Back in her own courtyard, Gu Jiangyue sat at the table, constantly pondering countermeasures in her mind. If she wanted Lin Yeran to abandon the idea of marrying her and instead choose Gu Zhuying, it wouldn't be an easy task. However, Gu Jiangyue knew exactly what kind of person Lin Yeran was.
The main reason he took a fancy to her and was so determined to marry her was largely because of her face.
Gu Jiangyue walked up to the dressing table and picked up the bronze mirror on one side.
In the mirror, her skin was fair and delicate. Her petite face still carried a hint of childishness. Her lips were full and rosy, and with those originally cute almond - shaped eyes, her features should have been soft and delicate. But instead, there was a nobility in those almond eyes that didn't match her age.
After years of intrigue in the palace, she had become calm and composed in the face of such petty schemes, which added a touch of coldness to her.
Since Lin Yeran liked her face, she would ruin it and see if he would still be so determined to marry her.
Although Gu Zhuying was a concubine - born daughter and her mother's family background was not good, being just a maid who had accidentally attached herself to the second - branch family head and become his concubine before giving birth to Gu Zhuying.
But Gu Zhuying also had a good - looking face. The old matriarch had really spared no expense on the looks of all her granddaughters. Almost every month, the best rouge and powder were sent to the Gu Mansion.
It wasn't hard to guess the old matriarch's intention. Since the Gu family had many female relatives, she surely wanted to use them to build good relations with various noble families.
So even when it came to the concubine - born daughters, she was very attentive.
And Gu Jiangyue would make good use of this opportunity that the old matriarch had created. It was just right for her to get out of this difficult situation.
Gu Zhuying had a face that was completely opposite to her inner self. Although she was cruel and despicable in her schemes, her appearance was not overly stunning. Her looks could be described as fresh and elegant, and she would seem more and more attractive after a long look.
Lin Yeran was a philanderer who often visited brothels. He must have been used to those heavily - made - up women. If Gu Jiangyue played a small trick, with Lin Yeran's philandering nature, he would surely take a fancy to Gu Zhuying.
Moreover, Gu Zhuying was just a concubine - born daughter. Naturally, the Lin family didn't need to give her a high - ranking title. They could just take her as a concubine. In this way, the Gu family could establish a connection with the Lin family, which was exactly what the old matriarch wanted most.
The old matriarch would surely be tempted by the great power of the Lin family. She just didn't want to waste a legitimate daughter like Gu Jiangyue. But if it was a concubine - born daughter, with the old matriarch's character, she would definitely approve of it.
Thinking of this, Gu Jiangyue let out a disdainful sneer. What the old matriarch didn't know was that Gu Jiangyue had almost collected all the evidence of the Lin family's bribery. When the time was right, the Lin family would surely disappear completely from the vast capital city.
By that time, Gu Zhuying would probably be powerless to turn the situation around, and the Gu family would also be greatly weakened in order to clear themselves of any association.
The Gu family in turmoil, with everyone harboring evil intentions and killing each other, was exactly what Gu Jiangyue wanted to see. It would be the price for the years of bullying she had endured.
However, to make Lin Yeran give up on her and take a fancy to Gu Zhuying, Gu Jiangyue still needed to use some tricks.
Gu Jiangyue wasn't a fool. She couldn't ruin her own face just because of Lin Yeran. For a young lady in the boudoir, her face and reputation were more important than anything else. Gu Jiangyue wasn't that heartless.
Gu Jiangyue kept thinking in her mind, and finally, she thought of that person, Xie Jiuan.
Now only Xie Jiuan could help her.
It was impossible for Gu Jiangyue to really ruin her face. So she could only use a fake method. She had used a similar trick when competing for favor with other concubines in the Eastern Palace. As long as she found some experienced doctors and got some medicine, she could achieve the same effect of making herself look weak and thus gain attention.
If she wanted to find a doctor, she definitely couldn't find one in the Gu Mansion. Now that Gu Yanwu had faked his death and Gu Yi wasn't in the mansion either, in this deep and secluded mansion, apart from Zhiyuan, she had no one to rely on. And she didn't want to rely on anyone in the Gu Mansion anymore.
She was all alone. If the black - clothed man were here, Gu Jiangyue definitely wouldn't go to Xie Jiuan. Xie Jiuan wasn't as idle as he seemed on the surface, but Gu Jiangyue didn't know exactly what he was up to.
Gu Jiangyue let out a long sigh. Since the black - clothed man had told her to go to Xie Jiuan, it proved that this person shouldn't be completely evil. So she could only take a chance.
Just in time, Gu Jiangyue had already collected all the evidence of the Lin family's bribery, and she could give it to Xie Jiuan together.
Gu Jiangyue didn't waste any time. She didn't have much time left. She didn't know when the Lin family would come to the Gu Mansion again. If they really came, she might not be so lucky to hold them off.
Early the next morning, Gu Jiangyue left the mansion with the evidence of the Lin family's bribery. The carriage didn't stop along the way and headed straight for the Bishui Yunju.
The Bishui Yunju was a residence specially built by the emperor for Xie Jiuan because he didn't like the annoyance in the palace. Naturally, Gu Jiangyue had never been there before, so the carriage was moving a bit slowly.
The bumping of the carriage made Gu Jiangyue feel sleepy, and she unconsciously fell asleep.
The Bishui Yunju was far from the bustling city. By the time they arrived, it was already afternoon.
Gu Jiangyue was woken up by a noisy sound.
"The Ninth Prince must be waiting for the young lady inside." A cheerful female voice sounded.
"Don't talk nonsense." The woman called the young lady seemed to speak. Her voice carried a bit of blame, but more of it was joy, as if these words were particularly pleasing to her.
Gu Jiangyue was a bit confused. She felt that these two women didn't seem to be from any noble family. They were more like women from a brothel.
She reached out and lifted the bamboo curtain in front of the carriage. Zhiyuan beside her held her hand and helped her out. The moment Gu Jiangyue saw the two women in front of her, she unconsciously frowned.
It was not for any other reason, but because the two women's clothes seemed a bit too revealing. The leading woman was wearing a bright red gauze dress. Under the layers of fine gauze, it was hard to hide her superior figure.
The woman behind her was a bit inconspicuous. She seemed to be her attendant, following behind her with a flattering smile.
"Which brothel are you from? You're quite high - and - mighty." The red - clothed woman noticed Gu Jiangyue first. She turned her head and sized Gu Jiangyue up and down. Her gaze finally stopped on Gu Jiangyue's calm eyes.
Gu Jiangyue didn't intend to reply to her. She came to find Xie Jiuan today for something important. But she had already guessed the identities of the two women. They should be from a brothel.
Gu Jiangyue felt very uncomfortable under that gaze. She was a bit puzzled. When did Xie Jiuan become so tasteless that he would like such a woman? Had she misjudged him?
The attendant beside the red - clothed woman seemed a bit impatient.
"Our young lady is asking you a question. Are you mute?"
Gu Jiangyue still ignored them and asked Zhiyuan to call over a guard.
When the guard came closer, Gu Jiangyue bowed gracefully to him, showing full courtesy.
"I'm Gu Jiangyue, the eldest young lady of the Gu family. I have an appointment with the Ninth Prince today. Could you please inform him and see if the Ninth Prince has time to meet me?"