How did such immense wealth fall into my family?

The Emperor wanted to say it was impossible. But then he thought about Gou Sheng's past glorious achievements...

The emperor and his minister exchanged a glance.

The Emperor said, “When she was five years old, she was able to see through the Tang family’s schemes and guess that the Tang family wanted her eldest cousin to replace that woman from the Jiang family who was bewitched and pregnant with an illegitimate child before marriage and consummate the marriage with Heng’er.”

Duke of Jin: "When she left the capital, she carried Twenty around Old Wei several times. Old Wei thought she wanted a gift."

The emperor and his minister: "..."

After a while, the emperor and his minister said at the same time, "You/you think she guessed at that time that someone was plotting a rebellion? But she just couldn't guess who it was, and she didn't have any evidence?"

The emperor and his minister: "..."

The Emperor said, "If that's the case, we're not even as good as a five-year-old child."

Duke of Jin: "You can't say that. The main reason she was able to see through it was because the rebels didn't take her family seriously. If the rebels had put in as much effort as they did against you, me, and the Duke of Wei, she wouldn't have been able to find out."

"That's true. But someone else might not have noticed. By the way, how did you figure out that Jiang Ju had ulterior motives?"

"It was the lady who gave you the quilt that reminded my second brother." (Chapter 53)
“That’s right. Do you remember? When Gou Sheng, her grandfather, and her uncle came to the capital to avenge her aunt, they had to bring the other half of the property deed for Taipingpu to get the door open of the Prefect of the Capital.” (Chapter 76)
"I remember. You mean...?" The Duke of Jin had a guess in his mind, but he also felt it was impossible.

The Emperor looked at the Duke of Jin and said, "After Princess Fukang and a group of noblewomen smashed up the Beauty Tavern, didn't I fine them 120,000 taels of silver? Gousheng immediately said he would donate it to wounded soldiers and the orphans of fallen soldiers." (Chapters 165 and 166)
"When the owner of Taipingpu gave the shop to me, he said that half of the profits would be given to me as a tribute, and the other half would go to the soldiers on the border." (Chapter 49)
It's confirmed. "You mean, the owner of Taipingpu is Gousheng? And the person who reminded my third brother is also Gousheng?"

The Emperor nodded. "Judging from how Gou Sheng donated 120,000 taels of silver to wounded soldiers and orphans of fallen soldiers without batting an eye, she always had the country and the soldiers on the border in her heart. Since she knew that the Northern Di invasion was a trap, she would have warned you."

"You said it yourself that it was the owner of Taipingpu who reminded you."

"The owner of Taipingpu gave the other half of the property deed to Gousheng."

"When the owner of Taipingpu appeared, Gousheng was in the capital."

The Duke of Jin then remembered something else. “My second brother said that when the owner of Taipingpu went to remind him, he was wearing a dog-head mask.”

"Hahahaha..." The Emperor laughed upon hearing this. "The heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan also said that the lady who gave him the house deed and letter was also wearing a dog-head mask."

The Duke of Jin laughed too. "That girl is quite mischievous."

The Emperor nodded. "That woman must be Dong Laoqi."

The Duke of Jin agreed. "If that's the case, then she must have guessed the Ninth Prince's background. No wonder she went to two different residences and then pushed all the matters onto the Ninth Prince; she's training him."

"Yes. She doesn't give Commander Wang face because she's afraid he'll be terrified if he finds out that the Eighteenth is my son."

"That's right. Gousheng isn't the kind of kid who gets arrogant when he gets ahead. When I heard her say that she didn't want her uncle to kneel on this or that, I felt that she probably guessed it."

"She is a kind child."

"Hmm. So, about this?"

The Emperor thought for a moment. "Let's leave it as it is."

"Alright." After what happened to Prince An, the Emperor will definitely be extra careful. "If anyone comes to you and tells you that Gousheng doesn't respect him, you'll have to stand up for Gousheng."

"Don't worry. I will support her."

Just as the Duke of Jin was about to say "Thank you, Your Majesty," the Emperor continued, "However, I must let her handle it herself first. If she can't handle it, then I will handle it for her."

Duke of Jin: "..." Fine. However, "Your Majesty, do you still remember when she beat Duke of Wei and me?"

The Emperor: "..." I forgot about that. "She's all grown up now, she shouldn't be like she was when she was little, right?"

"That's not necessarily true. You should think about how you'll handle things if she hits the other person."

The Emperor: "..." Perhaps we should just send those two, uncle and niece, back to the countryside and let them continue to wreak havoc on the local officials? "Understood. Have they finished cleaning up? I plan to take all the officials to see them." "Not yet. I'll ask tomorrow."

"Row."

The next day, after breakfast, the Duke of Jin brought Xiao Yuanyuan to find Gousheng and Shiba. Gousheng was strolling in the courtyard, while Shiba and the others were busy with their tasks.

When Xiao Yuanyuan saw Gousheng, she bowed to him. "Hello, Auntie. Auntie, Yuanyuan has come to greet you."

Gou Sheng was instantly charmed. "Oh my, how can you be so cute?"

"My aunt is cute too."

Gou Sheng picked up Xiao Yuan Yuan. "Don't you think your auntie can't kill a wild boar?"

"I don't mind. My mother said that your strength and your great-aunt's strength are not the same kind of strength."

"Your mother is quite good at explaining herself. Why didn't she come?"

“My mother went to my maternal grandmother’s house to help out. My mother said that my second aunt is going to be a bride.”

"Then why didn't you go and help?"

"I want to go too. But my mother says I'll only cause trouble if I go."

"Didn't you tell your mother that you're very capable?"

“I told her, but my mother didn’t believe me. Aunt, where are my great-uncle and my nineteenth and twentieth brothers?”

"They've gone to get busy. They won't be back until they're done."

Okay. "Auntie, what kind of 'amazing' are you referring to?"

What should I say? "My aunt isn't that great; they're just talking nonsense."

Yuanyuan blinked and looked at the Duke of Jin. (Meaning: Grandpa, are you talking nonsense?)

The Duke of Jin brought out his universal answer: "You'll understand when you grow up. When did you finish cleaning up? The Emperor is coming with all the officials to visit."

Gou Sheng thought for a moment. "It will be ready in three more days."

"Then I'll go and report back to the Emperor. I'll leave Yuanyuan in your care."

"Row."

The next day at court, the emperor told his officials that he would take them to visit the academy he and Gou Sheng had jointly run.

The officials were speechless. What's so interesting about visiting an academy? The Emperor really flatters Qian Gousheng.

The Emperor looked at the officials and smiled, "Neither I nor Qian Gousheng have ever run an academy before. If there's anything inappropriate, please point it out. I will forgive you. I intend to make this academy the best in the Longxing Kingdom."

Officials: Then we won't stand on ceremony. We've heard that Qian Gousheng doesn't even respect the commander of the Five Cities Garrison.

After the commanders of the Imperial Guards and the Secret Service had made arrangements for security, the Emperor set off with his officials.

The officials were eager to show Gou Sheng what she was really capable of.

The Duke of Jin felt that the Emperor was playing with fire. He wanted to warn the Emperor, but also wanted to see if Gou Sheng would resort to violence like he did when they were children.
Duke Jin hesitated for a moment and then decided to wait and see.

(End of this chapter)