Gu Junyan pondered and said, "For stability, you're willing to give up the glory and wealth of the Jiang family?"
Gu Liyue forced a bitter smile. "My lord may not understand. I didn't have a good life in the Jiang family. The madam was very kind to me, but I really didn't get along well with Miss Jiang. She was always afraid that I would take her place. But I... I know my own limitations. If I had to trade freedom and scheming for glory and wealth, I'd rather wander the world with my aunt."
Jiang Che stood there stupidly at the door. This woman was always good at sweet - talking. But for some reason, he was faintly moved by her words today.
He remembered last month when he heard noises inside his mother's room outside the door. Gu Liyue was whispering to resign, but his mother hugged her and cried, calling her "Yue'er" and begging her not to leave at all costs.
At that time, he thought Gu Liyue was doing it on purpose just to win his mother's love. But today, after some thought, he felt that what Gu Liyue said might be true.
Gu Junyan nodded. "So, you got in Miss Jiang's carriage because you made a deal with Madam Jiang and promised to send Jiang Yingyue back to the mansion?"
Jiang Yingyue immediately said, "No. She just clung to me..."
Gu Junyan asked someone to record their words and then said, "You said Gu Liyue clung to you and got in your carriage? Let me ask you, was that sachet hanging on the carriage wall also hung up by Gu Liyue?"
Jiang Yingyue was at a loss for words. Her maid beside her said, "Yes, it was Gu Liyue who hung it. She said it was nice and insisted on hanging it..."
Gu Junyan sneered. "You've had a bad relationship with Gu Liyue for a long time. She insisted on getting in your carriage, and you agreed. She insisted on hanging a sachet with a sleeping - drug on your carriage, and you also agreed. Moreover, she took a mind - clearing pill so she wasn't knocked out. But what about you? Why didn't you know there was a sleeping - drug in the sachet? After smelling the fragrance, you were still sober?"
Jiang Yingyue and her maid were speechless.
Gu Junyan added, "Furthermore, it was just the two of you masters and servants while she was alone. Your carriage, coachman, and the accompanying servants were all from the Jiang family. But they didn't follow your orders, Miss Jiang, and instead listened to Gu Liyue?"
"Because... because she had arranged in advance..." Jiang Yingyue stammered. She didn't expect things to turn out like this, and there were clearly many loopholes in her story.
Gu Junyan interrupted her. "Gu Liyue, continue."
Gu Liyue nodded. "Later, Miss Jiang insulted and threatened me with her words. So I used a dagger for self - defense, thinking I could safely return to the Jiang family. But I didn't expect she had other plans. She told me she intended to drug me and sell me to a brothel."
"You're lying! You're just trying to frame me! How could I know such low - class people? But you, a country girl. We don't even know what you used to do. You must have known such people in the countryside before, so..."
Gu Junyan slapped the gavel heavily, scaring Jiang Yingyue into silence.
Only then could Gu Liyue continue. "Then the carriage stopped. The bloodstain on her neck was caused at that time. We were both nervous because of the sudden stop, and I accidentally scratched her. Later, Lord Gu... came, and we were saved. You already know what happened after that, my lord."
Gu Chengzhi immediately said, "My lord Gu, I have a witness."
Gu Junyan asked, "Who?"
Gu Chengzhi said, "When I was leading the patrol of the capital guards, I saw those sneaky people. I thought it was strange, so I arrested them. Since Jiang Yingyue and Gu Liyue each stick to their own stories and neither admits hiring those people, why don't we just investigate them?"
Jiang Yingyue exclaimed, "Didn't you say... they've already been disposed of?"
Gu Chengzhi glanced at her. "Do you mean if they weren't disposed of, you wouldn't be saying what you're saying now?"
Jiang Yingyue no longer had any toughness left. She just turned around and cried. "Third brother, save me! Third brother, I don't want to stay here. Take me home quickly!"
Jiang Che was completely stunned. Even if Jiang Yingyue didn't say it explicitly, the meaning was too obvious. Clearly, she was the one behind this.
How could she be so stupid?
Gu Junyan said to Gu Liyue, "This matter needs to be carefully investigated. Since you are both victims and suspects, you may have to be detained until the truth comes out."
Gu Liyue let out a sigh of relief. She was now sure that the lord in front of her was a good official. He would never distort the truth and force her to admit guilt just because she was powerless and had no influence.
She immediately knelt down and bowed deeply. "Thank you, my lord."
Gu Junyan waved his hand. "Take the three of them down and detain them separately. No one is allowed to visit."
Gu Chengzhi immediately stepped forward and asked, "My lord... elder brother, I have a bit of a friendship with Gu Liyue. Allow me to ask her if she has any urgent matters to take care of?"
Gu Junyan glared at him. "Just say it here in the hall."
Gu Chengzhi smiled at Gu Liyue. "Don't worry. My elder brother is the most impartial. As long as this matter has nothing to do with you, you'll be fine."
Gu Liyue nodded. "Thank you, Lord Gu."
"Do you have any message you want me to pass on to anyone?"
Gu Chengzhi thought to himself that Jin Chen wasn't in the capital, and even if he rushed back, he wouldn't make it in time. If this girl had any message for Jin Chen, he would help.
Gu Liyue said seriously, "There is indeed one thing. Today's incident happened suddenly. My aunt, Yunniang, may not know about it. I wonder if Lord Gu could help me go to the Jiang family and tell my aunt to rest assured? She works in the sewing room. Both the sewing room and the embroidery room are managed by the Rui family."
Gu Chengzhi was slightly surprised and asked, "That's all?"
Seeing that he didn't respond, Gu Liyue asked nervously, "Is it inconvenient?"
Gu Chengzhi quickly shook his head. "No, no. Don't worry. I'll inform the Jiang family later and then go to the sewing room myself to find your aunt."
Gu Liyue felt relieved and bowed to Gu Chengzhi. "Thank you, Lord Gu."
On the other side, Jiang Yingyue burst into tears. She struggled free from the people who were escorting her, rushed outside, and reached out her hand to grab Jiang Che. "Third brother, third brother, save Yue'er, third brother..."
Since she was a woman and the daughter of the Duke of Jiang's mansion, the escorting officials didn't dare to get too close. They just hesitated, not knowing what to do.
Jiang Che's eyes were blood - red. He looked at Gu Liyue and then at Jiang Yingyue. He resisted the urge to reach out his hand and just asked, "Yue'er, tell third brother. Did you do this?"
Jiang Yingyue cried so hard that she could hardly catch her breath. "It wasn't me. She framed me, third brother. She framed me. Third brother, don't you even believe me?"
Only then did Jiang Che reach out his hand and hold Jiang Yingyue's tightly. "Yue'er, don't be afraid. Since you didn't do it, the Supreme Court will definitely clear your name. Yue'er, don't worry. We definitely won't let Gu Liyue go."
Jiang Yingyue shivered. She looked at Jiang Che blankly and cried even louder.
Just then, someone came in from outside to report. "My lord, the Duke of Jiang and the Duchess are here."
Gu Junyan raised his eyebrows slightly and ordered someone to let them in.