Reborn and returned, sisters swapped

On this morning, the autumn rain had just stopped, and the fallen leaves in the courtyard, dampened by the drizzle, appeared even more tranquil.

Gu Jinyan stood by the window, gazing at the thin mist outside, and had already made up his mind.

She summoned Xiao Li and said in a calm tone, "With the Princess Consort back at the manor, the situation within is still uncertain, and Quran will surely take action."

Go and investigate which stewards and servants in the household have recently acted suspiciously, especially those who have had dealings with the Quran.

Xiao Li accepted the order and withdrew, while Gu Jinyan gently tapped the table in the study, his thoughts racing.

Relying solely on her servants to gather information was not enough for her to fully control the situation; she had to take the initiative to remain undefeated in this covert struggle.

She pondered for a moment, then decided to go to the courtyard of the Quran to find out the truth for herself.

In the afternoon, Gu Jinyan changed into a simple outfit and went alone to Quran's residence.

A gust of autumn wind rustled the leaves on the treetops, as if foreshadowing some unseen crisis.

The courtyard of the Quran was quiet and still. When the servants saw Gu Jinyan arrive, they all bowed and dared not say a word.

Gu Jinyan slowly walked into the courtyard, silently surveying his surroundings.

The garden was lush with flowers and trees, but the plants hadn't been trimmed, clearly indicating that Quran's mind wasn't on the garden's scenery lately.

She pushed open the door and entered. The room was furnished as usual, but the oppressive atmosphere made her uneasy.

"What brings you to my secluded courtyard today, sister?" A slightly cold voice came from behind the curtain.

Gu Jinyan looked up and saw Gu Lanci walking out slowly, his face pale, but his eyes revealed a hint of unyielding and coldness.

Although she lost the family meeting, she was clearly not completely defeated.

"I just heard you haven't been out lately, so I came to see you." Gu Jinyan smiled faintly, his tone gentle but with a hint of probing.

Upon hearing this, Qulan smiled slightly, her eyes sparkling: "Sister is so kind, it's rare that you still have the time to think of me."

"But this is just a quiet, secluded courtyard; sister, you should focus on the important matters of the household."

Gu Jinyan smiled slightly, walked to the table and sat down. He picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea was slightly cool, but still had a pleasant fragrance.

She said calmly, "Lanci, we both know about the family's affairs. The turmoil has not yet subsided, so it's inevitable that we feel uneasy."

I've come to talk to you today; perhaps we can resolve some of your inner conflicts.

Qu Lanci's gaze turned slightly cold, and then she sat down at the table, staring intently at Gu Jinyan, as if trying to figure out her intentions: "I was quite surprised that you told me these things today, sister."

After the family meeting, my sister should be the victor, so why does she still have the heart to discuss her feelings with me, the loser?

Gu Jinyan remained unmoved and still smiled, saying, "Victory or defeat is only temporary; the rise and fall of the family is the long-term plan."

Lan Ci, although you have been favored in the household all these years, you also understand that the fate of everyone in this family is closely related to the entire Gu family.

Although we have differences, if we can work together, we may well be able to create a better situation for the family.

Upon hearing this, a complex expression flashed across Quran's eyes.

Although she was unwilling, she knew that what Gu Jinyan said was true. She tapped her fingers lightly on the table, her expression gloomy and uncertain.

Although their conversation appeared peaceful, there was an undercurrent of tension beneath the surface.

Gu Jinyan's trip was partly to investigate the truth of the Quran, and partly to test whether she had colluded with outsiders.

Although Quran's words revealed a hint of unease, they did not disclose any further details of her plans.

After taking his leave, Gu Jinyan walked out of Qulanci's courtyard, already certain that Qulanci was secretly planning something, but had not yet found the key breakthrough.

She could not wait any longer and had to take more forceful action as soon as possible.

Back in his courtyard, Gu Jinyan summoned his maid Hongyin to his side and whispered, "Tomorrow I plan to visit some elders in the clan. Prepare a carriage and horses for me."

Hongyin nodded in agreement, then asked, "Miss, which elders would you like to see?"

Gu Jinyan's eyes flickered slightly, and he slowly said, "Greetings to Elders Gu Zheng and Gu Liang."

These two elders are quite influential in the Gu family. Although they are old, they still have a great deal of decision-making power in family affairs.

In particular, Elder Gu Zheng has always been a fan of the Quran. If we can win his support, the power of the Quran can be completely weakened.

Gu Jinyan already had a complete plan in mind—she would use the attitudes of these elders to solidify her position in the family.

The next morning, under a gloomy sky, Gu Jinyan, dressed in a plain dress, led Xiao Li and Hong Yin to the clan's elders' courtyard.

The Gu family patriarchal courtyard is located deep within the family estate, with its simple and rustic courtyard filled with a heavy historical atmosphere.

When she arrived, Elder Gu Zheng was sitting in the courtyard drinking tea. When he saw Gu Jinyan arrive, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Jinyan, what brings you to visit this old man today?" Elder Gu Zheng said with a smile. Although he was old, his voice was still loud and clear.

Gu Jinyan smiled slightly, bowed and said, "Elder, these days there are many family affairs to attend to, and I know that I have not handled many things well. I have come here today to ask for your advice."

Elder Gu Zheng's eyes flashed with admiration, and he nodded: "You are a clever child, knowing how to plan ahead. Sit down, and feel free to ask me anything."

After Gu Jinyan sat down, he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Elder, although I have temporarily stabilized the situation after the family meeting, Sister Lanci has not completely given up."

I worry that if she continues her secret schemes, it could jeopardize the stability of the family.

Elder Gu Zheng's gaze darkened slightly. He stroked his long beard and slowly said, "Lan Ci is too thoughtful, which makes her prone to problems."

However, important family matters have always been controlled by the patriarch. If she dares to act rashly, we elders will handle it ourselves.

Gu Jinyan felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this, but she knew that Elder Gu Zheng's words still contained a probing intent.

She then changed the subject, saying, "I understand what the elder means, but I dare not let my guard down, for fear that outsiders might take the opportunity to sow discord."

Upon hearing this, Elder Gu Zheng's expression changed slightly, as if he were deep in thought.

He sighed softly: "Outsiders... that's somewhat possible."

Jinyan, it's rare to see someone as vigilant as you.

Family matters should not be taken lightly. Keep a close eye on things, and inform us immediately if anything happens.

Gu Jinyan smiled slightly and nodded in response, "Jinyan will certainly live up to the elder's expectations."

When Gu Jinyan emerged from the Elders' Council, he already had a clear direction in his mind.

If the Quran wants to turn the tide, it will inevitably rely on external forces. While the elders do not intervene in the surface struggles, they will never tolerate any damage to the interests of their families.

As long as she can maintain the support of these elders, the Quran will find it difficult to take any further action.