eyes disappeared, and with six eyes staring at her, Gu Qingyue felt incredibly embarrassed.

How can anyone have fun like this?

"Don't look at me like that!" Gu Qingyue cried out in her heart.

"Little sister, would you like to go for a stroll in the streets? Your fourth brother will take you," Gu Yuanen stood up, thinking that Gu Qingyue had never been to the capital since she grew up, and he really wanted to take her out for a walk.

"Okay, tell me what fun places there are?"

Gu Qingyue laughed lightly. She actually enjoyed the care and attention her brothers gave her, since she had no siblings in her previous life!

"Alright, let's go, we'll talk as we walk..."

Gu Yuanming watched helplessly as the two little ones left, shook his head with a wry smile, and walked towards Qin's house.

When they returned to the Duke's mansion in the evening, three carriages followed behind them, a typical day for shopaholics.

Gu Qingyue divided the jewelry she bought from Zhuque Street, the most bustling street in the capital, and decided which ones to give to her sisters. She then divided the food and other necessities and decided which ones to give to her brothers.

Finally, he took out a rosewood box with gold trim from his own space, inside which were two identical warm jade beads.

The warm jade bead felt smooth to the touch; she had obtained it from the Black Wind Stronghold's treasury.

I was puzzled at the time. How could such a translucent jade stone, which exudes a faint warmth, be polished into two spheres?

It looks a bit like the walnuts that the elderly loved to play with in my past life, but this one is actually a very rare warm jade. What a waste!

To confirm that it was free of toxins, she even consulted Dr. Zhang and Chaihu, who confirmed that it was indeed warm jade.

It is said to be beneficial for people with rheumatism or gout, and that playing with it for a long time can nourish the blood and blood vessels.

Therefore, she planned to give this to the old Duke to make him happy.

After tidying up all the gifts, before even leaving the house, Jiang Wan told me that someone from the Cui residence had arrived.

In the central hall of the front courtyard, Minister Cui, accompanied by his wife and daughter Cui Jiaojiao, sat upright, chatting and laughing with the old Duke.

Gu Qingyue encountered Gu Yuanen and Gu Yuanming on the way. The three of them entered the central hall and immediately spotted the middle-aged man.

The man was tall and slender, with a handsome and refined appearance. He had a short beard and his eyes looked sharp and energetic.

It's clear that this is someone who once wielded a long spear and went to the battlefield.

Even now, with their flowing robes and scholarly attire, they cannot erase the aura of solemnity that naturally emanates from them.

No wonder we could hear the old Duke's laughter from afar; if it's because both of them were military generals, then it makes no sense.

“Grandfather!” Gu Qingyue’s voice was soft and gentle, with a smile that was like a spring breeze.