You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 120 The Emperor is not anxious, but the eunuch is

Zuixianglou.

After Liang Jiang and Lady Liang explained the matter with Xie Fubai, she couldn't help but wonder who was behind all this.

That day at the restaurant, after discussing the matter of Xiliang with Gu Xizhi, I drank a few cups of wine and left first, without lingering for long.

When I left, there were hardly any customers in the restaurant. How could it have become such a big deal in just two days? There must be someone pulling the strings behind the scenes!
The most likely candidate is someone from the second wife's family.

After a quick thought, she immediately turned around and left the Duke's mansion, heading straight for the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion across the street.

The manager of Zuixianglou knew her identity and invited her to a private room to talk.

Liang Jiang got straight to the point: "A couple of days ago, I had wine with the young master Xie from the Marquis of Huaiyuan's mansion in a private room on the second floor. Has anyone from the Duke's mansion come here to ask you anything?"

The shopkeeper shook his head: "No, if they are from the Duke's mansion, I would recognize them all."

"That's strange. No one seemed to notice my movements at all. Who spread the rumors?"

"Princess, please wait a moment while I go and ask the servants."

Liang Jiang nodded. The shopkeeper went out for a while and then returned. He reported to Liang Jiang, "I found out that the steward of the Minister of Rites' residence happened to be drinking in the restaurant hall that day and met Prince Xie at the counter to select wine."

He then inquired with the waiter who the young master Xie was dining with. The waiter, not recognizing the gentleman accompanying the young master, replied that he was with him.

The butler even went upstairs alone and furtively circled around. When he encountered a waiter, he stammered that an acquaintance was upstairs offering a toast, and then went downstairs.

Liang Jiang was a little surprised. She thought that the instigator of this matter was the second branch of the family, but she never expected that it would be the Ministry of Rites' mansion.

That is, the family of Jian Shuyan, who was chosen as the Princess Consort of Pingxi.

Is this related to her?
What was her intention in doing this? I'm a complete stranger to her, and we have no grudges against each other.

Jealous of Gu Xizhi? That doesn't make sense.

She was completely bewildered and didn't understand: "I've never had any dealings with the Jian family."

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment: "Princess, you probably don't know yet?"

"what do you know?"

"The young master of the Marquis of Huaiyuan's mansion has always been fond of Jian Shuyan, the eldest granddaughter of the Minister of Rites' mansion. The two have a long-standing relationship, and everyone has privately decided that Jian Shuyan is the future heir apparent's wife."

Liang Jiang was completely stunned.

She recalled how Xie Fubai forced a smile and teased Gu Xizhi that day, and she had assumed it was because Xie Wan'er couldn't get what she wanted.

Unexpectedly, it was the Emperor and Empress Dowager who arranged the marriage, breaking up the two lovers and betrothing Jian Shuyan to Gu Xizhi.

Isn't this just a way to turn the two brothers against each other over a woman?

But then again, if Jian Shuyan is in love with Xie Fubai, why did she participate in the talent show? Doesn't she value the wealth and status of the Marquis's heir's wife?

Liang Jiang frowned slightly: "But she is now the future Princess Consort of Pingxi, so she should sever all ties with Prince Xie. Why is she spreading rumors about us?"

"Isn't this obvious? Many people are gossiping behind her back that Miss Jian has climbed the social ladder and abandoned her old love, which damages her lofty reputation."

But if Prince Xie has any improper relationship with you, then it means Prince Xie was unfaithful first, and she would naturally become innocent.

That explanation is barely reasonable.

Liang Jiang pondered for a moment: "Have someone inquire further to see if this rumor actually originated from the Jian family. I don't want to wrongly accuse anyone."

Since the steward of the Jian family had personally investigated the second floor, he should know that there were other people present at the banquet. If he then deliberately spread these words, it must have been intentional.

Whatever her purpose, it's clear that Miss Jian Shuyan is no ordinary person.

The shopkeeper agreed, then added, "There is one more thing I need to report to you, Princess."

"explain."

"Yesterday, General Tong and Master Liang met privately."

Liang Jiang raised an eyebrow: "Where?"

"It's at Zuixiang Tower. But because General Tong is very vigilant, I dared not get too close, so I don't know what the two are plotting." Liang Jiang narrowed her eyes slightly. It seems that the two are already working together behind the scenes, probably figuring out how to deal with her.
The situation is getting increasingly difficult.

When asked again, the shopkeeper couldn't give any answers.

He instructed, "Things might not be peaceful at the Duke's mansion these days. I'll send a few more people from Fengying Pavilion over here so they can keep a close eye on my second uncle's every move."

The shopkeeper nodded in agreement, and Liang Jiang returned to the Duke's mansion.

The next day, at the Prince of Pingxi's residence, in Gu Xizhi's study.

Xie Fubai impatiently dismissed the servants from the Marquis's residence and sat down in front of Gu Xizhi in a huff.

Gu Xizhi was writing furiously, not even looking up: "What's wrong? Why are you so angry? All I'm doing is telling you to go back to the manor immediately to receive our guests."

Xie Fubai said angrily, "What kind of guests are we entertaining? It's clearly my grandmother who's randomly matchmaking me up with a prince's wife."

Gu Xizhi paused in her grip on the brush, dipped it again in the inkstone, and continued writing with her head down.

"Actually, you can try to accept it."

Xie Fubai turned his head: "Didn't you persuade me like this yesterday! You said everything is subject to change, you would never marry Shuyan, and you told me to calm down and wait, and you would find a way to refuse this marriage."

Gu Xizhi wrote with flowing strokes, her voice calm: "Firstly, my imperial brother has made up his mind and has already drafted the decree, so I really cannot disobey it."

Secondly, Jian Shuyan isn't a good match for you. There are countless women in the world more outstanding than her. If you calm down and try to accept her, I believe there will be better ones.

Xie Fubai's eyes gradually dimmed, and he asked with some doubt, "Cousin, have you also fallen for her? After all, who wouldn't love a gentle and virtuous woman like her?"

Gu Xizhi denied it without hesitation: "No interest."

"As long as you like her, I am willing to step aside, go home immediately to accept my grandmother's arrangements, and marry Princess Heya. I will never have any complaints about you. Just be good to Shuyan in the future."

Gu Xizhi's hand trembled, and the pen tip landed heavily on the letter paper, leaving a blot of ink.

He finally looked up and asked incredulously, "Who are you saying you're going to marry?"

"Liang Jiang, my grandmother saw her at the Duke's mansion last time and liked her very much. She kept praising her, saying that she was well-behaved and intelligent."

This time, I don't know who spread the news that Liang Jiang and I had a secret rendezvous at Zuixiang Tower. When my grandmother found out, she was overjoyed and said that I had finally come to my senses and my eyesight had improved for once.

No matter how I explained, it was no use. She said we should just go with the flow and go through with the marriage. Today, she even took it upon herself to invite them to her home. That's why I've come here to avoid the awkwardness of meeting Liang Jiang."

"My uncle and aunt both agree?"

“My mother was naturally unwilling, saying that Liangjiang had already been married once, and that the Crown Princess was the face of the Marquis’s mansion, but she couldn’t go against my grandmother’s wishes.”

Gu Xizhi threw down the calligraphy brush in her hand: "Grandma has misjudged this time. Liang Jiang looks obedient, but she is actually unruly and fierce. If you marry her, I'm afraid she will scold you eight times a day."

“My grandmother said I was reckless and simple-minded, and that galangal complemented me and could keep me in check.”

"But isn't the kind of woman you like gentle and tender like Jian Shuyan?"

Xie Fubai was somewhat puzzled: "Wasn't my cousin just trying to persuade me that we weren't a good match?"

Gu Xizhi choked: "I just feel that Liang Jiang is even less suitable for you. You work with Lin Chengxu, wouldn't it be awkward if you really married Liang Jiang?"

Xie Fubai nodded: "That makes sense, then I shouldn't go home at all. I'll stay here with my cousin today and not leave."

"That won't do. What if your grandmother arranges this marriage for you without your consent if you don't go back?"

"Then I go back?"

"Of course we have to go back!" Gu Xizhi stood up: "I will accompany you."

Xie Fubai felt grateful: "My cousin is still the best to me."

Before she could finish speaking, Gu Xizhi had already gotten up and left the study.

They were even more anxious than I was.

Xie Fubai thought, is this what people often say, "The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuch is?"

(End of this chapter)