Rebirth of a Lost Nation: Princess, Please Respect Yourself

The nanny named Cuiming was puzzled. "Does the old lady mean that Princess Zhaohua is spreading rumors to ruin our Gu family's reputation, or is it for our own good?"

"In the long run, it's indeed a good thing." Old Lady Gu nodded, her face showing an expression of admiration that she couldn't hide. "This girl is smart, I really like her, she's a good match for my Xiao'er."

Old Madam Gu refused to point it out and also forbade the Gu family to investigate further. Nanny Cuiming said that she really couldn't figure it out.

Of course, there is also Songyue who is as confused as Madam Cuiming.

As a gossip spreader, Songyue has been a little panicked recently. The Gu family has sent countless people to investigate. If the investigation really leads to her, wouldn’t Jiang Lige be implicated?

Song Yue was so anxious that she paced around the room, which really made Jiang Lige dizzy, so he could only comfort her and tell her to relax.

"Don't worry, Songyue. Those who see through this plan know that it will benefit the Gu family and won't make things difficult for us. Those who don't see through this plan won't even think of investigating us."

Song Yue was puzzled and began to count on his fingers to analyze with Jiang Lige.

"A rumor that helped the Crown Prince get rid of the messy rumors about his illegitimate child. This is beneficial to the Crown Prince, Songyue admits.

Furthermore, this rumor also helped the emperor to warn the officials, which was beneficial to the emperor, and Song Yue also acknowledged it.

But what benefit would this bring to the Gu family? Song Yue really couldn’t think of it.

Jiang Lige picked up the teacup, wiped off the foam with the cup lid, slowly sipped the tea, and then slowly explained to Songyue.

"The head of the Gu family holds the position of Grand Tutor, and the people of the Gu Mansion have always been accustomed to being surrounded by luxury, often flattered and never treated with contempt. There are always people who flatter, but few friends in need. After this 'disaster', the Gu family has better discerned the true nature of their friends and relatives. Cleaning up the mess soon will ensure smoother futures."

Secondly, the Gu family's collateral branches have been acting recklessly under the Gu clan's banner in recent years, and some of the main branch have also failed to live up to expectations, tarnishing the family's reputation. His Majesty's admonition will surely alert those lame collateral branches to restrain themselves, and it will also serve as a lesson for the main branch, which grew up in luxury. No one is born comfortable; their current comfort is supported by their elders. If they want to stand on their own two feet in the future, they must be strong and resolute.

Thirdly, to put it bluntly, this rumor does no real harm to the Gu family. Those favored by the Emperor have a smooth path, as they should. But to remain standing despite not being favored by the Emperor is the true heritage and strength of a century-old family. For the self-proclaimed "clean stream" Gu family, this is exactly what they want.

Song Yue finally understood what Jiang Lige said and gave Jiang Lige a thumbs-up. "All three parties benefit. Even if they see through the princess's plan, they won't cause trouble for us."

"exactly."

Just as the master and servant finished their conversation, Fengquan knocked on the door and entered. "Princess, I have made some progress on the matter you asked me to investigate."

"Oh?" Jiang Lige became interested. "How is it?"

"Since we returned to the capital, three major events have occurred in the Bai family. The first is that Bai Fenglin, leveraging his father's achievements in Jingzhou, was promoted to the position of Imperial Reader. Although his rank is low, he is a close minister to the emperor and has been quite popular in the capital recently. The second is that Magistrate Bai has made his concubine Zhang his second wife."

"A concubine is promoted to be the first wife?" Jiang Lige was a little surprised. "Sheng Ling attaches great importance to gifts. Isn't it extremely rare for a concubine to be promoted to be the first wife?"

"That's right," Feng Quan explained. "I heard that the original wife, Madam Bai, was murdered by General Yuan in Jingzhou, and the Bai Mansion was in chaos. It was this Concubine Zhang who stepped up to take charge of the situation and saved the remaining people in the Bai Mansion. After this incident, not only did Magistrate Bai value this Concubine Zhang, but even the servants in the mansion respected her."

"For a concubine to have such ability, it's no wonder she's favored by her husband." Jiang Lige nodded thoughtfully and asked, "What about the third thing?"

"The last thing is that Zhang Shi became the second wife, and her daughter Bai Jinyuan's status also rose. Zhang Shi was also very good at manipulating things, and with a little effort, she sent Bai Jinyuan to the Queen."

"Oh?" Jiang Lige smiled with interest, "Empress Xiao has recently recruited many noble ladies into the palace to serve her."

Song Yue jumped out at the right moment, "Exactly. As far as I know, there are about four noble ladies. The one from the Bai family is the lowest in status, so she is very cautious."

Jiang Lige was not surprised. "She is of a low status, but she is still favored by the Queen, and she has such a mother. This Miss Bai is not simple."

"Everyone in the Bai family is extraordinary." Song Yue complained, then became a little worried. "But it sounds like these are just trivial matters. We still don't know what the assassination at the temple has to do with the Bai family!"

"We'll know if there's any connection once we try it."

Jiang Lige smiled and whispered the plan in a voice that only the three of them could hear.

Songyue naturally fully supports it, but Fengquan has some concerns.

"If they are close, the princess's actions would be nothing more than alerting the enemy."

"I don't think they'll be close," Jiang Lige answered confidently. "I've dealt with Madam Bai before. Someone like her would never allow a bastard's child to succeed. This woman in our palace has been oppressed for years and finally sees hope. She won't let anyone snuff that hope out."

With his master saying so, Fengquan could only nod and agree, "Then I will deliver the message to the prince."

Jiang Lige sipped his tea contentedly and reminded, "Tell Feng Yu about this as well."

"Yes."

……

The temple was attacked that day, and Feng Yu broke his leg during the arrest. He is still bedridden and recovering from the injury.

Although he couldn't walk, Feng Yu didn't slack off. Account books half a meter high were piled on the table. After hearing Feng Quan's news, he was a little surprised and a little dejected.

"I never thought that I would almost die at the hands of my own father."

Fengquan could only comfort him with a few words, and then said: "The princess means that if you want to plead for him, the princess can let him go."

Feng Yu laughed, and his laugh was quite ironic. "If I let him go, will he let me go?"

Feng Quan didn't know how to comfort Feng Yu for a moment. After a moment of silence, he told Feng Yu about Jiang Lige's plan.

"If you have any difficulties, please tell me as soon as possible so that we can..."

"I can." He said calmly, cutting off the escape route Jiang Lige had left for him. "Sister, please help me pass on a message to the princess. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to avenge my mother."

Fengquan nodded, gave a few more instructions and left.

Jiang Lige was not surprised by Feng Yu's choice, but Song Yue was a little hesitant and talked to Jiang Lige.

"Princess, that's his biological father. Isn't this... a bit too cruel?"

"If you want to avoid being bullied, you must be tough yourself. Songyue, I don't keep useless people around me. They must be either loyal or ruthless. Feng Yu has only known us for a short time, so he can't be loyal, so he can only be ruthless."