Gu Zhengwan silently tightened her fists. She was determined to successfully exchange skins with Gu Liuru. Gu Liuru had completely trusted her. Gu Liuru had been in Qingshan Temple for treatment in the past few years. Almost every time Gu Zhengwan casually mentioned something about Xie Yuwen, Gu Liuru would be attracted and willingly come to her courtyard.
By then, Gu Liuru would only have her around. As long as Gu Zhengwan wanted, she could exchange skins with Gu Liuru. Thinking of this, Gu Zhengwan's originally disappointed mood improved a bit. She was just thinking about the days after she exchanged skins with Gu Liuru and married Xie Chengrui.
As long as she could successfully marry Xie Chengrui, she would like to see what expression Gu Jiangyue would have and whether she would still be so arrogant in front of her. As long as she assisted Xie Chengrui, with their joint efforts, they would surely surpass Xie Jiuan in the emperor's heart one day.
Gu Zhengwan was so immersed in her happiness that she didn't realize at all that the person sent by Xie Jiuan outside the door had heard clearly about her plan to exchange skins tomorrow.
Except for her and Gu Jiangyue, no one else in the Gu Mansion knew about Gu Zhengwan's skin - exchange plan. She had concealed it very well, and Chen Yanqin hadn't noticed any signs.
Gu Liuru had just returned from Qingshan Temple these two days, and Chen Yanqin took great care of her, fearing that her old illness would recur. If Chen Yanqin knew that Gu Zhengwan planned to do something to Gu Liuru, she would surely stop Gu Zhengwan.
As long as she completed the skin - exchange, Gu Zhengwan believed that Chen Yanqin would surely love her more and forget about that arrogant and incompetent Gu Liuru. By now, Gu Zhengwan couldn't turn back. No matter who tried to stop her, she must carry out the skin - exchange technique to the end.
Gu Zhengwan had become almost crazy about curing her leg and marrying Xie Chengrui with her best appearance.
The news of Gu Zhengwan's skin - exchange plan reached Gu Jiangyue and Xie Jiuan on the same day. After discussing their strategies, they left separately.
Early the next morning, Xie Jiuan arrived again. When Gu Zhengwan went to greet Xie Jiuan, she indeed saw Xie Chengrui beside him. It seemed that Xie Chengrui had done a good job in the disaster - relief mission, and the people in the capital had praised him again. He looked in good condition, with a sincere smile on his face.
Xie Chengrui still didn't intend to let Gu Jiangyue go. Yesterday, Xie Jiuan just casually mentioned in front of him that he was going to see Gu Jiangyue, and Xie Chengrui said he would come with him. In the past, Xie Jiuan would surely have refused him, but Gu Jiangyue had given Xie Jiuan a task. Even if he was reluctant, he had to agree to Xie Chengrui.
Xie Jiuan had a gloomy face all morning, but it softened when he saw Gu Jiangyue. Xie Chengrui also saw Gu Jiangyue. He unconsciously straightened his bright robe. Maybe the matter of the disaster - relief grain had given him a bit of confidence. Gu Jiangyue always felt that Xie Chengrui lifted his chin slightly, as if waiting for her to look.
Gu Jiangyue greeted the two of them and then led them into the Gu Mansion. The fact that Xie Chengrui had come must not be known to Gu Zhengwan. Gu Jiangyue planned to let Xie Chengrui show up when Gu Zhengwan's skin - exchange was discovered, giving Gu Zhengwan a big surprise.
By then, since Xie Chengrui already disliked Gu Zhengwan, he would surely try every means to sever his relationship with her through this incident. By then, Gu Zhengwan would really have nothing. After tonight, there would be no place for Gu Zhengwan in the Gu Mansion, not even in the entire capital.
Gu Zhengwan seemed to be preparing for her skin - exchange technique, so she had no time to care about other things. Gu Jiangyue simply led the two of them directly to her courtyard. Xie Chengrui had evil intentions towards Gu Jiangyue, so he naturally wouldn't refuse her and just followed her to her courtyard.
Gu Jiangyue poured tea for Xie Chengrui and Xie Jiuan. Xie Chengrui seemed to want to say something to Gu Jiangyue. He opened his mouth, but then saw Xie Jiuan pull Gu Jiangyue into his arms. Gu Jiangyue noticed that Xie Chengrui wanted to speak, but she didn't want to talk to him at all. So she just got closer to Xie Jiuan.
Gu Jiangyue and Xie Jiuan leaned against each other as if there was no one else around. Seeing this, Xie Chengrui swallowed the words of concern for Gu Jiangyue that were on his lips. He awkwardly picked up the teacup and took a sip, then changed the topic.
"Brother Jiuan and Jiangyue have a good relationship."
"Don't call her Jiangyue."
Almost as soon as Xie Chengrui finished speaking, Xie Jiuan's words came out.
Xie Chengrui's hand that was holding the teacup paused slightly. He seemed not to expect Xie Jiuan to be so direct. He put down the teacup and nervously rubbed his hands.
"Princess Consort of the Ninth Prince."
Gu Jiangyue gave Xie Chengrui a cold look. In her previous life, Xie Chengrui had never been so gentle in front of her. The abortion pills, the poisoned wine, and the white silk, all the expressions of Xie Chengrui's disgust for her flashed through Gu Jiangyue's mind.
Gu Jiangyue felt a sharp pain in her heart. She felt Xie Jiuan's hand on her waist tighten, as if he was afraid that Xie Chengrui would snatch her away. Looking at Xie Jiuan's eyebrows and eyes, Gu Jiangyue felt the pain in her heart gradually fade away and turn into comfort.
Seeing that Xie Chengrui didn't call Gu Jiangyue like that anymore, the smile returned to Xie Jiuan's face. He chatted with Xie Chengrui about other things casually, but he could feel that Xie Chengrui didn't seem to be in a high mood.
Gu Jiangyue just sat there quietly and listened to them for a while. Then, when she thought the time was about right, she forced a smile at Xie Chengrui and said,
"I wonder what Zhengwan is doing. I'll go and call her here to accompany the Second Prince. Zhengwan must be very happy."
In front of Xie Chengrui, Gu Jiangyue tried her best to act like a kind elder sister.
When Xie Chengrui heard that Gu Zhengwan was going to be called, he just wanted to say no, but before he could speak, he saw Xie Jiuan, who had been holding Gu Jiangyue tightly and didn't want to let go, quickly let go after hearing Gu Jiangyue's words.
It was as if they had discussed it beforehand. Gu Jiangyue also stood up from the chair, turned around, and left the courtyard, walking towards Gu Zhengwan's courtyard.
Xie Chengrui had no time to refuse and could only helplessly watch Gu Jiangyue's back as she left.
Gu Jiangyue didn't waste any time. She trotted all the way and almost told every maid on the roadside her purpose. She just happened to meet the old matriarch. When the old matriarch learned that Xie Chengrui had come and Gu Jiangyue was going to call Gu Zhengwan, she was overjoyed.
The old matriarch even specifically told Gu Jiangyue to be careful. Little did she know that Gu Jiangyue was sneering in her heart. In just a little while, almost everyone in the Gu Mansion would know what her precious granddaughter was up to.