Reborn and returned, sisters swapped

Gu Jinyan changed into plain clothes and headed to the largest market in the capital with Hongyin.

She didn't put on airs; instead, she walked discreetly through the crowd, observing the vendors' movements and listening to the people's demands.

At this moment, a vendor saw her, paused slightly, and clearly recognized her.

Gu Jinyan approached and asked, "Brother, how's your business?"

The vendor hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting around, but he said in a low voice, "Miss Gu, with you here, I... I dare not say."

Gu Jinyan sensed something was amiss and said softly, "Brother, please speak freely. If you encounter any difficulties, the Gu family will certainly lend a helping hand."

Her sincere and firm tone slightly lowered the vendor's guard.

The vendor hesitated for a moment before finally speaking in a low voice: "Miss, there's been a lot of talk in the city lately, saying that the Gu family has been suppressed in the court and is powerless to manage affairs. Some people have even hinted that the people will face the dilemma of rising prices."

Though people dared not believe it, it caused widespread panic. Some vendors took advantage of the situation to inflate prices, and the people were filled with resentment.

Upon hearing this, a flash of coldness crossed Gu Jinyan's eyes, but his expression remained gentle: "Please rest assured, the Gu family will never sit idly by."

Officials will be inspecting the market in the coming days, and anyone caught taking advantage of the situation to raise prices will be severely punished.

Her words carried an air of authority, causing the vendor to nod repeatedly in agreement.

These words spread quickly through the market, and the people gradually felt reassured. Many secretly rejoiced that the Gu family had not abandoned them.

Gu Jinyan left calmly, his face showing no sign of distress, but he knew in his heart that the situation was not simple.

The fact that such a rumor could spread so quickly in just a few days suggests that someone must be behind it.

Upon returning to her residence, she ordered Hongyin to investigate the source of the rumors, while she went to the study to discuss the matter with Gu Yuande.

Seeing his daughter hurrying along, Gu Yuande frowned slightly: "Jinyan, what's the matter that you're in such a rush?"

After bowing, Gu Jinyan said in a deep voice, "Father, at the family banquet a few days ago, Shichang mentioned rumors. Today, I personally investigated and found that some people in the capital are inciting public sentiment and intend to shake the foundation of my Gu family."

This is no accident; I suspect someone is deliberately spreading rumors to alienate the people.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuande's gaze darkened: "In that case, they are indeed not to be underestimated. Jin Yan, do you have a plan to deal with them?"

Gu Jinyan smiled slightly, a confident glint in her eyes: "Father, rest assured, I have a plan. First, I will stabilize the people's mindset, and then I will secretly investigate those who spread rumors."

I think if there really is someone behind this, they won't stop here. It's better to wait and see, until they slip up.

Gu Yuande nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes: "Jinyan, you are meticulous and thoughtful, truly worthy of being a daughter of the Gu family."

……

As night fell, the streetlights gradually thinned out, with only the teahouse in the distance still emitting bursts of noise.

Hongyin slowed her pace, hiding behind the crowd, and quietly stepped into the small teahouse.

There were people talking in the teahouse, and a few indistinct words—"ancient family" and "turmoil"—passed past her ears, making her heart tighten.

She lowered her head, lifted the curtain, went to an empty table in the corner, sat down, and ordered a few cups of tea.

Before the tea was even served, several men in coarse cloth clothes at the next table raised their voices.

One of them lowered his voice, which carried a hint of mystery and disdain: "Have you heard? The Gu family hasn't been having an easy time lately. What good is their former glory? They'll lose power sooner or later."

As soon as he spoke, several people crowded around to peek, their eyes filled with eagerness and gossipy excitement.

Hongyin took a sip of tea, her ears perked up discreetly, and she turned away without making a sound.

Seeing that everyone was listening intently, the man's lips curled up slightly, and he lowered his voice.

But he deliberately spoke in a volume that others could hear: "I heard that the Gu family is in turmoil right now. The eldest master of the Gu family is busy fighting for power in the court, and the second master of the Gu family is fighting for the right to speak in the family. No one is taking charge."

I've heard the people are starting to complain... I'm afraid it won't be long before the Gu family is in turmoil.

The other person nodded in agreement, as if the matter was already a done deal, glancing around from time to time, as if afraid that someone might miss this earth-shattering "secret".

Hong Yin felt a chill run down her spine. Her gaze slowly swept over the group of people, noticing that although they were dressed plainly, their expressions subtly revealed a deliberate affectation, making them stand out from the ordinary people around them.

Another man took a sip of tea, lowered his voice and chuckled, "No wonder. The Gu family has been dominating the city's businesses for years. Now that the storm has passed, aren't we all hoping they'll have a run of bad luck?"

"It truly is the will of Heaven." As soon as he finished speaking, the group exchanged knowing glances, seemingly pleased with the thoughtful expressions of those around them.

Hongyin frowned, already somewhat understanding the situation—these people were clearly intentionally spreading rumors here.

She glanced around, stood up, pretended to straighten her sleeves, and walked outside, but her eyes swept over the faces of the men, secretly memorizing their appearances.

As Hongyin left the teahouse, her mood grew even heavier.

She looked up at the dark night sky, her mind replaying the suggestive words spoken by those people.

Those words have already spread with the night wind, and within a few days, they will surely take root in every corner of the capital. The source of these rumors is far more than just a teahouse.

After returning, Hongyin immediately reported the information she had gathered to Gu Jinyan.

Gu Jinyan understood the situation upon hearing this and decided to go to the teahouse the next day to find out for himself.

The following evening, Gu Jinyan, disguised in a low-key manner, entered the teahouse with Hongyin.

She sat quietly in the corner, observing the surrounding movements.

Sure enough, there were several people dressed in plain clothes but with shrewd expressions, talking in hushed tones in the teahouse.

Throughout his speech, he repeatedly mentioned phrases such as "the ancient family is in dire straits" and "the government is about to take action."

Gu Jinyan sneered inwardly. Although these people were well disguised, they could not hide the deliberate provocation in their words.

Suddenly, someone looked up and glanced at the corner where Gu Jinyan was.

Hongyin noticed and immediately lowered her head to cover it up.

Gu Jinyan remained calm, slowly got up and walked out of the teahouse, as if he were just an ordinary customer leaving.

However, she already had a plan in mind and decided to let these people experience her methods.