Not long after, Ruan Jiu's Jinxiu Pavilion officially opened.
The first thing Ruan Jiu did after the opening was to seek out Liu Ruyan.
She told Liu Ruyan that since the Jinxiu Pavilion had just opened, she hoped that Liu Ruyan could order a few dresses from there.
Once the noble ladies saw Liu Ruyan wearing the dresses from the Jinxiu Pavilion, the reputation of the pavilion would surely spread.
Liu Ruyan, remembering that Ruan Jiu had helped her regain favor, was naturally willing to do this favor.
Moreover, the dress that Ruan Jiu had given her to wear while dancing for the guests had really taken her fancy.
So, Liu Ruyan immediately invited Ruan Jiu to the Prime Minister's Mansion to take her measurements.
"No wonder Lady Liu is so favored by Prime Minister Gu. Looking at your figure, so curvaceous. If I were a man, I'd surely be smitten with you," Ruan Jiu said as soon as she entered, constantly flattering Liu Ruyan.
Having managed the silk store for so many years, she naturally knew what women liked to hear. So she picked all the nice words, which made Liu Ruyan extremely happy.
"Look at your mouth. It's as sweet as honey," Liu Ruyan said, covering her mouth with a smile.
"I'm telling the truth. If you don't believe me, you can ask your maids," Ruan Jiu replied.
Hearing this, the corners of Liu Ruyan's mouth couldn't help but turn up.
She immediately said, "Quickly serve Miss Ruan the best tea."
Then she pulled Ruan Jiu by the hand and sat down.
The two of them chatted back and forth, like bosom friends who wished they had met earlier.
After a while, Ruan Jiu suddenly frowned.
"What's wrong, Miss Ruan?" Liu Ruyan asked, looking puzzled.
Ruan Jiu pursed her lips and leaned over to whisper in Liu Ruyan's ear, "Maybe I drank too much tea just now. I need to... "
Hearing this, Liu Ruyan immediately understood.
She turned around and said, "Xiaolan, quickly take Miss Ruan to the toilet."
Ruan Jiu waved her hand. "No need. How can Lady Liu be without someone to serve her? I've been to the Prime Minister's Mansion before. I can find my way there myself."
She thought to herself that if someone followed her, how could she achieve her goal for today?
That's right. Ruan Jiu came to the Prime Minister's Mansion not only to take Liu Ruyan's measurements but also to find an opportunity to sneak into Gu Kexing's study to see if she could find any evidence.
Liu Ruyan adjusted her hairpin. "All right, then."
Ruan Jiu let out a sigh of relief and then walked out covering her stomach.
But the Prime Minister's Mansion was really huge. She didn't know where Gu Kexing's study was, and she couldn't ask anyone.
She wandered around the mansion for quite a while. Seeing that she had been away for too long, she couldn't let Liu Ruyan suspect anything and had to go back quickly.
It seemed that she needed to find an excuse to come to the Prime Minister's Mansion a few more times to figure out the location of the study.
Just then, she suddenly heard a strange sound coming from the room behind her.
Curiosity got the better of her.
So she carefully pushed open the door and peeked through the crack.
But what she saw in front of her stunned her!
She quickly turned around, her heart pounding, and her cheeks blushing all the way to the tips of her ears.
How could they do such a thing in broad daylight!
It was really an eyesore!
Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly thought that this room didn't seem to be a maid's room.
Moreover, at this time, Gu Kexing should still be in the palace discussing matters with the emperor.
Could it be...
A bold idea came to her mind.
Immediately, a glint of cunning flashed in her eyes.
Although she didn't find Gu Kexing's study this time, she couldn't return empty - handed.
Why not stir up a hornet's nest in the Prime Minister's Mansion.
So, Ruan Jiu immediately ran towards Liu Ruyan's room.
Seeing Ruan Jiu looking flustered, Liu Ruyan couldn't help but ask, "Why is your face so red?"
Ruan Jiu bit her lip and said embarrassedly, "Prime Minister Gu really has a good mood. He's fornicating with someone in the mansion in broad daylight."
Hearing this, Liu Ruyan put away the smile on her face. "What did you say?"
"Just now when I went to the toilet, I accidentally passed by the eastern courtyard and heard some really embarrassing sounds," Ruan Jiu said, covering her face and lowering her head shyly.
"The eastern courtyard?" Liu Ruyan asked.
Ruan Jiu nodded.
Liu Ruyan clenched her fists angrily.
She thought to herself.
The eastern courtyard was the courtyard of Concubine Wu, wasn't it?
Bitch! She's seducing the prime minister in broad daylight!
No, the prime minister hasn't returned to the mansion today!
Good for you, Concubine Wu. You're having an affair behind the prime minister's back. I'll teach you a good lesson.
Thinking of this, a smile appeared at the corner of Liu Ruyan's eyes.
"Xiaolan, immediately gather the mansion guards and go with me to the eastern courtyard to arrest the culprit!"
Ruan Jiu calmly picked up the teacup on the table, brought it to her lips, and took a sip.
She nodded. "The tea in the Prime Minister's Mansion is really good."
After saying that, she put down the teacup and left gracefully.
Little did she know that all her actions in the Prime Minister's Mansion that day were being silently watched by someone.
-
In the evening, Xie Jingchu rushed into Ruan Jiu's room.
"A Jiu, there was quite a stir in the Prime Minister's Mansion today," Xie Jingchu said.
After learning about that matter, Xie Jingchu had immediately sent someone to monitor Gu Kexing's every move.
Seeing Ruan Jiu looking calm, Xie Jingchu asked, "You knew?"
Ruan Jiu raised her eyebrows. "I did it."
Then she told Xie Jingchu exactly what had happened in the Prime Minister's Mansion that day.
After finishing, she rubbed her eyes. "It's really a pity for my poor eyes."
After hearing this, Xie Jingchu gently tapped Ruan Jiu's head. "You went to Gu Kexing's study to look for evidence behind my back! Do you know how dangerous that is!"
Ruan Jiu pouted. "I'll definitely tell you first next time."
"Next time?" Xie Jingchu's expression turned serious.
Ruan Jiu held Xie Jingchu's hand, blinked her eyes, and said obediently, "There won't be a next time."
Xie Jingchu let out a long sigh.
He really had no way with this little guy in front of him.
Ruan Jiu then asked, "What about Gu Kexing? Is he furious?"
Xie Jingchu replied, "He was so angry that he immediately had the man who had an affair with Concubine Wu beaten to death with a cane. But just as he was about to drown Concubine Wu in the pond, Chi Wei, Concubine Wu's father, came and saved her.
Chi Wei is the Minister of Revenue and has a complicated relationship with Gu Kexing. Even though Gu Kexing was extremely angry, he couldn't beat Concubine Wu, Chi Wei's legitimate daughter, to death with a cane in front of Chi Wei.
However, Gu Kexing insisted on divorcing her, which caused a rift between them."
Ruan Jiu stroked her chin. "It seems that Chi Wei must have a lot of Gu Kexing's weaknesses in his hands. Otherwise, with Gu Kexing's cruelty, he definitely wouldn't let Concubine Wu go so easily."
Xie Jingchu nodded.
This was exactly what he had thought.
Ruan Jiu then said, "Chi Wei's position is a lucrative one. There must be something fishy going on with him. Why don't we start with him?"
After all, he was the Minister of Revenue who was in charge of the entire financial revenue and expenditure.
She didn't believe that Gu Kexing wouldn't be greedy.
Even if they couldn't find Gu Kexing's weaknesses, it would be a good thing if they could get rid of his right - hand man.
Just as they were discussing where to start, Qin Yuan suddenly came with a letter.
Xie Jingchu opened the letter.
On the letter were written the words: "Taiping Village, ten miles outside the city."