Clouds and Moon Shadow

Chapter 264 My aunt doesn't want me to still be alive?

She heard early this morning that a girl had come to the second courtyard yesterday, brought back by Gu Yuanen. Not only did she treat Qin Shi's illness, but this morning she also had breakfast with the four brothers and the old Duke, and they were very close.

She felt something was amiss and wanted to come and see for herself.

When I saw it, I was almost scared out of my wits!

This girl's features are exactly like my second brother's, they look so alike!

Gu Qingyue raised an eyebrow, carefully observing the woman's emotional changes. She immediately understood the woman's identity: Liu Shi, the eldest daughter-in-law!

But why do I look like I've seen a ghost?

As the saying goes, "If you have a clear conscience, you won't be afraid of ghosts knocking at your door in the middle of the night." This clearly indicates that someone has done something very wrong, and it involves themselves.

Is it related to yourself?

A bold guess suddenly popped into Gu Qingyue's mind, ready to be revealed.

She remembered her third brother saying that she was lost when she went to Lingyun Temple to burn incense with her mother and aunt. Could it be that she was related to her loss?

It is said that when my aunt was returning to Lizhou to celebrate my mother's birthday, Qin and I, representing the Duke's mansion, attended the banquet and later stopped by Lingyun Temple to offer incense...

In a flash, some clues overlapped with the woman's fear before him.

It gave a clear clue to a vague matter.

This Liu is very suspicious!

Gu Qingyue forced a polite smile, "Aunt, I am the third young lady, Gu Qingyue."

The Duke of Zhenguo's mansion has four illegitimate daughters, but only one legitimate daughter, Gu Qingyue, who is the third among the sisters and is known as the Third Miss within the Gu family.

Because the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion had few daughters, all three branches were ranked together, while there were too many sons. The old Duke of Zhenguo decided that each branch would rank its own sons.

Therefore, Gu Qingyue was known as the Third Miss Gu in the capital since she was a child.

"Third Sister?!"

Liu's face turned deathly pale instantly, and she swayed precariously, almost unable to stand. Gu Qingyue narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Aunt?" Gu Qingyue took a step forward, and Liu Shi was so frightened that her face turned pale and she took several steps back, as if she had really seen a ghost!

"You... how are you still alive?" Madam Liu managed to compose herself, though her voice still trembled slightly upon closer listening.

"Am I that scary to be alive, Aunt? Could it be that Aunt... doesn't want me to be alive?" Gu Qingyue smiled, but her eyes were icy cold.

A tremendous storm was brewing in Liu's heart!

She forced herself to calm down, straightened her body, and raised her chin. "How could that be? Of course your aunt is happy. You silly child, why did you run off to play without anyone with you back then? Your aunt regretted it for more than ten years. Your mother also fell seriously ill and was on her deathbed because of you. You naughty girl!" As Liu spoke, she squeezed out a few tears from the corners of her eyes.

She really can cry so easily!

Gu Qingyue looked at the woman in front of her suspiciously. She seemed sad, but her words were an excuse that she couldn't refute. It really had nothing to do with her, Liu Shi!

They even pinned the blame for Qin's death on her.

Even though Qin's illness was related to her loss, she was only three years old at the time. Qin's illness was more likely due to her self-blame for not taking good care of her child. This self-blame and longing led to her current state, not to mention that she had been poisoned by the villain.

"Really? So I got lost on my own?" Gu Qingyue asked slowly, a half-smile on her face.

Upon hearing this, Liu trembled uncontrollably, a sight that Gu Qingyue witnessed.

Back then... she actually survived! She's really lucky!

"Aunt, are you saying that my sister ran away and got lost back then?"

Gu Yuanming's voice suddenly came from the doorway, followed by Gu Yuanen. The two brothers' eyes were colder than the ice and snow on a glacier.

"I seem to remember you saying back then that you didn't know how your sister disappeared. It seems you suddenly remembered her today, Aunt?"

Gu Yuanjin and Gu Yuanchen had just gone to the yamen, leaving only the two of them in the side hall next door waiting for their sister to give their mother acupuncture. Unexpectedly, Liu Shi barged in.

Upon hearing this, Liu's face flushed red with anger. "That's exactly what my aunt said back then. You...you're mistaken," she said, unconsciously moving further away from the two brothers.

Seeing that Liu Shi was almost cornered, Gu Qingyue asked, "I wonder what brings you here, Aunt?"

"Oh, I just came to see your mother. I heard from Physician Hu that she's not doing well," Madam Liu said, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. "Don't be too sad, please accept my condolences..."

Gu Qingyue's lips twitched; she really wanted to kick this pretentious woman out!

What do you mean by "it's no longer working"?

What does it mean to accept one's loss and move on?

Are you so sure your mother is failing?

These words would be utterly offensive anywhere!

Did they think they could stab those siblings in the heart? She wasn't going to fall for it!

Gu Yuanen clenched his fist in anger, but Gu Qingyue grabbed it and shook her head at him.

"Thank you, Aunt. My mother is unwell and cannot see anyone. Please go back first. I know some medicine and am treating my mother."

Gu Qingyue said indifferently.

"You know medicine? Oh, right, I just saw you can use acupuncture. But Yue'er, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but you're still young. Don't treat your mother recklessly just out of filial piety. Let your mother pass away peacefully and not suffer any more..."

That foul mouth!

Gu Qingyue had never seen such a foul mouth before!

Even if you want to curse someone, at least do it behind their back!

Isn't this just asking for a beating?

Gu Qingyue clenched her fists, she really wanted to beat this woman up!

Isn't it said that noblewomen in the capital are all elegant, sensible, tactful, and speak with subtlety and restraint?

Is this the kind of person the future Duchess of the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion is?

Gu Qingyue was a little uncertain again. Would Liu Shi, in her current state, have been able to sell herself back then?

"Please, Auntie," Gu Yuanming said impatiently. The woman's intentions and ill intentions were clearly written on her face, making her extremely annoying.

"You! You all! Disrespectful to your elders, humph!" With that, Madam Liu flicked her sleeves and left the room with her maid.

"Didn't I say that unauthorized personnel are not allowed to come in? Go and get your flogging!" Gu Yuanming said to the guards standing at the door.

He had specifically arranged for this place to be guarded last night, yet Liu still managed to sneak in. It was utterly dereliction of duty!

"Yes!" The two guards bowed and withdrew.

Upon hearing this, Liu, who had just reached the gate of the courtyard, slipped and almost fell!

These bastards! This is clearly a dig at themselves, and those bystanders?

She struggled to control her anger, and in a flash, she left the courtyard.

Gu Yuanming didn't look at Liu Shi again. He turned around and emphasized the gatekeeping requirements to the newly arrived guards. They were to ensure that no one other than his grandfather and his siblings was allowed to enter unless they gave permission.

The siblings stayed by Qin's bedside for a while before leaving the main room and entering the side hall.

Cui Shuming and Butler Qiu were already waiting there.